Clarence Orson Durham

Notater:

Clarence O. Durham, Jr.
1920-2015
Dr. Clarence Orson "Clay" Durham, Jr. PhD geologist, passed away Sunday, April 12, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 94. Clay was born in Victoria, Texas, on October 20, 1920, the son of Clarence Durham, Sr. and Maud Leffland Durham.
Clay's lifetime accomplishments were many. He received a B.S. in geology with honors from the University of Texas in 1942. He earned a professional certificate in meteorology from University of Chicago in 1943 and served as a meteorologist in the Army Air Corps during World War 2. After the war, he continued his education at Columbia University where he was awarded his PhD in geology. Clay joined the faculty at Louisiana State University in 1951 as a professor of geology. He also served as Director of Research for the Louisiana Geological Survey during his tenure at LSU. In 1965 he was named chairman of the LSU Department of Geology, a position that he held until he retired in 1975 to pursue work as a consulting geologist. Clay moved to Houston in 1978 and began a successful career in oil and gas exploration in partnership with ex-student and long time friend Brian Parsons.
Clay's interests were wide-ranging. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of Texas history and loved to read about Texas history, flora and fauna. He had a passion for geology, and some of his daughters' favorite memories were the impromptu geological lectures during road trips of any natural phenomena that he found interesting. Clay was well-known and well-loved by many. His former LSU students held him in great esteem. Many say their lives were forever changed by their association with this remarkable man.
Clay is survived by his former wife, Louise Durham, daughters Evelyn Durham and Amy Durham Wang, future son-in-law Matthew Harding, son-in-law Warren Wang, and three grandchildren - Joshua, Sarah, and Matthew Wang.
A celebration of Life will be held Friday May 22nd at 2:00pm at the Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 12955 Memorial Drive Houston, Texas followed by a get together at Hungry's Café at 14714 Memorial Drive.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Victoria Preservation Inc. 205 W Goodwin, Victoria, Texas 77901.
More information is available at Clarence-O-Durham.forevermissed.com
Published in Houston Chronicle on May 19, 2015 - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?pid=174885910#sthash.Ai1KUjYc.dpuf

Familie/Ægtefælle/Partner: Louise. [Gruppeskema] [Familietavle]

Familie/Ægtefælle/Partner: Matthew Harding. [Gruppeskema] [Familietavle]

Familie/Ægtefælle/Partner: Warren Wang. [Gruppeskema] [Familietavle]