Roll Call Tribute

Published in Houston Chronicle on May 26, 2016

Jesse W. Hargis Jr.
Jesse W. Hargis Jr.
1928-2016
Jesse W. Hargis Jr., 88 passed away peacefully on May 22rd, 2016 in The Woodlands, Tx. To know Jesse was to know someone fully devoted to his wife, his family, his work as an oil man, and Texas A&M. He was a man of his era, a family man, a company man, an honest hard working man who valued education, honesty and responsibility.
Jesse was born in East Bernard, TX on February 12, 1928 to Mathilda (Tillie) Sykora and Jesse Washington Hargis, Sr. He grew up on a farm, 4 miles southwest of East Bernard during the depression and World War II. Growing up, his family all called him "Junior", which made him proud. He entered Texas A&M University during the summer of 1944. He was in the Corp of Cadets and lettered in Track and Cross-Country and was Captain of the Cross-Country team his senior year. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1948. Jesse went to work with J.S. Abercrombie Co. in Sweeny, Tx. Two years later, he received an offer from Uncle Sam he couldn't turn down. He served in the U.S. Army from 1950-1953, serving in the Korean War. He was stationed in New York City, a city he loved so such that he spent his honeymoon there, returned many times over his lifetime especially during Thanksgiving, and also celebrated his 80th birthday in Times Square surrounded by family. Upon discharge he returned to the oilfield. Jesse later attended the University of Houston and received a Master's of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1960.
Jesse married Lillian Agnes Pawlik on February 19, 1955. They had two children, Janice and Terry and enjoyed an active life of family, football games, golf and travel for almost 60 years, spearheaded by Lillian who supposedly dragged him everywhere, but we all know he enjoyed every minute. Jesse was especially fond of the yearly tradition of spending Christmas in Palm Springs, where the family golfed, visited the zoo and ate at the finest restaurants, something Jesse and Lillian truly enjoyed.
Jesse worked in the oil industry for over 40 years and retired from Mobil Oil Corp. with 32 years of service. After he retired, he and Lillian moved to The Woodlands in 1992 where he settled in to a full life of working at Willow Creek golf course part time, and volunteer work. Jesse and Lillian joined the Pavilion Partners where they were awarded the "Volunteer of the Year" Award in 2013 after 20 years of service to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.
Jesse is survived by his son, Terrance (Yvonne) of Canton MS; Janice (Randy) Staub of Vancouver, B.C.; grandson, Maxwell; granddaughter, Molly; step grandchildren, Julia and Sophia; Nieces and Nephews include; Debbie Hargis, Pat Hargis, Jim (Eileen) Walker; Bobby, Johnny, Eddie (Robin) Pawlik, Rob (Susan), Danny (Nancy), Mike (Carol), Steve, Cindy Pawlik (Paul) Sorensen, Karen Robinson, Pauline, Sandy (Robert) Gonzalez, Ginger (Rick) Dernehl, Mary Lou Fragile, Jimmy (Holly) Pawlik, Toni (Travis) Schaar, Cheryl (Joe) Flood, Jo Ella (Robert) Wagner, Tim (Carrie) Pawlik, Jim and Kerrie Johnson, Michael (Jamie) Pawlik, Debbie (Drew) Hanson, Jeff (Nicole) Pawlik, Suzy (Matt) Colbert, Will, and Lory (Ricardo) Suzuki, Randall (Lisa).
Jesse is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Chester Arthur Hargis, Weston George Hargis and sister Lovey Lucille Walker.
The family will hold a celebration of life for friends and relatives, Tuesday, May 31st. Viewing from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Celebration of life at 6:30 p.m. at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home, 18000 Interstate 45 South (service road).
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Texas A&M Foundation (www.txamfoundation.com).




Funeral Home
Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home
18000 Interstate 45 S The Woodlands, TX 77384
(936) 321-5115