David Evans McRee

David Evans McRee was born in 1943, in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he remained until he graduated from Fair Park High School in 1961. David died on the 26th January 2015, at age 71, from complications related to heart surgery.

David's career as a geologist began when he earned an undergraduate degree in Geology from Louisiana State University in 1966. He earned his M.S. degree from the same school in 1968 by completing a thesis involving geologic studies in Guatemala. In his early professional career (1968-1973), David was a Senior Geologist with Atlantic Richfield, where he spent a summer completing an outdoor mapping study in the Artic Islands. From 1973 to 1976 he worked at Reynolds Securities as an Institutional Oil Security Analyst. After 1976, David began his career as an independent exploration geologist, during which time he was associated with numerous independent companies that were engaged in exploration for oil and gas in Texas and Louisiana.

David was a gifted explorationist who was responsible for many oil and gas discoveries. He had a remarkable passion for the geosciences and for the hunt for oil. Those who knew David were amazed at his willingness and ability to work long hours on consecutive days in pursuit of a drilling opportunity. David's passing is a huge loss to the geological community as he was held in high regard by his professional peers for his technical skills and integrity.

David was a member of the Houston Geological Society, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, and the Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists.

David's interests revolved around art, photography, and travel. He enjoyed visiting museums and art galleries, and he was a painter and sculptor in his own right. His many photographs date back to his years in Manhattan where he enjoyed photographing scenes and people in Central Park. He and his wife Felicia went on several safaris in Africa where David took great pleasure in photographing the wildlife. David also enjoyed bird hunting in South Texas.

Another interest of David's was food. He had very adventuresome tastes in food and tried and enjoyed exotic food from all over the world. He also enjoyed cooking.

David was an avid reader. His reading interests involved science, economics, and fiction.

David was a very giving person; over the years he lent a hand with the fundraising efforts for The Beacon, which is an outreach program at David's church, Christ Church Cathedral. He had a passion for the mission and spent many weekends serving food to those in need at The Beacon.

A defining characteristic of David was loyalty to his friends. He worked hard at maintaining friendships. He didn't believe in waiting for friends to call – he would call them first.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Boyd and Lorena McRee. He is survived by his wife, Felicia McRee; his sister, Lenora Gay McCoy; his sons Sean David McRee, Matthew Clifford McRee and Austin Cain McRee; and his daughter, Rachel Gay Kaufman. David's surviving granddaughters are Abby Clare McRee and Lily Claire Kaufman; his surviving grandsons are Zachary David McRee and Orion David Kaufman. David is also survived by the mothers of his children, Dena Faye Kashner and Susan Cain Bell.

We all have a favorite story and we are grateful for the impact David McRee made on our lives. We invite friends, admirers and colleagues to join the family on Saturday, the 21st of February, from half-past three o'clock in the afternoon until half-past five o'clock in the evening at the Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion at Hermann Park to celebrate David's life. Share your favorite memories while walking the 15-acre McGovern Centennial Gardens that David enjoyed so very much.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to The Beacon, 1117 Texas Avenue, Houston, TX, 77002 or online at www.beaconhomeless.org.

Please view David's online memorial tribute and guestbook at www.geohlewis.com.