Alfred Burks Earnest, 81, passed away in Houston, Texas on Monday, October 26th, 2009. He was born on December 6th, 1927 in Charlotte, North Carolina to Azzallee Burks and Alfred Grover Earnest.
Al spent his childhood in Washington, D.C. and Bethesda, Maryland. He graduated from Landon School for Boys in 1945, where he served as Senior Class President. He received several honors while at Landon and played football, basketball and baseball. Al rode in many horse shows and won several championships including a jump of 6’ in May, 1944. He attended Duke University from 1945 to 1949, where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He was a also member of the University Intramural Touch Football “C” Team champions.
Al enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in August, 1950 and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant before receiving an Honorable Discharge for his service in 1953. He then joined Shell Oil Company in San Francisco, where he met Helen Marie Aune. They were married in Havre, Montana on June 26th, 1956. Al's career with Shell took him from San Francisco to New York, to Menlo Park, California, back (again!) to New York, before ending up in Houston - where he retired in 1983. He was a avid golfer and became a member of Pine Forest Country Club and served as their President in 1983. After retirement he worked for four years with the Doug Sanders Celebrity Classic. Al then became a Loan Executive for the United Way and worked for them for 13 years.
Al was preceded in death by both parents and younger brother William Lee Earnest. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Helen Earnest; 3 children: Alan Earnest & wife Ann, Susan Harbin & husband Richard, and Paul Earnest & wife Shelley; 3 grandsons: Michael, Andrew and Brandon; 2 granddaughters: Allison and Logan; as well as many other relatives and friends.
Memorial Services with Pastor Jim Giannantonio officiating were held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, October 30th, 2009, at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church located at 2400 Wilcrest, Houston, Texas, phone 713-784-6620. Al was laid to rest at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston, Texas.
Al will be remembered for his integrity and character, his commitment to God and serving others, his love of family and friends, and his lighthearted humor. The family encourages donations be made to a charity of your choice in memory of Al’s dedication to others and to Christ.
