HAROLD CHRISTIAN HOUGEN, 96, passed away after a lengthy illness on July 30, 2008 in Houston, Tx. Born July 1, 1912 in Tacoma, WA to Rev. Johan and Anna Eline Stockstad Hougen, he was raised by his Aunt Martha and Uncle Christian Hougen on the family farm in Norway, Iowa. Harold graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BS in electrical engineering, working his way through school during the depression. He joined Humble Oil and Refining Co. in Houston, TX in 1939. As part of a seismograph crew searching for oil in Louisiana, Harold met his wife-to-be, Johnnie Bumgardner. Married 6 weeks before Pearl Harbor, Harold and Johnnie began their marriage of 61 years by traveling as part of the US military. Harold joined the US Navy as an Ensign where he served in stateside harbor defense and in the South Pacific Islands defense. He continued to serve in the reserves and retired as a Lt. Cmdr. Harold and Johnnie returned from California after WWII to continue his career as a geophysicist with Humble Oil, later to be known as Exxon. Mr. Hougen was a member of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church since 1956. He was always most comfortable working on projects, repairing and building items, playing the piano, coaching his son's teams, interacting with his daughter's music and dance lessons, writing published stories, outings with his family, and entertaining his grandchildren with music, stories and entertainment trips. After retiring, Harold devoted time to SCORE, the Naval Officers' Assoc. and Exxon Annuitants Organization. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and his sisters, Agnes Stuen, Laura Hansen, Esther Davis, Olga Nelson and Clara Severeid. He was just as close to his brothers, John H. Hougen, Dr. Olaf A. Hougen, Bernhard Hougen and Dr. Joel O. Hougen. He is survived by his daughter Debbie and husband, John Jackson of Waller, TX and his son, John and wife Donna Hougen of Houston. He leaves behind a legacy for his grandchildren, Rusty and wife Robyn Jackson of Houston, Blayne Hougen of Houston, Elyse Hougen of San Antonio, Corby Jackson of Chicago, IL and Cliff and wife Jennifer Jackson of Kruetzrath, Germany. His adored great grandsons include Glenn and Ben Jackson of Houston and Christian Jackson of Kruetzrath, Germany. He was also equally proud of his new step-grandchildren, Lindsay and husband Dan McGuire of Arlington, VA and Kelsey and Jake Lamb of Houston. He also leaves numerous nieces, nephews and cousins on both his side and his wife's side of the family, whom he loved dearly. The family would like to extend thanks to not only all the many medical and spiritual professionals who cared for him during the last two years but also the many relatives and friends who kept up his spirit. Harold would be pleased if, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church's "The Gathering", a ministry supporting Alzheimer victims and their caretakers. A memorial service will be held Friday, August 8, 2008 at 2:00 pm at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 11612 Memorial Drive, Houston with the Rev. Rick Myers officiating. Attendees are asked to remain after the service for an extended visitation.

Published by Houston Chronicle from Aug. 2 to Aug. 3, 2008.