Fred Wilson, Wilson,

Fred Stuart Wilson died peacefully at Houston Hospice on April 8, 2016, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 81. Fred is survived by his son, Fred Stuart Wilson, Jr., his daughter-in-law, Cara Wilson, and his beloved grandson, Charlie Wilson. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Tom Short; sister-in-law Elizabeth Tinney Wilson; stepdaughter Kathy Harper; nephews Tom Short, Jr., and Travis Wilson; and nieces Judy Kent, Linda Socha, Michelle Lee Wilson-Smolen and Kim Guerra. He is preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Lenora Wilson, his brother, Michael Leon "Mickey" Wilson, and his sister, Clara Janet (Wilson) Short. Fred was born on October 9, 1934, in Weleetka, Oklahoma to Leon Wilson and Lenora (Spiller) Wilson. After the family moved to Texas, Fred grew up in Bishop and, working at a gas station, paid his way to attend Texas A&I University in Kingsville. Fred graduated, cum laude, from Texas A&I with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. In 1957, he took a position with Creole Petroleum, a subsidiary of Exxon, working on projects on or near Lake Maricaibo, Venezuela. Fred stayed with Exxon for the rest of his career, seeing the world with assignments in South America, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Southeast Asia. He was fluent in Spanish and "pretty good" in Italian, as he made it a point to embrace the art and culture of the locations in which he found himself. Fred married Mary Gwynne Davidson in 1965, and together they welcomed one child, Fred Jr., in 1967. Fred also welcomed being a stepfather to Kathy Lynn (Felts) Harper. Though Fred and Gwynne were divorced in 1974, he remained supportive to Gwynne and close to Kathy and her family. Indeed, Fred took great pleasure in following the lives of younger generations, encouraging a son, a step-daughter, nieces, nephews, or a grandchild to embrace education and hard work. He was a most supportive father and his lessons will not be forgotten. Fred was a generous individual who loved music, football, and a good steak. Though he considered himself withdrawn, he was in fact a gregarious, open soul who was often the light in the room. He was witty. He loved a good joke. He was faithful. He was loyal. He was authentic. He was loved. A Memorial Service is scheduled for Friday, April 15, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Houston, located at 1320 Main Street at Clay, with a reception to follow at the church. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Fred's life. Memorial remembrances may be made in honor of Fred's life to the American Cancer Society or to Houston Hospice, which cared so well for Fred and his family in his last days.