AUDAS, JEAN ADAIR
Jean Adair Audas, age 66, died at her home in Jones Creek on Thursday, February 5, 2009. Jean was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to Lynnman and Mary Vester. After moving to Texas in the 1960s, Jean graduated from South Houston High School and Texas Woman’s University (Bachelor of Science in Education). She later attended the University of Houston, Clear Lake, and received a Master of Education. Jean taught elementary school for more than 35 years for Brazosport Independent School District at Jane Long Elementary and Stephen F. Austin Elementary. A devoted teacher, Jean not only saw to the educational needs of her students, but also was known to provide clothing and supplies to her students in need. Jean was an avid naturalist, loved bird-watching and was a Master Gardener. Cooking, quilting, sewing, antiques, decorating, and crafting also were hobbies she enjoyed.
Published in The Facts, February 6, 2009
CLARKE, JAMES ALBERT
James Albert "Al" Clarke, 85, formerly of Lake Jackson, passed away Saturday, November 27, 2010, in Sugar Land, Texas. Born to Ira D. and Betty Schragenhein Clarke, in Washington, DC, Al grew up in Cottage City, Maryland and Abbington, Pennsylvania. Al received a degree in chemical engineering from Drexel Institute, and then earned a Masters Degree from Penn. He took a break from college to serve in the Navy from 1944-46. While at Drexel, Al met Beverley Brooks, and they were married in 1951. They immediately moved to Lake Jackson, Texas, where he started his 35 year career with Dow Chemical. Al’s primary focus at Dow was resins research, and he achieved the level of Associate Scientist.
One of Al’s great passions in life was music. He loved to sing, attend operas, and play the violin in both the church and community orchestras. During his long association with the Brazosport Symphony, he prepared a history of the orchestra and was instrumental in promoting the symphony throughout local communities. In 2003, Al fulfilled a lifetime dream of traveling to Bayreuth, Germany, to see a performance of Richard Wagner’s Ring cycle.
Al was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church in lake Jackson. As a former boy scout, Al enjoyed working with Scouts in the Brazosport Area. He loved hiking and bicycling, exploring many of the national and state parks across the country. In the late 70′s he and Beverley developed an avid interest in bird watching, and they spent many years traveling throughout the United States and the world, adding to their life bird lists. Al was also active in community service, working with Gulf Coast Wildlife Rescue, Meals on Wheels, and the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge.
Al was predeceased by his wife, Beverley in November, 2001. He is survived by his children, Cathy Standard and husband, Robert, of Sugar Land, Cindy Krueger and husband, Walter, of Fort Worth, and Stephen Clarke and wife, Janet, of Lufkin.
Published in The Facts, December 1, 2010. Photo by Tom Morris, 1993
CLEMENTS, CHARLES MICHAEL
Charles Clements, age 65 of Liverpool, Texas passed away Monday, March 19, 2012 at his residence on Tuesday, March 21, 2012.
Charles was a resident of Liverpool, Texas, formerly of Texas City, Texas. He worked for UTMB for 23 years as the Radiology Storeroom Manager and was a member of the Catholic faith. He served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam Conflict from 1967-1969.
Published in The Facts on March 22, 2012.
Charlie had been a member of the Cradle of Texas since 2010.
Charlie came to us when he was already ill, but he didn’t let that define his life. Charlie was in love with the outdoors and with passing on his excitement about nature to children. He knew exactly what he wanted to do with the days allotted to him.
I remember once when we had a group of school children with their teachers at the Refuge we heard a comment from the teachers as they left Charlie’s session. One teacher turned to another and said "Isn’t he charming?" Well that was too good to pass up. She was right and thus he immediately earned his title "Charming Charlie."
Charming Charlie will always be remembered for love of working with the kids and for his dedication to being there to help when and where he could.
Oh, yes, we will remember Charlie!
Unpublished remembrance by a Bryan Adams, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, March 21, 2012
ROBERTS, EARL
Earl Roberts passed away on Friday, July 3, 2009, a result of a heart attack. Earl was an active volunteer with several local organizations including Sea Center Texas, Brazoria County Historical Museum, Friends of Brazoria Wildlife Refuges, and Texas Master Naturalists. At Sea Center Texas, Earl worked the touch tank every Wednesday afternoon, helping children and adults explore the wonders of beach and estuary sea life. As an active participant in Texas Master Naturalists Cradle of Texas Chapter, he greeted us as we entered our monthly General Meetings, and personally made visitors feel welcome. His caring demeanor and sage advice will be missed as our chapter Advanced Training Chairman. Earl served as a tour guide and van driver for Migration Celebration, an annual event sponsored by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Friends of Brazoria Wildlife Refuges.
Unpublished obituary by a chapter member, July 7, 2009
THAYER, JOHN CHARLES
John Charles "Easy" Thayer, born May 11, 1946 joined God’s team of angels on August 13, 2008 as a result of complications from cardiac bypass surgery. John was allowed to remain here with us many times in the past, overcoming health issues including cancer and a previous cardiac bypass, to fulfill God’s plan for his life…. John retired from Dow Chemical after 34 years of service. He enjoyed the outdoors and serving the community as a Master Naturalist, Boy Scout Leader (Troop 394), member of the Lake Jackson Parks and Recreation Board, and was active as a bird bander through the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory.
Published in the Houston Chronicle, August 15, 2008
John was an active member of the Chapter, and served as Advanced Training Chair. Several photos of John’s activities are posted here.
TVETEN, JOHN L.
John L. Tveten, a naturalist, author, photographer and longtime Houston Chronicle columnist, died of cancer on October 12. 2009. He was 74.
For more than 30 years, Tveten wrote about and photographed creatures of nature and wildflowers. He wrote numerous books and co-authored five with his wife of 51 years, Gloria. The Baytown couple traveled widely in pursuit of nature and shared their adventures in Wildflowers of Houston and Southeast Texas and Butterflies of Houston and Southeast Texas, both published by University of Texas Press.
He also was a naturalist and tour leader for the Smithsonian Institution, National Audubon Society, Houston Museum of Natural Science and the Spring Branch Nature Center.
Tveten is survived by his wife; a son, Michael Tveten, of Tucson, Ariz.; and two grandchildren.
Published in the Houston Chronicle, October 17, 2009
Although John Tveten was not a member of our chapter, he was a guest speaker and a source of inspiration. He will be fondly remembered by the members of our chapter.
