Elbert Graham (Bert) Warren, Jr.
Elbert Graham (Bert) Warren, Jr., age 97, passed away peacefully at home in Baytown, Texas, on October 19, 2022.
Born on August 9, 1925, in Dubach, Louisiana, he was the son of Elbert G. and Nettie McGee Warren.
Because his father was the principal, the family lived on the school grounds of the town’s one school building housing first grade through high school. Bert was particularly embarrassed when his mother disciplined him on the school grounds from an open window in their home. He played football, basketball, and baseball, graduating from Dubach High School as valedictorian in 1942.
His college years at Louisiana Tech were interrupted by World War II when he joined the U. S. Navy at the age of 17. He later said he wasn’t sure how he ended up in the Navy, because he had severe seasickness. Bert served in the Navy from 1943 to 1946 in the Pacific theater, and was in Okinawa, Japan, when the war ended.
Returning to Louisiana Tech, he graduated cum laude in 1948 with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering. While at Tech, he served as President of several organizations and honor societies. After graduating from Georgia Tech in 1949 with a master’s degree in electrical engineering, he joined Humble Oil and Refining in Baytown.
After saving money for a year, Bert married his college sweetheart, Jennye Lou Evans Warren, on May 7, 1950. The couple lived in Baytown for 71 years where they raised four children, and the family is a long-time member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.
Bert was an accomplished and well- respected engineer at Humble, now ExxonMobil, for 43 years until his retirement as a Senior Engineering Associate in 1992.
At the encouragement of his supervisor, he began writing and presenting technical papers at professional conferences. One paper, on his design for blastproof control centers in refineries, was picked up and used in Humble refineries throughout the U.S.
For his first presentation of a technical paper in 1959 in Long Beach, California, he took the family along on a driving trip in their station wagon. Thus began a tradition of month-long summer driving trips around the country including Disneyland as well as World’s Fairs in Seattle and New York. These were fabulous memories for all.
Always the engineer, one of Bert’s proudest accomplishments was designing, contracting, and doing a lot of the work himself on the home he and his family lived in for over 65 years. He was also proud of being a long-time Little League coach and for growing and cultivating frangipani (plumeria) plants.
After his kids were in college, he and Jennye Lou began travelling the world in groups and then on their own, eventually visiting more than 80 countries. He had fond memories of a driving trip along the Rhine River. They also enjoyed visits to Hawaii and casinos in Las Vegas and Louisiana.
Bert was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jennye Lou Evans Warren; his parents; and his brother, Benjamin Warren.
Left to honor his memory are daughters, Elizabeth Warren Theut (Ken), Caroline Warren York ( Bob), and sons, Dr. Elbert Graham (Bert) Warren III and Edward Evans Warren. He was PaPa to his grandchildren Allison Theut Gleason, Laura Theut Grau, Ann York Anderson ( Justin), Robert G. York, Jr. (Brittany), Dr. Ashley Warren Tovo (Roberto), E. Graham Warren IV (Dr. Elizabeth), Teagan Warren, and Piper Warren. He was especially close to his brother, William (Bill) Warren, and his sister- in- law Joan Warren.
Bert was always the consummate gentleman, loved and respected by all. His coworkers remember him for his brilliance, but mostly for his kindness to others. His family will remember the love and care he showed Jennye Lou in her later years.
The family thanks Diana Hargrove and Visiting Angels for the compassionate care they provided in the last few months.
Bert will be laid to rest with full military honors at Houston National Cemetery.
