Carl Alton Swanson

He was born in Cadillac, Michigan on the 20th of February 1929. In 1951 he graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology and was a proud member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Carl served in the US Army from 1953-1955. At MSU met his wife Helen, married shortly after her graduation and later two daughters, Cindy and Julie completed the family.

Carl was a successful Oil and Gas Exploration Geophysicist who began his career with Carter Oil Company in Colorado, and a short time later working in Wyoming and Utah. Moving to Houston in the early 1960s, he worked for Esso Exploration and was involved in the earliest exploration of the North Sea which involved a transfer to London, England. This allowed the family to travel extensively throughout Europe, Greece, Egypt and Russia. He ended his career with Exxon in 1972, and became Chief Geophysicist at Van Dyke Oil Company in Houston continuing his exploration of the North Sea. In 1975 he formed a consulting company, Watson & Swanson Inc. which was engaged in both domestic and international oil and gas consulting. After selling the company in 1981, Carl was then able to retire at an early age to enjoy spending time with his family, gardening, golf, travel and adventures with Helen.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Helen Pass Swanson of Houston; daughter Julie Monroe and her husband Jamison; daughter Cindy Weegar and her husband Allan; grandson Brent Weegar and wife Kinsey, granddaughter Kristin James and husband Brandon, grandson Andrew Weegar and wife Krista; great grandchildren Tucker, Trace, Macy, Barrett, Owen, and Emberleigh. He was preceded in death by his parents Charles Gust Swanson and Cecile Ruby Bentley Swanson.

A funeral service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 6th of July in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.

The family will gather for a private interment at Earthman Resthaven Cemetery in Houston.