George Collett Ayres

He was born in San Antonio on the 30th of January 1928, the second of the four children of Florence (Collett) and Robert Moss Ayres, and the grandson of Olive (Cox) and Atlee Bernard Ayres of San Antonio. He attended San Antonio Academy and graduated from Texas Military Institute (TMI) in 1945. From 1945-50, George attended Wentworth Military Academy and Junior College in Lexington, Missouri, the University of Wyoming in Laramie, and the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, as well as working for Petty Geophysical Company in Lovington, New Mexico, and Newman Brothers Drilling Company in San Antonio. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served from 1950-53. From 1953-56, George worked for the Western Company of North America and for Mellard Oil Company in San Antonio. In 1956, he married Nanette Wright of San Antonio and they moved to Houston, where George worked for Mitchell Energy until 1958 when he branched out on his own and founded George C. Ayres Oil & Gas Properties. George was a member of the German Club and the Order of the Alamo in San Antonio. In Houston, he was a member of the Petroleum Club and The Briar Club. He remained a self-employed oil producer until his retirement in 2013.

George loved animals and always had bags of cat and dog food in the trunk of his car in case he encountered strays while on the road. He instilled this compassion and desire to nurture all living creatures in daughter, Alison, during many childhood trips to the Houston SPCA where they often adopted stray cats and kittens. Throughout his life, he also enjoyed vacationing at his family’s home in Rockport where he and George, Jr. spent many hours fly-fishing the coastal flats in search of tailing redfish. The two also took several trips over the years to fly-fish in some of the most scenic streams and oceans, including Mexico, Wyoming, and Colorado. Making others smile and laugh was always important to George. He had a knack for keeping in touch with family and friends by sending out humorous -- and often racy -- greeting cards or cartoons clipped from magazines and newspapers. One can just imagine the twinkle in George’s eye as he pictured the recipient opening up a letter he had sent! He entertained Betsy Lane houseguests with wind-up toys that buzzed around the living room table and with his collection of singing and dancing novelties scattered around the house, likely much to Nanette’s chagrin. Every Easter he garnered attention in their Highland Village neighborhood by placing stuffed animal bunnies all around the yard and in the trees. To mark the changing seasons and celebrate holidays, he dutifully changed the outfit on a large plastic goose that sat on the front porch. As he travelled much of South Texas in search of the next prosperous oil field, he never failed to greet people with a smile and conversation, which more often than not established a lasting friendship. Whether it was an oil company president, a humble landowner, a waitress at the small town diner, a courthouse custodian or landscaper, or simply a happy dog on the sidewalk, to George, every person and every animal was a friend. After Nanette suffered a stroke seven years ago, George hardly left her side despite many long hours spent sitting and sleeping at the hospital. As time went by, his happiest moments became those when his six grandchildren would visit him on Betsy Lane or at Bayou Manor. With his cell phone at the ready, he would typically call Alison, George, the grandkids, other family members, and friends once or twice a week to say hello and to see what was going on in their lives. His sense of humor and kindness towards others will be missed.

George Collett Ayres is preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Nanette, his brother Robert Moss Ayres, Jr., his sister Ann (Ayres) Clarke and her husband Raymond. He is survived by his sister Florence “Bitsy” (Ayres) Rubsamen and her husband Rollins of San Antonio, his sister-in-law, Patricia (Shield) Ayres of Austin, his daughter Alison (Ayres) Bell and her husband Chris, and their children Atlee Christopher and Connally Ayres, all of Houston; and his son George Collett Ayres, Jr. and his wife Heatherly (Vermillion) of Austin, and their children Liza Clementine of Washington, DC, Hallie Esmé of New York, NY, Phoebe Tallulah of Providence, RI, and Miranda Daisy of Claremont, CA, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

George’s family extends special thanks to the loving and caring staff at Bayou Manor Assisted Living Facility.

A memorial service is to be conducted at four o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 20th of October, in the chapel of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Blvd in Houston, where the Rev. Regan Cocke, Associate Rector is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the nearby Sumners Hall.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be made to the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 7007 Old Katy Road, Houston, Texas 77024; or to the charity of one’s choice.