Kenneth K. Mercer

“Kenneth K. Mercer passed away at his River Oaks home where he had lived for 52 years with his beautiful and loving wife, Gloria E. Mercer. She was the love of his life and it was the only marriage for both of them.

Kenneth was born in Barnesville, Ohio to Ira and Elsie Mercer. He had two younger twin brothers John and Dean.

Kenneth received his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree from Ohio State University on the 19th of March, 1943. He was the top of his class and received honors, including Tau Beta Pi.

He went to work in 1943 for the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey in the development section. He became a Professional Engineer for that state; and, he then worked for Standard Oil in Louisiana and became a licensed Professional Engineer for that state.

In 1946, Kenneth decided to change the direction of his career and joined the Chapman Chemical Company where the President of the company made him the Texas Representative of that company with his office in Houston. He immediately became a licensed Professional Engineer for the State of Texas.

Kenneth later founded Mercer Engineering, Inc., which grew to have 26 people. His main office was in Houston and he also had an office in Dallas, where he put Will Potter in charge of the office. He also took care of the Oklahoma territory. He had an office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he put another senior engineer in charge of the office who also took care of the Arkansas territory.

Mercer Engineers, Inc. became a well respected and widely known name throughout the United States as plastic processors and with industrial customers. The Society of Plastic Engineers certified Kenneth K. Mercer as a Plastic Engineer in1965, the purpose of which is to promote the scientific and engineering knowledge relating to plastics.

The engineers in the companies, using the products they were to buy, knew that if Ken Mercer approved of the sale, he would see that everything was taken care of properly. They appreciated his knowledge, honesty and integrity.

He received an award from the Texas Board of Professional Engineers on the 1st of April 2007. The awards read as follows, ‘The Texas Board of Professional Engineers hereby recognizes Kenneth K. Mercer for his outstanding engineering service to The State of Texas for over 50 years.’

Governor Mark Perry wrote a long letter congratulating Kenneth K. Mercer for being part of an elite group of Professional Engineers that had kept Texas safe for over 50 years.

Corning Glass Works of Corning, New York had certified that Kenneth K. Mercer of Mercer Engineers, Inc. had completed product and sales training in the plant science equipment division on the 26th of June 1974. Kenneth Mercer received a number of other awards before he retired.

Kenneth worked hard, but Gloria always made sure that he had plenty of rest and was able to relax and took time to enjoy life. Saturday night was their special night. They had parties at their home or went to parties at the homes of friends. They also attended all of the charity balls at various times. Their favorite ball was the Consular Ball, given by the Houston Junior Chamber of Commerce. It was the most formal and the most glamorous. They hosted consular officials from different countries 14 times. At one time, a member of the chamber of commerce asked Kenneth to be an Honorary Consul for a country in South America, who didn’t have a career consul. He declined because he couldn’t take any time away from his business to do it.

The couple traveled to most countries. They traveled to every country in South and Central America. Both Kenneth and Gloria were bilingual. Spanish was their second language. They enjoyed many holidays, to beautiful cosmopolitan Mexico City, which was a flight of only one and one half hours. They usually stayed at the Maria Isabel, which was on the Paso de la Reforma, close to the wonderful restaurants that served international cuisine. They also enjoyed Monterrey, and stayed at the Gran Ancira Hotel.

One of the longest trips they took was in 1979, when they boarded the Queen Elizabeth II. They went first class and had a penthouse suite and dined in the Queen’s Grill, which required formal attire for dinner. When they arrived in England, they had a prearranged car and driver, waiting to take them through the English countryside to Wales and on to London. From there they went to Edinburgh and stayed at the Dalhousie Castle. They then went to Ireland, landing in Dublin where a car and driver were waiting to drive them around Ireland. Going back to Dublin, they then sailed to Liverpool on the Irish Sea and took a train back to London so they could fly home on the Concorde, the fastest jet. They arrived in New York in just a few hours. They went back to Ireland on another trip because they loved it and stayed at the Ashford Castle and Dromalands Castle.

The Mercers favorite ship was Cunard’s Sagafjard, which carried only about 600 passengers and was very formal. In 1994, they went on the vessels World Cruise.

In Houston, Kenneth belonged to The Petroleum Club, and The Houston Club for many years. He also belonged to The Plaza Club, The City Club and The World Trade Club. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, and was also a member of The Institute of Hispanic Culture.

In the 1970’s and 1980’s Houston became a city where members of royal families and world leaders wanted to come. The Mercers were on a tight security list, which approved who could be invited to the entertainment of these guests. The dinners were held in one of Houston’s fine hotel ballrooms. On two occasions, they went when Prince Charles of England came. Another time, Princess Anne of England came.

They went to a reception and luncheon at the Warwick Hotel, when King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia came. They went thought a receiving line and were presented to them. Another time, King Olaf of Sweden came and also the King of Jordan. The French President was there.

The Mercers also went to dinners and luncheons and shook hands with President Nixon, President Ford, President Reagan, and were at dinners given for President George H. Bush.

Kenneth always kept in touch with his close friends through the years, going back to his university days. All of them have preceded him in death.

Gloria wishes to thank the loyal and caring friends who have meant so much to them in their golden years. They are: Luis Alfredo Ossorio who has become a wonderful engineer and his talented wife Pamela. Luis Alfredo was employed by Mercer Engineering when he was going to college and Kenneth became his mentor.

Jeanette Daniels and her son Ronn Daniels are so capable and can do so many things that it is amazing.

Jane Smith and her daughter Sara Jones who have a Care-A-Van service, which provided transportation for the disabled and have always been there for us when we needed them, and said they always would be.

Wade Batson, a fine athlete and his wife, Megan, who is an ice skating instructor of champions.

Kenneth K. Mercer, this brilliant chemical engineer, handsome six foot five inch tall dynamic and honorable man was laid to rest in a private Christian graveside service at Woodlawn Garden of Memories. The service was given by Rev. Martus Miley, Pastor of the River Oaks Baptist Church.”