Harold Phenix

HAROLD PHENIX, one of Texas' most outstanding watercolorists, died on June 23 at the age of eighty-one at his home in Hunt. Harold was a native Texan and graduate of the University of Texas where he earned a degree in architectural engineering. For most of his life he lived in Houston where he maintained a dual career as an engineer and artist. Harold was an engineer for Conoco, Inc. and was an expert designer of offshore platforms. As an artist, he showed at many galleries, won numerous awards, and his watercolors are in private and public collections throughout the world. He was commissioned to create paintings for Conoco, Inc., Sante Fe Energy, Texas A&M University, the University of Texas, and in 1991, Texas A&M University Press commissioned paintings for reproduction in author T. Lindsay Baker's book, Lighthouses of Texas. His first wife Rita, who he married in 1950, precedes him in death. She helped raise their three children, and she also managed his art career until her death in 1992. Harold would also lose his beloved son John who died in 2006. He found love again when he met his second wife Joannie. They married ten years ago and moved to the Texas hill country where everyday was an adventure. Harold was much loved by his family, including four adoring grandchildren, and his many friends. His wife Joannie, daughter Linda and her husband Joe, daughter Carol and her husband Jerry and their children Amy, Christin, Sarah, and Andrew survive him. Visitation will be held Friday, June 26, 2009, 5-7 PM at Grimes Funeral Chapels, Kerrville, TX. Services will be held Saturday, June 27, 2009, 2 PM at Hunt United Methodist Church, Hunt, TX officiated by Rev. Sam Hunnicutt. Graveside services will be held Monday, June 29, 2009, 10 AM at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston, TX. In lieu of flowers, it was Harold's wish that donations be sent to the Hunt United Methodist Church at P.O. Box 137, Hunt, TX 78024 or the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center (KACC) at 228 Earl Garrett St., Kerrville, TX 78028. The family invites you to send condolences at www.grimesfuneralchapels.com by selecting the "Send Condolences" link. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville.