Tariq Abbas

1942 - 2013

Tariq Azhar Abbas passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones on November 5, 2013. He was born on July 23, 1942 in Aligarh, India to Zaheer and Birjis Abbas. At age five, he was caught up in the disruptions of the Indian partition as his family migrated to the newly created country of Pakistan. Once there, the family forged a new life in Lahore. Tariq frequently acted as family leader and throughout his life prioritized supporting his mother, father, siblings, nieces and nephews in any way he could.
Tariq was a diligent student at St. Anthony's and later at Forman Christian College where he made many friends with whom he remained close throughout his life. Through his hard work and determination he earned the opportunity to travel to the United States for his final year of high school as an American Field Service foreign exchange student. His host family, Ray and Barbara Weeks and their children Paul, Peter and Nancy welcomed him into their family and lovingly provided a foundation for a new life in the United States. He later earned a Bachelor's degree from Texas Christian University and a Master's degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Oklahoma. During this time, he married Cynthia Bassett and they had their first of three daughters, Rahilla Corinne, in Norman, Oklahoma. Although he missed his homeland and family, Tariq loved the United States and the opportunities this country offered him.
After becoming an American citizen Tariq obtained a job with Saudi Aramco Oil Company. He moved with his wife and young daughter to Saudi Arabia where he spent a distinguished career that lasted more than 25 years. Tariq had two more daughters, Amber Heather and Tania Kristine while living overseas.
Upon early retirement, he returned to the United States, living several years in Aurora, Colorado before relocating permanently to Houston to be near family. In Houston, he returned to work, this time for Aramco Services Company where he was pleased to encounter many old friends and colleagues from his days in Saudi Arabia.
He loved international travel, spending time with his family (especially his granddaughters), grilling steaks, listening to classical music, and rooting for the Oklahoma Sooners.
Tariq's loved ones remember him as an independent thinker who was scrupulously honest, generous, dignified, and highly respected by his family and community.
Tariq was preceded in death by his father, Zaheer Abbas, his mother, Birjis Abbas, his sisters Roshan Hussein and Ghazala Abbas. He is survived by his former wife Cynthia Bassett Abbas and three daughters, Rahilla Corinne Abbas Shatto, Amber Heather Abbas, and Tania Kristine Abbas. In addition, he is survived by two brothers, Anees Abbas and Shams Abbas, two sisters, Zehra Razvi and Faiza Syed, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Additional survivors include three grandchildren, Miriam Gloria Shatto, Evelyn Chunting Shatto, and Lourdina Luxe Shatto.
Friends and colleagues are invited to a visitation with the family at 12:30 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday November 9, 2013 at the Bradshaw-Carter Home, 1734 West Alabama Street, Houston, Texas 77098.