In Memory of Henry Burton Harkins January 11, 1947 - March 22, 2016 Obituary Henry Burton Harkins, Jr., life-of-the-party, oilman, accomplished adventurer and family man, entered eternal life on Tuesday, March 22, 2016. Burt was in the comfort of his own home and surrounded by his family, friends and caretakers who loved and adored him.

He had a life-long affair with everything Longhorn, chicken fried steak, buttermilk pie and ice cream, entertaining others and being entertained, showering people with gifts and any camera or video that he could grace with his mile-wide smile, bright mischievous eyes and shiny head. Burt was larger than life. With his black felt cowboy hat and fur coat, he loved to make a statement. He loved his food and drink and enjoyed a great joke with a tearful laugh. You could spot him a mile away in his top-sider boat shoes. He drove his burnt orange suburban into the ground and convinced his kids that it was "cool" to ride to school sitting on the hunting platform up top during hunting season.

Burt was all about his next adventure. You name it, he was up for it, and it didn't stop there. If it looked extraordinary or exotic, he made it happen. Game hunting in Africa, bear hunting in Russia and Alaska, race car driving at Bondurant, driving cross-country on his Honda Goldwing, hosting tailgate parties in a mac-daddy RV. Burt was "Mr. H" to most pit bosses in Vegas. He loved to go deep sea fishing, skied the "black diamonds" and never met a golf course he didn't like. He was an expert on the slalom ski - his shoulders would skim the water and he never shied away from a good wipe-out. He loved the Houston Rodeo and cherished every gold badge.

Burt loved people. All people. He never met a stranger and for those that he called friends, there was no limit to his generosity. He would pick up any dinner tab, extend any invitation, join any party. Burt was no handyman but he did love to BBQ...and it was a great excuse to get friends over for a party. Burt adored his family and his pride was palpable for his children, grandchildren and siblings. He never missed a family get together or reunion. Ever. He was born to be a father. He loved fiercely but ruled with an iron fist. Sundays were family days. Warm donuts started off each Sunday, followed by mass at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and then the family activity of the day. He helped three children other than his own through college. He miraculously persevered through his illness, determined to witness the births of his 10 grandchildren. He was usually the first to the waiting room and held every one of them on the day they were born. When his grandchildren were born, a whole new man was born as well, aka Poppie! Poppie was always present for his grandkids, no matter the effort or distance. It was his highlight.

For the last 18 years, his illness took a backseat to every baseball game, trip to Disney, dance recital and birthday party. He changed zip codes three times to stay near them. For as long as he could, he raced around on his scooter with them on his lap and their little hands behind the wheel. When his sight ailed him, he loved nothing more than to sit in any of his kids' living rooms and listen to the chaos around him...and giggle. He loved to put his hand on pregnant bellies carrying his grandkids, as if to make sure they knew Poppie was waiting!

Burt lit up this world on January 11, 1947, born in Alice, Texas. He graduated Alice High School in 1965 and from The University of Texas at Austin in 1970 with a BS in Petroleum Engineering. The pride of wearing the Texas football jersey stayed with him for life. He was an oilman through and through. He began his professional career with Shell Oil Company in New Orleans, LA. in 1970, and in 1973 went on to join his father, Hank Harkins, at Harkins & Company in Alice as an engineer. He rose through the ranks, ultimately leading the company as President and CEO through 1995 before retiring to his second career as Expert Adventurer and Lover of Life.

His professional activities reflect his career's passions. He was a member of the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) and Past Vice President, Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO), American Petroleum Institute (API), Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE of AIME), Independent Producers Association of America (IPAA) and Past Vice Chairman of International Association of Drilling Contractors, Past National Chairman, Secretary-Treasurer of Government Affairs. His civic and political activities were many. He was a member of Texas Associations of Taxpayers (TAT), Texas Research League (TRL), Associated Republicans of Texas (ART); Past Member of Jim Wells County Master Planning Association, Past Director of Texas Supreme Court Justice Committee, Past City Councilman in Alice, Past Vice President and Director for Alice Chamber of Commerce, Past Chairman for Jim Wells County Republican Party.

Burt's non-business and religious activities include: Director at Spohn Development Board, Trustee for The Harkins Foundation, Member of the Development Board for The University of Texas, Past Director and Secretary/Treasurer of St. Elizabeth Endowment Fund, Past Director of the Texas Lyceum Association, Past President of St. Elizabeth's School Board (2 terms), Past Vice President of St. Elizabeth's Parish Council, Past Director of Alice Physicians and Surgeons Hospital.

Burt was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Burton "Hank" Harkins and Mary McGrath Harkins. He is survived by his former wife and high school sweetheart, Luanne Gentry Harkins; two daughters: Shea Harkins Massengale and Jerry Massengale of Houston, and Shannon Harkins Morton and John Morton of Houston; two sons: Henry Burton "Bubba" Harkins III and Jennifer Harkins of Houston and Robert Timothy "Tim" Harkins of Corpus Christi and Erin Williams Harkins of Corpus Christi; 10 grandchildren: Joseph Darby "Joey" Massengale, Elizabeth Anne "Annie" Massengale, Avery Lynn Massengale, Gentry Priest Morton, Maddox Elle Morton, Malone Mei Morton, Henry Burton "Henry" Harkins IV, Augustus Hughes Harkins, Robert Harrison Harkins, Claire Elizabeth Harkins; two sisters: Deirdre "DeeDee" Harkins Richards and Cy Richards, Mary Lee Harkins Stigall and Alan Stigall; one brother: Herbert Timothy "Tim" Harkins and Vicky Startz Harkins.

Burt will be surrounded by family and friends to celebrate his life on Wednesday, April 6, 2016. The 11:00am service will be held at First United Methodist Church at 1320 Main St. in Houston, Texas with the eulogy by his brother, Tim Harkins. A reception for his family and friends will follow at the home of Shannon and John Morton: 6330 Mercer St., Houston, TX 77005 In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests any donations be made in Burt's memory to CurePSP at www.psp.org, a leading advocate for the research and cure for neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, Burt's final wish was that his four children and siblings travel to three idyllic destinations that captured his heart, mind and spirit to scatter his ashes. If you missed this party, there are 3 more. As he would say, the more the merrier. Close