Ellis Youdal Obituary

Ellis Woodworth Youdal, 88, a longtime resident of Katy, Texas, passed away at home on June 7th from congestive heart failure.

Ellis was born on October 23, 1923 in Tampa, Florida, the first son of John and Mamie Youdal. His father had migrated from Scotland. Ellis attended Florida public schools, graduating from Hillsborough High School in 1941. He was granted an appointment to King's Point Merchant Marine Academy in King's Point, New York. There he graduated and served our country with pride from 1943 to 1946 during World War II, serving aboard the USS John D. Hood, the USS James Cook and the USS Newton D. Baker. Ellis was a decorated war veteran, and was honorably discharged with the rank of Lieutenant from the United States Navy. He was a member of the American Merchant Marine Veterans organization, and American Legion Post 455 in Somerville, Texas.

In 1944 Ellis married Florence Pollard in Tampa, Florida and they shared four children, Sandra Rae, David Ellis, Michael Duane and Richard Alan. His first employment after the war was with Stokely Foods, Drew Field Foods and Wilson Meats. Ellis worked at Sealtest Dairy, a division of Southern Dairies, and was their Plant Engineer for fifteen years.

In 1959 he married Beverly McClendon and moved to Houston, Texas. Together they shared two children, Ellis Woodworth (Sam) Youdal II and Beverly Altonia. He became Plant Manager for Dresser Industries and was actively involved in building their Westheimer facilities in Houston, Texas. He was an inspiration to his employees, actively mentoring a number of junior engineers and operations people throughout his career. Upon his retirement, he was called "A Good Friend, and a Great Leader". He was responsible for oilfield facilities design for a number of Dresser companies including SIE, Lane Wells, Dresser Systems and Dresser Corporate. He retired from Dresser Magcobar as a Project Manager in 1983 after completing a number of large operational projects including managing the design and construction of onshore oil facilities in Louisiana, and the move to the then new Dresser Tower in downtown Houston.

Ellis moved his family to Katy, Texas in 1970, and they became members of the First United Methodist Church. He was very active in church activities, teaching Sunday school classes and inspiring so many people, young and old, through his knowledge of the Bible, and the life of Jesus Christ.

He is preceded in death by his first wife Florence Pollard Burgdorf, his brother Johnny Ray Youdal of Port St. Lucie, Florida, his sister Marjorie Tucker of Tampa, Florida, and one granddaughter Debbie Anne Youdal of Columbus, Georgia. Those left to celebrate his life are his beloved wife of fifty two years, Beverly Youdal of Katy, Texas, and his loving children Sandra Williams of Wesley Chapel, Florida, David Ellis and his wife Nancy of Atwater, California, Michael Duane and his wife Norma of Reno, Nevada, Richard Alan and his wife DeAnna of Lexington Park, Maryland, Sam Youdal of Houston, Texas and Beverly Altonia Heaton and her husband Randy Heaton of The Woodlands, Texas.

He also leaves ten grandchildren, Sheri Calkins of Wesley Chapel, Florida, Scott Williams of Hartford, Connecticut, Laura Thompson of Dallas, Texas, Eric Youdal of Los Angeles, California, Amy Rush of Leander, Texas, Misty Norden of Broken Bow, Nebraska, Kimberly Youdal of San Diego, California, Taylor Heaton of Little Rock, Arkansas, Sam Heaton of The Woodlands, Texas and Miranda Beale of Lexington Park, Maryland.

Ellis also leaves fourteen great grandchildren, Brooke Diaz and Katherine Calkins of Wesley Chapel, Florida, Cory and Zachary Thompson of Dallas, Texas, Darci Shannon and Ariel Ivey of Leander, Texas, Mckenzie, Randal and Brianna Williams of Hartford, Connecticut, Zachary and Anakin Youdal of Los Angeles, California, Ashlee Norden and Kaitlin Amlin of Broken Bow, Nebraska, and one great-great-grandson, Lucas Diaz of Wesley Chapel, Florida.

He also leaves two nieces in Florida, Kandy Woods and Julie Stoff of Port St. Lucie, Florida, as well as Kim Belanger, Jeannie Worsham and Amy Domangue of Houma, Louisiana and one nephew, David Thibodeaux of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Ellis was proud of his family, and often said that they were his legacy. In addition, we thank Buster Brown for his undying dachshund love in helping with his comfort and companionship.

The family gives special thanks to Dr. Joel Kerschenbaum, MD, and his assistants, Patty Parks and April Benton who were his biggest fans. We also give thanks to his caregivers, Alma Hollins, RN, David Leslie, RN and Jamayne Carter for making him laugh, and for their tireless and unceasing efforts on his behalf. We would also like to thank James Watson, R. Ph., for going above and beyond, as well as the doctors who sustained him throughout these many months: Dr. Miguel Gomez, MD, Dr. Ajay Jain, MD, Dr. Anil Odhav, MD, and Dr. Sandeep Kodityal, MD.

Oh dearest Dad, brother, uncle, son, teacher, friend, Grandfather, Great Grandfather and Great Great Grandfather. We will miss your noble heart, your wise counsel and your undying faith in Jesus Christ. You are God's precious gift to those of us who were lucky enough to have you touch our lives. We thank Him for blessing us with that gift. We commend you to the Lord our God and beseech Him to take you into his loving arms.

He will lie in state at Schmidt Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 9, 2012, at the Schmidt Funeral Home Chapel, in Katy. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 10, 2012, in the Family Life Center across from the First United Methodist Church in Katy, Texas, with the Reverend Marlin Fenn officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to King's Point Merchant Marine Academy, c/o Bland Memorial Library, 300 Steamboat Rd., King's Point, New York, 11024, or to the First United Methodist Church of Katy, P.O. Box 925, Katy, Texas 77492-0925.