Robert Harris Washington

Robert “Bob” Harris Washington was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on September 17, 1925 to Colonel William Claude Washington, USA and Ethel Sykes Washington. Robert spent most of his childhood traveling from Honolulu, Panama, New York, and to Bryan, Texas as his father was stationed all over the world. After graduating from Allen Academy in Bryan, Robert enlisted in the Navy and served in WWII (1945-1946). Upon honorable discharge for his service he returned to Texas and enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin. As a member of Chi Phi social fraternity he graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. He began his career in sales with National Cash Register. He moved on to sales with Kiwi Shoe Shine company, OKT Colson, and retired after 30 years with the Vernon Company. While living in Houston he met Betty Lee Gray, an energetic tennis coach, during a singles event at St. Anne's Church. On June 26, 1965 the two were married at St. Anne's. After a short stint in Atlanta, Georgia they returned to Houston where in August of 1968 they gave birth to their first born son, Richard William. Shortly afterwards they moved into their first home in the Sharpstown neighborhood and joined St. Francis de Sales Church, where he was a member for over 40 years. In March of 1971 they gave birth to their second child, David Gray. In May of 1973, their third son, Robert Sykes, was born. On October 26, 1979, Bob tragically lost his beloved Betty after her long battle with cancer. For five years, he raised three enthusiastic boys as a single parent. In the summer of 1984, Bob remarried to Charlotte Hethcoat, also a member of St. Francis de Sales and a resident of the Sharpstown area. Bob devoted many years of his life to helping those in need through the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Knights of Columbus. He was a Civil War history and genealogy buff who loved to talk sports and politics. He was a gentle man who loved gatherings with family, reminiscing about stories his mother told him about the Hurricane of 1900, travels all over the world with his family and the Washington family history. He enjoyed long walks around the neighborhood, hanging out with his son Richard's dogs, Max and Buster, and visiting all his children and grandchildren. He was loved dearly by all who knew him and rarely had a harsh word to say about anyone. He always put the needs of others before his own and loved a great joke. Unquestionably, he loved his three boys more than anything else in this world. He will be greatly missed, but we know he is enjoying a walk in heaven today with all those who went before him.