Mannon Oil

Mark Edward Yelverton, Former resident of Walker County, Mark Yelverton, 55, died suddenly January 25, 2011, while on a business trip in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Mr. Yelverton was born on November 4, 1955, in Houston, Texas, to Thomas and Margaret Yelverton, both deceased.

He spent his summers as a child and young adult in Riverside, Texas, where his grandfather, John Yelverton, and father, Thomas Yelverton, had historic roots and profoundly close relationships with the community.

After raising his family in New Orleans, Mr. Yelverton returned to Riverside to renovate his great-aunt's house, transforming it into one of the most beautiful homes in the area.

Mr. Yelverton graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences in 1978 and a Master of Petroleum Engineering in 1981 before moving to New Orleans to begin a career at Chevron Corporation. He later accepted a position as the Director General of Phibro Energy in the Siberian town of Raduzhny, Russia, just months after the fall of the Soviet Union. After subsequently serving as the Vice President of the Gulf of Mexico and Onshore United States divisions of Forcenergy, Inc. in New Orleans and Operations Manager of Harvest Natural Resources in the region of Maturin, Venezuela, Mr. Yelverton was happy to return to the house he renovated in Riverside to work as an oil and gas consultant.

From the time he was a young man through his adult years, Mr. Yelverton enjoyed spending time with his family in Riverside. He was a gifted equestrian from his youth, and had a passion for keeping up to date with current events and engaging in lively discussion with close friends and family.

Mr. Yelverton was a private person, but was known by all for his trustworthy character and honest dealings, both personally and professionally. Throughout his life, he consistently demonstrated an unequivocal loyalty to those that were close to him. Although not outspoken about his faith, he was a Christian who always kept his family Bible nearby and looked to it frequently for guidance and support.

Mr. Yelverton is survived by his children, Grant Yelverton and Blaine Yelverton, sons of Lisa Richardson; sister, Carolou Yelverton Ward; brother, Thomas Yelverton, and his wife, Mary Allen Yelverton; brother, Andrew Yelverton, and his wife, Loretta Yelverton; uncle, James Harvey Yelverton; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and his loyal dog Meg.

At his request, no service or memorial will be held and his remains will be scattered on his rural property in Huntsville, Texas.

Mr. Yelverton showed compassion toward those struggling with Alzheimer's disease. Donations may be made in his memory to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org. Condolences may be mailed to Grant Yelverton, 1035 Omar Street, Apt. 2, Houston, TX 77009.

Published in Houston Chronicle on January 29, 2011