February 8, 1927 - January 18, 2019

George Felix Rhame, 91, of Spring, Texas went sweetly into the arms of Jesus on Friday, January 18, 2019 just three weeks shy of his 92nd birthday.  He was born on February 8, 1927, in Smackover, Arkansas, the son of Elbert Guy and Ruby Pearl Lanier Rhame.

Felix was preceded in death by his loving wife of 69 years, Doris Williams Rhame, his parents and his sister, Patsy Hennesey.  He is survived by his 3 children, Brenda (Gary) Hauk; Bill (Bobbie) Rhame; and Linda (David) Jackson; sister, Donna Sue McMahan; 9 grandchildren, Jennifer (Jeff) Dial, Benny (Andi) Hauk, Dori (Rich) Gorman; Justin (Kristin) Rhame, Ashley (Dax) Little, Christopher (Monica) Jackson, Matthew Jackson, Amy (Ryan) Nickell; and 20 great-grandchildren.

Due to the passing of his mother when Felix was only 2 years old, he was blessed to grow up on the farm with his Big Mama and Papa Rhame and aunts and uncles in East Texas, and with his Dad and stepmother in South Texas. Becoming a Christian in his early teen years, his faith became the foundation for his life.

Just before going off to WW II at age 17 to serve in the U.S. Army, he met the love of his life, Doris Williams.  After serving as a Tech Sargent stationed in Tokyo, Japan, Felix and Doris were married in Benavides, Texas. Together they forged a lifetime journey raising a family and living in Kelsey Bass, Refugio, Corpus Christi, Alaska, and Houston.

Ordained as a deacon in 1962 at First Baptist Church of Refugio, Felix continued serving as a deacon in churches in Corpus Christi, Anchorage, Alaska, and Champion Forest Baptist in Houston where he was honored as Deacon Emeritus in 2014.  Sundays you would find him ushering in the worship center and coordinating Sunday School departments.

Felix found joy in living a life with purpose. He was most happy when he was doing things for others – from building bunk beds for Boys Ranch to assisting Doris by catering weddings for their friends to helping others through their hard times.

With his children he spent countless hours driving a boat so they could ski spending summers on Lake McQueeney.  He took the family camping from Texas through the Colorado Rockies.  He enjoyed fishing and deer hunting with his son, following band buses, football teams, cheerleaders, twirlers, coaching years of Little League, and sitting through hours of piano recitals – just because his kids were involved.  He and Doris blessed their grandchildren by accompanying them with a trip to Europe during their high school years.

Felix loved to play games, and he and Doris enjoyed hosting "42" parties with their friends.  When we played our favorite family game called "Marbles," it was fun to be his partner!  He loved to win!

While living in Refugio, he was an active member of the Little League Board of Directors, member and President of the Lions Club involved in developing the Lions Club Park, as well as President of the School Board.  In 1966 Felix was awarded the title of "Father of the Year" by the Refugio County Press.

Felix enjoyed a 40 year career with Exxon beginning in 1947. From a humble beginning as a rough neck in an oil camp in South Texas to overseeing all inventory in the cleanup efforts after the 1989 Valdez oil tanker spill in Anchorage, Alaska, he was a hard worker who learned quickly.  He was proud to help Valdez to recover to be one of the most important ports in Alaska today.

Felix and Doris began a single adult ministry at First Baptist, Anchorage and at Champion Forest Baptist, Houston.  They loved to travel and enjoyed leading groups of senior adults on trips throughout Texas, the United States, and to countries around the world.

When Doris was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Felix's life purpose changed.  He graciously and lovingly became caregiver for his sweet bride during her 11 year challenge, never leaving her side. All said, Felix was truly an amazing husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, citizen, and friend!  He will be loved and cherished always.

Visitation will be Friday, January 25, 6:00pm - 8:00pm at Klein Funeral Home, 16131 Champion Forest Drive, Spring, Texas. Funeral service will be Saturday, January 26, at 2:00pm at Champion Forest Baptist Church Chapel, 15555 Stuebner Airline Road, Houston, TX. Interment to follow at Klein Memorial Park, 9714 FM 2920, Tomball, Texas, with military honors.  Pallbearers will be Benny Hauk, Justin Rhame, Christopher Jackson, Matthew Jackson, Jeff Dial, Dax Little, and Ryan Nickell.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be given to BrightStone, a job training and life-learning program for adults with intellectual challenges of which Felix was a founder and dedicated volunteer from its very beginning.  Donations can be sent to:  BrightStone, 140 Southeast Parkway Court, Franklin, TN  37064 or www.brightstone.org.