Jaime Enrique Delgado

May 19, 1936 - December 1, 2025

Jaime Enrique Delgado, age 89, of Houston, Texas, passed away on Monday December 1, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Jaime was born on May 19, 1936, in Duitama, Colombia to Romelia Martinez Delgado and Enrique Delgado. He graduated from San Bartolomé de la Merced High School in Bogotá, Colombia on November 1954. His pursuit of education led him to Detroit, Michigan where he studied English for a year, before moving to Tulsa, Oklahoma to begin his Petroleum Engineering studies. A passionate soccer player, Jaime proudly played for the University of Tulsa Varsity Soccer Club. He graduated in the Spring of 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering, and he returned to Colombia to begin his career. On May 19, 1965, Jaime married Esther Hernandez at the Parroquia de San Luis Betran in Tibú, Colombia. Together they shared 60 beautiful years of love and partnership. Jaime was a proud and loving "Papi" to his four children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Jaime's professional journey was remarkable. He began his career in the oilfields of Colombia with the Colombian Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, the Colombian Petroleum Company, Sinclair, and Colombia-Cities Service Petroleum Corporation. In 1974 he joined Phillips 66 as a Drilling Engineer working in the Ekofisk field in the North Sea which relocated him and his family to Stavanger, Norway for the next 8 years. His career later brought him to Houston, Texas in 1982 where he held various drilling roles for the next 12 years. After twenty years of dedicated service, Jaime retired from Phillips 66 as chief Drilling Engineer for North America. Retirement, however, did not last long, as he continued to share his expertise another 15 years with Mexpetrol, Astra, Baker Inteq and Hot-Hed. His contributions to the oil and gas industry were exceptional and widely respected.

Beyond his career, Jaime was a man of detail and devotion. Everything was written down with a date and time attached. He never missed a birthday, anniversary, or milestone, always celebrating the achievements of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was immensely proud of the family he and Esther built. An avid golfer, Jaime cherished playing alongside his sons, especially during the annual "Ed Delgado Golf Classic" at Horseshoe Bay. A tradition that continues and has created countless cherished memories where he was known affectionately as "Papi." Jaime's love for learning was unmatched. He often created monthly multiple-choice quizzes for his daughters and granddaughters, sharing his vast knowledge of science, history and the world. He wanted to keep our minds sharp and curious. His intelligence, generosity and humor left an incredible mark on all who knew him.

Jaime is survived by his beloved wife, Esther Delgado; children, Edgar Delgado (wife Cindy), Marta Hahn (husband Tony), Carlos Delgado (wife Jennyfer), and Claudia Delgado; his grandsons, Carlitos and Daniel Delgado; granddaughters, Crystal Pate (husband Braden), Alysa Milam (husband Tyler), Julia Delgado, Megan Hahn, and Sara Hahn; his sister, Gladys Avellaneda; niece, Amalia Varela; four great grandchildren and a multitude of dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Enrique Delgado and Romelia Martinez Delgado, and his brother, Octavio Delgado.

A memorial service to celebrate Jaime's life will be held on Friday, December 26, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Klein Funeral Home, located at 9719 Wortham Blvd, Houston, Texas 77065. All who knew and loved him are welcome to attend and celebrate his remarkable life.