Mervin J. Albert, Jr.

Mervin Joseph Albert Jr. was born on September 28, 1940, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Houston, Texas—a true native Houstonian. The oldest of three children born to Mervin Joseph Albert Sr. and Ignatia Albert, Merv was raised in a close-knit Italian Catholic family where faith, family, and hard work were at the heart of life.

Merv’s Catholic faith was an important part of his life from a very young age. As a young teenager, he entered the La Salette Seminary in Jefferson City, Missouri. Although he spent only about a year there, his faith and love for the Lord remained with him throughout his life. He lived that faith through his devotion to family, service to others, and generosity of spirit.

At 18, while a student at Texas A&M University, Merv joined the Knights of Columbus. He became a proud Fourth Degree Sir Knight and member of Knights of Columbus Council 8482. His commitment to serving others extended throughout his life. For 17 years, he volunteered as the Pledge Center Coordinator for the Houston Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon. In 1982, he became a lifetime member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and faithfully volunteered every rodeo season for more than 40 years.

A lifelong entrepreneur, Merv believed that life was “the sum total of your experiences.” He believed you should get out there and live it—and he certainly did. He learned to fly a plane, scuba dive, traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean, and cherished adventures and time with family and friends. Merv loved a good laugh and had a gift for bringing joy to those around him. His stories, humor, and unmistakable personality will be remembered by all who knew him.

Merv loved his family deeply. He married Mary Jane on February 7, 1987, and together they built a life filled with family, faith, laughter, adventure, and countless memories. His family was his greatest source of pride and joy. He loved fiercely, laughed often, served faithfully, and lived life fully. His presence filled a room, and his absence will leave an immeasurable space in the hearts of those who loved him.

Merv was preceded in death by his parents, Mervin Joseph Albert Sr. and Ignatia Albert; his grandfather, Joseph Charles Danna, with whom he shared a special bond; and his beloved grandson, Jason Michael Albert.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Albert; his sisters, Joe-Ann Gault and Mary Lynn Hughes; his son, Joseph Charles Albert; his daughters, Lisa Anne Albert, Gina Marie Albert, Dayna Louise Frazer, and Ashley Hutchison and her husband, Michael; his grandchildren, Isabella Larkin Albert Russell and her husband, Chance, Travis Hutchison, Gavin Hutchison, Maya Hutchison, Jessica Olivares and her husband, Sergio, and Belle Ann Albert; his great-grandchildren, Sergio Gabriel Olivares and Benjamin Stephen Olivares; and numerous extended family members and dear friends whom he loved very much.

A prayer vigil and rosary will be held on Tuesday, September 1, at 6:00 p.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 19222 Tomball Pkwy, Houston. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, September 2, at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Knights of Columbus Council 8482 Scholarship Fund in Merv’s memory.