PAUL BRADY ALKER

COMMANDER, UNITED STATES NAVY, RETIRED

April 29, 1936 – May 24, 2020

An only child, Paul was born on April 29, 1936 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Paul Alker Senior and Ada Dubus.  He attended Jesuit High School where he excelled in academics, and enjoyed intramural track & field. He found his first calling when he joined the Blue Jay Marine Battalion, the Reserve Office Training Corps.  In 1954 he graduated at the top of his class as the valedictorian and winner of the medal for excellence in scholarship and the American Legion ROTC award.  He subsequently applied for and was awarded an NROTC scholarship to Tulane University. The combination of education and discipline served him well as he pursued an interest in chemistry.  He graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and was hired early by Shell Oil Company. Following graduation Paul was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy where he served on the USS Glennon until 1961. After traveling the world, he left active duty as a Lieutenant Junior Grade. He returned to New Orleans and began his work as a chemical engineer with Shell where he worked tirelessly for the next thirty-eight years. As fate would have it, he met the love of his live, Cheryl Lynn Kincaid, after moving to Houston, TX in 1973.  Seemingly opposites in every way, they became inseparable.  With two children from her first marriage, and three from his, they were married in 1976 and had two children together. Paul would continue his service to his country in the United States Naval Reserves until his honorable retirement in 1980, achieving the rank of Commander.

He was fond of the Blue Angels, slapstick comedy, big roller coasters, relished fried seafood, savored daiquiris & old fashions, took pride in maintaining his automobiles, held all those who served their country in high regard, and he had no shortage of adages for every situation.

Paul was a devout Catholic who stressed the importance of a "good education" and the power of knowledge. He spent his life providing for others, and, more often than not, it was acta non verba.  Over the course of his life, and unbeknownst to most, he generously contributed to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, ASPCA, The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, The United States Navy Memorial, Jesuit High School, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Seraphic Mass Association, Paralyzed Veterans of America, The Salvation Army, United Services Organization, Tulane University, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Star of Hope Mission, Houston Food Bank, Covenant House, The Wounded Warrior Project, & The American Legion.

Paul is survived by his loving wife Cheryl Lynn Alker of 44 years, his sons Brad Alker, Christopher Alker, Michael Alker, Mark Smith, his daughters Elizabeth Cloud, Audrey Schneider, his thirteen grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.