Rowley L. “Sonny” Hymel Jr.
Published 4:29 pm Saturday, January 14, 2017
Rowley L. “Sonny” Hymel Jr., 81, passed away Jan. 12, 2017, after a 16-year battle with leukemia.
He was born in Reserve on March 13, 1935, to Rowley and Mabel Hymel. He grew up in south Louisiana, where he was an altar boy and an Eagle Scout. In December 1956, he married Jeanette Ferraro.
Rowley L. “Sonny” Hymel Jr.
Sonny graduated from LSU in 1957 with a degree in Chemical Engineering and was a member of ATO Fraternity. An avid LSU Tiger fan, he “loved purple, lived gold.”
He started his career working for Humble Oil Co. in 1958. In 1967 he moved his family to Tripoli, Libya, where he worked for Esso Libya for 5 years.
After that he settled in Houston, Texas, working for Exxon Chemicals until his retirement in 1992.
In his younger days, Sonny’s many hobbies included woodworking, fishing, gardening, cooking and coaching Little League baseball. He excelled in everything that he did, often telling his kids, “If you’re going to do something, do it right!”
In his later years, he enjoyed fantasy football, computing and watching old westerns.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jeanette Ferraro Hymel, daughters Carrie Hunt and Pat Sitler and husband Greg, sons Leonard Hymel and wife Patsy, and Tommy Hymel and wife Lisa, grandchildren Craig and Kevin Hunt, Abby Neal and husband Trey, Nicole Sitler, Michael Hymel and wife Ana, Lauren, Ashley and Brooke Hymel.
He is also survived by two great grandchildren, Aidan Hunt and unborn baby Neal, and step-granddaughter, Stephanie Young. Surviving siblings include Jean Gendron, Bryan Hymel and Jimmy Hymel.
He was predeceased by his sister Katherine “Teena” Hymel and son-in-law Randy Hunt.
The family would like to thank Dr. Pemmeraju and his staff, specifically Katie and Girlie, at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for years of care and the staff at Memorial City Hospital MICU who took excellent care of him in his final hours.
Visitation and Rosary will be Monday, Jan. 16, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway in Houston.
A Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 10 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 10688 Shadow Wood Dr. in Houston, with interment following at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia Society of America, MD Anderson Cancer Center, or the charity of your choice.