Robert Updegrove

R.C. (Joe) Updegrove passed away peacefully on July 15, 2015. He was 90 years old.
Joe was born February 17, 1925 in Wortham, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Dewey Updegrove and Ida Anna Armke Updegrove, his wife of 54 years Ethel Ford (Pat) Updegrove, his brother Dewey Elwood Updegrove, brother-in-law Rufus (Chuck) Wilson, his nephew Craig Randall Grizzle and his niece Martha Ann Grizzle. He was predeceased by cousins, Sam Wahl, Fred Armke and Carmen Eastman. Joe prided himself as the oldest Updegrove in his lineage-ever, and the oldest living Armke male.

R.C. is survived by his oldest sister, Earlene Updegrove Grizzle, and her husband James Dennis Grizzle. Also survived by his youngest sister, Ida Updegrove Wilson, and his sister-in-law, Mary Jo Updegrove. He is survived by his cousin, Norma Rose and her husband, Allan Drozd. R.C. is survived by his son, Glen Updegrove and wife Dana, and his grandchildren, Lauryn and Rachel. R.C. is also survived by his nephews Reagan Grizzle, John Updegrove (Lisa), Robert Updegrove (Susan), David Wilson (Vicky), and nieces Dinah Gonzales (Alan), Mary Skidmore, Debra Ward (Larry) and many great-nieces and nephews and numerous great-grand nieces and nephews.

Joe graduated from Gregory High School in Gregory, Texas. He attended Texas A&I, the Rice Institute and The University of Texas at Austin where he received his Bachelor of Science Chemical Engineering Degree. He served in the Navy during WWII and again in 1948 to 1949. Joe was a member of 1st Presbyterian Church of Texas City for over 60 years.

Joe was active in the Texas City Jaycees holding several offices and was awarded a life-time membership in 1961. From 1964 to 1976 Joe was involved with the American Field Services (AFS), an international scholarship exchange program at the High School level. He was involved in all aspects of the program but his favorite part was the "American Abroad" committee, which selected Texas City students to participate.

Joe started his professional career with Monsanto in 1951 and worked at the Texas City plant for nine years before being selected for the original staffing at the Chocolate Bayou Plant in Alvin, Texas in 1960. He continued to work for Monsanto and the successor companies for a total of 45 years and retired in 1996. During his professional career Joe was a 50+ year member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Joe attended and organized many seminars and workshops concerning safety and in particular process safety which led to his involvement with the Texas Chemical Council and the annual safety convention involving plant personnel from Texas and Louisiana.
Joe and his wife Pat were seasoned travelers visiting 38 parts of the world.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Texas City, P.O. Box 2188, Texas City, TX 77592 or to the Presbyterian Children's Home at 4407 Bee Cave Road Suite 520, Austin, TX 78746 or to AFS-USA, Attn: Development Office 120 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005.

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