Harold Brasfield

Memorial services for Harold Allison Brasfield, Tyler, will be held Wednesday, March 7, at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 230 West Rusk Street, Tyler, with Dr. Stuart Baskin officiating. A private burial will be held before the service at Cathedral in the Pines Cemetery. After a lengthy illness, Harold passed away Monday, March 5, at East Texas Medical Center. Harold was born to Major and Katie Brasfield on February 19, 1930 in Texarkana, Texas. He grew up in Poynor, Texas. Harold graduated from Orange High School and attended Henderson County Junior College. He received his B. S. degree from East Texas State University in Commerce. Harold was a geophysicist for Humble Oil Company. In 1965, he formed his own company, Brasfield Oil & Gas. He was instrumental in the discovery of many oil fields in East Texas and continued to be very active in the oil business until his death. Harold lived life to the fullest and enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his many friends. He loved to travel and cook. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brother, John Brasfield and mother-in-law, Tish Orr. Harold is survived by his loving wife of 17 years, Gillian Brasfield of Tyler; son, Steve Brasfield and wife, Carol of Los Angeles, California; daughter, Pat Bethancourt and husband, Mike of Ingram, Texas; grandson, Matt Bethancourt of Dallas; granddaughter, MacKenzie Bethancourt of Lubbock; father-in-law, Dr. George Orr of Tyler; and brothers-in-law, Andrew Orr and Keir Orr, both of Tyler. Honorary pallbearers are Bill Burney, Glen Cade, Charles Clark, Robert Davis, Tom Denmon, Bob Derryberry, Daryl Derryberry, Bill Hughey, Rodney Jones, Will Knight, Dale Long, Grady Moore, Wade Ridley, Bill Ross, Doyle Simmons, Buddy Sparkman, Sonny Spradlin, and Bill Thompson. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, March 6, 2007, at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, Tyler. Memorials in honor of Harold Brasfield may be made to Children's Advocacy Center of Smith County, 2210 Frankston Hwy. Tyler, 75701; Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, 75701; and Stewart Regional Blood Center, 815 Baxter Ave., Tyler, 75701. What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Harold Brasfield

February 19, 1930 - March 5, 2007