Austin American Statesman

(11/25/2001)   Harry Rea Sindorf, Jr. 


Harry Rea Sindorf, Jr., age 79, of Lago Vista, passed away Wednesday, November 21, 2001. 
He was born on January 2, 1922, in Eastland, Texas, to Harry Rea Sindorf, Sr. and 
Verna LaMoine Kobel Sindorf. Harry's early years were spent in Kermit, Texas, where his
 father was in the oil drilling business. After his graduation from high school, 
Harry enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin. He left the University to enlist in the
 Marine Corp and served his country honorably. At the end of World War II, Harry returned to 
Austin where he and his sweetheart, Mary Sue Berry, were joined in matrimony on 
August 18, 1945, on the grounds of the State Capitol. They remained in Austin for Harry 
to graduate with a business degree from the University of Texas, while living at Pecan Grove
 Trailer Park and holding down a part-time job with Steve Simmons Auto Sales. 
After graduation, the young couple moved back to Kermit with their three year old daughter,
 Gay, to join his father in the Sindorf Drilling business. Harry and his father were later honored 
as ``Petroleum Pioneers of the Permian Basin''. Harry and Sue were active in church, politics,
 and community service and were respected for their numerous contributions to the community.
 They played a prominent role in erecting the Trinity Christian Church of Kermit. 
Their second daughter, Dianna Rea ``Baby Rea'', was born in Kermit. 
In 1967 they moved back to Austin and together developed Paisano Mobile Home Park. 
A business that occupied them until their retirement. After retirement they moved to 
Lago Vista to enjoy golf, community activities and their participation in the Rolling Hills
 Community Church. Harry and Sue loved and enjoyed the thrill of the oil business for over 
40 years. Harry said many times ``there is no greater gambler than a man who risks 
everything he has, to punch a hole in the earth and pray for oil''. Harry is survived by his 
wife of 56 years, Sue; two daughters, Gay Fowler of Austin, and Rea Gilbert, of 
Dripping Springs; four grandchildren, Kimberly Gay Clifford and husband Patrick, 
of Burbank, California, Anna Carina Fowler, of West Hollywood, California, Brad Poth, 
of Austin, Paul David Gilbert, of Oak Hill; two great-grandchildren, HarryJames Clemente 
Clifford and Justine Marie Clifford, of Burbank, California. Our most heartfelt thanks go to 
the staff of Hill Country Care for their loving support and comfort during this most difficult time.
 Visitation will be at 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on November 25, 2001, at Wilke-Clay-Fish Funeral Home.
 A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on November 26, 2001, at Wilke-Clay-Fish Funeral 
Home, with Reverend Gary Olsen officiating. Interment will follow at
 Austin Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Rolling Hills 
Community Church, 20103 Dawn Drive, Lago Vista, TX 78645, American Cancer Society, 
or Hill Country Care, Dripping Springs, TX. Arrangements by Wilke-Clay-Fish Funeral Home, 
2620 So. Congress Ave., 442-1446.