C. Fred Chambers

C. Fred Chambers was born on March 22, 1918 in Dallas, Texas.[1][2] He graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in Austin.[1] He subsequently served in the United States Navy.[1]

Chambers worked as a businessman in the oil industry in Dallas and Midland, Texas.[2] With William Kennedy, he co-founded C & K Petroleum in 1953.[2] The oil and gas company was active in the Permian Basin, the Gulf Coast, the Mid-Continent oil province, the Rocky Mountains and Western Canada.[1] By 1981, they sold C & K Petroleum to Alaska Interstate Company for US$200 million.[2]

With Kennedy and J.M. Ritchie, Chambers co-founded Ritchie Oil C&K, another oil and gas company based in Alberta, Canada.[1] They also co-founded C&K Nederland Company in the Netherlands.[1] By 1980, Chambers co-founded Chambers Explorations with two of his sons, Charlie and Bill.[1]

Chambers was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum in 2005.[1]

Chambers became friends with George H. W. Bush when they were both oilmen in Midland.[2] In December 1968, Chambers was invited by Bush to a dinner at the Alibi Club in Washington, D.C. in honor of astronaut Frank Borman.[3] Meanwhile, Chambers chaired the finance committee of Bush's 1970 senatorial campaign.[2]

Chambers married Marion Glasco, the sister of painter Joseph Glasco.[2][4] They had eight children.[2] They resided in Houston, Texas and they maintained an additional property in Santa Fe, New Mexico.[2]

Chambers died on November 13, 1989 in Houston, Texas.[2] His funeral, held at St. Michael's Catholic Church, was attended by President Bush and Secretary of State James Baker.[5]

• C. Fred Chambers at Find a Grave