BROWNING, Paul F.

Paul F. Browning, 93, died May 6, 2003 in Phoenix, AZ. Mr. Browning was born in Los Angeles, but spent most of his life in Texas and Venezuela, coming to Arizona in 1965. He began work at an early age, working 56 hours a week at age nine, thereby missing the third grade. By age fifteen he was head proofreader of The Albuquerque Morning Journal. His employment schedule was almost continuous until he retired at age 55, so that it took him fifteen years to complete high school and college. He was graduated in physics from the University of Texas, and later worked in geology in Texas and New Mexico, and in geophysics on the Gulf Coast. He went to Venezuela as a geophysicist for a major Exxon company and remained there for 26 years, working in various line and staff positions, and successively as petroleum engineer, economist and manager of their budget department. He retired early to "play," entering ASU and in his sixties earning a degree in Business Administration with a key in the business school honor society. Then he continued his studies, taking German, French and advanced Spanish simultaneously. He was a former member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the Society of Exploration Geo-physicists and the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers, in each of the latter two receiving 25-year Silver Certificates. He was a member of several local and national tennis, chess and philatelic organizations. He was the first male to complete the formal training to become a docent at the Phoenix Art Museum. For some years he gave illustrated talks sponsored by the Museum at the Adult Centers operated by the City of Phoenix. He also served twice on the the docent Board. He was a member of the Phoenix Country Club. He and his wife travelled widely around the world both before and after his retirement. He was preceded in death by his wife Sue. Survivors include sons Marc and Jeffrey; two grandsons, and one great-granddaughter. Services will be private. Advantage Colonial Chapel. Published in the Arizona Republic on 5/9/2003.