Harold Picton

Harold Hynes Picton, 96, a lifelong Rockport resident and instrumental community advocate, passed away peacefully at his home June 25, 2023.

His family is greatly comforted by his undoubtedly joyous reunion in Heaven with the love of his life, Kathryn, whom he shared 71 prideful years of marriage before her passing in 2017.

Much of Harold's life was dedicated to the development and advancement of Rockport while preserving the unique nature of the town he was extremely passionate about.

He was well respected and a proud partner to other local businesses. His contributions to the City of Rockport over his 96 years of life are immeasurable.

Harold was born the youngest of five children to Charles and Carrie Picton on March 26, 1927. He grew up in a home a mere block from the home he would eventually pass on to the eternal world in - the same home where he and Kathryn raised their five loving children, Charles, Denise, Jerry, Claire and John H.

Harold is a part of one of the founding families of Rockport. His grandfather, DM Picton, built many of the rock jetties along the Texas coast. His father, Charles, owned a lumber company that helped support the early infrastructure of Rockport.

It was evident from a young age that Harold embodied the same Rockport pride as the generations before him. He loaned his horse, "Tuni," to the sheriff to make his rounds and served as a volunteer fireman. At the age of 14, he drove around making supply deliveries to military personnel in town who were camped out in front of his family home watching for German ships. He loved to share stories with his family from the early days of Rockport.

Perhaps his greatest story of all time was courting and eventually marrying Kathryn, one of the "famous," beautiful Rouquette girls from Fulton. Harold met and fell in love with Kathryn, who was a year ahead of him in school, at Rockport High School. At the time, Rockport and Fulton were separated and visiting Kathryn meant having to jump over a barb-wired fence.

The two would face even more distance hardships when Harold left for the Kemper Military Academy in Boonville, Missouri. He was a very proud member of the Kemper Class of 1944, and he cherished his Kemper class ring until the end of his life.

Upon Kemper graduation, Harold served with the merchant marines. As a merchant marine, he would run cargo supplies across the Gulf of Mexico to the United States Military docked there; at times he encountered German military in the same water space.

Though Kathryn and Harold were thousands of miles apart during these adventures, Harold wrote to Kathryn as often as he could. The family still cherishes these love letters today.

Harold and Kathryn were married in Rockport on December 26, 1946.

With Harold back home, raising his family with Kathryn, his perseverance in both civic and business advancements of Rockport only became stronger.

At the age of 23, Harold and his older brother Dick took over the Charles T. Picton Lumber company upon their father's death. The business supported Rockport through an era of robust growth and rapid construction.

Harold was a hard worker who loved to use his hands. He could fix anything and enjoyed passing these lessons on to his own children. Numerous remodels of the Picton family home would take place over the years with Harold at the helm, leading the construction.

Over the years, Harold developed a specialty in ready-mix concrete operations. This set the stage for Harold's recruitment into a new role with Coast Materials Inc., a ready-mix concrete company, in 1968. Harold eventually became sole owner of Coast Materials - a company he would dedicate himself to for the rest of his life.

Up until a short period of time before his death, Harold went to work at Coast Materials every day. Working alongside his daughter, Claire Haynes, now President, and the Coast Materials staff, was one of Harold's greatest joys throughout his life.

Harold also played a pivotal role in developing several of the most established communities that make Rockport what it is today. There is a street sign etched with the name "Picton Lane" nestled close to those communities in honor of Harold's and the Picton family's contributions.

An aviation enthusiast, Harold flew his own plane into his mid 80s. When the Aransas County Airport was built, Harold aided county judge, John Wendell, in getting the airport up to speed.

He was appointed to serve as county commissioner in 1992 and served on numerous boards for local businesses and non-profit organizations.

Harold is survived by his beloved sister Mary Beth Caspary, five children, 15 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren. He is reunited in Heaven with his soul mate Kathryn, parents, three older siblings and two precious grandchildren, Tommy Webb and Ryan Picton. There are no words to express the Picton family's gratitude for the love and compassion of the exceptional individuals who cared for Harold in the later years of his life - Michael Silvira, Teresa B. Faullon and Cirino Faullon Rivera.

A private service was held in Kathryn and Harold's home.

For those wishing to honor Harold's memory, the family suggests contributions to the following organizations or the organization of your choice: the Rockport Cemetery Association, 2611 Hwy 35 N, Rockport, Texas 78382; Harbor Hospice of Gulf Coast, 400 Enterprise Blvd Suite C, Rockport, TX 78382 or the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 802 Wharf St, Rockport, TX 78382.

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