Robert Burton Kamon Obituary
Robert Burton Kamon of Cisco, Texas, 89, passed away peacefully at his home Friday, January 13, 2017.
His earthly journey began September 6, 1927 in Casper, Wyoming. On an accelerated time line that would become
a lifelong pattern, Robert obtained a driver’s license at age 13, became an Eagle Scout and graduated from high school in
Fort Worth at 16. He then attended the University of Texas at Austin. As a licensed surveyor and petroleum engineer,
he soon set out to explore the many opportunities around the world.
In about 1948, Robert began a foreign oil and gas leasing business, booking passage on a freighter to Australia, the country
he saw as holding the most promising prospects in the industry at the time. Initially he staked a uranium claim and owned
and operated the 887,680 acre Walhallow Cattle Station lease in the Northern Territory, losing 40 pounds in the process.
He leased oil and gas concessions covering millions of acres over the years, and helped establish Oil Drilling & Exploration,
which at one time was the largest onshore Australian drilling contractor.
While focused on Australia, Robert was still active in other locations—Brunei, Borneo, Iraq, Turkey and the United States.
He did wildcatting in Texas and Wyoming and for a brief period taught geology at Cisco Jr. College.
After a courtship involving many geologic field trips, he married Effie Lavern Hart of Cisco, December 25, 1957.
They worked together in the family business and enjoyed many travels around the world for 39 years.
The last word he said was “Effie.”
Robert did not believe in retirement and so stayed as active and involved in his work as possible even traveling to Hong Kong,
Australia and NAPE conventions in Houston until just a few years ago.
Robert was a member and Elder in the First Presbyterian Church in Cisco. He often spoke of his deep love for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
He was predeceased by his parents, Rudolph and Isabel Kamon, and wife, Effie Kamon. He is survived by daughter, Kaye Kamon of Evergreen,
Colorado, son, Ken Kamon of Midland, sister-in-law Violet Hart Frazier of Abilene, as well as two grandchildren, Isaac and Zoe Faith.
Memorial Service will be 3:00 PM Wednesday January 18, 2017 at The First Presbyterian Church in Cisco with Lane Franks officiating.
Visitation with family and friends will be Tuesday evening from 5 PM until 7 PM at Kimbrough Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to:
Heartline Ministries
10851 N. Black Canyon Highway, Suite 540
Phoenix, AZ 85029