John grew up in Ardmore, attending Ardmore High School, where he was active in school sports, hunting and fishing. He went on to the University of Oklahoma and graduated in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in Geology. John joined the Army after graduation and served during the Korean War, attaining the rank of Captain.
John held many jobs in the oilfield during college and after graduation, from roughneck to geologist. While working as a geologist for Conoco in New Orleans he went to law school at night and became an oil and gas lawyer for Conoco, his favorite job. He continued to work at Conoco and became the Vice President and General Counsel of Dubai Petroleum Company until his retirement.
John married his wife Jean Ann Steib in 1959 while attending law school. During over 50 years of marriage, John and Jean raised four children, traveled all over the world, and lived in many wonderful places including Rye, New York, London, England, and Dubai, UAE.
John loved to tell stories of his travels around the world and was always entertaining at family gatherings. “Pops” had an incredible sense of humor that always seemed to put strangers at ease. After retirement, he enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and working on his ranch in Weimar, Texas. Pops especially loved being a father, father-in-law, grandfather and dog owner. John was a lifelong Catholic, and a member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Houston.
John is predeceased by his wife, Jean. He is survived by his children Karey Dye (and husband Phillip), Kris Maclay (and husband John), Katherine Murchison (and husband J.D.), and John Dubiel, Jr. (and wife Randi), his grandchildren Elizabeth (and husband Matthew Sipiora) and Margaret Dye, Mary Martha and Megan Maclay, Sarah and William Murchison, and Matthew and Carter Dubiel and great granddaughter Charlotte Sipiora. He is also survived by his sister, Wanda Otey Westheimer of Ardmore, Oklahoma, and his nieces, nephews and their families.
The family wishes to thank the caring and wonderful staff at Belmont Village Hunters Creek for the compassionate care they gave John over the past 3 years and Crossroads Hospice who took care of John with loving kindness in his final months.
The family will gather for a private Memorial service in New Orleans at a later date, where John’s ashes will be interred with his wife Jean’s.
For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Strake Jesuit, 8900 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, Texas 77036 or the charity of your choice.
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