John Patrick "Pat" Booker

John Patrick Booker “Pat” died Tuesday, September 29, at age 74. He is survived by his beloved wife, Judith Ann (Theobald) Booker, to whom he was married for 53 years, and four daughters: Patricia Booker (Robert Snell), Eileen Murdock (Michael), Harriet Booker (John Houtsma) and Carrie Booker (Kyle Smith). He will be terribly missed by his 10 grandchildren, who knew him affectionately as Bull: Scout, Nico and Neale Snell, Casey, Ryan, Patrick and Colleen Murdock, Sophie and Mia Albery and Curry Cappel. Pat is also survived by two brothers, Edward H. Booker (Luce) and T. Hoy Booker (Ruth), and three sisters, Mary Ethel Siefken (Gerald), Ann Loper (George) and Margaret Booker. Pat was the son of the late Harry Hamilton “Red” Booker and Margaret Donohue Booker. He spent his early years in Baton Rouge, and moved to New Orleans at age 12. Through his father, he developed a lifelong love of boats and the sea, and could often be seen aboard the family’s wooden Mathews motor yacht. He graduated from De La Salle High School, and in 1962 received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Notre Dame. He married Judy one month later. He was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy and served his country on the U.S.S. Barton. In 1964, Pat returned to New Orleans to work with his father at Booker Drilling Company, then a young off shore drilling company in southern Louisiana. They were pioneers in developing what became known as platform workover rigs designed for offshore well service. In 1965, Pat became president of the family company, after the premature death of his father. He went on to transform Booker Drilling Co. into what was once the largest well service company in the Gulf of Mexico and a key player in the region’s oil industry. He was a former Board Member for the International Association of Drilling Contractors, as well as the Society of Petroleum Engineers, and he served on the University of Notre Dame Engineering Council. Pat and his wife Judy are also the founders of the J. Patrick Booker Minority Scholarship Fund at the University of Notre Dame. Pat spent his retirement years traveling with Judy and spending time with his cherished family and wonderful friends; he also found great joy aboard his treasured Blue Tempest, the 46’ Bertram Sportfish he purchased four decades ago. He was a life-long and notoriously loved member of the Southern Yacht Club, and an active member of the Big Game Fishing Club. Pat was an eternal champion of his alma mater, the University of Notre Dame. He spent his final Saturday watching Notre Dame football with family and friends. Pat will long be remembered for his ever-present love of life, family, & friends. He became an inspiration to all of those he met. A funeral mass will be held on Monday October 5th at 12 noon, preceded by visitation from 10am - 12pm, both located at St Angela Merici Church: 835 Melody Dr., Metairie, LA 70002. In lieu of flowers please consider the St. Jude Community Center, 400 N. Rampart, New Orleans, LA 70112. To view and sign the family guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.