Jack & Joyce Maroney

Jack Drennan Maroney II, age 99, of Austin, Texas died on May 18, 2024. Jack D. Maroney II was born November 22, 1924 at St. Paul Hospital in Dallas, Texas to parents Jack Drennan Maroney and Ora Estelle Hagler Maroney. He attended Rosemont Elementary School and he and his wife Joyce both attended Sunset High School, Graduating in 1941. Jack was a freshman at the University of Texas when Pearl Harbor was attacked Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941.

The next day he stood in a recruiting line attempting without success to join the army due to his youthful age. After two additional school semesters, Jack volunteered for service in the United States Marine Corps. Following necessary training he was assigned to duty in the Marine Detachment onboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) as a 20 MM anti-aircraft gunner, which combat duties continued until war hostilities terminated in 1945 when he was honorably discharged. During WWII the Navy issued 21 Battle Stars for engagements by its fleet in the Pacific War. The Enterprise CV-6 was the most decorated ship and as part of the Marine Detachment, Jack participated in the last 12 of the star earning battles. On 30 Oct. 1944, Japanese kamikazes made their first attack on the “Big E” with blazing guns, and strafing in route. Defensive fire engaged one wing of the attacking aircraft causing the plane to flip and missed the carrier’s port side 20mm anti-aircraft battery by only 15 feet before crashing into the sea exploding the planes bomb. As of 2024, Jack was the sole survivor of any member of the Marine Detachment who served on the “Big E” during WWII.

Returning to Dallas after the war he and Genevieve Joyce James married at the Oak Cliff Christian Church on Oct. 27, 1945. They were married almost 79 years, raising 3 children together and were a true example of everlasting love, dying only 4 days apart from each other.

After the war, he transferred and resumed schooling at Southern Methodist University obtaining a BBA degree in 1948. Jack was a sports enthusiast having played on the Bison Golf Team at Sunset and later varsity baseball multiple years for the Mustangs at SMU.

While still employed full time in Austin as an insurance company claims manager, he enrolled in law school and was licensed by the State Bar of Texas to practice law in 1957, and obtained his Doctor of Law Degree from the University of Texas in 1959. Over the years Jack was a partner in Long, Maroney & Aronson; Brown, Sparks, Erwin, Maroney & Barber; Brown, Maroney, Rose, Baker, Barber and Dye; Maroney, Crowley, Bankston, Richardson & Hull; and Locke, Liddell & Sapp before his retirement after some 50 years of courtroom trials.

Maroney was the President of the Travis County Bar (1974-75); President of Central Texas Chapter of American & Federal Bar Assn (1988-89); American Board of Trial Advocates; Texas Association of Defense Counsel (President 1988-89); International Association of Defense Counsel; American College of Trial Lawyers (State Chairman 1982-83) Jack also was involved in various business and civic organizations, e.g. during the 1980’s he served as Board Chairman and President of Bank One Westlake; The Austin Country Club (Director 1989), Headliners Club Board of Trustees, and enjoyed many years having lunches with his military buddies at Tarry House.

After his retirement the Maroney’s devoted significant time ranching and hunting in Coleman County, traveling, enjoyed spending summers in the Ruidoso area at the Alto Lakes Golf and Country Club, and wintering at their condo in North Padre Island.

In recent years, Jack was honored to have the privilege of representing Honor Flight Austin as a WWII Ambassador, proudly traveling side by side with fellow veterans numerous times to various historical and military museums and memorials around the country. We will never forget his service and sacrifice.

Jack’s uncanny memory and mastery for storytelling was admired by all. His mutual devotion and love for his wife Joyce was something everyone looked up to and they celebrated almost 79 years together before their deaths in May of 2024. They spent their last years peacefully at their beloved ranch in Novice, TX.

Jack will be buried beside his wife and mother at Austin Memorial Park. A private family service with military honors will be conducted at graveside, however if you desire to make a memorial contribution in his memory, please consider Honor Flight Austin, or Novice Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 21, Novice, TX 79538.

“A good life is when you assume nothing, do more, need less, smile often, dream big, laugh a lot and realize how thankful we all should be.” - Woodie

Remembrances may be left at www.wcfishnorth.com

Joyce Maroney

Joyce Maroney, of Austin, Texas, died on May 22, 2024, only 4 days after her 99th birthday and the death of her husband of almost 79 years, Jack Maroney.

Genevieve Joyce James was born May 18, 1925, at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, Texas, the only child born to parents Herman Everett “Jimmy” James and Ruth Bailey “Bitsy” James. She attended Winnetka Elementary School and Sunset High School in Dallas, graduating in 1942. During high school, Joyce was the marquee singer on two separate radio shows in Dallas. She was also a featured freelance vocalist with orchestras and had fond memories of traveling with her daddy Herman as he drove her to sing at all the various venues in and around Dallas. She attended North Texas State University as a music major. During WWII she left school to perform in USO Camp shows around the USA in a trio with two other Oak Cliff Dallas girls, under the stage name “The Jivin’ Jills.” Being a member of the “Jivin Jills” was her claim to fame, and she was proud of her traveling “showbiz” days.

Jack and Joyce both attended Sunset High School in Oak Cliff, Dallas. After Jack returned from WWII, On Oct. 27, 1945 Joyce married Jack Maroney at the Oak Cliff Christian Church in Dallas, Texas. They lived in Dallas as a young honeymoon couple, Jack enrolled at SMU under the GI Bill, and Joyce worked as a model and a receptionist. After his graduation in 1948 from SMU they moved to Lubbock while Jack worked in Insurance claims investigations, before returning to Dallas in 1950. Jack’s work eventually transferred the family to Austin in 1953 when he began law school at the University of Texas, and they lived and raised their 3 children in Austin thereafter.

The family were members of Westminster Presbyterian for many years and later they transferred their letter to Covenant Presbyterian Church. She had many ties to the community including the Helping Hand for Children. For a short time, she enjoyed having an exclusive home based antique business.

Her life as a homemaker centered around her family and Jack. Together, they were delighted by their precious grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved them “a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck!”

Joyce had a beautiful sunny attitude and philosophy, whose famous saying to her children when they were fussy was “Go out and play in the sunshine!” Being the wife of a Marine, she would always end the day with a toast of champagne and say “Semper Fidelis!” Even at the age of 99 Joyce never ever thought of herself as “old.” Whatever the ailment was, she would say “This too will pass.”

Joyce will be buried alongside her husband at Austin Memorial Park. A private family remembrance will be conducted, however if you desire making a memorial contribution in her memory, please consider Junior Helping Hand for Children.

“Don’t live your life as if you are going to heaven…live your life as if you are already there.” – Woodie

Remembrances may be left at www.wcfishnorth.com