Jack Clayton Oeffinger

In the early morning hours of May 14, 2015, Jack Clayton Oeffinger passed on to his next adventure in his home at The Abbey at Westminster Plaza in Houston, Texas. Jack was born on April 11, 1929 as the second child and only son of John Paul and Elizabeth Oeffinger in San Antonio, Texas.

Our father loved to write notes and letters and one letter in particular, on his 30th wedding anniversary to our beloved mother Sally, helps illuminate his early life. He took "pen in hand and from time to time jotted down what sweet memories came flowing back - as I think about what you mean to me - and why." Little did he realize those loving notes would form the basis for this recap of his loving and fun filled life. That was our dad, a loving and devoted husband of 63 years, a caring and supportive father, grandfather, and great grandfather. A true soldier, statesman, knightly gentleman.

Jack grew up in in San Antonio, Texas not far from downtown and across from Brackenridge Park in a home his dad and uncles built themselves. His early schooling took place at Mark Twain Elementary School. Active in ROTC and debate, listening and dancing to "Big Band" music, going on hay rides and sleeping at a friend's "overnight,” dad completed high school at Thomas Jefferson in 1947. He then went on to St. Mary's University and School of Law graduating in 1952. He picked up his passion to play golf during these years playing at the "Old Brack" golf course in Brackenridge Park. Most importantly, he met the love of his life and together they shared fun times with numerous friends who remained an important part of their life for the next six decades. Jack married his high school and college sweetheart Sally Jo Lehman on December 26, 1951 at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. Sally Jo, an Incarnate Word high school and college student, had increasingly become the center of his life during college and law school.

Dad was commissioned a 1st Lt. and entered the service as a U.S. Army officer at Fort Sill, Oklahoma on August 4, 1952. After completing two artillery courses he shipped out for Korea to serve with so many other men and women of his generation, first as an artillery officer and then in the Judge Advocate General's Corps as a POW defense attorney. To his last day, dad admired and appreciated the service of men and women in our U. S. Armed Forces. He understood the sacrifices our military service members make in order to protect our great country. He left active duty in 1956 and was honorably discharged in 1964 after continued service in the Army Reserve. Our parents began a new chapter moving to West Texas and the "sandstorm's, tumbleweeds, and hailstorms" in 1956. While our mom wasn't "so sure about about West Texas" in the beginning, they grew to appreciate both the area and the oil and gas industry that played such a vital role in our lives.

Starting with Forest Oil, Jack rose through the legal ranks taking on increasingly more complex cases in Midland, then a short stint back in San Antonio, and culminating in becoming the Senior Attorney - International for Forest Oil in Houston. Our dad loved his international work. He and mom were able to see parts of the world they probably never dreamed about as high school and college students. Travel and work in the United Kingdom, Norway, Italy, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Columbia, and Canada kept him busy and able to support a growing family of five children - two amazing daughters in their own right, and who made it their mission to prepare our parents for their future, and three Texas Aggie sons. Dad always remarked he was not sure what he did to deserve three Aggie sons in the family - but he became the staunchest Aggie we have ever known. His trademark big smile, thumb's up "Gig'Em", Aggie Golf Cart, flags and Texas A&M University gear - you couldn't miss him.

Following Forest Oil, Jack held several senior legal and management positions beginning with Monsanto and then Natomas North America in Houston. It was working in Houston and living in Missouri City that dad's love of golf took on new meaning. Quail Valley was the first of several homes where our parents were fortunate to live overlooking a golf fairway or green. Jack moved on to Valero in San Antonio where he and mom enjoyed living in Boerne, Texas at Fair Oaks; then off to Denver to return to Forest Oil and close out his legal career winning several key cases for the company. It was Denver and the Rockies that opened up new vistas for Jack and Sally. Both learned to fly fish the fast running, cold water streams or lakes in Colorado. We are still fascinated that they drove snowmobile's on cross country trips, sometimes at high speeds as if they were back in their college days. When Jack retired from Forest Oil, he and Sally lived for a number of years enjoying life in Buena Vista, Colorado. Their cabin, at 9,000 feet on Mt. Columbia and next to a national forest, gave Dad the opportunity to set up a woodworking shop. More importantly, it gave our parents time to really take in the vistas, fly fish, and enjoy their life together.

Colorado was great and gave Jack and Sally an appreciation of the outdoors and the Rockies. You can't beat having the national divide in your backyard. Their children and grandchildren enjoyed the time spent in exploring the heights or looking over the cliffs - but the magnet called "Texas" was too much to overcome.

It all began with the "Texas magnet on wheels" otherwise known as a camper trailer. Jack and Sally starting touring Good Sam sites to see the west. Dad videotaped their expeditions and slowly but surely the "magnet" drew them into Texas. They would camp near their kids and fish along the coast or the Guadalupe River. At some point, the magnet locked on and Jack and Sally moved to Wimberley, Texas and the town of Woodcreek in 1997.

True to form, our parents house overlooked the 13th green. Also true to form, Jack became active in the local golf club, became a Deacon at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Dad had previously served as a Eucharistic Minister in Buena Vista. He served on the Woodcreek City Council that created the Vision 2020 master plan for the city. He was an advocate for homeowners in dealing with the water district. Jack and Sally developed a new group of friends in Wimberley and re-connected with high school and college fraternity friends for annual reunions and other occasions. After all, San Antonio was only a "hop and a skip" in Texas and the drive to San Antonio, New Braunfels, or Gruene was easy.

Returning to Texas enabled the kids and grandkids to spend more time with Dad - appreciate and value his perspective, mentorship, friendship, and even a round or two of golf. He and mom could make the easy trip to Houston where two daughters and a son and their families lived. Another son and his family lived just thirty minutes away from Wimberley in Austin and Dad's physician son and family living in New York City were only a phone call away. We became an extended family, each helping in their own way as needed and our parents enjoyed their time living independently in the Texas Hill Country.

The summer of 2014 was the last move for Jack and Sally. While it wasn't a home overlooking a green or fairway, The Abbey's architecture felt like Westminster in London. This was an opportunity to meet new friends, many who became very close to Dad in just a short time. The love, friendship, support of Jack and Sally's new friends and the staff at The Abbey helped make these new months enjoyable. Dad's last day was one he so thoroughly enjoyed. He spent time in the pool and working out. He had "boys night out dinner" with his new best friends. He came home to watch his always on TV dialed into one of the sports channels. On May 13th in the evening he watched his favorite Houston Astros win.

Dad loved life. Most importantly, he loved his bride of 63 years - the "girl coming across the park in her high school uniform"…"of 'teaching lessons' and how it all began - thank the Lord." Reflecting in his note to Sally in 1981 - on the days and challenges spent in West Texas, Jack wrote, "It is those days, those experiences that constitute another solid corner of the foundation of the love I have for you." Dad closed his letter to Sally Jo "As a lawyer would say, for all the foregoing, and then some, I love you! Love Jack"

We will always love you Dad. While we will miss your big smile, thumb's up Gig'Em, and hug - you will always be in our hearts and minds. Until we see each other again - Sally Jo, your five admiring and loving children, our spouses, and your grandchildren and great grandchild will always keep you in our hearts and minds.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents John Paul and Elizabeth Oeffinger; his sister Elaine O. Hitchcock and her husband and Jack's "Big Brother" Duane "Hitch" Hitchcock.

Dad is survived by the love of his life Sally Jo Lehman Oeffinger; John Clayton Oeffinger '75 and Kathryn Gayle Pourteau Oeffinger '76 and their son Captain John Clayton "Clay" Oeffinger, II '08 and his wife Rikki Leanne Bowersox; Kevin Charles Oeffinger, M.D. '78 and Patricia "Patty" Kay Leathers Oeffinger, and their children Daniel Ryan Oeffinger and his wife Soomin "Soo" Baik Oeffinger and Ashley Nicole Oeffinger and her fiancé Chad Everette Mowery; Joanne Elizabeth Oeffinger Ozment and Phillip Andrew "Andy" Ozment and their son Jason Christopher Ozment and his wife Rachel Giles Ozment and their child Andrew Christopher; William Christopher Oeffinger '82 and Patricia Garcia Oeffinger, their children Joshua Christopher Oeffinger and Jasandra Lourdes "Nina" Oeffinger '10; Mary Oeffinger Bohlman and Luke John Bohlman and their children Amanda Marie Bohlman and Timothy John "Timmy" Bohlman. Jack is also survived by Elaine and Hitch Hitchcock's daughter Sharon Hitchcock Garuba and her husband Joe, their son J. J. and his wife Kristin Garuba and their children.

Flowers sent to the service will be delivered to an Autism support group after the service in our Dad's honor. We ask that you consider making a memorial contribution to the Wounded Warrior Project in memory of Jack Clayton Oeffinger.

Our family would like to thank Jack and Sally's friends from Jefferson High School, St. Mary's University School of Law, the Tau Delta Sigma Fraternity, Buena Vista, Wimberley and The Abbey for their friendship and support. While Jack had many friends in these communities, we would especially like to thank Donald Bender, Billy McNair, JJ and Pat Schwettmann, Mike Jones, Bill and Delia Brooks. We would also like to express our deep appreciation for The Abbey's staff.