Jacque Rae Stoltz

Jacque Rae Stoltz, 90, of Midland, passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2016. He was born on July 17, 1925 to Samuel Galard Stoltz and Willametta York Stoltz in Oil Hill, Kansas. The family later moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma for a time before settling in Hobbs, New Mexico in 1939. There, Jacque attended school, became an Eagle Scout, played football and basketball and came to enjoy the game of golf. He graduated from Hobbs High School in 1943.

In June of 1943, in the midst of World War II, Jacque enlisted in the United States Army and began his active service in August of 1943. He was a member of the 75th Infantry Division, 289th Regiment, 1st Battalion A Company. While serving his country as a member of what has come to be known as "America's Greatest Generation" he fought in the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes and the Colmar Pocket in France. For gallantry in action during military operations conducted against the German army in Belgium, on January 24, 1945, Sergeant (then Private First Class) Jacque R. Stoltz was awarded the Silver Star. He was later awarded the Bronze Star and the British Military Medal. In September of 2015, for his actions in France in the Colmar Pocket in 1945, the French attaché awarded him the French Legion of Honor on behalf of the government of France at ceremonies in Houston, Texas.

After returning from Europe following the end of the war, Jacque enrolled in Texas Tech as an electrical engineering major, a degree which he completed in less than four years by attending school year round. While attending Texas Tech, Jacque married the love of his life, Marguerite Evelyn Johnson on July 18, 1947 at St. Helena's Catholic Church in Hobbs. He graduated from Texas Tech with his electrical engineering degree in 1949 and upon graduation Jacque and Marguerite returned to Hobbs where he went to work for New Mexico Electric Company and later Dixie Electric Company. During their early years of their marriage, Jacque served in the Army Reserve and was honorably discharged as First Lieutenant in December, 1959. In June of 1959, shortly before the birth of their third child, Jacque joined the Catholic Church and began his lifelong journey of faith. Then in 1963, Jacque took a job with Mobil Oil Corporation moving the family to Lubbock for two years, and then to Midland in 1965. During those years in Hobbs and Lubbock, Jacque was especially involved in his children's activities- including Boy Scouts and serving as baseball coach for his sons' baseball teams- while still finding time to enjoy the game of golf. In Lubbock he attended religious education classes at Christ the King where he became very involved in teaching religious education. He carried these same activities to Midland when transferred there by Mobil, and had the joy of introducing the game of golf to his daughter. During this time, Jacque was also responsible for the awarding to Mobil of several patents related to automation activities for Mobil's oil and gas operations in the Permian Basin. He also taught professional development classes and presented numerous papers at professional engineering conventions throughout the country. In 1979, with all of their children raised, Jacque and Marguerite were transferred to Houston, where they set up a new home in Kingwood. There, they became active members of St. Martha's Catholic Church and Kingwood Country Club. During their almost 20 years in Kingwood, Marguerite and Jacque made numerous friends. Following Jacque's retirement in 1986, they traveled with those friends on land and by sea to Alaska, the Bahamas, Canada, the Panama Canal, Italy, and any place with a great golf course. When home, Jacque would help drive the nuns downtown and work in St. Martha's Soup Kitchen beside them. In 1998, Jacque and Marguerite returned to Midland, where Jacque worked with St. Vincent de Paul and San Juan Catholic mission until he and Marguerite eventually settled in Manor Park.

Jacque was preceded in death by his parents, his two siblings- older brother Jerry and younger brother Joe- and by Marguerite, his wife of 67 years on March 6, 2015. He is survived by his three children, who loved him dearly, and who will miss him greatly: Mike Stoltz and wife Barbara of Midland, Mark Stoltz and wife Patty of Garden Ridge, and Teresa Miller and husband Kevin of Midland. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Christopher Stoltz and wife Erica of Midland, Stephen Stoltz and wife Jessica of Midland, Michael Stoltz and wife Lauren of Tyler, Mark D. Stoltz and wife Isabell of San Antonio, Kristen Beeghley and husband Jamie of New Braunfels, and Laura Quinn of Midland; and 15 great grandchildren: Hadley Stoltz, Riley Stoltz, Lindley Stoltz, Elley Stoltz, Jonathan Stoltz, Samuel Stoltz, Mary Margaret Stoltz, Lillian Stoltz, Jacque M. Stoltz, Alexandria Stoltz, Nicolas Stoltz, Colette Stoltz, Lance Beeghley, Paige Beeghley, and Brooke Beeghley.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Virginia Berlanga, Tavita Mendoza, Lorena Vargas, and Daisy Gonzales for their loving assistance in caring for our beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather as he battled Myasthenia Gravis. In addition, a heartfelt thanks to Nanette Paredes, PA-C, Dr. Shylesh Ganta and the wonderful staff of Hospice of Midland.

A rosary vigil will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at St. Ann's Catholic Church. The funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 31, 2016 at St. Ann's Catholic Church. The burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia at a date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Ann's Catholic School Endowment Fund at 2000 W. Texas, 79701, Hospice of Midland at PO Box 2621,79702, to Manor Park Foundation at 2208 North Loop 250 West, Midland, TX 79707 or to a favorite charity of your choice.