Jack Winston Little, age 88, of Houston, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Saturday, the 21st of April 2012. Jack was born on the 4th of February 1924, in Erath County, Texas, to Walter Lee and Stella Etta (Cox) Little.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and infant brother, the late Wilborn; and his beloved sister, the late Cloye “Sissy” Sherrod. Jack is survived by his childhood sweetheart, best friend, and wife of 66 years, Helen Louise (McKeage) Little; two sons, Randy D. Little and his wife Kay, and Tracy L. Little and his wife Susan; five granddaughters, Teresa Queal and husband, Brenton, Alysia Transou and husband, Chip, Kingslea Little, Stephanie Dailey and her husband, Patrick, and Jessica Wolff; seven great grandchildren, Cameron, Jordon and Austin Queal, Katie, Mackenzie and Jack Transou, and Johnny Holland; brother-in-law, Marshall Sherrod; sister-in-law, Lorean McKeage; and a host of loved ones and dear friends.
Jack graduated from Stephenville High School in 1941, and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942. He served in the 309th Maintenance Unit in the Aleutian Islands during World War II. Upon his return home, Jack and Helen married on the 25th of August 1945. Jack took advantage of the GI Bill and attended Princeton University, TCU, and Tulane University, where he graduated with a degree in physics in 1948.
After graduation, Jack began his career in the oilfield service industry, starting as an engineer on a Schlumberger logging truck in the oilfields of North Texas. It was there that Jack fell in love with the oil business, soon becoming a sought-after and well-respected log analyst. In 1953, he left Schlumberger to help form an independent logging company in Wichita Falls, Texas, the Elgen Corporation. Elgen was eventually bought by Lane Wells Company (Dresser Industries) and Jack moved his family to Houston to serve as Senior Vice-President for Lane Wells. In 1966, Jack “went out on his own” and formed the H-M Oil Company, and independent exploration and production company. As Jack liked to say, he never “retired” and remained active in the oil business his entire life.
In his early years, Jack loved hunting, fishing, and traveling; and, had a life-long affinity for sports – any and all kinds. He served as a youth baseball coach for many years. He loved all card games and was an avid bridge player. For all his diverse interests, Jack will be remembered most for his unconditional love for his family, his unwavering loyalty to his friends, his entrepreneurial spirit, his optimistic and positive nature, and his extraordinary and limitless generosity. There will never be another “Big Jack.”
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Tuesday, the 24th of April, in the Drawing Room of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
The memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 25th of April, in the Sanctuary of Memorial Church of Christ, where Jack and Helen were faithful members for over 50 years, located at 900 Echo Lane in Houston. Dr. Cecil Rix, Elder, is to officiate.
Prior to Wednesday afternoon’s service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, kindly consider a donation in his memory to the educational charity of one’s choice.
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