Jack Edward Uselton

At the very early age of 16, he began working in the oilfield to supplement the income for the family of 7 brothers and sisters. Except for one interruption of service in the U.S. Army as a criminal investigator, he stayed in the oil business, that he loved; and where he had many adventures, while working in some 99 countries. He had great stories to tell to many avid listeners! He formed U.S. Petroleum Consultants and had a group of men who represented 360 years of oil and gas experience from drilling to completion and putting out fires. Unfortunately, in 1986 he had an injury offshore Brazil that essentially put him into retirement. He returned stateside with 30 ace bandages wrapped around his abdomen to Memorial City Hospital in Houston where they performed miracles over the years and did 3 back surgeries and 13 abdominal surgeries.

Early exploits included designing a blowout preventer for use on the Alaskan Pipeline that is still in use today. In 1978 he was the civilian engineer in charge of putting out a huge explosion fire at the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in West Hackberry, Louisiana that lasted weeks. He gave “Boots and Coots” (Asger Hanson and Ed Matthews) their first job (Hackberry) after they left Red Adair. He had the distinction of firing Red Adair seven times and became one of Lloyd’s of London’s top troubleshooters in the oil business. He earned 210 college credits but never a degree because he refused to take Fine Arts and P.E. He could be a little stubborn and a rascal at times! One achievement that he was very proud of was to purchase the land for the Angelina College and Convention Center in Livingston and to see it grow to what it is today. In addition, he was a member of the Oklahoma Historical Society, the Nimitz Museum, the H.E.A.R.T.S. Museum, the VFW, the American Legion, Disabled Veterans, the USO, the NRA, the RNC, a supporter of the Livingston Community Band, supporter of the Livingston High School Band, Patron of the Livingston Community Concerts, and a Patron of the Angelina Theater.

Jack was larger than life; had many friends; never met a stranger and was a very generous person! He was well loved by his wife, Penny, and their extended family. The Uselton’s would have been celebrating their 28th anniversary on September 9. In conclusion, he had a big heart and a sweet gruffness. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him! He can’t be duplicated!

He left behind him 7 children: Jack Edward, Mark Allen, Jana Lee Curtis, Marcus Ebenhack, Carrolyn Jean Moebius, Sharon Elizabeth Royall, Kathryn Frances Leisz; 20 grandchildren and 5 great grand children.

A memorial service is to be conducted at half-past one o’clock in the afternoon on Sunday, the 21st of May, at the First United Methodist Church, US-190 W in Livingston, where Jason Ebenhack, grandson of Mr. Uselton, is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held at a venue to be announced during the service.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial contributions be directed towards The Salvation Army, 1500 Austin St., Houston, TX 77002; M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030; Hillsdale College, 33 E. College St., Hillsdale, MI 49242; F.A.I.T.H. Military Support Group, 305 W. Mill St., Livingston, TX 77351; or to the SPCA of Polk County, 1403, Livingston, TX 77351.