John S. Bonner III passed away peacefully on Sunday, the 8th of November 2015, with his family at his side. A native Houstonian, he was born the 3rd of May 1927. He attended Culver Military Academy, MIT, and California Institute of Technology for post graduate studies. John was a leader and true visionary in the field of Software Engineering at a time when Software Engineering was in its infancy. He returned to Texas and spent five years as a refinery engineer. Then, in 1956 he became a computer software pioneer, founding, along with his partner, Joe Moore, the world’s first computer application consulting firm, Bonner & Moore Associates. He made practical, for the first time ever, the use of Linear Programming models in industrial applications specifically for the petrochemical industry, and he created the Refinery and Petrochemical Modeling System (RPMS). RPMS is still in use today and is considered the leader in the industry at more than 100 refineries and petrochemical plants worldwide. John’s career work has left an indelible footprint on the software industry.
He pursued every interest with an enviable passion; those interests included bare boating in the BVIs; sailing the “Tumbleweed” with his family on Galveston Bay, where he enjoyed many “pum runches”; piloting his twin engine aircraft; photography and home color developing; and cultivating his impressive vegetable garden in Wimberley, TX. However, other passions faded once he focused on putting his faith in God and Christ into action. He involved himself in many facets of service at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church in Houston as well as at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Wimberley. This ultimately led to his appointment as the Executive Chairman of the Founding Board of Trustees for Episcopal High School in Houston.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Betty Whitefield Bonner – the love of his life. They started their family with the birth of triplets (!!!); Barbara Rountree, Marybeth Wimberly, and John F. Bonner. These three were followed by Melissa Hall and Louisa Bonner. He took great joy in his grandchildren as well: Virginia Evans, John Reynolds, Melissa Wimberly, Bonner Wimberly, Hallie Wimberly, Eliza Cartwright, Isaac Arnold IV, Caitlin Hall, Jack Hernandez and Hunter Hernandez.
The memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 18th of November at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard, where the Reverend Dr. Clay Lien and the Reverend Reagan Cocke are to officiate. Friends are cordially invited to attend a reception immediately following the service in Sumner’s Hall.
In lieu of the customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Reach Unlimited, where his son, John F. Bonner resides. His family would to thank Lupe Escalante as well as the staff of The Hallmark for their loving care in his final years.
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