John Berry Brock III

John Berry Brock III (“Big John”) passed away on Tuesday, the 29th of March 2022. Continuing forward is his wife and high school sweetheart Dianne Miller Brock, who blessed him with a loving family in 69 adoring years of marriage. His legacy will live on through his 8 children; John IV and wife Lori, Val and wife Leslie, Susan and husband John Wilkes, Martin and wife Kari, as well as 19 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren who all knew him as “Biggie”. He was predeceased by his granddaughter Elizabeth Jennings Brock.

John was born in Melville, Louisiana on the 30th of June 1932 to John Berry Brock, Jr. and Eleanor Smith Brock. His Dad taught him to do fast “in your head” math on the car speedometer, a skill that surely contributed to his later ability to make quick determinations in both academic and professional decisions. Until his passing, John still valued confidently made approximations above computer-driven figures. He trusted his gut instincts, and respected people who did the same.

The family moved a lot and John attended 6 different schools his first grade year! They finally landed in Lafayette, Louisiana in time for John to attend Lafayette High School, where he met Dianne. He excelled both academically and athletically and was even voted “Outstanding Male Student” (Dianne was of course voted the female counterpart). He was all district in football and state champion in track and field, and the state record holder for the 1/4 mile run. He was even given the honor of being Lafayette’s “Teenage Mayor for a Day”, and King of a local Mardi Gras parade.

He attended LSU on a track scholarship, where he earned a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering with a minor in Geology. He was a Cadet Colonel in ROTC, a member of Sigma Nu fraternity, Scabbard and Blade, the Persian Rifles, the Geological and Mining Society, Pi Epsilon Tau (Honorary Society) amongst other clubs and distinctions.

John and Dianne were married on the 13th of June 1953.

In 1954, John was called to active duty and reported to Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where their first child John IV was born. In 1955 the growing young family was transferred to Kaefertal, Germany. At just 23, John was Lieutenant for the 37th Engineer Battalion. He notably devised and executed a plan to move his company 30 miles during the night to build a pontoon bridge on the Rhine, making way for a tank unit to cross at daylight.

After John was honorably discharged to the Army Reserves in 1956, John and Dianne came back to Louisiana, where John began working for the California Company (now Chevron). He left in 1959 to begin a 21 year career at Quintana Petroleum, owned by the Cullen Family of Houston, starting as a Drilling Engineer. By the end of his tenure at Quintana he had risen to the positions of Executive Vice President of Oil & Gas, and President of both Quintana Refining and Quintana International.

He left Quintana in 1980 and founded Brock Petroleum, where he was CEO, and which through a series of mergers and acquisitions became Ocean Energy which was merged into Devon Energy in 2003. Notably he lead the first offshore development of the Cote d’Ivoire, delivering gas for electricity generation for the country, and even went to Kuwait after the first gulf war in an effort to help extinguish the oil field fires.

John was a member of St. Martin's Episcopal Church for 50 years, and acted as Senior Warden and a member of the Senior Council. He was President of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas Foundation, Director of St Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, Executive Director of Episcopal Health Systems. John was also Director and President of the Petroleum Club of Houston, Director and President of the Houston Producer’s Forum, and a member of ARE, IPAA and API. He was Director and long-time member of the Houston Country Club. He was proud to be a member of the All-American Wildcatters Association, and lived by their motto, “My Word is My Bond”.

His blood ran “purple and gold”. He was a member of the LSU Alumni Hall of Distinction, a member of the LSU Foundation, LSU Alumni Association, Tiger Athletic Foundation and the “L” Club.

Beyond his accolades and accomplishments, John will be remembered for truly living life to the fullest.

While stationed in Germany and adventuring to nearby destinations, John and Dianne discovered a passion for travel. Over the years they saw the world, hand in hand.

Few things brought John more enjoyment than did hunting and fishing. Many of the memories that his passing might evoke will likely include stories set at hunting leases, the family ranch, or exotic safaris. Rare to find was a better shot than he was.

Above all, John was a family man. In one of his final conversations he talked about how proud he was of his extensive family, declaring “there’s not a single bad apple in the whole bunch”. He cared profoundly and resolutely about every member of his family and did his best to provide them with his full love and support. He instilled in them the fundamental importance of Family, a value that will be carried on in his memory.

“Big John” undeniably earned his nickname, living a life full of big achievements, big experiences, big presence, and even bigger heart. He will be deeply missed and remembered fondly with big love.

The family would like to thank those who helped with his care during the final years; Krystal Frank, Darlene Allen, Carolyn Washington and Victor Momon.

Honorary Pallbearers will be his family, lifelong “thick and thin” friends Nancy & Bill Drushel and Gayle & Don Keller, and assistants who over the decades became family: Marya Ingram and Louann Gallagher.

A memorial service is to be conducted at three o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 22nd of April, in the sanctuary of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road, where The Rev. Dr. Russel J. Levenson, Jr., is to officiate. Immediately following all are invited to greet the family during a reception that is to be announced during the service.

In lieu of customary remembrance, John asked that contributions could be made to The St. Martin's Charitable Foundation 717 Sage Road, Houston, TX 77056.

“Life doesn’t end when you reach ‘the final curtain,’ it just changes.”