John L. (Jack) Keplinger Sr.

Jack is survived by his wife of 57 years, Patti Stone Keplinger, his son John L. Keplinger, Jr. and wife Marissa and two grandsons Nathan and Mark of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and daughter Lee Keplinger Scott and husband W. Michael Scott of Midland, Texas and three grandsons and one granddaughter Stephen, John, Daniel and Audrey.

Jack was born on July 31, 1922 in Dallas, Texas to Emily and Leonard Keplinger. He spent most of his youth in Waxahachie, Texas, but the family eventually moved back to Dallas where Jack graduated from Highland Park High School. In 1940, Jack enrolled in Southern Methodist University to study geology. While at SMU, Jack was a member of the Mustang Band and the Kappa Sigma fraternity. His time at SMU however, was interrupted by World War II, which led Jack to enlist in the U.S Army. After completing officer candidate school and gunnery school, Jack served as gunnery officer aboard the Queen Mary, which had been converted into a troop transport ship that transited between New York and Scotland. During his shipboard service, Jack was presented to Sir Winston Churchill at an officer’s tea during one of the Prime Minister’s several wartime crossings of the Atlantic Ocean.

Upon his discharge from the Army as a Captain, Jack completed his studies at SMU, graduating in 1948 with a degree in Geology. He then took a job with Atlantic Refining Company (later, part of ARCO) where he had a 37 year career. His last position with ARCO was as Gulf of Mexico Exploration Manager. While at ARCO, Jack met his future wife Patti Ann Stone, who he married in Dallas on December 26, 1958. Following his retirement, Jack continued to pursue Gulf of Mexico oil and gas opportunities with former ARCO colleagues.

Jack was an avid golfer, accumulating five holes-in-one over the course of his life, and in later life was an equally devoted cyclist. Jack was also an amateur radio operator, licensed under the call sign WA5KOI. He had a keen passion for building most anything in his workshop. One of his greatest joys was to pass along his knowledge and experience by spending time in the workshop with his six grandchildren. Jack’s generosity, gentle humor, positive outlook on life, and wonderful energy made him well liked by all who knew him.

The family extends its thanks to the staff at Tender Love and Care, LLC for their dedicated care of Jack.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 5th, 2015 at 11:00 A.M at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 12955 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77079.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Caring Forever Foundation of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, Houston, Texas.