John Francis Rielly

John (Bud) Francis Rielly, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away at the age of 87 on August 10, 2013, in Houston, Texas. He is remembered for his soft-spoken demeanor, generous humor and love of family. The son of Patrick and Catherine Higgins Rielly, John was born August 21, 1925 on the family farm near Rock Valley, Iowa. He graduated from Rock Valley High School with the Class of 1943. From June 16, 1943 to March 1, 1946, John served as a radar mechanic for a B-29 Bomb Group (5th Squadron, 9th Bomb Group, 313th Wing, 20th Air Force, Army Air Corps) on Tinian Island located in the South Pacific. He married Lillian Alma Ranschau in Rock Valley, Iowa on December 30, 1950. A 1951 graduate from Iowa State University in Geology, John & Lillian moved to Texas, then Louisiana in 1957, where John worked as an offshore Geophysicist with United Gas Corp. in Shreveport, LA. In 1965, he was transferred as district Geophysicist for Pennzoil Co. at Corpus Christi, TX. In 1968, he was again transferred as Senior Staff Geophysicist for Pennzoil Co. to Houston, TX. In 1973, he was appointed chief Geophysicist for Pennzoil Co. and remained in the position until his retirement in July 1986. As Pennzoil’s chief Geophysicist, John was instrumental in the first offshore Gulf of Mexico lease sales, and later worked on the first Alaska North Slope lease sales. As an International Geophysicist, John spent many months in developing the North Sea leases for Pennzoil.

John enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling, camping, socializing, and serving in numerous ministries at St. Jerome Catholic Church. He was active in the Vocation Committee, the Knights of Columbus and the Lay Minister Ministry.

In addition to his wife, Lillian Rielly, John was preceded in death by his parents, Patrick and Catherine Rielly, three sisters, Patricia Boucher, Mary Margaret VanOsbree and Rose Cheever, as well as, his brother, Jim Rielly.

He is survived by his seven children: Bob (& Cheryl) Rielly of Dallas, TX, Tom (& Patricia) Rielly of Meadville, PA, Paul (& Shawn) Rielly of Southlake, TX, Pat Rielly of Houston, TX , Kathy (& Philip) Naff of Houston, TX, Ed (& Alma) Rielly of Cypress, TX, and Bill Rielly of Dallas, TX. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren: Matthew, Andrew, Adam, Kellyn, Doug, Megan, Ryan, Connor, Joe Rielly, Rachel Naff, Geoff and Maggie Rielly.

Family and friends will celebrate his life with a visitation from 6:00 to 7:00 pm followed by a rosary service from 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm on Tuesday, August 13, 20013 at St. Jerome Church, 8825 Kempwood Drive, Houston, Texas 77080. A church service will take place on Wednesday from 10:30 am to 11:45 am, August 14, 2013 at St. Jerome Church, 8825 Kempwood Drive, Houston, Texas 77080 with burial at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, Texas 77079.