John Robert "Jack" DeWitt

Jack was born on June 2, 1918 to Clifford Roy and Marguerite Estelle DeMarais DeWitt in Chicago, Illinois. The family moved to Port Arthur soon after, where Jack would call home for most of his life. He graduated from Port Arthur High School and enrolled in the University of Texas with his sights set on a law degree. As a proud member of the Greatest Generation, he tabled those plans to serve his country in 1941, enlisting in the Army and serving in England, France and Germany until his discharge in 1945. Upon his return, he resumed his studies at The University of Texas and achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1946 and Bachelor of Laws degree in 1947. (As Jack has said, “that’s THE University, son”.)

Jack was licensed to practice law on September 4, 1947, embarking on a long and remarkable career that defined him in his community. After a brief stint in private practice, he joined the Jefferson County Criminal District Attorney’s Office on January 1, 1951 and stayed there for 50 years, a feat that would allow him to call you a “rookie” if you had anything less than 40 years employment. His professionalism and dedication were recognized many times over the course of his career. The Texas District and County Attorney’s Association honored Jack with an award for his assistance to the state in the drafting of the Texas Penal Code enacted in 1973. They also presented him with a Life Membership in the organization in 1991. He was the recipient of the Blackstone Award presented by the Jefferson County Bar Association in 1992. He truly relished his role in the justice system, and especially cherished the camaraderie of the office and the lifelong friendships developed there.

Jack would tell you that the crowning achievement of his life, however, was his good fortune to meet Beverly Mae McMichael and marry her on August 10, 1958. They made Port Arthur their home until September 2005 when Hurricane Rita, and a desire to live closer to their granddaughter, prompted them to move to San Angelo. They were blessed to spend over 50 years together until Beverly’s death in June 2009. Jack was totally devoted to Beverly and always signed his cards to her as “Ol’ Lucky”.

Survivors include his son, John R. DeWitt, Jr., his wife Stephanie and their daughter Mallory of San Angelo, brother Clifford R. DeWitt of Santa Rosa, California, and sister-in-law Faye Swanzy of Port Arthur. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends. Jack was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife Beverly.

Services will take place at Grammier-Oberle Funeral Home at 2:00 PM Sunday, April 1 with Father Duc Q. Duong presiding. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Port Arthur. There will be a visitation at Grammier-Oberle at 1:00 PM Sunday immediately prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

The family would like to thank the members of “Team Jack” that have helped Dad feel at home in San Angelo, especially after he lost Beverly, including our friends and extended family at TxDOT. We would especially like to express our deepest appreciation to the staff at Meadow Creek Nursing Center for the care and compassion they shared with Dad during his residence there.