John Q. McCabe

MIDLAND Longtime West Texas oil and gas operator, John Q. McCabe passed away on Tuesday, May 24, 2011, at the age of 91. He was born Jan. 4, 1920, in Marshall, Ark., to William T. and Pearl (Pierce) McCabe. After the sudden passing of his father when John was just seven years old, his mother raised him and his five younger siblings in Osage, Okla. In 1938, John graduated from Osage High School and then served in the Army Air Forces during World War II from 1942 to 1946. John was an aircraft engineering officer and a captain for the 43rd Bomber Group. He was a decorated soldier, earning the Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star. After discharge, he achieved the rank of major through the Air Force Reserves. With the aid of the GI Bill, John earned his bachelor of laws degree in 1953, from The University of Tulsa. He maintained membership in the Oklahoma Bar Association until his death. In 1954 John married Doris Rozena Moritzky of Osage, Okla. Their families were friends and neighbors throughout their childhood. A favorite memory of John's children is when he would tell of holding Doris when she was a baby. After 46 years of marriage, he was at her side to hold her again when she passed away in 2001. In the early 1950s, John started his career in the oil and gas industry with his brother, William "Grant" McCabe. In 1964, he moved his wife and five children to Midland, Texas, to focus on oil and gas exploration and production. As his business grew, he acquired and became president of Taurus Minerals, Inc. At the age of 87, he was still out on location with his sons and brother as he drilled his last gas well. Until a few weeks before his death John could occasionally be found in his office attending to the business operations of Taurus. Throughout his life he remained devoted to his family and his work. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Doris; and sisters Velma Martin and Tommie Cavin. He is survived by his children, John Q. McCabe Jr. and wife Marleen, Roger McCabe, Ed McCabe and wife Laura, Greg McCabe and wife Melissa, Rozena McCabe and partner Diana Everett; grandchildren Greg McCabe Jr. and wife Mandy, Josh McCabe, Amanda McCabe, Jenny McCabe; and brothers Henry McCabe and wife JoAnn, William "Grant" McCabe and Kenneth McCabe. A family visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 26, 2011, in the Wayne Moore Room of Manor Park located at 401 Helen Greathouse Circle, Midland, Texas. A viewing and visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at Chapman-Black Funeral Home in Cleveland, Okla. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2011, in the Chapman-Black chapel in Cleveland, Okla., with burial to follow in Osage, Okla. The family wishes to thank the caregivers of Manor Park, Home Care Plus and Hospice Midland for their attentiveness and compassion for our father. Online condolences can be made at ellisfunerals.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you pay tribute to John's life through donations to Hospice Midland, P.O. Box 2621, Midland, TX 79702; or Manor Park, 2208 North Loop 250 West, Midland, TX 79707.