Mr. John Tom Scurlock

John Tom Scurlock passed away September 27, 2008 of congestive heart failure. He was the loving husband of Patricia Ann Blackwell Scurlock and former husband of the late Frances Carr Scurlock. John is survived by: a) sons Tom, Steve, Jeff and Frank, b) daughters-in-laws Kathryn, Patty, Diane, and former daughter in law, Patricia, c) grandchildren Alexander, Claire, Mials, Tyler, and Kelsey, d) a brother and sister-in-law, C. Ray and Melba Scurlock, and a sister, Lynda Scurlock, e) sisters- in-law Jo Carr, Dr. Catherine Holland, Sheila, Madeline, Denise, and Margaret Blackwell , and f) brothers-in-law Willis, Wayne, Will Blackwell and J. Ardell Holland. He was preceded in death by brothers- in- law Clarence and Earl Turner Carr, Sr. and his parents, Clarence P. and Hazel Norris Scurlock of Desoto Parish. He is also survived by a close lifelong friend, Merle Thomason, among many others, including his "worthless" dog, Ginger. John was born in Center, Texas, and graduated from Center High School. He attended Texas A&M University. When World War II interrupted his undergraduate studies, he was drafted into the US Army. After the war he returned to Texas A&M and completed his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering. He became a professor at Tulane University, where he met his first wife. Upon being recalled by the military he spent several years in Stuttgart, Germany. Returning from Germany, he became head of the Physics Department at Centenary College. When his wife wanted to return to her native town of New Orleans, he moved there and never left. John, through his years of creative work, contributed to the success of both J. Ray McDermott Oil Company and NASA. At NASA, his life changed forever. While working to apply mathematical concepts to plastic materials, he became intrigued with the invention of various products. From this background, he invented the inflatable amusement ride known as the Space Walk. An entrepreneur at heart, he then took on the risk of founding a business of selling and renting Space Walks. From meager beginnings, the company grew to be a very popular inflatable amusement ride giving tremendous joy to people throughout the world. John developed other products using air and plastic, including a safety air cushion designed to rescue people forced to jump from high-rise buildings during fires. The cushion also became popular among Hollywood stunt men. John was founder and president of Space Walk Inc. and Safety Air Cushion, Inc. in Metairie. He was involved in sports his entire life. Originally, a baseball player, John made it to the semi-professional level, but above all he truly loved tennis. He was the happiest when he was playing, watching or giving his opinion on tennis. He played at numerous courts, but especially liked Beach Club. He loved attending the U. S. Open. As a result of his rural background, John liked nothing better than returning to his small hometown, Center, Texas. In 2003, he was honored to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award from Center High School, as well as an induction into their Hall of Fame. During the latter stages of his life, he loved spending time with his extensive family near Toledo Bend, looking at the sunset. John's first wife, Francis, passed away in 1990. John then married his second wife, Patricia (Patti) Blackwell Scurlock. John and Patti loved and supported each other throughout their marriage. She was blessed and honored to be married to him. John's life was very fulfilling. The things he accomplished in life would not have been possible without tremendous persistence. It will be hard to imagine life without his presence among family and friends. Special thanks are extended to Dr. F. Dugan, the scheduling department, and nurses in the East Jefferson Cardiology Department. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Monday, September 29, 2008, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., and on Tuesday, September 30, 2008, beginning at 8 a.m. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 30, 2008, in the Chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, officiated by William Eubanks and Rev. David L. Blackwell. A fellowship at Beach Club for family and friends will follow the services. John was a member of St. Matthews United Methodist Church. The family suggests donations to a charity of personal choice, or to the American Heart Association, River Regional Hospice, CP Scurlock Foundation Scholarship at Texas A&M in Bryan, Texas, or the Arthur Ashe Tennis Foundation. To view and sign the guestbook, please go to www.lakelawnmetairie.com John Tom Scurlock passed away September 27, 2008 of congestive heart failure. He was the loving husband of Patricia Ann Blackwell Scurlock and former husband of the late Frances Carr Scurlock. John is survived by: a) sons Tom, Steve, Jeff and Frank, b) daughters-in-laws Kathryn, Patty, Diane, and former daughter in law, Patricia, c) grandchildren Alexander, Claire, Mials, Tyler, and Kelsey, d) a brother and sister-in-law, C. Ray and Melba Scurlock, and a sister, Lynda Scurlock, e) sisters- in-law Jo Carr, Dr. Catherine Holland, Sheila, Madeline, Denise, and Margaret Blackwell , and f) brothers-in-law Willis, Wayne, Will Blackwell and J. Ardell Holland. He was preceded in death by brothers- in- law Clarence and Earl Turner Carr, Sr. and his parents, Clarence P. and Hazel Norris Scurlock of Desoto Parish. He is also survived by a close lifelong friend, Merle Thomason, among many others, including his "worthless" dog, Ginger. John was born in Center, Texas, and graduated from Center High School. He attended Texas A&M University. When World War II interrupted his undergraduate studies, he was drafted into the US Army. After the war he returned to Texas A&M and completed his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering. He became a professor at Tulane University, where he met his first wife. Upon being recalled by the military he spent several years in Stuttgart, Germany. Returning from Germany, he became head of the Physics Department at Centenary College. When his wife wanted to return to her native town of New Orleans, he moved there and never left. John, through his years of creative work, contributed to the success of both J. Ray McDermott Oil Company and NASA. At NASA, his life changed forever. While working to apply mathematical concepts to plastic materials, he became intrigued with the invention of various products. From this background, he invented the inflatable amusement ride known as the Space Walk. An entrepreneur at heart, he then took on the risk of founding a business of selling and renting Space Walks. From meager beginnings, the company grew to be a very popular inflatable amusement ride giving tremendous joy to people throughout the world. John developed other products using air and plastic, including a safety air cushion designed to rescue people forced to jump from high-rise buildings during fires. The cushion also became popular among Hollywood stunt men. John was founder and president of Space Walk Inc. and Safety Air Cushion, Inc. in Metairie. He was involved in sports his entire life. Originally, a baseball player, John made it to the semi-professional level, but above all he truly loved tennis. He was the happiest when he was playing, watching or giving his opinion on tennis. He played at numerous courts, but especially liked Beach Club. He loved attending the U. S. Open. As a result of his rural background, John liked nothing better than returning to his small hometown, Center, Texas. In 2003, he was honored to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award from Center High School, as well as an induction into their Hall of Fame. During the latter stages of his life, he loved spending time with his extensive family near Toledo Bend, looking at the sunset. John's first wife, Francis, passed away in 1990. John then married his second wife, Patricia (Patti) Blackwell Scurlock. John and Patti loved and supported each other throughout their marriage. She was blessed and honored to be married to him. John's life was very fulfilling. The things he accomplished in life would not have been possible without tremendous persistence. It will be hard to imagine life without his presence among family and friends. Special thanks are extended to Dr. F. Dugan, the scheduling department, and nurses in the East Jefferson Cardiology Department.