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Jack Grigsby Obituary
Grigsby
SHREVEPORT, LA - Mr. Jack Webster Grigsby passed away Wednesday, April 27, 2011. Visitation will be held at Osborn Funeral Home Friday, April 29, 2011, from 5:00-7:00 P.M. Services will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral Saturday, April 30, 2011, at 11:00 A.M. with The Very Rev. Dr. Jacob W. Owensby officiating. A private burial service for the family will be held at Forest Park Cemetery.
Mr. Grigsby was born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1923. He was an independent oil and gas explorer and producer, President of Grigsby Petroleum Inc., Lake Petroleum Inc., and associated entities. He graduated from Highland Park High School in Texas, LSU School of Geology in Baton Rouge, and U.S. Army Air Corps Communications School at Yale University. He served as Air Corps Communications, Radar, and Cryptographic Security Officer during World War II.
His maternal ancestors settled in the Shreveport area in 1839 and built their original Webster home, known as Mimosa Hall, near Shreveport, in the Republic of Texas. A great-grandfather, Rev. William Steele, was the first Episcopal missionary sent to the La-Tex area from Virginia, residing with his daughter and son-in-law at Mimosa Hall. One of Mr. Grigsby's paternal ancestors in the Grambling family donated land for the building of Grambling College, now known as Grambling State University.
During his career in petroleum exploration, he established a water flood oil unit in a large field in Red River Parish, which was a model of conservation and secondary recovery efficiency. He also discovered and unitized a prolific oil field in Lake Pontchartrain near New Orleans. He established several successful water flood oil units in the Shreveport area and drilled and produced numerous oil and gas wells in Louisiana, Mississippi, and East Texas.
He was an active contributor to a large number of civic enterprises and a member of numerous organizations including Shreveport Club, Community Foundation, Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club, Shreveport Symphony Society, Shreveport Geological Society, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Independent Petroleum Association of America, St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, and Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He was former President of Shreveport Symphony Society and Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club; and former Vestryman of St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Prior to Vestryman tenure at St. Mark's Church he formed a committee consisting of representatives from each local church parish and secured necessary funds to build existing Episcopal Student Center at Centenary College. As President of Shreveport Symphony, he was successful in raising local funds that secured a Ford Foundation matching grant, which was created as an endowment in trust and intended to perpetuate the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra.
He enjoyed entertaining family and friends at his home in Acapulco for more than 25 years, also frequently making it available for charity events.
Mr. Grigsby was preceded in death by his wife, Dina; daughter, Van Grigsby Johnston; his parents, R. Lane and Elizabeth Webster Grigsby; and his sister, Betty Lane Grigsby Boke.
He is survived by one daughter, Victoria Johnson of Shreveport; two sons, John Paul Grigsby and Morgan Downer Grigsby of Shreveport; sister, Gretchen Schymik of Evansville, Indiana; granddaughter, Lane Greer of Austin, Texas; grandsons, Dr. L. Webster Johnson and wife Amy, Dillon Wright and wife, Tiffany, all of Shreveport, Chris Johnson and wife, Krystin of Austin, Texas; great-granddaughters, Julia Reese Johnson of Austin, Texas and Sarah Webster Johnson of Shreveport; great-grandson, Dixon Andrew Wright of Shreveport; nieces, Amy Nussmeier, Jill Schroeder Vieth, Ann Schroeder Mullins; and nephew, Lane Young all of Evansville, Indiana and Washington, D.C.
Pallbearers will be Dr. L. Webster Johnson, Chris Johnson, Dillon Wright, Roy Burroughs, John Kroner, Carl Rice, Terry Watson, and Steve Yancey.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Robert Borders, William Johnston, Dr. Carl Goodman, John Hussey, Don Hathaway, George Head and Donne Pitman.
The family extends a special thank you to the following ladies for their devoted care of Mr. Grigsby, Dorothye Maxie Gardner, Ada Michelle Jones, Earnestene Roberson, Lillie Jenkins, Jackie Alexander, Rosie Eason, Kathryn Gafford and Doris James.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, the Providence House, or a charity of choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jack Grigsby
Terri Knox
May 5, 2011
Grigsby Family - Thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. I enjoyed the time I worked with Mr. Grigsby. He was a truly good man and will be missed.
May 4, 2011
May 04, 2011
John Paul and Morgan:
We are so sorry to hear of your father's passing. He led a rich and full life.You probably won't remember me but I am your mother's cousin from Sterling, Il. I was born in Louisiana and spent some time with your mom & dad in Shreveport a few years back and had a wonderful time. I also am the one who introduced your former nanny, Linda Rodriguez, (deceased) to your Mom. If you're ever in Il. give us a call. We would love to hear from you.
God bless you.
Your cousin Dee & Alex Rios, Sterling, Il. 61081
Ellen "Penny" Latin-Elie
May 4, 2011
John Paul and Morgan,
I watched you, John, grow from a little boy into the fine young man that you are today! Your father was a GREAT man. He was absolutely wonderful to my family. He saw us through many hard times. If I had ten thousand tongues, it would not be enough to thank him. May he rest in peace with Dina (your mother), Bill, and Rosa Lattin (my parents).
Kathy Tucker
May 3, 2011
John Paul, Morgan, and Family,
We are so sorry to here about Mr. Grigsby passing. I don't know if you boys remember me, but I was your father's secretary for many years and Mary Townsend's granddaughter. I lived, with my husband Derrick "Tooter", on the farm for a number of years.
Mr. Grigsby and Mary were lifelong friends, and I feel that another piece of that time has definitely gone now. I do know that Dina will love to see him again.
My prayers and wishes for piece go out to your family with warm felt hearts.
May God bless,
Kathy Nichols Tucker
Ginger Sauseda-Norton
May 3, 2011
John Paul, Morgan and family we are so sorry to hear of your fathers passing. May God be with you all during this time.
Sheridan Jones
April 30, 2011
Jack Grigsby was considered by many in the oil & natural gas industry to be a true American entrepreneur - someone easily remembered and someone respected for his accomplishments. Thoughts and prayers to his family at this time.
mattie alexander
April 29, 2011
Our hearts and prayers goes out to the family..
April 29, 2011
my dad was in the oilfield supplies ,I grew up in oil related products and was very familiar with mr. grisgby and also a member of american legion
sincerely yours tim mc griff
Shelley Dawson
April 29, 2011
Sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Jack Grigsby. I was never fortunate enough to meet him in person, but we had business dealings as a result of my employment with J-W Operating Company. I have great respect for his accomplishments and I will keep those close to him in my thoughts and prayers.
April 29, 2011
We are thankful for his service to Our Country.
For the Commander, Carroll R. Michaud
April 29, 2011
The Final Salute
“Brothers in Arms”, Military men and women down through the centuries, have traditionally exchanged “Hand Salutes” as a sign of recognition and as a way to render courtesy and respect one to another.
This “Hand Salute” is the last that we shall render to Jack Webster Grigsby our Brother-in-Arms and fellow Legionnaire. To his family it symbolizes the love and respect that we have for Jack. And to Jack it is rendered as a symbol of honor and gratitude to tJack him for the devoted and selfless service he rendered to his country during WW-II while serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps and for more than 40 years of dedicated service to the American Legion Post 14. Jack you were a valued Legionnaire, a wonderful comrade, and a true Patriot. We bid you a sad farewell. You will be dearly missed from among our ranks. Be at Ease. Rest in Peace.
On behalf of the 1,307 members of Lowe-McFarlane Post 14 of the American Legion, I extend our sympathies and our condolences to Jack’s family and loved ones.
Dennis N. Engdahl, Commander, American Legion Post 14
5315 S. Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA 71109
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