Jack Smyth Josey

JACK SMYTH JOSEY July 11, 1916 - Feb. 27, 2003 Jack Smyth Josey, independent oilman, philanthropist, and war hero. Born in Beaumont, Texas on July 11, 1916, Jack was the only child of Mildred Smyth and Lenoir Moody Josey. He was a direct descendant of William Josey, Captain of the Horse guard for the Colonial Governor of Virginia and of General William Lenoir of Lenoir, North Carolina. Jack was named after his grandfather, Jackson Evander Josey of Huntsville and his maternal great, great grandfather, George Washington Smyth, of Jasper, who was a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. His father owned an icehouse and feed store in Beaumont, called Josey-Miller, until he entered into oil exploration in the 1920's, and then the family moved to Houston. In 1928, his father built the fourth home constructed in what was then the new River Oaks Subdivision. Jack graduated from San Jacinto High School in 1934, and from The University of Texas in 1939. He was president of Kappa Sigma fraternity, Foreman of the Texas Cowboys, and Outstanding Student, and a Goodfellow. Upon graduation, he began working for his father, married Elva Johnson and their first son was born, Lenoir Moody Josey II. Outraged by the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Jack volunteered for the U.S. Navy the very next day. He served in the Pacific Fleet as a lieutenant gunnery officer on the Destroyer Escort, Melvin R. Nawman. His second child, Carolyn Josey Young was born while he was at sea. His ship was involved in the battles of Coral Sea, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After the Battle of Okinawa, Jack received the Bronze Star for heroism. He and his shipmates rescued survivors from the torpedoed carrier "Bismark Sea". However, when asked, he replied that his most monumental war experience was that, while on watch, he witnessed the raising of the Marine Flag on Mount Suribachi in Iwo Jima. Returning to Houston after the war, his third child Robert Anthony Josey II was born. In 1946 he purchased a five-acre farm, which was then outside the city limits, where the family resided until the early 1970's. Today those five acres are the entrance to the Houstonian complex. With the death of his father in 1953, Jack became President and Chairman of Lenoir M. Josey, Incorporated, known as Josey Oil Company. Successful in oil exploration, he found time to be a wonderful father, a world traveler, art collector and co-founder of numerous companies, such as American Plant Food, Quality Electric Steel Castings and the Central Bank. In the early 1950's, his long time friend, Robert Park, joined him in founding Tercar Theatre Company, a major movie theatre company in the Houston area for thirty years. He also was among the original owners of the Colt Forty Five's, now the Houston Astros. He was a member of the Board of Great Southern Life Insurance Company, Southern Union Production Company, and Hanover Petroleum Company. In the mid 1950's, he purchased extensive real estate on Lake Austin and Lake Travis, despite warnings from friends that the land was "not even fit for goats." Jack sold this property to a group, and today the forty-dollar per acre "goat land" is called "Lakeway". In the early 1960's, he was named to the Board of Regents of the University of Texas by his close friend, Governor John B. Connally. This was during the golden era of UT and a wonderful period of his life. He was President of the Dad's Association; named UT Distinguished Alumnus in 1972; and received the Distinguished Engineering Award in 1973. He was Director of UT Foundation, UT Development Board and UT Chancellors Council. Jack funded many Presidential scholarships as well as professorships in energy resources and astronomy. Following two terms as UT Regent, Jack became a member of the Board of Governors of Rice University. He served on the Boards of The Houston Museum of Fine Arts, The Houston Medical Foundation, The Texas Medical Center, The Salvation Army, the Advisory Council of the National Institute of Health, Advisory Board of the Marine Biomedical Institute of the University of Texas, Galveston. He was Chairman of the Board of Hermann Hospital. President Emeritus of the Robert Welch Foundation, Jack served as President for 25 years. His association with his fellow directors, and, especially, with the scientific advisory board composed of the nation's most esteemed scholars in the fields of chemistry and physics, was one of the highlights of his later life. For Jack, however, the most important thing was making life happy for those around him. He was a lively conversationalist and historian, a prolific reader and a collector extraordinaire. With his infectious zest for life, love of family and friends, he had a gift for making everyone feel special. Despite suffering a physically debilitating stroke in 1993, Jack continued to inspire those around him by his courage and positive attitude. He set the right example for reaching new heights, whether in the oil business, medicine, science, health care, the arts or education. He was the epitome of a gentle man. He always had an elegant style, and lived his life, even when ill, with dignity. The family wishes to express its appreciation for the brilliant medical care, and wonderful personal attention provided by the doctors, nurses and staff at the Texas Heart Institute, most especially to Dr. James Willerson. Jack's life was profoundly enhanced by Jose Ramirez, who was his personal assistant and constant companion. Jose's love and devotion to Jack will be forever treasured by his wife, family and friends. Jack is survived by his wife, Donna Pearson Josey; daughter Carolyn Josey Young; sons, Lenoir Moody Josey II and Robert Anthony Josey; stepdaughters Laurel Neuhoff Page, Donna Neuhoff Kurka, Emily Pearson Neuhoff and Virginia Neuhoff Redican; and stepson Joseph Oscar Neuhoff III. Grandchildren include Kathryn Josey Stone, Lenoir Moody Josey, III, John Robert Young, Carolyn Elizabeth Young, Kathleen Josey Young, Dr. Robert A. Josey, III, Jennifer Elizabeth Josey, Autumn Love Davidson. There are also eight beloved great grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, March 3, 2003 at two o'clock in the afternoon at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer, with Dr. James W. Moore officiating. A Memorial service was held on Monday, March 3, 2003 at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer, Houston, Texas, Dr. James W. Moore and Reverend John Robbins officiated. Musical selections were provided by Robert Landes, Ana Trevino-Godfrey and The Strake Jesuit College Prepatory Triple Trio. In lieu of flowers, for those so desiring, memorials may be made to the Texas Heart Institute, 6720 Bertner Avenue, Houston, Texas 77030.