John Frank Barteau Jr.

1928 - 2017

January 30, 1928 - January 7, 2017
John Frank Barteau, Jr. of Boerne, Texas passed away in the early morning of January 7th 2017. He was 88 years old. He was preceded in death by his parents, four siblings, wife of 50 years, Frances Melba Crouch Barteau, and youngest son, Peter Hunt Barteau. He is survived by three children; John Frank (Tad) Barteau III and wife Heidi of North East, Maryland, Gilbert James Barteau and wife Patty of Dallas, Texas, Suzanne Carlson McGinnis and husband Ronald of Boerne, Texas and by Peter's widow Katherine Barteau of Nelson City Texas. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

John was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on January 30, 1928. He joined the Army in 1945 at the age of 17. World War II ended before he could be sent into action and he was given an early discharge during demobilization. Qualifying for the GI Bill, he attended Lehigh University where he earned two bachelor's degrees in mechanical engineering, specializing in hydraulics. He went to work for the American Machine and Foundry Company as a project manager for military projects and was assigned to the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland where he met Frances Melba. John was involved in and oversaw many high profile projects while at AMF, including the development of the Titan Rocket launching pad at Vandenberg AFB, installing one of the first hydraulic oil rig platforms in the North Sea, and ultimately running the manufacturing and assembly line at AMF's plant in York, PA. His work required numerous relocations. He and his young family lived in Maryland, New York, Connecticut, California and Pennsylvania. None of John and Melba's children were born in the same state. In 1972 the family finally settled in Boerne, Texas when John was hired by Church's Chicken in San Antonio. John became Executive Vice President of Production during Church's rapid national expansion period. In the early 80's, John was named President of Far West Industries, Church's manufacturing subsidiary.

Mr. Barteau had a very active life and enjoyed many hobbies. At different times during his life he owned and improved three farms, doing most of the renovations himself and teaching his children practical work lessons. He enjoyed owning and riding horses, another activity shared by the whole family. Later in life he enjoyed singing in a senior's choir group, being an active leader at the Third Church of Christ Scientists in San Antonio, owning and restoring antique farm tractors, and being a member of a large model railroad club. All his life he was an avid railfan.

Mr. Barteau was a self-reliant, kind, loving father and grandfather, a devout Christian Scientist, a selfless philanthropist, and a world class gentleman. He is deeply loved and will forever be missed by all that knew him.
Burial will take place in the summer of 2017 in North East, Maryland, where John's wife, Frances Melba is buried.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff at The Leaves Christian Science nursing facility in Richardson, TX, who loved and cared for John for the last two years of his life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project.