John Lawrence Jeter

John Lawrence Jeter, 81, of Austin passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2020 surrounded by his family. John was born in Enid, Oklahoma to Horace and Lois Jeter. He graduated from Enid High School and later earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma City University. He married and had 3 children with his high school sweetheart, Mary Ellen Albright. John designed and built the home in Enid where they lived. Later he lived in Canyon and Amarillo. After Mary’s death he moved to San Antonio.

John enjoyed a long career in the field of engineering which began with drafting positions at Boeing Aircraft and Kerr McGee in Oklahoma. He partnered with an engineer and designed homes in Enid before joining O’Connell, Probst, Zelsman and Groby (OPZ&G) in Amarillo as MEP Consulting Engineering Manager. OPZ&G was later acquired by the San Antonio firm, Goetting and Associates, Inc. where John served as Amarillo Branch MEP Manager. He went on to serve Goetting and Associates in San Antonio before joining Espey, Huston & Associates, Inc. in Austin as MEP Department Manager. John finished his long and illustrious engineering career with Austin Energy. While there, John was privileged to develop the conceptual design for three City of Austin district cooling plants and ably served Austin Energy in its Project Management group.

For almost 30 years John has lived in Austin with his wife, Carolyn. He was passionate about the redesign and reconstruction of the home they shared. He loved his family and delighted in his nine grandchildren. During his lengthy illness, John enjoyed watching westerns, old movies, and TV series. His favorites included Gunsmoke and Foyle’s Wars. He loved classic novels and was an avid text messenger to keep in touch and help solve problems.

He is survived and deeply loved by his wife, Carolyn, daughter Elizabeth Cooksey, son Michael Jeter and wife Rheta, son-in-law Jon Jelinek, step-children Eric and Courtney Nesloney, Greg Nesloney, Carey and Steve Horchler, Jennifer Nesloney, and nine adored grand children who called him Papa John.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lois and Horace Jeter, his first wife, Mary, his beloved daughter, Deborah Jelinek, and his brother, Gary Jeter.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the doctors and staff of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and Dr. Punit Chadha and all the doctors and nurses, and staff at St. David’s South Medical Center in Austin who helped us through his final struggle.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center in John’s name.

https://gifts.mdanderson.org/Default.aspx?tsid=10503&noamt=true&chosen=100&intcmpid=mdaccorg_donate&_ga=2.123947011.886553984.1581351471-92369030.1581351471

A memorial service to honor his life is scheduled for 10:30 am on Saturday, February 22 at Westlake United Methodist Church, 1460 Redbud Trail, Austin, Texas 78746.

Arrangements are under the care of the Neptune Society of Austin.