John Paul Lorenz

John was preceded in death by his parents Mike and Minnie Lorenz, his brother, Jim Lorenz and his sister Mary Ann Benton. John is survived by his wife, Jacquelyn Dever Lorenz, sons Jack, Todd (Julie), and Patrick. He and Jacquie are blessed with ten grandchildren Dever Hanchera (Josh), Lee Lorenz, Libby Lorenz, Jack Lorenz, Jr., Catherine Lorenz, Allison Lorenz, Luke Lorenz, Henry Lorenz, Beau Lorenz, Vivienne Lorenz and one great grandson, Wesley Hanchera.

John was born in Austin, Texas and was brought to Houston by his parents at five weeks of age. He always proudly announced that he was a native Houstonian. He attended Holy Name Grade school and served there as an altar server for many years. John attended Marian High School which is now the Episcopal High School. John enjoyed Boy Scouts serving as a quartermaster for many scouting trips. He played football and was an avid tennis player. John enjoyed summers at his grand-parents cotton farm in Egypt, Texas. He and his cousins picked cotton and slept on feather mattresses every summer. John still found time during high school to work at the local Bellaire Food Giant and was tempted to stay with that industry but college was calling.

After high school John obtained a business degree from Texas Southwest College and an Engineering degree from the University of Houston. Specializing in the construction management field of engineering John’s career took him from Houston to Manhattan, New York, and then back to Houston. John returned to Houston to the employment of the Gilbane Building Company and was on a project in Billings Montana prior to a local assignment in the Spring Woodlands area. Returning to Houston also allowed John to spend time at the cabin in Egypt with his brothers, Jimmy and Michael.

During the years John enjoyed many volunteer activities. One favorite was coaching five to seven year olds at Bellaire Little League. He also coached various sports while his sons attended Holy Ghost School in Bellaire. He served as a precinct judge for many years while living in Bellaire. John also served on the Swine Committee for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. John also found time for many camping, fishing and crack of dawn hunting trips with his sons.

Also known to friends as “Mr. Fix It” if John could not mend or fix something then you should throw it out and start over! Friends always checked with John when needing any special tools. More than likely John would have what was needed.

John retired in 2016 from Gilbane Building Company and started enjoying retirement in Edge, Texas where he and Jacquie built a farmhouse, formed many new friendships and shared unbelievable sunsets from the farmhouse back porch.

Arrangements are as follows:

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at St. Vincent De Paul Chapel, 6800 Buffalo Speedway, Houston 77025

Visitation and rosary at 9:30 a.m. Catholic Mass to follow with burial to be held at Forest Park Lawndale 6810 Lawndale, Houston, Texas