Jerry McCauley

Jerry Jordan McCauley, 89, of Houston, passed away the 3rd of December 2014. He was born to George Wesley McCauley and Birdie Jane Delamar the 14th of January 1925 in Oklahoma City. Jerry was the youngest of six children. Throughout his life he lived many places including Wellington, Amarillo, Lubbock, Durango, and Lafayette, spending the remaining 51 years of his life in Houston.

Jerry graduated from Lubbock High School in 1943. Wanting to support the war efforts with his brothers and sister overseas, he tried to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corps at the young age of 17. At 18 he earned his pilot’s wings and was commissioned as a lieutenant, serving from 1943 to 1945. Following his service he attended the University of Texas at Austin, and graduated with a degree in Geology. There Jerry lettered in football in 1945 and 1946 playing alongside his friends and teammates, Tom Landry, Hub Bechtol, and Bobby Lane. He often spoke fondly of his days on the football field and religiously watched the Longhorns play every season. After graduation from UT, he continued his football career with the Colts.

Jerry spent the rest of his life working in the oil industry. Beginning as a geologist, he loved mapping areas around the U.S., had several business ventures with his brothers Dan and Worth, and eventually opened several of his own ventures, including J.J. McCauley, Inc., in 1981.

Jerry was very active in the city of Houston. He served on the Board of Directors for the Briar Club, Houston Log Library and the Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists. He enjoyed his daily exercise: swimming at the Briar Club, playing a weekly game of golf and keeping up with his neighbors in Oak Estates.

Jerry married his wife of 50 years, Jaqueline “Jackie” Gilbert, the 1st of October 1955 in Beaumont, Texas. Jerry and Jackie moved to Houston, Texas in 1963.

Preceding Jerry in death are his wife, Jaqueline Gilbert McCauley; daughter, Anne McCauley Hedgcoxe; his beloved parents; and his brothers: Worth, Jack, Harris and Dan. Jerry is survived by his daughters, Lynn McCauley Block and husband, David Block, of Alpine, Wyoming; Sue McCauley Vaden and husband, Dr. Pete Vaden, of Uvalde, Texas; his son-in-law, Reif Hedgcoxe of Houston; his eight grandchildren, Luke Vaden and wife, Rosa, of El Paso; Travis Block and wife, Macanda, of Houston; Jamie Vaden Holmes and husband, Ben, of Boerne; Jolie Block Helms and husband, Chris, of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Ryan Block and wife, Becca, of Jackson Hole; Rachel Block Elliott and husband, Matt, of Jackson Hole; Clair Hedgcoxe and Will Hedgcoxe both of Houston. His 13 great grandchildren, C.J. and Natalie Helms; Mac, Caroline and Alexandra Holmes; Katelyn, Ecklyn and Daelyn Vaden; Hayden, Megan and Sam Block; Kate Block; and Cade Elliott, also survive their "Granddaddy Mac". In addition, he is survived by his sister, Georgene McCauley Watson, of Montevallo, Alabama, and brother-in-law, Edwin F. Gilbert of Houston.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to Alba Ibarra for her continued support and the staff of the Plaza at The Buckingham for their excellent care.

A memorial service will be conducted at ten o'clock in the morning on Friday, the 5th of December, in the chapel at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston, where The Rev. Martin J. Bastian, Vice-Rector, is to officiate.

The interment will follow, via an escorted cortege, at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Jerry’s memory may be directed to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Development Office Unit 705, P.O. Box 301439, Houston, Texas 77230-1439.

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