John F. Joplin

John F. Joplin, but always known to everyone as Jack, died in his sleep in the early hours of the morning on February 7, 2014. Jack was born on August 20, 1924 in Houston and received his education at St. Thomas High School (1942). He attended Rice University graduating with a BSME in 1945, with post graduate studies at the University of Houston and the University of Pittsburgh.

His brilliant career began as a U.S. Navy ensign in 1945. He served for a year and was recalled again in 1950 to 1953. He reached the rank of Lt. USNR in the Atlantic Fleet as a squadron engineering officer. He initially joined Gulf Refining Company in 1946 as General Engineer & Management of all divisions of Gulf Oil. After finally being discharged from the Navy, he rejoined Gulf Oil and quickly rose in the ranks becoming, at that time, the youngest Vice President and Manager of Operations. He left to join the family business, Oil & Gas Supply Company, in 1965, with his father John L. Joplin and brother William F. Joplin, manufacturing and selling oil field compressors. Together they founded, operated and sold other oilfield equipment companies: Oil & Gas Manufacturing Co., Bush Manufacturing Co., Turbines Hispano Ogasco, Inc., and Sound Optics Systems, Inc . In 1976, the Joplins acquired Hutchison Hayes International, Inc., later to become Hutchison Hayes Separation, which was successfully sold in 2008.

Jack met the love of his life, wife Gabriella, in London in 1975 and fell deeply in love. He proposed and married her in less than a year. They were devoted to each other and were inseparable during their 37 years together. It was inevitable that he should pass away within one month of his wife Gabriella.

Jack was an avid golfer, and would play or practice any time and any day he could. In his retirement and right up until the end, you would find him at his favorite country club, hitting his woods and irons, smiling broadly as the ball sailed through the air.

He was a member of Lakeside Country Club as well as the Petroleum Club, where he danced many nights away with his wife.

Jack will be remembered as a man of great integrity, warmth and charm, but most of all he will be remembered as the best father and pop ever by his family.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank Gilberto Sanchez, Juan Chavez and Gina Solorzano who looked after him with such tender love and care.

He is predeceased by his wife Gabriella Joplin, sisters Patricia Boy, Carol Williamson and brother-in-law Don Williamson, his brother and sister-in-law Ettore and Anna Agus, his father John L. Joplin and mother Jean Joplin.

Jack leaves behind his daughter Jane and husband Rawi Tabbah, granddaughter Stephanie Tabbah, granddaughter Jacqueline and husband Jack P. Turano III; brother William F. Joplin and wife Jane; brother-in-law William Boy; nephews Richard Joplin, Leigh Boy and Tom Biggs; nieces Katherine and Elizabeth Joplin and Anne Hereford; great nieces Jordan and Jessica Joplin, Grace Joplin and great nephew Scott Hereford.

Entombment will be on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 11:00 AM in The Oaks Mausoleum at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated following the entombment at 1:00 PM at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 6622 Haskell Street, Houston, Texas 77007. A reception will follow in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes can be made in honor of Jack to St. Thomas High School , 4500 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77007 www.sths.org