Mr. Jacob M. "Jake" Lebeaux

Born on the 12th of July 1921 in Worchester, Massachusetts to the late Leander and Rose Lebeaux, Jake was raised in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts until he moved to Austin, Texas to attend The University of Texas, from where he graduated in 1942. Jake had a love of learning and teaching, and remained at The University of Texas teaching mechanical and petroleum engineering courses while attaining his PhD in mechanical engineering.

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Jake felt compelled to join the Army and defend his country, however, due to poor eyesight he was unable to enlist. Determined to assist with the war effort, he instead taught additional classes at The University of Texas, including celestial navigation, to friends and classmates preparing to leave for the war.

Summers were spent in Colorado, while school was out, working for Stanolind Oil & Gas Company, a subsidiary of Amoco Corporation. In the summer of 1949 he met and fell in love with Josie Blakslee, and after a brief courtship they were married, returning to Austin where they would remain until 1952 when Jake accepted a full-time position with Stanolind in Andrews, Texas. They subsequently moved to Midland, Texas.

In 1956 he moved the family to Houston where he and a group of his colleagues formed a gas services company, International Equipment Leasing Company, which became Universal Compression, the predecessor of Exterran Holdings. Jake was a brilliant man and a classic entrepreneur. Over five decades, he founded and served as president and director of several oil and gas service companies and other oil and gas related ventures. He never retired, serving as a consultant to Exterran Holdings until his death.

Jake was very involved in many industry and professional associations, and also committed to the community where he resided, serving for many years as a member of the Piney Point City Council and the Memorial Villages Water Authority. He was elected to the State of Texas Association of Water Board Directors and served on that Board until term limits would not allow for his re-election. Jake also served on several advisory boards, and was actively involved in numerous Houston area and national charities.

Jake was a kind and honorable man, who lived by his word. He was a friend to everyone. Jake loved his alma mater, and was an avid follower of University of Texas football. There were few things he enjoyed more than weekends with family and friends at their Pirates Beach home. Jake and Josie were avid travelers, enjoying trips to five continents. Jake was a long-time member of The Houston Racquet Club.

Jake is survived by his loving family, Josie, his best friend and cherished wife of sixty years; daughter Debbie Temple and her husband Karl Temple, of Bel Air, Maryland; daughter Valerie Banner and her husband Dr. Ed Banner, of Houston; and daughter Sandy Campion and her husband John Campion, of Houston; and three grandchildren whom he adored, Edward Banner, Katie Banner and Leslie Campion. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Joan Lebeaux of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts.

A celebration of Jake’s life is to be conducted at half-past ten o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 19th of February, at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay Street in Houston, where the Rev. Wick Stuckey and the Rev. Ron. A Morris are to officiate.

Immediately following the memorial service, all are invited to join the family for a reception in the adjacent Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Jake’s name be directed to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL, 33607, or to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.

Jake was a devoted husband, loving father, wonderful and proud grandfather and loyal friend who will be forever missed by those who knew and loved him.