John Bryant Boatwright

There are many ways to measure a life. Whatever the measure, Dad lived fully.

In time, he lived over 87 years. Born to Frances B. and John W. Boatwright on the 14th of September 1934, he lived his early life in Evanston, Illinois, and was most shaped by two events - a teenage summer spent working on a ranch outside of Browning, Montana, and the death of his mother during his college years. These events created a lifelong love of cattle farming and a never-ending joy in his family. The combination found its best expression in the family farm in Chappell Hill, Texas. His happiest times in life were in Chappell Hill on the farm, with his family, friends, and his "beautiful cows".

He loved and encouraged learning. He received his undergraduate degree from Stanford University in 1957, making many friends as a member of NROTC and his fraternity Theta Delta Chi. After college, he was commissioned in the U.S. Navy, where he served for three years active duty and 10 years in the reserves. After his active Navy service, he completed his Masters of Arts and Ph.D. in Business Administration at American University in Washington, D.C., while juggling a job and a growing family.

In work, he enjoyed a 31-year career with Exxon, culminating in the role of Chief Economist for Exxon USA. He was a mentor, friend, and respected intellect at the company. He was also a trusted advisor to industry trade groups, federal and state governments, and think tanks such as the Hoover Institute at Stanford University. Although he joked that "Ph.D. meant 'piled higher and deeper', and that the degree was 'just a meal ticket'", he relished the opportunity to share his knowledge and wisdom. Dad taught us all that work is valuable and his dedication and discipline showed us the way to make a difference in a company and build long term relationships with coworkers. Years after he retired, we still heard from folks about how Dad had impacted their time at Exxon – the work legacy he was most proud of.

Dad loved to laugh and enjoyed a good joke – the cornier the better. The "dad joke" was an art form he worked to perfect. He loved parties and gatherings with friends of all ages, especially at the farm. He was always the person that kids gravitated to because of his warm, funny interactions. He loved to hold babies and tease little ones. With Evelyn, he happily hosted many housefuls of guests at the farm. He loved to dance and taught us all at an early age to jitterbug. He enjoyed being part of three different Indian Guides groups for each of his sons. Decades of funny stories, practical jokes, and oft-repeated sayings paint a picture of a man generous with his attention, joy, and love.

He was a builder – over the years making furniture, woodworking, planting vegetable gardens and helping his kids and grandkids with projects. We all learned to build things as a result of time spent with him.

Dad is survived by wife of 62 years, Evelyn; his daughter, Laura Nichol and her husband Roy; sons, Chris and his wife Sherri, John and his wife Annette, and Tim and his wife Kathy; as well as his adored and treasured granddaughters, Tatum and her husband Pearce Martens, Shelby and her fiancé, Jack Scharnberg, Sarah, Genevieve, Frances, Abigail, Piper, and Charlotte.

He is also survived by his brothers, Sam Boatwright and his spouse Joy, Blair Sterba-Boatwright and spouse Sandy; sister, Kim Boatwright Shirley and her spouse Graham; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life is to be conducted at four o'clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 9th of December, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo H Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent grand foyer.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to a charity of one's choice.