Richard Louis Jodry

Dick grew up in Monroe, Michigan, earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Geology from Michigan State University, with service in the U.S. Army as a gunnery officer during WWII. He spent much of his professional career as Senior Research Scientist for the Sun Oil Company in Billings, MT and Dallas, TX. While at Sun he served as Distinguished Lecturer and then Chairman of the Distinguished Lecturer Committee of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, as well as president of the Dallas Association of Petroleum Geologists, and member of the National Science Foundation Board of Mineral Resources. His work for Sunoco helped inform US energy policy in the 1970s and 80s.

While living in Dallas, Dick took a wine-tasting course at Neiman-Marcus and soon discovered that he had an exceptional palate. Following up with his perennial intelligence and focus, he gained an expertise in oenology that led to frequent explorations of the great wine chateaux, and friendships with the premier vintners of France. He received the French Order des Cotes de Bordeaux and the Chevalier du Champagne medals, and co-founded Pheasant Ridge Winery in Lubbock, TX whose 1983 Cabernet Sauvignon won the Gold Medal at the San Francisco Wine Competition.

For their 50th high school reunion, a number of Bettys classmates asked Dick to take them to tour French vineyards. The tour was very successful and he received so many more requests that in his retirement from the oil business he became a licensed travel agent. He eventually led 61 cruises and land trips all over the world.

He is survived by his children, Ann Womack (Brantly), Frederick Jodry (Brenda), Richard Jodry (Kathryn), Patricia Newell (Michial), Thomas Jodry (Irene); thirteen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Spouses, Leonore Tallmadge Jodry, and Betty McElraevy Wright Jodry; children, Mary Wernly and Michael Jodry; and grandchild Kevin Jodry predeceased him.

Dick was a brilliant, accomplished man of wide-ranging talents who was always curious and eager to undertake new ventures. He was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather and beloved friend to many. He has now departed for another great adventure, or, as he often said, "Im out chasing rainbows."

A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, August 20, at 2:00 p.m. at St. George Church, 6904 West Avenue, San Antonio, Texas 78213.

Arrangements with

PORTER LORING MORTUARY WEST

1710 WEST LOOP 1604 NORTH

SAN ANTONIO, TX 78251 - (210) 891-0000