Jack Carpenter Givens

JACK CARPENTER GIVENS, died November 20, 2014, at his home in Houston. He was age 89, born January 13, 1925, in Lincoln County, Kentucky. He was the second child of George Ewalt and Mary Crews Givens. Mr. Givens brother, Joseph Ewalt Givens, and his sister, Neppie Gayle Givens, are deceased.

Mr. Givens attended The Centre College of Kentucky before entering the Army’s Aviation Cadet Program, March 1943, graduating September, 1944, at age nineteen. Following brief assignments in Texas and Illinois, he was assigned to the 433rd Troop Carrier Group in the Pacific War as a replacement pilot. One of the youngest American pilots of WW II, Jack flew C-46 cargo planes throughout the Asiatic-Pacific

Theater. He earned five metals: Asiatic-Pacific, Philippine Liberation, Japan Occupation, American Theatre, and Victory metals. The Asiatic-Pacific ribbon includes a silver star marking five campaigns: Western Pacific, Southern Philippines, Luzon, Ryukus, and Air Offensive Against Japan. His air crew arrived in Tokyo (Tachikawa) August, 1945, only days after Japan asked to end the war, and before the arrival of occupation forces.

Mr. Givens graduated from Texas Tech in 1950 and was employed by the Schlumberger Company in West Texas and New Mexico. Following twelve years of Field Engineering and managing assignments in the Permian Basin, he moved to Houston in 1962. He was allowed a year sabbatical to recommend ways and methods to improve training and developing the company’s engineers and managers. Mr. Givens remained in this endeavor for nine years. He moved to Schlumberger Limited in 1969 to coordinate worldwide engineer hiring and training. His special task was to stop American engineer attrition from foreign assignments. Mr. Givens personally hired more than one hundred North American engineers for foreign assignments, and guided a program of learning centers in America, Europe, Africa, and Venezuela, introducing video and simulation training methods and material. He travelled extensively in North and South America, North and West Africa, and the Middle East.

Mr. Givens was employed by the Vann Company in 1975, then introducing new tools and innovative oil well perforating technology. In due time, this company became a division of Geo International with Mr. Givens as President. His imagination, energy, and determination contributed to improving well completions, first in tight gas sands of New Mexico and Canada, then spreading to wider industry acceptance. Jack left Geo International at the end of ten years, part of the industry slowdown and dismantlement about 1985-1987. He was employed briefly with Dresser-Atlas Division, then retired in August, 1987.

Mr. Givens was a Legion of Honor member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, participating more than fifty years. He was a past President of the Houston Chapter of American Society for Training Directors, a past Director of the Braeburn Valley Homeowners Association, past President of the PTO and recipient of the 1971 Distinguished Service Award of Sharpstown High School, a past official of Braeburn Little League, and an Indian Guide father.

Jack Givens married Marguerite Parks of Clyde, Texas, May 30, 1952. She has been his love, inspiration, support, and partner in Life’s journey for more than sixty years, and survives him. Both are lifelong members of The United Methodist Church, serving in seven local churches. They are current members of The First United Methodist Church of Houston (downtown). They have two children, both surviving their father, Malinda Marie Givens (Dan) Burke of Parker, Texas, and George Edward (Christine) Givens of Spring, Texas; four grandchildren, Christopher (Jean) Burke of Parker, Colorado, Skye Marie, Leili Gayle, and Rachel Qing Givens of Spring, Texas; and, two great-grandsons, Vaughn Christopher and Peter James Burke of Parker, Colorado.

Those wishing to honor Mr. Givens through donations, may do so in his name to Texas Children’s Hospital, The American Cancer Society, or other organizations of your choice.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, November 28, 2014, at First United Methodist Church, 1320 Main St., Houston, TX 77002. Interment will follow at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77038, with full military honors.