He was born July 12, 1922 in Dallas, Texas to Attilio and Lucrezia Perri Bevacqua, immigrants from Calabria, Italy. The youngest of five children, he grew up in Dallas. He attended Texas A&M University, class of 1944, College Station, Texas from 1940-1943 majoring in Chemical Engineering. His studies were cut short in his senior year, as were most of his classmates, when he was called to service in World War II. His love for A&M, his many experiences and lifelong friendships made there were some of his most precious possessions.
He served in the U.S. Army as Platoon Leader in the 815th Amphibious Truck Co. tasked with ferrying equipment & supplies from ship to shore on D-Day, June 4, 1944. He drove the lead DUKW labeled "The Texas Aggie" onto Utah Beach that morning landing at 10:30am under German fire. As part of the 1st Engineers Special Brigade, he and his men helped transfer the battle beach into a maintenance area and assisted in moving the wounded from the field to ships. He continued to serve in Marseilles, France until he was sent home in 1946. He achieved the rank of Captain.
After the war, he returned to Dallas and to family and friends. His best and lifelong friend, Jack Hagan, introduced him to Gertrude Bjornson, best friend of Jack's fiancé in Chicago. Lou and Gertrude fell in love and married in 1949. Their incredible love continued for 64 years until her death in 2013.
Postwar he attended SMU and received a BS in Geology in 1949. He worked as a Petroleum Geologist relocating the family seven times before retiring in Midland in 1985. At the time of his retirement, he was Manager of Exploration Geologists for Oxy Petroleum.
He is survived by his four children: Lucretia of Midland, Louis John, Jr. of Las Cruces, NM, Anna Brewer of Plano and Tony of Austin, as well as grandson Paul of Dallas and granddaughter Claire also of Dallas. In addition he is survived by his sisters Elissa Cevola of Tustin Ranch, CA and Josephine Bevacqua of Dallas, numerous nieces and nephews and countless friends.
He was an avid carpenter and master craftsman capable of fixing just about anything and usually improving upon the original. He built his own workshop in which he spent many happy hours making handcrafted items for family, friends and church. He was an unashamed "dumpster diver" using most anything he found in one creation or other. He was recycling before it was fashionable. A true renaissance man, he could fix or build anything from a delicate carving to the engine of a car. He was the ultimate resource person to both family and friends.
He was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church and served there as Eucharistic Minister, Usher, and ministering to the home-bound for many years. He also loved to attend mass at St. Stephen's.
He was a proud Italian American, a devote Catholic and very honorable man. He is in our lives and hearts forever.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that you consider a donation to Wounded Warrior Project, Catholic Relief Services or St. Ann's Church.
A rosary has been scheduled for 7:00 PM, Wednesday May 28, 2014, at Ellis Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass is scheduled for Thursday, May 29, 2014 at 3:00 pm at St Ann's Church in Midland. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.
Online condolences may be offered at www.ellisfunerals.com.
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