Those who knew Jack Moser called him a “good guy,” “a great man” and “a fine gentleman.”

Moser was particularly known for his work in the maritime industry in Port Arthur. He died Feb. 5 at age 85.

Floyd Gaspard, former director of the Port of Port Arthur, knew Moser for nearly 50 years.

“He was very helpful to the port,” Gaspard said. “He was on the Port Advisory Committee and an engineering consultant. There’s not enough good words to describe him. He was a man of integrity. He will be missed.”

Moser also served on the board of directors of the Port Arthur International Seafarers Committee and he was in charge of Texaco Island when Gaspard first met him while he was working as a longshoreman.

“He was very active in the community and highly respected,” he said. “He was also an avid sailor most of his life.”

Doreen Badeaux, board president of the PAISC, said Moser was instrumental in building the new center at Procter Street and Houston Avenue while serving many years on the board of directors.

He also served on the Jefferson County Drainage District 7 Board of Directors.

“He loaned us some of his expertise. We knew he would take good care of us,” Badeaux said. “He gave us peace of mind when he would supervise the contractors. He and his wife, Jo Ann, were longtime supporters with their time and money. He will be missed.

“He loved Port Arthur and he did a lot of good for Port Arthur. He will be a loss to the community.”

His obituary read Moser was born and raised in Port Arthur. He exceled in academics and athletics through his early years at DeQueen Elementary, Thomas Edison Junior High and Thomas Jefferson High School.

After graduation he was accepted to Rice University and Texas A&M University. He visited both universities and decided Texas A&M was a better match. He chose to major in mechanical engineering.

Moser was on the A&M track team, throwing the discus, and continued in intramural swimming.

Following graduation in 1956 he was inducted into Tau Beta Pi and was a member of Phi Eta Sigma.

He was offered a position with General Electric in New York, but he had already accepted a position at Texaco Refinery in Port Arthur. He worked with his father, Bill Moser, who was the head of industrial relations. Moser spent 32 years with Texaco in various engineering and management positions until he retired early at the age of 55.

He worked at the Port of Port Arthur in 1990 as the Port was going to expand from two berths to five berths, where he was involved in all phases of the project from selecting engineering firms to completion of construction in 1990.

Since working at the Port he was involved in numerous civic and volunteer activities including Board of Directors of The Historical Society that operates the Museum of the Gulf Coast in Port Arthur. He also convinced the city not to tear down Woodrow Wilson Middle School to preserve the building.

He was a member of the Port Arthur ISD School Bond Committee, member of A&M Club of Southeast Texas and Commodore of Port Arthur Yacht Club for two years. He was previously president of Port Arthur Founders Lions Club in 1980 and councilman for Griffing Park, where he was a volunteer firefighter for 30 years.

Moser’s athleticism continued to flourish throughout his life, running on the beach and the track at Thomas Jefferson High School, rowing, biking, hunting, swimming, sailing and running the Tenneco Marathon at the age of 50. He was also an excellent sharp shooter with his hand gun.

He and his wife married in 1957. They had four children together as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Morris Albright served on the Port Board of Directors and worked with Moser when he was a consulting engineer. He first met him when they were students at Thomas Jefferson and ran track.

They reconnected when Moser was working at Texaco as an engineer and Albright as an independent contractor.

“He was very active with the Seaman’s Center with Father (Sinclair) Oubre. He was a quiet man and a tried and true Aggie,” Albright said.

Visitation for Jack Moser will be Friday 9 to 11 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church in Port Arthur. Following, there will be a Mass at 11 a.m. and a reception afterward at the Kirwin hall.

Burial will follow at Forest Lawn in Beaumont.