John Henry Moser

Published 3:02 pm Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Sept. 28, 1933 ~ Feb. 5, 2018

John Henry Moser (Jack) passed away peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior at his home.  Jack lived his life dedicated to his profession at The Texaco Refinery, sailing, Texas A & M and most importantly his overwhelming love for family and friends.

Jack was born and raised in Port Arthur, Texas by his loving parents Willard Romane Moser and Ruth Cummings Moser where they attended The First Presbyterian Church .

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He exceled in academics & athletics through his early years at DeQueen Elementary, Thomas Edison Jr. High and Thomas Jefferson High School. After graduation he was accepted to Rice University and Texas A&M.  He visited both Universities and decided Texas A&M was a better match.  He chose to major in Mechanical Engineering. The stories abound of his freshman year in 1952 – through his graduation in 1956. He loved telling the story of seeing Coach Bear Bryant coaching the team and running one unfortunate fella into the ground.  Later saw the quote from Bryant “ If a man is a quitter I’d rather find out in practice than in a game.  I ask for all a player has so I’ll know later what I can expect” Jack was on the A&M track team throwing the Discus and continued intramural swimming.     Upon completion of his Mechanical Engineering degree Spring of 1956, he was inducted into Tau Beta Pi as well as being a member of   Phi Eta Sigma.

After graduation Jack was offered a position with General Electric in New York but had already accepted a position at Texaco Refinery in Port Arthur, Texas  where he proudly worked with his father Bill Moser,  who was the Head of Industrial Relations.   Jack spent 32 years with Texaco in various engineering and management positions He retire early at the age of 55. Then worked at the Port of Port Arthur in 1990 as the Port was going to expand from 2 berths to 5 berths, where he was involved in all phases of the project from selecting engineering firm to completion of construction in 1990.

Since working at the Port Jack was involved in numerous civic and volunteer activities including Board of Directors of The Historical Society , which operates the Museum of the Gulf Coast in Port Arthur (he also convinced the City not to tear down Woodrow Wilson and preserve it)Board of Directors of Seafarers Center, Board of Commissioners Drainage District 7, Member of PAISD School Bond Committee, Member of A& M Club of Southeast Texas and Commodore of Port Arthur Yacht Club for two years Previously  President of Port Arthur Founders Lions Club in 1980 & Councilman for Griffing Park  where he was  Volunteer Fireman for 30 years.

Jack’s athleticism continued to flourish throughout his life, running on the beach and the track at Thomas Jefferson, 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.

His dearest and truest passion was for his wife Jo Ann Hollingsworth, his great love whom he married in 1957.  To their delight, they had 4 children, Anne, Dan Romane, Dave Gray and Jan.  He was an enthusiastic backer of his wife and children. He was always so proud of their achievements, whether professional, academic, athletic or and artistic. And never forgotten was his Labrador “Lady” who also stole his heart.

Although Jack was very quiet he passed to his family his great enthusiasm for life, his tremendous heart and love of people, his humor and generosity were amazing to say the least. He loved classical music. William Shakespeare and Elizabeth Barret Browning were a favorite.  He had an ear to playing the piano, was a sculptor  and always an excellent photographer.

Jack’s love for sailing was influenced by a gentleman from Norway who was in charge of the Ava, which was Texacos Pleasure Yacht. He invited Jack to motor it to Grand Isle, Louisiana.  His first true adventure at the age of 11. His favorite book also inspired him, “Moby Dick”. After purchasing the family a beach house at  at Chrystal Beach he dreamed of sailing.  He bought a Sun Fish, then the Catamaran.  As he mastered sailing he wanted to sail on the ocean and his  Cape Dory fulfilled that passion. He later purchased a Crelock 37 and sailed to Cozumel and Isla Mujaras with his second Mate JoAnn.  His last boat was a Troller which was destroyed after Hurricane Rita in 2008 came barreling through.  He retired his efforts to purchase another yet, remained involved with the Port Arthur Yacht Club and named an Honorary Member for Life.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents, brother, sister, and daughter Jan Moser and grandson Ryan William McGee.

Jack is survived by his devote wife of 60 years, Jo Ann, daughter Anne Moser McGee of Houston Texas, his sons , Dan Moser and Wife Vicki of Groves Texas, Dave Moser of Port Arthur, Texas. His loving grandchildren , Sean Patrick Mcgee, Kelly McGee Goff and her husband Derek Goff, Tara McGee, Trevor McGee and Ashley Moser Matthews and her husband Matt Matthews along with his great grandchildren, Jaxon Barclay, Walker Matthews,  William Goff, Katherine Goff and Emma Goff as well as a numerous extended family and friends.

Friends and Family are invited to a visitation with the family on Friday, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at St. James Church, Port Arthur, Texas. Following there will be a  mass held  11 o’clock a.m.  and a reception will follow at the Kirwin hall.  Following the  reception we will proceed  to Forest Lawn for the burial in Beaumont , Texas  In lieu of flowers donations may be given in Jack’s memory to the St. James Building  Fund and Seafarers  Center.

The family would like to thank his caregivers and friends Mallouise “Weezy” Allen and Ann Andrus.

Pall bearers are Trevor McGee, Derek Goff, Jud Hollingsworth, Tom Lee Waterston, Matt Matthews, Chuck DeVenzio, Keith Daws and Eric Beal.  Honorary Pall Bearers are Sean Patrick McGee, Lee Townsend, Doyle Boring, Eddie Ellerbee and Stewart Coffman.