McQuillen, John T.

1923 ~
 2020

OBITUARY

John T. McQuillen, age 96 ½, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2020, in Kingwood, Texas. Funeral arrangements will be held at a later date.

John was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Thomas McQuillen and Margaret McQuillen, the 2nd of 3 children. After John graduated from New Utrecht High School (inspiration of “Up the Down Staircase”), he enlisted in the U.S. Army during WWII and was assigned to the 79th Infantry Division as a radio operator. Upon his return, John received his B.A. from St. John’s University and his MBA from NYU. In 1957, John accepted a job with the Arabian American Oil Company (Aramco) in Saudi Arabia. John met his wife Marjorie, an RN, in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

John and Marjorie were married in 1961 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Port Chester, New York, and daughters, Mary and Marie were born and lived in Dhahran until the family returned to the United States in 1972. In 1974, the family moved to Kingwood, Texas after the opening of Aramco Services Company, the U.S. based subsidiary of the Arabian American Oil Company, where John served as its Comptroller until his retirement in 1988.

John and Marjorie were founding members of St. Martha’s Catholic Church, and John believed that one’s own example best taught faith, tolerance, loving, caring, forgiving and doing good for others. John was known for his love of reading and classical music. His extensive library of each spilled into every room of the house! In addition, John had a passion for technological advances, and he enjoyed his various electronic devices. In particular, John enjoyed how his iPad allowed him to purchase books (but not bookshelves), enlarge the print, shop for groceries, clothing or other necessities, pay bills, check his account balances, play games, watch videos and listen to music, all from the comfort of his recliner at home.

John enjoyed spending time with his family. He was known for his intelligence; his quick wit, his chess prowess and his innate ability to understand people and to inspire and encourage others to improve and succeed.

John was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marjorie, and his sister, Margaret Gilliam. He is survived by his brother, Michael (Sheila) McQuillen; his two daughters, Mary Patterson and Marie (William) Beven; his six grandchildren, Jason Patterson, Damon Patterson, Kevin Patterson, Eileen Beven, Anthony Beven and Christopher Beven; his two great grandchildren, Ryder Patterson and Lily Patterson; and nephews Robert Huff and Dennis Huff; and nieces Virginia Simpson, Patricia Wells and Tami Beaulieu.

John’s daughters, Mary and Marie, are very grateful for all who assisted in John’s care. Irma Goh faithfully prayed with John and brought Communion to him weekly. Rebecca Chavez was not just John’s personal trainer, she was John’s “Person,”right hand” and IT guru. Rebecca’s son, Jeffrey “Tre” Davis, III, assisted in the evenings during his senior year in high school, and he remained “on call” thereafter. In turn, John enjoyed being a mentor to Tre, and the two regularly challenged each other to a game of chess. Robert “Bob” Lewis, Jr., became John’s personal “Handy Man,” and John particularly admired Bob’s carpentry skills. Karen Hewitt came to the home to cut John’s hair, sometimes changing her schedule at the last minute specifically to accommodate him. Jacqueline “Jackie” Noss was John’s (and Marjorie’s) dedicated Caregiver for the past 6 years, and as needs increased, Melony Bilderback, Yvette Williams and Tisha Yarbrough joined in as additional Caregivers. Jackie, Melony, Yvette and Tisha were genuinly devoted to John, and he to them. Edna Dickey, Marjorie’s “right hand” in the home since the mid-1970s, continued her faithful service and ensured everything was cared for, exactly as Marjorie would have wanted. Mary and Marie are extremely appreciative and thankful for all the help and loving care.

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Service Information

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 3:00 PM to Darst Funeral Home, 796 Russell Palmer Rd., Kingwood, Texas 77339. *Social Distancing guidelines are in effect*

There is a live feed option available.

To express your sympathy with a flower arrangement please contact our florist.

3 Responses

  1. Grandad and Gradma were both symbols of kindness, integrity, generosity and love. Both were then and always be people we should look up to an emulate. I am grateful to have been a part of their family and both will be missed dearly. Thank you grandad and grandma for everything.

  2. I worked for JTM at ASC for many, many years and he was interesting and funny — subtle humor and comments that you had to watch and listen for. I enjoyed working with him so much and he was a great inspiration to me to get my degree. Though he was disappointed it wasn’t in accounting!Rest in peace JTM.

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