
John Locy
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John Judd "Jack" Locy passed away on June 28, 2020 surrounded by his loving family.
He was born March 7, 1927, in Philadelphia, the second son of Lt. Commander Frances Eastman Locy (USN) and Bessie (Judd) Locy. After his father died in 1932, Jack and his family moved to Longview, Texas to join his grandfather Judd's family. Despite numerous work, educational, and military service travels over the following years, Texas remained Jack's family home.
Jack graduated from Longview High School in 1944 and entered the Navy V-12 Officer Candidate Program the next day. In 1948 he graduated from the University of Texas NROTC program with an ensign's commission and degrees in Electrical Engineering and Naval Science and Tactics. During his college career, Jack was an active member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, serving as consul in 1951. In 1952 he earned an MBA from the University of Michigan where he was a Teaching Fellow. Jack then served 2 years active duty as Electronics Officer on the USS Wisconsin in the Korean Theater, retiring as a Lieutenant (USNR).
Jack's early experiences as an engineer at General Electric and in corporate finance at TRW and Texas Instruments prepared him for his 40-year career as a venture capitalist and executive in a number of high tech start-up companies, including Teccor Electronics, SigmaTel, Crossroads Systems and Centurion Computer (a division of EDS). He also served as a key financial advisor to the Murchison and Perot families in Dallas and was on the Board of Directors of the Dallas Theater Center and several Texas banks.
Jack wore many hats in life, figuratively-and literally. He was known for his extensive hat collection and for saying yes when called upon to take on roles no one else would. From his legendary turn as Shakespeare's Oberon in multiple Longview grade schools (no one else could learn the lines), to his enthusiastic shipboard performance as Gilbert and Sullivan's Little Buttercup during his Navy days, to his popular Carnac the Magnificent, Jack was a great sport who never took himself too seriously.
Jack was always learning (and often teaching himself) how to do something new, which included, over the years, tennis, photography, golf, sailing, flying an airplane, telescope making, computer programming, and speaking Spanish. In his side job as senior lecturer in entrepreneurship at the University of Texas - College of Engineering, he cofounded the predecessor of the University's current Texas Innovation Center and subsequently advised several of his students in their own successful startups. His natural patience, curiosity, and sense of humor made him a beloved teacher and mentor to his children, students, and business colleagues. In fact, Jack attributed his vigorous "senior" years to being around younger people in a mentoring role.
In his later years, he connected with his family roots, inaugurating a biennial family reunion (the "Locyrama"), enjoying trips to Michigan and (at age 92) being inducted into the Sons of the American Revolution. He also fondly and vividly recalled his naval service and was happy to reconnect with it through his support of the Nimitz Museum (National Museum of the Pacific War) in Fredericksburg.
Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 32 years, Jill, with whom he enjoyed every day of their shared life, including world travel, trips to her home in Michigan, and the small-town pleasures of their second home in Fredericksburg. He is also survived by his daughters, Anita Johnson and husband Brian of Austin, Ellen Locy of Dallas, stepdaughter Heidi Schaller of Dallas, grandchildren Alex Johnson, Nellie Johnson, Luke Schaller, and Devyn Schaller, niece Judith Locy Wright and husband Jack of Lawrence, KS and nephew William A. Locy III and wife Kathi of Largo, FL. He was preceded in death by his brother, William A. Locy II.
Jack was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and a friend to all who knew him. He will be sorely missed but dearly remembered for his love of family, sense of humor, sharp wit and love of teaching.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to Health Care at The Westminster, particularly Yolanda and the entire West Wing 2nd floor nursing staff. Jack was always grateful for the loving attention and kindness of his personal caregiver, Janie.
Dr. Gordon Smith will officiate a Celebration of Life service at a later date. Cremation will be followed by burial in the Memorial Gardens at Riverbend Church, Austin, Texas.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider, instead of flowers, the National Museum of the Pacific War (Admiral Nimitz Foundation, Attn: Development, 328 E Main Street Fredericksburg, TX, 78624, or www.pacwarmuseum.org).
Arrangements are under the direction of Cook-Walden Funeral Home; 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin TX 78752.
