Joseph A. Verret, Jr.

Joseph A. "Jack" Verret, Jr., 89, of Port Arthur passed away at his home on Friday, December 6, 2013. Jack was born on April 1, 1924, in Port Arthur, Texas to Joseph A. Verret, Sr., and Eva Ruth Stanton Verret. After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School and attending Iowa State University, Jack joined the United States Navy, proudly serving his country aboard the Destroyer DD Porter in World War II. In 1947 Jack married the love of his life, Beverly Ruth Farquhar, whom he affectionately referred to as "his brown eyed girl". Together the two traveled extensively with Foster Wheeler Corporation, serving as an electrical foreman supervising the re-building of refineries in post war England and Venezuela. In 1950 Beverly and Jack returned home to Port Arthur with their two young children and purchased the Stoneburner Electric Company located at 1949 Procter Street. The business became Stoneburner Verret Electric, and celebrated its 100 year anniversary this year. Until the day of his death Jack opened "the shop" faithfully early each morning, and enjoyed serving each and every one of his loyal customers. Jack was an inductee of the prestigious Academy of Electrical Contractors, as well as a member of the National Electrical Contractors Association and the IBEW 479. Jack was a longtime member of the Port Arthur Higher Education Foundation, serving as Chairman for the last decade. He was a member of United Methodist Temple, and contributed his time and talents to numerous other civic and community organizations. A visitation for family and friends will be Tuesday, December 10, 2013 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves. A private graveside service for the family will be held in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Ruth Farquhar Verret. Jack is survived by his daughter, Vicki Verret Chase of Midland, son Steve Verret and his wife Deborah of Fannett, and grandchildren Ashley Chase Molfino and husband, Marcelo, Jennifer Chase Black and husband, Clayton, Joseph Kyle Verret and wife, Eleanor, Allison Ruth Verret Wright and husband, Landon, and Kaitlyn Elizabeth Verret Goss and husband, Justin, brother, Charles Stanton Verret of Hemphill, sister, Carolyn Rose Phelps of Bridge City."Pa" is also survived by six great grandchildren Jasen, Jaxson, Joseph, Jacob, Jack, and Mackenzie, as well as his faithful companions Heisman and Lombardi. The family requests that friends wishing to make memorial contributions send them to: Jack and Beverly Verret Scholarship Fund, c/o Lamar State College, P.O. Box 310, Port Arthur, TX. 77640