John Edward Ludwig, 72, beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather, was called to his Heavenly Home on Friday, February 9, 2007, at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
A visitation will be held at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 2711 Helena, Nederland on Tuesday, February 13, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, February 14, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church at 10:00 AM with burial to follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches.
John was born on September 21, 1934 in Oxford, Nebraska, to Reverend Paul W. Ludwig Sr. and Thekla Ludwig and was the sixth of twelve children. His family moved to Bremen, Kansas, in 1944, and then to Houston, Texas, in 1950, where he graduated from Sam Houston High School. John lettered in baseball, track and football. He graduated from Rice University in 1956 with a BA Degree in Chemical Engineering. John served in the Army Corp of Engineers until 1957 and was in the Army Reserves until 1964.
He received a BS Degree in Chemical Engineering in 1961 from Lamar University.
In 1956 John married the love of his life, Evelyn Tiemann, and this union was blessed with four children. John and Evelyn celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on December 22, 2006.
John began his career in 1956 with Goodrich Gulf Chemicals, Inc., in Port Neches. He held various positions with the company, and in 1974 was transferred to Independence, Ohio, as Manager of Plant Process. In 1978 John was transferred back to Texas as plant Manager of the B.F. Goodrich plant in Orange, then served as General Manager, and several years later became Vice President and General Manager. During this time, the plant was owned by several different companies. In 1994, he was given a two year assignment as Senior Advisor of the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP) in Houston, Texas as part of Bayer’s Loan Executive Program. John retired from Bayer Corporation in 1996.
John came out of retirement in 1997 and managed the synthetic rubber plant owned by Ameripol Synpol Corporation in Odessa, Texas. He ended his career in 1999 after managing the Ameripol Synpol in Port Neches.
In 2004 John was appointed as a commissioner of the Jefferson County Waterways and Navigation District, where he served until his death.
Throughout his professional career, John was active in many Civic and charitable organizations, including President of Rotary Club of Orange, Executive Committee of Orange Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of United Way Campaign of Orange, Board Chairman of Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas, Executive Board of Boy Scouts of America, President of the Board of Directors of the Hughen Center for Disabled Children, State Secretary of Texas Association of Business, the Rotary Club of Nederland, President of Southeast Texas Plant Managers Forum, President of the Lamar University Engineering Advisory Council, Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission Executive Board, Lutheran Social Services of the South, and President of the President’s Advisory Council of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo.
John was the recipient of the Lamar University Chemical Engineering Department Distinguished Alumni Award, Business of the Year Award by the Texas Association of Business, Rotary District 5910 Roll of Fame and Junior Achievement Award.
John was an active member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Nederland since 1961, and through the years served as President of the Congregation, Board of Elders Chairman, Sunday School Superintendent, Choir Director, Organist, Bible Class teacher, Confirmation class teacher, Circuit Lay Delegate, and Congregation Lay Delegate.
Although John had numerous professional, civic and charitable accomplishments, his true legacy is that of a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He always put his family first, and was involved in his childrens’ activities as a coach, mentor, and spectator. As a grandfather he derived great pleasure from watching his grandsons as they played baseball, basketball, soccer, football, and track. John set a lasting example and will always be cherished by his family.
John was preceded in death by his father Rev. Paul W. Ludwig Sr., his mother Thekla Clara Emilie Ludwig, and his son, Dennis Craig Ludwig. He is survived by his wife Evelyn Tiemann Ludwig of Nederland, daughter Lisa Lyn Richard and husband Arthur Ray Richard II of Nederland; son Kenton Lyle Ludwig of Georgetown, Texas; son Mark Alan Ludwig and wife Sandra C. Ludwig of Bridge City; and grandsons Arthur Ray Richard III, and Adam Blake Richard of Nederland, and John Edward Ludwig II and Ryan William Ludwig of Georgetown.
Memorials may be given to the Early Childhood Education Program of Holy Cross Lutheran Church or the John Ludwig Memorial Fund, which will be used for students of Concordia seminary in St. Louis Mo. Memorials for both the early Childhood Education Program and the seminary can be sent to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 2711 Helena, Nederland, Texas 77627.
Pallbearers: Edwin Anderson, Louis Biar, Don Boumans, Jim Campbell, Mark Domingue, Eldon Fink, Larry Glenz, Martin Ludwig, Randy Reese, Charles Terrell. Junior Pallbearers: John Edward Ludwig II, Arthur Ray Richard III, Adam Blake Richard, Ryan William Ludwig.
