John Chancellor (J.C.) Upton, Sr., passed away on January 22, 2018, in Clear Lake, TX. He was born January 18, 1926 in New Iberia, La., to John Chancellor Upton and Inez Boutté. He lost his father in January 1939. His mother passed away December 1977. His only sibling, Rachel Upton Cason, passed away May 2007. He grew up in New Iberia and graduated from St. Peter’s College (now Catholic High) in 1942. He joined the Marines in 1944. He was a radio operator in the Pacific Theatre in WWII where he guided pilots to the landing strip on Peleliu Island, Palau. On December 27, 1947, he married Elaine (Red) Denison in New Iberia. He earned a BSEE at Southwest Louisiana Institute.  He worked at PGAC in Lafayette, La., and later in Houston, TX. In 1968 he began working for AMF Tuboscope in Houston where he remained until his retirement.  He enjoyed tinkering on cars, handyman home maintenance and grilling, using his fabulous BBQ sauce.  He is survived by his wife, Elaine, and his children:  Kathleen Khoury (Raymond), Mary Warren (Tom), Fr. John (a.k.a. Buck), and Amelia Black (Bill).  He had 7 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren, and 3 step-great-grandchildren.  Three nephews and 1 niece also survive him.

He was a tender spirit who made his children feel loved. He is now at peace. “Well, I’ll be Jake!” you are free at last. We love you and will miss you.

J.C. was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2008. In lieu of flowers please send donations to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church Building Fund at 18223 Point Lookout Drive, Nassau Bay, TX, 77058 or to Alzheimer’s Association by phone (705-359-4440) or online at www.alz.org, mentioning John C. Upton in the donation.

Viewing will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, January 25, 2018. Services will follow at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 25, 2018. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet.