Thomas M. Moran

Thomas M. Moran, born to Luke and Julia Spillane Moran on Sept. 21, 1923 in Boston, Mass, died peacefully, surrounded by family on July 20, 2014. His early years were spent in Brookline, Mass. He graduated from Boston College with a degree in Chemistry in 1948 and earned an MBA from the Univ. of Michigan in 1951. Mr. Moran served in the US Navy in World War II, participating as a small boat officer in the invasion of Iwo Jima on D Day, and Okinawa on D plus 4. His ship, the USS Deuel APA 160, steamed by the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on the day the Peace Treaty was signed. He remained in the US Naval Reserve, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander. Following graduation from Michigan, he joined Shell Chemical as an Industrial Sales Rep. He then worked for 28 years with Eastern States Petroleum, Signal Oil and Gas, and Charter Int’l Oil Co., ending up as President of Charter’s Houston Oil Refining Complex. His last ten years of most pleasant employment were spent as an Adjunct Professor in the College of Business at Prairie View A&M University. Mr. Moran was a past Trustee of St. Joseph Hospital in Houston, The Houston Dad’s Club YMCA, served an 8-year term as Trustee of Boston College, and another 6 years as a Trustee Associate. He was Past Chairman of the Petrochemical Committee of the National Petroleum Refiners Association, and both a Vice President and Director of that Organization. He was one of the Organizers of the Founders Club of the Petrochemical Industry, and received its first Honorary Membership Award in 2008. He was a Distinguished Member of the Southwest Chemical Assoc., a stalwart member of the OF Club of the Chemical Industry, a member of the US Naval Reserve, and in later years, he sang with the award winning barbershop chorus, The Kingsmen. His Jesuit education at Boston College and his association with St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Houston gave him a strong base for Christian living. Mr. Moran was preceded in death by his Sister, Ellen Sullivan; nephew, Paul; and niece, Janet; and his Brother-in-Law, Norbert Andres. Mr. Moran is survived by his wife, Mary Nell; his 4 children, Dona Marie, and husband, Brad Hippert; Thomas M., Jr. and wife, Anthea, and Grandson, Luke; Robert M., and wife, Sunny, and Grandson, Brendan; John M., and wife Patty, and Granddaughter, Annie. His sister, Mrs. Pauline Andres, and his children’s mother, Louise Moran, also survive him. Additionally, Mr. Moran has numerous nieces, nephews, stepchildren, grandchildren and great grandchildren that make up his extended family. Mr. Moran’s primary interest, after his family, was golf, as he was a longtime member of Champions Golf Club, and Winged Foot Golf Club earlier in his career. Singing with the Kingsmen, following the sports successes of Boston College, and traveling with Mary Nell, kept him occupied in the latter years of his life. The Funeral Mass will commence Thursday, July 24, 2014 at 10:00 AM at St. Michael Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road, Houston, TX 77056. Graveside services with US Naval Honors will follow Holy Mass at VA Houston National Cemetery via motorized cortege. In lieu of flowers please consider contributions in Mr. Moran’s memory to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at www.mdanderson.org.

Thomas M. Moran

September 21, 1923 - July 20, 2014