John DonalD Squibb, Jr. 1932-2015
John Donald Squibb, Jr., of Houston, Texas passed away suddenly on July 12, 2015. Don was born on August 26, 1932 in Camden, NJ. He lived as a boy in Philadelphia and Detroit before spending many years in Garland, Texas. While growing up in Garland he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and graduated from Garland High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Southern Methodist University where he was a member and president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He was also active in many other student government activities. In 1954, he graduated with a JD from the University of Texas Law School. His curious mind and love for education led him to attend Harvard Business School where he earned a Master of Business Administration in 1956. Following this, he served as a judge advocate officer in the U.S. Air Force in England for two years.
Don’s long and productive career in the trust and banking business began in 1958 when he joined the staff of Republic National Bank of Dallas. He kept his legal skills honed, too, though, as he was active in the Dallas Junior Bar Association and served as its president in 1964. In 1969, he moved to Houston to join the group forming Cullen Bank & Trust where he helped develop a trust division for the new, record-setting bank. In 1977, he returned to the Republic Bank organization to lead the trust and investment operation of Houston National Bank. Shortly thereafter, he returned to Dallas to lead Republic Bank – Dallas’ trust and investment operation and serve as the initial president of Republic Trust Company.
In 1986, he returned to Houston to become the chief development officer of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and executive director of their internal foundation, the University Cancer Foundation. He retired from MD Anderson in 1994, and move back to Dallas to serve as Treasurer of the Southwestern Legal Foundation, after becoming a trustee there in 1980. Upon retirement in 1997, he was an active volunteer in several community activities until he returned to Houston in 2005.
His loving wife, Charlotte Stephens Squibb preceded him in death in 1995. His daughters, Karen S. Harrison of San Antonio and Claire S. Curtin and her husband John of Houston survive him. He has four grandchildren.
A celebration of his life will be held on August 15, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 5501 Main, Houston, TX 77004. Memorials may be made to the Texas Bar Foundation, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, The Association of Research and Enlightenment Houston Center, or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered at www. millerfuneral.com