John C. Wimberly II of Navasota, Texas, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on October 20, 2023, after a battle with lung cancer.  John was 73 years old and was preceded in death by his parents, John C. Wimberly and Marjorie Nell Tilson of Plainview, Texas.  He is survived by his wife, Sue Bridges Wimberly; two children, Curt (Natalie) Wimberly and Travis (Erin) Wimberly both of Virginia; their mother, Debra Sheffield Wimberly of Austin; step-children, Sandi Rocquin of Florida and Charles (Carrie) Bridges of Sugarland; two brothers, Richard (Judy) Wimberly and Mark (Brenda) Wimberly both of Kingwood; and many loving grandchildren and great grandchildren along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

After graduating high school in 1968, John joined the United States Marine Corps.  He later obtained an accounting degree at Texas Tech University and earned his CPA license.  He then attended The University of Texas School of Law.  Following his graduation from law school, John and Debra moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked in the national office of Ernst & Young and while there obtained an LL.M. in Taxation from the Georgetown University Law Center.  To ensure that their children were not born outside of Texas, John and Debra moved to Houston before their two sons were born.  Curt and Travis are forever grateful for this decision.

John went on to work in the tax department at Shell Oil Company and later was a founder and co-owner of Black River Capital working primarily with TXU.  He was never shy in sharing his love and knowledge of history, tax law, or any number of other topics in which he became interested with family members, friends, and colleagues.  As many can attest, failure to pay attention to his musings and appropriately answer his follow up questions could result in him providing additional materials for self-study.

Over the past 20 years, John and Sue spent most of their time at Magnolia Hill Ranch in the Whitehall community.  John was active in Union Grove Baptist Church, a charter member of the Whitehall Fire Department, a Master Mason (Navasota Lodge #299), a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason (Houston Valley), and a Noble of Arabia Shrine (Houston).  His interests varied from barefoot waterskiing, riding Harleys, playing chess, to classical guitar.  With limited exceptions, John could be found at Magnolia Hill Ranch operating his boat, a tractor, a firearm, or a cigar (or some combination thereof).  It was best to call ahead of your arrival.

As has been said many times and in different ways following his passing, John was a brilliant man with a unique sense of humor, wit, and approach to life.  As one friend put it, God must have been in a mood when he created John.  John’s life was full of stories and experiences that have been (mostly) comforting to hear since his passing.  To continue sharing these stories and to celebrate his life, John’s family will hold a memorial service on April 27, 2024, at 10:30am at Magnolia Hill Ranch.

John’s family appreciates all the prayers and sharing of memories and stories we affectionately refer to as “Johnisms”.  His life is a reminder that a life well-lived is marked not by the years we accumulate but by the moments we create and the lives we touch.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the scholarship that has been established in John’s name at The University of Texas School of Law (https://utlsf.org/give/wimber…)

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/john-wimberly/obituary/

Copy