Deacon John Singer, Jr.

I was born in the Goose Creek Hospital on Defee Street in Goose Creek, Texas on September 19, 1936. The hospital had recently moved to this location, and I was the second baby to be born there. My parents were the late Jack Singer and Nina Leavins Singer. I was n fourth generation to be born and live my life in the Cedar Bayou and Goose Creek area. My grandmother, Annie Brooks Leavins, was born in Cedar Bayou, and my grandfather, George W. Leavins, was born in Alabama. Granddad was a pioneer cattle-rancher in Cedar Bayou. Leavins Addition is where the family was reared. I attended Cedar Bayou School from first grade through the eleventh. My senior year, 1955, I attended and graduated from Barbers Hill.

When I was 23, I met and married the love of my life, Mary Evelyn (Marilyn) Cernoch, on June 11, 1960 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Baytown.I met her on a blind date in August 1959.  Three weeks later, I asked her to marry me, and scared her so badly that she would not see me again until November. I had two strikes against me. I was not Catholic, and I was not CZECH! She was afraid to tell her parents. In December, I asked her again and she agreed. We married six months later on June 11, 1960, with her parents’ blessing. We werecharter members of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, where I converted to Catholicism at the age of 40.

At age 49, I quit my job with the AdamsResources Oil Company to go to work, full-time, for St. John’s Catholic Church, retiring 30 years later.We enjoyed 54 years of marriage, until her death on June 15, 2014. We were blessed with one son, John W. Singer, III and two daughters, Jacqueline and Jennifer. Marilyn and I loved to travel, visiting most of the states and enjoying more than twenty cruises. After high school, I attended Lee College and went to work for Mosher Steel Co. for two years, and then worked for Ada (now Adams Resources) in Houston, as an accountant, for twenty-nine years. I resigned from Adams to go to work for St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church on May 1, 1986 asAdministrator and Director of Religious Education.  I had a further calling from God to be an ordained minister. Marilyn and I studied at the University of St. Thomas for three years and I was ordained as a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. I began my diaconate ministry at St. Joseph’s Church for the first two years andthen at St. John the Evangelist, where I served until June 30, 2014, retiring after twenty-eight years ofservice. I then served as a full-time volunteer for another year. After this, I devoted many hours as a volunteer, wherever needed, as long as I could conduct funeral vigils, first Friday Adoration and other things.

​I was associated with the Parent-Teacher Organization for Exceptional Children, serving as the first president. I enjoyed my membership with the Baytown Optimist Club, of which I was a life member serving as Secretary, President and Lieutenant Governor. I was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 7206, at St. John’s Catholic Church. Also, I was a long-time member of the East Harris County Serra Club for many years until my death.

​Preceding me in death beside my parents, were my wife, Marilyn, our precious son, John Singer III., our grandson, Jacob Williams, and my close friend, Flo Hunt. Surviving me are my two fantasticdaughters, Jacqueline Singer Williams and husband Roger of Baytown, and Jennifer Singer Angel and husband Kevin of Katy.  Grandchildren Chad Hargrove, Erica Hargrove, Shelby Angel, Jordan Angel, Jordan Hickman and husband Robert, Hannah Jones and husband Derrick.  Great-grandchildren, Gibson Hickman, MadisonHickman, Brix Jones, Huck Jones, and Kloe Jones.Also surviving me is my best friend and companion,Conchita Walker, who has brought many blessingsto my life. We have enjoyed traveling, our cruises, and trips to the casinos.

God has blessed me all the days of my life and I want to thank all the people of God who have allowed me to serve them in my ministry. St. Francis said to preach the Gospel well and use words if necessary.  My prayer is that I have served God with my life, and if I have hurt anyone then I pray for your forgiveness. I have fought the good fight, and I have finished the race!

My pall bearers and honorary pall bearers will be the ordained deacons of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

Our Dad and Paw-Paw died February 7, 2019. At his request, the Vigil and Funeral Mass will be at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 800 W. Baker Road, Baytown, TX. Visitation will be held Monday,February 11th at 5 PM with a vigil following at 6:30. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday,February 12th at 10 AM. Burial will follow at Sterling White Cemetery.

I request, in lieu of flowers, donations in my memory be made to the Bay Area Homeless Services, P.O. Box 4130, Baytown, TX 77522, or the Baytown Habitat for Humanity, 3900 N. Main St., Baytown, TX 77521, or your favorite charity.

 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

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