John Ehrler

John William “Jack” Ehrler entered the presence of his Lord and Savior December 10, 2015. Born June 1, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois to William and Ella Ehrler, Jack was the youngest of four boys and graduated from St. Rita High School. In 1949, he earned a degree in Chemical Engineering at The University of Missouri at Rolla where he was an active member of Kappa Alpha order. After enlisting in the U.S. Army, he served in the European Theater during WWII. He met the love of his life, Anita Siddons, while assisting with the development of a new refinery in Wise County. The two were introduced by mutual friends and were ultimately married November 24, 1950 at First Baptist Bridgeport, TX. During his long career in research and development in the oil and gas industry, Jack worked for Fluor Corp, Stanolind Oil & Gas, and Phillips Petroleum and retired in 2000 from the Internal Revenue Service where he served within the Oil and Gas Division for 44 years. Jack was a faithful Deacon and Pastor’s Prayer Partner at First Baptist Dallas. He and Anita served in the Children’s and Special Education ministries and also worked with Buckner orphans during the 1960s. Jack was always the lead “architect” for their famous, ornate gingerbread houses delivered to Buckner orphans, seniors and other lucky recipients each Christmas. Jack was a 32nd degree Mason and was honored in 2014 with the 50-year Masonic Service Award. He remarkably continued to complete CEUs required to maintain his professional engineer certification. He was a role model for quiet servanthood and was an eternal optimist. Always jovial and smiling, he brightened the lives of everyone who came in contact with him. He made all people feel special and appreciated. Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Anita Siddons Ehrler, daughter, Edie-Beth Ehrler-Collova and her husband Trapper Collova, all of Dallas, as well as several beloved nieces and nephews. Services will be Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at 10:30 AM in the Truett Chapel at First Baptist Dallas. A graveside service will be held at 3:00 PM at Eastside Cemetery in Bridgeport, TX.