Houston Audubon has lost a long-time friend and valued supporter. John Lee Whitmire, 73, of Houston died of complications from Parkinson's disease on April 27, 2014. A long-time contributing member of HAS's board of advisors, John Whitmire will forever be remembered for his dry wit, intelligence, sense of justice, generosity, and love of birds and the outdoors. His devotion and endearing qualities achieved much good for conservation and for birds.
John was instrumental in supporting Houston Audubon's High Island Initiative in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This included solidifying the coastal land acquisition for High Island, providing for habitat improvement and visitor access there, and creating coastal sanctuaries through a Gulf of Mexico bird observatory concept. After securing funding for the High Island initiative through Phillips 66 where John and Steve Gast both worked, this encouraged AMOCO to donate the land around High Island, and in part generated the matching funds needed to accomplish the overall plan.
"Throughout John's career and into retirement, he was involved in getting things accomplished safely and with integrity. This was as true in business as it was in his quiet passion for environmental education and the conservation and care of our world. While few had the opportunity to meet and know him, whether they knew it or not, John's presence in the conservation community was and will continue to be felt by a multitude. We will all miss him." -Steve Gast.
Many annual gifts supporting science and education resulted from John and Steve's teamwork and continued after the merger that created today's ConocoPhillips. In 1996, John left Phillips 66 to become CEO of Union Texas and joined National Audubon's board. He was also on the Houston Audubon board of advisors for many years, stepping down in 2010.
"I remember him as robust, outgoing, and full of life. When I joined the National board in 2011, I contacted him to solicit whatever advice and guidance he might want to give me. Although he was already in declining health, we had several lunches over the next few years that were very helpful to me. He was generous and wise, and I will miss him." - Joy Hester.
Susan Maclin and John WhitmireJohn and his wife Susie have long been strong annual supporters of Houston Audubon and its initiatives, encouraging the organization to problem solve and grow with consistency through their gifts for capital projects, annual operations, and programs. They most recently funded Houston Audubon's new outreach vehicle used to deliver educational programs to schools, libraries, churches, and other places in the greater community. John would have loved to have seen it in action, and in his final days, he knew that with his help it is accomplishing its purpose of inspiring people through bird conservation and education - two things which he very much loved.
John was a respected leader in the energy industry for more than 50 years. Most of his career was with Phillips Petroleum Company where he served for over 30 years in various capacities earning his way from Driller to Executive Vice President and Director. Following his retirement from Phillips Petroleum Company, he led Union Texas Petroleum as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. John later worked with Hunt Oil Company of Canada and then helped lead CONSOL Inc. and CONSOL Energy as Chairman of the Board from 1999 until mid-2013.
John's directorships included Haven Wealth Group, Global Marine, Transocean, and El Paso Corporation. As a lifelong conservationist he served on the Management Board of the Playa Lakes Joint Venture Wildlife Conservation Project. In addition to his service to the Board of National Audubon and the Advisory Board of Houston Audubon Society, he assisted Montana Audubon for many years.
Susie wanted us all to know how much birds, and especially High Island, meant to John. He will be buried with the 2004 High Island Patch, the one featuring the Northern Parula, one of his all-time favorite birds.
John will be greatly missed.
