John Brewster Sangree, Jr. was born in Camden, New Jersey on February 21, 1929. He died peacefully and painlessly on November 14, 2018 while surrounded by his large loving family. John started out at Rensalaer Polytechnical Institute and Rutgers University, getting his B.S. in 1951. He earned his PhD in Geology at Northwestern University in 1959. He married Joan Appleton Sangree in 1951 and enjoyed an ardent love affair with his lifetime sweetheart. Together they raised a family during the graduate years and early company days, which was no easy task. Joan passed away in 2012 and has been sorely missed.
John worked for Exxon for 30 years, as a geologist/geophysicist in research and exploration. He traveled to over forty countries, and was involved in discoveries in Chad, Niger, Ivory Coast, offshore China, Thailand, and the North Sea. He worked closely with his dear friends Pete Vail and Bob Mitchum and their research team developed the foundation for sequence stratigraphy analysis, which changed the way geologists analyze seismic data. Following retirement, he performed consulting and conducted classes.
John developed an interest in water color painting and combined that with his love of Chinese art and created many beautiful paintings which are cherished by his family and dear friends.
John is survived by his loving children Ian Sangree, Jill Chouffot, Paul Sangree, Carol Vykukal, Kathleen Womansong, and Amy Swartz and by their wonderful spouses. He also leaves behind many friends, fourteen admiring grandchildren and four great grandchildren, with one more on the way.