Celebrating the life of
John Kivlen
January 10, 1931 - June 17, 2006
John A. Kivlen
The earthly life of John A. Kivlen ended Saturday, June 17, 2006 after a heroic life-long battle with severe pain and a brief battle with cancer. John’s life began January, 10, 1931 in Brooklyn, NY. John was the son of John A. Kivlen, an officer on Wall Street, and the former Helen Stapleton, a school teacher.
Though his life was marred by adversity it was marked by achievement. Despite bodily limitations John’s intellect was keen and his concentration unwavering. His 29 U.S. and international Patents give evidence of a life-long learner and an explorer of the mind. Not one to be content with merely thinking outside the box, John sought to redefine the box. John, a graduate of the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, served as Chief Engineer for Exxon Chemical and as a consultant for the Westlake Group. Work not only defined John, but excited him and allowed him to cultivate his innovative side. John could abide any one and anything except stupidity, was fiercely loyal, and considered a man of integrity whose word was his bond. The same zeal and commitment that he brought to his work he also brought heartily to his family. By example, interaction, and instruction he sought to pass on to his children the power of love, the importance of commitment, and the joy of learning.
John is survived by the wife he adored, Margaret Anne Maggie, his children, Eileen, John Jr., Tracy, Elizabeth, Maureen, Catherine, his 12 grandchildren, and his sister Virginia Dowling.
A funeral service will be held at the Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors Hodgson Chapel at 4:00 viewing at 3:30, Wednesday, June 21st. Committal will be at his family plot in Brooklyn, NY on June 26. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 Atten: Honor Memorial Dept. Donor #14514121. Sign our guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com
FOX AND WEEKS FUNERAL DIRECTORS HODGSON CHAPEL
I met John in 2000 at Malaysia. He was a great teacher and shall be greatly missed.
- CM Tham, Singapore, - Other
John was my first boss at Exxon. He was truly a genius. I will miss him. Art DiNick
- art DiNicolantonio, Seabrook, TX
Sincere sympathy to John's family from one who worked with and learned from John at both Exxon and Westlake. Regards, Chuck Nagy
- Charles Nagy, Succasunna, NJ
Dear Maggie: Wish I could be there with you. You and John have been a valuable part of my life. I treasure the memories of you both. John was a special gentleman. A terrific man to know.
- Betty Hutchison, Lake Charles, LA
with our deepest sympathy to Maggie and all the family
- peter and nancy pizey, jupiter, FL
I am very sorry for your loss. I lived at 108 Sunmit Road, Sparta and remember your husband and Dad. He was a very,' full of life kind of guy.'Your tribute in the obituaries was a perfect summation of a great man. Sincerley, Susan Williams Kata
- Susan Wiilliams Kata, sparta, NJ
I have known and worked with John for 15 years. In my life time I have respected very few people; however, John was one of them. He was the finest gentlemen have have ever met. I learned so much from John and I mourn his lost. But I celebrate his life. He will be truly missed. My deepest condolences to his wife, his children and to everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him.
- James Adams, Sulphur, LA
Please accept our sincere condolences. We have such wonderful memories of John and Maggie in Lake Charles.
- Al and Ruby Brame, Lake Charles, LA
John worked with us as a consultant at the Westlake Petrochemicals site in Sulphur for many years. He loved to share stories of his work and life. He had lived everywhere, but he said the best meal if ever ate was not in a French restaurant, but a ham sandwich in a duck blind! He will be missed by all of us, not just for his plant knowledge, but for his character and love of life.
- Wanda Strickland, Sulphur, LA
John will surely be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He always had a story and would stop by while he was in town to share them - whether it was about a foreign land or something new his grandchildren were up to. It has been a pleasure to know him over the years and share in his experiences as he relived them. He loved his work but he loved his family more and he didn't mind telling you. God bless you John and your family - we will keep you all in our prayers.
- Becky Chaumont, Sulphur, LA
Maggie, Leo and I often speak of the time we spent with you and John in Galveston! We enjoyed being with you both very much. We are happy that John is free of pain. Please know that we care and would love to hear from you. 1849 W. Tank Farm Rd. Lake Charles, 70605
- Leo & Shirley Hoffpauir, Lake Charles, LA
I've only known John for a short time; however, he made a lifelong impression on me. I loved to hear his stories from the past. John will be dearly missed. I am sorry for your loss, and you will be in my prayers. Sincerely, Darrell B.
- Darrell Bailey, Lake Charles, LA
I always enjoyed the opportunity to talk to John and to hear his perspective on whatever subject came up. He was a man of great wisdom. He will be missed.
- John Windsor, Lake Charles, LA
John Kivlen was one of the smartest and nicest men I have had the pleasure of knowing. He always had a joke and always managed to make the day brighter. He will be truly missed.
- Debra Turner, Lake Charles, LA
John will be truly missed! He was a very remarkable person. We will certainly keep him and his family in our prayers. Joe Andrepont
- Joe Andrepont, Sulphur, LA
Hi Maggie, Sorry to hear about your loss. I lost mother a few years ago, and it still hurts. Rosie lost a sister recently. Come and visit. I live on Fairway now. Remember you always, Di
- Diana Shetler-Slocum, Lake Charles, LA
My deepest sympathy. He will be missed at Westlake.
- Tomi-Jayne Ridings, Sulphur, LA
John's death is a great lose to many here at Westlake Chemical. I for one learned something new every time I was around him. He was a brilliant man with a great sense of humor and a story teller that master some novelist. I will miss his personality and total uniqueness. I am a better person for knowing him the time I did.
- Tommy Savoy, Lake Charles, LA
So sorry to hear about John's departure! We regret not having had the opportunity to have gotten to know him better, but are eternally grateful for the very brief encounter we did have! He sounds like a truly remarkable gentleman.
- Bob and Fall Quattlebaum, Savannah, GA
Maggie, Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.We pray that you all will feel God's presence in a special way. Know that we love you. Ann and Jim Fendig
- Ann Fendig, Savannah, GA
Maggie, We were truly saddened to learn of John's passing. You have our deepest sympathy. Please let us know if you need any assistance in the days to come. Your neighbors and friends, The Joneses
- Helen&Leonard Jones, Savannah, GA
I met John in 2000 at Malaysia. He was a great teacher and shall be greatly missed.
- CM Tham, Singapore, - Other -
John was my first boss at Exxon. He was truly a genius. I will miss him. Art DiNick
- art DiNicolantonio, Seabrook, TX
Sincere sympathy to John's family from one who worked with and learned from John at both Exxon and Westlake. Regards, Chuck Nagy
- Charles Nagy, Succasunna, NJ
Dear Maggie: Wish I could be there with you. You and John have been a valuable part of my life. I treasure the memories of you both. John was a special gentleman. A terrific man to know.
- Betty Hutchison, Lake Charles, LA
with our deepest sympathy to Maggie and all the family
- peter and nancy pizey, jupiter, FL
I am very sorry for your loss. I lived at 108 Sunmit Road, Sparta and remember your husband and Dad. He was a very,' full of life kind of guy.'Your tribute in the obituaries was a perfect summation of a great man. Sincerley, Susan Williams Kata
- Susan Wiilliams Kata, sparta, NJ
I have known and worked with John for 15 years. In my life time I have respected very few people; however, John was one of them. He was the finest gentlemen have have ever met. I learned so much from John and I mourn his lost. But I celebrate his life. He will be truly missed. My deepest condolences to his wife, his children and to everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him.
- James Adams, Sulphur, LA
Please accept our sincere condolences. We have such wonderful memories of John and Maggie in Lake Charles.
- Al and Ruby Brame, Lake Charles, LA
John worked with us as a consultant at the Westlake Petrochemicals site in Sulphur for many years. He loved to share stories of his work and life. He had lived everywhere, but he said the best meal if ever ate was not in a French restaurant, but a ham sandwich in a duck blind! He will be missed by all of us, not just for his plant knowledge, but for his character and love of life.
- Wanda Strickland, Sulphur, LA
John will surely be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He always had a story and would stop by while he was in town to share them - whether it was about a foreign land or something new his grandchildren were up to. It has been a pleasure to know him over the years and share in his experiences as he relived them. He loved his work but he loved his family more and he didn't mind telling you. God bless you John and your family - we will keep you all in our prayers.
- Becky Chaumont, Sulphur, LA
Maggie, Leo and I often speak of the time we spent with you and John in Galveston! We enjoyed being with you both very much. We are happy that John is free of pain. Please know that we care and would love to hear from you. 1849 W. Tank Farm Rd. Lake Charles, 70605
- Leo & Shirley Hoffpauir, Lake Charles, LA
I've only known John for a short time; however, he made a lifelong impression on me. I loved to hear his stories from the past. John will be dearly missed. I am sorry for your loss, and you will be in my prayers. Sincerely, Darrell B.
- Darrell Bailey, Lake Charles, LA
I always enjoyed the opportunity to talk to John and to hear his perspective on whatever subject came up. He was a man of great wisdom. He will be missed.
- John Windsor, Lake Charles, LA
John Kivlen was one of the smartest and nicest men I have had the pleasure of knowing. He always had a joke and always managed to make the day brighter. He will be truly missed.
- Debra Turner, Lake Charles, LA
John will be truly missed! He was a very remarkable person. We will certainly keep him and his family in our prayers. Joe Andrepont
- Joe Andrepont, Sulphur, LA
Hi Maggie, Sorry to hear about your loss. I lost mother a few years ago, and it still hurts. Rosie lost a sister recently. Come and visit. I live on Fairway now. Remember you always, Di
- Diana Shetler-Slocum, Lake Charles, LA
My deepest sympathy. He will be missed at Westlake.
- Tomi-Jayne Ridings, Sulphur, LA
John's death is a great lose to many here at Westlake Chemical. I for one learned something new every time I was around him. He was a brilliant man with a great sense of humor and a story teller that master some novelist. I will miss his personality and total uniqueness. I am a better person for knowing him the time I did.
- Tommy Savoy, Lake Charles, LA
So sorry to hear about John's departure! We regret not having had the opportunity to have gotten to know him better, but are eternally grateful for the very brief encounter we did have! He sounds like a truly remarkable gentleman.
- Bob and Fall Quattlebaum, Savannah, GA
Maggie, Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.We pray that you all will feel God's presence in a special way. Know that we love you. Ann and Jim Fendig
- Ann Fendig, Savannah, GA
Maggie, We were truly saddened to learn of John's passing. You have our deepest sympathy. Please let us know if you need any assistance in the days to come. Your neighbors and friends, The Joneses
- Helen&Leonard Jones, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
