John Loomis Shoemaker

John Loomis Shoemaker passed away on July 22, 2024 in Houston, Texas at the age of 75, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable accomplishments and cherished memories. 

Born on October 21, 1948 to his loving parents Dorothy Jeanette Shoemaker and James William Shoemaker, Sr. in Detroit, Michigan, John lived a fulfilling life dedicated to his career and his family. In 1970, John graduated Phi Beta Kappa at Michigan State University before earning his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 1974. In 1985, he married his beloved wife, Linda Wittig Shoemaker, with whom he had two wonderful children, Cole Wittig Shoemaker and Clara Elizabeth Shoemaker.

John had a remarkable career in his 45 years as an attorney. He began his career at the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington D.C., where he worked on the landmark IBM antitrust case, which took more than six years to try and is generally credited as the moment John developed an aversion to modern technology. From there, John moved into private practice at a Detroit law firm, working primarily as an antitrust lawyer when not sneaking away from the office to watch his beloved Detroit Tigers. 

In 1981, John moved to Houston to begin a 15-year stint at Conoco, where he handled antitrust, compliance, and international arbitration matters, before working for Coastal, El Paso, and Kinder Morgan, practicing the same for the remaining 20+ years of his career. He survived meetings where foreign counter-parties threatened to throw him out of rooftop conference rooms. He worked on Anti-Terrorism Act cases involving transatlantic deliveries of Texas brisket to Saddam Hussein. In his incredible 45-year career, John literally traveled the globe, visiting 38 countries and all 50 states.

Despite the demands of his career, John loved his family and his hobbies. John had unwavering love for and devotion to his wife Linda, who he met through her sister, Edith Wittig van Wageningen, also an attorney at Conoco. His two children, Cole and Clara, were the apples of his eye. John will be remembered for imparting his passion for baseball, travel, history, and politics to his son, Cole, who followed in his father's footsteps as an attorney. Learning that his second child was a daughter, Clara, was one of the most special moments of his life. He was also a devoted brother to his sister, Jane, and his twin brother, Jim, with whom he also shared his fandom for the Detroit Tigers. Finally, John had a special place in his heart for his dog, Pluto. 

John was a voracious reader and a student of history and politics, reflecting his interest in world affairs. John was known as a great conversationalist to both friends and co-workers. He always made a room brighter with his insight, warmth, and kindness.  He also possessed an affectionately quirky sense of humor, always keen to inject moments of levity when we needed them most. He loved his lake house on Big Glen Lake in Glen Arbor, Michigan, where he spent time with his family, in addition to Michigan State University sports, travel, smooth jazz, and cars. He was also a faithful member of Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas. Most of all, John was passionate about baseball and the Detroit Tigers — he saw games at approximately 39 MLB ballparks throughout his life and attended spring training baseball for 20 consecutive years with his son, Cole.

John is survived by Linda Wittig Shoemaker (wife), Cole Shoemaker (son), Clara Shoemaker (daughter), Jane Derian (sister), and Jim Shoemaker (twin brother), along with many more cherished nieces and nephews, in-laws, cousins, and friends with whom he maintained close relationships. John is predeceased by Dorothy Shoemaker (mother), James Shoemaker (father), and Jay Shoemaker (brother). Jay Shoemaker tragically passed away on John’s 10th birthday in 1958, leaving a lasting impact on John to appreciate every day he had on this earth.

A man of integrity and decency, John's proudest accomplishments lay not only in his successful legal career but also in nurturing a happy and healthy family. As we bid farewell to John, we celebrate a life well lived—a legacy of dedication to his work, love for his family, passion for knowledge, and enthusiasm for life's simple pleasures. He will be dearly missed but forever remembered with love and admiration by all whose lives he touched.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial contribution to Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 2400 Wilcrest Dr, Houston, TX 77042. The details of John's celebration of life and memorial service planned for mid-September will be forthcoming.