John Charles Lagace Jr.

He was born in Fitchburg, MA, on June 4, 1950, the son of the late John Charles Lagace, Sr., and Irene (Mayville) Lagace. He graduated from Leominster High School in 1968 and from Lowell Technological Institute in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. He later earned his master's degree in chemical engineering from Penn State University.

He began his career with Shell Oil in New Jersey. He later worked for several companies, building chemical plants all over the world. He worked in Saudi Arabia for Exxon, where his daughter, Lauren, was born.

In 2001, he married Becky Gryseels, whom he met at Kingwood United Methodist Church. They spent many happy years together, traveling and enjoying life. He called her “my sweet love.” She called him her honeybunny, and she still maintains that he was “the smartest man in the world.”

They were also devoted cat lovers, welcoming several cats into their home over the years. John especially loved his Tuxedo boy, Picasso. John and Becky hosted a family Christmas party every year; he loved his family dearly and was much loved by them.

John was active in SER Jobs for Progress, for several years, and he served as Chairman of the Board from 2012 to 2015. His leadership brought dynamic change to the organization and was widely acclaimed.

After retirement, he became a much-loved math teacher at Embassy Christian Academy and later became a math tutor. John loved young people and teaching them. He served as a deacon and volunteered for VBX at Second Baptist Church.

John loved his Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, his Bible study class, and the Word of God. He was a faithful member of the “Warriors” Bible Study class at Second. He was also a much-loved member of the Time Out Tavern Wednesday lunch group, as well as the Thursday “Out for Lunch Bunch.”

John is survived by his wife, Becky; his daughter, Lauren Lagace; and his grandsons, Cameron, Austin, and Ian. He is also survived by his stepson, Timothy Gryseels (Reanne), and grandchildren Hunter and Brenna; and his stepson, Todd Gryseels, and granddaughter Leah.

He is survived by his siblings, Janet Roy (Dennis) of Nashua, NH; Joan Ward (Michael) of Cooper City, FL; and Stephen Lagace (Charleen) of Rhode Island.

He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Paul Deaton (Barbara) of Spring, TX, and David Deaton (Ellen) of San Antonio, TX, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A memorial service is being held on Monday, October 19, 2026, at Second Baptist Church, North, 22770 Highway 59 N, Kingwood, Tx., at 11 a.m.