Vincent Louis Mogas

Vincent Louis Mogas, beloved chairman and founder of MOGAS Industries, died on May 2, 2024, in Houston, Texas at the age of 84. Louis spent his life building a family, a valve manufacturing business and a company culture that stood for goodness.

Born in Laredo, Texas, on September 7, 1939, Louis was one of six children. Growing up on a cattle ranch taught him life-long lessons in hard work, honor and community. At an early age, Louis' father instilled principles in business such as they “weren't in the cattle business, but in the grass growing business”. Louis graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio and later received his Master of Business Administration degree from Texas A&I (Texas A&M Kingsville). He married Marilyn Palmer in 1962, whom he credited with encouraging him through difficult business obstacles.

Louis’ first job was in Houston working for Cameron Iron Works’ ball valve division, where the ball manufacturing was outsourced to a small local machine shop. When opportunity arose in May 1973 to buy that machine shop, Louis courageously took the chance. He soon acquired the patent rights and all intellectual property associated with Cameron’s severe service floating ball valve for one dollar ($1). Under Louis’ leadership, MOGAS Industries studied valve failures and established an R&D department that customized valves for specific applications in severe services. When double recessions hit Houston in the early 80s, Louis weathered the storm and expanded his company to international markets, and today has sales and service offices in Australia, China, Europe, Canada, South America, Middle East and India.

Early on, Louis introduced business behaviors that became the foundation of the Company's core values — Everyone is the CEO of Something, Make Work Fun, Do What's Right — to name a few. His belief that work can be fun and honorable, and that there is One Team at MOGAS drive the Company's business principles today.

While Louis received many Company awards, including The Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Private Companies, multiple Best Companies to Work For in Texas, Houston Business Journal philanthropy awards, supplier excellence, Texas Family Large Business of the Year Finalist, and Best Quality Product, he was most proud of his and his family's philanthropy, and of the MOGAS employees’ fund raising and volunteering. These include Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Houston, The Periwinkle Foundation, Camp for All, National Multiple Sclerosis Association, and several Houston district schools. In 2017 Louis Mogas was honored as a distinguished alumni at Texas A&M University, Kingsville. He established the Mogas Family Perseverance Scholarship Endowment. MOGAS Industries also awards scholarships and educational grants to employees and their children, and mentors summer interns.

"Always live out your values in your work, so that when you drive home at the end of each day, you can feel proud of yourself." Louis Mogas

Louis Mogas was preceded in death by parents Joe Roque Mogas and Mary Benavides Mogas, sisters Mary Jo Patz and Marci Doughty, and brother Rock Mogas. Louis is survived by his wife Marilyn; daughter Dr. Valerie Mogas; son Matthew Mogas; granddaughters Meghan and Macy Mogas; sister Joyce Thornton; and brother Richard Mogas.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, May 16th, 2024 at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Rd, Houston, TX 77056. Livestream at https://www.stmartinsepiscopal.org. Reception to follow on church grounds. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Houston (https://rmhchouston.org), The Periwinkle Foundation (https://periwinklefoundation.org) and Houston Junior Woman's Club (https://houstonjuniorwomansclub.org).