John Howard “Jack” Alban, Jr. was the only son of John and Mary Olive Alban. His father’s employment in the oil indus­try resulted in frequent moves throughout the Southwest. After his family settled in Shreveport, LA, Jack enrolled in the Culver Military Academy, where he excelled in academics and sports. Upon graduation in 1953, Jack was awarded a football scholar­ship to Tulane University. After the rigors of a military school, however, he found life in New Orleans too distracting and dropped out of Tulane to enlist in the Army in 1954.

Jack was sent to Korea and assigned as a driver and enlisted aide to a general officer. The general soon recognized his maturity, intelligence, and potential to be a commis­sioned officer, and Jack was encouraged to apply for an appointment to West Point. He left Korea and on 3 Jul 1956 joined the Class of 1960.

Jack’s roommates remembered him as quiet, humble, and possessing an endearing, subtle sense of humor. He was considerate and willing to help others; he easily gained his classmates’ trust. Jack was the ultimate Southern gentlemen. He had a can do atti­tude in academics and cadet activities and was exceptionally organized and focused on the tasks confronting him.

Jack’s leadership qualities were recog­nized by his D-1 companymates, and he was selected to be the company “hop rep.” Reps from other companies also noticed his leadership and subsequently selected him to lead the Class Hop Committee in his First Class year. In addition, Jack was appointed Company D-1’s executive officer. He at­tempted to continue with his love of contact sports at West Point, particularly varsity wrestling, but a shoulder injury prevented further participation.

Jack selected Air Defense Artillery and, following graduation, was assigned to Shreveport, where his family lived. He was able to be close to his father, who was suffer­ing a serious illness. After three years, Jack decided to leave active service and enter the investment business. Jack developed a love for trading commodities at Merrill Lynch. Following a successful career at Merrill Lynch, he formed his own firm, Pragma Inc., in 1981. Pragma became one of the top twenty commodity brokerage firms as measured by assets under management. In an interview by a well-regarded trade maga­zine, Jack attributed his success to objec­tivity and discipline, characteristics honed at West Point.

Jack’s first marriage to Mary Caroline Sumner—following graduation—was bless­ed with the birth of their son, John H. Alban III, their only child. John developed an interest in commodities and other invest­ments, and he subsequently joined Jack at Pragma. John and his wife Amalia gave Jack three beautiful granddaughters, Sara, Carol, and Carmen. Jack fell easily into the role of the doting grandfather.

In 1984, Jack married Joyce Thompson, whom he described to many friends and classmates as the best thing that ever hap­pened to him. Jack and Joyce spent many happy years traveling the world and play­ing golf at the Brook Hollow Golf Club in Dallas and The Everglades Club in Palm Beach, FL. He also was very active in gener­ously supporting Culver Military Academy and West Point.

Shortly before Jack and Joyce were leav­ing on a cruise across the Atlantic Ocean on the Queen Mary II to celebrate his 70th birthday with other friends who were also celebrating their 70th birthdays, Jack was diagnosed with lung cancer. His battle with cancer was short, but he maintained his positive attitude and spent his final days at home surrounded by his loving family and favorite dog, Molly.

Well done Jack. Be Thou at Peace.

—D-1 Classmates, family, and friends