Obituary from Paragon Industries in honor of Jack E. Wachob

It is with It is with great sadness that Paragon Industries announces the passing of our founder, Jack E. Wachob.

Jack was always destined to be in oil. His grandfather came to Oklahoma during the big Glenpool oil boom, his father and uncles were in the oil business, and eventually that resonated with a young boy. At nine years old, he was in the local newspaper for constructing his very own 12-foot oil derrick to ‘strike it rich’ as he told the reporter.

Jack grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma, before venturing to Wyoming for a short time to attend the University of Wyoming where he played center for their football team. He returned to Oklahoma to plant his roots when he met and fell in love with his wife, Linda. They were married in 1963 and settled down in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. He worked for a few years in oil before being drafted to serve with the U.S. Army in Viet Nam.

In 1970, after returning from was, Jack and Linda, purchased Sapulpa Machine and Tool – a service shop for drilling contractors. He soon expanded the business into various oil-related enterprises that eventually became what is known as Paragon Industries, Inc 40 years ago. He, Linda, and their two sons would load up and travel to various pipelines across the state. Always being innovative and looking forward, he began grooming his son, Derek Wachob, to run the business in 1990. We are fortunate to still have many family members in integral parts of the company today.

His legacy lives on in our everyday business from his great work ethic to our relationships with customers to the top service we provide. Undoubtedly, Paragon’s biggest footprint came from Jack and it is evident in every part of the business. Our customer service motto is the same as it was when he owned Sapulpa Machine and Tool. We look for hardworking individuals to join our team because Jack instilled a great work ethic, and we have relationships with customers that have stood through tough times in our industry from a handshake with Jack. He came from a time when a ‘Handshake Still Matters’ and we operate on the same premise today. The company stands on the integrity that was instilled by Jack Wachob.

The front half of our main office stands as a tribute to Jack’s love for nature, with the feel of a Montana lodge. He was an avid horseman, and loved his time in Wyoming for that reason. He loved visiting his barn and checking in on his horses. You’ll also see his legacy in the over 250 American flags along the highway that show support for the United States and the men who have served to keep it free.

We will miss Jack Wachob here, but are so thankful for the values he’s instilled in each aspect of his life – his family, his work, and this company.

A memorial service was held on Oct. 27 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.