How John D. Marburger Keeps His Composure

How John D. Marburger Keeps His Composure

John D. says that by entrusting great responsibility to young servicemen and women, the U.S. military teaches lessons, such as paying attention to detail and self-discipline, that carry over to civilian life.

Retired La Grange attorney John D. Marburger began practicing law when manual typewriters were used every day. Also early in his career, research required scouring bookcases filled with law books like the one he’s holding. When a pertinent case was identified, the pages were copied one at a time on the office Xerox machine. Although technology has undoubtedly altered law office administration over the years, human nature has not changed much since the days of Jesus, John D. says. Photo by Elaine Thomas

When John D. (center) has faced difficult decisions, he reminds himself, “When you were in the Navy and 25 years old, you drove an aircraft carrier through all kinds of weather, day and night, with 5,000 men aboard as officer of the deck. You can do this!”

When John D. and Kay Giese were married on June 15, 1968, he was on active duty in the U.S. Navy. Five months later, he was sent to Vietnam for 12 months.

Since the 1990s, John D. and Kay have enjoyed long-distance adventures such as this tour to the Arkansas Ozarks in April 2011 on their Harley Davidson. Their longest and most memorable journey was a 17-day trip to Yellowstone National Park in September 2008. Kay, an avid quilter, ensures she has the opportunity to shop at multiple quilting stores on every trip.

John D. played in the University of Texas Longhorn band. He and Kay’s daughter, Jennifer, and granddaughter, Katy, made it a family tradition by following in his footsteps.

John D. Marburger’s father, John Charles Marburger, served as a justice of the peace and county attorney in Fayette County before opening a law practice on the square in La Grange in 1948.