John A. Sullivan, III ’69

Source: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/john-sullivan-iii-obituary?id=61685902

Pearland – May 15th 2026 marked the untimely death of John Albert Sullivan III, a long-time resident of Pearland, TX. John was a man of great passion and integrity who spent his personal and professional life in support of advancing justice. John, the son of Dorothy M. and John A. Sullivan, hailed from Hull, Massachusetts. John was an active and engaging member of the Hull High School Class of 1965. As President of the Debating Club, John led the team to a winning season. He was also a member of Chess Club and enjoyed the many strategies of the game. Those formative years presaged John’s long and successful legal career.

In 1969 John graduated from St. Michael’s College in Winooski, VT. Unfortunately, the Vietnam War disrupted John’s Boston College Law School career when he drew the number “3” in the Draft Lottery. Not to be deterred, John graduated at the top of his class at the United States Naval Officer Candidate School. As a newly minted, Ensign, the war brought John face to face with Viet Cong guerrillas. Before his honorable discharge, John served two decorated tours of duty: first on the Mekong Delta and, later, as part of the Da Nang Campaign along the South China Sea.

Upon returning to the States, John resumed his legal studies at St. Mary’s University Law School in San Antonio, Texas. He was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1981 and joined Baker Botts LLP, one of the oldest law firms in Texas, where John had a successful Admiralty practice. One of his proudest moments was arguing before the Texas Supreme Court. As a young attorney John traveled to Buenos Aires, London, Singapore and many points between. In time, John formed his own law firm with partners, Robert Filtreau and Dimitri Geogantas. The firm focused on Labor & Employment, Discrimination, and sexual/workplace Harassment claims, evidencing John’s deep commitment to advancing justice and equity.

For more than 40 years John lived on an expansive ranch in Pearland, TX where he was a faithful member of St Helen’s Church. John’s vivacity and charm defined him, along with a passionate love for his unique collection of cars and motorcycles. He will be sorely missed by his nine living siblings: Dorothy M. Sullivan of Silver Spring, MD; Catherine A. Sullivan of New York City, Christopher P. Sullivan of Plymouth, MA; Mary P. Sullivan of Hull MA, Susan E. Sullivan of New York City, E. Vincent Sullivan of Hull, MA; Robert E. Sullivan of Lakeville, MA; Eugenie M. Sullivan of Wareham, MA; and Genevieve M. Sullivan of Hingham, MA; along with many cousins, nephews, and nieces.

John is survived by his wife, Dorothea Stevens Sullivan of Lowell, MA.