Obituary of Joseph Michael Deffner

Joe Deffner, 49, a resident of The Woodlands, Texas, was tragically taken from us on Tuesday, November 7th as a result of an automobile accident.  He was a man full of fun and life, a sharp quick wit and a beautiful mind.  A devoted and loving husband and father, Joe will be deeply missed by family and friends.

Joseph Michael Deffner was born in New Orleans and raised in Metairie, Louisiana.  Joe graduated with high honors from:  Jesuit High School in New Orleans; LSU (B.S. Finance); and The Fuqua School of Business, Duke University (MBA).  Joe enjoyed playing the trumpet in the school band at both Jesuit and LSU.

In addition to his sharp intellect, Joe’s ability to connect on a personal basis with every person he met served him well in his business career. At the time of his death, Joe was a Managing Director of the Houston office of HPS Investment Partners, where he started in 2013.  Previously, Joe was a Director within Citi Global Commodities, Executive Director at UBS, consultant at Amaranth, and a Managing Director in the Global Finance Unit at Enron Corp.  Joe was highly respected and regarded as a leader in his field.

Joe’s business success garnered him the opportunity to give back to LSU by becoming an invited member of the Dean’s Advisory Council for the LSU Business School.  As a member of the Krewe of Babylon, Joe was thrilled to ride in his first Mardi Gras parade this year.

Joe’s first experience with The Boy Scouts of America was as a member of Saint Edward the Confessor Church Cub Scout Pack 496 in Metairie Louisiana.  Since Joe’s three sons all joined Cub Scouts and became Boy Scouts, Joe was an active adult scout for many years.  He last served as Scoutmaster for Troop 204.  As a result of his time on High Adventure trips with his sons, Joe planned to hike the Appalachian Trail from start to finish.

Joe is survived by his wife, Lisa Bills, and his three sons, Justin (fiancée Erika), Brett, and Jackson Deffner.  He is also survived by his parents, Mary and Joseph Deffner; sister, Cheryl Deffner Calkins; niece and nephews, Maia, Liam, and Aidan Calkins; mother-in-law, Donna Bills; and brothers-in-law, John and Eric Bills.  He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Hilda and James Nolan, Allen E. Deffner, Sr. and Gertrude Miller.  He is also survived by numerous loving aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives.

You are invited to join us Tuesday, November 14th at St. Simon & Jude Catholic Church, 26777 Glen Loch Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77380 for a Vigil from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The prayer service will begin at 7:00 p.m.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 15th, at St. Simon & Jude. Welcoming will start at 10:00 a.m. with the service at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in Joe’s honor.