David Campbell Adams: 

Our Classmate

Published in Houston Chronicle on Oct. 13, 2019

   Barbara Breedlove (Seiler)

 Barbara Breedlove Seiler, 72, of Saluda, North Carolina, left this planet on March 28, 2014. Barbara, daughter of Iverson and Sara Breedlove of Texas and loving wife of Robert Lewis Seiler, passed away at home facing the beauty of the woods and mountains of North Carolina. She leaves behind a loving family that includes Robert, Martha and David Riley, Michael and Marcia Seiler, Sarah Seiler and four grandchildren - Scott, Tanner, Anna and Kate.  Barbara's energy had no bounds, and she truly loved life. She was driven by a passionate belief that there was room at the table for everyone. She supported causes and organizations to help those less fortunate. She worked locally to create a world that treasured the environment, community, and justice for all. 

TNC - North Carolina Chapter 

334 Blackwell Street, Suite 300

Durham NC  27701 

ROBERT EUGENE (Bobby) CALLAWAY, of Houston, died on July 20, 2011, after a long battle with cancer of the esophagus and pancreas.  The family just wanted to be left alone, and accordingly no funeral or memorial service was held, and no obituary was published.  Bob was a Lamar Redskins baseball player.  Michael Bettis, one of his friends from Lamar Class of 1958 offered this remembrance of Bobby:  "I knew Bobby Callaway ever since we were playing baseball during junior high school in the old Coca Cola League.  Bobby pitched for the Sam Montgomery "Rockets" and was the most dominant pitcher in the league. I know I never came close to getting a base hit off him, probably striking out every time I faced him. 

  Johnny Carothers

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 John Henry "Johnny" Carothers, a big-hearted and devoted father, husband, and friend, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 8, 2017, with family and friends at his side.  Johnny was born in Houston, Texas on 23 September 1941.

  Johnny's kindness and love for adventure defined him.  He lived life to the fullest and certainly got the most out of his 76 years, enjoying time with friends and family most of all.  Always welcoming, Johnny never met a stranger and brought life to every room.  Many fond memories were made as he traveled to explore his passion for hunting and fishing.  He enjoyed spending time on the water, particularly Port Aransas.  His spirit and legacy will live forever in the hearts of many.  His obituary said that he attended St Stephens Episcopal High School but he graduated with the Class of 1959 of Lamar Senior High School.  He attended the University of Texas where he served as rush captain of Phi Delta Theta fraternity where he met many of his closest friends.  The Cadillac Bar Houston was his legacy project.  
He was proceded in death by his parents, Grace and Durell Carothers, his son Patrick, his sister Drusilla, and many faithful laboradors.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 5433 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77056.

Obituary published in Houston Chronicle on 11 Nov 2017.

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 Carol Childress (Turner) 

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  Our classmate Rollo Storey informs us that our classmate Carol Childress Turner passed away early Wednesday morning, 15 December 2021 after suffering a massive stroke at 4 am, followed by heart failure a few hours later.  Carol had been admitted to Hospital Joya (San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico) a few days earlier, diagnosed with Covid.  Rollo:  "Carol was a wonderful friend to all of us.  We will miss her and her dedication to making contacts with friends."  No memorial services have yet been announced.

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  India Chrone (Fleming) (Seeman)

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Houston Chronicle (TX) - Friday, February 3, 2006

Deceased Name: India Chrone Fleming Seeman

Jo Anne Cowden was born December 9, 1941 in Jackson Mississippi to the Union of Bonnie May (Helms) Cowden and James Arthur Cowden.  Jo Anne died in Willis, Texas in October 2018.  She was proceeded in death by her mother Bonnie May, father, James Cowden and eldest sister, Marlynn Sue Welch. 

  Her family moved to Houston Texas in July 1953 where she attended Houston public schools, Lanier Junior High and Lamar High School and united with the First United Methodist Church. 

  She met Kennedy Lee Harris Jr. the love of her life, they joined in holy matrimony on May 13, 1961. From their union came three devoted children, Kennedy Lee Harris III, Dawn Yvette (Harris) Shelton, Michelle Lea (Harris) Flaherty. She leaves a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family and friends to celebrate her living.

Funeral Services were held on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m, First United Methodist Church, 200 N Thomason St., Willis, TX 77378

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite Alzheimers Organization.

 Born in Houston on 17 June 1941, Lana Feagin Stripling died peacefully in Dallas on 12 December 2020.  Lana led a full and accomplished life while teaching at the June Shelton School in Dallas, writing several books on the subject of Developmental Motor and Handwriting Programs.  Prior to our 50th Reunion, she submitted these memories of Lamar.   Obituary:   Dallas Morning News Obituary 20 December 2020

Risë Finch (Stewart)

Risë Landi Stewart, 63, a loving wife, daughter, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away Tuesday, April 27, 2004, at home [in Fort Worth, TX], surrounded by her family, following a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.

Risë was born in Opelousas, La. She moved to Fort Worth, where she raised her family. In 1981, she married the love of her life Bob "BJ" Stewart. Her passion for the mountains lead her and her husband to Colorado, where they shared a beautiful life together, hiking with their dogs, reading and watching sunsets together. Rise attended Stevens College in Missouri and graduated from Texas Christian University with degrees in theology and philosophy. She retired from Finger Furniture Company, where she was an interior designer. A woman of extraordinary spirituality and intellect, she was an inspiration to all who knew her. She taught us what love is and what kind of energy we should give to the universe. She was a genuine, sincere, nonjudgemental, kind spirit. She imparted in us all a quest for life and knowledge. She was know as "Bobbie" to her six grandchildren, whom she cherished with all her heart. Her spirit will live on for an eternity in all who have had the privilege of knowing such a truly loving soul. 

Published in Star-Telegram from Apr. 29 to Apr. 30, 2004

Online Memorial

Risë's Celebration of Life was held Friday, 30 April 2004 at 11:30 a.m. in Greenwood Chapel. Burial: Greenwood Memorial Park. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday 29 April 2004 at Greenwood Funeral Home.

Sabra H. Gill, a prominent public relations executive and civic leader who helped establish scholarships for Houston-area students of communications, advertising and marketing, has died. She was 68.

She died Friday [March 20, 2009] of cancer.

A native Houstonian, Gill was born March 1, 1941, to James Augustus Hall and Susie Jageman Hall. She grew up in River Oaks and graduated from Lamar High School. At the University of Houston, she served as editor of the Houstonian yearbook and president of her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega.

After graduating from UH, she launched her public relations career at Houston Natural Gas. Over the years, she would also work for Fairmont Foods and the Metropolitan Transit Authority before founding her own company, Sabra H. Gill & Associates. At the time of her death, she was a consultant with Cargill Associates.

Gill had a reputation as a perfectionist, said her friend and colleague Dave Keith. “There were a lot of people who depended on her in the various jobs and responsibilities she had because when she took on a task, she was going to do it right, and you could count on that,” Keith said.

Gill’s high standards, combined with efforts to mentor others in her profession, made her “an icon” in the public relations industry, said Alice Brink, who met Gill through the Public Relations Society of America’s Houston chapter.

“Anybody who has hung around in the industry for a while knows her, or knows of her,” Brink said. “She was just a very smart PR strategist, a person who could take a tough public relations puzzle and solve it for a client.”

A community volunteer

Throughout her career, Gill donated her time and skills to numerous charitable projects and community organizations.

She was a founding member and president of the Advertising Education Foundation of Houston, which funds scholarships for college students studying advertising and marketing in Houston, and the Public Relations Foundation of Houston, which provides scholarships to local undergraduate or graduate students studying PR/communications.

“She really has provided a lot of inspiration not only to the students who are gung-ho and excited about beginning their new careers, but also for us professionals who are carrying on the mission of our profession and enriching it,” said Eydie Pengelly, president of the Public Relations Foundation of Houston.

Led area Red Cross

Gill also served as director of the Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross. Her work as chair of the Houston chapter’s Disaster Relief Committee earned her the National Clara Barton Award for Outstanding Service.

Gill is survived by her husband of 36 years, William Gill, and her siblings Ed Hall of Carbondale, Colo., Jamie Peebles of Fort Worth, and John Hall, Rose Marie Smith and Andrea Weiss, all of Houston.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. today [3/24/2009] in the A.D. Bruce Chapel on the University of Houston Campus.

lindsay.wise@chron.com
Published in the Houston Chronicle on 3/24/2009

William F. "Bill" Hamlett who was born August 7, 1941 in Houston, passed away July 4, 2011 in Houston after a courageous battle with cancer. Known to his friends as "Bill," he was preceeded in death by his parents, Bill and Elizabeth Hamlett of Houston, and sister, Early H. Hammock, of Albuquerque, NM. He is survived by his wife, Ann Roe Hamlett, and her children and grandchildren, all of Houston. He also is survived by his brother, Commander John W. Hamlett and wife Eleanor M. Hamlett, and their children, Mr. and Mrs. John L. Hamlett, and Mr. and Mrs. David M. Fox, and his grandniece and nephews Haley, Ian and Luke, all of Richardson, Texas.
Bill, who graduated from Lamar High School and the University of Houston, was an avid member of the Lamar '59ers and the U. of H. Alumnae Association. An outdoorsman at heart, for many years he was a prolific hunter and member of Ducks Unlimited and Quail Unlimited. He often participated in the Salt Grass Trail Ride. He worked with numerous companies in Texas and Florida, eventually returning to Houston and establishing a successful insurance business.
A lifelong Christian, Bill lived the life of one who was constantly doing for others when in need and, as a Baptist, followed a long line of grandfathers and great-grandfathers who were Baptist ministers. He was a member of River Bend Baptist Church in Fulshear where his memorial service will be held on Wednesday July 6 with visitation at 9:30am and service at 10:30am. Burial will follow the service at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery at 12:15pm in Houston. In lieu of flowers, Bill's family asks that contributions be made in his name to to River Bend Baptist Church, P.O. Box 945, Fulshear , TX 77441, Buckner International Missions, 600 North Pearl St., Dallas, TX., or Hospice of your choice.

 Barbara Hoffman Johnson passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Friday, November 16, 2018 after waging a courageous battle with cancer. Barbara was a beautiful person inside and out, talented, thoughtful, adventuresome, and dearly loved her family and friends. She also held a special place in her heart for all animals.
  Barbara was born on September 25, 1940 in Orange, New Jersey. She moved with her family to Houston in 1952 and attended Lanier Junior High and Lamar High School. Barbara then attended Stephens College and SMU and majored in music. While attending SMU, she was an active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.
  Barbara was a gifted and talented professional singer and performer. She had a beautiful voice and presence. She shared her beautiful gift and brought great joy to many with her voice. After college in 1962, Barbara headed to New York City to pursue her singing career. While in New York, as an oratorio and concert soloist, she performed leads in several summer stock musicals and operettas in the New England area. She also performed leading roles with the Metropolitan Opera Studio with credits including Musetta (La Boheme), Lauretta (Gianni Schiccii) and Cio Cio San (Madame Butterfly). Barbara was also chosen as a soloist to sing with Placido Domingo in concert at Carnegie Hall and as the principle soloist on the National Tour with the Whit/Lo Singers. Barbara returned to Texas in 1976 to be near her family and sang with The Houston Grand Opera. She was a featured soloist at the Great Caruso for 20 years, performed Broadway Operetta Reviews at Ovations and she was the lead singer with The Jr. League Singing Sustainers.
  Barbara was an avid volunteer. She was a member of the Junior League in both New York City and Houston. She was a member of the Magic Circle Republican Women's Club and served as a volunteer for many Republican campaigns and a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Barbara was a past chairman and vice president for the Houston Grand Opera Guild where she served tirelessly. She was a patron of The Moores School of Music at the University of Houston and The Houston Zoo. She was a member of The Houston Tuesday Musical Club and was often a soloist for them. Barbara loved to travel and had a great sense of adventure. She enjoyed the Texas Hill Country with her close friends and traveling throughout Europe and the U.S.
  Her passionate love of animals took her twice to Africa for photo safaris. However, her favorite place was her treasured beach house in Galveston. There she took many heartfelt and long walks on the beach with her sister June. There she spent many hours relaxing on the beach and swimming in the Gulf. And it was here, where she watched her nephews and their families play and grow-up. She celebrated holidays and events and created special memories with her family, friends and her beloved cocker spaniels.
  Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Edward Herrick Hoffman and Beth Boggess Olsen, her loving husband of 18 years, James Merritte Johnson, and her brother-in-law, Kenneth Anthony Kangieser. She is survived by her love of 16 years, Carl Ahrens, her sister and best friend, June Hoffman Kangieser, her three nephews who loved and cherished her; Ken and Julie Kangieser, Brad and Melissa Kangieser, and Jeff and Faith Kangieser. Barbara was also blessed with grand nieces and nephews; Morgan Kangieser, Drew Kangieser and wife Kassandra, Kendall Kangieser, Zachary Kangieser, and Thomas Kangieser. She also leaves behind her loving dog, Bentley, who she absolutely adored.
  A memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 29, 2018 at 11:00 am at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, 2540 River Oaks Blvd.  Special thanks go out to Dr. Michael Beavers and his team at MD Anderson Cancer Center and the companionate caregivers. The family asks that any donations can be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center, Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP) or the charity of your choice. 

Our chemistry teacher and one of our best remembered teachers, Miss Marcile Hollingsworth, died 26 Sept 2014 at age 90.  Miss Hollingsworth was born April 4, 1924 in Limestone County, Texas.  She was a longtime teacher and administrator in the Houston Independent School District, and highly respected and loved by our Class.  She was interred in the Houston National Cemetery.  Her obituary was published in the Houston Chronicle on 8 Oct 2014, and can be viewed here.  Her FindAGrave memorial is here.  The HISD blog on her passing can be found here.  

Miss Hollingsworth had a remarkable career.  What we didn't know:  Following her graduation as a chemistry major from the Univ of Texas in 1943, she entered military service in the Navy WAVES, and had the responsiblity of teaching trigonometry to Navy Ordance units.  Miss Hollingsworth served within HISD as Director of Science for all grades.  In this position, she wrote HISD's curriculum guides and laboratory guides for chemistry and physical science, and it was because of her efforts that HISD created the Oceanography Department, which later grew into the Living Resource Center .  She helped to establish a program at UT called UTeach which combined the science side of the house with the school of education, allowing students to graduate with a Teachers Certificate in addition to their science degree.  She retired in 1980. The HISD created the Hollingsworth Science Center, named in her honor in October 2001 and operated on 2.4 acres in the south region of the Houston metropolitan area, adjacent to Butler Stadium out South Main. Despite failing health at that time, Miss Hollingsworth attended the opening ceremony, along with her family.  On 20 Nov 2014, her brother Grant and former colleague and Lamar Chemistry teacher Florine Carr presented the US flag from Miss Hollingsworth's interment ceremont at the National Cemetery to the Science Center for display in the case beneath her portrait.  Information courtesy of Miss Hollingsworth's brother Grant of Grapevine, TX and Florine Carr of Houston.

Our classmates all seem to remember Miss Hollingsworth.  Joanne Edmundson recalls, "I remember her well as a big, imposing, no-nonsense teacher.  Reading the obituary, I realize she would have had to be younger than she appeared to me."   Larry Hitt remembers, "She was one of our favorite teachers and a positive influence on so many Lamar kids."   Three classmates specifically mention her in our Memory Album, including Jere Wicker who states, "Ms. Hollingsworth was great - so great that not long after we graduated, HISD bosses kicked her upstairs to the administrative head office.  Such a shame to deprive students of her brilliance."

In her honor, we have added her to our Electronic Orenda, the first teacher so honored. 

Meredith Ingram Gartner died on the 19th of October 2012 in Houston, Texas.  She was 71.  Meredith was born in Houston on the 15th of May 1941, the only child of Ernest Willie and Mary Doll Oldham Ingram. She graduated from Mirabeau B. Lamar High School in 1959 and obtained a degree in English from Rice University in 1963. She married Donald H. Gartner, Jr. in 1964, and they had two daughters, Kelly and Susan. Before having children, Meredith taught first grade at Rummel Creek Elementary; later, she taught third grade at Briargrove Elementary, retiring in 2001.

Meredith loved and cared deeply about her family and friends. She was a grammar advisor, consummate list-maker, and champion shopper. She delighted in finding just the right gift for a new baby or a friend's birthday. Meredith instilled an ardor for reading and learning in her daughters, who promise to continue her legacy with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed traveling, cherishing recent trips to Paris and Hawaii. An elder at St. Philip Presbyterian Church, Meredith volunteered with Kids' Meals and coordinated the annual Christmas gift drive for low-income families.

Preceded in death by her parents and husband, Meredith is survived by her daughter, Kelly Gartner of Houston; and her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Pete Leonardson and their children, Anna Jane and Luke of Seattle. Her little dog, Coco, was her devoted companion.

"We adored our mother. She was thoughtful, generous, courageous, and resilient. She was a two-time cancer survivor before succumbing to peritoneal cancer after a three-year battle. Mom participated in a research study at MD Anderson; we knew her disease was incurable, but the study drug and Mom's determination enabled her to live almost three years after her diagnosis, granting her precious time with her grandchildren. We are indebted to all the doctors, nurses, and staff at MD Anderson, particularly to Dr. Jennifer Wheler and Forlisa Nauling, RN, in the Clinical Center for Targeted Therapy and to the Palliative Care team for their commitment to finding new ways to treat difficult cancers and to manage the symptoms of treatment. Houston Hospice was invaluable during Mom's last days. So many friends and family members sustained our mom and us during her illness, but we are especially grateful to Susan Gartner, Jane Lee, Ariel Washington, and Margie Johnson."
 
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six until eight o'clock in the evening on Monday, the 22nd of October, in the drawing room at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
The memorial service will be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 23rd of October, at St. Philip Presbyterian Church, 4807 San Felipe Road in Houston, where the Rev. Dr. John W. Wurster is to officiate.
Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial donations may be made to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX, 77210-4486, www.mdanderson.org/gifts.

Dr. John Bryant Jamison was tragically shot and killed in the line of duty while serving as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff in Coconino Co. (Flagstaff), Arizona on 6 Sept 1982, at the age of 40.  The report on that tragic slaying can be found at his FindAGrave.com memorial.  At the time of his death, he was a radiologist (M.D.) with Northern Arizona Radiology.  
John Bryant Jamison was born on 24 Nov 1941 in Houston.  After graduating from Lamar, he attended the University of Texas and went into their medical school program in 1962.  He married the former Terry Lynne Cooper on 22 Jun 1968 in Houston.  John's obituary is here.   
John's tragic death was extensively covered in the SUN paper of Flagstaff.  Please click here for a page of tributes to John with images of some articles from the (Flagstaff) Arizona Sun.

GAIL JORDAN (BROWN), of Houston, passed away on March 25, 1997.   Gail was a graduate of Lamar High School and the University of St. Thomas in Houston.  She performed as a big band singer in the Houston area for a number of years.  Gail often sang with Eddie Gerlach's orchestra and also with the Roberto Compean Quintet.  She was also a school teacher, a substance abuse counselor and, most recently, the operator of the family oil and gas business, Jordan Drilling Company.  Her Lamar '59 classmate Jon Hugh Fleming recalled, "Gail was a great girl and no doubt an even greater woman.  Her voice is probably greater in "unrecorded memory" than it would sound now on a scratchy record.  Her renditions of "Birth of the Blues" were simply outstanding.  They could even get Mr. Keding to quit smiling and shed a tear."

  Our classmate Jon Ervin Kalb died in his home in Austin, Texas on Friday, October 27, 2017 at the age of 76 after a two-decade battle with Parkinson's. He will be deeply missed by his family and people whose lives he touched with humor and grace, and by those fortunate enough to have accompanied him on at least one of his epic adventures. He was born on August 17, 1941 in Houston, TX, to parents June Greer Kalb and Bernard J. Kalb. He grew up in Houston, exploring the blackberry bushes along the railroad tracks through Brae's Bayou and beyond.

Following his passion for discovery, he went on to become a research geologist with the Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory (Texas Memorial Museum) at the University of Texas at Austin. He received a pre-doctoral fellowship from the Carnegie Geophysical Laboratory in 1968, a graduate fellowship from Johns Hopkins University in 1969, and a B.Sc. from American University in 1970. He had extensive field experience in Central and South America, the Caribbean, Africa, and West Texas.

He wrote numerous scientific publications and a memoir on his time in Ethiopia's Afar Depression. The memoir, Adventures in the Bone Trade, (Copernicus Books, 2001) describes his work in Ethiopia from 1971 to 1978. He was a founder of the expedition that recovered the 3.2 million year-old Lucy skeleton, and later, director of the Ethiopia-based team that discovered some of the most prolific deposits in the world bearing early hominid fossils and artifacts.

In 2002, Adventures in the Bone Trade was awarded the Robert W. Hamilton Award for Non-Fiction from the University of Texas at Austin, and the Violet Crown Award for Non-Fiction, from the Texas Writers League. Terry Harrison from New York University wrote that the book was: "A wonderfully engaging personal account of how science is shaped as much by sociology, politics, and historical events as it is by important discoveries"

His second memoir, Hunting Tapir During the Great Flood, takes a longer view, tracing Jon's life of exploration from boyhood to the fossil surveys he undertook in West Texas despite illness. When asked recently if he had any thoughts about his obituary, he responded with characteristic dry wit, "I wrote a book."

He was a generous mentor and teacher, helped train a generation of students, and always offered sage advice about where to go to find fossils. He is fondly remembered by the many Ethiopians whose lives he touched. A resident of Austin for 39 years, Jon was a familiar figure around town driving a succession of beat-up field jeeps. He was a warm and friendly character known in Austin and West Texas. He was blessed with a remarkable passion for his work that carried him through more than twenty years of life with Parkinson's.

He is survived by his wife Judith R. Kalb, his daughters Justine Kalb Costello of Brooklyn, NY, and Spring Kalb Utting of San Francisco, CA and four grandchildren, Redd and Greer Costello and Astrid and Sasha Utting. His brother and sister, Peter Kalb and Claire Kalb Morgan are predeceased. A memorial service was held on January 27, 2018, at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden in Austin. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

Our thanks to Malcolm Bell for providing this obituary, published in Austin American-Statesman Nov.12 - Nov.13, 2017

Letitia Keller was born January 19, 1942 and passed away on May 24, 2012. She grew up in Houston, Texas, but spent most of her life in Austin. Letitia was an accomplished musician. She led an active life. She loved outdoors activities, folk dancing, and teaching. In her late 40s she earned a Masters degree in Nursing; in her mid 60s she earned a second Masters in System Information Technology.

Letitia also was a good friend to many people, including her Austin Community College students. She was an amazing person, and will be greatly missed by many.

Her surviving family include her beloved three children, Rev. Fr. Aidan Keller, Katherine Flores, and Michelle Godeski; Michelle's husband, Jaret; beloved grandchildren, Sarah and Arturo Flores; her best friend and sister, Cynthia Magrill; Cynthia's husband, Don; two nephews; and numerous cousins.

Letitia will lie in state at Holy Protection Russian Orthodox Church, 1701 Peridot in Pflugerville, Texas, beginning at nine o'clock in the evening on Friday, the 25th of May 2012. Prayers will be offered continuously until service time. Friends may pay their respects at the church.

Her funeral will be held at Holy Protection Russian Orthodox Church, 1701 Peridot in Pflugerville, Texas, on Saturday, May 26, 2012 at ten o'clock in the morning.

Condolences may be sent to www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com. 

Condolences may also be sent to Letitia’s sister, Cynthia Magrill, at 9631 Pagewood, Houston 77063 or to Letitia’s home address, 1509 Cullen Ave., Austin 78757.

Cynthia learned that Letitia was very fond of ARC, a center for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Donations may be made to ARC in her memory through their website: http://www.arcofthecapitalarea.org/.

Steve Ley died in Houston on the morning of 15 December 2017.

Following is a tribute to Steve posted on Facebook by his first wife, Sharon Ley Lietzow, who also went to SMU and knows many of our classmates:
 Dear Friends and Family,
     Steve Ley passed away yesterday morning at sunrise and the windows opened to send his spirit to heaven. He has been released after 13 years of Alzheimer's and could not speak.  My memories of the wonderful young years of my life with him and our children Katherine, David and Kevin will live in me always. My husband Bob Lietzow and I have been blessed with good times with the Ley family through the years to this day when we share their sweet sorrow. A visitation at Geo Lewis Funeral Home is Monday from 5 until ­7pm.  A memorial will be held next summer in Colorado. His life tribute [also below] from the Houston Chronicle.   Rest in eternal grace to Steve, O Lord, and let Light perpetual shine upon him.

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From the Chronicle Dec 16-18 2016:

Stephen Wendel "Steve" Ley

1941-2016

Stephen Wendel "Steve" Ley, died at sunrise on Thursday, the 15th of December, 2016, in Houston, Texas after a long battle with dementia. He was born in Houston, Texas on the 7th of May, 1941 to Wendel Duer Ley and Audrey Moody Ley. Steve graduated from Lamar High School in 1959 and Southern Methodist University in 1963, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and where he made many of his life-long friends. Upon graduation he entered the Marine Service, and successfully accomplished the rigors of Camp Quantico and Parris Island training.  Steve felt his Marine experience gave him great life lessons and was very proud of his service.  He returned to Houston and served in the Marine Reserves. Meanwhile, he entered the land development business where he developed numerous partnerships and joint ventures that developed single and multi-family residential communities as well as retail centers. He had great judgement and earned the respect of his many business associates.  He was instrumental in developing The Fairways at Pole Creek community outside of Winter Park, Colorado, a 1,000 acre, 27-hole golf course development with magnificent views of the Rocky Mountains.  Steve also served on the Board of the Bank of Harris County.

He is survived by his beloved mother, Audrey Moody Ley of Houston, his daughter, Katherine O'Neill (Bill) of Chicago, Illinois, his two sons, David Ley (Gisela) of Houston and Kevin Ley (Julie) of Austin, Texas, and the mother of his children, Sharon Ley Leitzow (Bob) of Houston. His four grandchildren include Chris, Charlie and Billy O'Neill and Elizabeth Ley. He is also survived by his loving sisters, Judy Ley Allen of Houston and Diane Ley Espinoza (Antonio) of Asuncion, Paraguay, niece Susan Espinoza Piatkowski (Marc) of Austin, nephew Jorge Espinoza (Maureen) of Boulder, Colorado, and grand-nieces and nephew, Sylvia and Carmen Espinoza and Mia and Maximo Piatkowski. He will be missed by many supportive cousins from the Dan Moody and Homer Ley families. He is predeceased by his dear father, Wendel Duer Ley, his brother, Robert Moody Ley, sister-in-law, Margaret "Peggy" Ley, and brother-in-law, Robert H. Allen.

Steve loved his children dearly and enjoyed many good times with them at the family home in New Braunfels, Texas as well as at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. He had a strong passion for SMU football, especially during the "Pony Express" years. Later in his life he spent much of his time at his second home outside of Winter Park, Colorado hiking, fly fishing and playing golf. In fact, Steve enjoyed doing anything outdoors that improved his properties, including clearing brush and planting flowers. He was a voracious reader of history and a "master" jigsaw puzzler.
Steve's family would like to thank his long-time assistant, Phyllis Lindquist, his caregiver Wesley Bagot and previous caregiver Terrence McClanahan for their service and support over the years.

Friends are cordially invited to gather and share remembrances of Steve with the family from five o'clock in the afternoon until seven o'clock in the evening on Monday, the 19th of December 2016, in the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The family will hold a private memorial celebration of Steve's life this summer in Tabernash, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Wendel D. Ley Family YMCA, 15055 Wallisville Road, Houston, TX 77049 or charity of your choice .

Published in Houston Chronicle from Dec. 16 to Dec. 18, 2016- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=stephen-wendel-ley-steve&pid=183098151#sthash.NHiPvXOS.dpuf t

  Our classmate Cynthia Lindsey died on the morning of 13 May 2022.  Her obituary, as published in the Houston Chronicle on 22 May 2022, is here.  

  Thomas Fred Lipscomb was born in Houston on February 1, 1940.

Thomas Fred Lipscomb, 78, died October 14, 2018 at home in Memphis, TN.  He was born in Houston, TX to the late Norris Ivy Lipscomb and Leon Brewer Lipscomb.

He attended Lamar High School and Sam Houston State University where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.  He graduated from Hull of Aviation School and was an airline pilot 31 years with Southern Airways which then became Republic Airlines and finally Northwest Airlines. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Hernando, volunteered with Community Foundation of North Mississippi and went on multiple mission trips to Honduras with Living Waters Mission. 

He enjoyed attending NASCAR races, riding motorcycles, snow skiing, hunting, camping and most of all, flying. He enjoyed monthly luncheons with other retired pilots and enjoyed spending time with friends. He also owned and operated a farm for many years in Abbeville, MS. 

He is survived by his daughter Michelle Lipscomb (Gary Hutcherson), his son Thomas Lipscomb, Jr (Holly), grandchildren Cameron Dooley, Henry Lipscomb and John Lipscomb, his brother Norris "Bubba" Lipscomb and his special friend, Gladys Jenkins.

Funeral services will be held Friday, October 19, 2018 at 2:00pm at Hernando United Methodist Church, 1890 Mt. Pleasant Rd in Hernando, MS with visitation beginning at 1:00pm. He will be laid to rest in Hempstead, TX.

In Lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Rotary Club of Hernando, MS "Honduras Water Well" P.O Box 231 Hernando, MS 38632 or Hernando Methodist Church.

  Our classmate Butch Looney died in Austin on the evening of Saturday 17 December 2022 following a fall at his home that resulted in a brain bleed. Services held on Saturday 14 January 2023.  Butch was beloved by his Lamar classmates, several of whom shared their fond memories:

My memories of Butch are still very vivid: positive, warm, full of energy. He was a real friend for me during our Lamar years. I have been saddened by his later difficulties. God bless his soul.  - Billy Conner

At my age remembering much about high school and the great people and times is difficult. Not so with Butch, as he was one of those people that formed the enjoyable heartbeat of Lamar. He will be missed.   -  David Wight

Butch was a good friend to me. He dropped by our house often and enjoyed visits with my Father. The friendships we made in our years at Lamar have been lasting for us, a special time in our lives. I will always remember him with a smile, a funny comment and that light red hair! -  Maria Burke Butler

Butch was a great guy and a good friend. He was an outstanding linebacker and we had lots of good times playing football at Lamar. He also had a successful business career, and my condolences go out to his family.  - Lynn Zarr

                                                                 Obituary

 Memorial Services for Butch will be held Saturday, January 14th at 2 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 3003 Northland Drive, Austin, Texas 78757.

Joe Robert Lovelady was born on Jan. 6, 1941, in Crockett, Texas, to the Rev. Byron Lee and Marguerite (Rembert) Lovelady. He attended schools in Houston and East Texas, graduating from Mirabeau B. Lamar High School in 1959.  After high school, Joe attended Southern Methodist University, where he earned a degree in music before going on to graduate from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.  Following college, Joe served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines from 1967-69, became a Peace Corps Fellow in 1970, and then served as the Peace Corps Director for the Eastern Caribbean. In 1975 he became the Montana director for Action, the federal program that oversees all volunteer programs, a post he held until his retirement.

Throughout his life Joe actively pursued his great passions: social justice, music, conversation, sailing, building, renovation and participation in the Walk to Emmaus community. Following his retirement from the federal government, he and his wife, Mary Jane Fay, moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, in 2001, where they both became active members of the First United Methodist Church. Joe especially loved teaching the Koinonia Sunday School class, working on Community of Shalom, church development and providing special music. He was nominated for a District Discipleship Award in the late summer of 2008. Joe was an exceptional man, loving father and devoted husband, finding joy in his daily activities and humor where others seldom thought to look. He was always ready to lend a hand to anyone that asked, an ear to someone with a problem, or to simply bring a smile to those who knew him. The world is a lesser place for his passing. Those of us who were privileged to know and love Joe will never forget his love, kindness and generosity.

Joe is survived by his wife, Mary Jane; Sons, Ben and Michael; daughter, Molly; and dog, Lucy. Services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008 in the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church of Corpus Christi. The family requests memorial gifts in lieu of flowers to the First United Methodist Church of Corpus Christi, www.ccfwnc.com, or Southern Poverty Law Center, www.splcenter.org.   Our classmate Wes Sokolosky obtained the above obituary which was posted: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 12:00 am on Helena Star web site.  Joe died on 22 September 2008 in Corpus Christi, TX.  His obituary was published in Corpus Christi, TX and in Helena, MT.

HARPER NORMAN MAHAN, JR. of Austin, Texas passed away on November 6, 2008. He was born on February 21, 1941 in Houston, TX to Harper Norman, Sr. and Emalynn Smith Mahan. Harper graduated from Lamar High School in Houston and Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX. He proudly served his country as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Reserve from 1963 to 1969. In 1987, he married the love of his life, LeAnn Bunch Mahan, in Round Rock, TX.

Harper had a career in the financial industry offering trust, pension, commercial banking and community development services. He most recently worked in Long Beach, CA for 16 years before returning home to Austin in 2005. His greatest pleasures were spending time with family and friends, RV traveling, boating on Lakes Austin and Travis and skeet shooting. He loved America and supported her liberties and freedoms as a Benefactor Member of the National Rifle Association, a Charter Member of the NRA Heritage Society and a life member of the Texas Rifle and Pistol Association.

Harper was predeceased by his parents and mother-in-law Lois Burich. He is survived by his wife, LeAnn; brother, Robert L. Mahan of Suffren, New York; father-in-law, Donald A. Burich, of Creston, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Lana Zoch of Austin, TX and Linda Coen (husband Craig) of Oskaloosa, Iowa; former sister-in-law, Ann Mahan (Tommy Clark) of Houston, TX. Surviving nieces and nephews that also held a very special place in Harper’s heart are Susan Mahan Martin (husband John) and children Kaitlyn, Rowan and Aidan Parker; Daniel G. Zoch (wife Amy); Jeffrey M. Zoch; Matt Coen (wife Suzy) and son, Ian; Lexi Coen Faber (husband Matt) and daughter, Lilia. He is also survived by aunts, an uncle and numerous cousins and friends.

A graveside service celebrating Harper’s life will be held Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston, TX, Reverend Andrew Stepp officiating.
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The above obituary appeared in the Houston Chronicle and was provided by classmate James Davis.

Note:  The obituary notice for Cynthia Lee Mallet Bass-Morales appeared in the Houston Chronicle on 10/15/2006.  The full text is available on Chronicle microfilm.   The following bio information was provided by Cynthia in April 2004:

"After Lamar graduation in 1959, I attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX for a year, and finished at University of Houston. I went to Washington, D.C. in 1962-65 to work for U.S. Senator Ralph Yarborough, (D-Texas) and switched parties to work for U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater, (R-Arizona) where I was his personal secretary and also when he ran for U.S. Presidency in 1964. Also, I worked for the National Republican Committee in Washington, D.C. I met and married Raymond H. Bass, Jr., from California, who worked as a Special Assistant for U.S. Senator John Tower (R-Texas) in Washington, D.C. in 1964. We moved back to Houston in 1965, after the Presidential election, where I worked for Philanthropist Gus Wortham. Then, in 1969, I formed my own talent booking agency licensed by the Musicians Union Local 65, and teamed with Bob Smith Orchestras in the Warwick Hotel in Houston, under the name of Cynthia Bass Entertainment Agency. I booked and managed many big name celebrities and stars all over the USA in concerts, posh hotels, and clubs for over 10 years. After divorcing Raymond Bass in 1971, I met and married a famous International Singer/Colombia Recording artist named Victor Fausto Morales. We have been married 30 years now. We are both ordained ministers.  God has blessed me with the greatest blessings of all.....a wonderful and loving husband, Victor, and 4 beautiful children of my own, Jennifer Bass Smith, (38); Trey Bass (35); Luke Morales (22); Felicia Morales (18); and 3 beautiful grandchildren - Christian and Bailey Bass (twins- 4 years old) and Jamie Smith (2). My life has been so fulfilled.  I can't thank GOD enough for this great life that HE has allowed me to live for him to bring HOPE to so many. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!   (April 2004)

[photo:  Cindy Mallet Bass-Morales with an orphan at Christmas time.]

"In 1977, I became a "Born -Again" Christian, and completely turned my life around having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and serving Him. In 1978, my husband, Victor Morales, followed suit, dedicating his life and heart to serve a Risen Savior. In that same year, 1978, we formed an Evangellistic Ministry to reach hurting people all over the world with the message of HOPE in JESUS CHRIST. In 1982, we formed an IRS non-profit organization (Non-denominational), Victor Morales Ministries, Inc./"Bridge of Love". We help feed, clothe, and minister to many orphanages (hundreds of orphans) and abandoned children of Mexico, and also thousands of very poor families and hungry children along the border areas of Texas/Mexico all year."  

Our classmate John McCaskill died suddenly on 4 August 2021as the result of an accident at his second home in Galveston, TX.  He loved tinkering with his boats, fishing and crabbing in the bay with his grandchildren.  He attended Pershing Jr High and obtained his Masters of Accounting from the Univ of Houston in 1963. 

Full Obituary

Our classmate Cathryn Meldrum (Conrad) passed away on January 16, 2022, after a long illness. She graduated from SMU and taught history in various public school systems until retiring in 1985. She was a longtime resident of Houston until she moved to Kerrville with her husband, Jeremy Wicker, in 2012. Cathryn was laid to rest January 27, 2022 in Forest Park Lawndale, Houston. 

Our classmate Jerry Mendell died on Thursday 8 August 2019 in Tyler, TX at the Hospice of East Texas.  His Celebration of Life was planned for 15 October 2019 at Bullard First United Methodist Church, Bullard, Texas.
    Obituary

Clinton Dow Mims, Jr., died on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 in the presence of his loved ones in Chattanooga, TN.

"Sonny" to his family and friends in Texas, Dow came to Chattanooga in 1972 with a new family and a growing business. His life and work over the last three decades touched thousands of lives and shaped the face of the city he grew to love.

Mr. Mims' leadership allowed the realization of so many dreams in Chattanooga and around the country, namely the Tennessee Aquarium, Finley Stadium, the Boys Club of Chattanooga, The McCallie School, GPS, The Baylor School and numerous other schools, churches, hospitals and charitable organizations.

Dow retired from his professional life in 1994 and spent his time accomplishing a number of personal goals. Mr. Mims had a special place in his heart for all those in need, particularly stray dogs and cats, adopting and caring for a large number of them during his retirement.

Survivors include his daughters, Natalie Mims (Victor) Friese, Fort Worth, Tx., Tracy Mims (Pete) McPherson, Nashville, Tn. and Mary Megen Mims, Mobile, Al.; son, Andrew Dow Mims II, Chattanooga; brothers, William Garrett (Mary) Mims, Portland, Or., Robert Allen (Barbara) Mims, Sarasota, Fl.; cousins, Pamela Rhoads, Mark and Maureen Jones, all of Fort Worth, Tx.; nieces, Abigail Mims, Kari Mims (Frank) Tarr, all of Portland, Or.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at The McCallie School Chapel.

Mr. Mims requested that donations be made in his honor to The Salvation Army, The Boy Scouts of America, The American Red Cross, The Humane Society, the McKamey Animal Shelter or any other charitable organization he was associated with during his life.

To send the family a note of condolence, please visit their guestbook at www.lane-coulterchapel.com.

Arrangements are by Lane Funeral Home, Coulter Chapel, 601 Ashland Terrace.

obituary from http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_142993.asp

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   Frank Nelson

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Frank B. Nelson II, 18, of 2327 Dunstan, died instantly when his small foreign car collided with a larger auto Sunday morning on a slick highway near Cleburne.  Nelson was driving north on Highway 81 when his auto collided with a car which had skidded out of control after passing a truck.  Six persons in the other car received only minor injuries.  Nelson, a Lamar High School graduate, was a former member of the Lamar Astronomy Club and served as an acolyte at Saint Stephens Episcopal Church for six years.  He was survived by his father, Howard P. Nelson Sr. and his mother, Mildred Shaw Nelson, a former Houston Post music and arts editor, and a brother, Howard P. Nelson, Jr., all of Houston.  Services were held at St. Stephen's Church and burial was in Victoria, Texas.   This information  is from an article in the Houston Post in the summer of 1959 as provided by our classmate Kimball McMahan who adds:  I kept the article as Frank was a friend, but don't have the actual date.  However, I believe it was the summer of 1959.  Frank was probably the first class casualty. I am almost sure that his death was in late July or August, 1959.  He had gotten a 4 door Renault sedan for graduation which he was driving at the time of the accident.

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  Charlie Newton

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Our classsmate Charlie Newton died 11 May 2019.  From his obituary:  Charles Alton Newton Jr., was born September 24, 1941 in Houston, Texas, to Charles Alton Newton and Nina Belle Newton.
Mr. Newton ran a very successful CPA office in Houston. His tax customers were very fond and loyal to him and stayed with him through an extended time of ill health.

Obituary    Orenda page    Online Memorial

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 Charles Oldham

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  Our classsmate Charles Oldham died 23 April 2022.  From his obituary:  Charles Ashe Oldham peacefully passed away on April 23, 2022, at Houston Hospice in Houston, TX. He was born on June 26, 1941, in Houston, TX, to the late Beatty Oldham and Marjorie Ashe Oldham. He graduated from Lamar High School in Houston and went on to work for Eastern Airlines during the 70s. Charles discovered his true passion working in the real estate industry, where he developed his talents and became extremely successful. Charles was immensely proud to be not only a 6th generation Texan, but also the great-great-grandson of Dr. Anson Jones, the last President of the Republic of Texas. While proud of his Texas heritage, Charles had many fond memories of his time while residing in Hana, Maui, Hawaii. Charles is survived by his loving partner of 60 years, Ted Guyton, his beloved niece Carol Ann Oldham, his beloved nephew Russell Gribble, his niece and nephew's mother, Carol Henslee, and many loving friends. Charles is preceded in death by his father Beatty Oldham, his mother Marjorie Oldham, and his brother Richard Oldham. The family would like to thank Houston Hospice for the loving care they provided Charles. Funeral services for Charles Oldham will be held on Thursday, April 28 at 3:30 PM at Croley Funeral Home, 305 W. Harrison, Gilmer, TX 75644. Interment will follow the services at Chilton Cemetery, Big Sandy, TX. Published by Houston Chronicle on Apr. 27, 2022
      Obituary  FindAGrave memorial  Orenda page                 

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   John O'Quinn

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    John O'Quinn died in a fatal single-vehicle accident in Houston on the morning on Thursday, 29 October 2009.   The following are excerpts from the obituary posted in The Houston Chronicle, 1 Nov 2009: 

JOHN M. O'QUINN, dedicated and extremely successful trial lawyer, generous benefactor, and devoted friend to those who loved him, has ended his earthly journey far too soon. John's journey was always exciting because he demanded so much of himself.  Born on the 4th of September 1941, he passed away Thursday, the 29th of October 2009.  John spent his professional life as a powerful advocate for the powerless - he was the courtroom champion of the ordinary person. He seemed bigger than life with his dynamic personality and folksy presence, which cleverly masked a giant intellect.   He believed that the courtroom was the great common denominator: this was where each person was truly equal.  John was the "difference maker" in so many major cases.  He considered the courtroom much like the athlete considers the playing field.  John took each and every case seriously and personally.  As the "people's champion," even those who opposed him in court soon realized his unflinching commitment to his clients, and that even they were enhanced by his presence.  Each client was unique; each case special. 
   John was very much the home-town boy - he loved the city of Houston which helped create his legendary skills: both were robust, confident, extremely successful, with an unyielding attitude.  Recognized publicly as a legal icon, he was named one of the 100 Legal Legends of the Law by the Texas Lawyer and recognized by the National Law Journal and Harvard Law Review as one of the Best Lawyers in America, receiving four of the largest verdicts in Texas legal history.  An honors graduate of the University of Houston Law Center, he served as a Regent for the University of Houston, as well as a trustee of the UH Law School Foundation. He truly loved the UH Law School and all UH athletic activities. John used his fame and fortune to assist not only the University of Houston with the John O'Quinn Law Library and the John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium, but also the Children's Assessment Center, the Women's Center, Baylor College of Medicine, the End Hunger Network, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, the South Texas College of Law Advocacy Center, and so many more endeavors of equal importance. He was a man who was determined to give back to the city, which had been so very good to him. He once said, "The only things you get to take with you are those things you give away."
    John was a proud member of the 12-Step Fellowship, a group known as the "Motley Crew." Only one woman was invited into this group, Darla Lexington, and together with these men, the group helped one another to fight the monster called alcoholism. John's friends made him stronger and he them. His sobriety was nearing eleven years. He truly loved these guys.Standing by his side was Darla Lexington, the love of his life. They shared a passion for philanthropy, the arts, and classic cars. Their dream was to build an automotive history museum in Houston and Darla intends to build that legacy in John's name.  All are invited to the funeral service to be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 4th of November, in the Sanctuary of Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Drive in Houston, where Dr. H. Edwin Young, Pastor, is to officiate.  A reception is to immediately follow the service in the adjacent Deacons' Parlor.  The entombment services are to be privately conducted on the O'Quinn River Ranch in Wimberley, Texas.  For those desiring, contributions in memory of John M. O'Quinn may be directed to the University of Houston John O'Quinn Memorial Fund, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204-5016. 

The following are excerpts from the news article posted at KHOU.com on the date of John's accident:

Attorney John O'Quinn among 2 dead in crash on Allen Parkway

12:34 PM CDT on Thursday, October 29, 2009

By Taylor Timmins / KHOU.com

HOUSTON— Two people, including one of Houston’s most prominent attorneys, were killed Thursday morning in a single-vehicle crash on Allen Parkway.  

Famed trial lawyer John O’Quinn was traveling westbound on Allen Parkway in a black Suburban with another man around 8:15 a.m. when the crash occurred.

Police at the scene said the SUV lost control, jumped the curb, went airborne and crashed into a tree on the eastbound service road.

The tree nearly cut the SUV in half, and both O’Quinn and the other man died at the scene.

O’Quinn, founder of the O’Quinn Law Firm in Houston, made a name for himself handling plaintiff’s litigation, including lawsuits against breast implant manufacturers and tobacco companies.

More recently, he represented Anna Nicole Smith’s mother, Virgie Arthur, in a battle over the fate of the body of the late actress.

According to his official law firm bio, O’Quinn has been named one of the “100 Most Influential Lawyers in America” by the National Law Journal and among the five best trial lawyers of the past century by the Houston Chronicle, among other honors.

[see this 1998 Profile  which ran in the Houston Chronicle at that time.]

_______________
 Classmate tributes: 
"John O'Quinn has just been killed in a car wreck on Allen Parkway. God rest his soul. Could not have been a sweeter guy."  - Lee Chatham Seureau

"I am stunned.  Most of you know that I was one of John's law partners 1989-1994. He was the smartest attorney I have ever known - a master of the law and imbued with an over abundance of street-smarts. A giant in the courtroom. His opponents feared, but respected him. His clients loved him. Every jury appreciated him because he never talked down to them. Even when the issues were difficult and convoluted, he could simplify them for any jury so they always understood them. To a jury, he was just one of them - just one of the folks."  - Jeremy Wicker

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  Kay Patton

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Charlotte Kemp "Kay" Patton died suddenly on 13 May 1991 while she and her husband were in Norman, OK.  They had attended their daughter's graduation ceremony at the University of Oklahoma, and were helping the daughter move out of her apartment when Kay felt ill and returned to her motel room.

This obituary ran in The Houston Chronicle, Thursday, May 16, 1991, section B, page 9:    CHARLOTTE KEMP "KAY" JONES, a native Houstonian, born February 15, 1942 to the late Charlotte Kemp Maer and Adrian I. Patton, Jr, died May 13, 1991.  Kay was a graduate from Lamar High School and received her B.S. Degree in Education from the University of Texas.  She was a member of The Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity, The Junior League of Houston, and the River Oaks Country Club.  She was a member of the Westminster United Methodist Church, and belonged to the Wesley Sunday School Class.  She was a first grade Teacher at William B. Travis Elementary School H.I.S.D.  She is survived by her husband, Bart L. Jones III, her children, Bart L. Jones IV, Blake Jones, Polly Kay Jones, and Patton Jones; her father Adrian Patton and wife Jan, her father and mother-in-law, Bart and Polly Jones.  Sister, Connie Welsh and husband Hugh; brother, Adrian Patton and wife Susan.  Many nieces and nephews.  Funeral services will be held 3:00 pm Thursday May 16, 1991, Westminster United Methodist Church, 5801 San Felipe at Bering Drive with Rev. Charles W. Anderson officiating, assisted by Rev Richard L. White.  Interment will be in Glenwood Cemetery.  In lieu of usual remembrances, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.   [Geo. H. Lewis & Sons   1010 Bering Dr.  789-3005]

Kay was born on 15 February 1942 to Sybil Charlotte Maer and Adrian Ivan Patton Jr in Houston.  She married Barlow Lee Jones III on 8 June 1963 in Houston.
 
Kay was interred on 16 May 1991 in Glenwood Cemetery (formerly the Washington Cemetery) on Washington Ave., Houston, TX:  Section OD, Lot Number 009.   FindAGrave Memorial

  [obituary:  Charlotte Kemp "Kay" Jones, Houston Chronicle, Wednesday, May 15, 1991]

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  Ray Poage Jr.

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Ray Poage Jr, was one of the great athletic talents of Lamar's Class of 1959.  He is profiled in Historic Houston as follows:
Poage, Raymond “Ray” Coy (1940-1997) – Professional Football Player – Marks first met Ray Poage in 1960 on a Saturday morning during a football scrimmage at St. John’s School.  Our coaches told the team that Poage was one of the best players we would ever see.  That day he was playing fullback for the Lamar High School Redskins.  Early in the scrimmage the Lamar linemen opened a hole big enough to drive a semi-truck through.  The next thing Marks knew, he was laying on the ground, knocked out of breath.  When he opened his eyes, Poage was kneeling beside him to see if Marks was hurt.  That was the start of a long and wonderful friendship.  Poage was born in Plainview but the family soon moved to Happy, Texas.  He played fullback there and was recognized as one of the best players in Texas high school football.  Lamar recruited Poage who helped the school win the state championship.  Upon graduation in 1960 he signed with the University of Texas where he became an All-American with his photo on the cover of Life magazine.  Poage was a 2nd round draft choice of the Minnesota Vikings as a tight end in 1963.  He was 6”4” and weighed 208 pounds.  Poage went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles (1964-6), New Orleans Saints (1967-70) and the Atlanta Falcons (1971). worRetiring from football Poage joined a brokerage firm where Marks worked.  He later moved to the Coors Brewing Company’s Houston distributor. Regretfully, Poage died a tragic death at age 57.

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  Kylene Perry (Nelson)  

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Kylene Nelson, age 73, went to heaven on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014. She was born on Sept. 5, 1941 in Houma, Louisiana, to the late Kyle and Dorothy (Brant) Perry. She lived in Holly Lake Ranch with her husband of 52 years, Bruce Nelson.

Kylene was an only child, a graduate of Lamar High School in Houston, she attended The University of Texas at Austin, and was a proud Delta Gamma. Kylene was also an incredibly talented artist in many mediums, but she loved the flexibility and vibrancy of pastels the most. She won many awards in fine art shows, was one of the original members of the Pastel Society of the Southwest in Dallas, and received the distinction of being elected into the Pastel Society of America in 1983.

She was best known for her portraits and her hope was to create a piece of art that would last for many years and remind people of a special time or person in their life. Kylene was the most loving and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother and friend to both people and all of God's little critters. She was a true gift to those who knew her and were blessed by her vibrant personality and smile. This said, we know she would love for friends and family to wear colorful attire to celebrate her life and memory.

A celebration service was held at Holly Tree Ranch Chapel, 1620 South Farm-to-Market Road 2869, Holly Lake Ranch, Texas, on Nov. 9, 2014, at 2 p.m.  [Note:  Our classmate Martha Hansen Dinwiddie attended the service and provided this program.  Martha noted:  "Her death was a big shock. She had a serious stroke. Her memorial service was beautiful though.  They had some of her paintings displayed.  She was a fabulous artist.  I didn't realize how talented she was."   You can view a slideshow of Kylene's portraits here.]  

Kylene is survived by her husband, Bruce, of Holly Lake Ranch; her son, Brett Nelson, of Murphy; her oldest daughter and son-in-law, Kristin and Michael Cobb, of Colleyville; her youngest daughter and son-in-law, Paige and Rick Murphy, of Austin; two grandchildren, Ryleigh Cobb and Kyler Murphy; and three stepgrandsons, Cody Cobb, Jared Cobb and Cole Murphy.

In lieu of flowers, those friends and family wishing to honor the memory of Kylene's life may make a donation to Operation Kindness at www.operationkindness.org or any local No Kill Animal Shelter.

Obituary published in Tyler Morning Telegraph on Oct. 26, 2014     

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   Tommy Rankin

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Thomas J. Rankin, Jr.
April 21. 1941            September 14, 2012
Thomas Joseph Rankin, Jr. ran through heaven's gates on September 14, 2012.  Thomas was born to Thomas Joseph Rankin, Sr. and Margaret Eugenia Bryan in Houston on April 21, 1941.  He graduated from Lamar High School and attended The University of Texas where he was a member of the SAE fraternity. He also proudly served our country in the U.S. Navy. Thomas was a master of electronics and for 40 years the proprietor of Oliver Armature Works of Houston.

Thomas is survived by his devoted wife of 44 years, Sharon Ropp Rankin. He leaves behind his dear sister, Beverly Underwood Mahoney. Thomas is survived by his son, Thomas Joseph Rankin, III and his adoring daughters, Sheryl Rankin Mosier and husband, Trey, Laurie Rankin Carl and husband, Paul, and Bethelyn Kepke Dawson and husband, Steven.  "PaPa" will always be alive in the hearts of his eight grandchildren and will be sadly missed by his numerous relatives and friends.
A celebration of Thomas' life was held at 11:00 a.m. on September 26, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church, Schulenburg, Tx.

Published in the Houston Chronicle on September 19, 2012

Dennis Dale Reed, 80, of Kerrville, TX, passed away July 21, 2021 in Kerrville. He was born in Houston, TX to Polly and Dale Reed on May 14,1941. He married Jean Teel on July 25, 1964 in Dallas.
  He went to Lamar High School and attended Austin College. Dennis worked for Armco Steel for more than 20 years and then built a successful business with Farmer's Insurance. Dennis was an exceptional outdoorsman, catching a world record brown trout while fly-fishing in the White River of Arkansas, hunting white tail in the Hill Country and Mexico, and duck hunting in Matagorda Bay. He also enjoyed competing in precision bench rest shooting and bass tournaments. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents Dale and Polly Reed, his brother Richard Reed and his nephew Jimmy Moriarty.  Dennis is survived by his wife of 57 years Jean Reed, his children Jerry Reed and Jennifer Reed (Pam), his sister Cindy Moriarty, grandchildren Sarah Waits (Brian), Kaleb and Gavin, Leah, great grandson Crew, his sister-in-law Carolyn Teel, nieces Becky Davis (Greg), Melissa Moriarty and his nephew Steven Reed (Marylyn).
Memorial services will be held at 10:00am August 14, 2021 at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Kerrville, Texas. A lunch reception will follow at 11:00am at the Dietert Center.
The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the staff at Hilltop Village and Peterson Hospice.
Condolences may be sent at  www.grimesfuneralchapels.com  by selecting the "Send Condolences" link.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Kathleen C. Cailloux Humane Society of Kerrville. Their mailing address is P.O. Box 294810, Kerrville, Texas 78029.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville.

Riddle III, James Irvin 1-31-42 to 4-19-11 Loved and surrounded by family, Jim passed away peacefully at home. Born in Houston to James I. and Mattie B. Riddle, he graduated from Lamar H.S. in 1959, proudly served in the U.S. Army, was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and received two bachelor degrees from The University of Texas. He was a news producer at WFAA-TV in the early 70s, an avid reader, carpenter, handyman extraordinaire, photographer, gourmet cook, and "comedic genius." He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Nancy Greenwood Riddle, and his children, of whom he was immeasurably proud, Christy Cathleen Riddle, M.D. and James Irvin Riddle, IV. He is also survived by his sister, Jane Lancaster, and her husband John L. Lancaster, III, and their children, Delaney Rolfe (Charlie), John L. Lancaster IV (Jewelee Ann), and James. R. Lancaster (Gigi), all of Dallas. Heartfelt thanks to VNA Hospice; Home Helpers Crystal Carpenter, Krystal Price, Victoria Logan, Leavella Hendricks; and his physicians Peter Stack, Roger Camp, James Trotter, Jennifer Wells, and Grady Goodwin. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 30th at 11 o'clock in the morning at St. Michael and All Angels Chapel, 8011 Douglas Avenue, Dallas, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to North Texas Food Bank, Attn: Accounting, 4500 S. Cockrell Hill Rd, Dallas, TX 75236-2028; the Salvation Army DFW Metroplex, P.O. Box 36006, Dallas, TX 75235; or the charity of your choosing.

Remembered as "... this very kind and courteous gentleman."  [Ellen Rothermel Stuart]

RUDISILL -- Dorothy Kay Rudisill, 60, of Lenox, Massachusetts, and Houston, Texas, died on Easter Monday evening, April 16, 2001, at Berkshire Medical Center, after a courageous 30-year battle with multiple sclerosis.

Miss Rudisill was born on Dec.18, 1940, in East Barnard, Texas, near Houston, to loving parents, Paul Lester and Dorothy Guthrey Berry Rudisill, who predeceased her. She graduated from Lamar High School, Houston, and earned her B.A. degree from Stephen F. Austin University, Nacogdoches (home of her grandparents and father), and her M.A. degree with honors from Southern Methodist University, Dallas. She was a licensed speech pathologist and enjoyed her work in Wichita Falls, Midland, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Largo Vista in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. She especially liked working with deaf children, who called her "Miss Roo." Retiring in 1997 because of her illness, she moved to Lenox to live with her devoted brother, Clifford Rudisill. She loved her apartment in her brother's home and the Berkshires, which reminded her of the Smokies. She enjoyed going to New York for Broadway shows and concerts at Carnegie Hall, and attended many concerts at the Berkshire Tanglewood Music Festival and the nearby South Mountain Chamber Music Series.

Kay was an accomplished sportswoman in her youth. For seven consecutive summers she attended Camp Junaluska for Girls in Waynesville, North Carolina, where her family had a summer cottage. She won blue ribbons in every sport and was an exceptionally gifted equestrian. She loved animals, especially horses and her cat, Simba. Last fall, Kay celebrated her 60th birthday at the Argyle in San Antonio, in the company of her closest high school and college friends.

All who knew Kay admired her indomitable, cheerful spirit and courage. She was an inspiration especially to her church family at St. James' Episcopal Church in Great Barrington, where she was the "poster girl" for the handicap accessibility campaign.

Clifford Rudisill wants to thank Joanne Poston and the health care aides from the Lee Regional Visiting Nurses who cared for Kay with empathy, and Fr. Ray Wilson who nourished her body as well as her spirit.

A Burial Service and Holy Eucharist will be held at St. James' Episcopal Church, Great Barrington, on Thursday, April 19, 2001, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Ray Wilson, rector of St. James', and the Rev. Jeffrey H. Walker, rector of Christ Church, Greenwich, Conn., officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Humane Society for Animals, or the Handicap Accessibility Fund at St. James' Church in care of the Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, Ma 01230.

  This obituary appeared in The Berkshire Eagle on 4/20/2001

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  Jane Rulfs

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From the Houston Chronicle, 23 April 2012:   Jane Rulfs, age 69, of Houston, passed away on Wednesday evening, the 18th of April 2012.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from three o'clock until five o'clock in the afternoon on Sunday, the 22nd of April, in the Drawing Room of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The funeral service is to be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Monday, the 23rd of April, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, where Dr. Linda Christians, Executive Pastor of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, is to officiate.

The interment is to follow, via an escorted cortege, at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, kindly consider a donation in her memory to the Rulfs Family Scholarship Fund, c/o Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, TX, 77005.
Photo Gallery for Jane Rulfs as of May 2012. 

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  Jim Sartwelle

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Our classmate Jim Sartwelle died unexpectedly on 5 November 2021 in Sealy, TX.  A private family-only funeral was held on Tuesday 7 November.  

Bio:  Texas A&M Honor Registry

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 Charles Shirar

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Services for Charles Rupert Shirar III, 42, of 5207B 73rd St were held by Singleton Funeral Directors following Shirar being found dead in his garage on Monday.  Born in Houston, he was in the Marine Reserves. He received a bachelor of science degree from Texas Tech University and a master's from Mississippi State University.  He was a Methodist.

FindAGrave Memorial   

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  Margaret Sinclair

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   Margaret Lee (Sinclair) Laney, age 79, of Riverside CA, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2021. She was born on July 19, 1941, in Houston TX, to Mary Kate (Crow) and William Stanley Sinclair Jr. She attended high school at Lamar High in Houston (class of 1959) and the University of Arizona. Her career was in education and nursing. She is survived by her husband, Francis Phillip Laney and his children from a former marriage, Laura Laney, Jennifer (Laney) Myers and Phillip C. Laney, and her child from her former marriage, William J. Carter IV, and her brother, William S. Sinclair. She had seven grandchildren. She was proceded in death by her sister, Adrian (Sinclair) Balch, her previous husband, William J Carter III, and their second child, Matthew S. Carter.

The photo shows (L to R) Margaret with her son Bill Carter and her brother William Sinclair (also a Lamar graduate).  Photo was taken at the Mission Inn, Riverside, CA, c. October 2020.  https://www.jlevyfuneralhome.com/obituary/Margaret-Laney

Nancy Smith (Stewart) - The New Braunfels paper lists this obituary for Nancy Smith (Stewart) who died 11 Mar 2023.  Nancy was a in our January Class of 1959 but attended summer school in 1958 so she could graduate early and enter Texas Tech in Fall 1958.  Thus  Nancy is not in our '59 Orenda but is in our three earlier Orendas for our Class. Nancy sang with the Melodots and the Choralettes.

  Our classmate Patsy Smith [Patricia Jane Smith McClendon, 41] died at 2:10 pm Thursday, 3 February 1983, at Methodist Hospital in Lubbock, TX after an illness. Services were held at First Christian Church with Dr. Dudley Strain and the Rev. James W. Sutherlin officiating.
  Burial was under direction of Rix Funeral Directors.
 
  Patsy was born in Houston and was an honor graduate of the University of Texas with a B.A. in English.  She married Jack McClendon Aug 10, 1963, in Houston.  She was a member of First Christian Church.
  She was a member of the Lubbock Women's Club, was on the board and an officer of the Junior League, was past president of the Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae and was active in Lubbock Cancer-mount.  She taught school in Lubbock from 1965 to 1967.
  Survivors include her husband, two sons, Tray and Mont, both of Lubbock, her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Burt B. Smith of Houston; two brothers, Dr. Ben Smith of Galveston and Ken Smith of Tokyo, Japan; and a sister, Mary Beth Fetzer of Houston.
  The family suggested memorials to the Cancer Treatment Center at Methodist Hospital.
  Pallbearers were Bill Russell, Terry Bickerton, Blair Cherry Jr., S.E. Cane. Jr., Don Gardner, Tom M. Richards, Dr. Eugene White, and Russell White.
  Honorary pallbearers were members of the Junior League of Lubbock.
_______________________________________________

The above obituary is transcribed from the Lubbock Avalanche Journal of Friday 4 Feb 1983.  It was provided by Mark, a volunteer of the South Plains Genealogical Society, on 28 Aug 2009.

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   Jon Sparling

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Sparling, Honorable Jon:  
The Honorable Jon Sparling passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Dallas on August 23, 2014, after a brief illness. He was born to The Reverend Jack and Vera Moseley Sparling on April 19, 1941, in Alvin, Texas. He grew up a handsome, intelligent, fun-loving boy, and graduated from Lamar High School in Houston, Southern Methodist University in Dallas where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, and the S.M.U. Dedman School of Law. He fell in love with Dallas and made it his home. Mr. Sparling was a skilled lawyer in the District Attorney's office in Dallas County where he was founder and chief of the specialized crime division, organized to fight white-collar crime. He also distinguished himself as a judge on the Texas Court of Appeals. He concluded his career in private practice as a commercial litigator with Sparling and Zadina Law Firm, but he liked to say that working in the District Attorney's office was the best job he ever had. Jon was an avid traveler, fascinated by foreign cultures and unique experiences, but Dallas, Texas was undoubtedly his home. He enjoyed being on and below the water, and he always had a sailboat in his life. He built, and loved spending time at, his lake house, and found value raising cattle and working the land on a family farm near Corsicana. Jon was born into a long line of Methodist ministers and as an adult he was a member of University Park United Methodist Church. Without a doubt, his greatest joy was his family and raising his children whom he loved with everything. He leaves behind to mourn him his four children, Jon Jr. and wife Sarah, William, David, and Sarah, the mother of his children Helena Underwood Sparling, his sister Patty and husband Dr. Duane Andrews, two nieces and their husbands and children, and Terri Loney, his good friend who loved and cared for him in the final years. A memorial service will be conducted at University Park United Methodist Church, 402 Caruth Boulevard in Dallas on August 28, 2014 at 4:00 pm by his niece the Reverend Dr. Allison Andrews Thompson. A graveside service will be held by his niece The Reverend Susan Andrews Hageman at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler on Thursday, August 28, 2014 at 10:00 AM, where he will be buried with his parents under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to SMU Dedman School of Law, Att: Janet White. P O Box 750116, Dallas, Texas 75275-0116, or to University Park United Methodist Church.  

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  Mark Spears

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Avery "Mark" Spears passed away peacefully surrounded by friends and family in Houston, Texas on January 4, 2013 after a brief illness. He was born in Houston on August 8, 1941, to Dr. Avery M. and Juliette Spears. He called Houston home his entire life. Graduated from Lamar High School in 1959, and worked initially in retail and automobile sales. He subsequently enjoyed a long career as a sales representative and account manager with Chemical Waste Management, Inc. When not working, he enjoyed golf, hunting, gardening and travel, but most of all being in the company of good friends and family. He was a long-time member of the congregation of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church in Houston, and participated in their mission program, most recently in Cuba in early 2012. He is preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by his daughter Jennifer Spears, step son Corky Barker, sister Ann Hudson, and nieces Jackie Lynn Cate and Evelyn Sheeran, and nephew Don Hudson and their respective families, as well as many dear friends.

A Memorial Service was held Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 2:00 PM at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 12955 Memorial Dr, Houston TX 77079. A private burial ocurred at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in Mark's memory to Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org). Visit www.DettlingFuneral.com to leave online tributes.

Dr. Glen H. Stanbaugh

from the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Saturday, July 04, 2009

Celebration of life services for Dr. Glen H. Stanbaugh will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, July 6, 2009 at Resthaven's Abbey Chapel with Dr. Carl Anderson officiating.  Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. A visitation will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 5, 2009 at Resthaven Funeral Home.

 

Glen Harry Stanbaugh, Jr. was born in Houston in 1941 to the late Eva Burgi Stanbaugh and Glen H. Stanbaugh, Sr. At the age of seven, Glen survived a year long bout with rheumatic fever. The doctor who cared for him that year left such an impression that Glen knew medicine would be his calling. He graduated from Austin College in 1963 with a degree in biology. He was accepted to the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1967. He completed an internship at D.C. General in Washington D.C. He returned to Galveston for his residency and fellowship training, which included a stint as Chief Resident. He served as the Chief of Nephrology at Fort Bragg Womack Army Hospital from 1972 through 1974.

Dr. Stanbaugh was the first Nephrologist in West Texas, arriving in Lubbock in 1974. He served as a full time faculty member at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center from 1974 through 1977 and part-time faculty member from 1978 until 1985. Dr. Stanbaugh was the medical director of South Plains Dialysis Center from 1974 to 85 and Co-Medical Director of the West Texas Dialysis Center and the South Plains Kidney Disease Center until he retired in 2003. Although retired, Dr. Stanbaugh continued to serve patients with renal disease as the Chairman of the Board of the Texas Renal Coalition, Chairman of the Medical Advisory Board of the National Kidney Foundation- West Texas, and as a board member of Texans for the Advancement of Medical Research. Dr. Stanbaugh was recently recognized by the State Senate of Texas for his work in the prevention of end stage renal disease. He has authored many scientific articles and is the author/editor of a book, THE DEISS LETTERS. He was a fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honors Medical Society. Dr. Stanbaugh is survived by his wife, Linda; two daughters, one stepdaughter, three stepsons, and eight grandchildren. Memorials can be made to the Texas Renal Coalition, The Center for the Study of Addiction at Texas Tech University, and The Deiss Society at UTMB.

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   John Paul Stanford

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JOHN PAUL STANFORD (1941- 2017) beloved husband, brother, father, and grandfather passed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on September 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.   He was born April 10, 1941, in Navasota, Texas to William McIntyre (Bill) Stanford and Mary Stanford Shatto.  His father was killed in the Normandy Invasion in France in 1944, and he was raised by his mother.  He joined the United States Marines in 1961, and served in the Vietnam War from 1962-1965.  Following the war, he completed his undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Houston.  He then attended the University of Houston School of Law where he graduated in 1973.  He also obtained his CPA during this time.  He specialized in tax law.  John served with a variety of companies using his expertise in tax law.  In 1987, he joined the AGIP Petroleum Co. as the Tax Manager, and continued working for AGIP until they outsourced the tax department.  He then worked for Conklin Hruzek CPA firm before being recruited by the Mitchell Family Corporation where he managed the George Mitchell account until his death.  He had a strong work ethic and loved what he did.

John’s faith was important to him.  He was a member of Cypress United Methodist Church where he served our Lord by ushering.  He served on the Finance Committee as Treasurer, and taught classes in Financial Peace.

John deeply loved his family. He was a dedicated father and husband who instilled in his children values, morals, and ethics. John loved his country, and wore his Marine hat proudly. He was a deep thinker and had a witty sense of humor.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 36 years, Gail.  He is also survived by his 4 children:  Kathryn Stanford Jedlicka (Gary), William (Bill) McIntyre Stanford (Laura), Alice Nance Jansen (Erick), and Emily Nance Fitts (Brian), brother William (Billy) McIntyre Stanford (Mary) and granddaughters, Ayla Jansen and Samantha Jansen.

Visitation will be at the Klein Funeral Home, 9719 Wortham Blvd Houston, Texas 77065 on September 10, 2017 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  Services will be held at Cypress United Methodist Church on September 11, 2017 at 1:00 pm.  Dr. Tony McCollum will officiate.  Following the service there will be a reception in Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cypress United Methodist Church 13403 Cypress North Houston, Cypress, Texas 77429, Wounded Warrior Project, or the American Cancer Society.

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  Medford Stuckey 

Our classmate Medford Wright Stuckey was born in Houston on the 16th of December 1940, the son of Wiley Wright "Buddy" Stuckey Jr. [FindAGrave memorial #59728776] and Vera Lucille Schultz.  He died there on Saturday the 11th of June 1994 at the age of 53 yrs, 6 months.  His obituary was published in the Houston Chronicle on Sunday 12 June and on Tuesday 14 June 1994.

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   Charles Summers

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Charles Dean Summers, a wonderful and beloved brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully about 3:00am on July 5, 2009. Charles was born January 22, 1940, in Houston, Texas; the second son of Elmer Lee Summers and Elizabeth Buhler Summers, and grew up in Houston. While attending Lamar High School, he worked for a local garage, and joined the neighborhood volunteer fire department. He attended Tarleton College in Stephenville, Texas, earning an associate’s degree before he volunteered for the U.S. Army in late 1961. During his term of enlistment, he served with B Company of the 144th Signal Battalion in Goepingen, Germany.

Upon his discharge, Charles became a full-time fireman in West University Place, a Houston suburb. While there, he pursued a vigorous outdoor life of hunting, boating, fishing, and starting what became the great achievement and legacy of his lifetime: a Matagorda County cattle ranch carved from scratch out of the forested bottomlands of Caney Creek. This quickly became his full-time endeavor. Over the decades he cleared, drained, and improved “Caney” to his own preferences. For the past two decades, he also operated a rural land improvement business, Caney Conservation Company.

Charlie developed and pursued interests far too numerous to describe in this space. He kept up a vigorous paper and Internet correspondence with family, school and Army friends, and people he’d met while riding his Harley to nearly all the lower 48 states. He was extremely knowledgeable about English and American history in general and Matagorda County history in particular. He liked to entertain family and friends. He was a good host and outstanding cook. Only in very recent years did his health limit his activities, and especially so since heart valve replacement surgery in November, 2008.

A lifelong bachelor, Charles Summers was predeceased by his parents. He is survived, loved, and missed by his brothers and their wives, Edward and Kathy Summers and Jesse and Helen Summers; his nephews, Michael Summers and David Summers; his nieces, Jennifer Summers and Pamela Summers Parks; and his grand-nieces and nephews, Angelica Summers, Amanda Summers, Callum Parks, Kate Summers, Mason Parks, and Sophie Parks; and by many friends as well. To all of them, his passing creates a loss that cannot be erased in this life.

Funeral arrangements are by Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in Bay City, and will include visitation from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday, July 10; a simple funeral service at 10:00am Saturday July 11; and burial in Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston at 1:30pm Saturday. Charlie’s brothers encourage family and friends planning to attend the visitation or the funeral service to prepare oral and/or written memories of Charlie for mutual sharing.
Taylor Bros. Funeral Home (on-line memorial)

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   Jimmy Tabb

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Jimmy Tabb:   Classmate David Warren reports:   "JIMMY TABB died of a heart attack at the age of 41 in Philadelphia Pa while working for Rhom and Haus as a labor relations representative.  I think the year was 1982.  The obit was in the Chronicle."

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  Addison Thorn

Our classmate Addison Thorn died 8 February 2022 in Katy, Texas.  He was born on April 25, 1941.   A Celebration of Life for Addison will be held at Houston's First Baptist Church, 7400 Katy Freeway 77024 on February 25th, 2022, at 11 am in the Morris Chapel.

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  Danny Tompkins

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Our classmate Dan Tompkins died Wednesday 22 June 2022 in Los Altos, California.  Dan had been suffering from Parkinson's Disease for over a year.  His sister Mary Harris informed our classmate Vann Phillips of Dan's passing.

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   Woody Tottenham

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Woody Tottenham:   Cathryn Conrad reports:   "I just talked to Carole Tomlinson ('60)  and she said that Woody died of prostate cancer yesterday [27 March 2012].  Carole and her husband Paul Duncan had visited with Woody in the hospital on Monday.  This comes as a great shock to all of us who cared for Woody.  Apparently he had this cancer for about 15 years."
From the Houston Chronicle, Friday, 30 March 2012:  "Woodson M. Tottenham, Jr. , age 70, passed away March 27, 2012 in Houston, TX.   Woody is survived by his niece, Tricia Tottenham Bragg & husband Bill; great-niece Kathryn Louise Bragg, great-nephew Miller "Tot" Tottenham Bragg and many loving cousins Tottenhams and Burnetts.   Funeral Services will be held at 3:00pm on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at St. Lukes United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Rd., Houston, TX 77027.   Private interment will follow at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery."

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  Liz Towles (Hostetler)

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Elizabeth Towles Hostetler, 72, of Houston passed away Monday, March 10, 2014.

Liz was born to the late LeRoy and Elizabeth Towles, August 13, 1941, and was a 5th generation Houstonian. She graduated from Lamar High School in 1958 and received a BA of Education from the University of Texas in 1962. She married James B. Hostetler on August 24, 1963, and except for a brief stint in Georgia, they lived together in Houston for the past 46 years.

Liz was a Gamma Phi Beta at the University of Texas where she met her husband Jim. She was an avid tennis and a member of Lakeside Tennis Club. She was also an active member of Al-Anon for over 30 years. Liz loved taking trips with her entire family and especially loved going to Kerville every summer to the family ranch and cabins on the Guadalupe River where she also used to go as a child.

Liz fought her brain cancer for two and a half years with grace and dignity and never once complained. She will be missed terribly by her family and all of her numerous friends who stayed with her during this journey. She was a wonderful wife and Mother and will be dearly missed.

Liz is survived by her three children: Beth Cole and her husband Mathew of Houston; James B. Hostetler, Jr. of Denver, Colorado; and John C. Hostetler and his spouse Susan of Denver, Colorado. Her greatest joy were her eight grandchildren: Elizabeth, Caroline, and Rachel of Houston; Abigail, Lillian, and Trey of Denver; and Samuel and Heidi of Denver.

The Memorial Service was held Monday, March 17th, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the Ascension Episcopal Church located at 2525 Seagler Road.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made out to Ascension Episcopal Church.

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   Susan Twedell (Hirschy)

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Susan Twedell Hirschy died 11 Jan 2013 while undergoing surgery for heart problems.  A memorial gathering was held on Saturday 26 Jan 2013 from 1 to 3 pm at Forest Park Funeral Home, 12800 Westheimer, Houston 77077.

Susan was born in Springfield, Illinois on June 29, 1941. Her family moved to Houston, Texas, where she attended Lamar High School. She also attended Texas University. She married William Brogan, III and together they had two children William E Brogan IV and Patrick Brogan (deceased). In November, 1975, she married R. T. "Bob" Hirschy, who passed away in October, 2007. Susan pursued a career by working in the appliance distribution business for Earl McMillain, Inc., then Mischer Corp, and finally found her "home of 30 years" by working for the Trane Company as an Engineer's Assistant. She retired in October of 2012 and attended our Fredericksburg Mini-Reunion.  Susan is survived by her son Wm. Brogan, IV; six grandchildren; siblings Michael H. Twedell, Peter B. Twedell, Sarah T. Paulsen, and Judith T. Denson.

A Memorial Gathering was held Saturday, January 26th, 2013 between 1 PM and 3 PM at the Forest Park Funeral Home,12800 Westheimer, Houston, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Susan's name to American Heart Association , 10060 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX 77054 (713-610-5000) https://www.heart.org

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   Jim Vick

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"Memorial services for James Edward (Jim) Vick, 61, of Willis were held at 5PM, Thursday, October 3, 2002, at Metcalf Funeral Home with Dr. Jay Gross officiating.  Jim was born on August 9, 1941 in Houston and passed away on September 28, 2002 in New Waverly.  He was preceded in death by his father, James Hamilton Vick.  Jim is survived by his mother, Ura Lee Vick of the Woodlands, his wife, Kathleen Vick of Willis, daughter, Jennifer Lee Vick of Waco, and son, James Hamilton Vick II, of College Station.  He graduated from Lamar High School in Houston, attended Texas A&M and graduated from Texas Tech.  He also served in the U. S. Army Reserves and was an avid sailor, hunter and fisherman.  He was a loving husband, daddy and friend.  Jim was fun loving, free spirited and touched the lives of many.  He will be remembered by all that knew and loved him."  This obit was in the Houston Chronicle on October 2, 2002.  Additionally,our classmate Kimball McMahan adds:  "Jim was a fine trumpet player in the Lamar Marching Band and a member of THR, an organization of Lamar Band members."

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  Robert Wagner

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The brother of our classmate Robert "Bob" Wagner has informed us that Bob died in mid-December 2021.  We will post additional information when available to us.
Rick Lilliott recalls Bob in his accounting class at Rice and went on to an early career with a national accounting firm.

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 Dianne Wall (Nail)

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Our class has learned that Dianne Wall (Nail) died on Friday, 5 February 2021 in her home in Broken Arrow, OK.  Dianne and her husband were both veterinarians in Broken Arrow and Dianne was well loved in her community.  
   Obituary   

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Charlie Ward

Our classmate Charlie Ward died on June 15, 2021 from complications of heart disease.  He underwent a sextuple bypass in 2004, considered to be the most intricate and surgically challenging.
Born on December 27, 1940, the Houston native was preceded in death by his parents Judy and Charles Ward, Sr., and by his brother Jeffrey S. Ward, Sr.  Married once to Cathy Covington Ward, he had no children but enjoyed a family of friends and business associates from across the globe.
A founder of Media Communications, and later, Idea Works Global in Dallas, he reached the pinnacle of success in luxury marketing. A private celebration of life will be held in Santa Barbara, California.
Full Obituary     Legacy Obituary    

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  Anne Watts (Morris)

Our classmate Anne Watts died in Austin on Sunday, 26 February 2023. Anne was an excellent writer, and plied her craft at Lamar, at Rice, and finally out in the world.  Well captured in her obituary in the Austin American Statesman.  A gentle soul with great wit and talent, a superb representative of our Class.
From the Rice write-up on Anne:  

Anne Weaver (Goodwin)

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Our classmate Anne Weaver died on Friday 9 August 2019 after an extended stay in a Memory Care Unit and Hospice in College Station, Texas.  Her daughter Amy has transcribed Anne's autobiography and compiled numerous historic photographs.  The collection can be found at two locations and two formats on the Internet:   as three Shutterfly albums, and under archive.org - additionally, her obituary as published in the Houston Chronicle is here.  

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 Mack Wetmore

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MACK RANDALL WETMORE JR.   "My brother's favorite good-bye was "I love you all".  And what is remarkable about that is that he really did love us all.  He really did.  Mack Jr. was born in Houston,Texas at St. Joseph's Hospital on April 7, 1940 to Eve and Mack R. Wetmore Sr. He was a special child that with my parents love led a complete and full life. He graduated from Roberts, Lanier and in 1959 from Lamar High School, where he played cymbals in the band and belonged to the FFA club, beginning his true love for music and animals.  Mack Jr. attended Sam Houston State University and served in the Navy at the Jacksonville, Florida Naval Air Station. Prior to starting his career, Mack Jr. studied voice with Michael Lawrence and worked for John Werler at the Houston Zoo.  In 1969 he joined Wetmore & Company, a printing company founded in 1947 by our father.  He was named associate of the year in 1993 and retired in 1997.  Mack Jr. is survived by his father's wife Debbie, brother Jack Wetmore and wife Nancy, nephews Clint Wetmore and wife Kristie and their daugther Riley, and Chad Wetmore and his wife Kathy. Several years ago Mack Jr. was adopted in friendship and into the home and family of Barbara and Juan Naranjo. He loved them very much and remained in their love and care until Thursday, September 21st [2006], when cancer won. A memorial service will be conducted in his and our father's honor by our friends The Reverend J. Pittman McGehee and The Very Reverend Joe D. Reynolds at Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Avenue, on Saturday, September 23, 2006 at 11 A.M. with a reception to follow in the Guild Hall. Mack Jr. will be interred in the Columbarium at the Cathedral next to his mother. Contributions may be made in his memory to the Houston Zoo or the charity of your choice." "I love you all."

Published in Houston Chronicle from September 22 to September 23, 2006

Tim was a 1959 graduate of Lamar High School and a 1968 graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University, where he was also a member of Phi Kappa Alpha. He served in the United States Air Force from 1961-1965 in the 331st Fighter Interceptor Squadron.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 29 years, Donna Wheatley and his parents, Thompson T Player Jr. and Kathleen Berthold Player. He is survived by his sons, Timothy S Wheatley Jr. of Katy and Philip P Wheatley (Kim) of Frisco, his daughter, Laura Wheatley Hughes, of Katy, his stepdaughter, Diane Grace (Jim) and stepson, Bill Scoggins (Tara), both of Houston. He also leaves behind 11 grandchildren, Kara Wolfe (Jake), Autumn Hughes, Dillon Wheatley, Kaitlyn Hughes, Hunter Wheatley, Kate Wheatley, Caroline Wheatley, John Patrick, James Patrick, Conrad Scoggins and Savannah Scoggins.

Tim will be greatly missed by many relatives, friends, and associates. He loved studying and talking about his family history and was a proud member of Sons of the American Revolution, General Society of the War of 1812 and Sons of the Confederate Veterans.  

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at MD Anderson Cancer Center for their wonderful attention that they gave our Dad over the last year.

Visitation will be on Thursday, July 23rd at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home from 6p-8p and a Graveside service will be conducted at 11am on Friday, July 24th at Glenwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the Family requests a donation be made in the name of Tim Wheatley to the MD Anderson Cancer Center or the Leukemia And Lymphoma Society .

1940-2015  Published on-line from July 23, 2015 on, and in the Houston Chronicle on July 23rd.

Doud “D.J.” Jordan Wible, Jr. passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on Thursday the 15th of February 2018. Doud was born in Houston on the 14th of November in 1940 to Dr. Doud Jordan Wible and Mildred LaVerne Wible.  

He graduated from Lamar High School in 1959 and Sam Houston State College in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science. Doud was a charter member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and was active in the support of his fraternity brothers. He spent his career working for Shell Oil Company at the Bellaire Research Center and retired after 33 years.

Our classmate Bain Williams died on 6 March 2023 in Fredericksburg, TX after a 12-year struggle with Parkinsons Disease.  Our classmate Jeremy Wicker knew Bain well:  Bain and I were fast friends and playmates during our days at West U. Elementary. We were also in the same homeroom. He lived on Arnold St. (between Auden St. and Edloe St.) While Bain and I always got along, I must say, in those days, he loved a good fistfight! During the years 1992-2006, I lived half the time in my home in Wimberley and half the time on Naughton, which is a small cul-de-sac near Gessner and Briar Forest. I lived at one end and Bain lived at the other end. For years we didn't realize we were neighbors.
   Bain's published obituary is replete with recollections and tributes from many friends:  
Orenda page   Published obituary

Phyllis Jean Winford (Lee):  Thursday, May 19, 2011, 4:47 pm, Phyllis passed away from multiple health complication that had been building odds against her for a number of years.  Her last year, as many may know, has been been very challenging for her.  Her last 3 1/2 weeks was spent in an ICU unit in a Houston hospital.  We all know she was a fighter but this battle would be her last.  She will be greatly missed by family and friends.

In Loving Memory of Phyllis Winford Lee March 6, 1941 - May 19, 2011.   Mrs. Phyllis Winford Lee, 70, of Cedar Park, passed away Thursday, May 19, 2011. Family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Angel Funeral Home in Austin, Texas. Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, also at Angel Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Texas State Cemetery. Mrs. Lee was preceded in death by her husband, former Texas Insurance Commissioner, Doyce R. Lee, father, Dr. Albert C. (Doc) Winford, and mother, Phyllis A. Winford. She is survived by her brother, A.C. (Clem) Winford, Jr., and wife, Martha, step-mother, Shirley Winford, sister-in-law, Phyllis Robinett and husband, Charles, brother-in-law, Kenneth C. Lee and wife, Mary, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Phyllis was born and raised in Houston, and was a longtime resident of the Austin area. She earned an Undergraduate and a Masters Degree from the University of Texas. The majority of her career was with the Education Service Center, Region 13 as a Special Education Consultant. She was a member of the Riverbend Baptist Church of Austin, Texas. Services under the direction of the Angel Funeral Home, 1600 S. First St., Austin, Texas (512) 441-9738

Published in Austin American-Statesman on May 22, 2011