TEXAS OBITUARIES (JULY 2001–JULY 2003)

(from the Texas Almanac 2004-2005)

A

Adams, John G., 91; served as general counsel for the Army in the 1950s when he was nemesis to Sen. Joe McCarthy during televised hearings; in Dallas, June 26, 2003.

Ahn, Suzanne, 51; neurologist and Dallas community leader, Korean native raised in Tyler, served on the Texas Air Quality Control Board and the State Board of Medical Examiners; from cancer, in Dallas, June 22, 2003.

Allison, Joe, 77; McKinney native co-wrote Jim Reeves hit “He’ll Have to Go,” and other songs; helped form the Country Music Disc Jockey Assoc., which later became the Country Music Assoc.; in Nashville, Aug. 2, 2002.

Armstrong, John B., 83; former King Ranch CEO and third generation rancher; ran unsuccessfully for agriculture commissioner in 1964 and served on the Texas Animal Commission; in San Antonio, Feb. 20, 2003.

John F. Rhodes

Mary Kay Ash

Ash, Mary Kay, 83; her cosmetics company (known for its signature color pink) grew from 11 employees in 1963 to a multimillion-dollar global empire at her death; in Dallas, November 22, 2001.

Astronauts of Columbia; all had spent training in Texas and were seen as Texas’ own; two had strong Texas ties, Rick Husband to Amarillo and William McCool to Lubbock; others where Michael Anderson, David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark and Ilan Ramon; shuttle broke apart over Texas, Feb. 1, 2003.

Attlesey, Sam, 56; distinguished reporter of Texas politics for 28 years for The Dallas Morning News, serving as deputy director of the Austin bureau at his death from cancer; in Sulphur Springs, April 2, 2003.

B

Bittle, Jerry, 53; Dallas-area cartoonist of the nationally syndicated Geech and Shirley & Son comic strips; of a heart attack while scuba diving in Honduras, April 7, 2003.

Bonham, Donald L., 74; co-founder in 1972 of Fiesta Mart supermarkets specializing in international foods, one store grew to chain of 49 across Texas; in Houston, April 5, 2003.

Bowers, Elliot, 83; associated for 52 years with Sam Houston State University where he was president from 1970 until 1989, its greatest period of growth; in Huntsville, May 30, 2003.

Brinkley, David, 82; famed television newsman with NBC’s Huntley-Brinkley Report and later with ABC; in Houston where he had retired, June 11, 2003.

Brown, Caro, 93; reporter for the Alice Daily Echo whose coverage of Duval County political boss George Parr earned her a Pulitzer Prize in 1955; in Boerne, Aug. 5, 2001.

Burnett, Warren, 75; legendary Odessa trial lawyer who fought for school integration, the United Farm Workers Union, defended La Raza Unida activists; in Fort Davis, Sept. 23, 2002.

C

Carr, Billie, 74; leading Democratic party figure and activist over four decades, nicknamed “godmother of liberal politics in Texas;” in Houston, Sept. 9, 2002.

Christian, George, 75; former press secretary to President Lyndon B. Johnson and adviser to many other Texas political leaders; in Austin, Nov. 27, 2002.

Clements, W.W. “Foots,” 88; soft-drink delivery-truck driver starting in 1935 who eventually became CEO of Dr Pepper Co., chairman emeritus at his death; in Dallas, Oct. 3, 2002.

Connally, Merrill L. Sr., 80; younger brother of Gov. John Connally; rancher, Wilson County judge, and movie and television actor; in Floresville, Sept. 4, 2001.

Cox, John L., 78; Burkburnett native was oilman known as “King of the Spraberry” for making the Permian Basin field productive, served as trustee for Rice University; in Midland, July 11, 2003.

Karen Stallwood

The Rev W.A. Criswell

Criswell, Rev. W.A., 92; national evangelical leader who was pastor of Dallas’ First Baptist Church from 1944, becoming pastor emeritus in 1994; headed the Southern Baptist Convention for two terms; in Dallas, Jan. 10, 2002.

D

Daniel, Jean Houston Baldwin, 86; descendant of Sam Houston and widow of former U.S. Senator and Gov. Price Daniel; in Liberty, Dec. 14, 2002.

Dedman, Robert H. Sr., 76; philanthropist who built a multibillion-dollar empire of golf clubs and resorts; former chairman of Texas State Highway Commission; in Dallas, Aug. 20, 2002.

DeHartog, Jan, 88; Dutch-born author who in the 1960s exposed deplorable conditions at Houston’s Jeff Davis Hospital; wrote Tony-Award winning hit “Fourposter”; in Houston, Sept. 22, 2002.

De La O, Jesús “Chuy,” 74; a fixture in El Paso politics, champion of poor and elderly; ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1981; in El Paso, April 8, 2002.

E

Eakin, Ed, 74; Chilton native founded the state’s largest non-academic press in 1979; credited with preserving Texas lore through the Austin-based Eakin Press; in Austin, Feb. 20, 2002.

Eckhardt, Bob, 88; liberal Democrat spent 1967-81 in Congress representing Houston’s 8th District; previously in the Legislature from 1958; in Austin, Nov. 13, 2001.

F

Flournoy, Lucien, 83; Alice oilman and philanthropist; former mayor; served on Texas Aeronautics Commission and Texas Economic Development Commission; in Corpus Christi, March 27, 2003.

Formby, Margaret, 73; rancher’s daughter who was impetus behind the creation of the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 1975, first in Hereford and now in Fort Worth; in Hereford, April 10, 2003.

Freeman, Charles E. III, 54; one of two blacks to desegregate Rice University in 1965, later student activist at Texas Southern University; defense lawyer, devout Muslim; from cancer, in Houston, May 12, 2003.

Freeman, Dovie Frances, 83; from 1954-89 served up sizzling steaks as a waitress at Austin’s Hoffbrau, known for her wit and signature jumpsuit; in Austin, Oct. 1, 2002.

Furr, Donald, 74; CEO from 1959-85 of the family cafeteria business headquartered in Lubbock; he served on Texas Tech University President’s Council; in Maryland, July 30, 2002.

G

Galloway, Harry M., 86; chief chemist at Pearl Brewery where he worked from 1954-81; distinguished Navy pilot in World War II; in San Antonio, Aug. 4, 2002.

Garcés, Ramon, 76; Laredo native was influential journalist and advocate for migrant farm workers; headed Spanish branch of the Voice of America 1979-81; in Austin, Sept. 14, 2002.

Garcia, Clotilde P., 86; known as “Dr. Cleo,” delivered 10,000 babies, civic leader and sister of civil rights leaders Hector and Xico Garcia, 75, who died April 28; in Corpus Christi, May 27, 2003.

Garcia, Irene Martinez, 86; oldest child of founders of El Fenix restaurants where she served as chairman of the board; in Dallas, March 31, 2003.

Garibay, Randy, 62; guitarist and singer known as the “Godfather of San Antonio Blues” and the “Chicano Bluesman”; began with doo-wop groups from the city’s West Side in the 1950s; in San Antonio, May 23, 2002.

Gjemre, Ken, 81; corporate dropout became business icon after co-founding Half Price Books in Dallas in 1972, grew to 73 stores located in 11 states; in California, May 27, 2002.

Gladden, Don, 71; Fort Worth civil-rights lawyer, activist for integration and against the poll tax, legislator from 1959-68; in Fort Worth, Feb. 14, 2002.

Gonzales, Raymond B. Jr., 90; co-founded with his wife Carmen in 1948 the popular Austin restaurant La Tapatia which operated until 1993; in Austin, Oct. 24, 2001.

Gordon, Harry Bernard Sr., 92; Houston philanthropist who turned a family store into jewelry empire by pioneering the practice of offering credit to customers; in Houston, Jan. 22, 2002.

Green, Cecil Howard, 102; international philanthropist; one of the founders in 1941 of what became Texas Instruments, which helped make Dallas, Houston and Austin technology centers; in La Jolla, Calif., April 12, 2003.

David Leeson

A.C. Greene

Greene, A.C., 78; Abilene native was noted historian, author and newspaper columnist; director emeritus of the University of North Texas’ Center for Texas Studies; in Salado, April 5, 2002.

Guerrero, Eberardo “Larry,” 75; owner of landmark Mexican restaurant, Larry’s, in Richmond for more than 40 years; was a construction foreman building NASA; in Richmond, March 27, 2003.

Gump, Richard A., 85; founded in 1945 along with political adviser Robert Strauss Texas’ largest law firm, Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld LLP; in Dallas, June 21, 2003.

Gunby, David, 58; engineer who was a student Aug. 1, 1966, when shot by Charles Whitman from the University of Texas tower; spent the rest of his life in kidney dialysis, death ruled the 15th homicide from the incident; in Fort Worth, Nov. 12, 2001.

Gunn, Warren, 84; Fredericksburg rancher who was one of the organizers of the first rodeo performers association in 1936, named to the Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2000; in San Antonio, May 29, 2002.

H

John F. Rhodes

Bob Hayes

Hayes, Bob, 59; Olympic gold-medal sprinter in 1964 and Dallas Cowboys receiver for 10 years, earning a Super Bowl ring in 1972; of kidney failure, in Florida, Sept. 18, 2002.

Henderson, Luther A., 82; bought Pier 1 Imports in 1966 and transformed it into a nationwide retail force; was founder-chairman of the company until 1993; in Fort Worth, Sept. 28, 2002.

Hinckley, Margaret A. “Marty” Jenkins; 74; Clarendon native married into Dallas family with ice cream business, came up with the idea for chocolate nut bar for vendors at the State Fair of Texas, evolved into the “Drumstick”; in Mabank, March 3, 2003.

Hill, Bobby Joe, 59; leader of the all-black Texas Western team that won the 1966 NCAA championship against the all-white Kentucky team, a landmark in college basketball; apparent heart attack in El Paso, Dec. 8, 2002.

Hofner, Emil “Bash,” 83; played steel guitar in brother Adolph Hofner’s band that blended Western swing with Czech polkas; in San Antonio, Jan. 16, 2002.

Hubenak, Joe, 64; member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1968-79 and a leader in agricultural legislation; ran unsuccessfully for agricultural commissioner in 1978; in Richmond, Nov. 14, 2001.

Hurd, John Gavin, 87; Republican leader, was president of the Texas independent oilmen’s association and former U.S. ambassador to South Africa; in San Antonio, Sept. 6, 2001.

J

Jackson, Maynard Jr., 65; Dallas native who became the first black mayor of Atlanta, Ga., in 1973; in Washington, D.C., June 23, 2003.

Jacobsen, Jake, 83; legal assistant to President Lyndon B. Johnson, former Department of Public Safety commissioner, accused John Connally of taking bribe as Treasury secretary; in Giddings, June 30, 2003.

Jennings, Waylon, 64; Littlefield native was part of country music’s outlaw movement, had 16 No. 1 hits, songwriter and guitarist had played in Buddy Holly’s band; in Arizona, Feb. 13, 2002.

Johnson, J. Lee III, 84; business and civic leader was part of team in 1960s that negotiated agreement between Fort Worth and Dallas to build D-FW International Airport; in Fort Worth, Aug. 18, 2002.

Johnson, Lee Otis, 62; student leader in the 1960s at Texas Southern University, arrested on a marijuana charge; “Free Lee Otis” became chant across Texas; in Houston, June 12, 2002.

Jones, Luther, 85; leader in Corpus Christi over four decades, first as commander of the Army Depot and then as mayor for eight years, granted title of mayor emeritus; in Corpus Christi, March 3, 2002.

Josey, Jack Symth, 86; Houston oilman who with others (see Sawtelle, below) developed Lakeway community on Lake Travis; on boards of University of Texas, Rice University and Hermann Hospital; in California, Feb. 27, 2003.

K

Katz, Sol, 88; Corsicana native started throwing The Dallas Morning News in high school and went on the serve on the board of directors of Belo, the parent company; in Plano, May 9, 2002.

Kazen, Jimmy, 90; one of four sons of Lebanese immigrants who achieved prominence in South Texas politics; former prosecutor and judge; in Laredo, Feb. 25, 2003.

Kitchens, C.T. “Jack,” 85; with McBrayer (see "M") developed the first offset newspaper press; in Fort Worth, Dec. 15, 2002.

Kozmetsky, George, 85; benefactor of the University of Texas where he headed the College of Business Administration from 1966-82; laid groundwork for Austin’s emergence as a technology center; in Austin, April 30, 2003.

L

Lampman, Hugh W., 69; 50-year broadcast veteran; hosted for nine years Music til Dawn at KRLD in Dallas; won Peabody Award; in Dallas, July 15, 2002.

Lane, Dick “Night Train,” 73; Austin high school athlete whose football career with the Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions earned him a place in the NFL Hall of Fame; in Austin, Jan. 29, 2002.

LaSelle, Dorothy Antoinette “Toni,” 100; painter who during her 44-year tenure at Texas Woman’s University inspired generations of young artists; in Denton, July 26, 2002.

Lemons, Abe, 79; one of college basketball’s winningest and wittiest coaches, at the University of Texas from 1977-82, also coached at Pan American; in Oklahoma, Sept. 2, 2002.

Lewis, Sam, 80; West Texas public relations figure who promoted jalapeños and armadillo racing; one of the original supporters of the Terlingua Chili Cook-off; in San Angelo, Jan. 10, 2003.

Liedtke, J. Hugh, 81; oilman founded Zapata Petroleum Corp. in 1953 in Midland with former President George H.W. Bush, firm became Pennzoil Co. where he was CEO; in Houston, March 28, 2003.

Logan, Horace Lee, 86; began country music’s radio program Louisiana Hayride in 1948 where artist such as Elvis Presley and Hank Williams got their breaks; in Victoria, Oct. 13, 2002.

M

Manente, The Rev. Vladimiro, 81; Italian-born priest in Laredo credited with starting the cursillo retreat movement in the United States in 1958; in Laredo, April 28, 2002.

David Woo

Stanley Marcus

Marcus, Stanley, 96; internationally known retailer heading Neiman Marcus from 1950-77; civic leader and commentator, wrote books on merchandising and fashion; in Dallas, Jan. 22, 2002.

Matocha, Lee Roy, 70; bandleader who for four decades entertained Texans with broadcasts of Czech music, raised in Plum; in Fayette County, July 12, 2003.

Matthews, Gordon, 65; Austin inventor who created the first voice mail system in the late 1970s and patented it in 1982; in Dallas, Feb. 23, 2002.

Maverick, Maury Jr., 82; liberal lawyer, legislator and newspaper columnist, civil rights advocate for 50 years; son of New Deal congressman and San Antonio mayor; in San Antonio, Jan. 28, 2003.

McBrayer, Staley Thomas, 92; credited with bringing offset printing to small newspapers in the 1950s when he and a team of engineers developed the offset newspaper press; in Fort Worth, April 14, 2002.

McClendon, Sarah, 92; Tyler native known as the colorful and aggressive White House reporter from the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt to that of George W. Bush; served in the Army in World War II, champion of veterans’ causes; in Washington, D.C., Jan. 8, 2003.

McGrew, Jack, 88; Denton native was a pioneer in Texas broadcasting beginning in 1930; was program director at KPRC in Houston during coverage of the Texas City explosions in 1947; in Las Cruces, N.M., Nov. 25, 2001.

McKool, Mike, 84; Dallas lawyer was longtime Democratic leader, state senator from 1968-72; son of immigrant Lebanese parents; in Dallas, Feb. 22, 2003.

Michels, Doug, 59; Houston artist who created the Panhandle landmark of 10 Cadillacs planted nose down; in Australia in a climbing accident, June 12, 2003.

Milkovisch, Mary, 85; with husband, John, created the famed Beer Can House which has become a Houston folk art landmark; in Houston, March 18, 2002.

Moody, Chip, 54; television anchorman during a 30-year career in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, El Paso and Waco; in Dallas, Dec. 26, 2001, after a series of health problems.

Morehead, Richard M. Sr., 89; former Austin bureau chief of The Dallas Morning News where he worked for 36 years, retiring in 1978; served on the Texas Judicial Council for 31 years; in Austin, Jan. 31, 2003.

Moursund, A.W., 82; Central Texas lawyer who with friend Lyndon B. Johnson worked to bring electricity to the region; served in Texas House from 1948-52; in Round Mountain, April 22, 2002.

N

Newbury, Mickey, 62; Houstonian was among the Texas songwriters of the 1960s, first hit was “Funny, Familiar, Forgotten Feelings”; his “An American Trilogy” was a Elvis Presley standard; in Oregon, Sept. 29, 2002.

Nixon, Joan Lowery, 76; award-winning author of more than 140 books, including murder mysteries and historical novels for children and for young adults; in Houston, June 28, 2003.

O

Olson, Barbara Bracher, 45; Houston native and national conservative political commentator, wife of U.S. solicitor general; killed at the Pentagon in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

P

Pate, James Leonard, 67; former CEO of Pennzoil-Quaker State Co., assistant secretary of commerce and economic spokesman for President Gerald Ford; in Houston, Jan. 18, 2003.

Patterson, Earl, 99; the oldest former drum major at Texas A&M University, in the 1920s helped start the Elephant Walk tradition; in Tomball, Aug. 4, 2002.

Pequeno, Reymunda Trevino, 93; Dallas native, wife of Methodist minister, was mother of 16 sons and four daughters, left 700 descendants; in Abilene, April 21, 2003.

Perry, Oma Bell, 90; Bay City native was a descendant of the sister of Stephen F. Austin, gave 7,500-acre ranch in Real County for an orphans’ home and retirement village; May 29, 2003.

Phillips, Jimmy, 88; populist in the Legislature 1945-1959 and later mentor to some of the state’s leading politicians; played key role in exposing 1950s veterans’ land scandal; at Bailey’s Prairie, Jan. 14, 2002.

Prigogine, Ilya, 86; winner of the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1977 and for 35 years a professor at the University of Texas at Austin; in Brussels, Belgium, May 28, 2003.

Pulido, Dionicia, 92; founded with her husband their first restaurant in 1966 which grew into a chain of 13 across North Texas; in Benbrook, June 23, 2003.

R

Raillard, Raymond, 85; helped found the outdoor drama Texas staged each year in Palo Duro Canyon; in Canyon, Jan. 1, 2002.

Rangel, Irma, 71; Kingsville Democrat was first Hispanic woman elected to the Legislature where she served for 26 years; advocate of higher education; in Austin, March 18, 2003.

Riley, John E. “Jack,” 78; served 33 years with NASA, broadcast voice of the Apollo program, providing commentary for the first moon walk; in La Porte, April 17, 2003.

Rogers, Sol J., 87; Houston-area philanthropist who in 1937 founded Texas State Optical in Beaumont, firm spread into Louisiana and New Mexico; in Houston, Jan. 18, 2002.

Rostow, Walt, 86; economist, University of Texas professor for 33 years and adviser to John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson; was an advocate of military intervention in Vietnam; in Austin, Feb. 13, 2003.

Rote, Kyle, 73; San Antonio high school athlete, former SMU All-American and NFL star of the 1950s, playing with the New York Giants; sports broadcaster in the 1960s and 1970s; in Baltimore, Aug. 15, 2002.

S

Sawtelle, G. Flint, 82; oilman who with others developed land around Lake Travis in 1962 into resort and retirement center known as Lakeway Inn and Marina; in Fort Worth, Aug. 24, 2001.

Schramm, Texas E. “Tex,” 83; president and general manager for 29 years of the Dallas Cowboys, making them into “America’s Team,” University of Texas journalism graduate; in Dallas, July 15, 2003.

Schwartz, Walter, 81; mayor of Brenham, chancellor and former president of Blinn College when it grew from 3,500 in 1984 to 9,000, also served two terms as state legislator; in Houston, July 7, 2003.

Scurlock, Elizabeth, 99; philanthropist who with her husband, oilman Eddy Scurlock, benefited the Texas Medical Center and the Institute of Religion in Houston; Edna native died in Houston, June 9, 2003.

Speir, Col. Wilson E. “Pat,” 84; director of the Texas Department of Public Safety from 1968 to 1980; began 36-year service in the department as a highway patrolman; in Austin, April 22, 2002.

Steinbeck, Elaine, 88; Austin native and former actress was widow of author John Steinbeck and supporter of his legacy; in New York, April 27, 2003.

Sutton, A.C. Sr., 83; godchild of George Washington Carver and former president of the Texas NAACP; former member of the Texas Youth Commission; in San Antonio, March 30, 2002.

T

Taylor, J.W. “Bill,” 90; starting in 1939, Anson native helped build Taylor Publishing into one of the nation’s largest sellers of school yearbooks; in Dallas, June 10, 2002.

Thompson, John P., 77; Dallas philanthropist and civic leader who for decades held top positions at the Southland Corp., now 7-Eleven Inc.; former chairman of the chancellor’s council at the University of Texas; in Dallas, Jan. 28, 2003.

Tijerina, Pete, 80; Laredo native and attorney who created the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund in 1968, a national civil-rights organization; in San Antonio, May 14, 2003.

Tolar, Charlie, 65; running back for the AFL Houston Oilers, because of his height (5 ft.-6 in.) known as the “Human Bowling Ball”; in Houston, April 28, 2003.

Topfer, Angela, 55; Austin civic leader, wife of Dell Computer executive, benefactor gave millions of dollars to social causes; complications from cancer, in Austin, June 3, 2003.

Trejo, Frank, 95; Elmendorf native known as dean of Hispanic journalists in Texas; wrote “Frank Talk” and “Around the Plaza” columns in the San Antonio Light; in San Antonio, Sept. 29, 2002.

Tupa, Julius Victor; 71; editor of the Texas Polka News, director of the Texas Polka Music Assoc., called Houston’s polka king; in Houston, Oct. 5, 2002.

W

Wallace, Mack, 73; former Railroad Commission chairman, Athens native was legal counsel to Gov. Dolph Briscoe; in Dallas, June 28, 2003.

Ware, Rev. Browning, 73; for 20 years, beginning in 1976, pastor of First Baptist Church in Austin, community and ecumenical leader; in Austin, Oct. 29, 2002.

West, James T., 86; Corsicana native was former co-owner and president of Wolf Brand Chili and son of the founder; in Dallas, Aug. 14, 2002.

Wilson, Mary Robert, 87; the first woman to be awarded the Silver Star for her heroics as a nurse in World War II; Tom Brokaw wrote a chapter on her in his book The Greatest Generation; in Duncanville, Nov. 19, 2001.

Wisch, Jessard “Jimmy,” 85; publisher and co-founder of the Texas Jewish Post, and a fixture in the Jewish community in North Texas; former president of the American Jewish Press Association; in Fort Worth, Jan. 26, 2002.

Wisenbaker, Royce E., 84; East Texas businessman and benefactor to Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Tyler; in Tyler, Sept. 11, 2001.

Y

Young, John A., 85; Democratic congressman from Corpus Christi for 22 years until 1978, and former Nueces County judge and prosecutor; in Virginia, Jan. 22, 2002.

Youngblood, Guadalupe “Lupe” Jr., 55; South Texas political activist in the 1960s and 70s, former state chairman of La Raza Unida Party; lecturer in Mexican-American studies at several colleges; in Robstown, Feb. 4, 2002.