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.

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.
_______________
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."  

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

---

   Frank Nelson

---

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.

---

   John O'Quinn

---

    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

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]

  Services for Patricia Jane McClendon, 41, of 3304 77th St. will be at 2 pm Saturday at First Christian Church with Dr. Dudley Strain and the Rev. James W. Sutherlin officiating.
  Burial will be under direction of Rix Funeral Directors.
  Mrs. McClendon died at 2:10 pm Thursday [3 February 1983] at Methodist Hospital [Lubbock, TX] after an illness. 
  She 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 suggest memorials to the Cancer Treatment Center at Methodist Hospital.
  Pallbearers will be Bill Russell, Terry Bickerton, Blair Cherry Jr., S.E. Cane. Jr., Don Gardner, Tom M. Richards, Dr. Eugene White, and Russell White.
  Honorary pallbearers will be 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.

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.

---

   Charles Summers

---

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.

---

   Jimmy Tabb

---

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."

---

   Jim Vick

---

"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."

---

   Mack Wetmore

---

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 Air Base. 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

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