Memorials
Submit a memorial at texasbar.com/memorials or call (512) 427-1830. For information on closing a deceased attorney’s practice, go to www.texasbarcle.com/materials/closingapractice.html.
Michael Ray Johnson
Johnson, 73, of Richland
Springs, died March 9, 2018. He received his law degree from the
University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in
1969. Johnson was an attorney with the IRS Estate and Gift Tax Division
in Dallas from 1970 to 1975; an attorney for Bandy Law Firm in Tyler
from 1975 to 1977; an attorney for the Department of Energy in Houston
from 1977 to 1979; general counsel to Enterprise Products in Houston
from 1979 to 2004; and in retirement, as an attorney-contract reviewer
for various contract jobs in Houston from 2004 to 2008 and as an
attorney-contract reviewer for Lloyd’s Register in Houston from 2012 to
2014. He was instrumental in the Enterprise Lou-Tex Natural Gas Liquids
Pipeline L.P. project. Johnson enjoyed woodworking, doing community
service, and supporting University of Texas Longhorn football. He is
survived by his wife of 53 years, Patricia; sons, Aaron and Edward;
brothers, Curtis, Gary, and Randy; and sister, Yvonne.
M. Sheppard Strong
Strong, 65, of Austin, died
February 9, 2018. He received his law degree from the University of
Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1978. Strong
was a partner in Daugherty, Kuperman & Golden in Austin, Johnson
& Swanson in Austin, and Sneed Vine in Austin and a solo
practitioner in Austin. He was certified in tax law by the Texas Board
of Legal Specialization. Strong was active in the Boy Scouts of America,
serving on the executive board of the Capitol Area Council. He is
survived by his wife of 44 years, Karen; son, Sheppard Strong; daughter,
Katherine Strong Woods; brothers, William F. Strong and David Strong;
and one grandchild.
Donald R. Smith
Smith, 78, of McKinney, died April 24,
2018. He received his law degree from the South Texas College of Law and
was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1966. Smith was a solo practitioner in
Commerce in the mid-1960s; a partner in Morgan & Smith (later
Morgan, Smith & Crouch) in Greenville in the late 1960s; a partner
in Koons, Smith & Rasor (now KoonsFuller) in the 1970s; and owner of
the Law Offices of Donald R.?Smith in Dallas starting in the 1980s. He
was inducted to the State Bar of Texas Family Law Hall of Legends for
accomplishments such as authoring the original edition of the Texas
Family Law Practice Manual and was in one of the first groups of
family law attorneys certified by the Texas Board of Legal
Specialization. Smith is survived by his sons, attorney J. Allen Smith,
attorney D. Robert Smith, and attorney Patrick N. Smith; daughter, Tanya
Sue Smith; and nine grandchildren, including an attorney.
Gus A. Schill Jr.
Schill, 85, of Kerrville, died March 25,
2018. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School of
Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1958. Schill worked for
Royston, Rayzor, Vickery & Williams in Houston from 1958 to 1995,
eventually becoming a partner, and was an adjunct professor at the
University of Texas School of Law and the University of Houston Law
Center. He was a member of Phi Delta Phi at the University of Texas and
received the Honorary Alumnus Award from the University of Houston and
the A.A. White Outstanding Professors Award in 2000. Schill enjoyed
studying history and participating in activities at Rice University. He
is survived by his wife of 56 years, Kay Gorges Schill; son, Steven
Schill; and daughter, Mary Schill.
Oswald V. Scott Jr.
Scott, 87, of Austin, died November 21,
2016. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1953 to 1957 being
honorably discharged as a captain. Scott received his law degree from
the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar
in 1961. He was an attorney with Crenshaw, Dupree & Milam in Lubbock
from 1961 to 1963 and partner in the firm from 1963 to 1993. Scott was a
partner in Baker Brown & Thompson in Lubbock from 1993 to 1996. He
was a member of the Lubbock County Bar Association. Scott was a man of
incredible integrity, finding his greatest satisfaction in the
relationships he formed when representing clients. He was an avid pilot
and obtained his private pilot’s license in 1981. Scott was a gifted
athlete and an exceptional golfer, having won many golf tournaments
across the country, including club championships in Lubbock and was the
Austin Country Club Super Senior Club Champion from 2004 to 2007. He is
survived by his son, John M. Scott, and three grandchildren.
George Webb Owens
Owens, 91, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, died
April 26, 2018. He served in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from June
1944 to July 1946. Owens received his law degree from the University of
Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1951. He was
admitted to the Oklahoma Bar in 1959. Owens was a founder of Owens &
Goodman, which later became the Owens Law Firm in Tulsa. He was a member
of the Chancellors and Order of the Coif. Owens had myriad business
interests including oil and gas interests, printing, and a smoking pipe
business. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, June H. Owens; son,
Greg; daughters, Dulcie and attorney Robyn; and three grandchildren.
Owens was predeceased by his wife of 38 years, Polly Drisdale Owens.
Ron Cohen
Cohen, 59, of Sugar Land, died March 18,
2018. He received his law degree from the University of Houston Law
Center and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1989. Cohen was an associate
of Chamberlain Hrdlicka in Houston from 1989 to 1992; with Cohen &
Raymond in Houston from 1992 to 2010; with Ronald M. Cohen &
Associates in Richmond from 2010 to 2016; and judge of the Fort Bend
County Court at Law No. 5 in Richmond from November 2016 to March 2018.
He loved being a judge, and it was his lifelong dream to become one. The
family is thrilled he got to do it, if only for a short time. Cohen is
also remembered for his love of his family. He is survived by his wife
of 35 years, Susan S. Cohen; son, Mark R. Cohen; daughter, Laura M.
Cohen; brother, Irving Cohen; sister, Andrea Distenfeld; and two
grandchildren.
Frank Carmona
Carmona, 83, of Galveston, died July
20, 2017. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School
of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1960. Carmona was an
assistant district attorney in the Galveston County District Attorney’s
Office from 1961 to 1964; a partner in Harris, Martin & Carmona in
Galveston from 1965 to 1986; a solo practitioner from 1986 to 1995; and
judge of the 122nd Judicial District Court of Galveston County from 1995
to 2002. He served as commissioner for Galveston County from 1972 to
1990; was president of the South Texas County Judges and Commissioners
Association; and was a member of the Galveston County Bar Association.
Carmona had a love of music and spent many evenings singing and playing
the guitar with friends and family. He is survived by his wife of 58
years, Vera Carmona; son, Frank Kenneth Carmona; and brothers, Alfred
Trinidad Carmona Jr. and Jose Alfonso Carmona.
Harvey Z.
Simon
Simon, 70, of Bath, Ohio, died December
23, 2017. He received his law degree from Georgetown Law and was
admitted to the Texas Bar in 1989. Simon was admitted to the D.C. Bar in
1973. He was deputy general counsel to and supervised the litigation
division of the Office of General Counsel at the Federal Home Loan Bank
Board in Washington, D.C., from 1972 to 1984; vice president and chief
counsel to Empire of America Federal Savings Bank in Buffalo, New York,
from 1984 to 1987; and general counsel to, senior vice president, and
secretary of Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas from 1988 to 2006. Simon
received awards for Outstanding Service from the Federal Home Loan Bank
Board of Directors in 1973, 1976, 1977, 1980, and 1982. He was a CASA
representative, an avid sports fan, and played softball, tennis, and
basketball. Simon is survived by his wife of 47 years, Eileen Simon;
son, Adam Simon; daughter, Rachel Simon; brother, Ralph Simon; and
sister, Phyllis Simon Mirsky.
Angélique Giselle Montes
Gaumard
Gaumard, 37, of Houston, died May
15, 2018. She received her law degree from the University of Houston Law
Center and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 2010. Gaumard was a solo
practitioner in Houston from 2011 to 2018 and was a certified family
mediator at the Dispute Resolution Center of Harris County from 2012 to
2018. She was named a Pro Bono Guardian by the American Immigration
Lawyers Association in 2014. Gaumard was a strong advocate for all of
her clients and focused on representing those who are less fortunate.
She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her daughter, Isabella.
Gaumard is survived by her husband of 12 years, Kevin C. Gaumard, and
daughter, Isabella Gaumard Montes.
David V. Wilson
Wilson, 78, of Moscow, died May 31,
2018. He served in the U.S. Army and National Guard from 1961 to 1964.
Wilson received his law degree from South Texas College of Law and was
admitted to the Texas Bar in 1969. He was justice of the peace for
Precinct One of Angelina County from 1972 to 1975; assistant district
attorney for Angelina County from 1975 to 1977; judge of the 217th
District Court in Angelina County from 1977 to 2006; and senior judge of
the Second Administrative Judicial Region of Texas from 2006 to 2017.
Wilson was president of the Angelina County Junior Bar Association and
served on the Angelina County Bar Association Board of Directors. He was
a volunteer with 4-H, a board member of the American Cutting Horse
Association, and a member of the Angelina County Area Go Texan Committee
of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Wilson is survived by his wife
of 12 years, Martha Wilson; sons, attorney David Wilson and Daniel
Wilson; daughters, Sarah Vier, Elizabeth Walker, Lori Jordan, and Lee
Ann Hammond; and 16 grandchildren.
Donald Earl
Barnhill
Barnhill, 66, of San Antonio, died
April 14, 2018. He received his law degree from St. Mary’s University
School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1979. Barnhill was
admitted to the D.C. Bar in 1979. He was an experienced litigator in
both state and federal courts with cases ranging from personal injury to
complex federal procurement cases. Barnhill specialized in government
contracts and traveled extensively to Germany to represent clients. He
loved spending time with his family and playing tennis, golf, and
running. Barnhill is survived by his wife of 44 years, Denise;
daughters, Jennifer Barnhill Knudtson, Ashley Barnhill, and Catherine
Barnhill; son-in-law, Brody Knudtson; and two grandchildren.
Leonard N. Barksdale
Barksdale, 69, of Houston, died
May 14, 2018. He received his law degree from Texas Southern University
Thurgood Marshall School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in
1974. Barksdale was a Reginald Heber Smith Community Lawyer Fellow at
Legal Aid Society Louisville in Kentucky from 1974 to 1975; an attorney
with the Houston Legal Foundation from 1975 to 1976; and a solo
practitioner in Houston from 1976 to 1994. He was secretary of the
Houston Lawyers Association. Barksdale was pastor of Fifth Ward
Missionary Baptist Church from 1994 to 2016 and pastor emeritus from
2016 until the time of his death. He received the Eagle Scout Award, was
chosen to represent Galveston County at the 1964 New York World’s Fair,
and was a member of the board of trustees of the College of Biblical
Studies for 11 years, serving as chair for three years. Barksdale is
survived by his daughters, Lea Barksdale and attorney Anita Barksdale;
and mother, Joan Barksdale.
Lee H. Lytton III
Lytton, 74, of Austin, died March 31,
2018. He received his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of
Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1968. Lytton was a special
agent for the FBI from 1971 to 1974; assistant general counsel to the
State Bar of Texas in Austin from 1974 to 1977; a solo practitioner in
Corpus Christi from 1977 to 1987; and an oil, gas, and property
professor at St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio from
1987 until the time of his death. He loved to cook and grill for his
family and friends and enjoyed camping and traveling. Lytton is survived
by his wife of 47 years, attorney Susan Hagman Lytton; son, Edward
Lytton; daughter, Andrea Lytton Fitzpatrick; sisters, Sarita Lytton
Ellis and Molly Lytton; and four grandchildren.
Bob Casey Jr.
Casey, 79, of Houston, died April 27,
2018. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School of
Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1963. Casey was a partner in
Bracewell in Houston from 1963 until his retirement. He served on the
boards of the Visiting Nurse Association of Texas, the River Oaks
Property Owners, DiverseWorks, the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, the
Houston-Taipei Society, the McDonald Observatory, and the Houston Area
Parkinson Society. Casey had wide-ranging interests, including politics,
art, theater, education, and travel. He is survived by his wife of 56
years, Mary Kay; sons, Christopher, Bob, and Mike; daughter, Kathryn;
brothers, Mike, Tim, Shawn, and Kevin; sisters, Eileen Bujnoch, Bridget
Poizner, Bonnie Quinton, and Hazel Mary Harron; and seven
grandchildren.
Ronald Franklin Yates Sr.
Yates, 66, of Horseshoe Bay, died March
3, 2018. He received his law degree from Southern Methodist University
School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1976. Yates worked at
Kingsland Abstract & Title in Kingsland in 1976. He was the owner of
Central Texas Land Titles in Kingsland and Horseshoe Bay from 1976 to
2018 and of Yates & Hatfield in Horseshoe Bay from 2002 to 2007.
Yates was a solo practitioner in Horseshoe Bay from 2007 to 2016 and the
owner of Yates, Crow & Dudley in Horseshoe Bay from 2016 to 2018. He
was president of the Texas Land Title Association in 1996-1997, a fellow
of the College of the State Bar of Texas, and was certified in real
estate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 1984. Yates
enjoyed golfing, winemaking, cattle ranching, and being a grandfather.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Glena W. Yates; son, Ronald F.
Yates Jr.; daughter, Kara Y. Dudley; and three granddaughters.
Larry Charles “Chuck” Slaughter
Slaughter, 60, of
Amarillo, died December 11, 2016. He received his law degree from Texas
Tech University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1987.
Slaughter worked as an attorney with Robinson & Fotheringham in
Amarillo from 1987 to 1989 and as a prosecutor with the 47th District
Attorney’s Office in Amarillo from 1989 to 2016. He was a member of the
Panhandle Child Fatality Review Team and a board member of The
Bridge—Children’s Advocacy Center. Slaughter was the head coach of the
Amarillo Competitive Fencing Association. He is survived by his wife of
35 years, Gayle; son, Jared Slaughter; daughter, Courtney Corbello;
brothers, Kristofer Burton and Caleb Burton; and one grandchild.
James Earl Crouch
Crouch, 76, of Hamilton, died
September 23, 2017. He received his law degree from Baylor Law School
and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1966. Crouch was an attorney with
Andrew Campbell in Hamilton from 1966 to 1970; an attorney with Crouch
& White in Hamilton from 1973 to 2016; and owner of Hamilton County
Abstract in Hamilton. He was a historian and enjoyed traveling the
world. Crouch is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jane Caudle Crouch;
daughter, Jana Crouch Lippe; brothers, Ben Crouch and Charles Crouch;
and three grandchildren.
Donald F. Westra
Westra, 99, of Bradenton, Florida,
died December 18, 2017. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1941 to
1964, retiring with the rank of colonel, and was awarded the Legion of
Merit. Westra received his law degree from St. Mary’s University School
of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1954. He was assistant dean
and vice president for medical affairs at the Ohio State University
College of Medicine in Columbus from 1964 to 1980 and executive director
of the Christian Medical & Dental Associations in Richardson from
1980 to 1982. Westra is survived by his wife of 71 years, Mae Westra;
sons, attorney John Westra and Donald Westra Jr.; daughter, Ruth Brinks;
sister, Jean Oldham; 10 grandchildren; and eight
great-grandchildren.
W. Bruce Monroe
Monroe, 80, of Denton, died March
28, 2018. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School
of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1982. Monroe was also
admitted to the Alaska Bar in 1966. He was deputy commissioner of the
Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development from 1963 to 1967;
presiding judge of the First Judicial District Court in Juneau, Alaska,
from 1968 to 1975; a partner in Birch, Horton, Bittner and Monroe in
Juneau from 1975 to 1981; and an enthusiast of cattle ranching in
Blanket starting in 1981. Monroe enjoyed Alaska game hunting and salmon
fishing. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lee W. Monroe; son,
Bruce M. Monroe; daughter, Marlee Monroe Wilson; sister, Davieann Monroe
Witt; and three grandchildren.
Stuart Henry Kemp
Kemp, 53, of Houston, died November 13,
2017. He received his law degree from South Texas College of Law and was
admitted to the Texas Bar in 1994. Kemp was an associate of Tucker,
Hendrix, Snyder & Slade in Houston from 1993 to 1995; environmental
counsel to ExxonMobil from 1995 to 2000; and senior director of
Halliburton Energy Services’ Health, Safety, and Environmental Law
practice group in Houston for 14 years. He traveled the world and had
good friends on all continents and was an intelligent, witty, and
generous man with a contagious laugh as big as his heart. Kemp is
survived by his mother, Ivy Henry Kemp; sisters, Lesli Tippit, Liza
Martin, and Martha Andrews; his lifelong companion and dearest friend,
Denise Poulous; and half-sisters, Cathy Vance, Melissa Kemp, Melinda
Weatherford, and Debbie Darby.
Roy C. Hughes Jr.
Hughes, 87, of Garland, died February
25, 2018. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1954, including
service during the Korean War, and achieved the rank of staff sergeant.
Hughes received the Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service
Medal, United Nations Korea Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He
received his law degree from South Texas College of Law and was admitted
to the Texas Bar in 1958. Hughes was a solo practitioner, focusing on
criminal law, in Dallas from 1959 to 2008. He was a member of the Dallas
Bar Association and a past president of the Garland Bar Association.
Hughes is survived by his wife of over 64 years, Dolores C. Hughes; son,
Roy C. Hughes III; daughters, Stephanie Hughes May and Jessica Hughes
Lucksinger; sister, Charlene Hughes Williams; and four
grandchildren.
Travis Lynn Booher
Booher, 48, of Tyler, died May
29, 2018. He received his law degree from South Texas College of Law and
was admitted to the Texas Bar in 2005. Booher was admitted to the Utah
State Bar in 2012. He was a partner in Coghlan Crowson in Longview from
2005 to 2009 and from 2014 to 2018 and a shareholder in Gray, Reed &
McGraw in Tyler from 2010 to 2014. Booher was certified in oil, gas, and
mineral law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He was a proud
Aggie and always had time for one more round of golf. Booher was a
deeply loyal man who went out of his way to help anyone who needed it.
He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Lori Booher; father, Travis Lee
Booher; mother, Diana Millican Booher; sisters, Tammy Viken, Suzanne
Booher, and Sarah Booher.
William Walter “Bob”
Richardson
Richardson, 72, of Austin,
died October 23, 2017. He served in the U.S. Army and Reserves from 1968
to 1974. Richardson received his law degree from the University of Texas
School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1974. He was a
partner in Blackwood & Richardson in Austin and owner of Bob
Richardson Law Firm in Austin. Richardson was a member of the National
Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives Board of
Directors, the American Association for Justice, and the Texas Trial
Lawyers Association. He served in the Texas House of Representatives
from 1985 to 1991. Richardson loved to travel and was an accomplished
film actor. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Kathy
Richardson.
Stephen A. Youngman
Youngman, 57, of Dallas, died May
14, 2018. He received his law degree from Southern Methodist University
School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1985. Youngman was
also admitted to practice in New York. He was an associate of Moore
& Peterson in Dallas from 1985 to 1989 and an associate practicing
in business, finance, and restructuring law at Weil, Gotshal &
Manges in Dallas from 1989 to 2002, and a partner in the firm from 2002
to 2018. Youngman will be remembered for his free, easy and quiet
demeanor, clever sense of humor, and for always making time to advise
and support others. He is survived by his wife of nearly 33 years,
Denise.TBJ
