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.

Frederick J. Dailey

Dailey, 69, of Houston, died August 15, 2018. He received his law degree from Delaware Law School and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1986. Dailey was admitted to practice in Pennsylvania in 1980. He was an international tax attorney for Arthur Andersen in Houston and an attorney specializing in civil law at Dailey Law Firm in Houston from 1983 to 2012. Dailey was CEO of Recenter from 2010 to 2018. He enjoyed golf, domestic and international travel, sailing, and politics. Dailey is survived by his wife of 40 years, Susan S. Dailey; son, Frederick “Fritz” Dailey; daughter, Margaret “Meg” Dailey; brother, Michael Dailey; and sister, Nell Dailey Lennon.

Jack Monroe Sanders Jr.

Sanders, 65, of Marshall, died August 22, 2018. He received his law degree from South Texas College of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1980. Sanders was a law clerk for Ronald L. Blackstock from 1977 to 1980; worked at Ammerman & Sanders from 1980 to 1982, Blackstock and Sanders in Weatherford from 1982 to 1995; and was in private practice from 1995 to 2018. He had an extraordinary and abounding love for the outdoors, where he was happiest sharing time with his family and friends. Sanders had a true passion for fish and wildlife management. He was an excellent land custodian, managing the land for the production of timber while diligently pursuing the betterment of wildlife and improving water quality. Sanders is survived by his wife of 24 years, Lynn Schnobrich Sanders; son, Tony Cocchiarella; daughters, Courtney Sanders Hess, Rebecca Sanders Allred, and Gina Cocchiarella Krenk; sister, Elizabeth Sanders Moore; and three grandchildren.

George H. Kolb

Kolb, 84, of Fredericksburg, died March 18, 2018. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1957. Kolb received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1961. He was an associate of Baker Botts from 1961 to 1967; of counsel to Orgain Bell & Tucker from 1967 to 1969; a partner in Watkins, Ryan, Hamilton & Kolb from 1969 to 1972, in Gardere Wynne from 1972 to 1992 and in Wilson Elser from 1992 to 2000; and of counsel to Carl J. Kolb from 2000 to 2004. Wilson Elser annually awards the George H. Kolb Trial Lawyer of the Year Award. Kolb was a sailboat racer, winning three Catalina 22 Regional championships and placing second at the 1979 Catalina 22 National Championship. He enjoyed restoring historic homes, including the Farr House, Rose Mansion, and the Inn at Salado, and numerous German rock homes in and around Fredericksburg, including his final home—the Doebbler House. Kolb is survived by his wife of 23 years, Alice Long Kolb; sons, attorney Kelly H. Kolb and attorney Carl J. Kolb; daughter, Jennifer Kolb; and 10 grandchildren.

Albert Anthony Peña III

Peña, 75, of Corpus Christi, died September 30, 2018. He received his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1971. Peña was a fearless trial lawyer who fought throughout his career for the little guy and was not afraid of anyone on the other side. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Sylvia R. Peña; sons, Albert A. Peña IV, Robert F. Peña, and attorney Reynaldo A. Peña; daughter, Josephine Yvette Peña-Gutierrez; sister, Belinda Peña-Bosquez; and nine grandchildren.

Marvin A. Wurzer

Wurzer, 69, of Houston, died August 25, 2018. He received his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center, his LL.M. from NYU School of Law, and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1974. Wurzer was a partner in Johnson & Wurzer in Houston for 40 years. He was certified in tax law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and his recent law practice primarily focused on nonprofit organizations. Wurzer enjoyed researching genealogy and the history of German settlers in western Iowa, which resulted in him writing several books. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Lynn Wurzer; son, Jacob Wurzer; daughters, attorney Molly Wurzer and Maggie Kasunic; brother, attorney Duane Wurzer; and one grandchild.

Justin Tony Cunningham

Cunningham, 39, of Odessa, died September 10, 2018. He received his law degree from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 2006. Cunningham was a prosecutor in 2006 and first assistant district attorney from 2014 to 2018 for the Ector County District Attorney’s Office in Odessa and an assistant U.S. attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of Texas in Lubbock in 2011. He received a Bronze Medal for Commendable Service from the Environmental Protection Agency among many other awards. Cunningham enjoyed fishing and cast netting. He was loyal and full of integrity. Cunningham is survived by his wife of 17 years, Emily Cunningham; his son, Hunter; father, Tony Cunningham; mother, Cheryl Cunningham; and brother, Kyle Cunningham.

E. Russell Nunnally

Nunnally, 79, of Wylie, died October 12, 2018. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1960 to 1969 and in the Reserve from 1969 to 1983, being honorably discharged as a lieutenant colonel. Nunnally received his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1972. He was a partner in Coke & Coke; a partner and shareholder in Johnson & Swanson; and partner in and of counsel to Bell Nunnally from 1995 until his retirement. Nunnally was a former master of the Patrick E. Higginbotham Inn of Court, a past chair of the Dallas Bar Association Legal Ethics Committee and past co-chair of the DBA Judiciary Committee; and also served on the pro bono, legal aid, law in changing society, and alternative dispute resolution committees of the DBA. He trained and mentored many associates who went on to successful careers, and he championed women in the profession at a time when that was not the norm. Nunnally served as a councilmember and mayor pro tem of St. Paul. In 2015, the city of Wylie declared February 22 to be Russell Nunnally Day in honor of his service to the community. He loved to travel the U.S. and abroad. Nunnally is survived by his wife of 54 years, Pat Nunnally; daughters, Nikki Nunnally Vlasek and Reagan Nunnally; and four grandchildren.

Timothy D. Dooley

Dooley, 64, of Anchorage, Alaska, died December 2, 2017. He received his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1982. Dooley was admitted to the Alaska Bar in 1983 and the Hawaii State Bar in 2002. He was an attorney with Tinsman & Houser in San Antonio from 1990 to 1992; in private practice in Anchorage from 1992 to 2013; and judge of the Superior Court in Nome, Alaska, from 2013 to 2017. Dooley was a member of the Order of Barristers. He enjoyed playing bridge and reading as well as assisting new lawyers. Dooley is survived by his wife of 43 years, Barb, and daughter, Erin.

John W. Overton

Overton, 92, of Houston, died October 30, 2018. He served in the U.S. Army and Reserve from September 12, 1944, to July 2, 1986, attended the Judge Advocate General’s School in 1967, and taught international law to Army reservists from 1963 to 1977. Overton received his law degree from South Texas College of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1963. He was in private practice in Houston from 1963 to 2018. Overton taught real estate law at San Jacinto Junior College and Houston Community College from 1976 to 1977. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and camping. Overton is survived by his wife of 30 years, Pat Jenney Overton; sons, John Overton and Thomas Overton; daughters, Sara Salsbury, Susan Mitchner, and Mia Fraser; brother, James Overton; sisters, Lela Jay, Virginia Law, Theta Campbell, Rowena Griffy, and Martha Bolton; 25 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Charles A. Joplin

Joplin, 86, of Lubbock, died August 10, 2018. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Joplin received his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1961. He spent several years in banking in West Texas and New Mexico. Joplin was a solo practitioner focusing on arbitration and mediation from 1988 until 2018 in Lubbock. He was president of the Lubbock County Bar Association and received a lifetime achievement award from the Lubbock County Bar Association. Joplin is survived by his wife, Mary Tucker Joplin; son, Charles A. Joplin; daughter, attorney Julia Joplin Swallow; and two grandchildren.

James T. Jordan

Jordan, 70, of Odessa, died September 4, 2018. He served in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1972 and in the Reserve through 1976. Jordan received his law degree from South Texas College of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1976. He was a prosecutor in the Houston Prosecutor’s Office from 1976 to 1980 and in the Ector County District Attorney’s Office from 1980 to 1982; a partner in the Law Office of Bobo & Jordan from 1982 to 1990; first assistant prosecutor in the Ector County District Attorney’s Office from 1990 to 1991; and Ector County judge from 1991 to 1998. Jordan was known for his commitment to family and dedication to the law. He enjoyed golfing. Jordan is survived by his wife of 15 years, Donna Jordan; stepdaughter, Tonya Pinkerton; and brother, Richard Jordan.

David Grant Voeller Sr.

Voeller, 33, of San Antonio, died September 25, 2018. He received his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 2011. Voeller was an associate of the Voeller Law Firm in San Antonio from 2011 to 2018. He was certified in estate planning and probate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a Department of Veterans Affairs accredited attorney, and a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Voeller was a committed Christian and a devoted husband and father. He was an instrument-rated pilot and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Voeller is survived by his wife of 10 years, Jackie; sons, Robert and David Grant Jr.; daughters, Megan and Katie Grace; father, Jim Voeller; mother, Lori Cline; brothers, Bradley Voeller, Michael Voeller, Justin Voeller, Jared Voeller, and Daniel Voeller; and sisters, Danielle Niednagel, Lindsay Gallegos, Johanna Voeller, Shannon Voeller, Emily Voeller, and Molly Voeller.

Raymon Charles Stoker Jr.

Stoker, 79, of Odessa, died August 31, 2018. He received his law degree from Baylor Law School and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1964. Stoker practiced personal injury defense, wrongful death defense, appellate law, commercial litigation, civil trial law, insurance litigation, transportation law, and toxic torts law with Shafer, Davis, O’Leary & Stoker in Odessa from 1964 to 2018, eventually becoming senior partner; he was appointed to the Texas State Highway and Public Transportation Commission by Gov. Mark White in 1985; was chairman of the Texas Department of Transportation from 1991 to 1993; served on the board of directors of the Texas Turnpike Authority and the Texas High-Speed Rail Authority; and was chairman of the Texas Good Roads Transportation Association from 1993 to 2003. He was on the Texas Young Lawyers Association Board of Directors from 1967 to 1969; the Baylor Law School Board of Directors; and was president of the Ector County Bar Association in 1975. Stoker enjoyed fly-fishing, golfing, and hunting. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Carole Fannin Stoker; son, Raymon Charles “Craig” Stoker IV; daughter, Cathleen Stoker Briscoe; sister, Betty Stoker Elliott; and one grandchild.

William Oliver “Bill” Callaway Jr.

Callaway, 87, of Fort Worth, died October 5, 2018. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Oxnard, California. Callaway received his law degree from the University of California Hastings College of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1962. He was admitted to the California Bar in 1962. Callaway was a clerk for Judge Leo Brewster of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas in Fort Worth; an assistant U.S. attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office; an attorney with Garrett Settle and Callaway in Fort Worth; specialized in oil and gas law for B.G. Newberry in Austin; and practiced oil and gas law and business litigation in Fort Worth until his retirement—his son, Neal S. Callaway, joined his firm in 1990. He was an avid reader of history and literature and enjoyed studying the Bible. Callaway traveled the world with his wife, Helen. He is survived by his son, attorney Neal S. Callaway; daughter, Suzanne Callaway Hall; and four grandchildren.

Walter L. Jefferson

Jefferson, 85, of Houston, died September 1, 2018. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. Jefferson received his law degree from South Texas College of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1964. He was a partner in Cutrer & Jefferson in Houston from 1964 to 2018. Jefferson was partner with former Houston Mayor Lewis Cutrer and later was a partner with his daughter, Julia Jefferson Alexander. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends and never met a stranger. Jefferson is survived by his sons, Randal L. Jefferson and Wesley L. Jefferson; daughter, attorney Julia Jefferson Alexander; and three grandsons.

Robert D. “Bob” Jones

Jones, 83, of Austin, died October 17, 2018. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1960. Jones worked in the land department of Humble Oil & Refining, later ExxonMobil, in Tyler, Midland, and Houston, where he led many successful leasing efforts for the company as well as leading the special trades group, and was recognized industry wide for negotiating drilling opportunities with other companies. He was dean of Delta Theta Phi law fraternity and the fraternity awarded him the Sam Houston Award for outstanding service and devotion to the University of Texas School of Law. Jones was a Counsel Awardee by the University of Texas School of Law in recognition of the appreciation and esteem of the faculty, staff, and student body in 1960. He was recognized by the University of Texas School of Law Student Bar Association in 1969. To those who did business with or knew him, he was larger than life—the kind of person who never met a stranger and was just as comfortable buying leases in East Texas as he was with the president of Exxon. He was a prolific storyteller with a steel-trap memory, cheerful, positive, and his glass was always half-full; he was a mentor to many and will be missed by all. Jones is survived by his daughters, Jana Jones, Jill Wolfe, and Missy Williams; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Thomas Anthony Cowen

Cowen, 66, of San Antonio, died July 4, 2018. He received his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1988. Cowen was an associate of Thornton, Summers, Biechlin, Dunham & Brown in McAllen from 1988 to 1991; a senior litigation attorney with Cigna Property & Casualty in San Antonio from 1991 to 1998; a shareholder in Cowen & Ralls in San Antonio from 1998 to 2000; senior counsel to Chaves, Gonzales & Hoblit in San Antonio from 2000 to 2001 and a partner from 2001 to 2004; a partner in Gonzales Hoblit & Ferguson in San Antonio from 2004 to May 2010; a partner in Hoblit Ferguson Darling in San Antonio from May 2010 to June 2015; and a partner in Hoblit Darling Ralls Hernandez & Hudlow in San Antonio from June 2015 to 2017. He was in the Order of the Barons at the University of Houston, certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and a member of the Texas Association of Defense Counsel. Cowen was patient, with a wellspring of knowledge, serving as a mentor for many. He loved learning and remembered in detail everything he read and heard. Cowen was dedicated to finding and sharing the truth in any conversation and in his practice of law. He is survived by his son, Andrew T. Cowen; daughter, Lauren E. Cowen; brothers, Ralph, Paul, attorney Philip, and attorney David; and sisters, Virginia, Margaret, Elizabeth, Teresa, and Catherine.^TBJ

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