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.
Cread L. Ray Jr.
Ray, 87, of Lansing, Michigan, died
December 9, 2018. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1954 and
in the Air Force Reserve until 1987, retiring as a lieutenant colonel,
and graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces during his
service. Ray received his law degree from the University of Texas School
of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1957. He was an associate of
Smith & Hall in Marshall in 1957; a partner in Taylor & Ray in
Marshall in 1959; judge of Harrison County in Marshall from 1959 to
1961; a partner in Ray, Kirkpatrick & Grant in Marshall from 1962 to
1970; associate justice of the 6th Court of Civil Appeals in Texarkana
from 1970 to 1980; associate justice of the Supreme Court of Texas in
Austin from 1980 to 1990; and owner of the Law Office of C.L. Ray in
Austin from 1990 to 2018. Ray served two terms in the Texas House of
Representatives, starting in 1966. He served as vice chairman of the
aeronautics committee and was a member of the judiciary; criminal
jurisprudence; transportation; oil, gas, and mining; and the legislative
and congressional district committees. Ray held certificates from the
American Bar Association Appellate Judges Conference, New York
University Institute of Judicial Administration in 1971, and the
University of Nevada National Judicial College in 1972. He was president
of the Harrison County and Northeast Texas Bar Associations. Ray
authored two articles while on the Supreme Court, “Drafting Enforceable
Non-competition Agreements in Texas” for the Texas Tech Law
Review, and “The Mandamus Explosion” for the South Texas Law
Review. He was a member of the board of trustees for Wiley College,
which presented him with an honorary doctorate, an L.H.D. in 1980. Ray
was an Eagle Scout and Distinguished Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of
America and served on the executive board and as vice president of legal
affairs. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Janet Ray; sons,
attorney Robert E. Ray and Glenn L. Ray; daughters, Marcie L. Ray and
Anne M. Ray; brother, Robert C. Ray; and five grandchildren.
Ruben R. Montemayor
Montemayor, 88, of San Antonio,
died October 7, 2017. He served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952.
Montemayor received his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of
Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1960. He was an investigator in
the Bexar County Criminal District Attorney’s Office in San Antonio from
1960 to 1964; an examiner with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Antonio
from 1965 to 1970; president of the Ruben Montemayor Law Office in San
Antonio from 1970 to 2017; and a member of the Texas Board of
Corrections in Huntsville in 1975. Montemayor argued before the U.S.
Supreme Court in 1973. He loved all sports and enjoyed his
granddaughters’ soccer games. Montemayor is survived by his wife,
Jeannette; sons, Ian, Ruben Carlos, Carlos Jose, and Ruben Jr.;
daughters, Zina, Jennifer Ann, and attorney Juliette Imelda; brothers,
Carlos and Geronimo; sisters, Zenaida and Irma; and 10
grandchildren.
Austin McCloud
McCloud, 89, of Eastland, died
November 30, 2018. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean
War. McCloud received his law degree from Baylor Law School and was
admitted to the State Bar in 1957. He was an associate of Fulbright,
Crooker, Freeman, Bates, and Jaworski in Houston from 1957 to 1960; in
private practice in Colorado City from 1960 to 1963; was judge of the
32nd Judicial District Court in Sweetwater from August 31, 1963, to
January 1971; and was chief justice of the 11th District Court of
Appeals in Eastland from January 1971 to December 31, 1994. McCloud
served as senior justice to the Texas Courts of Appeals, subject to
assignment by the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, and
served on the National Conference of Bar Examiners Real Property
Drafting Committee. He was named Outstanding Jurist of Texas in 1994;
served as president of the Council of Chief Judges of State Courts of
Appeals from 1993 to 1994, of the Council of Chief Justices of the Texas
Courts of Appeals in 1991, and of the Baylor Law Alumni Association from
1975 to 1976. McCloud was appointed to serve as an ex-officio member of
the Texas Supreme Court Rules Advisory Committee and was a member of the
State Bar of Texas Appellate Rules Committee and the State Bar of Texas
Appellate Section. He is survived by his wife, Mary Anne Kelley McCloud;
daughters, Melinda Musselman and Sharon Burgher; sister, Loraine McCloud
Culver; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Susan Irma Smith Paquet
Paquet, 72, of El Paso, died
November 1, 2018. She received her law degree from the University of
Arizona School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1983. Paquet
was a partner in Wynn, Brown, Mack, Renfro and Thompson in Fort Worth
from 1983 to 1991; a partner in Paschall, Paquet, and Sanchez in
Weatherford from 1991 to 2007; and a partner in Brown Pruitt Wambsganss
Ferrill & Dean in Fort Worth from 2007 to 2018. She was a past
president of the Parker County Bar Association, received the President’s
Award, and was recognized as a Mentor Who Made a Difference by the
Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys. Paquet
approached life with optimism and a great sense of humor. Her interests
included her family, career, pet goats, poetry, and standard poodles.
Paquet published two award-winning books. She is survived by her husband
of 51 years, Andrew Paquet Jr.; daughter, Amanda Paquet; and one
grandchild.
Paul A. Pulliam
Pulliam, 72, of Dallas, died September
21, 2018. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1969 to 1974. Pulliam
received his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law
and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1971. He was an associate of Law,
Snakard, Brown & Gambill in Fort Worth from 1971 to 1972; in-house
counsel to Alan I. Jones Real Estate Development in Dallas from 1972 to
1976; president of Pioneer Title in Dallas from 1976 to 1979; president
of Safeco Land Title in Dallas from 1979 to 1988; and co-founder and CEO
of Republic Title of Texas in Dallas from 1988 to 2010. After retiring
in 2010, Pulliam became a rancher on his Paradise Ranch at Possum
Kingdom Lake. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sherri Sledge
Pulliam; sons, attorney Clark Pulliam and attorney Clay Pulliam; and
five grandchildren.
Edwin O. Rinehart Jr.
Rinehart, 75, of San Antonio, died
September 1, 2018. He received his law degree from the University of
Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1968. Rinehart
practiced at E.O. Rinehart Jr. in Austin from 1968 to 1974; Rinehart
& Nugent in Austin from 1974 to 1996; and Rinehart & Pruitt in
Austin from 1996 to 2006. He was also a certified public accountant.
Rinehart is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jennie Rinehart; sons,
Eddie Rinehart and Bobby Rinehart; and daughters, Angela Marie Rinehart
and Kathy Rinehart.
Billie Joe Bell
Bell, 77, of Royse City, died
November 9, 2018. He served in the U.S. Navy. Bell received his law
degree from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, his LL.M. from
Southern Methodist University School of Law, and was admitted to the
Texas Bar in 1971. He was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar in 1970.
Bell was an attorney and owner of an abstract and title company and real
estate firm; criminal district attorney, justice of the peace, and
county judge of Rockwall County; served as municipal judge of several
cities in Rockwall County; and served on the Royse City City Council. He
was interested in politics and his grandchildren. Bell is survived by
his wife of 48 years, Lucille Cross Bell; son, William Bell; daughter,
Liana Whitten; brother, Charles Bell; and two grandchildren.
Wayne Stevens “Steve” Smith
Smith, 73, of Magnolia, died
September 5, 2018. He received his law degree from the University of
Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1971. Smith was
a principal and attorney in The Law Firm of Smith & Smith in
Magnolia. He enjoyed cooking, grilling, reading, watching the Horns, and
spending time with his family and the “Smith Zoo.” Smith is survived by
his wife of 17 years, Blanche D. Smith; son, Kadin McCampbell Smith;
daughters, Kailey Davis Smith, Lindy Smith Avila, and Lacy Smith Hall;
brother, Richard Baird Smith; sister, Jean Smith Dorsey; and two
grandchildren.
Aida Trevino
Trevino, 43, of Robstown, died March
25, 2018. She received her law degree from St. Mary’s University School
of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 2003. Trevino was a legal
assistant in the Kleberg County District Attorney’s Office in Kingsville
from 1995 to 1998; a law clerk in the prosecutor’s section of the South
Texas Specialized Crimes and Narcotics Task Force in Kingsville from
1995 to 1998; a student attorney in St. Mary’s University School of Law,
Center for Legal and Social Justice—Immigration and Human Rights Clinic
in San Antonio from 2001 to 2002; an intern for Justice J. Bonner
Dorsey, of the 13th Court of Criminal Appeals in Corpus Christi, in 2002
and the Nueces County District Attorney’s Office in Corpus Christi in
2003; and assistant district attorney in the Nueces County District
Attorney’s Office from 2003 to 2005, in the Kleberg County District
Attorney’s Office from 2005 to 2007, and in the Kleberg and Kenedy
counties District Attorney’s Office in Kingsville and Sarita from 2007
to 2012. She became a member of the Texas Bar College in 2012 and was
accredited by Veterans Affairs in 2016 to counsel veterans. Trevino will
be remembered for her passion for the law and her desire to help others
in need and for inspiring others to continue their education. She
enjoyed reading and writing—including a book—and knitting and other
crafts. Trevino is survived by her father, Arturo A. Trevino; mother,
Elma Trevino; and brother, Arturo Ricardo Trevino.
Murray
Watson Jr.
Watson, 86, of Mart, died July 24,
2018. He served in the ROTC. Watson received his law degree from Baylor
Law School and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1955. He was managing
partner in Murray Watson Jr. & Associates in Waco from 1957 to 2018
and was general counsel to Texas State Technical College, or TSTC, for
26 years. Watson was named Baylor University Lawyer of the Year in 2017.
He was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1957 and served
until 1963, when he was elected to the Texas Senate, where he served
until 1973. Watson sponsored the bill that created the James Connally
Technical Institute (now TSTC). He was a champion of higher education
and a philanthropist and entrepreneur. Watson is survived by his wife of
58 years, Greta Warren Watson; son, Marcus Warren Watson; daughter,
Milicent “Missy” Watson Larson; sister, Carol Ann Watson Barclay; and
two grandchildren.
Robert Lowell Thompson
Thompson, 48, of Corsicana,
died October 24, 2018. He received his law degree from Texas Tech
University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1998.
Thompson was an assistant district attorney in the Navarro County
District Attorney’s Office in Corsicana from 1998 to 2003; a judge on
the Corsicana Municipal Court from 2003 to 2006; and criminal district
attorney of Navarro County from 2007 until his death. He is survived by
his wife of 20 years, Brandy Hines Thompson; son, Eli Thompson;
daughter, Kieley Thompson; father, Sam Thompson; mother, Paulette
Thompson; and brother, Daryl Thompson.
Robert “Kelly”
Pace
Pace, 69, of Whitehouse, died November
1, 2018. He served in the U.S. Navy in 1967. Pace received his law
degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law and was admitted
to the Texas Bar in 1975. He practiced complex federal litigation for
Dallas Legal Service from 1973 to 1977; was in private practice in
criminal law in Dallas from 1978 to 1997; was a criminal defense
attorney for Miller Shelton in Dallas and Tyler from 1997 to 1998; was a
criminal defense attorney and lead trial attorney in civil practice for
Miller, Shelton & Pace in Dallas and Tyler from 1999 to 2005; and
practiced criminal defense at the Law Offices of R. Kelly Pace in Tyler
from 2005 to 2018. Pace received the Ralph A. Mock Memorial Award in
2016, the Presidential Award from Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers
Association President J. Gary Trichter in 2012, and the President’s
“Heart of a Champion” Award from TCDLA in 2009. He enjoyed golf, travel,
and spending time with his family. Pace is survived by his wife of 15
years, Therese Pace; sons, Will, Daniel, and Garrett Pace; daughter,
Christa Lockwood; and three grandchildren.
Thomas Hosea
Burton Jr.
Burton, 86, of Houston, died
November 13, 2018. He received his law degree from the University of
Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1957. Burton
had a distinguished legal career as an oil and gas lawyer, primarily
with Continental Oil, or Conoco. He declined an offer of employment at
the Brookings Institution and went to work for Conoco, appearing in
numerous federal courts over more than 30 years, including the U.S.
Supreme Court in 1983. Burton is remembered by all who knew him for his
selflessness, generosity, intelligence, humor, devotion to his family,
and love of dogs. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jill Burton;
son, attorney Thomas Hosea Burton III; daughter, Aileen J. Truax;
brothers, William J. Burton and Gordon D. Burton; and two
grandchildren.
Ray C. Estabrook
Estabrook, 81, of Santa Rosa,
California, died August 9, 2018. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve for
seven years. Estabrook received his law degree from South Texas College
of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1969. He was admitted to the
California Bar in 1972. Estabrook practiced as a plaintiff’s personal
injury attorney in California for 45 years. He was a lay minister in the
Episcopal Church for more than 55 years and was an ordained Zen priest.
Estabrook is survived by his wife of 55 years, Diana, and son,
Peter.
Howard Spencer Hoover Jr.
Hoover, 80, of Houston,
died November 5, 2018. He received his law degree from the University of
Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1963. Hoover
worked with his father, Howard S. Hoover Sr., at Murfee & Hoover,
now Hoover Slovacek, in Houston from 1963 to 1965; was division attorney
of the natural gas and liquids marketing subsidiary of Texas Eastern in
Houston from 1965 to 1970; was chief legal counsel to Browning-Ferris
Industries in Houston from 1970 to 1990, later serving as executive vice
president, secretary, and general counsel; and was a legal consultant to
Arthur Andersen in Houston in 1990. He was on the State Bar of Texas
Board of Directors from 1982 to 1985, serving with his father; was a
member of the Houston Bar Association; and a life fellow of the Texas
Bar Foundation. Hoover was an honorary lifetime member of the Boys and
Girls Country of Houston Board of Directors; a founding member of the
Houston Police Foundation; and a lifetime member of the Houston
Livestock Show and Rodeo (RodeoHouston). He is survived by his wife of
40 years, Janet Brenner Hoover; daughter, Elizabeth England Hoover
Rotan; sister, Margaret Hoover Perkins; and four grandchildren.
Abby Adair Loudermilk
Loudermilk, 39, of San Antonio, died
November 1, 2018. She received her law degree from St. Mary’s University
School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 2016. Loudermilk was
in private practice at the Law Office of Abby Loudermilk in San Antonio
from 2016 to 2018. She served as general counsel to and interim
executive director of CTNNB1 Syndrome Awareness Worldwide and helped
with the Sutherland Springs pro bono project. Loudermilk was a sports
lover extraordinaire, especially the NBA, and loved to play softball.
She was a prolific reader of all genres but loved science fiction.
Loudermilk was a great writer of prose and poetry. She is survived by
her daughter, Grace E. McAlpin; father, Gary G. Loudermilk; mother,
Elizabeth C. Loudermilk; brother, Brandon C. Loudermilk; and sister,
Sara E. Mayeu.
Hugh E. Henson Jr.
Henson, 82, of Waco, died October 3,
2018. He received his law degree, his LL.M., and J.S.D. from Yale Law
School and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1959. Henson served as a
colonel in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps from 1959 to
1983 in Germany, Korea, Japan, Alaska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Virginia, and
Washington, D.C. He was deputy chief of staff of the U.S. Military
Academy Department of Law in West Point, New York, from 1975 to 1983.
Henson was twice awarded the Legion of Merit. He served on numerous
civic and charitable boards in retirement. Henson enjoyed reading, the
arts, cooking, and travel.TBJ
