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.


William Phelps

William PhelpsPhelps, 84, of Houston, died March 19, 2019. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1969. Phelps received his law degree from the University of Missouri School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1981. He was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 1959. Phelps was a partner in Morrison Hecker in Kansas City, Missouri, from 1959 to 1973; served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 1960 to 1972; was lieutenant governor of Missouri from 1973 to 1981; and worked at American General Corporation in Houston from 1981 to 1996. As lieutenant governor, he established the Ombudsman Program and a college internship program. Phelps enjoyed golfing and jogging. He liked following the Houston Rockets, Texans, and Astros. Phelps is survived by his wife of 46 years, Joanne R. Phelps.


Harry Leonard Durant

Harry DurantDurant, 93, of Coconut Grove, Florida, died March 24, 2019. He served in the U.S. Navy in 1944 and then in the Reserve. Durant received his law degree from the University of Miami School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1985. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1949. Durant was an assistant state attorney in the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office in Miami, Florida, from 1950 to 1952; a managing partner in Smathers & Thompson in Miami from 1952 to 1981; a managing partner in Finley Kumble Wagner in Miami from 1981 to 1984; and a partner in Houssiere Durant & Houssiere in Houston from 1984 to 1999. He was vice president of the International Bar Association. Durant enjoyed traveling, model railroading, and watching movies. He is survived by his daughters, attorney Linda Durant Houssiere and Debra G. Durant; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.


Henry William “Bill” DuBois Jr.

Henry DuBoisDuBois, 70, of Dallas, died May 6, 2019. He received his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1974. DuBois was a member of DuBois and DuBois, an estate planning and insurance company in Dallas. He was a member of the Dallas Bar Association, Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program, and Dallas Estate Planning Council, serving as its president in 2002-2003. DuBois had a career with Northwestern Mutual that lasted almost 50 years. He served in the body and leadership of the Knox-Corinthian Masonic Lodge. DuBois, a man of impeccable integrity and sharp wit, was a good and true friend, brother, dad, and husband. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Lyn; daughters, Michelle and Kathryn; and sister, Patti.


Dan Richard McNery

Dan McNeryMcNery, 72, of Round Rock, died April 30, 2019. He received his law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1971. McNery served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, from 1972 to 1975. He was a hearing examiner for the Texas Health Facilities Commission in Austin from 1975 to 1980; municipal court judge for the city of Round Rock from 1982 to 2019; and an attorney with McNery & Voelker in Round Rock from 1983 to 2019. McNery was a judge and lawyer of great integrity. He was devoted to God and family. McNery loved to travel, especially trips to Italy. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Donna McNery; daughters, Dara McNery Granger and Leah Paige Hoyt; sister, Jill McNery Danahey; and four grandchildren.


Laura Rodenburg Allbritton

Laura AllbrittonAllbritton, 66, of Pipe Creek, died February 17, 2019. She received her law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1981. Allbritton was admitted to practice in Iowa in 1977. She was a clerk for Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice W. Ward Reynoldson in Des Moines; an attorney with Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld in Dallas; of counsel to Miller, Hiersche, Martens & Hayward; a solo practitioner; and worked at Allbritton Capital Management. Allbritton was named a Texas Bar Foundation life fellow in 2014 and was named the Association of Legal Professionals’ Lawyer of the Year. She volunteered in animal rescue and is credited with rescuing over 165 dogs and personally fostered and provided medical care for many. Allbritton loved to dance and was a member of the Los Fiesteros Dance Club in Santa Barbara, California; she loved to travel, having visited locations around the world. She is survived by her stepdaughters, Leigh Allbritton and Hillary Kokes; sister, Lynda Cote; and two grandchildren.


Cheryl Annell Smith

Cheryl SmithSmith, 63, of Houston, died May 6, 2019. She received her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1982. Smith practiced law in the Houston area for 37 years and served as a municipal court judge for the city of Houston. She is survived by her husband of 17 years, Eric Lien; son, Matthew; daughter, Sarah; father, attorney Shearn Smith; mother, Annell Smith; and brothers, attorney Don Smith and Ron Smith.


Erika Lynette Glenn

Erika GlennGlenn, 37, of Houston, died March 25, 2019. She received her law degree from Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 2012. Glenn was a legal assistant and paralegal at Woodfill Law Firm in Houston from 2011 to 2013; an attorney for Lonestar Immigration Legal Services in Houston from 2013 to 2016; in private practice in Houston from 2016 to 2019; and a mediator and arbitrator at Mediate Conmigo from 2018 to 2019. She won the Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law 2010 Leadership Award and was vice president of the Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law Student Bar Association. Glenn was a member of the American Bar Association and the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She was a community activist, helping others to achieve their dreams and goals. Glenn was a fitness and health enthusiast, competing in marathons and fitness competitions. She was known as “Erika the Encourager.” Glenn is survived by her father, Eric Glenn; mother, Sheila M. Glenn; brothers, Eric Burk and Marcus A. Glenn; and sister, LaTrina S. Riley.


Carl Albert Skibell

Carl SkibellSkibell, 86, of Dallas, died January 2, 2019. He served in the U.S. Army as a first lieutenant during the Korean War from 1953 to 1955. Skibell received his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1957. He was a solo practitioner in Dallas for 60 years and served as municipal judge of Farmers Branch from 1963 to 1985. Skibell enjoyed golfing, sailing, and playing tennis. He is survived by his wife of 11 years, Christine Skibell; son, Harris Craig; daughters, Susan Lee and Caren Debra; stepson, Patrick Robinson; sister, Rosalie Horowitz; and three grandchildren.


Robert Wayne Coller

Robert CollerColler, 95, of Houston, died March 16, 2019. He received his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1957. Coller was a financial planner for Transco Energy Company in Houston from 1947 to 1990. A lifetime Republican, he served as election judge and precinct chairman for Hedwig Village for nearly 40 years. Coller was treasurer for the Harris County Historical Society and served on the Houston International Seafarers’ Center Board of Directors. He enjoyed going to church, learning about history, and traveling. Coller is survived by his wife of 68 years, Laverne Hafer Coller; son, Robert Scott Coller; daughters, Karen Sue Carter and Patricia Ann Nanney; three grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.


James L. Nowlin

James NowlinNowlin, 63, of San Antonio, died March 22, 2019. He received his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1980. Nowlin was an associate of the Law Offices of James Bass in San Antonio from 1981 to 1983 and owner of and lead counsel to the Law Office of James L. Nowlin in San Antonio from 1985 to 2018. He was past president of the San Antonio Bar Association Family Law Section and a member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists. Nowlin collected political buttons and Texas independence memorabilia. He collected metal lunch boxes, Star Trek figurines, early comic books, and old 45 records for his jukebox. Nowlin is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sue Nowlin; son, James L. Nowlin Jr.; daughter, attorney Allison M. Skipper; brothers, John Nowlin and attorney Michael R. Nowlin; sister, Judith Whitt; and four grandchildren.


James R. “Jim” Dallas

James DallasDallas, 75, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, died January 28, 2019. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1961 to 1966. Dallas received his law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1972. He was a prosecutor in the El Paso District Attorney’s Office and a partner in Lipson & Dallas in El Paso. Dallas is survived by his wife of 51 years, Ann; daughters, Carrie and Shelly; sister, Ruth; and two grandchildren.


A. Robert Hinojosa

A Robert HinojosaHinojosa, 78, of Houston, died April 5, 2019. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1965. Hinojosa served in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps and received a Bronze Star for his service in the Vietnam War. He was a municipal court judge for the city of Houston and a former judge of the 309th and 312th Judicial District Courts of Harris County, Family Law Division. Hinojosa frequently spoke on family law topics at conferences and seminars throughout Texas. He was a founding member of the Mexican American Bar Association of Texas and the Mexican American Bar Association of Houston. Hinojosa served as director of the Gulf Coast Legal Foundation, chair of the State Bar of Texas Grievance Committee 4, State Bar of Texas Hispanic Issues Section, and the Houston Bar Association Judicial Polls Committee. He was certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Hinojosa served on the St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital of Houston Board of Directors, on the Episcopal Diocese of Texas Executive Board, and was a member of the Robert E. Lee Chapter DeMolay and the Holland Lodge, No. 1, A.F. &?A.M. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Patricia A. Hinojosa; daughters, Victoria Lara Hinojosa and Alejandra Hinojosa Moll; and brother, Walter Hinojosa.


John Daniel Roosa

John RoosaRoosa, 76, of Midland, died March 20, 2019. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1968. Roosa received his law degree from South Texas College of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1973. He was in private practice in Houston from 1974 to 1989 and in Midland from 1990 to 2019. Roosa is survived by his wife of 21 years, Rhonda Roosa.



Thomas Francis Parker

Thomas ParkerParker, 84, of Midland, died May 2, 2019. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and Reserve, being honorably discharged in 1959. Parker received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1958. He was in private practice in Midland from 1959 to 2014. Parker was a member of the Midland County Bar Association. He was named to Phi Delta Phi and received an award of recognition of valuable and meritorious service rendered for more than 50 years. Parker was an avid reader. He enjoyed fishing, traveling, cruises, football, and golf. Parker is survived by his former wife of 16 years, Suzy Parker-Harris.


Albert LeRue Dixon III

Albert LeRue Dixon IIIDixon, 75, of Jacksonville, died March 3, 2019. He received his law degree from Baylor Law School and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1970. Dixon was an attorney with Adamson & Richards Law Firm in Jacksonville; district attorney of Cherokee County in Rusk; an attorney for Ament Dixon Law Firm in Jacksonville; and judge of Cherokee County Court at Law in Rusk from 1999 to 2009. He was named a Who’s Who in Texas in 1973-1974. Dixon was an Eagle Scout and a Freemason. He enjoyed sailing. Dixon is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jackie L. Dixon; sons, A.L. “Rue” Dixon, A. Zac Dixon, and John David Dixon; brother, Craig Dixon; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.


William Barton Pasley

William Barton PasleyPasley, 77, of Dallas, died June 25, 2018. He received his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1965. Pasley was in private practice for 50 years. He was certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Pasley loved the English Cotswolds and he owned two old, stone cottages there. He enjoyed the Royal Ascot, Henley Royal Regatta, and Cheltenham races. Pasley was a member of the Travellers Club in London. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Linda Lewis Pasley, and two grandchildren.


Robert J. “Bob” Talaska

Robert J. “Bob” TalaskaTalaska, 56, of Houston, died March 31, 2019. He received his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1988. Talaska was an associate of and later partner in Haskins Law Firm in Houston from 1988 to 1998 and owner of Talaska Law Firm in Houston from 1998 to 2019, devoting his practice to complex medical malpractice and birth trauma litigation. He was a past national chairman of the American Association for Justice’s Birth Trauma Litigation Group. Talaska was often an invited lecturer and presenter at professional conferences and meetings across the country. He could frequently be found advising and mentoring young attorneys on litigation strategies and long-term career success. Talaska was an NCAA basketball letterman at Beloit College and served as director and coach for the Northside Rockets, a youth AAU boys’ basketball team. He is survived by his sons, Travis and Dylan; mother, Barbara Talaska; sister, Lynn Hochschild; and dear friend, Debra Clairmont.


James L. Parrish

James L. ParrishParrish, 81, of Dallas, died November 29, 2018. He served in U.S. Air Force from 1962 to 1965 and received the 1st Space Control Squadron Commendation Medal. Parrish received his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1974. He began as an associate of Exxon in Dallas and retired after 24 years working in various positions across the U.S. At retirement, Parrish was general counsel to Exxon Chemical Americas and assistant general counsel to Exxon Chemical in?Houston. He enjoyed jogging, reading, watching sports, coaching baseball, and country and old blues music. Parrish is survived by his wife of more than 59 years, Meredith Brooks Parrish; sons, Timothy Parrish and Jon T. Parrish; and three grandchildren.


James Hayden Kepner

James Hayden KepnerKepner, 94, of Houston, died April 13, 2019. He served in the U.S. Navy on submarines during World War II. Kepner received his law degree from South Texas College of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1958. He went into practice with his classmate, Patrick Rafferty, and practiced at Rafferty Kepner & Associates for more than 50 years. Kepner was a member of the American Bar Association and the Houston Bar Association. He was president of the Downtown Optimist Club of Houston and was active in the San Jacinto Chapter of U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II. Kepner was Republican precinct chairman for more than 25 years. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Janet Birkelbach Kepner; sons, John Kepner, Randall Kepner, and attorney James Hayden Kepner Jr.; daughter, Nancy Kepner; brother, Thomas Kepner, and four grandchildren.TBJ

 

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