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.
Brian L. Webb
Webb, 70, of Dallas, died November 8,
2019. He received his law degree from Southern Methodist University
School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1975. Webb was the
founding partner in Webb Family Law Firm and an adjunct professor at SMU
Dedman School of Law, teaching Texas Matrimonial Property. He received
the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists Judge Sam Emison Award in
1997, the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section Dan Price Award in 2009,
and was inducted into the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section Hall of
Legends in 2015. Webb was certified in family law by the Texas Board of
Legal Specialization in 1980. He was a past chair of the State Bar of
Texas Family Law Section and Dallas Bar Association Family Law Section.
Webb was president of the Texas Family Law Foundation, Texas Academy of
Family Law Specialists, Texas Chapter of the American Academy of
Matrimonial Lawyers, and the AAML Foundation. He is survived by his son,
attorney Brant M. Webb; daughter, attorney Natalie L. Webb; and one
granddaughter.
Ben A. Endlich
Endlich, 82, of El Paso, died October
14, 2019. He received his law degree from the University of Houston Law
Center and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1961. Endlich was a solo
practitioner for 53 years before retiring in 2014. He was an avid
outdoorsman. Endlich is survived by his wife of 49 years, Sharon L.
Endlich; sons, Michael Anthony Endlich and Joseph Benjamin Endlich;
daughters, Kara E. Nuckels and Gayle E. Jones; sisters, Marie Daugherty
and Barbara Molinar; eight grandchildren; and two
great-grandchildren.
Charles Kendall “Ken” Harrell
Harrell, 67, of San Antonio, died
November 7, 2019. He received his law degree from the University of
Houston Law Center and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1978. Harrell
was admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, U.S. Court of
Appeals for the 5th Circuit, and U.S. Supreme Court. He started with
Fulbright & Jaworski in Houston, practicing civil law before moving
to San Antonio in 1979 and practicing personal injury law. Harrell
became a certified mediator in 1994. He loved listening to sports radio
stations, watching NFL and NCAA football, fishing, reading novels, being
outside, and rewatching movies he enjoyed. Harrell is survived by his
former wife, Mary Helen Gonzalez; daughter, Brittany Layne Harrell; and
sister, Donna Harrell.
Kathleen Brannon Inglish
Inglish, 104, of Fort Worth, died
November 4, 2019. She self-studied law and was admitted to the Texas Bar
in 1936. Inglish was an attorney at the appellate law firm of Judge
Banks in Houston from 1936 to 1939; a lawyer with Murray Mortgage in
Dallas from 1940 to 1941; a lawyer with Standard Oil of California in
New Orleans, Louisiana, from 1941 to 1955; and in private practice at
the Law Office of Kathleen B. Inglish in Blanco from 1963 to 2005. She
twice served as interim judge for Blanco County in the 1970s. Inglish
was president and chair of the Old Blanco County Courthouse Preservation
Society Board of Trustees and led the Blanco Library District Board of
Trustees. She enthusiastically traveled the world. Inglish is survived
by numerous nephews and nieces, including attorneys Kathleen E. Irvin
and Erin Emmer Engstrom.
Phillip E. Godwin
Godwin, 83, of Odessa, died October
8, 2019. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1954 to 1958. Godwin received
his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center and was
admitted to the Texas Bar in 1964. He was a solo practitioner in Odessa
from 1964 to 2019. Godwin was judge of Ector County Court at Law No. 1
for 10 years. He received the Heritage of Odessa Foundation Community
Statesman in Law Award in 2011. Godwin’s word was good and could be
counted on. He enjoyed golfing and loved to travel. Godwin is survived
by his wife of 59 years, Patty Godwin; son, Benjamin Godwin; daughters,
Sabrina Dubberly and Laurie Godwin; sister, Kay Kennedy; six
grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Frank V.
Smith III
Smith, 71, of Roach, Missouri, died
August 23, 2019. He served in the U.S. Army National Guard from June
1970 to February 1976. Smith received his law degree from Washington
University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1982. He
was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 1973 and to practice before the U.S.
Supreme Court. Smith was a law clerk for the Missouri Court of Appeals
in Kansas City, Missouri, from 1972 to 1973; assistant regional counsel
to the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in Kansas City
from 1973 to 1977; regional counsel to the U.S. Department of Health,
Education, and Welfare in New York, New York, from 1978 to 1981;
regional counsel to the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and
Welfare in Dallas from 1981 to 1984; associate commissioner for hearings
and appeals at the U.S. Social Security Administration in Washington,
D.C., from 1984 to 1986; associate general counsel for family support
and human development to the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services in Washington, D.C., from 1986 to 1988; shareholder and
chairman of the health law department of Mankoff, Hill, Held &
Goldberg in Dallas from 1988 to 1990; regional chief counsel to the
Social Security Administration in Kansas City from 1990 to 2006; acting
deputy general counsel to the Social Security Administration in
Washington, D.C., from 2006 to 2007; and assistant deputy commissioner
for disability adjudication at the Social Security Administration in
Washington, D.C., from 2007 to 2009. He received a U.S. Government
Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive in 1994, a Social
Security Administration Commissioner’s Citation in 1995 and General
Counsel’s Citations in 1999 and 2001, and the William C. Taylor Lifetime
of Leadership Citation in 2009. Smith had a gift for organizational
leadership and mentorship. He had a deep compassion and sense of
responsibility for other people. Smith was known for his incisive
intelligence and ability to engage in lively conversation about nearly
any topic with anyone. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, attorney
Connie Barclay Smith; sons, Frank V. Smith IV and Daniel Barclay Smith;
daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Smith; and two grandchildren.
John Embry Bevil
Bevil, 73, of New Braunfels, died
November 14, 2019. He served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1974. Bevil
received his law degree from Baylor Law School and was admitted to the
Texas Bar in 1973. He practiced law in?New Braunfels from 1988 to 2019.
Bevil was a Bible study leader for over 30 years and enjoyed traveling.
He played baseball for Baylor from 1964 to 1968 and was in the Detroit
Tigers farm system from 1968 to 1971. Bevil coached his children in
youth sports. He is survived by his wife of 11 years, Carri Bevil; sons,
Brad Bevil, Cody Bevil, Embry Bevil, and Farley Bevil; daughter, Ashley
Head; and five grandchildren.
Kate Guinn Gonzalez
Gonzalez, 75, of San Antonio, died
October 6, 2019. She received her law degree from St. Mary’s University
School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1968. Gonzalez was a
solo practitioner in San Antonio from 1978 to 2017. She was a zealous
advocate for her clients. Gonzalez enjoyed hosting holiday meals and
spending time with her grandchildren. She is survived by her son, Henry
B. Gonzalez III; daughter, Diane G. Gonzalez; brother, Gammon Guinn;
sister, Laura G. Karam; and three grandchildren.
John M.
Flatten Jr.
Flatten, 83, of Houston, died April 26,
2019. He served in the U.S. Air National Guard. Flatten received his law
degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law and was admitted to the
Texas Bar in 1960. He worked in various real estate capacities and as an
independent landsman in Texas, California, Michigan, and Minnesota, and
a year in Kazakhstan. Flatten enjoyed dancing, skiing, cycling, and
second-guessing college and professional athletes and coaches. He is
survived by his brothers, F.P. Flatten, attorney Daniel V. Flatten,
attorney Gerald R. Flatten, and Edward J.F. Flatten.
Frank S. Wright
Wright, 85, of Dallas, died October 10,
2019. He received his law degree from Southern Methodist University
School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1961. Wright was an
assistant district attorney in the Dallas County District Attorney’s
Office and in private practice focusing on criminal defense with Frank
S. Wright, Inc. He enjoyed traveling the world with his wife and family.
Wright is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joyce Louise Wright; sons,
Jason Scott Wright and Dean Alan Rogers; daughter, Allyson Wright
Rogers; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Charles Fountain “Fount” Ray
Ray, 91, of Brownsville, died March 13,
2019. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School of
Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1952. Ray was an assistant
district attorney in the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office in
Brownsville from 1953 to 1954, a partner in Davenport & Ransome in
Brownsville from 1954 to 1957, a partner in Ransome & Ray in
Brownsville from 1957 to 1974, a partner in Ransome, Ray & Armstrong
in Brownsville in 1974, a partner in Ransome & Ray in Brownsville
from 1974 to 1992, and of counsel to Ransome & Ray in Brownsville
from 1976 to 2015. He was on the First National Bank at Brownsville
Board of Directors and general counsel and founder of the Trust
Department. Ray was a director of the Brownsville Savings and Loan
Association and was a Texas Southmost College Board of Trustees member
for 17 years. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, and
camping. Ray traveled extensively throughout Mexico, Central America,
and South America with his wife, Ann. He later enjoyed crossing the
country in a motor home. Ray is survived by his sons, Sandy Ray,
attorney Marshall Ray, and Terry Ray; seven grandchildren; and two
great-grandchildren.
James Thomas Liston
Liston, 57, of Houston, died December
4, 2019. He received his law degree from the University of Houston Law
Center and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1987. Liston practiced
maritime law at Royston, Rayzor; Vickery & Williams; Bell &
Murphy; Meyer Orlando; and Spagnoletti & Co. He was central staff
attorney for the 1st Court of Appeals in Houston. Liston served as an
adjunct professor of legal research and writing at the University of
Houston Law Center. He was admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the 5th Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. While in law
school, Liston was research editor of the Houston Law Review
and president of the Admiralty Law Society. He was a lifelong sailor of
Galveston Bay and many young sailors enjoyed his tutelage. Liston
reveled in the wonder and mystery of ships and the magic of the sea. He
loved a good limerick and everyone he met was his shipmate and friend.
Liston is survived by his mother, Roberta Liston; brother, Jonathan
Liston; and sister, Becky Liston Carter.
Justin Nash Lord
Lord, 44, of Rowlett, died August 31,
2019. He received his law degree from the University of Houston Law
Center and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 2001. Lord was an assistant
district attorney in the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office from
2001 to 2019, eventually working as felony trial division chief. He was
named Dallas County Prosecutor of the Year in 2016. Lord enjoyed playing
lead guitar and bass guitar. He enjoyed traveling, especially to his
favorite destination—Las Vegas, Nevada. Lord was a lifelong fan of the
Houston Astros and the Houston Texans. He is survived by his wife of 11
years, attorney Andrea Moseley; father, attorney Terry Lord; and
brother, Jordan Lord.
James Michael Liles
Liles, 79, of Fort Worth, died July 28,
2019. He received his law degree from Baylor Law School and was admitted
to the Texas Bar in 1963. Liles practiced law for 55 years. He was a
member of the Tarrant County Bar Association, Texas Trial Lawyers
Association, American Bar Association, Texas Bar College, and Texas
Association of Defense Counsel. Liles was recognized as a 50-year lawyer
by the State Bar in 2013. He played baseball, basketball, and football,
and was on the Baylor University basketball team. Liles enjoyed bridge
and duplicate bridge and became an American Contract Bridge League Life
Master in 2003. He was a member of Colonial Country Club since 1969,
playing golf in his early years and later gin with close friends. Liles
is survived by his wife of 38 years, Rebecca Garrett Liles; sons, Todd
M. Liles and Jason B. Liles; daughters, Laura A. Liles, Alana Liles
Arguello, and Michelle Liles Alexander; brothers, Charles D. Liles and
Joe E. Liles; sister, Sue Fruitman; and one grandson.
Robert Allen Fanning
Fanning, 87, of Dallas, died November
2, 2019. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1957 and was
honorably discharged as a first lieutenant. Fanning received his law
degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law and was admitted
to the Texas Bar in 1959. He was the founder and an attorney at Fanning
Harper Martinson Brandt & Kutchin in Dallas from 1960 to 2019.
Fanning served on the SMU Dedman School of Law Board of Visitors and
executive board. He served on the San Marcos Academy Board of Directors
for 40 years. Fanning was an avid boater, owning many vessels over his
lifetime and taking many trips up and down the East Coast. He is
survived by his wife of 11 years, Margaret Sharpe Fanning; sons, Barry
Fanning and Marc Fanning; 16 grandchildren; and two
great-grandchildren.
Curry H. Vogelsang
Vogelsang, 81, of Sherman, died
September 16, 2019. He served in the Reserves. Vogelsang received his
law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted
to the Texas Bar in 1964. He was an associate of Edgar, Sherrill &
Pace in Wichita Falls from 1964 to 1969, a partner in Vogelsang &
Essin in Sherman from 1970 to 1975, a partner in Vogelsang & Akins
in Sherman from 1975 to 1977, a partner in Henderson, Bryant & Wolfe
in Sherman from 1977 to 1993, and a solo practitioner in Sherman from
1993 to 2019. Vogelsang proudly served as municipal court judge in
Sherman from 1974 to 2015. He served as president of the Sherman Chamber
of Commerce and on the Sherman Economic Development Corporation Board of
Directors. Vogelsang taught criminal law at Grayson College. He served
as an elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Vogelsang volunteered with
many youth organizations in support of his family. He loved his faith,
church, family, and community. Vogelsang was an avid golfer, bridge
player, and loved smoking barbecue. He is survived by his wife of 56
years, Barbara B. Vogelsang; sons, Curry H. Vogelsang Jr. and Chris
Vogelsang; daughter, Katherine Ann Vogelsang Stubblefield; and nine
grandchildren.
Emerson “Buddy” Banack Jr.
Banack, 81, of San Antonio, died July
31, 2019. He served as a captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate
General’s Corps from 1961 to 1963. Banack received his law degree from
the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar
in 1965. He practiced his entire career as an attorney with Langley
Banack in San Antonio. Banack was state chair and a fellow of the
American College of Trial Lawyers. He was a fellow of the Texas Bar
Foundation and a member of the San Antonio Bar Association, San Antonio
Bar Foundation, and Federal Bar Association. Banack was the 2018 Texas
Lawyer Lifetime Achievement Award winner. He was on the Cancer Therapy
Research Center for the UT Health Science Center Board of Governors and
served as chair of the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center Executive
Committee. Banack loved spending time with his family, playing golf,
running, traveling, and watching Texas Longhorn football. He is survived
by his wife of 59 years, Rose Marie; his son, attorney Trey; his
daughter, Courtney; sister, Jackie Andress; and two
grandchildren.TBJ
