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.
Lee J. Brookshire Jr.
Brookshire, 84, of Fort Worth, died
July 19, 2020. He served in the U.S. Army National Guard. Brookshire
received his law degree from Baylor Law School and was admitted to the
Texas Bar in 1965. He managed Navarro Savings and Loan Association in
Corsicana and was general counsel to Colonial Savings in Fort Worth.
Brookshire will be remembered for his love, service, compassion,
humility, hospitality, and generosity. He played the piano, had a love
of music, and enjoyed art and reading. Brookshire is survived by his
wife of 25 years, Linda Haggard Brookshire; daughters, Britt Brookshire
and Carlye Brookshire; sister, Jan Osgood; and one grandchild.
Jack N. Boyd Jr.
Boyd, 61, of Texarkana, died December 9,
2019. He received his law degree from the University of Houston Law
Center and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1985. Boyd was admitted to
the Arkansas Bar in 1989. He was an associate of Townsend Brodsky
Learman Levy & Ketchum in Houston from 1985 to 1989; an associate of
Hubbard, Patton, Peek, Haltom & Roberts in Texarkana from 1989 to
1992; a partner in Crisp & Jordan, later Crisp, Jordan & Boyd,
in Texarkana; and was a solo practitioner in Texarkana at the time of
his death. Boyd was certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas
Board of Legal Specialization. He loved spending time with his family.
Boyd was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, and he could fix anything or
take on any project—big or small. He could always be found on his skid
steer or tractor, improving his own or someone else’s property. Boyd is
survived by his wife of 40 years, Tena Gammill Boyd; sons, attorney Jake
Boyd and Josh Boyd; mother, Melba Roberts Boyd; brother, Michael Boyd;
and sisters, Mindy Boyd Laffety and Becky Boyd.
Charles K. Stephenson
Stephenson, 86, of Kerrville,
died September 5, 2020. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was
honorably discharged in 1954. Stephenson received his law degree from
South Texas College of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1964. He
was admitted to practice before the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 5th
and 11th circuits. Stephenson was managing partner in Stephenson &
Moore, Stephenson-Anderson & Associates, and Stephenson & Lowry
in Houston from 1975 to 2019, and he was a municipal judge and
magistrate in Marfa from 2017 to 2019. He was recognized as a 50-year
lawyer by the State Bar of Texas. Stephenson was known for his
philanthropy work, with a special interest in the Rotary Club. He had a
passion for sports, both as a spectator and participating in college
football, track, and tennis. Stephenson is survived by his son, Charles
K. “Ken” Stephenson Jr.; daughter, Dana Jo Stephenson Koehn; and four
grandchildren.
Jim Arnold Jr.
Arnold, 72, of Austin, died November 4,
2020. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School of
Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1973. Arnold began his legal
career with Texas Rural Legal Aid, now Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, in the
Rio Grande Valley before he established Arnold and Associates in Austin.
He was certified in civil trial law by the Texas Board of Legal
Specialization. Arnold remained an active litigator throughout his
career. He enjoyed hiking, rock climbing, and ranching. Arnold dabbled
in real estate development and started an organic apple orchard. He is
survived by his wife of 43 years, Patty Arnold, and daughters, Jenny
Arnold, Katie Arnold, and Julie Arnold.
Michael M. “Mickey” Wade
Wade, 77, of Temple, died June 13,
2020. He received his law degree from Southern Methodist University
School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1967. Wade served in
the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps from 1968 to 1971. He was
an associate of Lee Curtis Law in Belton from 1971 to 1972, a partner in
Curtis & Wade in Belton from 1972 to 1979, city attorney for Belton
from 1976 to 1978, a solo practitioner in Belton from 1979 to 2019, and
a municipal judge in Belton from 1995 to 2007. Wade served on the State
Bar of Texas Grievance Committee for District 8 from 1974 to 1981 and
was president of the Bell, Lampasas, and Mill counties bar associations
from 1977 to 1978. He was mayor of Belton from 1986 to 1989 and served
as president of the Bell County Child Welfare Board in 1981 and the
Belton Area Chamber of Commerce in 1973. Wade loved the practice of law
and considered helping his clients “a calling.” His hobbies included
golf, reading, and spending time with his family. Wade is survived by
his wife of 53 years, Jane Sewell Wade; sons, Ben Wade and attorney
Cliff Wade; daughter, Julianne Wade Davis; and six grandchildren.
Glenn F. Vance
Vance, 65, of Paige, died December 11,
2020. He received his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of
Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1989. Vance was an associate of
James E. Porter from 1989 to 1991, with the Texas Attorney General’s
Office as an assistant attorney general in the Child Support Division
from 1991 to 1993, an assistant senior field attorney in the Rio Grande
Valley, Laredo, and Corpus Christi from 1993 to 1994, a managing
attorney in San Antonio from 1994 to 1996, and Forms Section chief in
Austin from 1996 to 2015. He was involved in various church ministries
ranging from teaching Sunday school to being a mentor to ex-offenders at
a Christian transition house. Vance was an avid San Antonio Spurs fan.
He enjoyed gardening and establishing a country ranch for his family.
Vance is survived by his wife of 14 years, Debbi Vance; sons, Michael
Taylor and Alex Taylor; daughter, Annelise Jones; and two
grandchildren.
Barton Edward Bernstein
Bernstein, 90, of Dallas, died
December 19, 2020. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1953 to 1956.
Bernstein received his law degree from Boston University School of Law
and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1957. He practiced family law with
Hochberg & Bernstein in Dallas for 40 years. Bernstein enjoyed
sailing and playing the washtub. He was an avid historian, particularly
presidential history. Bernstein is survived by his wife, Donna
Bernstein; son, Alon Samuel Bernstein; daughter, Talya Bernstein
Galaganov; sisters, Rona Mae Soberg and Berna Gae Haberman; and four
grandchildren.
Robert W. Wachsmuth
Wachsmuth, 78, of San Antonio, died
December 15, 2020. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocate
General’s Corps and the Reserve from 1965 to 1969, including service in
Vietnam. Wachsmuth received his law degree from the University of Texas
School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1966. He was
president of Robert Wachsmuth & Associates in San Antonio. Wachsmuth
was a member of the San Antonio Bar Association. He was a member of St.
Thomas Episcopal Church. Wachsmuth enjoyed Texas Longhorns’ sports and
golfing. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Karin Kusiak-Wachsmuth;
son, Matthew Wachsmuth; daughters, Ashley Bass and Wendi Wachsmuth;
stepson, Daniel Kusiak; brother, Tom Wachsmuth; and four
grandchildren.
Rice M. Tilley Jr.
Tilley, 84, of Fort Worth, died October
28, 2020. He served in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1964 and was honorably
discharged as a captain. Tilley received his law degree from Southern
Methodist University School of Law, his LL.M. in tax law from New York
University School of Law, and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1961. He
was a partner in Law, Snakard & Gambill in Fort Worth from 1964 to
2004 and senior counsel to Haynes and Boone in Fort Worth from 2005 to
2014. In 2014, Tilley received the Texas A&M University School of
Law Lifetime Achievement Award. He was a past chair of the State Bar of
Texas Real Estate, Probate & Trust Law Section. Tilley served on the
University of North Texas Board of Regents for six years and the Texas
Wesleyan University Board of Trustees for 30 years. He was president of
the Fort Worth Opera Association and Casa Mañana Musicals. Tilley served
on the board of directors and as counsel to the Van Cliburn Foundation
and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. He is survived by his wife of 26
years, Sandra Cooper Tilley; son, Matt Tilley; daughters, Marisa
Hammond, Angela Crates, and Lisa Anderson; stepson, Andrew Dent;
stepdaughter, Kelli York; 17 grandchildren; and two
great-grandchildren.
John William McMackin
McMackin, 90, of Fort Worth, died
December 10, 2020. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1955.
McMackin received his law degree from the University of Illinois College
of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1956. He was admitted to
practice in Illinois. McMackin practiced corporate mergers and
acquisitions and corporate finance law as a partner in Decker Jones and
its predecessors in Fort Worth from 1956 to 2007. He enjoyed fishing and
hunting, golfing, and traveling. McMackin is survived by his son, John
Thomas McMackin; daughter, Patricia McMackin Doswell; brother, David
Wilson McMackin; and four grandchildren.
Chenier J. “John” Sanders
Sanders, 77, of Missouri City, died
December 8, 2020. He served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968, serving
in Korea, was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant, and served in
the Reserve from 1968 to 1983, being honorably discharged as a captain.
Sanders received his law degree from South Texas College of Law and was
admitted to the Texas Bar in 1979. He was an engineer with Gulf Oil and
later an executive and consultant in the oil and gas industry. Sanders’
true passion was teaching—he taught business courses at LeTourneau
University and the Keller Graduate School of Management for over a
decade. He was a 50-year member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.
Sanders is survived by his sons, attorney Michael Chenier Sanders and
John Coleman Sanders; and five grandchildren.
Gerald K. Fugit
Fugit, 89, of Odessa, died October 24,
2020. He served in the U.S. Army. Fugit received his law degree from
Southern Methodist University School of Law and was admitted to the
Texas Bar in 1955. He was a solo practitioner from 1955 to 2020 and
served as judge of Ector County from 1959 to 1966, being the youngest
judge in Texas at the time. Fugit helped to build and dedicate the Ector
County Courthouse in 1964. He was first and foremost a follower of Jesus
Christ—hosting a weekly Christian radio program for many years, teaching
Sunday school, and funding the building of churches in Chile, Panama,
and Zimbabwe. Fugit served on the Milligan University Board of Advisors
and the Milligan University Board of Trustees from 1994 to 1997 and
served on the Dallas Christian College Board of Trustees. He is survived
by his wife of 61 years, Bette Fugit, and daughter, Deborah Fugit.
Alvin King James
James, 91, of Houston, died September
17, 2020. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1955, including
the Korean War. James received his law degree from Baylor Law School and
was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1957. He was an attorney in the Harris
County Attorney’s Office and an attorney specializing in eminent domain
in the Texas State Attorney General’s Office. He opened and managed the
attorney general’s office in Houston. James was a kind, thoughtful soul
who found the most joy in his role as a husband, father, and
grandfather. He enjoyed great barbecue, good bourbon, and laughing at
his own jokes. James was a master storyteller with a razor-sharp memory.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Camella James; daughters, Alison
Hall, Jalinna Jones, and Alissa James; sisters, Marie James Hinson,
Annette James Brooks, and Jennette James Bennett; and two
granddaughters.
John R. MacLean
MacLean, 82, of Fort Worth, died
November 8, 2020. He served in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1964. MacLean
received his law degree from Vanderbilt Law School and was admitted to
the Texas Bar in 1967. He was Johnson County attorney in Cleburne from
1969 to 1976, district attorney for Johnson and Somervell counties from
1977 to 1984, appointed district judge of the 249th District Court by
Gov. Mark White in 1984 and served until 1990, and was a partner in
MacLean & Boulware from 1990 to 2016. MacLean was an American Board
of Trial Advocates National Board Member and was president of the
Vanderbilt Bar Association. He received the Johnson County Bar
Association Gean B. Turner Memorial Award in 1990. MacLean enjoyed
fly-fishing, duck hunting, and snow skiing. He is survived by his wife
of 58 years, Carol MacLean; son, John R. “Scotty” MacLean; daughter,
Leslie MacLean; and two grandchildren.
John Burns Henderson Jr.
Henderson, 86, of Cameron, died March
4, 2020. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School
of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1960. Henderson served in
the U.S. Navy. He was in private practice in Cameron for over 40 years
with his wife, Lella, serving as secretary and office manager for 27
years. Henderson was also Milam County’s longest-serving district
attorney. He served on the Cameron Independent School District Board of
Trustees. Henderson was a member of the First United Methodist Church
choir for over 50 years and taught Sunday school for many years. He
loved the Cameron Yoemen, Texas Longhorns, Hanover to Sugarloaf
Mountain, Blue Bell, chicken fried steak with extra gravy, his weekly
Wednesday coffee klatch, and above all else, his family. Henderson is
survived by his daughters, Eloise Henderson Bouzari and Elizabeth Ann
Henderson Leeper; sister, Jane Henderson Swan; and five
grandchildren.
Larry Hayes
Hayes, 81, of Ormond Beach, Florida,
died December 30, 2020. He received his law degree from St. Mary’s
University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1978.
Hayes was an associate of the Law Offices of Windle Turley in Dallas
from 1978 to 1983, a staff attorney at Crum & Forster in Dallas from
1983 to 1986, and a partner in Cantey Hanger in Fort Worth from 1986 to
2005. He was a member of the Order of Barristers, the Tarrant County Bar
Association, and the Texas Association of Defense Counsel. Hayes enjoyed
golfing, gourmet cooking, and researching genealogy. He is survived by
his wife of 61 years, Rebecca Hayes; son, Bruce Hayes; daughter, Laura
Brewer; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Robert Lee Ramsey
Ramsey, 91, of Houston, died November
4, 2020. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1946 to 1948 and in the
Reserve from 1949 to 1953. Ramsey received his LL.B. from Union
University, his J.D. from Albany Law School, and his LL.M. in aerospace
law from Southern Methodist University School of Law, and was admitted
to the Texas Bar in 1970. He was admitted to practice in New York State
in 1958 and was admitted to the California Bar in 1990. Ramsey was in
private practice in Schenectady, New York, from 1958 to 1960; a special
agent with the FBI in Washington, D.C., from 1960 to 1964; assistant
attorney general in the New York State Attorney General’s Office in
Albany, New York, from 1964 to 1965; assistant district attorney and
chief assistant district attorney in the Schenectady County District
Attorney’s Office in Schenectady from 1965 to 1968; assistant general
counsel to International Air Transport Association in Montreal, Canada,
in 1969; senior attorney at the Air Transport Association of America in
Washington, D.C., from 1969 to 1970; a lecturer in aviation law at
Southern Methodist University School of Law in Dallas from 1970 to 1975;
in private practice in Dallas from 1970 to 1976; an administrative judge
for the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C., from 1976 to 1981;
chairman and chief administrative appeals judge for the U.S. Department
of Labor’s Benefits Review Board in Washington, D.C., from 1981 to 1989;
an administrative law judge for the U.S. Department of Labor in San
Francisco, California, from 1988 to 1989; a partner in Mullen &
Filippi in San Francisco from 1989 to 1991; an administrative law judge
for the State of California Public Utilities Commission in San Francisco
from 1991 to 1998; and a legal consultant from 1998 to 2020. He is
survived by his wife, Lynn M. Ramsey; sons, Craig, Matthew, and Scott;
and eight grandchildren.
Phillip Samuel Brown
Brown, 71, of Arlington, died October 20,
2020. He received his law degree from Texas Tech University School of
Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1975. Brown was a partner in
Brown & Brown in Lubbock from 1975 to 1979, a solo practitioner in
Amarillo from 1979 to 1985, a partner in Hill, Heard, O’Neal, Gilstrap
& Goetz in Arlington from 1985 to 1988, a partner in Fanning, Harper
& Martinson in Dallas from 1988 to 1997, a partner in Wilson Elser
Moskowitz in Dallas from 1997 to 2001, and a solo practitioner in
Arlington from 2001 to 2020. He was an avid reader, reading anything and
everything. Brown loved fishing, sports, and nature. He supported
museums, theaters, and orchestras wherever he lived and traveled. Brown
is survived by his wife of 51 years, Cristi; son, Stephen; daughter,
Rebecca; brother, Paul Brown; and sister, attorney Cynthia Brown.
Roger L. Copple
Copple, 85, of Santa Fe, New Mexico,
died June 13, 2020. He received his law degree from Southern Methodist
University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1959.
Copple was admitted to the New Mexico State Bar in 1960. He was a
partner in Jennings, Christy & Copple in Roswell, New Mexico, from
1960 to 1975; in private practice, focusing on oil and gas and corporate
law in Santa Fe from 1975 to 1987; judge of the 1st Judicial District
Court in Santa Fe from 1987 to 1989; assistant U.S. attorney for the
U.S. District of New Mexico—Civil Division in Santa Fe from 1989 to
1992; and special assistant attorney general to the U.S. District of New
Mexico Oil and Gas Accounting Division. Copple was a member of the New
Mexico Disciplinary Board from 2000 to 2005 and served on the New Mexico
State Bar Fee Arbitration Panel and Commission on Professionalism. He
received New Mexico State Bar Service Awards in 1972 and 1973. Copple
received a Texas Bar College Service Award in 1995 and was honored as a
50-year lawyer by the State Bar of Texas in 2009. He was a member of
First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe. Copple was a member of the Rotary
Club and an avid reader. He is survived by his wife of 66 years,
Patricia G. Copple; sons, Bruce A. Copple and Brian D. Copple; brother,
attorney Brian D. Copple; and two grandsons.
Nathan B. Schattman
Schattman, 50, of Fort Worth, died
December 28, 2020. He received his law degree from the University of
Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1994. Schattman
was an attorney at David Fielding from 1995 to 2006, Johnston Legal
Group from 2007 to 2014, and Brown Proctor & Howell from 2015 to
2020. He was a Texas Bar Foundation fellow. Schattman studied under
Polish patriot Jan Karski at Georgetown. He was a gourmet cook of
Portuguese and Brazilian cuisine. Schattman had avid knowledge of legal
lore, genealogy, history, and all things Star Trek. He was an uncle
extraordinaire. Schattman is survived by his father, attorney Michael D.
Schattman; mother, Mary Ellen Brannigan Schattman; and sisters, Virginia
Thornton and Rita Rubins.
Dwight “Ike” Shupe
Shupe, 74, of Fort Worth, died December
30, 2020. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1968 to 1978 and was
honorably discharged as a captain. Shupe received his law degree from
Southern Methodist University School of Law and was admitted to the
Texas Bar in 1982. He was a partner in Hughes & Luce in Dallas and
Fort Worth from 1982 to 2010 and in Shupe Ventura in Fort Worth from
2010 to 2020. Shupe loved his family and the practice of law. He enjoyed
camping in the deserts of the Southwest with family and friends,
especially his Air Force buddies. Shupe was the family’s favorite rocket
scientist, graduating with a degree in nuclear engineering from the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is survived by his son, Jason
Shupe; daughters, Bridget Scott-Shupe and Brandi Mills; sister, Dawn
Brandenburg; and three grandchildren.
Leo John Peterson III
Peterson, 77, of Dallas, died November
1, 2020. He served in the Reserve. Peterson received his law degree from
the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar
in 1968. He was admitted to practice in Colorado in 1978. Peterson was
in the private banking department of Mercantile National Bank in Dallas,
practiced family law, founded Physician Supply Service in Dallas, and
was the owner of commercial properties. He was a lifelong University of
Texas supporter and an avid golfer. Peterson is survived by his wife of
48 years, Jane Venable Peterson; daughter, Brandy Peterson Warren; and
sister, Terry Peterson Rodriguez.
George Slover
Slover, 93, of Dallas, died October
31, 2020. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945. Slover received
his law degree from Harvard Law School and was admitted to the Texas Bar
in 1950. He was a partner in Carrington, Johnson & Bromberg, later
Johnson, Bromberg & Leeds, in Dallas. Slover was a member of the
Harvard Law Review. Slover is survived by his wife of 67 years,
Jane Grayson Slover; sons, George P. Slover, John G. Slover, and Thomas
W. Slover; daughter, Elizabeth Slover Howard; eight grandchildren; and
one great-grandchild.TBJ