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.
G. Alan Waldrop
Waldrop, 59, of Austin, died May 5,
2021. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School of
Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1987. Waldrop was a briefing
attorney for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
in Waco from 1987 to 1988, an attorney and partner in Locke Liddell
& Sapp in Austin from 1988 to 2005, justice on the 3rd Court of
Appeals in Austin from 2005 to 2010, a partner in Locke Lord Bissell
& Liddell in Austin from 2010 to 2015, and a partner in Terrill
& Waldrop in Austin from 2015 to 2021. He was a lecturer and adjunct
professor of trial advocacy at the University of Texas School of Law
from 1993 to 2000. Waldrop was a Texas Bar Foundation sustaining life
fellow. He was a member and music director of the Bar & Grill
Singers for 25 years. Waldrop enjoyed sailing, music, and woodworking.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Debra Waldrop; sons, Duncan
Waldrop and Pierce Waldrop; and brothers, Gordon Waldrop II and Stan
Waldrop.
Charles N. Curry
Curry, 79, of Fort Worth, died January
21, 2021. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School
of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1966. Curry was an attorney
with Shannon, Gracey, Ratliff & Miller in Fort Worth, where he
became partner and practiced for 50 years, and was of counsel to Bonds
Ellis Eppich Schafer Jones. He was chair and vice chair of the State Bar
of Texas Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Law Section’s Fiduciary
Litigation Committee. Curry was a member of the State Bar of Texas Real
Estate Forms Committee, the State Bar of Texas Business Law Section, and
a Texas Bar Foundation life fellow. Curry was a founding member of the
Texas Association of Bank Counsel, serving two terms as director, and
was a member of the Texas College of Real Estate Lawyers. He loved his
career and there was never a person prouder of being an attorney than
him. Curry is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary; daughters, Claire
Curry McInnis and Anne Curry Phillippe; and five grandchildren.
Roy Stewart Dale
Dale, 87, of McAllen, died February 18,
2020. He received his law degree from Indiana University School of Law
and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1978. Dale was admitted to practice
in Indiana in 1961. He practiced in Brownsville from 1978 to 1992,
including service with Cameron County, and was a partner in Dale &
Klein in McAllen from 1992 until 2020. Dale served on the South Texas
ISD School Board from 1982 to 1986 and was voluntary counsel to the
State Bar of Texas. He loved litigation and tried 32 jury trials one
year. Dale had a passion for history and was quick witted, brilliant,
scholarly, and charitable. He was a proud member of Temple Emanuel in
McAllen and fulfilled his lifelong dream of visiting Israel three months
before his death. Dale is survived by his wife of nearly 30 years, Katie
Klein; sons, Jonathan Dale, Harrison Dale, and Joshua Dale; stepson,
Pearson Klein; and stepdaughter, Cassidy Klein.
Robert L. Estep
Estep, 80, of Rural Retreat, Virginia,
died March 28, 2020. He served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1970. Estep
received his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law
and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1984. He was admitted to practice
in Illinois in 1973. Estep was an associate of and partner in Isham
Lincoln & Beale in Chicago, Illinois, from 1973 to 1983; a partner
in Jones Day in Dallas from 1983 to 2006; and of counsel to Jones Day in
Dallas from 2007 to 2009. He was smart, hardworking, and had an insight
into people and situations. Estep is survived by his wife of 49 years,
Elizabeth W. Estep; daughter, Laura Liseno; sister, Carol Thomas; and
four grandchildren.
Lauren J. Bensi
Bensi, 63, of Spring, died October 19,
2020. She received her law degree from Texas Southern University
Thurgood Marshall School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in
1996. She was a solo practitioner focusing on family law, wills,
probate, and trust administration in Spring from 1996 to 2020. Bensi
loved to cook and was always planning the next party or informal
get-together of friends and neighbors at her house. She also cherished
her down time at home with her best friend and long-time housemate,
Chris Bozman, as well as their dogs through the years. Bensi was a
strong believer in God and her Jewish faith. She is survived by her
brother, Andrew Bensi.
Melton David Cude
Cude, 65, of Decatur, died November 29,
2020. He received his law degree from Baylor Law School and was admitted
to the Texas Bar in 1980. Cude served in the U.S. Army National Guard
Judge Advocate General’s Corps from 1988 to 1996. He was an attorney at
Woodruff, Fostel, Wren & Simpson in Decatur from 1980 to 1986 and
judge of Wise County Court at Law 1 in Decatur from 1987 to 2020. Cude
was known for his loyalty. He loved reading, especially history, and
camping with friends. Cude is survived by his wife of 38 years, Arlena
Cude; son, David Cude; daughter, Amy Casares; brother, Murray Cude; and
four grandchildren.
Stephen E. Musil
Musil, 71, of Haskell, died May 1,
2021. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School of
Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1974. Musil was in private
practice specializing in family law, an assistant district attorney in
the Travis County Attorney’s Office, and an attorney in the Travis
County Domestic Relations Office. He enjoyed listening to music, working
on old cars, and raising chickens. Musil is survived by his wife of four
years, Nicolasa Musil; sons, Jeff Musil, John M. Musil, and Ben Musil;
daughters, Katie Hanley and Jennifer Rowsey; mother, Mary Musil;
brothers, David Musil and Tim Musil; sisters, Pat Smith and Paula
Gilbert; and 11 grandchildren.
Lou Porter Bailey
Bailey, 66, of Austin, died February 11,
2021. She received her law degree from the University of Texas School of
Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1979. Bailey was a partner in
Dyche & Wright in Houston. She enjoyed quilting, reading British
murder mysteries, watching Jeopardy!, working with local
nonprofits, and solving the New York Times Sunday crossword
puzzle. Bailey is survived by her husband of 39 years, Scott Bailey;
daughter, Katherine Brown; and one grandchild.
Daniel Diaz Jr.
Diaz, 73, of San Antonio, died May 31,
2021. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School of
Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1973. Diaz was an associate of
Wiley, Plunkett, Gibson & Allen in San Antonio from 1973 to 1979, a
partner in Plunkett, Gibson & Allen in San Antonio from 1979 to 1989
and a shareholder in the firm from 1989 to 1996, of counsel to Plunkett
& Gibson in San Antonio from 1996 to 2000, and staff legal counsel
to Zurich North America in San Antonio from 2000 to 2001. He was a
member of the Order of Barristers. Diaz was an avid fisherman, fishing
every chance he got anywhere he could. He was utterly devoted to caring
for and encouraging the aspirations of his wife and children. In
retirement, Diaz took pride assisting his wife in legal work helping and
representing children. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, attorney
Dorothy Flagg Diaz; son, David Daniel Diaz; daughter, Teresa Diaz
Alecozay; and one granddaughter.
Minor L. Helm Jr.
Helm, 83, of Waco, died May 18, 2021. He
received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and
was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1961. Helm was a partner in Sleeper,
Johnston & Helm from 1961 to 1995 and an associate of Pakis, Giotes,
Beard & Page from 1995 to 2013. He was a member of the American Bar
Association and Waco-McLennan County Bar Association. Helm enjoyed
collecting coins and stamps. He is survived by his wife of 33 years,
Vivian Helm; son, attorney Charles M. Helm; daughter, attorney Sandra
Helm Waelder; sister, Kay Preddy; and five grandchildren.
Robert Jay Reining
Reining, 74, of Corpus Christi, died
November 23, 2020. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard Judge Advocate
General’s Corps from 1969 to 1994. Reining received his law degree from
the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar
in 1970. He was admitted to the Hawaii Bar in 1973 and the District of
Columbia Bar in 1990. Reining was a JAG officer in Houston; Washington,
D.C.; Honolulu, Hawaii; Portland, Oregon; Norfolk, Virginia; New York,
New York; and Corpus Christi from 1969 to 1994; and was an attorney for
the city of Corpus Christi from 1994 to 2014. He enjoyed traveling and
hunting. Reining is survived by his wife of 51 years, Drew Matlock
Reining; daughter, Elizabeth Reining Buehler; sister, Marilyn McCabe;
and one grandchild.
Dulcie D. Brand
Brand, 65, of Sugar Land, died March 7,
2021. She received her law degree from George Washington University Law
School and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1986. Brand was admitted to
the District of Columbia Bar in 1981 and the California Bar in 1995. She
was a partner in Jones Day in Dallas and Los Angeles, California, from
1984 to 2005 and a partner in Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman in Los
Angeles from 2005 to 2016. Brand was a member of the National
Association of Public Pension Attorneys. She enjoyed traveling, cooking,
and spending time with friends and family.
Richard Norman Nelson
Nelson, 79, of Keller, died September
27, 2020. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1962 to 1998, receiving two
Meritorious Service Medals, Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal,
and Recruiting Gold Wreath. Nelson received his law degree from George
Washington University Law School and was admitted to the Texas Bar in
1996. He was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 1980 and was admitted to
practice in Maryland in 1994. Nelson was general counsel to EFW, Inc. in
Fort Worth from 1996 to 2006. He was a member of U.S. Submarine Veterans
Fort Worth and Dallas bases, the National Society of the Sons of the
American Revolution, and was a violinist and member of the Northeast
Orchestra. Nelson is survived by his wife of 57 years, Bonnie Nelson;
daughters, Kimberly Nelson and Amy Mylius; brother, Allan Nelson; and
five grandchildren.TBJ
