Memorials October 2022

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 Martin Murphy

Murphy, 92, of Fort Worth, died July 23, 2022. He received his law degree from Georgetown University and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1957. Murphy served in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1954. He was a partner in Crumley, Murphy & Shrull from 1960 to 1975, a partner in Murphy, Shrull, Moore & Bell from 1975 to 1995, a partner in Murphy, Moore & Griffith from 1995 to 2010, and counsel to Griffith, Jay & Michel from 2010 to 2022. Murphy was president of the Tarrant County Bar Association from 1979 to 1980. He is remembered for his love of stock picking. Murphy is survived by his sons, attorney John F. Murphy and Robert Murphy; daughters, Madeleine Lowery, Amelia Rubano, Suzanna Meyer, Patricia Platt, Maureen Benschoter, Sheila Sumner, and Sarah Cordell; 39 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Francis Nan Todd Wagoner

Wagoner, 76, of Hearne, died August 9, 2022. She received her law degree from South Texas College of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1980. Wagoner was counsel to Travis & Gooch from 1989 to 1991, senior counsel to Texas Eastern Transmission from 1991 to 1992, managing counsel to PanEnergy Corp. from 1992 to 1994, deputy general counsel to Duke Energy Corporation from 1994 to 1999, and managing partner in Wagoner Burgert in Houston from 2001 to 2022. She was a member of the Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church in Houston and the Bellaire Southwest Houston Rotary Club and was a Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae of Houston Southwest. Wagoner is survived by her husband of 45 years, Eric Wagoner; son, Eric Colin Todd Wagoner; and sister, Jan Batson.

James “Jim” E. Cowles

Cowles, 88, of Dallas, died June 12, 2022. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1961. Cowles was a member of the Dallas Bar Association. He served in the U.S. Navy. Cowles was an attorney with Long, Maroney and Aronson; an in-house attorney with Texas & Pacific Railroad Company; a partner in Touchstone, Bernays and Johnston; and a founding shareholder in Cowles & Thompson from 1978 to 2022. He received the 2015 Fellows Justinian Award from the Dallas Bar Foundation and was recognized as a Lion of the Texas Bar in the Texas Lawbook in 2015. Cowles is remembered for being tenacious in the courtroom while also courteous with adversaries; humble and true to his Texas roots, driving his Chevrolet pickup truck to work and trials; and playing guitar and singing, including as a member of the Westerners, who performed on radio and television and patterned their style after the Sons of the Pioneers. He is survived by his sons, Gary Randall Cowles and Richard Scott Cowles; and daughter, Jan Sendker.

Gary Lee Woodrum

Woodrum, 58, of Fort Worth, died April 13, 2022. He received his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 2000. Woodrum served in the U.S. Air Force from 1985 to 1988. He worked for the IRS from 2000 to 2022 in San Antonio; Detroit, Michigan; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Fort Worth, exemplifying an astute command of tax law and its application to areas of law dealing with engineering expertise and supporting many litigation efforts by the IRS chief counsel and U.S. Department of Justice. Woodrum is remembered for his love of travel, stateside and abroad; his Christian faith; and support of conservative political causes. He is survived by his partner of 26 years, Marty; and sisters, Vicki Browder and Connie Elsden.

James Peyton Wagner

Wagner, 82, of Midlothian, died June 17, 2022. He received his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1964. Wagner was an attorney with Wagner Law Firm; Fielding, Barrett & Taylor; and Keith and Wagner. He was a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, the Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Association for Justice. Wagner is remembered for being part of the City Club wine club, spending time with his family, and his love of cooking. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Patricia Wagner; sons, Jarrod Wagner and Russell Wagner; daughters, Paige Muniz and Leslie Schmidt; sister, Sara Platt; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Ryan Mitchell Horn

Horn, 35, of Milton, Georgia, died December 23, 2021. He received his law degree from South Texas College of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 2012. Horn was also a member of the Georgia Bar. He was an attorney with Kenneth S. Nugent, P.C. in Duluth, Georgia. Horn is remembered for his love of life in Georgia, where he tinkered with different projects at home in Flowery Branch and loved being near the water; golf, through which he was able to unwind, be competitive, and meet and spend time with old and new friends; and his family, quick to be silly and playful with his kids, siblings, nieces, and nephews. He is survived by his wife of seven years, Kristina Horn; sons, Oliver Horn, Harris Horn, and Brooks Horn; mother, Nita Horn; father, James Horn; brother, Logan Horn; and sister, Taylor Rocha.

Frank M. Garza

Garza, 73, of Freer, died July 11, 2022. He received his law degree from Texas Southern University and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1974. Garza tried over 300 jury trials to verdict as a private practitioner in Corpus Christi and was editor in chief of the TSU Law Review. He is remembered for enjoying the outdoors with his family and friends; being a dad and grandpa; and his love of movies, especially old Westerns and action movies. Garza is survived by his son, Dax Frank Garza; sisters, Laura G. Berlanga and Barbara G. Ayala; and three grandsons.

Edward Francis Sherman

Sherman, 84, of Washington, D.C., died June 7, 2022. He received his law degree from Harvard Law School and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1962. Sherman served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1967 and remained in the Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps for nearly 15 years. He was a legal aide for Nevada Gov. Grant Sawyer; a clerk for U.S. District Court Judge R. Ewing Thomason in El Paso; an attorney with Mayfield, Broaddus & Perrenot in El Paso; a teaching fellow at Harvard Law; a professor of military law at Indiana University School of Law from 1969 to 1976; a professor of civil procedure, complex litigation, and ADR at the University of Texas School of Law from 1976 to 1996; and dean of Tulane University Law School from 1996 to 2001, remaining as an active leader on the faculty until his retirement in 2015, later becoming a professor emeritus. Sherman established the Dean Edward and Alice Sherman Law and Literature Room in the Tulane Law School Library, was instrumental in the formation of a summer Tulane mediation program at Humboldt University of Berlin, and was the principal drafter of the Texas and Louisiana mediation statutes as well as the Republic of Vietnam’s Code of Civil Procedure. Sherman is remembered for always reading and talking about a multitude of topics with interest and passion; cherishing summers in Maine with his wife, Alice, family, and friends; and working long hours with a true love for his work—he loved being a lawyer and he loved lawyers. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Alice; sons, Ned and Paul; and four grandchildren.

Walter Waylon Williams

Williams, 88, of Concrete, died March 24, 2022. He received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1960. Williams served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. He was an attorney with Fulbright, Crooker, Freeman, Bates and Jaworski from 1960 to 1961; Bates & Brock in 1962; Brock, Williams & Boyd; and Williams & Boyd. Williams is remembered for his love of history, especially Texas history; being a pioneer of the pecan grower’s industry; and his passion for genealogy. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Velmalene Williams; daughters, Diana Weathersby and Virginia Leudo; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Jeffrey “Jeff” Garon

Garon, 53, of Bryan, died April 23, 2022. He received his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1994. Garon was an appellate attorney with the State Counsel for Offenders in Huntsville from 1996 to 1998, a staff attorney with the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals from 1998 to 2001, an assistant district attorney with the Collin County District Attorney’s Office in McKinney from 2001 to 2010, an assistant district attorney with the Brazos County District Attorney’s Office in Bryan from 2011 to 2013, and an assistant attorney general with the Office of the Texas Attorney General in Austin from 2013 to 2017. He was a member of the Association of Government Attorneys in Capital Litigation and a contributing member of the Texas Independent Bar Association. Garon is remembered for his love for his family and the law, his wry sense of humor, and spending time fishing and woodworking. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Cheryl Garon; sons, Hunter Chauvin and Spencer Garon; daughter, Mallory Laub; father, Allan Garon; mother, Nancy Garon; sister, Tammi Stein; and two grandchildren.

Laura Catherine Davidson Fowell

Fowell, 42, of Houston, died August 18, 2021. She received her law degree from South Texas College of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 2003. Fowell was an assistant district attorney for Harris County from 2003 to 2007 and joined the faculty as an adjunct professor of law at South Texas College of Law immediately after graduating from law school, from 2003 to 2011, teaching trial advocacy and voir dire. She is survived by her husband of 17 years, attorney Jason Lee Fowell; daughters, Grace and Emma; son, Colin; mother, Rose Marie; and father, attorney Joe R. Davidson.

Allen Williamson

Williamson, 47, of Bridgeport, died May 14, 2022. He received his law degree from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 2000. Williamson was also a member of the New Mexico and Oklahoma bars. He was first assistant district attorney of the 271st Judicial District, covering Wise and Jack counties, from 1999 to 2004; a partner in Simpson, Boyd, Powers and Williamson in Bridgeport from 2005 to 2016; and a founding partner in Boyd Powers & Williamson in Decatur from 2016 to 2022. Williamson was certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and criminal trial law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is remembered for genuinely connecting with people—most felt like he was one of their closest friends as he always made time to visit with and care for others; his friendly smile and warm heart, which will be so missed; and his active involvement with Grace Fellowship Church. Williamson is survived by his wife of 26 years, Mendee Williamson; son, Aaron; daughters, Jessica and Amber; mother, Elizabeth Williamson; and brother, Russ Williamson.

Philip A. Masquelette

Masquelette, 96, of Houston, died January 16, 2022. He received his law degree from the University of Houston and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1952. Masquelette served in the U.S. Navy as an officer during World War II and was in the U.S. Naval Reserve until 1957. He was in private practice from 1953 to 1956; began a banking career in 1957; and after being employed by a closely held business in 1962, Masquelette returned to private practice with various law firms from 1965 until his retirement in 2013. He was an active layman at the Episcopal parish, diocesan and national levels. Masquelette is remembered as a dedicated family man and exemplary lawyer and mentor. He is predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Elizabeth Daggett Simmons Masquelette, and is survived by his daughters, Laura and Pamela; sons, attorneys Philip E. and David; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Charles E. Fitch

Fitch, 76, of Houston, died July 22, 2022. He received his law degree from the University of Houston and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1970. Fitch was also a member of the Vermont and American bar associations and was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and several federal courts. He was an attorney with De Lange & Hudspeth in Houston in 1970 and a solo practitioner in Houston from 2002 to 2022. Fitch was a life fellow of the Houston Bar Foundation; accumulated extensive jury and bench trial litigation experience in state and federal courts and appellate experience in the Texas courts of appeals, Texas Supreme Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit; and during his 52-year law career, published dozens of papers and taught numerous topics at association, industry, and law conferences throughout Texas on various real estate, land title, and insurance topics. He is remembered for being very active in the Houston Catholic community and Holy Rosary Catholic Church, serving on parish councils, PTA, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, and the New York chapter of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in which he participated in the collection and delivery of medications to Chernobyl victims; and served as a lectern, led rosary and was a co-operator in Opus Dei and member of Serra and founded a weekly prayer group that met for over 32 years. Fitch is survived by his wife of 47 years, Judie Singleton Geaslin Fitch; son, John Cooper Fitch; daughter, Laura Kathryn Fitch; and two grandchildren.

Karl Dorr

Dorr, 80, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, died August 10, 2022. He received his law degree from South Texas College of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1974. Dorr was also a member of the Colorado Bar. He was an associate of Southers, Goldberg & Lyons in San Antonio from 1974 to 1981; a partner in Gardner, Ferguson, Sommers & Dorr in San Antonio from 1981 to 1982; a solo practitioner in San Antonio from 1982 to 1991; and a solo practitioner in Evergreen, Colorado, from 1991 to 2021. Dorr was certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, was co-chair of the San Antonio Bar Association Medical-Legal Liaison Committee from 1980 to 1981, and a director of the San Antonio Trial Lawyers Association from 1980 to 1981. He is remembered for his love of hunting, hiking, and traveling. Dorr is survived by his son, Scott Dorr; and daughter, Kristi Dorr.

Frank Morris Mason Jr.

Mason, 74, of Longview, died July 18, 2022. He received his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1980. He served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970. Mason was an associate of Kenley, Boyland, Coughlan & Erskine in Longview in 1980; an associate of Kenley & Boyland in Longview from 1981 to 1983; a partner in Kenley, Boyland, Mason, Howard & Merritt in Longview from 1984 to 1989; a shareholder in Harbor, Kenley, Boyland, Smith & Harris in Longview from 1990 to 1997; a partner in Akin, Neeley & Mason in Longview from 1998 to 2004; and a solo practitioner in Longview from 2005 to 2022. He was a life fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, a member of the State Bar of Texas Pro Bono College, and founder of the Gregg County Bar Association Pro Bono Award. Mason is survived by his sons, John Chatham Mason and Matthew Everrett Mason; daughter, Elizabeth Rie Mason Shadock; sister, Elizabeth Mason Stroup; and two grandchildren.

Kent William “Rocky” Robinson

Robinson, 69, of Houston, died July 9, 2022. He received his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1978. Robinson was also a member of the Houston and American bar associations and the American Board of Trial Advocates. He was an attorney with Andrews, Kurth, Campbell and Jones (now Hunton Andrews Kurth) in 1978 and remained with the firm until retiring as a partner in 2018. Robinson was president of the Houston Bar Association from 2004 to 2005; served on the boards of the Houston Bar Association, Houston Bar Foundation, State Bar of Texas, the Defense Research Institute, Houston Area Women’s Center, and the Gladney Fund; and was certified in civil trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is remembered for his greatest passion, coaching his children’s soccer, softball, and baseball teams. Robinson is survived by his wife of 40 years, Deborah Brown Robinson; daughters, Haley Thanheiser and Jordan Rocheleau; son, Duncan; brother, Perry Robinson; and one granddaughter.^TBJ

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