Ron Harrod

Ronald Lee Harrod

July 11, 1938 – May 21, 2013

Ronald Lee Harrod went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, May 21, 2013. The family will welcome friends to their home in College Station on Wednesday, May 22 from 5:00 until 7:00 in the evening. A celebration of Ron's life is scheduled for noon on Saturday, June 8 at Christ United Methodist Church in College Station.

Ron was born and raised in Houston, Texas, graduating in 1956 from Lamar High School where he met his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of 53 years, Carol North Harrod. Ron attended Texas A&M University as a member of the Corps of Cadets, graduating in 1960 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Following graduation and a June wedding, he served in the Army from 1961 to 1962 before moving back to Houston and working for Johns-Manville for 35 years. Ron and Carol lived in Houston for 30 years, raising their two daughters, Karen and Kathy. In 1993, they moved into a home Ron designed himself in College Station, where he lived close to his cherished A&M and friends both old and new.

Ron loved music and was blessed with a beautiful singing voice. He loved being outdoors and recognized God's presence through the beauty of nature. His passion for travel led him to visit every state in America. His accomplishments as a photographer allowed him to chronicle those vacation experiences as well as Texas A&M sports. He used his unique artistic ability for many years by painting personalized awards that were presented at A&M sports banquets to senior athletes. He loved Texas A&M, never missing a home or away game for nearly 40 seasons. His most recent contribution to his alma mater was serving as a volunteer in the sports museum.

Along with his wife Carol, Ron was a member of Christ United Methodist Church in College Station where he sang in the choir for many years and was a member of the Christian Collage Sunday School Class.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, George Robert Harrod and Ruby Aderholt Harrod; Carol's parents, Arthur and Marie North; and his sister, Rosemary Huiet.

Survivors include his loving wife, Carol North Harrod of College Station; daughter Karen and her husband Gary High of Atlanta; daughter Kathy and her husband Steve Newland of Keller; and treasured grandchildren, Catherine and Camille High, and Garrett and Jack Newland. His brother George Robert Harrod Jr., sister-in-law Françoise, and niece Florence survive him also.

The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to the staff of Hospice Brazos Valley for their exceptional care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ron's memory to Hospice Brazos Valley, 1600 Joseph Dr., Bryan, TX 77802 or Christ United Methodist Church, 4201 State Hwy. 6 South, College Station, TX 77845.

Condolences may be left for the family at CallawayJones.com

In Memory of John Wiley Link III July 9, 1937 - May 7, 2013 Obituary John Wiley Link, III passed away on Tuesday, the 7th of May 2013. With his passing, it is the end of an era not just for the extended Link family, but also for Houston's founding families. John was a legacy of that era, a larger-than-life Texan who spoke with a drawl, dabbled in real estate and law, and called the ladies "darlin." But John also took on the mantle of his family's responsibilities in more ways than one, most importantly, in assuming the role of father to his young nephews on the premature death of his sister, Adrienne Claire Link Shea. John was born the 9th of July 1937 in Houston to George Harold Link and Marcita Drouet, the youngest child behind older sisters Adrienne Claire and "Little" Marcita, both of whom died too young. We would be remiss in failing to acknowledge John's family as part of Houston's roots: building Montrose, running cattle, laying claim to large tracks of bayou, and charming the country folk out of their mineral rights. But it was a tough act to follow, particularly for John, whose rebellious nature did not win him fans in his father's court. After obtaining an undergraduate (pledging DKE) in 1964 and law degree in 1967 from UT, John became a commercial real estate broker and spent most of his professional life managing the family's affairs. For many years, John shared offices with his dear friend and business partner, Cole Thomson, and between the two of them, there wasn't much that went unnoticed in South Texas business. John was incredibly bright and witty, and no more was that evident than at the bridge table, where he played rubber and tournament bridge, and happily trounced less worthy opponents. He attained the Silver Life Master status. But John was also rapscallion. He enjoyed being playful and irreverent, though always respectful. He used colorful language loudly and without blushing, especially when the Longhorns let him down. He indulged in an occasional drink or three, and smoked stinky cigars. John spent the last years of his life with a lovely and caring soulmate, Bobbi Kaufman, with whom he enjoyed bridge and traveling. She willfully played the "straight man" to John's jokes, patiently tweaked his lifestyle, and held his hand through recent health woes. The family is eternally grateful for Bobbi's loving care of their challenging uncle. Left to share Unca' John stories are "his boys," Robert Shea of Alexandria, Virginia and John Shea of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, their respective wives, Eva and Amy, and their young children, Haley, Hannah, Mary, Anna and Peter. His other nieces and nephews, including Patrick Shea (Austin), George Shea (Houston), Constance Shea (San Anselmo, California), and Allen Shea (Houston); and cousins will miss John's stewardship in family affairs, and will toast John's wily negotiating skills at the final closing on Mason Road. He also leaves behind his loving cousin Janet Cartwright. "In celebration of John's life, we invite you to smoke a stinky cigar, have that extra glass of red wine, swear at the Longhorns football team, and tell an off color joke in mixed company." Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from four o'clock in the afternoon until seven o'clock in the evening on Friday, the 10th of May, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. An interment service is to be conducted at half-past nine o'clock in the morning on Saturday, the 11th of May, at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Avenue in Houston. A uniformed steward from Geo. H. Lewis & Sons is to be positioned at the entrance of the cemetery so as to guide guests to the interment site. The memorial service is to follow at eleven o'clock in the morning, also on Saturday, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception at a venue to be announced at the service. In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to Texas Exes, P.O. Box 142309, Austin, TX, 78714-9903; or to a charity of one's choice.