Ted Nagel

Leroy F. "Ted" NAGEL, JR.  1938-2018

Husband, father, grandfather, rancher, soldier, rodeo president, company chairman, wild bronc rider, and dear friend to all who knew him, Leroy F "Ted" Nagel passed on to be with the Lord Jesus on July 23, 2018.

Ted was born along with his twin brother, William G. "Bill" Nagel, in Houston, Texas on April 20, 1938, to Leroy F. Nagel and Jessie E. Lemburg. He grew up in Houston, attended Poe and River Oaks Elementary schools, Lanier Junior High, and graduated from Lamar High School. He attended the University of Texas, studying mechanical engineering, and finished at the University of Houston. In 1967, for business reasons, he moved to Austin, Texas and remained there the rest of his life.
In 1960 Ted married Harriet Olsen of Austin, Texas. Out of the marriage came four children, Fred Nagel, Jennifer Berry, Laurie Zaza, and Elizabeth Schwartz, and eight grandchildren. After 35 years of wonderful marriage, Harriet died on March 15,1995. In April 1996, Ted met Jan Lentz of Ames, OK, and they married on May 25, 2002. Together they enjoyed traveling and football and had a wonderful life in retirement.

Services were held in Austin, Texas on July 28, 2018 at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ted and Harriet Nagel Scholarship Endowment fund, Rodeo Austin, 9100 Decker Lane, Austin, TX 78724. For a full obituary and to leave remembrances for the family, visit www.wcfish.com online.

Published in Houston Chronicle on July 29, 2018

Catherine Murphy Abercrombie

Catherine Abercrombie

Catherine Lee Murphy Abercrombie—1938-2018

Catherine Lee Murphy Abercrombie, age 79, passed away on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. She was born in Houston, Texas to the late Joseph Michael and Emma Lee Murphy on August 1, 1938. Catherine graduated from Lamar High School and then went on to attend The University of Texas at Austin.

Catherine was married to the late Joe Dick Abercrombie and they were members of First United Methodist Church in Kerrville, Texas. She was survived by her daughters Lindy Cardenas, Cathleen Marton, Caroline Beaty, and Christie Abercrombie. She was also survived by her grandchildren Brittany Marton, Ashton Beaty, Beau Beaty, Christopher Cardenas, Michael Cardenas, and Casey Cardenas.

Gigi is what her grandchildren called her. Gigi's happiest times were having all of her family at her house. She loved cooking big family dinners for all to enjoy. Catherine dedicated her life to loving and serving her family.

Catherine, beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother, is now home with her heavenly father.

We want to thank all of the wonderful staff at Cedar Pointe Health and Wellness Center, along with our supportive friends and family. Her family will celebrate her life at a graveside service that Kerrville Funeral Home has been entrusted to arrange.

Published in Houston Chronicle on July 20, 2018

Frank Price

Judge Frank Price

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Judge Frank C. Price passed away on Saturday May 19, 2018, with his devoted wife and family at his side. Born in Houston on November 17, 1938, Frank Price was a very young 79 years old when he finally met a challenge he could not win. Frank is survived by his wife Melissa Price; son, Frank Christian Price, Jr and wife, Gayle, and grandchildren Brooks, Cole and Rhett of Houston; son Bradley Laurence Price and wife, Gerri, and grandson Connor of Tampa; brother Chuck Price and wife, Penelope, of Houston; sister Karen Meynier of Houston; sister Terry Price Harmon and husband, Judge Bill Harmon, of Houston; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Evelyn Price of Houston.
Frank started his education at Poe Elementary, where he collected the first members of his cherished family of friends, "The Poe Group," who have continued to meet for lunch through seven decades, just as they did as kids in the Poe Lunch Room. Early in his life, it was clear that Frank was both a scholar and an athlete. By the time he graduated from Lamar High School, he had become a legendary track star and held a school record for decades in the half-mile run.
His track skills opened the door for his admission to the only college he had hoped to attend, Rice University, which he attended on a track scholarship and championed the ultimate test of greatness in athletics. He graduated from Rice with a B.A. in History in 1961 and went to Baylor University School of Law in 1963. Frank credited Rice and Baylor for his professional and ethical roots and repaid his debt of gratitude by being a lifetime supporter of both. His cherished clan of friends grew to include his Baylor alums and The Rice Owl "R" Club. Later, he added the Whitehall Club to his family of friends, a group of fellows who had breakfast together every Friday morning for 35 years.
Frank started his legal career as a prosecutor, serving 5 years as a Harris County assistant district attorney, followed by private practice as a criminal defense lawyer. Frank's exhaustive attention to every case and his strong commitment to justice did not go unnoticed. In 1974, Frank became the youngest appointee in history when he was appointed by Gov. Briscoe to serve as the judge of a criminal court, the 209th District Court. Frank was truly born to be a judge. His gracious temperament, knowledge of the law and sense of fairness made people in his court feel that the system of justice was indeed just. Prosecutors and defense counsel both state that they left Judge Price's courtroom wishing that they could try every case in the level playing field of his court. Judge Price presided over some of Houston's most famous criminal trials, such as the trial of Lilla Paulus who was convicted of being a co-conspirator in the "Blood and Money" murder of Dr. John Hill in River Oaks. He stood firm in his convictions and guarded the integrity of the system without compromise or regard for self-interest. He had the courage to make the very unpopular decision to grant a new trial in the front-page case of a man who was convicted of abducting and killing his own niece. Judge Price had learned that evidence had been withheld from the defense. In the end, the new trial served the system well, and also brought a second conviction. Judge Price presided in the trial of the notorious "Candyman" who killed Halloween and his young son with poisoned pixie sticks he handed out to five neighborhood children, seeking to gain $31,000 in insurance. In 1981, Gov. Clements appointed Judge Price to serve on the First Court of Appeals, starting his years of service on the appellate bench. Eventually he served as a visiting judge in both trial and appellate courts, serving over 30 years in the Texas State Judiciary. Judge Price personally wrote every appellate opinion himself, with hundreds of published opinions to his credit. His writing beautifully reflected his goal of perfection in both language and reasoning. He was known for mastering tough issues and cutting quickly to the heart of a case by asking a single insightful question. For over 20 years, he added mediation as another facet of his legal career and achieved an extraordinary reputation for bringing peace and creative solutions.
As a judge, he was reserved and shunned attention. It is impossible, but true, that this same man was guilty of trickery and deceit – he was among the greatest practitioners of sleight of hand and close-up magic, performing routinely as a professional magician at Magic Island and many other venues. Training his hands to betray the closest scrutiny took the kind of discipline that was his forte. He took immense pride in the craft of magic and considered it a noble art, his "other" profession. He served as President of the Texas Association of Magicians and occasionally hosted local meetings at night in his courtroom. He kept separate his two professions, with few exceptions. An attorney who had once recognized Judge Price at Magic Island needed an emergency ruling, so he raced to the club, paid the admission and asked Frank if he could turn a magician into a judge. Frank did. On another occasion, Frank finished sentencing a convicted con-artist and then had him deal Three-Card Monte for 2 hours so Frank could study his reveal.
Throughout his life, Frank maintained his passion for sports, both as a participant and as a fan. He was a natural born athlete who tackled sports with discipline and his usual pursuit of excellence. Frank did nothing half-way. His water skiing was a series of stunts performed on short trick-skis; his snow skiing in Colorado was mainly moguls and black diamond runs; his singles handball game resulted in city, state and national championships; and, he repeated the record with his doubles handball game. As a sports fan, he was a fanatic, especially for Houston's Astros, Rockets and Texans. He loved baseball and served as an umpire in City League softball. He was the coach of many championship teams during his 15 years of coaching the Post Oak Little League, including teams on which his own sons played. When he was not the official coach, he coached his sons and grandsons by booming out his instructions from the stands.
Frank would surely enjoy a mention of the fact that he took his sons to the Shriners Circus, where he rode in the Opening Procession on the top of an elephant. Texas Monthly proclaimed that Frank had been voted as "Most Handsome Judge in Texas," and Frank thought it was a joke. It was no joke – Frank was shockingly handsome. His sense of humor was subtle, bone-dry and never unkind. With all that he had to brag about, he never did. He was private and modest, preferring to let others have the floor. One of his friends said that you would have to put Frank under oath to get him to talk about himself, and, even then you would have to lead the witness.
Without a doubt, Frank Price lived passionately, creating a journey filled with joy and success, but his greatest passion was his family, including those in the extended family of friends he adopted along his way. Frank loved his family and was loyal and devoted, almost to a fault. Frank and Melissa shared many wonderful times together with friends and family in Houston and Galveston. Frank loved his sons and took great delight in his role as father and grandfather.
Frank Price led a beautiful life and accomplished excellence in a truly remarkable number of quests. Friends say they never left Frank's presence when they didn't wish the time together had been longer. We share that wish today – that our time together had been longer – but Frank is off on a new journey, ready and waiting, with his familiar deck of cards in hand.
A celebration of the life of Frank Price will be held at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 11612 Memorial Drive, Houston 77024, on May 24, 2018, at 10:00 am. Those desiring to honor Frank's memory are welcome to make a donation of choice or to The American Cancer Society.

Published in Houston Chronicle on May 21, 2018

TRACY WORD 1937-2017

TRACY TRIECE WORD III 1937-2017

After a prolonged illness, Tracy Triece Word, III passed peacefully at home surrounded by family on May 29, 2017. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 17, at 11:00 am at Grace Community Church in Bartlesville, followed by inurnment at White Rose Mausoleum, also in Bartlesville.
Tracy was born December 31, 1937, to Tracy and Alyne Word in Houston, Texas. After graduation from Lamar High School in Houston, he then attended the University of Texas at Austin on a full swimming scholarship. Tracy earned his BS in Chemical Engineering at UT in 1960 and then attended the University of California in Berkeley, CA where he received his MS in Chemical Engineering in 1961. Tracy was then hired by Phillips Petroleum Company from which he retired after 25 years of employment. He embarked on his second career in insurance and investments and retired as a financial planner from the Focus Group Advisors in 2010.
Some of Tracy's greatest enjoyment came from sailing on Grand Lake and in the Caribbean, watching his daughter Marcy's softball games and tournaments, and entertaining his family with his "word-isms" and puns. He enjoyed being involved with Big Brothers and was active in various churches and other charities in Bartlesville. His deep abiding faith in Jesus was demonstrated by his selfless love for others and by his kind and gentle demeanor.
Tracy married Martha Paggi in 1960 and had three children: Jon Troy Word of Petersham, MA, Dr. Marchel Word Clements of Broken Arrow, and Debra Word Clemishire of Skiatook. In 1975 Tracy married Kay Grover Barnett and became stepfather to Kim Barnett Morgan, Randall Barnett, Sherry Barnett Hensley, and Michelle Barnett Andrews. Tracy is survived by his wife, Kay, and leaves a strong legacy of Christian faith to his 7 children and their spouses, 17 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Gary Word and wife, Carol, of Houston, Texas. Tracy influenced many lives and will be dearly missed.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Comforting Hands Hospice or Hopestone Cancer Center. Information can be found at comfortinghandshospice.com and at HopestoneCenter.org. Arrangements are under the direction of the Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com.

Mary Carolyn Powers Lee

Mary Carolyn Powers Lee
1938-2018
God saw you were getting tired, and a cure was not to be, so he put his arms around you, and whispered, "Come to Me."
On Tuesday, February 27, 2018, our mother Mary Carolyn Lee passed away of acute myeloid leukemia in Houston, Texas. She was born in San Antonio on May 26, 1938, the first child of Robert E. Powers and Mary Mozelle Aldis Powers. She grew up in West University, and graduated from Lamar High School in 1956. She then attended Rice Institute from 1956-1958.
Mary Carolyn married Donald Granville Lee Jr. on February 10, 1958 at West University Methodist Church. Their first child, Allison, was born in 1960. They bought their home in Sharpstown in 1962. In 1963, their twins, Michael and Marilyn were born.
Mom and Dad were active in many activities when we were young. They loved going on camping trips to major attractions in the US. They were also longtime members of Gethsemane Methodist Church. In 1997, Mom received the Outstanding Citizen award from the City of Houston for 30 years of volunteer service in neighborhood schools, the Sharpstown Civic Assocation, Scouts, the Red Cross, and baseball and softball leagues.
Mom loved country music, needlepoint, the Astros, and all animals, always giving donations to many organizations. She was Administrative Manager of Sharpstown Civic Association for 18 years. In 1979, Mom and Dad opened the Mom & Pop Sandwich Shop and ran it for six years. She was later employed as a medical report editor for Med Insights.
Mary Carolyn was very active in the United Daughters of the Confederacy. She was a charter member of the Southern Cross 2502 and served as Chapter President from 2002-2004 and 2008-2010. At the time of her death, she was Secretary and Treasurer. For many years, Mary Carolyn kept the Chapter Minutes Notebook, which formed the history of the organization. She cherished her many friendships and activities with the UDC.
Mom was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 56 years; her daughter, Marilyn; and many other loved ones.
Mom is survived by her daughter, Allison and husband, David Perez; son, Michael and wife, Cyndi; granddaughters, Christine and husband Timothy Rice, and Bethany Lee; sister, Eleanor and husband, Roger Beebe; brother Robert Powers, and wife Penny; sister-in-law Virginia Byrum; 3 cats, Pixie, Patches, and Peaches; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was a very loving, caring mom, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 7, 2018, at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, Gethsemane Campus, 6856 Bellaire Blvd, officiated by Pastor David Horton. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mom's name may be sent to The Leukemia Research Foundation, St. Luke's Methodist Church, or any animal rescue group or shelter.
Condolences may be offered at www.millerfuneral.com

Published in Houston Chronicle on Apr. 1, 2018

Susanna Burke Van Zandt

Susanna Burke Van Zandt
1938-2018
Susanna "Susie" Burke Van Zandt, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend passed away February 18th, 2018. She was born October 8th, 1938, in Houston, Texas to Quo Vadis Quayle and John Joseph Burke, Sr, being the eighth child in the Burke family.
Susie graduated from Lamar High School in 1956 and attended the University of St. Thomas and the University of Houston; as well as decorating courses from the New York School of Design.
In Houston, Susie worked for Tennessee Gas Transmission known as Tenneco for 6 years. She married her long-time beau, Howard Lee "Hobby" Van Zandt, Jr., January 25th, 1964 at St. Anne's Catholic Church. They lived in Houston throughout their marriage where Susie was active in the Junior League of Houston. She served on the JLH board in various capacities; namely, Chairman of the Juvenile Probation Department, Assistant Provisional Chairman and Chairman of the Tea Room. Susie was active in the interior design business for over 30 years thoroughly enjoying working with her friends and clients enhancing their homes and offices.
She was known as "SuSu" to her grandchildren and is survived by her daughters, Kristin Van Zandt Rehel (and husband, Russell), Susanna Van Zandt Townend (and husband, Andy) and Catherine Van Zandt Lovoi (and husband, Mike); 10 grandchildren, Mary Stewart, Hobby, Elizabeth, Catherine and John Rehel; Anna LeJeune, Shannon Schulz; Stephen, Mia and Maggie Lovoi, and numerous nephews and nieces, her brother Jack Burke, Jr. (and wife, Robin), her sister Katie McConn (and husband, Jack), sister-in-laws Toni Burke, Roberta Williamson (and husband, Jack) and Fran Cox.
She is predeceased by her mother, Quo Vadis Burke, father, John Joseph Burke, Sr., spouse, Howard Lee Van Zandt, Jr., brothers, Eddie (and wife, Mary Evelyn "Puddin"), Billy (and wife, Betty) and Jimmy Burke, sisters, Margaret Ann, Beverly Burke Lane (and husband, Harry) and brother-in-law, Jack Cox.
Rosary will be held Thursday, February 22nd at Holy Rosary at 7 pm. A Funeral Mass to celebrate her life will be held at St. Anne's Catholic Church on Westheimer, Friday, February 23rd, 2018 at 10:30 am, followed by a reception in St. Anne's Hall.
She worked for many Catholic causes and adored her Catholic Church, St. Anne's. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Anne's Catholic Church, Holy Rosary Catholic Church, The Junior League of Houston or the charity of your choice.

Published in Houston Chronicle on Feb. 22, 2018

Robert Wayne Turner

Robert Wayne Turner

February 19, 1938 - February 12, 2018

Robert Wayne Turner, age 79 of Dallas, Texas, passed away on February 12, 2018, one week shy of his 80th birthday. Robert was born in Kansas City, Missouri on February 19, 1938, with his twin and "womb-mate," Carolyn Hierholzer. He graduated from Lamar High School in Houston, Texas, received his Bachelor's degree at Rice University in Houston, Texas in 1960, and received law degree in 1963 from his beloved University of Texas School of Law.

Robert was married from 1963 to 1986 to Lydia Paredes Turner, with whom he had two daughters, Cheryl Turner and Allyson Turner Jannotta.
Robert was re-married in 1986 to Karen Nichols, with whom he had two step-children, Shannon Flores and Jake Wells.

From a young age, Robert shared a passion for Ham Radio with his late father, Carroll G. Turner. Known to many by his call sign "W5APN," Robert's lifelong hobby was restoring Collins radios and pursuing an elusive quest for the perfect radio signal. Even after Alzheimer's Disease took much of Robert's memory, he remained proficient in Morse Code.

Robert began his legal career clerking for a federal judge in Houston, followed by eight years at the Houston firm of Hyer, Eichenroht, Thompson & Turner. In 1973, Robert was presented the opportunity to foster his love for patent law by joining a group of lawyers in Dallas to form a boutique IP litigation firm, Hubbard, Thurman, Turner, Tucker & Glaser. In 1990, Robert joined the international law firm Jones Day as the head of the Intellectual Property Section. In 2012, Robert evaded retirement by joining forces with talented colleagues at the law firm of McDole Williams. Throughout his legal career, Robert served on the boards of several professional organizations and was frequently recognized as a "Texas Superlawyer" and one of the "Best Lawyers in Dallas."

Professionally, colleagues describe Robert as an "Intellectual Property Rock Star" for his mastery of Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law. Throughout his 50 years in the practice of law, Robert authored numerous legal articles and was a prolific speaker at continuing legal education programs. In 1992, Robert returned to the University of Texas School of Law as an Adjunct Professor where his "Enforcement of Intellectual Property" course was consistently in high demand.
Robert's patent, trade secret, trademark, and anti-trust clients ran the gamut from giants such as Texas Instruments, Baker International, Bausch & Lomb, Dresser Industries, Phillips Petroleum, and US Aluminum to patents on iconic products like Nautilus gym machines and Pop Rocks candy.
Despite an illustrious career, Robert's greatest professional accomplishment was seeing the many young professionals he mentored grow into leaders of their fields of law. An ardent feminist, Robert was particularly fond of mentoring and encouraging bright female lawyers at a time when senior female IP lawyers were very rare. Many of today's best and brightest female IP attorneys credit Robert with giving them meaningful opportunities to advance their legal careers.

Robert's final years were spent in the loving environment of Silverado Memory Care.

Robert is survived by his wife, Karen Nichols Turner, his daughters, Cheryl Turner and Allyson Turner Jannotta, his sons-in law Ron MacFarlane and Tony Jannotta, his step-children Shannon Flores and Jake Wells, his step-daughter-in-law April Wells his stepson-in-law-to-be John French, his grandchild Anthony Cosmo Jannotta, his twin sister Carolyn Hierholzer, his brother-in-law Rev. Mal Hierholzer, his nephews John Hierholzer and Rob Hierholzer, his nieces-in-law Natalie and Jennifer Hierholzer, his great-nieces Lauren, Sara and Kate Hierholzer, his great-nephew Ryan Hierholzer, his sister-in-law Shelley Carroll and her husband Ron Carroll, his nephew-in-law Scott Carroll and his wife Kelly Ellis and great niece-in law Kirra Carroll.

A memorial service celebrating Robert's life will take place at Sparkman Funeral Home at 1029 South Greenville Avenue, Richardson, Texas on February 17, 2018 at 10 am.

In honor of Robert's dedication to the advancement of women in Intellectual Property law, donations may be made to the University of Texas Robert Wayne Turner Memorial Scholarship in Law at http://www.utlsf.org/turner or by mail to The University of Texas School of Law, 727 East Dean Keaton Street, Austin, TX 78705 (attn: David Onion).