Franklin D. Houser passed away on Feb. 6, 2024. An Army veteran, Houser spent the first decade of his career at a San Antonio defense firm before starting his own firm, Tinsman and Houser. Houser, who was featured in the first edition of “The Best Lawyers in America,” opened a winery after retiring from his legal career.
Lorence Larry Bravenec passed away on Sept. 19, 2023. A double Longhorn, Bravenec was an accounting professor at the Texas A&M University Mays School of Business from 1971 to 2010. He also served as mayor of College Station in the 1970s.
Lee Otis “Otie” Zapp Jr. passed away June 6, 2023. He served as president of Zapp Realty Property Management and Insurance from 1960 until his retirement and received numerous accolades for his accomplishments and service to his community.
Jim Sales passed away on Feb. 11, 2023. A double Longhorn and a Marine veteran, Sales served as of counsel at Norton Rose Fulbright for 22 years.
Steve Mafrige passed away on Oct. 24, 2022. Mafrige was a double Longhorn, earning both his bachelor’s degree in economics and his law degree from the University of Texas. After law school, Mafrige served as a captain in the U.S. Army for eight years. He then began practicing as a trial attorney in Houston. Later in his life, Mafrige focused on ranching and investments.
Claude A. Hayes passed away on Oct. 13, 2022. After college, Hayes was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force where he served for three years. After graduating from Texas Law, he worked for Shell Oil Company for 10 years, before becoming the owner of both the Georgetown Title Company and Longhorn Title Company.
Charles Miller passed away on Oct. 12, 2022. Upon graduating from Texas Law, Miller joined the U.S. Navy, serving three years as a JAG officer. He then started his legal career in Texarkana. Miller also served as a city councilman, two terms as mayor pro tem, then as a county judge in Bowie County.
John Charles Brooke passed away on June 19, 2022. Brooke worked at the Kleberg Law firm for nearly 40 years, specializing in real estate and related oil and gas issues before retiring as a managing partner. Brooke also was active in his church and community, and served as president of the Board of Realtors.
William D. White passed away on April 26, 2022. He was a double Longhorn who graduated from Texas Law in 1960. White practiced law in Dallas for more than 50 years, working both with his father and at Locke Lord LLP. He served as mayor of Highland Park from 2002-08 and was a strong supporter of the United Way.
Joe Barnett Cannon passed away on Feb. 8, 2022. Cannon served in the state legislature as a representative for Limestone, Falls, and Freestone counties. Cannon also served as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the State Bar of Texas and was recognized as an Outstanding Fifty Year Lawyer by the State Bar of Texas in 2010. At Texas Law, he served as Mid-Law Class President, was a Texas Goodfellow, and was recognized by the Supreme Court of Texas as the Outstanding Advocate in the moot court finals.
John G. Minniece passed away on Jan. 10, 2022 at the age of 88. He was a double Longhorn who graduated with his Bachelor of Laws in 1960, after serving in the Marine Corps. Minniece practiced oil and gas, banking, and real estate law.
Joseph Pool passed away on June 29, 2021. He studied economics at Stanford University, earned his law degree from Texas Law and returned to Amarillo to begin his law practice. He served as trustee of the estate of his grandfather, J.T Sneed, Jr. Pool is descended from a long line of cattle ranchers and held that passion as well.
On Thursday, November 14, 2019, the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas will induct James (“Jim”) B. Sales, member of the class of 1960 and recipient of the Order of the Coif, as a Texas Legal Legend at South Texas College of Law Houston in the Joe M. Green Auditorium. The induction will be followed by a reception sponsored by Norton Rose Fulbright.
Herschel Clyde Winn died May 17, 2016 in Irving, Texas. Retired in November 1997 as senior vice president and secretary of Tandy Corporation after 29 years of service, Mr. Winn was honored in 2010 by the State Bar of Texas as a “50 Year Lawyer.”