Local Fallen Cowboys
DONALD RAYMOND STERLING
Sterling, 80, of Dallas, passed away on September 3, 2017. He earned his law degree from Northwestern Law School and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1970. He was also admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1961. Sterling began his career as an attorney with Burlington Northern Railroad in Chicago, where he worked from 1961 to 1968. He then served as an associate and general counsel for Texas Instruments in Dallas from 1968 to 1986. From 1986 to 1988, he led Sterling & Jones in Dallas, before becoming vice president, secretary, and general counsel for Iomega in Roy, Utah, from 1988 to 1997.
Sterling was a former chair of the Dallas Bar Association’s Antitrust & Trade Regulation Section and was recognized by the Utah House of Representatives for his work with Avatar. He also received an award from Share the Harvest. Beyond his professional achievements, Sterling was a passionate artist, musician, and historian.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Toni Sterling; his son, John Franklin Sterling; his daughter, Deborah Lynn Benton; his brother, David Sterling; and three grandchildren.
EGON RICHARD TAUSCH
Tausch, 76, of San Antonio, passed away on July 27, 2018. He served in the U.S. Army from 1960 to 1969, earning a Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, and two Army Overseas Service Bars. Tausch was also a professor of American history at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.
He obtained his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1976. Tausch practiced law as a solo practitioner in San Antonio. In addition to his legal career, he was a Christian soldier, rancher, and writer.
Tausch is survived by his wife of 33 years, Phyllis Keil Tausch, and his sister, Clementine Hall.
RAY EPPS
Epps, 79, of Cypress, passed away on October 1, 2017. He earned his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1966. Epps was the owner of Ray Epps Law Office, practicing in Houston from 1966 to 2017 and in Leakey from 1982 to 1992. He also served as county attorney for Real County in Leakey from 1982 to 1985.
Throughout his career, Epps received pro bono certificates and awards from the State Bar of Texas, represented the State Bar in Russia, and played a key role in establishing a court of record in Real County. His career was guided by his personal creed: “My word is my bond.” Beyond his legal work, Epps cherished traveling the world with his wife and best friend, Dot. He continued to practice law until his passing.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Dorothy “Dot” Epps; sons, Ray, Riley, and Bruce; daughters, Jill, Wendy, Tracy, and Cindy; brother, Jim Epps; sister, Gaye Mitschke; 18 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
LYON BRINSMADE
Brinsmade, 94, of Wimberley, passed away on July 27, 2018. He served in the U.S. Army before earning his law degree from Harvard Law School and being admitted to the Texas Bar in 1951. Brinsmade was an associate and partner at Butler & Binion in Houston and later served as a partner and senior counsel at Porter Hedges in Houston.
He was active in professional organizations, serving as chairman of the American Bar Association Section of International Law from 1980 to 1981, and was involved with the American Society of International Law, the Inter-American Bar Association, and the State Bar of Texas International Law Section.
Brinsmade had a lifelong passion for history, antiques, and genealogy. He is survived by his two daughters, Christine Tillman and Louisa Brinsmade; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
JOHN “GUS” LARSON
Larson, 56, of Austin, passed away on April 11, 2018. He earned his law degree from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1994. Larson began his career as a patent attorney with Motorola/Freescale in Austin from 1995 to 1998. He then worked with Markison & Reckamp in Austin from 1998 to 2002, followed by a partnership at Toler Larson & Abel in Austin from 2002 to 2006. From 2006 to 2018, he was a partner at Larson Newman in Austin.
Larson was passionate about his ranch in Lexington and was deeply committed to his family, co-workers, and friends. He served as a University Interscholastic League and U.S. swim referee for 18 years and enjoyed home-brewing beer.
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Katie; sons, Matthew, Eric, and Ryan; daughter, Anna; father, Wayne; and brothers, Andy and Joe.
MARK D. HAAS
Haas, 60, of Conroe, passed away on October 17, 2017. He earned his law degree from South Texas College of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1984. Haas began his legal career with Hope & Mayes in Conroe, where he worked from 1984 to 1991. He then became a partner at Mayes & Haas in Conroe from 1991 to 1997. He was part owner of Haas & Golemon in Conroe from 1997 to 2013, before founding Haas Law Firm, where he practiced until 2017.
Haas was a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and was certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. An accomplished triathlete, he completed the Ironman Triathlon three times, as well as the XTERRA Triathlon. A devoted father and husband, Haas was also a member of West Conroe Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Marga Haas; son, Jaron Haas; daughter, Paige Haas; mother, June Haas; sister, Belinda Haas; and one grandchild.
RHONDA AMKRAUT PRESSLEY
Pressley, 68, of Bastrop, passed away on July 29, 2018. She earned her law degree from Hofstra Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1981, having been admitted to practice in New York state in 1975.
Her career included serving as an assistant attorney general in the New York State Attorney General’s Office in Albany from 1974 to 1977. She later worked as an assistant attorney general and chief of the Appellate Litigation Section of the Child Support Division at the Texas Attorney General’s Office in Austin from 1989 to 2007.
Pressley was passionate about spending time with her family, particularly her grandchildren. She enjoyed studying legal, Talmudic texts, and psychology, as well as attending musicals and plays.
She is survived by her husband of 25 years, attorney Vann Duerant Pressley; daughters, Rysse Goldfarb, Alec Covey, and Shanna Bayer; stepson, Daniel Pressley; stepdaughter, Allison McFarland; brother, Jeffrey Amkraut; and 10 grandchildren.
LAFAYETTE L. “L.L.” DUCKETT
Duckett, 99, of El Campo, passed away on January 16, 2018. He earned his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1945. Duckett was also admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.
His career included serving in the Texas House of Representatives in 1941, 1943, and 1945, and spending four years on the Texas Commission on Higher Education. He was a founding partner at Duckett, Bouligny & Collins in El Campo, where he practiced from 1945 to 1980. Duckett was a director of the State Bar of Texas, president and board member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, and president of the Wharton County Bar Association. Known for his dedication to the legal profession, Duckett remained actively engaged throughout his life.
He is survived by his daughter, attorney Faye Duckett Dettling; sisters, Abie Duckett Brownshadel and Willie Mae Tenison; nephews, attorneys Elton and Blake Brownshadel, and Warren Armstrong; niece, attorney France Brownshadel Frederick; and two grandchildren.
NICHOLAS PETER CARIOTIS
Cariotis, 77, of Duncanville, passed away on December 4, 2017. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1965 to 1969, including service in Vietnam, and was honorably discharged as a major. Cariotis earned his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1970.
He practiced criminal law privately in Austin, Dallas, and Duncanville from 1970 to 1994, before leading the white-collar crime division of the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office from 1994 to 2011. In addition to his legal career, Cariotis worked with his family’s business, Sports Novelties, managing sports marketing and souvenirs for the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium. He also served as a city councilman for Duncanville during the 1970s and 1980s.
Cariotis is survived by his wife of 47 years, Helen Cariotis; sons, Nicholas Stephen Cariotis and Stephen Alexander Cariotis; daughters, Anne-Marie Kristina Cariotis, Kristina Cariotis Vandenabeele, and Angela Sophia Cariotis; and four grandchildren.
KENNETH M. JACKSON
Jackson, 81, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, passed away on May 26, 2018. He earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1962. Jackson was also admitted to practice in Tennessee in 1991 and before the U.S. Supreme Court.
His career included roles as director of contracts for Dynalectron in Washington, D.C., from 1965 to 1970, and for the Cost Accounting Standards Board in Washington from 1970 to 1974. He then served as director of contracts for Bolt, Beranek and Newman in Cambridge, Massachusetts, from 1974 to 1981; director of contracts for Ball Aerospace in Boulder, Colorado, from 1980 to 1985; vice president and general counsel for Recon Optical in Barrington, Illinois, from 1985 to 1990; and vice president and general counsel for Textron Aerostructures in Nashville, Tennessee, from 1990 to 1995. Jackson later worked for Neal & Harwell in Nashville from 1995 to 1998 and served as a mediator and arbitrator in Nashville from 1998 to 2018.
He received the President Award from the Nashville Bar Association and served as president of both the National Contract Management Association and the Tennessee Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel. Jackson had a passion for art, acting, and model railroading. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Judith “Judy” Jackson, and his son, Kenneth Davis Jackson.
MARK WILLIAM ALLAN
Allan, 51, of North Richland Hills, passed away on August 13, 2018. He earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1994. Allan worked as an attorney with Cramer & Allan from 1994 to 1998, then with the Allan Firm in Grapevine from 1998 to 2015, and finally with Heygood, Orr & Pearson in Irving from 2015 to 2018.
He was a devoted and loving father and husband, always willing to go the extra mile for his family and clients. Allan is survived by his wife of seven years, Christi Allan; sons, Max Allan and Taylor Allan; stepson, Ben Rodriguez; stepdaughters, Lily Rodriguez and Autumn Rodriguez; father, William Allan; mother, Jennifer Engle; and sisters, Barbara Mann, Louise Williams, and Sue Morley.
JOSEPH JOHN LABELLA
LaBella, 65, of The Woodlands, passed away on July 7, 2018. He earned his law degree from Vermont Law School and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1990. LaBella owned Joseph J. LaBella & Associates in Conroe from 1990 to 2018. He was deeply devoted to his wife, who has since passed, and cherished traveling and striving to be the best attorney he could be for his family.
LaBella is survived by his son, Joseph John LaBella III; daughter, Lauren Alexis LaBella; mother, Marilyn Telzer; brother, Andrew LaBella; sister, Terry Meyerson; and two grandchildren.
DON LEONARD
Leonard, 80, of Kingsland, passed away on July 24, 2018. He earned his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1959. Leonard practiced law with Shannon & Shannon and Leonard & Van Meter, both in Fort Worth, and served as a judge on Tarrant County Criminal District Court No. 3. He was a member of the Tarrant County Criminal District Board, Board of Judges, and Juvenile Board, and received the Silver Gavel Award from the Tarrant County Bar Association.
Leonard enjoyed golf, hunting, fishing, and Longhorn football. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Judith Leonard; daughters, Debbie Walker and Cindy Leonard; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
J. DAVID NELSON
Nelson, 67, of Lubbock, passed away on July 18, 2018. He earned his law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1976. Nelson was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1984. His career included serving as an assistant district attorney for the Lubbock County District Attorney’s Office and practicing privately in Big Spring and Lubbock. From 1981 to 2018, he joined his brother, Jack, to form Nelson & Nelson in Lubbock.
Nelson served on the Texas Board of Criminal Justice from 2008 to 2013 and was a member of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct from 1989 to 1995, where he served as chairman from 1991 to 1992. He was set to become a judge of the Lubbock County Court at Law No. 3 on January 1, 2019. Nelson was a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and a longtime fundraiser and participant in the MS 150. In 2012, he and his wife, Ainsley, founded West Texas Endurance to promote active lifestyles and fitness in Lubbock. An avid sports enthusiast and baseball fan, Nelson is survived by his wife, Ainsley; his brother, attorney Jack; and his sister, Jill.
RALPH BALASCO
Balasco, 99, of Houston, passed away on June 23, 2018. He served as an intelligence officer for the U.S. Army Air Corps’ 367th Fighter Group from 1941 to 1945. After earning his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law, Balasco was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1947 and established a career as a solo practitioner focusing on civil litigation. He served as president of the Houston Trial Lawyers Association and mentored many young lawyers starting their practices.
Balasco was active in his community, serving on the Congregation Brith Shalom Board of Directors and being a member of Temple Emanu El. Known for his numerous loving friendships, he is survived by his wife of 68 years, attorney Sybil Balasco.
FRANKLIN W. DENIUS
Denius, 93, of Austin, passed away on July 29, 2018. He served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946, participating in the D-Day Invasion and earning four Silver Stars, the Belgian Croix de Guerre, the French Croix de Guerre, a Presidential Citation, the Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur, and two Purple Hearts. Denius earned his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1949.
He practiced law with Looney & Clark in Austin, became a partner at Clark, Thomas, Denius, Winters & Harris in Austin, and later became a solo practitioner in 1976, specializing in utility law, particularly in the oil and gas industries. He also served as president and chairman emeritus of Southern Union Company. Additionally, Denius was counsel to several University of Texas presidents and was president of the Cain Foundation. He was one of the founders and organizers of the Texas Exes, received both the Distinguished Alumni and Santa Rita awards, served as one of its first presidents, and was named the Austin Chamber of Commerce’s Outstanding Young Man of Austin in 1959.
Denius is survived by his son, Wofford “Woffie” Denius; his daughter, Charmaine D. McGill; and one grandchild.
ROBERT W. LEE
Lee, 70, of Tyler, passed away on July 19, 2018. He served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 1970 to 1976. Lee earned his law degree from Baylor Law School and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1975. His career included roles as assistant city attorney for the city of Tyler from 1975 to 1978, attorney with Lamar Neill in Tyler from 1978 to 1982, attorney with Gilbert & Lee in Tyler from 1982 to 1996, and solo practitioner in Tyler from 1996 to 2016.
Lee was dedicated to coaching Little League, had a genuine interest in helping others, and was an avid sports enthusiast. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Vinni Mitchell Lee; sons, Jason Scott Lee and Gregory Mitchell Lee; daughters, Christa Lee Hagler and Traci Michelle Lee; sister, Sandra Kachel; and nine grandchildren.
ROBERT “BOB” MAHAN HARDY JR.
Hardy, 71, of Houston, passed away on October 28, 2017. He earned his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1974. Hardy began his career as an attorney at Butler & Binion in Houston, where he worked from 1974 to 1986. He then became a partner at McConn & Hardy in Houston from 1986 to 1992, and later practiced privately from 1992 to 2017.
In 1998, Hardy successfully argued a patent case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, securing a remand to state court. He was involved in numerous cases that resulted in multimillion-dollar verdicts. Hardy was also an inventor and held the patent for the Hardy Chair-Lok. He cherished his ranch in League City and enjoyed sailing the ocean and boating on Clear Lake with his family.
Hardy is survived by his sons, Travis R. Hardy, Andrew V. Hardy, and Benjamin E. Hardy; daughter, Anna Hardy Finger; sisters, Linda Hardy Lawson and Roberta Hardy Curtice; stepsisters, Vicky McNeely and Susan Lannon; and three grandchildren.
CHARLOTTE A. HARRIS
Harris, 67, of Lubbock, passed away on August 23, 2018. She earned her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1978. Harris served as CLE director at the University of Houston Law Center from 1979 to 1982, then worked as a solo practitioner specializing in criminal defense in Houston from 1982 to 1985. She was an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center from 1984 to 1985 and the Wichita County Public Defender in Wichita Falls from 1986 to 1988.
Her career continued with roles as an assistant district attorney in the Tom Green County District Attorney’s Office in San Angelo from 1988 to 1990 and again in 1992, an associate at Lupton & Edwards in San Angelo in 1991, the 51st District Attorney in San Angelo from 1993 to 1996, a partner at Harris & Brown in Alpine from 1997 to 1998, and an assistant federal public defender for the Western District of Texas in Alpine from 1999 to 2011. Harris was certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 1987.
She enjoyed reading, church activities, and spending time in northern New Mexico. Harris is survived by her sister, Georgia Harris.
STEPHANIE C. KAN
Kan, 29, of Houston, passed away on April 1, 2018. She earned her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 2016. Kan interned for Judge Mike Engelhart of the 151st Civil District Court and Judge Michael Gomez of the 129th Civil District Court, both in Houston. From 2016 to 2018, she worked as a commercial litigator for Hoover Slovacek in Houston.
As the articles editor for the Houston Law Review, Kan’s writing on net neutrality was awarded Best Comment in the Area of Business Litigation. She also competed on the Moot Court team and worked at the Transactional Law Clinic. Kan enjoyed rock climbing, snowboarding, and creating modern art. She is survived by her father, Jiunying Kan; mother, Judy Kan; and sisters, Sherry and Annie Kan.
ROBERT HOLTON DAWSON
Dawson, 81, of Midland, passed away on August 24, 2018. He earned his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1962. From 1962 to 1974, Dawson worked at Turpin, Smith & Bullock and later Bullock & Neely in Midland. In 1974, he became a founding partner of Cotton Bledsoe Tighe & Dawson in Midland, where he practiced until 2018. Dawson was a life fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, certified in estate planning and probate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and received the Jim Bowmer Professionalism Award from the Texas Bar College in 2002.
He was an active member of his church and played a key role in establishing a community-based seminar promoting philosophy. A dedicated scholar and Civil War history enthusiast, Dawson is survived by his wife of 61 years, Fran Dawson; his son, attorney Bob Dawson Jr.; and two grandchildren.
MIGUEL ANGEL MÉNDEZ
Méndez, 74, of San Carlos, California, passed away on May 25, 2017. He earned his law degree from George Washington University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1968 and the California Bar in 1972. Méndez’s career included roles as a law clerk at the U.S. Court of Claims in Washington, D.C. (June 1968 to June 1969), legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Alan Cranston in Washington (September 1969 to July 1971), staff attorney for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund in Washington (June 1971 to June 1972), deputy director of the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation in Sacramento (June 1972 to September 1974), deputy public defender for the Monterey County Public Defender in Monterey, California (June 1975 to December 1976), and professor of law at Stanford Law School (1977 to 2009), where he held the Adelbert H. Sweet Professor of Law chair and became professor emeritus in 2009. He later served as a professor of law at UC Davis School of Law from 2009 to 2014.
Méndez received numerous awards, including recognitions from the National Hispanic Bar Foundation, Legal Aid Society, and Public Advocates. He was honored with a California Assembly Resolution for his work as a professor and civil rights attorney. A devoted mentor to undergraduate and law students, particularly those underrepresented in the profession, Méndez was also a prolific legal scholar, especially in the field of evidence. He enjoyed hiking, bicycling, and physical fitness activities. Méndez is survived by his ex-wife of 12 years, Victoria S. Diaz; daughters, Gabriela Méndez and Arabela Méndez; and sisters, Sylvia Holtzman and Delia Montesinos.
ALVIN JAMES MORALES
Morales, 67, of Pflugerville, passed away on June 19, 2017. He served in the U.S. Army until 1973 and was awarded a Good Conduct Medal. Morales earned his law degree from Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1979. His career included serving as an attorney for Texas Rural Legal Aid (now Texas RioGrande Legal Aid) in Laredo from 1979 to 1984; an assistant county attorney in the Webb County Attorney’s Office in Laredo from 1985 to 1988; an assistant municipal court judge in Laredo from 1984 to 1985; a private practice attorney in Laredo from 1985 to 1998; a municipal court judge in Laredo from 1990 to 1998; and a judge of Webb County Criminal Court at Law 1 in Laredo from 1999 to 2014. He also served as treasurer for the Laredo Bar Association and was a mediator for Webb County District Courts.
Morales was honored with the Reginald Heber Smith Award and was recognized for his communication and analytical skills. A History Channel enthusiast and Green Bay Packers fan, Morales is survived by his wife of 41 years, Elizabeth G. Morales; his daughters, Marisa Morales and Raquel M. Leal; his brothers, Bobby Morales and Julian Morales; his sisters, Lourdes Cortes, Olga Morales, Rosalie Minguez, Veronica Morales, and Denise Morales; and one grandchild.
