Olan Ray Brewer

Olan Ray Brewer, devoted husband and father, political consultant and irrepressible Longhorn fan, died Saturday, October 27, after a brief illness. He was 77. A central figure in Texas politics – examining, interpreting, and evaluating it – for more than 30 years, Brewer considered it an honor to be a good friend to many of the most influential people in Texas politics over the past 50 years. His friend, Harvey Kronberg, a political commentator, called Brewer “a mentor to candidates, a man who put the humanity into politics and campaigns.” Born April 19, 1930, in Mount Vernon, Texas, Brewer was the youngest of 11 children. He was valedictorian of Mount Vernon high school graduating class, and entered the University of Texas at Austin in the Fall of 1947. Although he worked his way through the University, he accumulated honor upon honor there, being named the Most Outstanding Beginning Journalist, and four years later the Most Outstanding Graduating Journalist. While at the University, he was a member of the Texas Cowboys, the Hogg Debating Society, the Northeast (Texas) Club, and the Thelme Co-Op. He was on the staff’s of both the Daily Texan and the Ranger and worked as News Director for KVET radio from 1949-1952. Mr. Brewer’s early career was as a journalist. After graduating from the University, Brewer was a reporter for the Tyler Courier Times, going from there in 1954 to the Houston Chronicle. While working as a journalist, he interviewed such notables as Lyndon Baines Johnson. He was also sought after for his speechwriting and journalistic ability by such notables as Governor John Connally and Lt. Governor Ben Barnes. In 1957, he joined Humble Oil and Refining Company (now Exxon) to edit the Humble magazine, “The Farm Family.” In 1960, he began his lengthy career in politics, coming to Austin to join the staff of the Texas Chemical Council. In 1980, at the urging of several business trade associations, Olan founded Olan Brewer Communications. For over a quarter of a century, all aspiring political candidates came to Olan for counseling and to meet with his trade association clients. Brewer interviewed all candidates evenhandedly without regard to political affiliation. He often compared a political race to a horse race and was most successful at handicapping both. A past president of the Longhorn Club, Brewer was a highly vocal Texas Football Fan. Just a few weeks before his death, he attended his 61st consecutive Texas-OU game in Dallas. He was also an avid horse racing fan, both at Manor Downs and around the country. In 1953, he and his college sweetheart, Anna Christina Jackson were married, and this year celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary. Together they have traveled the world, and raised a wonderful family. Brewer was on the board of the Travis County Grand Jury Association, on the Board of the YMCA, treasurer of the Austin Club, member of the Headliners Club, and a Mason. He spent many years in the Texas National Guard, retiring as a Captain. He had a humble charm and an uncanny ability to stay in contact with friends from every period of his life. He often stated that he had lived a charmed life. Survivors are Anna, his wife of 54 years; his son, Travis Rex Brewer and wife, Elorra, their children, Holly Anna and Kemper Ray; Travis’ older children, Heather Brewer Jackman and Jack Brewer; his daughter, Pamela Harden Hanson and her husband Bill Hanson, their children, Amanda Harden and Miles Hanson, all of Austin; his brother, Warren Brewer of Sulphur Springs; many nieces and nephews, and his dog, Jasmine. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 1, 2007 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Friday, November 2, 2007 at First Baptist Church, 901 Trinity, Austin, Texas, officiated by Monsignor Fred Bomar and Rev. Dr. Roger A. Paynter. Interment will be private. Pallbearers will be Bill Hanson, Dr. Gerald McGown, Olen Rucker, Eric Sandberg, Fred Ligarde, Robert Spellings, Ralph Wayne, and Amor Forwood. Honorary pallbearers will be Warren Brewer (brother), Glen Brown, Bill Barton, Jim Adamson, Stan Huntsman, Moton Crockett, Frank Newsom, Martin DeStefano, Dan Wheelus, Ron Chandler and Durward Curlee. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com