Fred Oneal Hull

Fred Oneal Hull was born in Tyler, Texas, and spent much of his youth in the oil fields near Van, Texas, where the demands of work and responsibility were part of daily life from an early age. His family later moved to Houston before a temporary relocation to Olney, Illinois.

While in Houston, Fred attended Pershing Middle School and Lamar Senior High School. He was an Eagle Scout and among the first group of Scouts to attend the Philmont Scout Ranch High Adventure program. A proud Longhorn in every sense of the word, Fred returned to Texas and earned his undergraduate degree through the Plan II Honors Program at The University of Texas at Austin. In 1961, he received his law degree from The University of Texas School of Law. He bled burnt orange and carried a deep and enduring devotion to Texas football. That devotion spanned generations; all three of his children are graduates of The University of Texas, a source of immense pride to him.

Fred served in the United States Air Force in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps and was stationed at Bolling and Andrews Air Force Bases. While awaiting the start of his military service, he met the love of his life, Betty Shaw of Tomball, Texas, while she was Christmas shopping at Sakowitz in Houston. They were married in June 1963 and made their first home together in Maryland.

Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Houston and began his legal career at Standard Oil of Texas, later serving as counsel for Conoco. In time, he and his partners established their own law firm in West Houston, where he practiced oil and gas law for more than fifty years. His career reflected longevity, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to the practice of law.

Fred was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Betty; his brother, James Preston Hull; and his parents, Pliny and Chloree Hull. He is survived by his sons, Fred Hull, Jr. (Catherine) and James Hull; his daughter, Anne Hess (Jim); and his grandchildren, Colin Hess, Stephen Hess, Ethan Hull, and Aidan Hull.

Fred was an avid saltwater fisherman who spent countless hours up and down the Texas coast and loved sharing the wind, water, and sun with his children and grandchildren.

He will be laid to rest with full military honors at Houston National Cemetery on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Galveston Bay Foundation in support of preserving and protecting Galveston Bay.

May the tide be favorable and the wind lie low at your back,

May your stringers be heavy and your heart light and content,

And may you fondly reminisce the one that got away.

— John Turney, a friend

A committal service will be held at Houston National Cemetery, located at 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038, United States. The service is scheduled for February 20, 2026, from 10:00 am to 10:30 am.