Nelson Puett

Nelson Puett was born February 23, 1920, in Breckenridge, Texas, and passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2006. He moved to a farm outside Fentress, Texas at the age of three and attended elementary and high school in Luling-nine miles from home. He attended the University of Texas until October, 1940 when he received his wings and he flew in the North Atlantic and in the Pacific war zones and remained in the service until he returned to the University of Texas in 1948. Mr. Puett’s connections to UT were extensive-his maternal grandfather, Thomas Moore Harwood, was a member of the commission that created UT and he was a member of the first Board of Regents. Mr. Puett was honored by being elected president of the “T” Lettermen Association in 1939 and he was inducted into the Austin Sports Hall of Honor in 1983. Of all of his athletic achievements, he was proudest of scoring the winning touchdown against Texas A&M in 1938. He founded Nelson Puett & Associates in September 1950 and he moved his offices to 5425 Burnet Road in 1954, which was considered the outskirts of Austin. Mr. Puett was active in homebuilding in Austin, Corpus Christi, El Paso and the NASA area and he took great pride in nurturing first time homeowners. Another philanthropic area of especial personal interest was the awarding of college scholarships to young athletes who not only showed excellence on the field, but also exhibited academic distinction. Nelson Puett supported and sponsored Little League football since its inception in Austin, and Little League baseball teams have played under the sponsorship of Nelson Puett & Associates. He met Ruth Barrow during Christmas 1941 and they married in February 1944. Together, they traveled the world and raised three children-Lucile Puett, Julia Puett Howry and Nelson Harwood Puett. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruth Barrow Puett, his daughter Ruth Lucile Puett and his son Nelson Harwood Puett. Mr. Puett was predeceased by his daughter Julie. He is also survived by his sisters Frances Harris and Suzanne Goodell and brother Roane Puett; six grandchildren, Nicholas Kellogg Moise, Daniel Barrow Moise, Virginia Howry Liverman, Alan Sterling Howry, Caroline Chenault Puett, and Elizabeth Barrow Puett; and nine great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 16 at 1:30 pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the charity of your choice. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com