Ronald Cohen

A brilliant, thoughtful, kind man, consummate problem solver, voracious reader, remarkable story teller and hysterical jokester, Ron was an attorney, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend – and amazing at all he did. He was the son of the late Seymour “Slugger” Cohen and Shirley Cohen, who passed away three months ago. Survivors include wife Sherry Summerlin and sons Josh and Daniel Summerlin and Alex Cohen; grandchildren Grayson Cohen, Leah, Ike, Jack, Jake and Evan Summerlin; siblings Farryl Bernell, Laurie Fickman and Amy and Jerry Shannon; numerous nephews and nieces and his law partner, soul brother and best friend, Bill Small.

It is hard to sum up a life that has so many highlights.

At 23 he graduated from the University of Texas Law School after completing a Plan II undergraduate major there. He practiced law in New York and Washington D.C. for the Small Business Administration before settling back in Houston and co-founding Cohen and Small with Bill in 1977. He was a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

He favored big kisses on the cheek and huge hugs whenever he saw you, and he never gave you the correct greeting card: “Happy 50th Birthday” to his 12-year-old nephew at Hanukah. He was happiest welcoming his whole family to his and Sherry’s peaceful stretch of earth in the country.

Not hyperbole, Ron Cohen was the best of us, the best of us all.