John Gresham Minniece III

John Gresham Minniece III, loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, entered into larger life on January 10, 2022. Known for his intelligence, wit, and hat collection, John was the beloved only child of Laura and John Gresham Minniece, Jr. Born on February 12, 1933 in Fort Riley, Kansas where his father, a West Point graduate, was stationed, he grew up visiting his extended Mitchell family in Texas and Minniece family in Mississippi as well as traveling with his mother when she volunteered for the Red Cross.

John attended St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin where he formed lifelong friendships and mastered his favorite sport, crew. Although he received an appointment to West Point, he chose to return to Texas to attend the University of Texas where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. After serving in the Marine Corps, he returned to the University and earned a law degree, being admitted to the bar in 1960. He practiced oil and gas, banking, and real estate law.

John loved reading and traveling and participated in many sports during his lifetime, including sky diving, soaring, horseback riding, tennis and sailing. But his most cherished activity was spending time with his four children, and later his five grandchildren, every one of whom he was immensely proud. He was a gifted storyteller and delighted his grandchildren with countless stories.

After his family, John loved his Kappa Alpha friends and Masonic brothers. He was a member and Past Master of Gray Lodge. He was also a member of Sons of the Republic of Texas, the Naval Order of the United States, Houston Military Affairs Committee, and the Texas Association of Former Marines. He was a longstanding member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church.

John was preceded in death by his father, who was killed in France in WWII, his mother, his stepfather Bishop Bailey, stepbrother Bishop Bailey Jr. and his wife Marilyn, nephew Pat Bailey, and his first wife, Marian Fowlkes Minniece. He is survived by his devoted wife, Glenda, and his four children: John IV (Durley), Laurie Minniece Schlesinger, Patricia Benington (George), and Joseph (Anna), along with his grandchildren Grace, Jack and Edward Schlesinger, Arthur and Peter Benington, and Kaylee Smith. He is also survived by Bill Bailey (Gaye), Linda Walker, and Janet Jackson (Leo), as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, all of whom were very dear to him.

We offer a special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff of Methodist Hospital.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, February 11 at Earthman Funeral Home, 8303 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas, followed by a 1:15 pm military service at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas. In lieu of flowers, and for those desiring, the family requests that contributions be directed to Semper K9 Assistance Dogs, an organization that provides service dogs free of charge to disabled veterans, or to the charity of one's choice.