Claude James (Jay) Middlebrook

Claude James (Jay) Middlebrook was born in Houston, Texas and spent his growing up years there. He went to Galena Park High School where he was very involved in athletics. Later he graduated from the University of Houston with a Business Degree. Jay was the President of Vista Search Group LLC, an executive recruitment firm. He specialized in placing civil engineers in Houston, Texas. He had a unique way of building his personal as well as his business relationships where they became a blur.

Jay married Linda Dragon in 1969 and they have two children, daughter Lindsey , son Joe and his wife Tracy Mueller Middlebrook. They were also blessed with two beautiful granddaughters, Hayden (8) and Campbell (6). They were the light of his life. Jay is also survived by his very close cousins, Jo Anne Cooper (Ken) , Amy Love Rogers (Brad), and David Love, his sister-in-law, Jo Anne Dragon Radcliffe, brother-in-law, Randy Radcliffe, nephews, Justin Radcliffe (Alison), Ben Radcliffe, and Spencer Radcliffe.

Commonly known as the "Ol' Mullet", Jay was loved by so very many and touched lives with his endless array of "isms". Everyone that really knew him, knew about "Sonnnnn", You old……….., Hey Mullet, "It just don't get no better than this!" He loved living each day to the limit and spending time with family and close friends and he had a LOT of close friends. He gave most people a nickname that stuck with them forever.

Jay was a most unique individual with a long list of rituals and traditions that he seemingly always observed. He would disappear without notice in the late afternoon,, then reappear fresh from the shower and a change of clothes ready for dinner. The pipes came out for winter after the first cold front, he switched from straw hats to felt upon a certain date and he was always aware of the dates for the Strawberry Festival and the San Antonio Rodeo.

He absolutely loved to go fishing….not catching, but fishing. He was known for cleaning his boat so if you caught a fish, expect him to come behind you with a bucket of water to clean off the fish blood. His wardrobe consisted of fishing shirts, tropical shirts and bright colored linen jackets (to be worn on special occasions). He loved his "pie pants" and the rest of the family caught on to the "pie pant" phenomena with him.

Traveling was always on his planning list. He loved cruising and going to Akumal, Mexico almost as much as fishing. He felt very blessed to be so close to family and wanted family included in everything.

Jay preferred to be cremated and have some of his remains spread at his favorite fishing hole in Rockport, Texas and memorable spots in Akumal, Mexico.

His memorial service will be held at Weed- Corley-Fish Lake Travis Event Center on Tuesday, September 3 at 1:00 PM. Casual attire and bright colors are appropriate for his service, i.e. fishing or tropical shirts. That is just who he was!

It is an understatement to say he will be missed….he will be missed more than words can say but he will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in honor of Dr. Daniel E. Lehane and Houston Methodist Cancer Center. Please send donations to Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 4384, Houston, TX 77210-4384.