Darryl Kent Anderson

Kent was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana on April 18, 1941 to Byrum Lavelle “Andy” Anderson and Doris Marie Goodman Anderson while the family was visiting relatives. They returned home to Houston where Kent was raised with his little sister, Karin, whom he dearly loved. He excelled in school, graduating from The Kinkaid School in 1958 and from Rice University where he earned a B.A. in geology in 1962. Kent then completed his education at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, where he earned an MBA in 1964. He served his country in the U.S. Air National Guard from 1964-1970, receiving the American Spirit Honor Medal from the Citizens Committee for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, Inc. in 1964.

In 1969, he married the love of his life, Linda Lou Clarke, a romance that lasted 46 years and produced three beautiful children of whom he was so proud. He also had eight grandchildren who were a special delight. Kent and his family are longtime members of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church.

Kent’s career, which spanned over fifty years, was concentrated in banking and finance. He began at Underwood, Neuhaus & Co. where he specialized in mergers and acquisitions. He then joined Allied Bancshares in 1978 and, over a period of ten years, served as Executive Vice President, President, Chairman of the Board, and Director. He was extremely grateful for the mentorship of Gerald Smith during this time and for their friendship that continued almost 60 years.

In 1988, Allied Bancshares merged with First Interstate Bank, with Kent serving at various times as Chairman of the Board, President and Director, and Chief Executive Officer of its Texas Operations. He left First Interstate in 1991 to serve as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer for Post Oak Bank, until its merger with Compass Bank in 1996. Following the merger, he was named Special Consultant to the Chairman. Kent also served as a Director and was a principal shareholder of First Bank with offices in Katy, Fairfield, Waller, Navasota, and Centerville. In 2001, he retired from banking to devote his time and energy to the Anderson Family Partnership. He managed a number of private companies and investments until health complications prevented him from continuing the work he so loved.

Kent’s business acumen was not limited to banking. Along with his frequent business partner in the bank investments and former Rice suitemate, Robert L. “Bob” Clarke, they ventured into other investments as diverse as radio stations, hammocks, water softener systems, real estate, accounts receivable management services, and pipelines, to name a few. As a friend, business partner, and brother-in-law, Bob’s influence in Kent’s life was significant and deeply appreciated.

Kent’s experience at Rice was transformative. He was elected to the Rice Board of Trustees in 1986, had the privilege of serving for three decades, and was named one of two lifetime Trustees. Kent served on every board committee, most notably as Chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee from 1994-2005, overseeing twenty-two building projects. He led the Rice Associates from 1987 to 1994 and co-chaired the “Rice: The Next Century” capital campaign. Through his service to Rice, he made life-long friends and it was the foundation for his dedication to education, his desire to make a difference in the world, and his passion for philanthropy. Kent and Bob’s joint passion and dedication to Rice is reflected in the construction of the Anderson-Clarke Center, the new home of the Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies.

Kent’s entrepreneurial gift was matched only by his philanthropic spirit. He was a visionary leader who was honored to serve on the Board of Directors of Houston Endowment for thirteen years, acting as Chairman of the Board from 2003- 2008. He also gave his time to many other boards: Texas Presbyterian Foundation; Children’s Museum of Houston; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Houston Ballet; Houston Symphony; The Kinkaid School Alumni Board; and Duchesne Academy.

His contributions have been recognized by the National Jewish Center for Immunology which awarded him the National Humanitarian Award in 1993. Kent was also given the honor of being named one of Houston’s 2007 Men of Distinction in the award’s inaugural year. In 1999, Rice University awarded him its highest honor—the Gold Medal Award. Then in 2010, Rice presented him with the Distinguished Owl Club Award which recognized his dedication and ardent support for Rice’s athletic programs.

Kent was able to use his skills to benefit many other corporate and public organizations, serving on the Board or as an officer for Del Webb Corporation, Pulte Homes, Inc., Sam Houston Race Park. Ltd., Texas Association of Regional Bank Holding Companies, Texas Bankers Association, Central Houston, Inc., Greater Houston Partnership, Texas Chamber of Commerce, Texas Research League, and Friends of Memorial. Additionally, he served on the State of Texas High Speed Rail Authority and participated in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference in 2005.

One unique investment began as a dream: weekend retreats in the country with family. Always the businessman, Kent oversaw the cattle and miniature horse operations at Freedom Hill Farm, but watching the sunsets always gave him a special sense of peace and relaxation.

Kent had a full and successful life, but he will be remembered most for his life led by faith, his devotion to family and friends, and his generous spirit. His legacy is comprised of those things which cannot be quantified – adventurous family vacations, love of music, patriotism, his “can do” attitude, his penchant for practical jokes and pranks, and his exuberance for life in general. Kent’s priority was time with family and he cherished the memories made in Carmel, CA and Telluride, CO.

He is predeceased by his parents, B. L. and Doris Anderson, and his sister-in-law, Jean T. “Puddin” Clarke. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Linda Clarke Anderson; his daughter, Whitney Anderson Walsh, her husband, Marc, and their three children, Sutton, Anderson, and Quinn; his daughter, Huntley Anderson Kubitza, her husband, Dan, and their three children, Parker, Caroline, and Kent; his son, Clarke Kent Anderson, his wife, Elle, and their two children, Ellison and Evans; his sister, Karin Anderson Selleck, and her husband, Loren; his brother-in-law, Robert L. Clarke, and his wife, Kathleen; his nephew, Logan Clarke, his wife, Jacqueline, and their daughter, Turner; and numerous Anderson, Collins, Gatewood, and Reid family members.

Kent was a member of the Coronado Club (past President), Houston Country Club, Lakeside Country Club, The Houston Club, Old Baldy Club of Saratoga, WY, and Beach and Tennis Club of Carmel, CA.

The family would like to thank Kent’s doctors and staff at Houston Methodist Hospital, in particular, Dr. Marc Boom, Dr. Gustavo Roman, Dr. Timothy Boone, and Jill Kubesch, LVN. Thank you also to his devoted caregivers, Darren Brown, Wayne Hall, Ditra Wells, and Mary Keys and our strong support team of Charlsie Andrews, Tina and Tuffy Acton, Adriana Jimenez, Natalie Letterman, Maricela Cancino, and Beverly Barker.

A Celebration of Kent’s Life will be held at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, October 2, 2015, in the sanctuary of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 11612 Memorial Drive. Immediately following, all are invited to join the family at a reception at a venue to be announced during the service.

In lieu of flowers, Kent’s family would appreciate donations to Rice University Department of Athletics, MS 548, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251-1892; Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 11612 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77024; in support of Dr. Gustavo Roman’s research work with Lewy Body Dementia at Houston Methodist Hospital, checks made payable to Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation, 1707 Sunset Blvd., Houston, TX 77005; or the charity of your choice.