Howard W. Mays

He enrolled at Rice University at the age of 17 and attended Southern Methodist University School of Law. His first glimpse of Eleanor Brittain was at a Hockaday dance where he saw this extraordinarily beautiful young lady, with long brown hair, waltz past him in a cloud of white lace. He was immediately smitten and asked a mutual friend for an introduction. So began a romance that lasted for 64 years. They were married on the 15th of June 1938.

During World War II, he was a test pilot and technical writer with North American Aviation in Grand Prairie, Texas, where two well-known aircraft were manufactured- the “AT6 Texan” and the “P-51 Mustang.” He and Eleanor moved with their young family to a ranch located south of Saint Jo, Texas, where he was elected County Judge of Montague County, Texas, a position in which he served from 1951 to 1957. He was elected President of the statewide County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas. He later became an Assistant Attorney General of Texas and was the head of the Municipal Bonds, Insurance, Banking and Charitable Trust Section in Austin. In 1964, he began practicing with the law firm of Vinson and Elkins in Houston, specializing in Public Finance and Municipal Bonds.

Howard had a delightful sense of humor and had an amusing story for almost every occasion. He was a private airplane pilot, and he and Eleanor loved to sail and to travel.

Eleanor Brittain Mays predeceased him on the 16th of August 2002. He is survived by his children: Howard W. Mays, Jr. (Cooky) of Houston, Marilyn Mays Bloemendal (Dr. Lee) of Fort Worth, and Cynthia Mays Cochran of Houston. He lived to enjoy his seven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to express their special appreciation to Barbara Cleveland who has been a most loving friend and caregiver for many years. The family also appreciates the exceptional care and attention of Bertha Levy, Eva Gallo and Peter Levy.

A memorial service is to be conducted at half-past two o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 11th of February, in the Sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 5300 Main Street in Houston, where Dr. Bill Heston, Executive Pastor, is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in memory of Howard may be directed to First Presbyterian Church, 5300 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77004; to Rice University Resource Development, MS 81 P.O. Box 1892, Houston, TX, 77251-1892; or to a charity of one’s choice.