John H. Lindsey

Forever proud to be an American, a Texan, and an Aggie, John H. Lindsey passed away on May 20, 2016, at the Hallmark. He was 93 years old. The Greatest Generation has lost another honorable member. John was born on July 28, 1922, in Waxahachie, Texas, to Marie Smith Lindsey and Harry Edwin Lindsey. John considered himself a native Houstonian as his family moved to Houston when he was an infant. In grade school, John met Sara Houstoun, whom he later married, and they grew to share a vision of cultivating the arts, improving the lives of others, and giving their all to countless charitable ventures. As a devoted husband, John was never far behind whatever Sara set her sites on in the way of philanthropic ventures or deciding where next to focus her attention. And so it was that after nearly 70 years of marriage, John follows his wife in death, as Sara was laid to rest on February 16, 2016.

John was also predeceased by his parents; his son, Edwin Houstoun Lindsey; his sisters-in-law Janet Houstoun Davis and Evelyn Nicholson Houstoun Chew; his brothers-in-law, Platt W. Davis, J. Patrick Houstoun Jr., and William G. Houstoun; and William's son, William G. Houstoun Jr.

Surviving John are his son, David Cleveland Lindsey and wife, Kimberly Pulice Lindsey along with their two children, Lauren Sara Lindsey and Blake Houstoun Lindsey. John also leaves behind his Illinois cousins, Lois Lindsey Calhoun and Wally; Margaret Lindsey Adams and Harold; Richard Lindsey and Dixie; and his cousin Charles Patterson of Georgia. Finally, he is survived by his sister-in-law, Marian Fleming, as well as nieces and nephews Carolyn and Platt Davis; Barbie and Dick Davis; Martha Davis; Bernice and Pat Houstoun; Tricia and Rock Houstoun; Sally and Larry Evoy; Wendy and Johnny Houstoun; Margot and Scott Ritchie; Geri and Jimmy Houstoun; Richard and Mimi Houstoun and their families.

John attended Poe Elementary School, Lanier Junior High School, and Lamar High School. He was a Class of 1944 graduate of Texas A&M University where he majored in economics and was credited with "Capturing the Aggie Spirit." When World War II began, John was in the Field Artillery division of the Corps of Cadets at Texas. As a commissioned officer, John served near Florence, Italy, before Europe declared victory. Until Victory in Japan Day, John was stationed at Yokohama.

Following his graduation from Texas A&M, John joined his father in the formation of the Lindsey Insurance Agency. After his father retired, John established his own company, Lindsey Investments, which he ran for most of his professional life. John was also the founding director of the Southern National Bank.

Although John was devoted to running his business, family was paramount to him. For 35 years, Sara and John owned a beach house in Galveston. They and their twin boys spent every summer and numerous weekends on Jamaica Beach. The boys were good surfers and loved crabbing and fishing, but the most fun for the entire family was walking the shoreline as the boys looked for and found sharks' teeth. John also enjoyed taking his sons on long hikes, interesting them in nature, and introducing them to places that would instill an appreciation for the arts, history, sports, and current events. John's love of Galveston Island inspired him to become involved with Galveston Outdoor Musicals.

Aside from his business and his family, perhaps John's greatest passion was for Texas A&M University. John served on the Board of Regents for most of the 1990s. John was inducted into the Cadet Corps Hall of Honor and was the first recipient of the 12th Man Award. He also acted as trustee of The Texas A&M Foundation as well as president of The Association of Former Students. Over the course of his lifetime, he served on several boards, was Board General Advisor, and a founder of the Student Conference on National Affairs. He also received two of the highest honors bestowed when The Texas A&M Foundation recognized John as a Distinguished Alumnus and presented him with the Sterling C. Evans Medal, which commends those who demonstrate outstanding contributions to A&M's philanthropic interests. Overall, his involvement in furthering Texas A&M was such that the chairman of The Texas A&M System Board of Regents stated "The history of Texas A&M could not be written without him."

Equally notable were John's contributions in all areas of philanthropy. Always active in various facets of community leadership, John was President of Houston's Alley Theatre Board, Vice President of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and founding President of the Houston Cultural Arts Council. John was also involved in the Houston Nature Center and Arboretum, the Botanical Society, the YMCA, and the Heritage Society. In areas of education, John was a member of the executive committee of Higher Education for the State of Texas. He also served on the Board of South Texas College of Law.

John was very proud of his association with President George H.W. Bush, and that their relationship was instrumental in President Bush's decision to place his Presidential Library and Museum at A&M. John served on the library's Board of Trustees and was a member of the Bush Library Foundation Board. During the George H.W. Bush Administration, John and Sara treasured all the remarkable adventures they had with the President and First Lady, including traveling to Maine and foreign countries and the attendant occasions of importance. The Bushes were equally fond of John and Sara. President Bush called John and Sara "two of the brightest Points of Light" the President and his wife had ever known. Their years together added an inestimable education to John's lifelong love of learning.

John's legacy to his alma mater will continue to enrich the lives of students and associates of Texas A&M University through the library as well as the Texas A&M Press, which John has been credited with establishing. Through publications dedicated to advancing knowledge in the scholarly community, the Press imprint will continue to highlight the cultural heritage of the Southwest.

In Houston, the generous contributions of Sara and John Lindsey will keep the spirit of the city renewed through landmarks that project stability, wonder, and tranquility—each given for the enjoyment of all Houstonians now and for generations to come. The Lindseys' beautification contributions can be seen at Lindsey Plaza, which is considered the entrance to Hermann Park. The park is also the home of the Houston Zoo, to which the Lindseys gifted a majestic lion, "Jonathan," as well as three lionesses. And at Discovery Green, Houston's downtown park, the Lindsey Waterside Landing provides a peaceful respite, which will remain as perennial as the water lilies on its surface.

John and Sara together embodied the essence of noblesse oblige and were always delighted and grateful for their ability to enhance Texas A&M and Houston. John spent his last day being driven around the city he was so proud to call home.

The family acknowledges with deep appreciation the dedicated people who were always there to assist John over the course of his life, particularly his secretary, Mrs. Jackie Turner. Though Mrs. Turner predeceased John, his family extends gratitude to her family, knowing John would have wanted to acknowledge his assistant's nearly 50 years of diligent management. Gratitude is also extended to his driver Vandehue Harvey. Finally, to those who provided excellent care in John's later years, the family also thanks Rick Ramirez and Angelo Brantley of Home Health Care as well as Dr. Emily Barker and Madeline Bunch of River Oaks Doctors Group.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock in the afternoon until seven o'clock in the evening on Thursday, the 26th of May in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Angelo Brantley, Varian Fewell, Gready Hunter, Doak Leggett, Brad Lindig, and Jeff Paine.

The interment service is to be conducted at ten o'clock in the morning on Friday, the 27th of May at Glenwood Cemetery, where John will forever rest with his childhood sweetheart, Sara, in perhaps the most beautiful and historic area of Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude a memorial contribution directed to The Amazing Place, 3735 Drexel Drive, Houston, Texas 77027, or to the Texas A&M Foundation, Restricted to the Texas A&M Press, honoring John H. Lindsey, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840.