Joseph Houston Rentz Jr.

Heaven gained another angel when Joseph Houston Rentz, Jr., 77, went home to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, January 16, 2021. His supportive smile, steady hand and unwavering love for his family will live in our broken hearts forever.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Odessa Magee Rentz. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, April Phillips Rentz; son, Trey Rentz (Lorrie Carpenter) and daughter, Molly Ferguson (Kip); grandchildren, Hunt, Ren and Magee Ferguson and Houston Rentz. His legacy will live on through his children and grandchildren, and his family feels eternally blessed to have learned so many life lessons from this angel on earth.

After graduation from Spring Branch High School in 1960, Joe attended The University of Texas at Austin for both Undergraduate (B.A.) and Law School, receiving his Doctorate of Juris Prudence in 1967. Soon after Law School, Joe joined the United States Marine Corps. He finished his service with the Marine Corps. as a Corporal. He then took his Commission as a Naval Officer and transferred to the United States Navy JAG Corps. He retired 20+ years later as a Naval Commander.

Joe was a sole practitioner for over 52 years. He opened his Law Practice in 1968, and later became one of the first Board Certified Family Law Attorneys in the City of Houston. He was past President and Board of Directors of The Gulf Coast Family Law Specialists Association, and member of the State Bar of Texas, Naval Reserve Lawyers Association, State Bar of Texas – Family Law Section, Texas Association Certified Family Lawyers, State Bar College - Texas, Texas Bar Foundation- Life Member, and Houston Bar Foundation. Joe was admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Military Appeals, United States Court of Appeals – Fifth Circuit, United States District Court, Naval Court of Military Review, Texas Supreme Court and all other courts in Texas.

He was a member of the President’s Counsel at Houston Baptist University, a University of Texas Alumni Life Member, HLSR Life Member, Member of the Masons – Gray Lodge, Houston, former Legal Counsel for the Houston Junior Chamber of Commerce, Member of the Houston Bar Association Mentor Program and Member of the State Bar Grievance Committee, District 4E10.

Joe was a member of the Board of Directors of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, and recently promoted to Lifetime Director. In addition, he held many other positions on various committees, including: Chairman of Speakers Committee, Vice Chairman of International Committee, received the Diplomat Award from the International Committee, Calf Scramble donors, Area Go Texan Director’s Sub Committee, and Lil’ Rustlers Rodeo Announcer. He announced the Houston Rodeo parade for more than 25 years and was the creator of Rookie Bootcamp for the HLSR. If you didn’t see Joe in a suit and tie, you could be sure to find him in boots and a cowboy hat!

Second Baptist Church was a huge part of Joe’s life. His family became members of the church in 1978. He threw his life into the church as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and Pastor’s Prayer Team Member. April and Joe made lifelong friends in Sunday School, and have been blessed with a wonderful support group to this day.

Above all, Joe loved his family. April, the kids and grandkids were his EVERYTHING. He loved to travel with April, have dinner with friends, and would never miss the grandchildren’s sporting events, awards shows, music concerts, theatre performances, etc. His PEOPLE were his hobby! However, Joe did love a good couch day to watch continuous sports, while reading a book, sending funny videos to family members and of course, the occasional nap.

Joe will be remembered always for his gentle touch and kind words to anyone and everyone. He loved to tell a good joke, and he never met a microphone he didn’t like! God must have really needed a great MC to fire up the angels, and we take comfort in knowing that Joe is holding the “Golden Mic” in Heaven today.

A celebration of Life is planned for Friday, January 22 at 11:00am in the Sanctuary at Second Baptist Church. 6400 Woodway at Voss.

Donations in Joe’s memory, if desired, should be made to Second Baptist Church. www.second.org