R. Bruce LaBoon

He moved to Houston with his parents, J.W. and Ruth LaBoon, when he was 13. There he met Ramona, his beloved wife of sixty-three years, at Bellaire High School. Ramona and Bruce both were graduated from Texas Christian University in 1963, and married upon their graduations. They made Houston their home for the next fifty years. In his mid-60s he began to divide his time between homes in Fredericksburg and Austin.

Bruce was an attorney with the international firm of Troutman Pepper and Locke. He had been with that firm, and its predecessor Locke Lord, for sixty-one years, joining in 1965 when he was graduated with honors from SMU Law School. Mr. LaBoon served as Managing Partner of the firm for twelve years. He practiced corporate, banking, and government relations law. He served as Vice Chairman and General Counsel of Texas Commerce Bancshares from 1986 – 1988.

Throughout Mr. LaBoon’s career, he was active in serving his clients and his community. His corporate Board service included being a director of Texas Commerce Bancshares and Chase Bank – Texas; Big Three Industries, Sterling Bancshares, and Gamma Biologicals.

Bruce served and led many civic and charitable organizations. Over the years, he was on the Board of Directors of The National American Red Cross (Vice Chair), the Houston Area American Red Cross (Chair), the Greater Houston Partnership (Chair), Texas Medical Center, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center-University Cancer Foundation, The Lighthouse of Houston (Chair), The Houston Symphony, The Society for the Performing Arts, The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, Greater Houston Community Foundation, Texas Children’s Hospital, Texas Heart Institute, Texas Christian University, The Kayser Foundation (President), National Urban Air Research Center (Chair), Texas Environmental Research Consortium (Chair), Retina Research Foundation, Houston Bar Foundation, The Houston Club (President), Cenikor Foundation (Chair), and the Admiral Nimitz Foundation. Bruce was a member of the American Law Institute, River Oaks Country Club and The Headliners Club.

As an innovative thinker, with a keen intellect and a quick wit, Bruce helped establish at Locke Lord and its predecessors a strong work ethic and commitment to professionalism and client service, while also fostering an atmosphere of caring and a sense of family.

He was an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoyed many happy days in those pursuits with his sons and with friends, Ray G. Petty and C. Donald Van Wart. He loved his ranch in Fredericksburg, and the family time it offered. He was a founding member of Christ Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Houston and later became a member of Hill Country Church in Fredericksburg.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Ramona; his two sons, John LaBoon and wife Kristin of Austin, and Steven LaBoon and his wife Jennifer of Fredericksburg; and his three grandchildren, Laura LaBoon, Will LaBoon, and Jackson LaBoon. He is also survived by his brother, Larry LaBoon and his wife Glynys of Pennsylvania; as well as nephews and nieces.

A service in celebration of Bruce’s life is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 13th of October, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

Immediately following, all will be invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent grand foyer.

Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial gifts may be made in Bruce’s honor to the “Christian Heritage Scholarship” that was established by Bruce and Ramona at Texas Christian University, TCU BOX 297044, Fort Worth, Texas 76129, or by selecting the link below under "Donations."

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