Sells Neuhaus

Ralph Sells Neuhaus went home to be with his heavenly Father on Saturday, the 5th of October 2019. Sells Neuhaus was born in Houston on the 17th of August 1939, to Ralph and Sarah Radford Neuhaus. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Sally Jane Neuhaus.

Sells attended St. John’s School in Houston until his junior year when he transferred to The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. Upon graduation, Sells returned home to Texas and enrolled at The University of Texas. He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1961 and a Master of Business Administration in 1964. He pledged Phi Delta Theta and remained a proud alumnus. He also graduated with a trust major from the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University in 1972.

Sells began his impressive career with Bank of the Southwest in 1964 where he served as Senior Vice President and Manager of the Personal Trust Group from 1979 through 1992. He joined JP Morgan in 1992 as a Senior Vice President until 2002. He then joined Amegy Bank to create the foundation for its current Wealth and Fiduciary Services Group. He served as a Senior Vice President and was a valued and experienced colleague until his retirement in 2017. He genuinely loved the trust business and served his clients with integrity, expertise and professionalism. Sells was a consummate gentleman and remarkable mentor to all he encountered over his long and fruitful career.

Sells was active over many years in professional and civic organizations. He served the Harris County Heritage Society for over a decade, and in 1996 was its Chairman. He served on the board of the National Association of Estate Planning Councils, and as President of the Houston Business and Estate Planning Council and the Houston Estate and Financial Forum. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Junior League of Houston Endowment Committee. He was a long-time member of The Forest Club of Houston and was a faithful member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church.

Sells was a treasured and beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and colleague. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Becky; sons, Rad and his wife, Caroline; Steve and his wife Jennifer; Tim and his wife, Sarah; and daughter, Shawn Roady and her husband, John. His grandchildren, Davis, Sarah Beth and Connor Roady, Stephen and Sophie Neuhaus, Ford and Morgan Neuhaus and Emilie Neuhaus were the pride and joy of his life. He is also survived by his niece, Lori Burns and her husband, Sid.

Sells’ passion for Longhorn football made most believe his blood ran orange.

Ever the outdoorsman, he loved waterskiing on Lake Travis, snow skiing in Vail, and annual fly fishing and hunting trips with his sons. Recently, many vacations were spent in Seagrove Beach, Florida hanging on the beach with the family. Sells had many cherished moments with family and friends at their home in Hackberry, Texas where his great grandfather settled from Germany in the mid-1800’s. He was an avid runner and music lover and was known for his quick wit, infectious smile and his kind and compassionate spirit. Family and friends were of the utmost importance to Sells. With four children and eight grandchildren, “Poppy”, as he was known to his grandkids, was constantly surrounded by loved ones and it was clear that was his most valued time.

Friends are cordially invited to gather with family and share remembrances of Mr. Neuhaus from four o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Thursday, the 10th of October, in the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 11th of October, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the Bagby Parish Hall.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family graciously appreciates contributions to Star of Hope, 4848 Loop Central Dr., Suite 500 Houston, Texas 77081 or TIRR Foundation, 4605 Post Oak Pl., Suite 222, Houston, Texas 77027.