Jack Richard Dies

Jack Dies peacefully passed away on October 31, 2024, at Brookdale Westlake Hills, Senior Living in Austin, Texas, at the age of 88. Born the youngest son to Martin and Myrtle Dies on May 5, 1936, in Washington D.C., Jack’s journey in life was centered around his overarching love for politics. Jack’s father, Martin Dies, Sr., was elected as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives. Jack’s brother, Martin Dies, Jr., served as a Democrat in the Texas Senate and was later appointed as Secretary of State of Texas, then appointed to Texas’s Ninth Court of Appeals, where he served as its Chief Justice.

Jack graduated from Baylor Law School in 1963 and practiced law with his father and two brothers. At that time, he served as City Judge in Lufkin, Texas. In 1973 he became a Texas Assistant Attorney General, serving under John Hill in Austin, Texas. Jack moved from Austin back to Lufkin to resume private practice in 1979. In 1996 he returned to the Attorney General's Office in Austin, serving as an Administrative Law Judge until he retired in 2001.

Jack’s passions included his love for music, especially Willie Nelson, and all water sports, especially water skiing, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, and jet skiing. He loved Texas Longhorns and Dallas Cowboys football. He was zealous about politics and was especially proud of his father’s and brother’s political careers. He was a spirited history buff who enthusiastically read and discussed historic events.

Jack is survived by his wife of 32 years, Zelda Choate Richards Dies; his two children, Martin Dies and Charlotte Dies Miller and husband Steve Miller; grandson Ian Miller; nephews, Martin W. Dies and wife Darci and David Dies and wife Shelby; niece Diane Dies Schoch and husband Dr. Eugene Schoch, all of Austin. He is also survived by his step-children, Kristi Richards of Corpus Christi, Kendall Richards of Frisco, and Kyle Richards of Marin County, California.

A memorial service will be held by Gipson Funeral Home on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 10:00 AM the Garden of Memories Memorial Park chapel in Lufkin, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice Austin at (512) 342-4779