The Foundations of the Past The story begins in the late 1940s with two early trustees on Houston Methodist’s board of directors: William N. Blanton and Eddy C. Scurlock. William’s son, Jack S. Blanton Sr., married Eddy’s daughter, Laura Lee Scurlock, and they carried on the tradition of giving of their time, talents and treasure to Houston Methodist. Jack and Laura Lee’s three children, Elizabeth Blanton Wareing, Jack Blanton Jr. and Eddy Blanton -–and many of their children-– continue the family’s involvement with Houston Methodist today.
Elizabeth, who volunteered as a teenager in the
BlueBird Clinic, worked in Houston Methodist’s social services department as her first job, under the direction of former hospital administrators Ted Bowen and Larry Mathis. Like her father and grandfathers before her, she currently serves on the board of directors at Houston Methodist. Jack Jr. previously served on the Houston Methodist Research Institute Government and Community Affairs Committee. Eddy is active on the Houston Methodist Neurological Institute National Council.
Jack S. Blanton Sr.
(See our In Memoriam article on page 57.)
“I don’t remember a time when our family was not
involved with Houston Methodist,” Elizabeth explains.
Moving Forward For both the Blanton and Scurlock families,
“Although I never specifically asked my grandfathers why
supporting Houston Methodist has always been about more
they were involved, they were both active in the United
than just financial giving. “The gift of time is the most valuable
Methodist Church, so it was a natural outreach. My
thing that anyone can offer. I admire my dad and my grandfathers
parents also had that sense of service. My father, in
for giving their time and talents, as well,” says Elizabeth. “They
particular, had an enthusiasm about the hospital which
supported the hospital with all their resources. It wasn’t about
was contagious. One of the gifts he had was bringing
just having their name listed on the board.”
people together and solving problems. He would always
say 'How can I help you?’ He and my mother always
approach,” agrees Eddy. “They believed that when you built
wanted to be of service.”
something, you were required to be involved, not just write a check.
A good example is how one of our grandfathers acquired the
“I think both my grandfathers learned early on from
“Yes, both our father and grandfathers had a hands-on
their parents to be generous and caring – simply living
property where the Scurlock Tower and Marriott Hotel now sit.”
biblical values, including caring for the sick and less fortunate,”
continues Eddy. “Also, our father ’s involvement with
discussed purchasing the property from Bill Williams, who
Houston Methodist was a great example of leadership and
owned the restaurant located there. In 1971, Eddy Scurlock
philanthropy. It’s given Jack, Elizabeth and me a foundation
learned through business contacts that Williams was in talks
for helping others in our community.”
with another party to buy the property.
For years, the board of Houston Methodist had
houstonmethodist.org/foundation
41