In Memoriam 2024

In Memoriam 2024

John E. Bakke III

John E. Bakke III died in January at the age of 85. Bakke was born in Wichita Falls. He received his undergraduate degree in 1963 from the State University of Iowa (now known as the University of Iowa). After graduation, he served in the United States Army as a medic. Following his military service, Bakke enrolled in St. Mary’s University School of Law. He graduated in 1972. Bakke was a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. He was a member of the Texas Cavaliers for fifty-four years and held leadership roles with the Hill Country Youth Ranch, the Boerne Area Foundation, and the America Cancer Society for the state of Texas.

Peggy Butler

Peggy Yvonne Butler died in July at the age of 75. Butler was born in Texarkana, Arkansas. She graduated from John Marshall High School. She attended San Antonio College and the University of Texas at Austin, receiving her undergraduate degree from UT. She was one of the first women to attend Texas Tech Law School and received her degree in 1974. Butler began her legal career as a Bexar County court administrator. She spent most of her law career with Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid (formerly, Bexar County Legal Aid), where she was a Domestic Violence/Family Law Team manager and attorney. She was the first recipient of the Belva Lockwood Outstanding Attorney Award from the Bexar County Women’s Bar Association. Butler was active in the local United Way and was a founding member and trainer for Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA).

When I began my legal career at the then-Bexar County Legal Aid in 1994, Peggy Butler was already a legend-in-the-making. As she was known to be with her clients, Peggy was thoughtful and methodical, exhibiting a natural affinity for the law in a personable manner to this newbie attorney. Her smile will be missed in our courtrooms. Silvia Cantú, a legal secretary for Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid for over thirty-five years recalled how Peggy had a sterling reputation for the compassion shown to family law clients that followed her throughout her career. What made her so remarkable was that—in addition to being an empathetic litigator—she showed great humanity as a mediator. Rosa Cabezas–Gil, a local attorney, told how Peggy purposefully kept her rates low so as to be affordable for low-income clients. “She would go so far as not to charge for additional time if the mediation would go longer than scheduled. For her, the success of a family law mediation hinged upon all parties feeling as though they had been heard, and if that took extra time, then so be it. Coworker and former President of the SABA Family Law Section, Richard Loza, remembers Peggy as not just a mentor to students and lawyers, but also as a source to many judges who sought her input on the Family Code before ruling. Peggy’s “dedication to seek[ing] justice for victims of domestic violence and low-income individuals impacted her community, and that will be part of Peggy’s legacy.”

—ileta! A. Sumner

John E. Clark

John E. Clark died in February at the age of 90. Clark was born in Austin. He received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Lamar University in 1954. Following a two-year tour of duty with the United States Army in the Far East, and three years in private industry, Clark enrolled in the University of Texas School of Law. He graduated in 1961 and practiced in Austin until 1969. For the next two years, Clark worked in the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice in Washington, before returning to Texas in 1971. He served as First Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas before succeeding William Sessions as United States Attorney. He served until 1977. Following four years of private practice, Clark was appointed to the Texas Fourth Court of Appeals. After two years, Clark returned to private practice, joining Goode Casseb Jones Riklin Choate & Watson, P.C. Clark was the 2013 recipient of the Joe Frazier Brown Sr. Award of Excellence.

Judge John Clark was a longtime federal prosecutor, judge, and lawyer, dividing his time between private law practice and public service. John was destined to play a big role in bringing George Parr to justice for income tax evasion. He was the lead lawyer in the Grand Jury investigation of Parr, and the resulting indictments and successful trials and appeals. It was a massive undertaking which demanded exceptional legal talent. He received a special commendation from the Department of Justice for performance of duty in that investigation and prosecution. John was also an accomplished author. He wrote The Fall of the Duke of Duval, the true, intriguing story (and regional best-seller). In the book, John recounted from a first-hand perspective the Parr investigations and trials, all leading to the final chapter on Parr’s South Texas political empire. In 2013, John was honored by his colleagues and peers with the coveted Joe Frazier Brown, Sr. Award of Excellence. John consistently showed the attributes of a great lawyer, prosecutor, and judge-leadership, unselfish dedication to our profession, and loyalty. He demonstrated great courage and integrity in the courtroom, in the community, and in his personal life, all the while maintaining a sharp mind and keen sense of humor.

—Fred Riley Jones

Kenneth L. Clark Sr.

Kenneth L. Clark Sr. died in January at the age of 88. Clark was born in Vernon, Texas. He served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. He later attended North Texas College, followed by the University of Texas Law School. He graduated at the top of his class in 1961. He began his legal career in Amarillo but ultimately came to San Antonio, where he worked with several personal injury defense firms. Following a brief retirement from private practice, Clark joined the litigation section of the San Antonio City Attorney’s office and became Deputy Chief of Litigation. Clark was Board Certified in Personal Injury Law and was past president of the San Antonio Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

John Wesley Davidson

John Wesley Davidson died in February at the age of 94. Davidson was born in Childress, Texas. He attended the University of Texas in Austin, graduating in 1954 with BA and LLB degrees and a commission in the United States Air Force Reserve. Following Judge Advocate’s School, Davidson served as a JAG officer at Sampson Air Force Base in New York. After leaving the military in 1960, Davidson became an assistant City Attorney in Dallas. Soon thereafter, he became the first full-time city attorney for Abilene. Davidson moved to San Antonio in 1964 and joined Sawtelle, Goode, Troilo and Leighton. He remained with that firm for the rest of his career. Davidson spent his seventy-year legal career practicing litigation, municipal, and public utility law. Among his many legal achievements were the acquisition of land in downtown Dallas for Griffin Parkway and One Main Place, the creation of an electrical system for Brownsville, and the creation of the San Antonio Water System through a merger of the city’s water and wastewater systems.

John Wesley Davidson, the first full time City Attorney for Abilene, died in San Antonio, Texas, on February 18, 2024. On February 25, 2024, the Abilene Reporter News announced: John was hired in 1961 by Mayor Kinard's Council from the Dallas City Attorney's Office to establish the office of City Attorney and to handle complex legal challenges at the time, including twenty-three lawsuits filed by farmers seeking pollution damages from the City's sewer farm, rate cases against WTU, Southwestern Bell and Lonestar Gas, serious physical injury suits against the City, and the incorporation of Impact. On the light side were his battles with Abilene attorney, Beverley Tarplay, over what constituted prurient interests in Abilene stemming from a movie, “Not Tonight Henry.” His last contribution in office was the drafting of a modern home rule city charter. With great reluctance to leave the many friends of his and his family in Abilene, John entered private law in San Antonio where he was Senior Chairman, Davidson Troilo Ream & Garza, P.C. at the time of his death.

Jack Aaron Efron

Jack Aaron Efron died in December at the age of 90. Efron was born and raised in San Antonio. He attended the University of Texas in Austin and St. Mary’s University School of Law. He practiced in San Antonio for fifty-five years. Efron was dedicated to the Jewish community and Congregation Agudas Achim. He served in many capacities, including congregation President and chairman of its annual Israeli Festival. Efron was a well-respected attorney and a true gentleman.

Bill Fowler

Bill Fowler died in January at the age of 93. Fowler was born in Perry, Oklahoma. He earned degrees from Southern Methodist University, the University of Texas, and Drake Law School. He held various positions outside of the practice of law, including professorships at Texas State University and Iowa State University. He practiced law in his retirement years, devoting his time to helping the disadvantaged.

Daniel Chris Graney

Daniel Chris Graney died in July at the age of 75. Graney was born in Norfolk, Nebraska. He received his undergraduate degree in 1971 from Concordia Senior College (Ft. Wayne, Indiana). Following graduation, he enrolled in seminary in St. Louis. He received a Master’s in Divinity from Christ Seminary-Seminex in 1975 and was ordained a pastor in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. In 1979, Graney was elected bishop of the Texas Province of the Southwest Regional Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches. Subsequently, Graney attended the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University and graduated in 1987. Graney practiced primarily immigration law. Following his retirement in 1993, Graney became very active in San Antonio’s LGBT community and the Bexar County Democratic Party.

Lawrence Hamilton

Lawrence Hamilton died in January at the age of 92. Hamilton was a native of Lake City, Iowa. After high school, Hamilton enlisted in the United States Air Force. Following military service, Hamilton earned his undergraduate degree from North Texas State College in Denton. He received his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law.

Jerry V. Hernandez

Jerry V. Hernandez died in August at the age of 61. The San Antonio native was a graduate of South San Antonio High School. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and his law degree from California Western School of Law. He was a skilled and well-respected personal injury trial attorney with a passion for the New York Giants and the San Antonio Spurs.

Joel Harvey Klein

Joel Harvey Klein died in March at the age of 80. Klein, a San Antonio native, was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School. He received both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Texas in Austin. Klein practiced commercial law and was an active member of the Commercial Law League of America. He was devoted to the Agudas Achim Synagogue and the Jewish community. Klein was passionate about wine and was a member of the San Antonio chapter of the Chaine Des Rotisseurs.

Robert W. Loree

Robert W. Loree died in June at the age of 71. The New York City native received his undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland and his law degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Loree focused his practice on the representation of policyholders in disputes with carriers. Loree served many years as a member of SABA’s Publications Committee.

I had the privilege of spending twenty-five years working alongside Rob Loree, an unwavering advocate for insurance policyholders whose fighting spirit was nothing short of legendary. A formidable force in his profession, Rob possessed both a brilliant legal mind and fearless determination—qualities that not only served his clients but also led to meaningful changes in the law, benefiting policyholders. His contributions to the field of insurance law were profound, leaving a lasting impact that will continue to shape the profession for years to come. Rob’s vast experience made him an irreplaceable source of knowledge and a trusted sounding board for colleagues and adversaries alike. Yet beyond his sharp legal mind, he was known for his kindhearted nature and unforgettable sense of humor. Whether practicing law in his signature Hawaiian shirts or regaling friends with his legendary jokes, stories, and trademark phrases, Rob had an extraordinary ability to bring joy and laughter to those around him. He made the practice of law both meaningful and enjoyable, and anyone who worked with him has a treasured Rob Loree story to share.

—Todd Lipscomb

Gregory Vincent Novak

Gregory Vincent Novak died in December at the age of 63. Novak was born in Kansas City, Kansas, and raised in Corpus Christi. He received his undergraduate degree from Rice University, his law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law, and a master’s degree in business administration from Oxford University’s Said Business School. He was a founding member of the Houston-based intellectual property firm of Novak Druce Carroll LLP.

Alexander Hamilton Oliver

Alexander Hamilton Oliver (“Olie”) died in September at the age of 79. Oliver was born in Refugio and was the salutatorian of his graduating class at Refugio High School. He began his college studies at the College of William & Mary but, after his freshman year, transferred to the University of Texas at Austin. Oliver received both his undergraduate degree (Business Administration and Accounting) and law degree from UT-Austin.

John Carmen “Jack” Pasqual III

John Carmen “Jack” Pasqual III died in November at the age of 93. Pasqual grew up in Presque Isle, Maine. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1952. Service in the Air Force followed, and Pasqual was stationed at Lackland AFB. Upon leaving the service, Pasqual enrolled in St. Mary’s University School of Law, graduating in 1957. He then embarked on a highly successful fifty-four-year personal injury litigation career, including twenty-six years in partnership with Pat Maloney. Pasqual formed his own law firm in 1981.

I was a partner for ten years with Presque Isle, Maine’s favorite son, Jack Pasqual. We lost Jack shortly after he celebrated his ninety-third birthday on August 18th. Jack made his way from Maine to San Antonio via the United States Air Force where, as he used to say, he fought the battle of Lackland. While stationed at Lackland, Jack met and married a young lady from the Highlands neighborhood on San Antonio’s southside. So here he would stay. Upon discharge from the Air Force, Jack entered St. Mary’s Law School (at its original downtown campus, now the La Mansion Del Rio). Jack clerked and later practiced law with Pat Maloney, Sr. Well into middle age he could boast, and he did, that his only paychecks were from the United States Air Force and Pat Maloney. Practicing law with Jack was an absolute pleasure. Jack was a great analytical thinker and a persuasive advocate. Jack had an apt, and often hilarious, bon mot for every situation, in and out of the courtroom. A voracious reader, at any given time Jack was juggling a half dozen books or so. The advent of the Kindle significantly lightened that load. His youngest daughter summed up her dad as “iconic.” I couldn’t agree more.

—Dan Pozza

Allen Lewin Plunkett

Allen Lewin Plunkett died in October at the age of 85. Plunkett was born and raised in Quanah, Texas. He was an Eagle Scout and member of the golf and debate teams in high school. Plunkett entered the University of Texas at Austin in 1960 and graduated in 1965, with both his undergraduate and law degrees. After graduation, Plunkett moved to San Antonio to work with the law firm of Wiley, Thornton and Plumb. Subsequently, he participated in founding Plunkett, Gibson & Allen. During his career, Plunkett served as President of the San Antonio Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Chairman of the Texas Association of Defense counsel, and was a Member of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Plunkett was a formidable advocate but is best remembered for his even temperament and commitment to the ethical practice of law.

Allen Lewin Plunkett was born and raised in Quanah, Texas. He was a faithful servant of God, and loyal son and brother. After graduating from Quanah High School, he attended the University of Texas. After graduating, he stayed in Austin and attended law school. There he met his lifelong friend and law partner Jerry Gibson. They moved to San Antonio and not long thereafter started the firm of Plunkett, Gibson & Allen. PGA soon became an icon of the legal community, growing to over forty lawyers. Among all of them, Lewin was always the most respected and revered. During that time, he became the first, and maybe only, attorney to get a defense verdict in the fabled Ford Pinto cases. If you needed an attorney that would give you ethical guidance in a bet-the-business situation, Lewin was your man. His law practice would change over the years but one thing did not—you could always count on him being a steady and an honest leader that treated everyone that worked with him, no matter their position in the firm or station in life, with decency and respect.

—Nik Mimari

Stanley Schoenbaum

Stanley Schoenbaum died in July at the age of 99. Schoenbaum received his law degree from the University of Virginia and was admitted to the Texas bar in 1958. He served in the United States Navy from 1943-1946. He worked in the Office of the Chief Counsel of the Internal Revenue Service from 1950-1958. He was a founding member and partner in the law firm of Schoenbaum, Curphy & Scanlan (1974-2014) and an adjunct professor at St. Mary’s University School of Law from 1958-1973. Schoenbaum was chair of the State Bar Tax Section in 1968 and received the Lifetime Leadership Award from the Planned Giving Counsel of San Antonio.

Charles “Chuck” William Scholz

Charles “Chuck” William Scholz died in October at the age of 70. Scholz was born in Princeton, Indiana, but grew up in Illinois. He graduated from Stephen Decatur High School, where he was valedictorian and a national merit scholar. At 6’6” and over 275 pounds, he was an outstanding three-sport athlete and was Illinois State Champion in wrestling. Scholz received his undergraduate degree in 1971 from Michigan State University. He received his law degree, with honors, from the University of Texas School of Law in 1984. He practiced law in San Antonio and was board certified in Civil Trial Law.

Doris White Soares

Doris White Soares died in November at the age of 67. Soares was raised in San Antonio and was a 1974 graduate of Keystone School. She received her undergraduate degree in 1978 from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, and her law degree in 1982 from Boston University School of Law. She had a thirty-year legal career in Massachusetts, working in the government sector. Soares returned to San Antonio in 2014 and became active in numerous community groups.

John Carl Stromberger

John Carl Stromberger died in December at the age of 84. Stromberger was born and raised in San Antonio and was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School. He received both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. His professional career included the private practice of law and corporate counsel, escrow officer with Alamo Title and the Executive Director of Lifetime Recovery. He also completed military service in the Army JAG Corps.

Lewis Thomas Tarver, Jr.

Lewis Thomas Tarver, Jr. died in September at the age of 95. Tarver was born in Dallas and raised in Temple. He received both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. Upon graduation, he went to work for the San Antonio firm of Matthews, Nowlin, McFarlane & Barrett. Over time, this San Antonio firm became part of Cox & Smith and, later, Dykema. Tarver practiced with the firm for more than fifty-five years. Tarver was an excellent real estate attorney, but—other than his wife Tinka—art was Tarver’s deepest passion. He was a founding member of Contemporary Art for San Antonio (a/k/a Blue Star) and was instrumental in the creation of the San Antonio Museum of Art. He was an artist himself and had his first solo show at the age of 83.

Joseph Henry Vives

Joseph Henry Vives died in April at the age of 75. Vives was born in Caracas, Venezuela. His family moved to the United States (Alamo Heights) when he was eight. He was a 1967 graduate of Alamo Heights High School. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law. Vives was a member of the Texas Cavaliers and the Order of the Alamo. He served as the Presiding Judge of the Alamo Heights Municipal Court for forty years.

Alexandra “Allie” Porter Wahlig

Alexandra “Allie” Porter Wahlig died in July of this year at the age of 29 from complications related to labor. Wahlig was born in Webster, Texas, and was raised in San Antonio. She was a 2013 graduate of Antonian College Preparatory. She received her undergraduate degree in Bioengineering from Rice University (2017) and her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law (2020). She was a licensed patent attorney with Norton Rose Fulbright in Minnesota.