Robert L. Gillette

Robert L. Gillette, retired Baytown attorney and former Commissioner of the Port of Houston Authority, died on May 8, 2009 after a full and productive life. Although born in Jackson, Michigan in 1916, he moved to Houston with his parents when he was ten years old. He attended Albert Sidney Johnston Junior High, San Jacinto High School and the University of Texas.

While employed as an office boy at the Humble Company, he found his life's purpose. He enrolled in night classes at South Texas School of Law and met Sue Alexander, his wife of 67 years. He enlisted in the U. S. Army during World War II, serving as a judge advocate in the Army Air Corps.

After the war, Robert moved his young family to Baytown, where he joined the law firm that later became Reid, Strickland & Gillette. He built a successful real estate law practice through his processing of G. I. home loans for returning veterans. The lawyers eventually established Bay Title Company to facilitate their legal work.

Gillette was a prominent civic leader in Baytown and Harris County for more than sixty years. Among his numerous civic activities, he served as President of the Baytown Chamber of Commerce, the Lee College Foundation, and the Baytown Area Water Authority. He was a member of the Lions Club, and later the Rotary Club, and he was a champion of Little League baseball. In Houston, Robert served on the board of the City-County Hospital during the 1960s. His election by the Harris County Mayors' and Council's Association as Commissioner of the Port of Houston Authority fulfilled a longtime dream. During his twelve years with the port, he was instrumental in securing funding to widen and deepen the Houston Ship Channel.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Sue Alexander Gillette, his father, Horace Bernard Gillette, and his mother, Helen Lowery Gillette. He is survived by his three children and their spouses, John and Diane Gillette, Michael and LeAnn Gillette, Jane and Bruce Riggs; eight grandchildren, Leigh Heister and her husband Kurt, Stephanie Rogas and her husband, Keith, Robert Riggs, John Riggs, Edward Riggs and his wife, Michelle, Rob Gillette and his wife Anna, Kenneth Gillette, and David Gillette.

He is also survived by 7 great grandchildren, Lauren, Stephen and Sarah Rogas, and Meghan, Katherine, Benjamin and Madeline Heister.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Lee College Foundation, P. O. Box 818, Baytown, Texas 77522.

A gathering of friends and family will take place on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Goose Creek Country Club, 5000 Country Club Dr., Baytown, TX 77521. There will be a funeral Mass at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 800 N Main St., Highlands, TX 77562 on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 10:00 a.m.

Arrangements are under the direction of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111.