James Thomas Pinto

Jim was born to Angeline Barbuzza Pinto and Morris Pinto in Fort Worth. He was named for his grandfathers, James Pinto and Thomas Barbuzza. His Sicilian heritage was always a source of great pride for him.

His life began during the years of the Great Depression and he lived through and experienced many of the themes of the American Century. Placing his significant energy and focus on his education, he was a lifelong student and he excelled in all of his academic endeavors. He was a self-starter and completed high school at age 16 and graduated from the University of Texas with a business degree at the age of 19. His first love, playing music, carried him through school. He played in dance bands at the Driskill Hotel for tuition money and played music on a regular basis in one form or another for the remainder of his active life.

After college he returned to his home in Houston and worked at his father's business. He loved recounting stories from these years and it was clear he enjoyed the experience. During this time, he acquired a license to broadcast and a degree in Radio and Television Broadcasting. He then embarked on a new challenge and entered law school at South Texas College of Law graduating as Valedictorian in 1954. He met his wife, Jo Ann Khaled, through the St. Anne's social club, and they were married on the 30th of December 1961.

Jim was in the U.S. Air Force Reserves for 40 years and retired from service at the level of Lieutenant Colonel.

He practiced law for the Army Corps of Engineers for many years and then had the opportunity to pursue a Masters in Law from George Washington University. Upon returning to Houston, he joined Gulf Interstate Engineering and was Senior Counsel until the time of his retirement.

Jim possessed an encyclopedic knowledge on a broad spectrum of subjects, most of all music. He was able to describe all of the Big Bands and could recall all of the individual players in each band. He had an equal depth of knowledge with regard to classical and symphonic music. His love of the humanities and culture was something he shared with his children. Jim was a member of the Archaeology Society of Houston and attended lectures with their group for many years. He was a member of the Good Times Brass Band and played with their group for decades. He was President of his AARP chapter. He pursued many activities. He dearly loved his family. He was shy, he was brilliant, and he never really learned to slow down.

Jim leaves behind his loving wife of 55 years, Jo Ann; two daughters, Cara Pinto and Nena Pinto Brackett and her husband Charles; sister, Marceline Cangelosi; two nieces and two nephews, and several great nieces and great nephews.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 5th of July, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The Mass of Christian Burial is to be offered at half past ten o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 6th of July, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc Drive in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Community Center.

The Rite of Committal is to follow, via an escorted cortège, at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6055 S. Loop E, Houston, TX, 77087.