James Gary Ulmer Jr.

James G. Ulmer, Jr., died peacefully at home on Tuesday, the 16th of April, 2024. He was born on the 8th of June, 1924 to Rev. James G. Ulmer and Minnie Bridges Ulmer, and reared in Tyler. He was 99 years of age.

An early passion for science and engineering led him to build an amateur radio transmitter at age 16, which he still has in his beloved “radio room”. This prowess paved the way to The Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he earned a B.S. in general engineering. After serving in the Air Force in World War II as a communications, radar and electronics officer, he received a B.A. in Law at the University of Cambridge in England (1947), and a Bachelor of Laws from The University of Texas (1950). He practiced law for 40 years with the firm of Baker Botts LLP in the field of general litigation with emphasis on intellectual property, bankruptcy, and oil and gas law. He retired as a senior partner in 1990. During his career he was sought out by clients and his law firm partners for his intellect, strategic decision making, and courtroom expertise.

His recollections of his boyhood in Tyler, ham radio enthusiasm, educations in Boston, Cambridge, and Austin, military service and varied litigation experiences illustrated a life well-lived and provided rich material for countless interesting conversations over the decades. He enjoyed summer hiking trips with his family in Colorado, studying languages, traveling, and motorboating on Galveston Bay. An attentive close listener with impressive recall, he remembered the details of every conversation and legal case he ever had.

He was a member of the Houston Country Club, Texas Corinthian Yacht Club, Allegro and the Amateur Radio Relay League.

He was predeceased by his wife of 41 years, Rosalie Bosworth Ulmer. He is survived by his wife Francita Stuart Koelsch Ulmer. He is also survived by his daughter, Ann Ulmer Stout and her husband, John Timothy Stout, their sons Thomas Edward Stout and his wife Gabrielle Busch Stout, Andrew James Stout and his wife Kara Van Schilfgaarde, and daughter Emma Rose Marie Stout. He is also survived by his daughter Elizabeth Bosworth Ulmer and husband Jonathan P. Graham, and their son Miles Ulmer Graham and daughter Ann Bosworth Graham. Others who will miss him are his nephews Bill, Larry and Edward Neuhaus and their families.

A memorial service is to be conducted at half past eleven o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 6th of May at Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Avenue in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to join the family during a reception in Sanders Hall upstairs in The Latham Building.

For those unable to attend the service in person, virtual attendance may be accessed by visiting Mr. Ulmer’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com and selecting the “Join Livestream” icon on the service section. While there you may also share fond memories and words of comfort and condolences with his family by selecting the “Add a Memory” icon.

The family will gather for a private inurnment at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Avenue, Houston, TX 77002 or visiting online at https://www.christchurchcathedral.org/give, or to the church or charity of one’s choice.