Edgar Monteith

Edgar W. Monteith, age 87, a lifelong resident of Houston, died peacefully at his home on Saturday, the 31st of December 2011. Edgar was born on the 6th of November 1924 in Belton, TX. He attended the Houston public schools and then The University of Texas where he received his Business Administration and Law degrees. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon where he received the Texas Rho Lion Award in 2004 in recognition of his outstanding service to the fraternity. Upon graduation he joined his father, the late Edgar Monteith, Sr., in the practice of law and continued that practice in Houston until his death, specializing principally in corporate and real estate law. He served on the Board of Trustees of The Brown Foundation, which he represented in a legal capacity for many years, the Boards of Directors of Gibraltar Savings Association, University National Bank - San Antonio, the Houston Bar Association and others. He was a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Houston Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Mr. Monteith was a member of the vestry of St. Martin's Episcopal Church where he also served as a member of its Senior Council. He was also a member of Houston Country Club, a member of the Chancellor's Council and the Littlefield Society – The University of Texas, a life member of The University of Texas Ex-Student’s Association, a member of the President’s Cabinet and the Development Board of The University of Texas Medical School at Galveston, a member of the Board of Directors of the Eyes of Texas Sight Foundation, an honorary member of Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity - Bates College of Law, and a member of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

Together with his wife, Mary Frances, Edgar was enthusiastically involved in Project GRAD, a continuing scholarship program dedicated to the furnishing of college scholarships to graduates of The Phillis Wheatley High School in Houston. He and his wife established a chair for the Edgar and Mary Frances Monteith Distinguished Professorship in Viral Genetics at The University of Texas Medical School at Galveston. He and his wife were also honored by Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children with the naming of the Outdoor Education Program in their honor. Next to his faith and family, his great interest was their ranch near Salado, TX, a working operation where he raised registered and mixed breed cattle and was involved in the promotion and management of wildlife. Edgar spent countless weekends at the ranch where he cherished regular family gatherings throughout the years. He was also an avid sports fan with particular interest in football and other athletic programs at The University of Texas.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to his caregivers, Thelma Jenkins, Vandetta Livingston, DeShaun Brewer, Matry Sessions and Tony Dorian.

Mr. Monteith was preceded in death by his father, the late Edgar Monteith, Sr., his mother, Grace Wilson Monteith and his brother, Walter Embree Monteith. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Frances Dorrance Monteith; two sons and daughters-in-law, Walter and Cheryl Monteith and Dorrance and Lynn Monteith; grandchildren, Stuart and Colin Monteith, Allison Monteith Evans and husband, William, and Nelson Monteith; and his sister, Carolyn Monteith Clarke, all of Houston.

The memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 4th of January, at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Rd., in Houston, where the Rev. Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr., Rector, the Rev. Martin J. Bastian, Senior Associate Rector for Pastoral Care, and the Rev. Katherine F. Picot, Curate, are to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Bagby Parish Hall.

At a later date, there will be a private service in their chapel next to the family cemetery at Monteith Ranch in Salado.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in his memory may be directed to the Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Mail Stop NC - 205, Houston, TX, 77030; St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road, Houston, TX, 77056; or the charity of one’s choice.