Frank R. Parish

FRANK R. PARISH was born on January 30, 1934, and passed away on June 5, 2013. He was predeceased by his wife, Shirley S. Parish, and is survived by his daughters, Janet Prang and husband Keith of Leander, Texas, and Leigh Parish, of Houston, Texas; by his step-son Wayne Strickler of Houston, Texas; and by his grandchildren Luke and Haley Farmer of Leander, Texas. He is also survived by his sister Shirley Olivier of Houston, Texas, and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as his faithful companion Charlotte Hethcoat of Missouri City, Texas. The Parish family would like to recognize and thank Odessa Brumfield for her undying commitment as a compassionate caregiver.

Frank was very proud to be a life-long Houstonian. He was born, lived, and died in Houston and was a long-time member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church. He was also extremely proud to be an alumni of San Jacinto High School and the University of Houston. During his years at San Jacinto High School, Frank was a cheerleader, a member of the Glee Club, and served as President of the student body. Frank remained very active in the leadership of the San Jacinto Alumni Association and helped coordinate many years of reunions.

After serving in the United States Navy, Frank returned to Houston and attended night classes at the University of Houston and the University of Houston School of Law, while working full-time at The Superior Oil Company and raising a family. He obtained his J.D. from the UofH School of Law and passed the Bar in 1966. Frank began his law career at Vinson & Elkins, focusing on oil and gas. In January 1974, Frank left Vinson & Elkins to form his own law firm, Mullins, Box & Parish. At that time, Frank began working with Sondra Heugatter, who remained Frank's assistant until his death. In 1984, Frank became one of the first attorneys in Texas to be recognized as Board Certified in oil, gas, and mineral law. Since 1990, Frank was honored to call Bill Schweinle his law partner and close friend. Frank, with his legal assistant Sondra Heugatter, together with Bill Schweinle, and his legal assistant Deidra Daniels, formed the firm of Schweinle & Parish, P.C., which Frank considered his "other" family. Because of his dedication to his employees and the legal community in general, Frank was recognized as a Boss of the Year by the Houston Association of Legal Professionals. Around the office, Frank's clients were known as "lifers," because once they used Frank, they never went anywhere else. In Texas, he was known as "the Guru" of oil and gas. Frank's clients even argued over who was his "oldest living client."

Through Frank's membership in the Houston Bar Association, he volunteered and spent countless hours working with the Elder Law, Will-a-Thon, and Legal Line Committees. He also found great pleasure in pro bono representation of friends, family, and those less fortunate.

Frank was very passionate about victims' rights. He served as a local, regional, and national officer for Parents of Murdered Children and was instrumental in forming Justice for All.

Frank will always be remembered for his quick wit and dry sense of humor. He could always put a smile on your face. With all of his professional success and volunteer activities, however, his favorite role in life was that of "Grandpa" to Luke and Haley.

Visitation will be held June 8, 2013, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 10, 2013, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 5501 Main Street, Houston, Texas, with interment to follow at Memorial Oaks Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frank's name to "From the Ground Up” program at St. Paul's United Methodist Church.