Lipscomb Norvell Jr.

Lipscomb Norvell, Jr., 88, known to everyone as Lip, died peacefully in his home with Cinnie, his wife of 65 years by his side. The consummate gentleman, Lip, was often referred to by a particular friend as “my favorite southern gentleman.” He was a man with a gentle soul and great integrity.

Lip was born in Fort Worth, Texas on January 9, 1936 to Helen Palmer Norvell and Lipscomb Norvell, Sr. Growing up in Beaumont, Texas he graduated from Beaumont High School and received his BBA from Southern Methodist University in 1958. Enlisting in the Marine Corps and surviving the rigors of Paris Island, he was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he and Cinnie lived for the first year of their marriage. Moving to Austin to attend the University of Texas School of Law, he received his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1963.

Lip began his law career in Beaumont, Texas with John H. Benckenstien, a mentor of singular integrity and intellect. Lip grew into the practice of civil defense trial law. As the firm grew, he became a mentor himself imparting his love of the law to younger lawyers both in and outside the firm. He was honored by The Texas Center for Legal, Ethics, and Professionalism and the Jefferson County Bar Association with the Texas Center for Professionalism award, in recognition of his exemplary character. He would go on to practice for over 50 years and as one young lawyer said, “he was always a role model for me, not only for how a lawyer should conduct himself but for how a man, husband, father, and gentleman should conduct himself.”

A sportsman and lover of the outdoors, Lip shared that love with family and friends, from handball to fishing in the gulf, water sports to snow skiing, golf, and tennis. Ever patient he is fondly remembered as the “captain” who launched several generations of water skiers on Lake Rayburn. A place close enough to visit often, it was a year round family haven even at the height of his career, offering walks along the beach and in the woods. Golf, tennis, and sunsets over the water were a bonus. Those same interests continued later in life with 29 years of summers in Castine, Maine where they enjoyed sharing the village life with family and friends, old and new.

He was immensely proud and delighted to see his family grow over the last four years. He saw all three grandsons marry and witnessed the birth of three great grandsons and knew a fourth was on the way. He loved and was loved. Surprising us all, just a month ago, with a twinkle in his eye he lifted his great grandson high above his head. His smile was one of pure delight.

His curiosity and sense of humor helped him live life to the fullest, not to mention his sense of fun and silliness that was always present. He loved surprises and loved being surprised. And did he ever love to dance, making his partner feel light on her feet. He and Cinnie traveled the world and shared a love of adventure together. The gift of time gave them a new closeness and an ever-deepening appreciation for each other.

Lip was preceded in death by his parents Helen and Lipscomb Norvell, Sr., his brother, Benjamin Rush Norvell, his sisters Mary Helen Norvell and Naoma Hagan. He is survived by his wife, Cinnie, his daughters Lynne Norvell Ohmstede (John) and Lysle Norvell Shaw, his grandsons, Collin Hugh Shaw (Leigh), Casey Lipscomb Shaw (Kirby), and Peyton Tate Shaw (Sydney), his great grandsons, Brayden Hugh Shaw, George Lipscomb Shaw, and Knox Norvell Shaw, his nieces Nicole Duncum (Duane) and Noelle Norvell, and his great nieces and nephews Tyler Saathoff (Rees), Bobby Rush, and Benjamin.

The family expresses special thanks to the wonderful caring staff at Querencia Barton Creek, to Magdali and Zaira Santana, and Jackie Gutieriez.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Austin, Texas, Alzheimer's Texas – txalz.org, St. Mark's Episcopal, Beaumont, Texas or a charity of your choice.

A service of celebration will be held at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23rd. Livestreaming available at: https://gsaustin.org/special-services-and-presentations/