Harold Woolery

Harold Ray Woolery Jr., age 64, passed away on Monday, October 15, 2018 at Kindred Spring Hospital in Houston, TX. He was born on January 5, 1954 to Harold Ray Woolery Sr. and Margaret Stanley Woolery. Hal was a 1972 graduate of Aldine Senior High School where he was an avid trombone player in the band. He went on to graduate from the University of Houston with a degree in Music. He was the trombonist for the Buddy Brock Band for several years and also traveled with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. On one such tour, while in Watertown, NY, Hal was struck by a car and admitted to the local hospital where he met nurse Joanne O’Reilly. Hal proposed by telegram and the two were married on January 15, 1977. Hal continued to work various “gigs” as a trombonist, was the owner of Woolery Productions, served one term as president of the local Rotary Club, he was the leader of his own Hal Woolery Orchestra, and taught violin at Crespo Elementary. He is survived by his wife, Joanne; daughters Misty Woolery, Megan Owen, and Melissa Woolery; his sister Terri Frank; and his two grandchildren Hailey Hutchins and Myla Owen. His third granddaughter is due in February. He is preceded in death by his parents. Harold Ray will be remembered fondly for his unassuming kindness and generosity for both friends and strangers, his sense of humor, his passion for big band music, and most importantly his love for all of “his girls”.

“I faced it all, and I stood tall, and I did it my way.” -Frank Sinatra