James Clarke Frost

James Clarke Frost passed away on Tuesday, the 11th of February 2014, at the age of 54, at his home in Houston, after a prolonged battle with heart failure. He was the only child of Nell Clarke Frost and Peter Montgomery Frost and a 5th generation Texan. He had a passion for traveling to new and exotic places but as a Houston native, he never wanted to call anywhere else home.

Jim combined the best qualities of both of his parents with his father’s keen mind and his mother’s gentle spirit and was an outstanding student at River Oaks Elementary, Lanier Junior High, and Memorial High School. He then went on to achieve his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Duke University, where he also found the love of his life, Elizabeth “Betsy” Batten Frost. Jim and Betsy were married for 31 years, and enjoyed much joy and adventure, but their greatest joy was the births of their daughters Katherine Clarke Frost and Susan McIver Frost. Jim was gifted as a father of daughters as he had an unflappable spirit for all the excitement they generated.

Of course as proud Duke Graduates, Jim and Betsy couldn’t help but love Duke basketball. Jim even helped produce the television broadcasts for the team while they were students. After college, Jim worked for Texas Instruments until his entrepreneurial spirit led him to pursue his own ventures. Jim rarely associated with an organization without being called into a leadership position. He was a life-long member of the River Oaks Country Club, an active member at Lochinvar Golf Club, chair of two homeowner’s associations, President of the Phenom Jet Association, and always volunteered to help friends and associates in need throughout his life. Jim always pursued his greatest passions in life. He was an avid golfer, photographer and pilot, completing the first Phenom 100 round the world trip in 2010 with his Co-Captain, Betsy by his side. This allowed Jim to visit and play some of the world’s top courses. Jim helped to make life better for all those around him, and he will be sorely missed but remembered fondly.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from four o’clock in the afternoon until six o’clock in the evening on Monday, the 17th of February, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 18th of February, in the sanctuary of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road in Houston, where Dr. Linda Christians, Executive Pastor, is to officiate.

Prior to the memorial service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, and for those desiring, memorial contributions, in honor of Jim, may be directed to the Methodist Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 4384, Houston, TX, 77210; the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 2049 E 100th St., Cleveland, OH, 44106; or to the charity of one’s choice.