James LeGrande Read Jr.

Jim was born in Dallas, Texas, and his family moved to Houston when he was two. Jim was elected President of his senior class at San Jacinto High School and graduated in the mid-year class of 1949. He began a pre-law program at the University of Texas during the following week, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence in 1954. At the University, Jim was on the Texas Law Review; was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity; and was an active participant in the University’s Curtain Club, an experience that created an interest in theater that lasted his entire life.

On graduation from the University, Jim began his professional life as a lawyer with Baker Botts LLP (then known as Baker, Botts, Andrews, and Shepherd), an association that lasted sixty-two years. Jim was Board Certified in Commercial Real Estate Law, and loved both the practice of law and the firm at which he practiced.

Jim was active in civic affairs, and served as Chairman of the Board of the Houston Ballet at the moment in its history when the first company was formed and danced its first performance out of town on the stage of Sam Houston University in Huntsville. Jim also served as a director of Big Brothers of Houston, Inc., during the years 1960-1965, and was named Houston’s Outstanding Big Brother in 1962; as a director of Theater Under the Stars; as a Trustee of Hestor House; and as a director of the Campfire Program for DePelchin Faith Home.

For a period of ten years, and while working by day as a lawyer, Jim appeared in shows produced by Theater Under the Stars, under the stage name “Michael Lloyd.” The shows were performed at the Music Hall (later replaced by the Hobby Center), and Jim often said that the most interesting part of the experience was leaving his office each evening in One Shell Plaza as “Jim” and walking two blocks to the Music Hall, where he was greeted by the stage hands as “Mike.” The TUTS shows ranged from three different musical versions of “A Christmas Carol” with Jim (aka “Mike”) as Bob Cratchit; three productions of “South Pacific,” one of which starred Jane Powell, and was intended to go to Broadway, but stopped somewhere this side of Katy; “Bye Bye Birdie” where Jim played his version of Paul Lynde playing his version of a befuddled father; “1776”; “Annie Get Your Gun;” and others. Prior to his relationship with TUTS, Jim also performed at Stages and Country Playhouse.

Jim’s proudest achievement occurred in 1968, when he met his beloved wife, Alison, while participating in a theater workshop in Oxford, England sponsored by the British Drama League. On the first day of class, Jim and Alison were instructed to put on masks and “interact,” and they continued to interact for the next fifty-five years. Together, they had two daughters, Penelope and Susan, who were equally loved, and three glorious grandchildren, Daphne, Teddy, and Olivia.

After retirement from Baker Botts LLP in 2016, Jim began the third act of his life as a docent at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston; the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens; and Rienzi, the MFAH house museum for European decorative arts, where he gave tours and felt that every guest was a new friend. He was also a member of the Silver Study Society and the Ima Hogg Ceramic Circle. Before the pandemic, Jim began taking Art History classes at the Glassell School. As the pandemic swept in, Jim embraced technology, after decades of determined rejection, and continued his courses on-line, thoroughly researching and writing several insightful essays. Jim found the third act of his life as fascinating as acts one and two.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Alison; his daughter, Penelope Cleveland and husband Christopher and granddaughter, Olivia Cleveland; his daughter Susan George and grandchildren Daphne George and William “Teddy” George, and their father David George; nephews, Michael Shelton and his wife Shannon Sedwick, and Pat Shelton, and their families whom he adored. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James LeGrande Read and Viola Lindsey Read, and his sister Mary Anne Griesman.

A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 27th of February, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that those desiring consider directing memorial contributions in Jim’s honor to the Glassell School Annual Fund Drive at 1001 Bissonnet, Houston, Texas 77005 (www.mfah.org/give/glassell-school-annual-fund); or to the charity of one’s choice.

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Throughout Jim’s life, he treasured his family, friends and good conversations. Jim’s sense of wonder never ceased, and his family wishes the same for you.