Thomas S. Goggan

Thomas S. Goggan III, of Austin, Texas, died on March 21, 2009 at the age of 65 of complications of cancer. He was a founding partner of prominent Texas law firm Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, & Sampson. His distinguished legal career began at the age of 23, when he graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1967. He spent the first 14 years of his career practicing criminal and civil law, in which time he represented some of Austin's most illustrious characters and argued cases in the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. In 1982 he and his fellow UT Law graduates founded Heard, Goggan, & Blair. His talent for litigation served his own law firm well, and he continued to represent clients in complex tax cases to the end of his career. He co-authored the Matthew Bender text on ad valorem taxation, was an active member of the State Bar of Texas, taught classes for Continuing Legal Education, served on the Administration of Justice and Administrative Law committees, and was a member of legal fraternity Phi Delta Phi. Those who knew him well, however, will remember him for his wit and keen intellect. He enjoyed life more than most and satisfied his intellectual curiosities by reading everything he could get his hands on, especially great works of world literature and political histories. He was born in Dallas, TX on February 21, 1944 to Marion and Thomas S. Goggan, Jr. He grew up in San Antonio, graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1962, and earned a combined BA and LLB from the University of Texas at Austin in 1967. He is survived by his wife, Dianne Goggan of Austin, his daughter Ingrid Lelos and her husband Vasileios Lelos of Savannah, GA, and their children Pericles and Anastasia Lelos; his daughter Rachel Goggan and her husband Travis Indgjer of New York, NY, and their children Rowan and Abigail Indgjer; and his sister Susan Goggan of Austin. A wake will be held on Thursday evening at the family's home. Family and friends wishing to attend may call 512-917-7868 for information. A Requiem Mass will be held at St. Mary's Cathedral in Austin at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, March 27, 2009. Interment will immediately follow at Forest Oaks Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Animal Trustees of Austin or The Salvation Army.