Donald Ray Arnett

Donald Ray Arnett was born October 30, 1928, in Nancy, Texas, and passed away on June 3, 2016, in Houston. Son of a pioneering family in Lufkin and East Texas, he was the seventh child of Ralph and Minnie Welch Arnett. After graduating as salutatorian from Lufkin High School in 1946, he earned B.B.A. and M. Ed. degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. He taught in the public schools at the junior high level from 1949 through 1954.

He then entered the University of Texas School of Law and graduated with the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence in August, 1956. After graduating, he was a Briefing Attorney for the Supreme Court of Texas in 1956-57, and practiced in the Law Department of Gulf Oil Corporation from September 1, 1957, to November 30, 1972. While employed by Gulf, he argued cases before the United States Supreme Court and was licensed to practice law in Texas, Oklahoma, California, and before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. After his retirement from Gulf, he moved to Houston and was a founding partner in the law firm of Austin & Arnett, specializing in oil and gas. He taught Oil and Gas Law as an adjunct in the University of Houston Law Center 1977-1983, and he was chairman of the committee that prepared the first examination for certification in oil, gas and mineral law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of Texas. He concluded his legal career practicing briefly with the firm of Chamberlain Hrdlicka in Houston, and retired in 1987.

He was a life member of The 100 Club. Mr. Arnett was also a proud Texan and appreciated his American heritage; he was a member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas and the Sons of the American Revolution. He was also an honorary Admiral of the Texas Navy and a veteran of the United States Air Force with service during the Korean Conflict.

Beloved by his nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, he never forgot birthdays or anniversaries, attended multiple baptisms, weddings, high school and college graduations, and was a steadfast supporter of family business endeavors and career choices. He will be sorely missed as a calm presence and a charming, educated conversationalist; his sly and dry humor always enlivened family gatherings. He was the epitome of a southern gentleman.

He is survived by one brother, Joseph Taylor Arnett, of the Woodlands, eight nieces and nephews, and numerous great- and great-great nieces and nephews, spread from California to Virginia to New York. He was preceded in death by his parents and by sisters Gail Arnett Norton and Cleo Arnett and brothers Ralph C. Arnett, Dr. Robert Kenneth Arnett, and David Carl Arnett.

Rosary and visitation are on Thursday, June 9, 2016, from 5 to 8 PM, at Earthman Funeral Home, Bunker Hill location, 8303 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77024. Funeral services are Friday, June 10, 2016, at 10 AM, Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 3617 Milam Street, Houston, TX 77002. Graveside services will be at the Garden of Memories, 5205 South First Street, Lufkin, Texas, 75901, at 11 AM, Saturday, June 11, 2016. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of St. Thomas Scholarship Fund, 3800 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006, or to a favorite charity.