Herman Paul Pressler III

Judge Paul Pressler entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior on Friday, the 7th of June 2024. He was born in Houston on the 4th of June 1930, the son of Herman P. Pressler, Jr. and Elsie Townes Pressler.

Judge Pressler was a sixth-generation Texan and a fifth-generation lawyer. He attended The Kinkaid School and graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy and Princeton University (cum laude). After college, he served as Lieutenant JG in the U. S. Navy during the Korean War. He received his J.D. from The University of Texas Law School, where his great-grandfather Judge John C. Townes had been the first Dean. While a law student, he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives and represented Harris County for a two-year term. He was an attorney with Vinson & Elkins in both their Chicago and Houston offices. While in Chicago, he met and married Nancy Avery.

In 1970, Texas Governor Preston Smith appointed him Judge of the 133rd District Court. In 1978, he was appointed by Governor Dolph Briscoe as Justice of the Fourteenth Court of Appeals, where he served until his retirement in 1993. He was elected to the State Republican Executive Committee and as a Presidential Elector in the 2008 election.

When he was ten years old, Paul accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. He began teaching a Sunday School class at the age of seventeen and continued to do so almost without interruption for sixty-four years. He and Nancy led numerous Bible Studies and saw hundreds of people profess faith in Christ.

Devoted to many Christian, educational and civic causes, Paul was instrumental in establishing Boys and Girls Country of Houston, Forest Glen Bible Conference, and KHCB Radio Network. He served on the Board of many organizations, some of which included International Students, Inc., Salem Communications, National Religious Broadcasters, International Mission Board, Houston area Campus Crusade for Christ, and Houston area Salvation Army. He was also a member of the Texas Philosophical Society, Second Baptist Church, and Houston Country Club.

An avid traveler, he visited all fifty states and more than a hundred countries. His fondest memories were traveling the world with Nancy, his children, and grandchildren, and spending time at the family ranch. As a genealogist and historian, Judge Pressler spent many decades tracing his family history back hundreds of years. He also enjoyed horseback riding, tennis, racquetball, classical literature, and poetry.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Nancy, and three children: Jean Pressler Visy (husband Joseph), Anne Pressler Csorba (husband Les), and Herman Paul Pressler IV. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren: Kristen Visy Llewellyn (husband Paul), Michael Béla Visy (wife Michelle), Scott Pressler Visy (wife Julia), William Cameron Csorba, Avery Csorba Stanley (husband Francis), Molly Csorba Brannon (husband Travis), and Thomas Steven Csorba (wife Alex); 12 great-grandchildren: Clayton, Brooks, Emmett and Devyn Llewellyn, Harper and Gustav Visy, Theodore Visy, William and Elsie Stanley, York and Lyle Brannon, and Lou Csorba; his brother, Townes Garrett Pressler (wife Penny); and numerous relatives.

The family expresses its grateful appreciation to Susanna Cantu, Alma Botello, Dr. Matthew Lenz, the staff at The Tradition, and CareTeam hospice for their kind and compassionate care.

A family service was held.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to The Brookwood Community, 1752 FM 1489, Brookshire, TX 77423 or KHCB Radio Network, 2424 South Blvd, Houston, TX 77098.

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