Julius Desey Desenberg

Julius Desey Desenberg was born in Houston on the 14th of December 1935, and succumbed to Esophageal Cancer on Saturday, the 9th of July 2022, after a year-long courageous battle. He was 86 years of age.

During his illness he occupied his time with telling friends “corny” jokes and sending cartoons. At San Jacinto High School he was the ROTC Drill Team Commander winning the city-wide competition for the first time and named City Adjacent for all ROTC units in HISD and graduating in 1954. He earned his business degree from University of Texas l958, where he was a Silver Spur, President of Phi Sigma Delta Fraternity and commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. He spent two years in the Navy where he was an officer on the Clarence Bronson.

At a friend’s wedding he met his first wife, Barbara Marcus with whom he had four kids, Doug, Julie, John, and Dana. Family life was filled with friends, road trips to Vicksburg, boating, fishing, water skiing, and picnics at Lake Texoma. He loved being an umpire to his sons’ little League, coach to his daughter’s softball team and Big Chief as an Indian Guide.

After the Navy, he became a stockbroker for Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner and Smith while it was a privately held company in 1960 until retirement 43 years later. The years at Merrill, Desey was Assistant Director to the Southwest Regional Director, Dallas and Houston office managers, Chairman’s Club, First Vice President and was affectionately known as “The Legend”.

A new chapter began in 1989, while attending Jewish Singles party, he asked a stranger for directions, she replied: “Go for it, it could be your lucky day!” Not knowing her name, tracked her down, took six months to ask her out and in 1991 after a romantic proposal in Central Park, Carol and Desey were married for over 31 years. With marriage to Carol, came her twelve-year-old son, Todd. who Desey helped parent. Laughter, travel, dinners out, friends to share in the fun, family dinners, holidays and parties accented a union that thrived. The grandkids and great grandkids put a smile on his face when they shared their news, and he would tell them stories of his youth or business days. Always a little advice along the way, “Pay yourself first!”

While in New York as a trainee, Desey received a political button for the city mayor that started a 60-year passion for collecting. Fishing, poker with the guys, lunches with friends and watching Turner classics at home in his recliner with the remote nearby was the best of retirement. Not much of a techie but loved his cell! Philanthropy was important but in a quiet way.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Henry Desenberg, his sister, Dianne Desenberg Gilbert; and his former wife, Barbara Marcus Desenberg. He is survived by his loving wife, Carol; their blended family including Douglas Desenberg, Julie Eisen, John Desenberg, Dana Desenberg, Todd, and Julie Lorberbaum; grandchildren, Emily and Jeff Wheeler, Eric Eisen, Hayley, Kyle, and Max Desenberg, Ryder, Hope, and Daily Desenberg and Harry Lorberbaum; and great grandkids, Haddie and Sofie Wheeler.

The family wished to acknowledge with gratefulness with special thanks to Dr. Matthew Ning and Dr. Matthew Katz of MD Anderson; his caregivers, Nina Salazar, Rick Ramirez and Jose Ramirez, all of whom made the final journey possible.

Following a private interment at Congregation Beth Israel Memorial Garden, a memorial service is to be conducted at twelve o’clock noon on Tuesday, the 12th of July, at Congregation Beth Israel, 5600 N. Braeswood Boulevard in Houston. KINDLY NOTE: The family respectfully requests that those in attendance wear a protective face mask. Those unable to attend may watch the live-streaming accessible at https://livestream.com/bethisraelhouston

Immediately following all are invited to greet the family during a Meal of Condolence in the adjacent Wolff-Toomim Hall.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in his name be directed to The Houston Food Bank; The MD Anderson Cancer; Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Centers; or to Congregation Beth Israel.