MENDEL LAVIAGE

1933-2017

Mendel Laviage, 83, died peacefully Saturday, September 9, 2017 at the Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas.

Mendel leaves his beautiful wife of 59 years, Betty Guez Laviage; his daughter, Jacque Laviage; his son Marc Laviage and his wife, Leslie Laviage; his son Robert Laviage; grandson, Andrew Laviage and his wife, Jaclyn Laviage; and his granddaughter, Amanda Laviage and her fiance, Zachary Goldstein.

Mendel was born and raised in Houston, Texas, to Sam and Lottie (Nathan) Laviage.

Mendel attended San Jacinto High School, where he developed a love for sports and athletic competition, playing baseball and football. He received an athletic scholarship to play football at the Rice Institute. Mendel was a running back for the Rice Owls and played in the 1954 Cotton Bowl against Alabama. He received his Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education at Rice. Mendel was drafted by the Chicago Bears, but decided to begin building his family and career.

He began his career in El Paso, Texas, with Proler International, managing the expansion of a new scrap metal yard. It was in El Paso where he met the love of his life Betty Guez, and they were married in 1958. Mendel and Betty started their family in El Paso, where they had their three children. Mendel’s entrepreneurial spirit brought the family to Houston, Texas in 1976, where he partnered with his father to grow the family produce business. Over the years, he returned to the scrap metal industry where he became a respected expert in the field.

Mendel enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, going dancing with his wife Betty, and traveling with the family. He spent the weekends attending Rice football and baseball games, and never missed a spirited debate with his grandchildren.

Mendel was inducted into the The Ronnie Arrow Houston Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2002, in recognition of his achievements in football.

Mendel was loved and cherished by many and will be greatly missed. May his memory be a blessing.

Graveside service will be held at 2:00pm, Monday, September 11, 2017 at Beth Yeshurun Post Oak Cemetery, 1037 N Post Oak Rd, Houston.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be designated to Rice University Undergraduate Scholarships. These gifts may be made online at http://giving.rice.edu/ or mailed to: Rice University Office of Development MS-81 P.O. Box 1892 Houston, TX 77251-1892