JAMES EDWARD “JIMMY” BRILL
1933-2021
James Edward “Jimmy” Brill died on Thursday, the 27th of May 2021, two days before his 88th birthday. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on the 29th of May 1933.
Jimmy’s Texas roots run deep. His great grandfather, Dan C. Smith, was twice elected as Houston mayor in the 1880s. He was raised in Houston by his mother, Lydia Smith Conklin, and her parents, Ed C. and Jessie Reese Smith. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Patricia Brill; his son, David Brill and wife Barbara, and David’s children, Laura (Matt Blevins) and Wade; and by his son, Paul Brill and wife Kimberly, and their children, Kathryn (Charles Pelini), Jennifer (Tucker Allcorn), and Melissa (Jerry Goeden); and great grandchildren Mason and Caroline Allcorn.
It was his good fortune to attend River Oaks Elementary, Lanier Junior High, and Lamar High School (class of 1951). He enjoyed many summers at Camp Stewart in Hunt, Texas. He made lifelong friendships with each group that endured until his death. Jimmy attended the University of Texas for six years and received both a BBA and LLB degree. He was a Phi Kappa Sigma and a Silver Spur at UT.
Jimmy was sworn in as a lawyer on the 17th of December 1957, and practiced law, primarily as a solo, for over 60 years until his retirement in 2019. He was active in the State Bar of Texas, served as principal author, editor, and project director of the Texas Probate System from 1971 until his retirement, chaired the Law Practice Management Section of the American Bar Association, and was inducted into the first class and elected as an initial trustee of the College of Law Practice Management. He organized and for over 20 years led monthly meetings of a group of Houston lawyers known as Solos Supporting Solos.
The State Bar of Texas awarded him the Presidents’ Award as “the outstanding lawyer in Texas,” a presidential Citation for developing a resource for lawyers starting their practice, and the Gene Cavin Award for excellence in continuing legal education of his fellow lawyers. Jimmy also received two lifetime achievement awards from the American Bar Association; one for law practice management and one for service to solo and small firm lawyers. He was named as an outstanding 50-year lawyer by the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation.
Outside of law practice, he was known internationally for his collection of Pitcairn Island postal history and memorabilia. He served as President of the Colonneh Club and as President of the Houston Club, was a 60-year member of Holland Lodge No. 1, AF&AM, and a recipient of its Golden Trowel Award, and was selected as a Distinguished Alumnus of Lamar High School.
Jimmy and Pat loved to travel, especially to Carmel, California and/or San Francisco, a trip they made 26 times, including trips with their children and their families.
The family would like to thank the staff at The Village of River Oaks for their loving care of Jimmy these last two years.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from half-past five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 2nd of June, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering in Houston.
A celebration of Jimmy’s life is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 3rd of June, in the Sanctuary of St. Luke’s
United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road in Houston, where Dr. Tom Pace, Senior Pastor, is to officiate. For those unable to attend the service, a livestream will be accessible at https:// www.stlukesmethodist.org/ memorial-livestream-4/, or by visiting Jimmy’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com and selecting the “Join Livestream” icon on the Celebration of
Life section. While there, you may also share memories and words of comfort and condolence electronically with his family.
Immediately following all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the nearby Fellowship Hall.
Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment.