JAMES LEGRANDE READ, JR.
01/25/1931 - 02/16/2023
James LeGrande Read, Jr., left this life on Thursday, the 16th of February 2023, with the same sense of wonder that he had on the 25th of January 1931, when his life began.
Jim was born in Dallas, Texas, and his family moved to Houston when he was two. Jim was elected President of his senior class at San Jacinto High School and graduated in the mid-year class of 1949. He began a pre-law program at the University of Texas during the following week, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence (then an LLB) in 1954. At the University, Jim was on the Texas Law Review; was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity; and was an active participant in the University’s Curtain Club, an experience that created an interest in theater that lasted his entire life.
On graduation from the University, Jim began his professional life as a lawyer with Baker Botts LLP, an association that lasted sixtytwo years. Jim was Board Certified in Commercial Real Estate Law, and loved both the practice of law and the firm at which he practiced.
Jim was active in civic affairs. He served as Chairman of the Board of the Houston Ballet when the first company was formed. He was director of Big Brothers of Houston, Inc., and was named Houston’s Outstanding Big Brother in 1962. He served as a director of Theater Under the Stars; a Trustee of Hestor House; and a director of the Campfire Program for DePelchin Faith Home.
Jim’s proudest achievement occurred in 1968, when he met his beloved wife, Alison, while participating in a theater workshop in Oxford, England. Together, they had two daughters, Penelope and Susan, and three glorious grandchildren, Daphne, Teddy, and Olivia.
After retirement from Baker Botts LLP in 2016, Jim began the third act of his life as a docent at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston; the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens; and Rienzi, where he gave tours and felt that every guest was a new friend. Jim also began taking Art History classes through the Glassell School and approached each course with the same curiosity and dedication as his law school courses. He found the third act of his life as fascinating as acts one and two.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Alison; his daughter, Penelope Cleveland and husband Christopher and granddaughter, Olivia Cleveland;
his daughter Susan George and grandchildren Daphne George and William “Teddy” George, and their father David George; nephews, Michael Shelton and his wife Shannon Sedwick, and Pat Shelton, and their families whom he adored. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James LeGrande Read and Viola Lindsey Read, and his sister Mary Anne Griesman.
A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 27th of February, in the Jsaek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that those desiring consider directing memorial contributions in Jim’s honor to the Glassell School Annual Fund Drive at 1001 Bissonnet, Houston, Texas 77005 (www.mfah.org/ give/glassell-school-annualfund); or to the charity of one’s choice.
Please visit Jim’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis. com where fond memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with his family.
Throughout Jim’s life, he treasured his family, friends and good conversations. Jim’s sense of wonder never ceased, and his family wishes the same for you.