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Howard Fender Obituary
Memorial service: 2 p.m. Wednesday in Chapel of the Intercession at First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth, 1000 Penn St. Interment: Private services were held for the family in the Fender Plot in Oakwood Cemetery. A reception will be held at River Crest Country Club after the memorial service.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to a charity of one's choice, in the judge's memory, is suggested.
A native of Fort Worth, Howard was born Nov. 23, 1920, the son of J. Ernest and Katilee Martin Fender. He was a 1936 graduate of Central High School, now R.L. Paschal, and attended Kemper Military Institute before being appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Howard earned his law degree from Washington & Lee University.
He was elected Tarrant County district attorney in 1952 and served for six years. In 1962, he served as assistant attorney general under Waggoner Carr and Crawford Martin as head of the enforcement division for 10 years.
In 1973, Howard married Virginia Frels in Austin. They returned to Tarrant County, where he served as an assistant district attorney heading up the appellate division until his appointment as judge of Criminal District Court No. 2.
He was elected chief justice of the Court of Appeals, Second Judicial District. After retiring from the Court of Appeals, he was appointed judge of County Criminal Court No. 7 from 1989 to 1996.
Judge Fender continued hearing cases as a senior judge after leaving the active bench. He was a tireless campaigner whose trademark was passing out wooden nickels at campaign rallies.
In addition to his parents, Judge Fender was preceded in death by his brother, James Ernest Fender Jr.; his daughter, Gage Fender Brown; and grandson, Grantland Keith Morrison.
Survivors: His wife of 35 years, Virginia Frels Fender; daughters, Lael Moore Hasty and husband, Obie, of Austin and Laurie Moore Fender of Fort Worth; sons, Martin Fender and his wife, Melissa, of Arlington, Wyatt Fender of Houston and Ames Fender and his wife, Sarah, of Fort Worth; and grandchildren, Robert Everett "Reb" Byers III, Laura Katherine Blanton, Cabel, Creel and Alex Brown, Katilee Fender, Gage Fender and Georgia and King and India Fender.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Howard Fender
Gail Riley Woodward
February 13, 2008
My heart & prayers are with you Martin,Wyatt & Ames on the loss of your father and also on the loss of your sister Gage. I have many fond memories of your family during your summers at Ft.Clark in Brackettville. Wonderful family.
Susan Salch
February 7, 2008
Please accept my most sincere condolences. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Gilbert Pena
February 4, 2008
Howard was a legend in his own time and a leader who inspired and showed us the way. With heart felt admiration and respect we bid adieu to an old friend from those he led and inspired.
Kelly Eaves
February 4, 2008
Dear Fender Family,
Our deepest sympathies go out to all of you at this time. My husband, Allen Eaves, was a baliff for Judge Fender for a number of years and greatly respected his wisdom and friendship. He will be missed by all. Take care.
Kelly Eaves and Family
Frederick Rayner
February 3, 2008
Deepest sympathy to you, Ames, Martin, and Wyatt. I know how much you have missed your father and will continue to miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your children, Georgia, India, and King, Gage,and Katilee and, of course, your sister Gage's wonderful children, Creel, Cabal, and Alex.
Andrew Low
January 31, 2008
Judge Fender and my father were roommates for four years at West Point and were lifelong friends. Deepest condolences from my family to yours.
Nancy Hawkins
January 31, 2008
I am so sorry for your loss. Judge Fender was a true intellect and accomplised so many things during his lifetime. I was his neighbor across the hall at the courthouse for a number of years.
Charles Butts
January 31, 2008
Judge Fender was my wife Shirley's and my friend for over 50 years. Shirley was the only woman on his staff and served as Chief of the Civil Section when he was District Attorney and I, Charles D(Charlie) Butts met and studied for the Texas Bar exam together 'way back in 1948 when our friendship began.
Shirley and I actively supported and encouraged Howard in all of his Judicial races and enjoyed visiting with him at Judicial conferences throughout the years. His military and judicial bearing were most impressive and admired.
So much more could be said about our friend Judge Howard Fender but space does not permit.
We extend our heart felt sympathy to Howard's family and know that you are indeed justly proud of your heritage. May God richly bless and comfort you.
Sincerely,
Charlie and Justice Shirley Butts
Lael Hasty
January 31, 2008
The family wishes to thank everyone who participated in yesterday's memorial service and reception.
Linda Moore
January 30, 2008
My deepest condolences to all the family and friends. (Judge Fender was my mother's second cousin.) He obviously was well-respected in his community. All we "Fender Cousins" with roots (like his) in North Carolina, Tennessee and Kaufman Co., Texas, share with you in your loss.
robert byers
January 30, 2008
Judge Fender helped shape my son Rober E. Byers III (Reb) into a very fine adult. Judge Fender was
Reb's grandfather and friend.
Kathy Petta
January 30, 2008
I was saddened to hear about your dad.I remeber him well! He was a
wonderful person and will be missed by all who knew him.
Riley & Mary Cantrell
January 29, 2008
I met Judge Fender about 30 years ago managing an Underwood's. I met him again while working as a carpenter at the County Courthouse renovation. He was always approachable. In 1990 he (and Virginia) married my wife and me at Heritage Park overlooking the Trinity. We will always remember him fondly. Our condolences.
Alana Scott
January 29, 2008
We weren't lucky enough to have met Judge Fender, but we feel as though we knew him through his daughter, Laurie.
We feel privileged to have been able to supply him with something he apparently really enjoyed....home-made jerky!
Our condolences to the entire family.
Alana Scott & Pamela McMyler,
California
Lisa Marino-McIntosh
January 29, 2008
My deepest sympathy to the Ames family on the loss of Judge Fender. Special regards to Ames, Sarah and children. God bless you and yours always.
Douglas Clark, Jr.
January 29, 2008
Judge Fender was a mentor and friend. His Courtroom "Same Rules For Everyone" were truly appreciated by many of us. He was a gentleman of the law whose wisdom and wit I shall fondly remember along with his values acquired in life and the Commonwealth at Washington & Lee.
Julie New
January 29, 2008
Judge Fender will always be remembered as a giant of a man to my family. My Dad, Allen Eaves, dod:1/7/08, a Tarrant Co. bailiff, spoke highly of him and told some great stories of his life. Thanks for sharing him with us. He will be dearly missed.
Tiffany
January 29, 2008
I'm sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
John Hill
January 29, 2008
When I was a child, Howard Fender was the district attorney. Later, when I begin to seek election as a judge, he was a fellow judicial candidate. When I was appointed as a justice to the Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth, he was the Chief Justice. Since that time, he has been my friend. The attribute that impressed me most about Howard was his sense of honesty and integrity. It seems that this was imbued in him both by family and the Honor Code at West Point. In many ways he was like a brother or second father to me. The legal community will miss Howard. My thoughts and prayers are with Virginia and the remainder of his family at this difficult time.
Joseph Nasche
January 29, 2008
Please accept our deepest sympathies.
January 29, 2008
Barton & LaNelle Boling - El Paso, Tx.
Reb Byers
January 29, 2008
Thank you for being the best grandfather a grandson could ever have.
B. J. Tuttleton
January 29, 2008
I have known Judge Fender for many years. I was the chief of police in the town where he lived and he was always ready and willing to sign search warrants and criminal warrants for me when I needed them in a hurry. He visited the police station and was a great man. To Virginia and the other members of the family, my prayers go with you and may GOd bless you.
Valerie Jopling
January 29, 2008
I am so sorry for your loss. I know he will be missed.
Ricky Magers
January 29, 2008
Judge Fender was always helpful and a pleasure to work with. He was loyal and respectful to his employees and as a court coordinator made my job run smoothly. He was a friend to many.
Ricky Magers
Frank Sullivan
January 29, 2008
It was my privilege to have appeared before Judge Fender as a lawyer and to serve with him as a judge. He was respected for his intelligence, honesty and sense of humor. He will be missed.
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