RONALD ASTIN

Ronald Taylor Astin 1947 ~ 2010 Ronald Taylor Astin, age 63, quietly passed away on July 24, 2010. Ron was born in Salt Lake City July19, 1947, to John LaVar and Betty Taylor Astin. He married his sweetheart, Adele McCoy, on April1, 1971, in Salt Lake City. Ron studied history, English and political science at the University of Utah and received his BS degree in History in 1970 and his MA degree in History in 1972. He was the recipient of the Fishbein Scholarship for the Study of History and Medicine at the University of Chicago, and he also studied Modern Europe and Tudor/Stuart England. In 1977 he was awarded his J.D. degree from the University of Chicago. Ron began his practice of law in San Francisco and then he and Adele moved to Houston to join Vinson & Elkins, where he eventually became a partner. He was a very successful corporate attorney at Vinson & Elkins in both their Washington, D. C. and Houston offices until his retirement several years ago. He also taught classes at the South Texas School of Law in Houston. Ron was an avid reader and had a great love of history; he loved books and collected an impressive library over the years. He had a particular love for nautical history, and he loved and collected model ships. Ron could hold anyone spellbound with his extensive knowledge, and he was an expert on the life and history of his great-great-grandfather President John Taylor. Ron is survived by his sisters, Sharon Astin, Johnny (Jeff) Pugh, and Laurie (Craig) Goodrich, his brother, Marc (Cathy) Astin and in-laws Michael (Liz) McCoy and Anita (Thomas) Manka, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Adele, his parents, and his dear mother-in-law, Eueda McCoy. A private graveside service for the families will be held at a later date.