CHARLES GREEF

GREEF--Charles Edwin

"Stormy" widely regarded as one of the preeminent attorneys for community bankers in the country, lost his fierce fight against cancer on March 10, 2015 at home. He worked until the week before he died. He was beloved by clients and friends in the banking industry for 40 years. Stormy was a loyal partner and co-head of the Financial Institutions Corporate and Regulatory Team at Hunton & Williams in Dallas. He spoke regularly to the Independent Community Bankers of America and the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT). He sat on the IBAT Education Foundation Board of Directors and is the only lawyer ever selected to the IBAT "Wall of Fame" in Austin. Stormy mentored many young lawyers who credit their legal careers to his tutelage. He was born January 16, 1949 in Amarillo, TX in the middle of one of the largest blizzards ever recorded in the Midwest and promptly nicknamed "Stormy" by the hospital nurses. He graduated in 1967 from Tascosa High School in Amarillo where he played for the varsity golf team and attained the distinction of National Merit Scholar. Stormy flew to New Haven to begin his freshman year at Yale University, sight-unseen, from which he obtained his AB in Political Science in 1971. He served in the United States Naval Reserve 1971-79 as a Lt. J.G. in the Judge Advocate General's Corps. Stormy received his J.D. with Honors in 1974 from The University of Texas School of Law where he served as Associate Editor of Texas Law Review. His legal career began at Hunton & Williams in Richmond, VA. He returned to Texas to join Kendrick, Kendrick and Bradley and began to build a specialized practice in community banking. The firm merged with Jenkens & Gilchrist in 1976 and became the Dallas-based office of Hunton and Williams in 2007. Underneath his unassuming demeanor and pronounced West Texas accent was a creative genius with a brilliant legal mind. Stormy served his clients with unmatched dedication. He loved baseball, especially the Houston Astros, and coached his children's and wife's teams. His long-time love of Northeastern New Mexico began with summers at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron. He and Holly enjoyed entertaining family and friends at their home in Taos. He loved to discuss current events and seldom missed the Wednesday "Steak Night" political debates at Lakewood Country Club with his buddies. He faithfully ushered for 25 years at St. Matthews Cathedral and advised the Cathedral's Endowment Fund. Stormy is survived by his wife of 35 years, Holly; daughter Brennan Blair (Michael) and grandchildren Lucy, Jack, Hank and Charlie Blair; son David; father-in-law Bill Huber; in-laws Hilda and Jimmy Brewer and Hugh and Dana Huber; nephew Matthew Brewer; niece Ashley Huber; many Brennan/Bergin cousins in Chicago as well as Kilkenny and Tipperary counties in Ireland, including Denis, Eilis, Mairin and Geraldine; and step-sisters Nancy, Carol and Gara. The family would like to thank Pat Dials, his executive assistant of 38 years, as well as everyone at Hunton & Williams. Stormy will also be sorely missed by his beloved dog Ace. The family respectfully requests no flowers but that donations be made to: IBAT Education Foundation, 1700 Rio Grande, Suite 100, Austin TX 78701; The University of Texas School of Law, 727 East Dean Keeton Street, Austin, TX 78705 (indicate in memory of Charles Greef); the Capital Campaign at the Cathedral Church of St. Matthew or to Aberg Center for Literacy. Services are set for 2pm on Saturday, March 14 at The Cathedral Church of St. Matthew, 5100 Ross Avenue in Dallas. Reception and family visitation will follow in the Great Hall.