Morris Douglas Jaffe

Morris Douglas Jaffe was born in San Antonio on May 4, 1922. He died peacefully on April 24, 2001, surrounded by his children and grandchildren at the home of his son, Douglas. Jaffe graduated from Jefferson High School in 1940. He attended A&M University and joined the Air Force in 1942, where he attained the rank of Captain and was trained as a test pilot in World War II. After the war, he returned to San Antonio and with partner, David Martin, formed Jaffe & Martin Construction Company which built several thousand homes in San Antonio and sold them to returning veterans. Over the course of his life, Jaffe was a private pilot for the President of Mexico, bought Columbia Bowling Ball Company the first plastic bowling ball company in America, and discovered the St. Joseph oil field in South Texas with fellow oilman, Oscar Wyatt, Jr. In 1954, Jaffe discovered the first uranium field in Texas. He developed and opened Central Park Mall in the mid-1960's. In the late 60's and during the 70's, Jaffe collaborated with friend and baseball legend Mickey Mantle in various business ventures. Also in the late 1950's and 1960's he, along with Sol Price, established Fed-Mart, a NASDAQ traded company which was one of the first major discount chains in America. Since the 1980's, Jaffe worked side-by-side with his eldest son, Douglas, in running Jaffe Group. Together they developed a hush kit for the Boeing 707 and saved the aircraft from extinction after the FAA passed a noise reduction act in 1985. Later, they developed the Super Q, a totally renovated 707 which was sold throughout the 1980's and 1990's. They also acquired Horseshoe Bay Resort, a development on Lake LBJ near Marble Falls. Alongside U.S. Representative Henry B. Gonzalez, a close friend and confidant, Morris Jaffe received an honorary doctorate of law from St. Mary's University. He was a lifelong supporter of the Democratic Party and a close, personal friend and advisor to three U.S. Presidents. Jaffe is survived by his children, Jenifer Jaffe Gutmann, Judy Jaffe Barnes, Morris Douglas Jaffe, Jr, Jeffery Herrmann Jaffe, Jana Stadler Jaffe, Jolie Michelle Jaffe; 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A Graveside Service will be held for immediate family only. Close friends and family are invited to celebrate his life at the home of his son, Douglas, on Thursday from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the CTRC or Hospice San Antonio. Mission Park Funeral Chapels South.