John Alvis

John Worthy Alvis John Worthy Alvis, age 66, passed from this life on Saturday, November 19, 2011, after a brief but intense battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Austin on August 22, 1945, the second son of Chambliss Eugene and Virginia Worthy Alvis, John graduated from McCallum High School and The University of Texas at Austin with a BA degree in History. He received his Juris Doctor from The University of Texas School of Law in 1970. Following his education, John served as a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. During his five year tenure with the FBI in Memphis and Knoxville, Tennessee, he was a criminal investigator, legal officer and member of a special tactical operations team, helping to foil crimes including bank robbery and airline high jacking. Following the death of his father in 1975, John and his family returned to Austin where he began practicing law with the firm of Alvis and Carssow. He helped to expand the firm to as many as seventeen members but in later years preferred to operate as a solo practitioner, focusing exclusively on bankruptcy law. John was widely respected by members of the bankruptcy bar and the Austin legal community. He was a tireless advocate for his clients and took great personal satisfaction in helping them to achieve a fair measure of judicial relief in managing their financial challenges. When not practicing law, John found joy in his family and friends and a measure of solace in the natural setting of his rural home near San Marcos. He and his wife Judy loved the outdoors and the daily routine of feeding the deer and watching the wildlife from the back porch with their early morning coffee. John was a student of Purple Martins, carefully maintaining his Martin house and watching for the first "scouts" to appear each spring. And John loved dogs, including the family's new Bouvier puppy as well as his aging Springer Spaniel who was always at his side. As well, he relished the opportunity to get away for a paddling trip on the Guadalupe, Rio Grande or Pecos rivers or to vacation for a few days in Creede or Crested Butte, Colorado. He enjoyed sailing, read extensively about the history of British seafaring and savored the opportunity to visit historic Portsmouth, England. Those who knew John appreciated his quick smile, the unassuming nature of his personality and his willingness to provide wise council to those who sought his advice and perspective. John was an active member of the First Baptist Church of San Marcos where memorial services will be held on Wednesday morning, November 23, at 10:00 a.m. A visitation will be held at Thomason's Funeral Home, in San Marcos, Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. John is survived by his wife of 18 years, Judy E. Alvis, as well as the mother of his children Kay Alvis, his son John Reagan Alvis and wife Kerri and grandson Ryan Alvis of Johnson City, Texas and his daughter Rebecca Dultmeier and granddaughters, Drew, and Riley and grandson Zachary Dultmeier all of Corsicana, Texas. Stepsons, Peter and wife Andrea McCurry of Las Vegas, NV and Jamey McCurry of Seguin, and grandsons Ashden and Hayden McCurry. Other surviving family members include brother, James Alvis and wife Sharon of Austin and brother, Thomas Alvis of Austin and niece Amy Alvis of Bastrop. Parents in laws Rex and Katherine Laechelin, sister in law Cheryl Logan and Oran, all of Seguin. Sister in law, Rexanne Thomas and husband Jeff of McKinney, TX. A private family burial will be held later.