Alfred C. Glassell Jr.

Alfred C. Glassell, Jr.

HOUSTON, TX - Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. was born on the 31st of March 1913 at Cuba Plantation in north Louisiana. He was the son of Alfred Curry Glassell and Frances Elvira Lane. He graduated from Bird High School in Shreveport, Louisiana and later Louisiana State University where he distinguished himself as President of the Student Body and Kappa Alpha fraternity, ROTC commander, and member in 13 honor societies. Upon graduation he became a pioneer in the energy business, discovering and extending oil and gas fields on the gulf coasts of Louisiana and Texas. He was a founder of the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation, the first gas transmission system from Texas to New York. He served on the boards of corporations including Transco, El Paso Natural Gas, and First City Bank.

During the Second World War, he answered the call to duty and joined the armed forces where he achieved the rank of major. His distinguished war record included active service in the African and European theaters. Upon return to civilian life, he again put his business talents to work, joining efforts to return the United States to prosperity with plentiful, affordable energy.

He had a life-long interest in marine biology and the preservation of sea life. He participated in seafaring expeditions throughout the world, leading the Yale Seychelles Expedition from the Atlantic to the Indian Oceans and the east coast of Africa. In 1971 he was awarded the International Oceanographic Foundation Marine Science Award for outstanding contributions.

An enthusiastic supporter of Texas wildlife and conservation, with the help of friends the Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. Professorship in Quail Research was established at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute. Quail season at Buena Suerte near Falfurrias was legendary, famous for plentiful coveys and gentlemanly sportsmanship.

An avid sportsman, Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. achieved fame as one of the foremost anglers in the world. In 1953, he set the world record for the largest marlin ever caught on a hand-held rod and reel. At 1,560 pounds, this record remains today, and the world's largest game fish resides on view at the Smithsonian Institution. A tribute to his skills, he was pictured on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1954 and inducted into the International Game Fish Association's Hall of Fame in 2001.

In addition to business, military, scientific, and sports achievements, he distinguished himself as a civic leader and philanthropist. Over a lifetime, he dedicated his time and resources to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston Symphony Society, Society for Performing Arts, Houston Ballet Foundation, Houston Chamber of Commerce, Texas Children's Hospital, American Museum of Natural History in New York City, Smithsonian Institution, and Archaeological Institute of America.

He fulfilled a great role as a leader at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. This world famous collector of art was first elected to the museum's Board of Trustees in 1970. Realizing people's fundamental need for hands on experience in the arts and recognizing the lack of studio opportunities, he established the Glassell School of Art. Since its dedication in 1979, the Glassell School has provided diverse training in the fine arts to children, adults, emerging artists, hospital patients, and older Americans.

He was elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston in 1990, a time when the need for physical expansion was evident. With characteristic optimism and belief in the generosity of Houston, he led a ten-year effort that resulted in the Audrey Jones Beck Building as home for the museum's collection of Western Antiquities, European, and American art.

As a life-long collector of Asian, Pre-Columbian, and African art, he donated his excellent and extensive collections to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. These works, primarily of precious gold, are without parallel. Frances Marzio, his curator, described him as "a great connoisseur who recognized the creative genius of diverse cultures before they were appreciated by many others."

After a life spent in the pursuit of excellence Alfred C. Glassell, Jr., 95, died on Wednesday afternoon, the 29th of October 2008. He was predeceased by his sisters, the late Joanna Glassell Wood, Lillian Glassell Crichton, and Emily Glassell Comegys. He is survived by his wife, Clare Attwell Glassell; children, Curry Glassell, Alfred C. Glassell III and Marli Andrade, Lisa Ford, Alison Ford Duncan, Emily Ford Embrey and her husband Mark C. Embrey; and grandsons, Nathan J. Roberts, Alfred Samuel Jared Roberts, Robert S. Duncan, W. Hudson Duncan, Nicholas E. Embrey, and Joseph M. Embrey. He is also survived by his niece, Janie C. Lee Warren, as well as numerous other nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to his longtime office manager Pam Lindberg, assistant Bonnie Gonzales, and Samantha Duff, as well as loving housekeepers, Abigail Bonilla, Aurelia Cedillo, Toleda Lane, Gerardo Mendoza, Lupe Rodriguez, Zoila Rodriguez, Luis Ruiz, Amalia Salazir and Margarita Salazir. The family also wishes to thank caregivers Cedille Mayfield, Barbara Owens, Jolsta Stewart, Arletha Willis, and the nursing staff at St. Luke's for their help and support during his illness.

A memorial service will be conducted at one o'clock in the afternoon on Monday, the 3rd of November, at The Episcopal Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard in Houston, where the Rev. Dr. Laurens A. Hall, Rector, the Rt. Rev. Don Wimberly, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, and the Rev. Dr. Douglas W. Richnow, Associate Rector, will serve as officiants. For those desiring, valet parking attendants will be positioned at the River Oaks Boulevard entranceway of the church.

Immediately following the service, all are invited to join the family for a reception in the adjacent Sumners Hall.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Merrill Athon, Stuart Campbell, Dr. Byron Hall, Dan Japhet, Dr. Mavis Kelsey, Rich Kinder, Robert McNair, Meredith Long, Peter Marzio, Dr. Walter McReynolds, Dr. David Ott, Fayez Sarofim, Bill Wheless, Dr. Jim Willerson, Wallace Wilson, and Gene M. Woodfin.

Arrangements in Houston are entrusted to Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, The Funeral Directors - Since 1936, 713.789.3005, www.geohlewis.com.

In lieu of usual remembrances, contributions in memory of Mr. Glassell may be directed to The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, P.O. Box 6826, Houston, TX, 77265-6826; Texas Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 300630, MC-4-4483, Houston, TX, 77230-0630; or to the charity of one's choice.