Search by Name
Search by Name
Stephen Thomas Zamora
1944-2016
Stephen Thomas Zamora, 72, passed away suddenly in Mexico City, Mexico, on Friday, July 8, 2016. A longtime resident of Houston, Texas, at the time of his passing he was concluding a year living and reveling in the beauty of Mexico with his wife of almost 50 years, Lois Parkinson Zamora.
Born on June 26, 1944, to Adolph and Audrey (Barrett) Zamora, in Los Angeles, California, he was the second of seven children. Steve graduated from Servite High School in 1962, and earned a B.A. from Stanford University in 1966, where he met and married his best friend and love, Lois. Together, they joined the Peace Corps and spent two years working in Colombia, South America. In 1972, he earned a law degree from the University of California at Berkeley (Boalt Hall), graduating first in his class. In 1973, together with their young children, Camille and Peter, they set off to Geneva, Switzerland, for a year while he served a Postgraduate Fellowship at the University Consortium for World Order Studies. Washington, D.C., was the next stop, where from 1974-1978 he practiced international law and served at the World Bank while Lois completed her PhD in Comparative Literature from Berkeley.
In 1978, they planted their roots in Houston, Texas, when Steve joined the University of Houston Law Center's faculty and Lois joined the English Department. There, Steve served as the Law Center's Dean from 1995 to 2000, and was the University of Houston's and the Law Center's first dean of Hispanic origin. He also directed the Center for U.S. and Mexican Law, which is the first research center in any U.S. law school devoted to the independent, critical study of Mexican law and legal aspects of U.S. - Mexico relations. In 2006, he received the highest distinction awarded by the Mexican government to a foreign national, the Order of the Aztec Eagle, in recognition of his work in promoting U.S. - Mexican understanding. Though he retired in 2015, he continued to pursue his professional interests with great energy and passion.
Above all, Steve was the best daddy, the grandpa who inspires adoration, the husband who serenaded his wife, the brother who always wanted to play. He made fantastical pancakes for his grandkids in every conceivable shape, built sophisticated spaceships out of cardboard and tape, sang silly songs you can't get out of your head, and gave the kind of hugs where you felt the love in your bones. He believed in family, justice, kindness, love, and beauty. He loved spending time with his family, playing on the beach, all things Mexico, traveling throughout the world, his students, his Basque ancestry, a fine tequila, a beautiful song. Steve left nothing unsaid, in actions and word. He made time to have fun, and he brought more love into the world, more goodness.
He leaves a legacy of a life well lived. To say we will miss him is an understatement, but we will honor his memory by trying to live with the same kind of love and passion with which he lived.
He is survived by his widow, Lois Zamora; a daughter, Camille Zamora, and her husband Thomas Whayne; a son, Peter Zamora, and his wife Marcela; grandsons Landon and Nate; siblings Carol, Mary, Anita, John, Paula, and Tony; and many nephews, nieces, cousins, aunts, in-laws, and friends.
Te queremos siempre y para siempre.
Memorial donations in memory of Stephen Zamora may be made to Sing for Hope, an organization founded by his daughter that brings music and arts programming to under-resourced schools and healthcare facilities, and the University of Houston Law Foundation.
Sing for Hope
575 Eighth Avenue, Suite 1812, New York, NY 10018
www.singforhope.org
University of Houston Law Foundation
Attn: Zamora Memorial
4604 Calhoun Road, Houston, TX 77204
www.law.uh.edu/giving
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
My name is Stanley E. Wise. I grew up with Steve when my Family moved from the Brookhurst St. and Lincoln Ave. to 517 N. Dale St. (2) houses to the So. of Steve's Family's house) He and some of his family members used to come over and go Swimming at our house.
God Bless You Steve and may You R.I.P.
Stanley Wise
Friend
December 10, 2022
Professor Zamora was my contract professor in my 1980-81 first year of law school. He was a great teacher in contracts but more importantly in how to be a lawyer. He was a gentle giant and very kind mentor to me. I pray for him to be with The Lord.
Thomas Baker
Student
July 11, 2019
I see that none of the guest book entries are from the days of the Peace Corps. I knew Lois & Steve from when we were volunteers in different locations in Colombia. I always remembered him and Lois as being among the most decent of the Peace Corps people. I spoke to him a couple of times during his tenure at UH & we compared experiences as fellow-lawyers. I remember him with great fondness.
Patricia Powers-Simonelli
April 4, 2018
Dear Lois and family.
Steve was my Godfather. I have only found out this evening that he was called home to our Heavenly Father. I am so sorry for your loss of a most wonderful husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle and friend that this world was blessed to share. Reading Steve's life I felt so proud, and so happy for all the good he did on this Earth. What a great man! May God bless and keep you all. Prayers for his soul and prayers for all his family.
In Christ,
Steve's God-child,
Marcella (Cain) Klinger
October 29, 2017
Rest in Peace, Steve. It was nice knowing you at Servite.
Warmly,
Jim Sullivan, Servite class of 1962
Jim Sullivan
March 20, 2017
Steve was in my 7th and 8th grade class at St. Pius V in Buena Park. I was lucky to see him many times at the Servite dances while I attended Marywood. I am overcome with sadness to her of his passing today, 12/14/16. Those who knew Steve will remember him as a brilliant person who never had a bad word about anyone. He was filled with kindness and the love of God, an inspiration to all whose lives he touched. I know he is one of God's angels. Love you Steve.
Barbara Miles Pfister
December 14, 2016
I remember Steve as a friend and mentor from my days at Boalt in the early 70's. I am sorry that we did not stay in touch and that I had to learn of his outstanding career by reading his obituary. It surprises me not at all to hear that he followed his love for the law and his desire to pass that on to future generations. My condolences to his friends and family.
Randall Barkan
November 22, 2016
Steve: You will be always present in our hearts and souls. Your contribution to your both countries will remain for the benefit of all. May God had received you for eternity.
Carlos Loperena
November 22, 2016
So sorry to hear of Professor Zamora's passing. Professor Zamora was a wonderful contracts professor 1980-83 during UH Law Center experience. Rest in peace. Comfort and consolation to your family. Professor Zamora perhaps left us in the land that he loved.
Thomas Baker
October 10, 2016
I was really sad to learn today of the passing of Stephen Zamora, a wonderful professor at the University of Houston Law Center. Steve was always kind to me . We spent many emails and conversations discussing the sad state of affairs with the NAFTA labor side agreement and the need for reform. I loved that even though he seemed like a business guy, he was deeply concerned about labor issues and justice. I am so sad for Steve's family and am happy to know that at least you will have wonderful memories of a great man and a good friend.
Tequila Brooks
September 22, 2016
Professor Zamora was a delightful person to be around at the Law Center. I will cherish the words of encouragement that he often shared with me during my time working there as an office assistant.
Chelsea Murray
July 18, 2016
My condolences to the family of a very special teacher, scholar, colleague, and friend
Ron Brand
Ron Brand
July 18, 2016
Orlando Rodriguez
July 17, 2016
My condolences to the family. May the God of all comfort sustain you during this difficult time. (Hosea 13:14)
JW
July 17, 2016
Stephen Zamora was a great dean for our law school back during when I was a student there (997-2000). May g-d bless and comfort his family.
July 17, 2016
God took him home in the place he loved most Mexico. We should all have such a wonderful life and legacy as Professor Zamora. I knew him to be a Man of integrity and kindness.
Viveca Montgomery
July 14, 2016
Steven will definitely be missed here at the University of Houston Law Center. He touched many peoples lives here; not just the students, but the fellow faculty and staff, like myself. I'll always remember him for the time he spent with me talking about my daughter's interest in acting. He gave me such great information and contacts. May he rest in peace.
Elaine Fiala
July 13, 2016
Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more