James D. "Jim" Dannenbaum

1939 - 2024

James D. "Jim" Dannenbaum
07/22/1939 - 09/19/2024
Jim Dannenbaum, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, esteemed civil engineer, and dedicated community leader, passed away peacefully on Thursday, the 19th of September 2024, at the age of 85, surrounded by his loving family. Jim was a sixth generation native Houstonian. He was the only surviving child of his parents Janice Denny and Joseph Bowman Dannenbaum, whose values of hard work and community service profoundly shaped his life.
Jim was the 1957 valedictorian at Lamar High School and later recognized as a distinguished alumnus. Jim was a proud Longhorn; Jim was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in civil engineering. He excelled academically and was inducted into Tau Beta Pi Engineering honor society. He was actively involved in student leadership, joining prestigious honor societies, including president of The Silver Spurs and a member of the Friars Society. His time at The University not only honed his engineering skills but also instilled in him a lifelong commitment to leadership and service. In 1961, he was named the Outstanding Male Student of the University. Jim was the 2011 recipient of the UT College of Natural Sciences Hall of Honor.
After graduation, Jim joined his father's engineering firm, Dannenbaum Engineering Corp., in Houston. After his father's passing in 1975, Jim stepped into the role of president, guiding the firm through significant growth and numerous landmark projects across Texas. His expertise and dedication earned him recognition as Engineer of the Year by the Houston Professional Engineer Organization in 2004 and the Texas Society of Professional Engineers in 2005. The family wishes to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Betty Lozada who faithfully served as his assistant at DEC for 30 years.
In 1963, Jim married his childhood sweetheart, Shirley McKinley. Their 61-year marriage was a testament to love, partnership, and shared values. Together, they raised two children Kay Dannenbaum Lawson and Mark Joseph Dannenbaum, and were blessed with five grandchildren. Jim took immense pride in his family, particularly in supporting his grandson, Henry, who has severe autism. He actively supported The Monarch School and Defeat Autism Now, demonstrating his profound love and commitment to nurturing future generations. Jim cherished his family more than anything. He loved to take family trips; always showing up for all events to cheer on his children or grandchildren in any way possible.
He was a member of The Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and later WPO and remained close with his forum group throughout his life until the time of his passing. Some of his fondest memories include time spent with his children on YPO father-child trips with his closest friends in his forum including: Jim Braniff, Rod Canion, Ned Holmes, Ernie Cockrell, Mel Kline, Pete Lorenzo, Walter Pye, Mike Curran, Richard Everett, Harris Pappas and Peter Way.
Beyond his professional achievements, Jim was a pillar of his community. His journey of service began at St. John The Divine Episcopal Church, where he served as an associate vestryman and Lay Reader and Lector since 1957. Inspired by his parents' devotion to service and the encouragement of his wife, Jim dedicated thousands of hours to volunteering, often taking on roles that went unnoticed but were critical to the community's well-being.
His leadership in the Houston Jaycees was particularly impactful. Rising to the position of president, he spearheaded a city-wide immunization campaign to combat a measles crisis in the early 1960s, collaborating with the Harris County Medical Society. His ability to rally community resources and persuade local media to cover the initiative helped eradicate measles from the area, showcasing his knack for effective advocacy.
Jim's civic involvement extended to various significant projects that shaped the city of Houston. He played a crucial role in organizing the provision of city water and public sewers to the Acres Homes area, which had long been without essential utilities. His firm provided engineering expertise, while partnerships he fostered with legal and financial entities facilitated the project's success.
As a dedicated board member of the Coastal Water Authority, Jim served pro bono for 18 years, including six years as chair. He was instrumental in building and maintaining water infrastructure that brought vital resources from Lake Livingston to Houston. His efforts in creating the Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority were pivotal, as he worked closely with elected officials and community leaders to secure legislative support.
In addition to his formal roles, Jim actively participated in philanthropic initiatives, including a significant donation to the restoration of the Alamo, ensuring its preservation as a historic site. His involvement in flood prevention initiatives in Houston reflected his deep commitment to improving the quality of life for all residents.
Jim's influence extended beyond his professional and civic engagements; he was known for his kindness, humility, and willingness to lend a hand to those in need. Friends and colleagues often remarked on his ability to connect with people from all walks of life, forging bonds that transcended social and economic barriers. Jim's commitment to community service was evident across various sectors, including healthcare, environmental sustainability, education, and faith-based organizations. He served on the boards of several institutions, including The University of Texas System Board of Regents, The Board of Visitors at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, The UT Houston Health Science Center Development Board and The Texas Heart Institute Foundation. He was a life member of the UT Austin Natural Sciences Foundation. Jim chaired the College of Natural Sciences Advisory Council for many years and well as the Texas Cancer Council for 22 years and was also chairman and a board member of the Greater Houston Salvation Army. More boards in which Jim was proud member - Harris County Heritage Society, Texas Lyceum, March of Dimes, The Alamo Foundation, Boy Scouts of America Sam Houston Area Council. He was honored to be a member of the Order of St. Lazarus.
Perhaps the culmination of his public service career so far was when he was appointed in 2007 to the Board of Regents of the University of Texas System where he became Vice Chairman of the Board of Regents and spearheaded the drive for The University System to enhance the commercialization of the technologies developed within the University so that the proceeds could be shared with the creators of the intellectual property or the faculty but also with the System as an institution to advance the funding of higher education and try to minimize the state appropriation dollars required for the very best education.
His tenure included overseeing critical projects, such as rebuilding the U.T. Medical Branch in Galveston and advocating for oil production leases that benefited generations of students through increased funding for educational endowments.
As a Regent, he had the opportunity to welcome to the UT campus the incoming Dean of the Cockrell College of Engineering, Dr. Gregory Fenves. Dean Fenves' dream for the University was to build a combined Engineering and Science Center, which could serve to create better and stronger collaboration between Engineering and the Life Sciences Schools on the UT Austin Campus. Jim introduced Dean Fenves to Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, whose support was solicited for State funding of a portion of the cost of the Engineering Science Center, which with the combination of State support and private philanthropy solicited by the Dean, is now an existing transformational change in the way engineering and life sciences are taught on the UT Campus.
Also during Jim's Regental service, he participated in the recruitment and selection of Dr. Ronald A. DePinho, the former President of UT M.D. Anderson; Dr. Dan Podolsky, the President of the UT Southwestern Health Science Center in Dallas; Dr. Giuseppe Colasurdo, the President of the UT Houston Health Science Center; and Dr. Francisco Cigarroa, who came in as Chancellor to succeed former Chancellor Yudof who left for California during that same interval.
Jim was heavily involved in the resolution and combination of the UT South Texas University to serve Brownsville, McAllen and Edinburg combined. Similarly, Jim was heavily involved in the effort to start the UT South Texas Medical School including the solicitation and recruitment of residencies so that the graduates of that medical school could stay in the area and provide the badly needed family practice coverage. He continues his service today as a member of the Executive Committee of the UT Chancellors Council and as a Member of the UT Austin Development Board.
He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley, their children Kay Dannenbaum Lawson, her husband Mac Lawson of Dallas, and Mark Joseph Dannenbaum, his wife Caroline Dannenbaum and his five grandchildren, Henry and Lucy Dannenbaum and McKinley, Madelyne and Miles Lawson. Jim's legacy of service, integrity, and love will leave an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him.
The family wishes to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all his healthcare providers at The UT Health Science Center Houston including Drs. Erin Furr-Stimming, Paul Schultz, John Munz, Bill Harvin, and Josh Gary. The family also wishes to extend its heartfelt thanks to his loving and compassionate caregivers from Texans Home Care: Jose Luis Ramirez Vega, Emily Maus, and Moises Ramirez Vega, and Maria Castillo.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o'clock until eight o'clock in the evening on Tuesday, the 8th of October at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
Prior to the service the family will have gathered for a private interment at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston.
A memorial service is to be conducted at three o'clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 9th of October in the sanctuary of The Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Blvd in Houston. Immediately following all are invited to greet the family during a reception at a venue to be announced during the service, to celebrate Jim's remarkable life and the profound impact he had on his community and loved ones.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial contributions be directed to The University of Texas at Austin, 2515 Speedway, Austin, TX 78712, UTHealth Houston, 7000 Fannin, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77030, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030 or The Monarch School and Institute, 2815 Rosefield Dr., Houston, TX 77080, honoring Jim's lifelong dedication to service and his belief in giving back to the community.
Please visit Jim's online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with his family.