Karl J. Amelang

1933 - 2022

Karl J. Amelang
November 7, 1933 - June 12, 2022
Karl John Amelang passed peacefully from this life into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, the 12th of June 2022, at his home in Houston in the company of his faithful son, Andrew. He was 88 years of age.
A native Houstonian, Karl served his country in the U.S. Army and then earned degrees from the University of Texas (BS Mechanical Engineering) and Stanford University (MBA). After college, he worked for local legends Eddy Scurlock and Gerald Hines before striking out on his own and embarking on a highly successful career of over 40 years in commercial real estate development as the founder and managing partner of Amelang Partners. Along the way, Karl's success, inspiration, and active recruiting in business helped launch the successful careers of many other individuals, including his loyal nephew, Wellington "Rocky" Stevens III.
At UT, Karl met and married his devoted wife, Julia Montgomery Amelang, with whom he went on to share his life and home for 58 years. Karl and Julia lived a full and active life together, being involved in many civic and charitable endeavors in Houston, including helping to organize and co-found the Post Oak YMCA (originally known as the West Family YMCA and later re-named the Trotter Family YMCA). They also traveled together to many countries around the world, including the former Soviet Union as well as many destinations in Europe, South America, and the Middle East.
In addition to being a successful professional, a prolific philanthropist, and a loving husband, Karl was an engaged, supportive, and generous father and grandfather. He was also a mentor, coach, counselor, and friend to hundreds of young men and women, always ready to give advice or help to those trying to find a better way, teaching in and financially supporting local churches, and running an active prison ministry for ten years.
Karl was also an avid history buff and collector of antique weapons, orders and medals, bronzes, and rare books.
Karl is preceded in death by his wife, Julia Montgomery Amelang; and his parents, Karl and Olga Amelang. He is survived by his sister, Doris Amelang Netto; his three children, Karl Andrew Amelang, Julia Amelang Brewster, and Adele Amelang Seger Lita; his sixteen grandchildren, Christopher Thomas Brewster, Karl John Amelang II, David Andrew Amelang, Laura Michelle Amelang, Sarah Corbett Amelang, Michael Alan Brewster, William Joseph Amelang, Elizabeth Amelang Thevanayagam, Nicholas Karl Seger, Paul Daniel Amelang, Mckenna Carolyn Seger, Kurt Michael Amelang, Hannah Grace Amelang, Timothy Neil Amelang, Mark Samuel Amelang, and Bryan Merrick Amelang; and his twelve great-grandchildren, Karl John Amelang III, Hunter Montgomery Amelang, Christopher Thomas Brewster Jr., Tyler Garrett Amelang, Braeden Alan Brewster, Mia Grace Amelang, Connor Nathaniel Amelang, Sadie Claire Amelang, Gunner Paul Brewster, Silas Hamilton Brewster, Evelynn Grace Brewster, and Oliver Sharavanan Thevanayagam. The family also wishes to acknowledge and express our heartfelt love for Valerie Sims, devoted caretaker for Karl and honorary family member.
Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family during a visitation at ten o'clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 21st of June, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where the funeral service will commence at eleven o'clock.
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.
KINDLY NOTE: Those unable to attend may view his celebration of life by visiting Karl's online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com and selecting "Join Livestream" icon in the "Services" section. While there, you may also share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence electronically with his family by selecting the "Add A Memory" icon.
The interment will follow the reception, via escorted cortege, at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Karl's name may be directed to the Salvation Army of Greater Houston, 1500 Austin St, Houston, TX 77002 (https://www.salvationarmyhouston.org), Prison Fellowship, P.O. Box 1550, Merrifield, VA 22116 (https://www.prisonfellowship.org), or the YMCA of Greater Houston, 1331 Augusta Dr., Houston, TX 77057 (https://ymcahouston.org).