Sad Sunday

The weekend was marked by some sad news for me and my family - my grandfather passed away suddenly. He was an amazing man and we'll all miss his Texas charm, intellect, and generosity.

One of my favorite memories was about 6 years ago - when he found out I didn't even own a cowboy hat. A lifelong Texas, he was completely appalled. In fact, he personally escorted me to the store to get a Stetson fitted! I'll miss him, for sure.

He led an amazing life. The obituary:




Edward E. Monteith Jr.
Monteith, Jr., Edward E. Born January 14, 1922, Ed Monteith was a native Dallasite. He attended North Dallas High School and then Texas A&M where he received a B.S. in Engineering in 1943. While at Texas A&M, Mr. Monteith achieved the rank of Cadet Captain, was a Distinguished student, member of Tau Beta Pi Honorary Fraternity, member of an intramural sports championship team, and received the Texas A&M's Veterans Club Best Drilled Metal in 1941.

In January of 1943 Mr. Monteith began service as an Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery Officer for the U.S Army, commanding a semi-mobile gun unit. In September of that year he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps in which he served through January 1946, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant. Mr. Monteith piloted a B-24 Aircraft as part of the 13th Air Force in the Pacific. For his military service he received three Air Medals and the Philippines Liberation Medal and Star. After completing his military service, Monteith returned to Texas A&M, completing B.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Petroleum Engineering in 1947.

Mr. Monteith began his professional career in January of 1947 as a Petroleum Engineer for Standard Oil Company of Texas. In September of that year he moved to Republic Bank, Dallas working as a Petroleum Engineer in the Petroleum and Minerals Division. He remained at Republic Bank until 1978 holding the positions of Assistant Vice President, Vice President, Senior Vice President and finally Executive Vice President, where he managed the Petroleum and Minerals Division for 14 years. While at the bank Ed earned a Masters Degree in The Executive Advance Management Program at Harvard University. From 1978-1982 Monteith served as President and General Manager of Thomson-Monteith, and as Chairman and CEO of the same firm from 1982-1988.

Mr. Monteith has been quite generous to Texas A&M, giving both time and money. A member of the Dallas A&M Club for the past 45 years, he served as a Trustee for the Texas A&M Development Foundation from 1972-1983 and has served as a Trustee of the Easterwood Foundation since 1980. He was a co-founder and Director of AMC Corporation, which has contributed over $250,000 to the Association of Former Students since 1961.

Mr. Monteith provided a President's Endowed Scholarship and special gifts to the Petroleum Engineering Department for budget supplementation and special projects. He has been a member of the Century Club since 1964. A member of the Texas A&M Library Development Council since 1983, he served as President of that council for 1987 and 1988.

Ed is survived by his wife of 65 years, Virginia; and two daughters: Jo Ann Houseman of Dallas and her husband Frank; and Patty Browne of Arlington, VA and her husband Bob; a son, Edward E. Monteith, III of Galveston and his wife Eve; and seven grandchildren. They are members of the Northway Christian Church, where they contributed to the building fund of the new sanctuary. Mr. Monteith enjoyed golf, tennis, jogging, skiing and photography. Services are pending at Restland Memorial Park. Donations to the charity of your choice are appreciated.