Jerry Dale Stafford
HAR extends condolences to family, friends and colleagues of member Jerry Dale “PawPaw” Stafford, 84, of Baytown, who died on April 22, 2023. Jerry was with Krisher-McKay Inc. REALTORS®.
Jerry was born March 13, 1939 in Mena, Arkansas, to parents Raymond and Ida Bell Rainey Stafford. He resided in Baytown for the past 62 years. He was a graduate of Texas City High School, received his Associate’s degree from Lee College, and is a member of the Lee College Hall of Fame. Jerry proudly served our country and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was a deacon and Sunday school teacher at Second Baytown. His work experience included managing Big Chief Grocery stores, selling real estate, most recently with Krisher-McKay Inc. REALTORS®, and serving as a manufacturing supervisor for AMOCO. He loved spending time with his family, working with his tools, and was very devoted to studying God’s Word and serving in his local church, Second Baytown.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Marietta Pongratz, Francis Girard, and Betty Stoll, and brother: Roy Stafford. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 62 years: Wanda Jean Rash Stafford, sons: Steve Stafford and wife Alma and Mark Stafford and wife Laurie, sisters: Helen Mays and Iris Weeke, brothers: Jim Stafford and Bill Stafford, grandchildren: Chris Stafford and wife Fallon, Lindsie Upson and husband Warren, Amanda Heathco and husband George, Cari DeHoyos, Leana DeHoyos, Tyler Stafford and wife Alicia, Alexis Hancock and husband Mason, and Rachel Kell and husband Gage, as well as great-grandchildren: Ella Heathco, Brady and Karter Upson, Silas and Socorro DeHoyos, Liam and Carson Hancock, Olivia and Margot Stafford, and Mya Stafford. Jerry is also blessed to have a wonderful, loving extended family.
Funeral services were held on April 26 at Second Baytown. Graveside services were held at the Peebles Cemetery in Goodrich, Texas. A complete obituary may be found HERE.
Linda Mireya Thompson
HAR extends condolences to family, friends and colleagues of member Linda Mireya Thompson, 62, who died on Friday, April 7, 2023. Linda had been with Texas International Realty since 2016.
Linda is survived by her best friend and beloved husband of 22 years, Mike Thompson. children; Jamie, Diana, Mauricio, and Gloria – (Alex). Linda dearly loved her 11 grandchildren and was proud of them all. She is also survived by her siblings; Gloria, Sandra, Lourdes, Icela, and Daniel. Linda was born on December 5, 1960, in Monterey, Mexico. She was the daughter of Pedro and Gloria who preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death was her brother Pedro.
After graduating from high school and earning an accounting degree, Linda eventually relocated to Houston. She was determined, productive and successful in every job she had. She once managed two restaurants and later worked for the Chemical Safety Council of Houston, translating safety manuals for chemical and industrial plants. She was very proud to earn her real estate license in 2004,
Linda became a naturalized American citizen in 2022. Constantly staying busy, she had many hobbies, from custom painting rocks to raising butterflies. Her favorite was probably cooking.
Funeral services were held on April 19, 2023 at Celestial Funeral Home in Pasadena, Texas. You may read the complete obituary here: https://www.celestialfuneralhome.net/about.
William “Bill” Witt
HAR extends condolences to family, friends and colleagues of retired member William “Bill” Witt who died on April 2, 2023 at the age of 90.
Bill was born on Galveston Island on April 24, 1932 to Ruth Leona Paysse and Whorton Raymond Witt. He married his loving wife, Jane Noel, on September 21, 1951. They were founding members of Westbury Baptist Church in Houston. He was a deacon and choir member of the First Baptist Church of Rosenberg for 55 years.
Bill graduated from Ball High School and Rice University, majoring in electrical engineering, and played baseball four years (1949-52) for the Rice Owls. He would later coach his sons’ baseball teams, traveling and watching all their sports and musicals and spending precious time with them in the country teaching them to work hard and enjoy nature.
Bill served in the U.S. Army at Fort Belvoir, Virginia from 1954-56. He later returned to Rice University for another degree to master new technology.
Bill was an entrepreneur and innovator, co-authoring three U.S. patents relating to seismic geophysical recordings which he parlayed into several start-up companies. Bill would later run several local businesses including Radio Shack and Fort Bend Security and finish his career with Witt Realty.
In 1968, Bill and Jane built a home in rural Fort Bend County and transitioned from city life to country life. His sons served as cowhands and Jane took care of everyone and somehow bridged the gap between Bill commuting to Houston and living miles from civilization. Unfortunately, their son, Mike, an accomplished rodeo rider, was killed in a car accident coming back from LA after riding out his bull that night. Fortunately, a beautiful granddaughter was born and filled the void in their hearts. Then a grandson arrived and completed the family. Now his family has been blessed with Julian and Avery continuing the circle of life and adding to a very rich family heritage.
Bill was an avid hunter and enjoyed time outdoors especially at Bucksnag with his hunting buddies and family. He nurtured his friendships and taught numerous young men to enjoy the outdoors and to commune with God.
Those remaining to cherish Bill’s memory include his wife, Jane, his son, Mark and his wife Jana, grandchildren, Courtney Witt and partner Wolter Last and Justin Witt and wife Laura Lea, and his great grandchildren, Julian Last and Avery Witt. His sister-in-law Virginia Witt and numerous dear cousins, nieces, nephews and their families.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his son Michael Richard Witt and his brother Raymond Julian Witt.
Services were held on Saturday, April 15, in the Chapel of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home in Rosenberg. Burial with military honors followed at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Rosenberg. You may read the complete obituary HERE.
Member obituaries and visitation/funeral arrangements for posting on HAR’s Members Only Portal and in the Houston REALTOR® may be sent to David Mendel at david.mendel@har.com.
