January 2020
J. Leon Lebowitz, JD '43
J. Leon Lebowitz, longtime professor of law and a true mensch, passed away peacefully at home on January 11. He was 98. Leon, a scholar of both Judaism and the law, was a rare combination of brilliance, humility, and kindness. He was born and raised in Waco, Texas, where he often worked in the dry goods store owned by his parents, Frances and Dave Lebowitz. After receiving his law degree from Baylor University, Leon enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served as a staff sergeant in the 3rd Infantry Division. He fought in the Battle of Anzio, participated in the liberation of Rome, and was awarded the French Legion of Honor for his role in the liberation of southern France. Leon returned to Waco after the war. In a 1940s version of the Dating Game, arranged by a friend, he was introduced to Elaine Ephraim, a visitor from Plaquemine, Louisiana. They married in 1948 and had two children, Brian and Amy. In 1956, Leon left his teaching position at Baylor Law School to begin his career at the University of Texas, where over the years he taught thousands of Texas lawyers Civil Procedure, Business Associations, and Securities Regulation. Through his State Bar committee work, Leon was instrumental in shaping Texas law in those areas. Leon was a leader in the Austin Jewish community, serving as president of the Jewish Community Council, B'nai B'rith, and his synagogue, Congregation Beth Israel, where he was an active member for over 60 years and where he instituted the lay-led Saturday morning minyan. He also worked passionately for justice and equality, working to end Jewish quotas in American law schools in the 1950s and to expand banking opportunities to East Austin in the 1960s. He supported a diverse array of organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League, Austin Symphony, Chabad of Austin, and West Austin Rotary. In addition to his amazing whistling talent, Leon had a beautiful singing voice, and he always serenaded Elaine at their anniversary celebrations. He loved traveling, garage sales, books, music, interfaith dialogue, and playing bridge and poker with his buddies. He was devoted to his family, friends, community, and any cause he saw as helping the less fortunate. Leon is survived by Elaine, his wife of 71 years; his son, Brian Lebowitz and wife Lise Goldman, along with granddaughter Samantha Goldman, of Chevy Chase, MD; his daughter, Amy Greenspan and husband Donny; his grandson Adam Greenspan and girlfriend Shannon Scott; his granddaughter Gina Manlove and husband Kyle; and his great-grandchildren, Nelly and Miles Manlove, all of Austin. He is also survived by his two sisters and his brother-in-law, Bernice Beckerman and Shirley and Hy Warshaw of Houston. along with their children and grandchildren.
Sherwin A. "Sherm" Winniford, JD '58
Sherwin A. "Sherm" Winniford, of Waco, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend, went home peacefully on Saturday, January 4, 2020 surrounded by his family. Sherm, son of Claude Sherwin and Stella Mae (Witcher), was born July 13, 1931, and grew up on a farm outside Cumby, Texas. He attended East Texas State Teachers College, graduating in 1952 with a bachelor's degree in history. He served in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1955 and then attended Baylor Law School, graduating in 1958. Sherm practiced law in Waco for 43 years with the firm of Fulbright Winniford. He married Mildred (Torchy) Brown in 1954, and she preceded him in 1990. They had two sons, Dustye and John Charles. In 1992, he married Elaine Ferguson, and for the next 28 years they traveled, played golf (his favorite courses were in Hawaii), and shared so many of life's blessings. He enjoyed watching Baylor football as well as the Baylor Lady Bears. An avid reader, Sherm never turned down a book, especially when it was a biography or World War II history. He was a friend to all animals and was an incredible storyteller. Many friendships began with "Blue Suede Shoes"! His insight, sense of fairness, generosity, and dedication to the law will long be remembered. Preceding him in death were his parents; Torchy; mothers-in-law, Lillian "Mama" Brown and Helen Rose; father-in-law, Robert "Papa" Brown; brother, Dewayne and wife, Gloria Winniford; and brother-in-law, Richard Blackshear. He is survived by his wife, Elaine; sons, Dustye and John Charles; grandson, Randall; brother, Joe Don Winniford and wife, Mary; sisters-in-law, Boo Robinson and Kim Blackshear; brother-in-law, Clifton Robinson and wife, Betsy; nieces, Donna Davis, Devy Bert, Holly Robinson and husband, Nathan; nephews, John Winniford and wife, Nikki, Steve Winniford, Gordon Robinson and wife, Valerie, Charles Robinson, Beau Blackshear and wife, Samantha; many lifelong friends.
Joseph Edwards Bures, JD '63
Joseph Edwards Bures, a much-loved husband, father, grandfather, son and brother passed away peacefully on Friday, January 17 in Peachtree City, GA with his family present. He leaves his wife and co-star of 52 years, Marcia Ann Bures, his two-in house productions (daughters) Jennifer Schneider and Diana Fuller, his favorite son-in law James Payne Fuller, his grandsons Grant Joseph Fuller and Talon James Hartsell Fuller, his sister Evelyn Hogue and her husband Jim, his niece Sharon Hogue, and his nephews Brian and David Hogue.
Growing up in Shelton, Connecticut, Joseph discovered the game of golf at twelve years old and it was love at first birdie. The sport would play a central role throughout his life. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Ohio State University, Joseph served his country from 1958-1961 in the United States Army and went to Korea. Upon his honorable discharge Mr. Bures furthered his studies at the Baylor University School of Law where he held the office of Mid-Law Representative, Student Congress and was a member of the Baylor School of Law Board of Governors. After receiving his Juris Doctor from Baylor University, he went to New York, where he began working at Screen Actors Guild. In 1966 a leggy brunette, (Marcia) walked into Joe's office demanding to know where her Frosted Flakes commercial residual check was, and his life would never be the same. After a quick courtship Joe proposed and they were married soon after. Mr. Bures then pursued his Masters of Law from New York University and was admitted to the New York Bar in 1967. In addition to his studies Joe welcomed two daughters, Jennifer and Diana and had the opportunity to go to NBC and work in the contracts department. Shortly thereafter he was recruited to the Business Affairs Department in Burbank where he started as Director. In addition to being promoted, year-round golf weather was a huge bonus to the career move for him. He would stay at the Peacock network through his retirement in 1997 as Senior Vice President of Business Affairs, having worked on deals for legendary TV shows including Wheel of Fortune, Unsolved Mysteries, Riptide, Frasier, The Wonderful World of Disney, Law & Order, ER, and Knight Rider. The late former NBC President Brandon Tartikoff even established the "Joe Bures Negotiating Award" which was given to him and handed out in subsequent years. But no matter how demanding his work schedule was, family always came first. Every Sunday he, his wife Marcia, and his daughters (sometimes reluctantly) would go to church, play golf together, and have dinner. The phrase, "Church.Golf.Lasagna.Repeat," is widely known and celebrated by friends and family. At his retirement party, those in attendance asked Joe what he was going to do next and he simply said, "Play golf six days a week." Asked by another party-goer if he was going to get bored doing that every day Joe smiled and said "No." Joe spent his final years hitting the ball down the center of the fairway and spending time with his loving family.
Charles Edwin "Ed" Hinshaw, JD '74
Charles Edwin "Ed" Hinshaw passed away Thursday, January 24. Ed was born August 31, 1937 in Panhandle, Texas to Clark "Shorty" Oliver Hinshaw and Vita Thompson Hinshaw. He proudly served in the United States Army. Ed married Marva Hines on April 7, 1966 in Claude, Texas. He received his undergraduate degree in 1971 from Lubbock Christian University. Ed chose to further his education at the Baylor School of Law where he received his Doctorate of Jurisprudence. He served as the Carson County Attorney for 16 years. Ed was an avid sports lover, especially Panhandle High School athletics. He attended and videoed hundreds of games often gifting the athletes with film of their sport. In fact, he would follow Panhandle Panther athletes as they continued their collegiate sporting careers.
He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Curtis Hinshaw; granddaughters, Kalee Barton, Kristen Joy, Madelyn Hinshaw; and sisters, Ruth Profitt and Jean Kaufold. Survivors include his wife, Marva of Borger; son, Scott Hinshaw and wife Julie of Trophy Club; daughter, Kathy Joy and husband Kenny of Canyon; nine grandchildren, Kyle Joy, Kevin Joy, Grant Hinshaw, Garrett Hinshaw, Halle Grace Hinshaw, Brenna Hinshaw, Arden Hinshaw, Kirstyn Hinshaw and Kenlee Hinshaw; six great grandchildren, Avery, Harper, Fynlea, Cooper, Addisyn, Cru; two sisters, Charlotte Rathjen of Houston, Joan Dockrey of Arizona; and daughter-in-law, Crystal Hinshaw.
Richard Martin Leverick, JD '81
Richard Martin Leverick, age 65, passed away Sunday, December 15, 2019. He was born in Birmingham, AL on June 24, 1954, to Berdine and Alfred Leverick. He received his BA and JD from Baylor University. He married Pamela Ruth Zanetti on May 7, 1994 in Corrales, New Mexico. They were married 25 years. He was owner of Leverick & Musselman, LLC since 1986. He accomplished several precedent setting cases that were heard by the New Mexico Supreme Court. He was an avid fly fisherman and was member of New Mexico State Bar Association since 1982. He was preceded in death by his parents, Berdine and Alfred Leverick; and daughter, Shannon Leverick. He is survived by wife, Pamela Ruth Leverick of Corrales, NM; daughter, Catlin (Rob) of Houston, TX; mother-in-law, Marilyn Zanetti, Greg, Geoff, Regina and their spouses and families; grandchildren, Logan, Shelby, and Greer.
Kirby Jiles Roberts, JD '82
Kirby Jiles Roberts died on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, in Round Rock. He was 63. He was born on July 3, 1956, in Houston to Beverly and Wilton Jiles Roberts. Roberts received a law degree from Baylor University in 1982. He practiced for many years with his father and in individual practice. He was preceded in death by his father and mother. He is survived by his children, Benjamin Jiles Roberts and Emily Blake Roberts; siblings, Beverly Wilson and Maurice Roberts and several nieces, nephews and cousins.