May - June 2022
Graddy Tunnell, JD ’50
Graddy Tunnell, of Plainview, passed away on May 21, 2022. Graddy was born on May 1, 1928 in Quitaque, Briscoe County, Texas, to Ernest Benton and Maizine Graddy Tunnell. He graduated from junior college at New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell in 1946, Baylor University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1948, and Baylor Law with a degree of Juris Doctorate in 1950. He served two years as Judge Advocate officer in the United States Air Force. Graddy practiced civil law in Plainview, Texas, and was a name member of the law firm of LaFont, Tunnell, Formby, LaFont & Hamilton, L.L.P. for 60 years. Through the years, he served on numerous committees including: the Executive committee and past member of the Board of Trustees of the High Plains Research Foundation, Board of Directors for Texas Tech University Foundation-Finance and Investment Committee, Texas Tech University College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources- Dean's Advisory Committee, Texas A & M University System Long Range Planning Committee in Project 2000, Chair of the Executive Committee, Texas Agricultural and Natural Resources summit Initiative in 2000-2002. He was also chairman and member of several different boards and clubs: Board of Trustees of Wayland Baptist University, Plainview/Hale County Industrial Foundation, Inc., Plainview Chamber of Commerce, President of Kiwanis Club of Plainview, supporter of Plainview YMCA, Life Fellow of Texas Bar Foundation, Plainview Country Club, past Director of Hale County State Bank, and the Advisory Board for Methodist Hospital Systems Lubbock. Graddy was awarded the Plainview Man of the Year in 1992, The Gerald W. Thomas Award for Outstanding Agriculturist in 2002 by Texas Tech University, National Honorary Extension Fraternity, Inc., and the Epsilon Sigma Phi Service Award in 1993. Graddy owned a farm and had been actively engaged in farming operations in Hale County for the past 60 years. He was a member and deacon of First Baptist Church.
On November 28, 1950, Graddy married Gloria Blackburn in Dallas. They were marred 54 years before her death in 2005. He married Sherry Hoover in 2007 and was married 13 years at the time of her death.
Graddy was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Maizine Tunnell; brothers, E.B. Tunnell, Jr., Kenneth Tunnell and his wives. Survivors include his children, Richard Lynn Tunnell and wife Anne Elizabeth; Jeffrey Dee Tunnell and wife Marijo; Lindsey Graddy Tunnell and wife Susan Janette; six grandchildren, Christopher Lynn Tunnell, Annelise Huadou Tunnell, Sara Elizabeth (Cheston) Goudge, Natalie Claire Tunnell, Keland Walker Tunnell and Brennan Kayde Tunnell, two great granddaughters Birdie Claire Goudge and Mary Frances Goudge and special niece, Laura Tunnell Glass.
David D. Mullies, JD ’66
David D. Mullies, 81, of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday morning, March 28, 2022. He was born March 8, 1941, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Ewing Edgar and Wilma L. (Saunders) Mullies. He married Patricia Ann Jennings October 15, 1960, and she survives of the home. David graduated from Hume High School in Hume, Missouri, in 1959. He received his undergraduate degree from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas.
David graduated from Baylor Law in 1966 and was a licensed attorney in private practice, practicing in Texas and Kansas. Upon graduation, David and his wife Patricia moved back to Fort Scott, Kansas, where he began his career. He was partner and member of the law firm Hudson & Mullies for approximately 38 years, and served as Senior and Managing Partner of the law firm for 20 years. Last September, David traveled back to Waco for one last visit to Baylor University. He spent the day touring the campus with his wife, daughter, and son-in-law. The highlight of the trip was a meeting with Dean Brad Toben in his office. Dean Toben and the Baylor Law staff graciously spent a lot of time showing David the Law School building, classrooms, and the beautiful view of the stadium. He ended the evening sitting in the football stadium at the Baylor Club, looking over at the law school that he loved so much.
David was President, General Manager, and shareholder of Crutcher-Mullies Cattle Company for 20 years, which owned and operated a 2,000-acre farm and ranching business.
David was active in the community and held numerous memberships over the years. He served on the Board of Directors for Citizens Bank N.A. in Fort Scott for 29 years and also served as Chairman of the Bank Audit/Compliance Committee for several years. He was a member and Former President of the Fort Scott Jaycees and recipient of the Distinguished Service Award in 1971. He served seven years on the Fort Scott City Planning Commission, six of those as Chairman. He served three terms on Board of Directors for the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce and as President in 1976. He served two terms on Fort Scott Country Club Board of Directors as President in 1990 and 1991 and served as an officer and director of Fort Scott Industries, Inc. David also served on the Bourbon County Economic Development Council, Inc. for over 35 years, was Trustee for Bourbon County on Mid-America, Inc., was a member of the U.S. Highway 69 Association and U.S. Highway 54 Association, and served as Trustee for Bourbon County for many years.
David was one of the original founders and President of the Fort Scott Community College Endowment Association and served as a board member for the association for over 10 years. He was one of the original board members and on the committee to develop, construct, and operate the Southeast Kansas Community Corrections Center. He was a member of Phi Delta Phi International Legal Fraternity, a member of the Ancient and Honorable Order of Glorified and Exalted SOABS for 23 years, a former member of Kiwanis International, a member of Rotary International, and was on the Board of Directors of the Pelican Bay Association in Osage Beach, Missouri, for five terms. David served on the Mercy Hospital foundation Board for six years, was a member of the Wall Street Investment Club serving as Secretary for 30 years, and was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon social fraternity. He was on the Fort Scott City Library Board, Co-Chairman of the committee to write and update the Fort Scott Comprehensive Plan on original zoning regulations, served as General Secretary for the Old Fort Days Rodeo for three years, was a member of the Fort Scott and Bourbon County Solid Waste Committee, and was listed in Who’s Who Outstanding Young Men of America, Who’s Who in American Law, Who’s Who in American Business, and Who’s Who in Kansas. David was also a Fort Scott Law Library Trustee and on the Fort Scott United Way Committee. He was a member of the Kansas Association of Commerce and Industry, the Downtown Redevelopment Committee, the Town-cite Pack Committee for Urban Renewal, the Southeast Kansas, Kansas, and American Bar Associations, and the Bourbon County Bar Association, serving as President for three terms.
In addition to his wife Patricia, David is survived by his children, Lisa George and husband Rich, of Elmhurst, Illinois, and John Mullies and wife Carrie of Olathe, Kansas, his sister Mairlyn Weickert, of Pleasanton, Kansas, and his grandchildren, Heather Ann George (fiancé Alex Ong), Richard E. George, IV, Megan Patricia George, and Daphne Ann Mullies. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Edgar William Mullies.
Theodore Leonard “Ted” Tittsworth, JD ’67
Theodore Leonard “Ted” Tittsworth passed away Friday, May 27, 2022. Ted was born September 6, 1943 in San Antonio, Texas, to the late Joe and Molly Tittsworth. He graduated from Wilmer Hutchins High School, SMU with a BBA, and Baylor Law. He proudly enlisted in the United States Air Force and was a captain in the Air Force JAG for four years. He owned Arlington Law Office until he retired in 2011 after 33 years in Civil and Real Estate Law. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega at SMU and the Tarrant County Bar Association. Ted loved traveling, golf, gardening, hunting, and anything outdoors. He also loved decorating and cooking for the holidays, spending time in Maui, Hawaii, with his wife – walking along the beach, dancing in the moonlight, and exploring the island. Ted was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He will be missed.
Ted is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Debra Lynn Powell; sister, Judy Ann Tittsworth; sister, Gail Pemberton; sister, Patsy Fanin; sister, Dixie Tittsworth; brother, William (Bill) Terrell Tittsworth; and brother, Joseph (Sonny) Edward Tittsworth Jr.
Ted is survived by his wife of 39 years, Patricia Fay Tittsworth; stepson, Randy D. Summers; son, Jeffrey E. Tittsworth and wife, Kelley; daughter, Jennifer E. Ridley and spouse, Brian Bouffard; granddaughters, Jordan and Riley Tittsworth; grandson, Blake Tittsworth; sister, Mary Wilson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
William David Scales, JD ’79
William David Scales died May 19, 2022 at Baylor Scott and White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas. David was born in Evansville, Indiana, to William W. Scales and Mildred Peters. He participated in ROTC and later joined the Air Force from 1974 to 1976. He graduated from Baylor University with both his undergraduate degree and law degree. While attending Baylor, he met his first wife, Linda Loyd and they married on June 1, 1976. Their life transitioned from Florida to Texas, then later to Oklahoma for many years before returning to the state of Texas to be closer to their family. Together they had two children, Jeffrey Scales and Becca Scales. David spent several years as an attorney in Dumas, Texas. He worked within the Veterans Affairs legal offices for approximately 30 years. On October 2, 2004, he married his second wife, Billie Sue Scales of Salado. She had two children from a prior marriage, Trey and Taylor Hutton. In 2007, he opened his own private practice in order to serve the community around him. Billie Sue acted as his practice manager until they both retired in 2021.
David faithfully attended church throughout his adult life with attendance at Baptist churches, Nazarene churches, Methodist churches, and lastly Temple Bible Church. He and Billie Sue were members of four bible studies for many years. As his health became more challenged, Billie Sue remained by his side and was ultimately with him when he took his last breath. David was a bit of a character. He had a love of animals, with particular affinity for dogs, deer, and redbirds. His hobbies over the years included learning to fly airplanes, hunting, fishing, biking, and motorcycling. He was a member of Toast Masters for many years. David also loved singing and was a member of many church choirs as well as the Master Singers for several years. He had a big laugh and a smile that lit up his whole face. He also had a knack for picking up strays over the years and welcoming them into his life, this included people that needed support for a period of time and many times, a dog found alongside the road.
Survivors include his current wife, Billie Sue Scales, step-children Trey and Taylor Hutton, his ex-wife, Linda Scales, his children Jeffrey Scales and Becca McDougald, and his siblings Michelle and John Scales. In addition, he is survived by 12 grandchildren as well as his current puppies, Gracie and Happy. He is preceded in death by his parents William W. Scales, Mildred Scales, and his brother Larry Scales.
James Andrew Hensarling, JD ’84
James Andrew Hensarling passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on April 22, 2022. Born December 2, 1954, in Bryan, Texas, he was preceded in death by his father, Charles Andrew Hensarling. James grew up in College Station and graduated from A&M Consolidated High School in 1973 where he was an all-district football player and an Eagle Scout. He was accepted into Texas A&M where he was a 3rd generation graduate of the Corps of Cadets and a proud member of Company B-2. Following graduation, he enlisted and served three years in the United States Army where he achieved the rank of First Lieutenant.
Upon completion of his service to the country, James was accepted into Baylor Law. He graduated with his Juris Doctorate in 1984. In that same year, he met and fell in love with Lee Hooper. They were married in 1985 and shortly after moved to Edna, Texas, where James was the District Attorney in Jackson County. In 1987, James and Lee moved to Austin where they raised their two children, Lauren, born the following year, and Brock, born shortly after in 1989. James spent the next twenty years working as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas. Any time he wasn’t working, James prioritized being with his family, his greatest source of pride and joy. His happiest memories were of the summers he spent in Grand Lake, Colorado, where he watched his children sail and enjoyed his many friends at the Grand Lake Yacht Club. In 2008, James and Lee moved to Tyler, Texas, where he spent eleven years as a Parole Commissioner for the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.
James had a reputation for being intelligent and principled and was deeply respected by his colleagues. He was an avid learner and voracious reader who had a penchant for stopping at every historical marker he passed. He developed a passion for European football and loved cheering on the Tottenham Hotspurs. He was a man of great faith which was manifested in the way he raised his children, honored his wife, and lived his life both personally and professionally. He was kind, smart, honorable, selfless, and loving. His warmth and the way he made people feel around him was unparalleled, and it was evidenced in the innumerable friendships he created over his life. James was loved, cherished, and admired by his family and thrived over the past three years in his role as “Papa Bear” to his four grandchildren.
James is survived by his wife of 36 years, Lee Hensarling. James is also survived by his children and grandchildren: his daughter, Lauren Hensarling Huschka, her husband, Bryce Huschka, and their children, Maren and Milly; his son, Brock Hensarling, his wife, Arden Elliott Hensarling, and their children, Chase and Wells. In addition, James is survived by his mother, Ann Brock Hensarling, his brother, Jeb Hensarling, his wife, Melissa Fore Hensarling, and his sister, Carolyn Hensarling Arizpe, her husband Homer Arizpe; as well as nieces and nephews.
Lori Kaye Weems-Evers, JD ’94
Lori Kaye Weems-Evers, daughter of the late, William Zachary (Bill) Weems and Mary Kate (Suzy) Halbert Weems, was born September 26, 1968, in Lubbock, Texas, and passed to life eternal the week of April 22, 2022, in her home in Mary Esther, Florida.
Lori loved her family, her friends, and her life. She lived life to its fullest. Deeply loyal, passionately loving, and fiercely caring to all she loved and the causes she supported. She will be missed but has been restored to eternal life because of her faith in Jesus Christ.
Lori graduated from Nacogdoches High School. She earned her BA in 1990, her Master’s in English, and then her law degree in 1994 – all from Baylor University. After graduating first in her class at Baylor Law in 1994, she clerked for the Honorable Sam D. Johnson on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Lori Weems Evers fought for people in areas of Family, Criminal, Probate and Government Law. She was an experienced & accomplished Florida attorney with over 20 years’ experience. In 2017, Lori made the decision to return to her roots in the law, representing people who could not fight for themselves. An expert on the Florida Constitution and its interrelation with complex statutory and regulatory schemes, Lori could spot legal issues decisively and accurately. Most importantly, she used her experiences lobbying opinion makers and leaders to solve her client’s problem as quickly, creatively, inexpensively, and painlessly as possible. Lori fought tirelessly for children and was recognized by The Florida Bar, Lawyers for Children America, the American Bar Association, and Holland & Knight’s highest awards for representing Florida’s most vulnerable. Lori met her late husband, Greg Evers, in politics and they made their home in Baker, Florida.
Lori was preceded in death by her husband State Senator Greg Evers, her father Bill Weems, and her grandparents. She is survived by her mother Suzy, and her stepchildren Stephanie Evers Barlow of Milton, Florida, Jennifer Evers Wallace of La Grange, Georgia, and Rob Evers of Windermere, Florida, and two grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers Jon Weems and wife Amber of Marble Falls, Texas, Zac Weems and wife Becky of Nacogdoches, Texas, and Rob Weems of Midland, Texas – plus her pride and joy nieces and nephew: Lexi, Max, Morgan, Natalie, Carli, and Mia.