Obituaries

Uher, Tom, 81; Democratic legislator served for 35 years representing Brazoria, Matagorda, and Wharton counties; focused on education issues, also authored bill to allow direct access to MD Anderson cancer center without doctor referral; law degree from the University of Texas in 1962; in his native Bay City, March 9, 2019.

Umlauf, Charles J., 83, sculptor and professor of art at the University of Texas in Austin from 1941 to 1981; in Austin, Nov. 19, 1994.

	Gene Upshaw.

Upshaw, Gene, 63; Hall of Fame football star, Robstown native and lineman at Texas A&I University and for Oakland Raiders, led NFL Players Association since 1983, guiding the union toward winning free-agency rights for players; at his home at Lake Tahoe, Calif., Aug. 20, 2008. 

Vaccaro, Christine Pavia, 93; as co-founder of Mario’s restaurant she helped pioneer Italian cuisine in Dallas beginning in 1943; the nationally-recognized restaurant operated until 1980; mother of actress Brenda Vaccaro; in Los Angeles, June 20, 2001.

Jack Valenti.

Valenti, Jack, 85; Houston-born aide to President Lyndon Johnson who became president of the Motion Picture Association of America, where he instituted the movie rating system; at his Washington, D.C., home, April 26, 2007.

Valentine, Foy, 82; Van Zandt County native was ethicist and civil rights advocate who headed the Southern Baptist Convention’s public policy arm; in Dallas, Jan. 6, 2006.

Vandergriff, Charles Pleasant (Mrs. W. T.), 94; matriarch of leading Arlington family and philanthropist; in Arlington, Dec. 18, 1997.

Vandergriff, Tom, 84; longtime Arlington mayor first elected in 1951 who transformed the city by luring General Motors, the Texas Rangers and the tourist industry, Tarrant County judge until 2006; in Fort Worth, Dec. 30, 2010. His wife, Anna Waynette, 82, preceded him in death, July 3, 2009.

Vandiver, Frank E., 79; military historian who served as president of Texas A&M University 1981 to 1988; also was president of the University of North Texas 1979 to 1981 and acting president of Rice University 1968 to 1970; in College Station, Jan. 7, 2005.

Van Zandt, Townes, 52; noted country-folk songwriter, Fort Worth native; in Smyrna, Tenn., Jan. 1, 1997.

Vela, Filemon, 68; federal judge since 1980; was member of South Texas family with roots to mid-1700s; in Harlingen, April 13, 2004.

Vela, Ruben, 72; famed conjunto accordionist called “King of the Dance Hall Sound”, known for pioneering a choppy, staccato style; in Harlingen, March 9, 2010.

Vincent, Lloyd D., 70; president of Angelo State University in San Angelo since 1967; in Alpine, Aug. 5, 1994.

Vowell, Jack, 79; El Paso Republican legislator from 1980 to 1994, named one of state’s top lawmakers by Texas Monthly; championed education issues; in El Paso, Aug. 29, 2006.