Thought Leadership / News
September 28, 2010 
 Press Releases
In Memoriam - Lew W. Harpold

Gray Reed & McGraw, mourns the loss of our law partner, Lew W. Harpold, who passed away on Sept. 25, 2010.  Lew was a preeminent real estate attorney and has been a true partner to us for over 20 years.

In his early career, Lew was one of the founding attorneys of Hofheinz, James & Harpold and handled the real estate transaction to create and build the Houston Astrodome. Lew was also the primary legal counsel for Randall's Food Market and his dear friend Bob Onstead.  His reputation and leadership have been a key to this firm's growth and its ascendency in the Texas legal community. Lew challenged our lawyers to be excellent in the law and to have integrity in all aspects of life.

Lew Harpold was an extraordinary human being, deferential as a partner, loving and respectful to all people. Above all, Lew loved his Lord and was devoted to his wife, Dolores, who was also an integral part of our law firm family.

Lew Harpold was an All American football player at Rice, graduating in 1956. Lew was a Past-President of the "R" Club, and the success of Rice in academic standing and in athletics remained of highest importance to Lew throughout his life. Lew's son, Wayne, followed in his father's footsteps and was also a star player for the Owls.  All three of Lew's sons, Stephen, Grant and Wayne, became respected attorneys like their father.

Texas history, particularly Texas Indian history, was one of Lew's passions. Lew often entertained young lawyers at lunch, explaining the historical significance of events, always seeing humor in human faults and courage of risk takers. Lew researched and wrote several books on Texas Indian chiefs and tribes, and often wrote research papers on history as a hobby.

Lew would compare almost any current event to historical events, noting great accomplishments, quoting great men from Winston Churchill to Vince Lombardi. Lew's office was filled with Texas-made antique furniture.  On his desk was Wilmington's Guide to the Bible.  A photograph of President Abraham Lincoln was on his credenza, and his office walls were decorated with pictures of four Texas Rangers circa 1920 carrying sidearms; and a portrait of Roberto Clemente.

Lew rarely missed a day of work, even at 77 years old. Lew enjoyed challenging discussions on religion and he loved being a lawyer, serving clients with perfect ethics and morality.

Gray Reed and its 200 employees will dearly miss our partner and friend Lew Harpold.