James T. Edmonds, beloved husband and father and consummate gentleman, passed away unexpectedly on the 11th of May, 2014, at his home in Houston. Jim was born on the 10th of June, 1944, to James and Patricia Edmonds in Wichita, Kansas, and was reared in Los Alamos, New Mexico. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Kay, and his parents. Jim is survived by his wife, Annette Seidel Edmonds, and children, Andrew James Edmonds and Sarah Rose Edmonds. He is also survived by his brother Charles and family and numerous relatives in Kansas.
A proud member of the Church of Christ, Jim graduated from Abilene Christian University in 1966 with a degree in Government. Unsure what career path to take, Jim had the good fortune of attending college with the twin sons of newly elected Houston Mayor Louie Welch. One of them said, "Why don't you call our dad and work for him? He's Mayor of Houston." Jim went to see the Mayor, who offered him a job for $465 a month. "If I had known what I was getting into, it might have been different. But I was just a little ignorant kid from New Mexico who got stuck in a back office at City Hall, handed a city phone book, and told to answer citizen complaints. It was a grueling experience, but I sure learned a lot about city government," Jim explained. In all, he spent 10 years as Mayor Welch's Executive Assistant.
Only 18 months into that first job, Jim was offered an opportunity that further cemented the breadth of his civic knowledge and expertise in Texas. Texas Governor John Connally had been elected to his third and final two-year term. At the same time, Lyndon Johnson became President and much of Connally's key staff left for jobs in Washington, DC. "So the Governor was down here one day lamenting to Mayor Welch that all these guys were leaving him and that he needed some help. The Mayor said, 'I have this kid on my staff and that's all the help I can give you,'" Jim remembered.
Still wet behind the ears, Jim went to Austin to serve as Administrative Assistant to the Governor for just over a year. He handled Connally's itinerary, travel, letters and executive clemency. Jim returned to Mayor Welch's office, ran his reelection campaigns, and then followed him to the Houston Chamber of Commerce when Welch left office.
The private sector soon sought him out for his extensive experience and contacts. Jim became a consulting principal with KPMG-Peat Marwick and was a founding partner of the investment banking firm of Masterson, Moreland, Sauer & Whisman, Inc. (now First Southwest Company) before becoming President of Edmonds & Company, a business consulting firm.
Throughout his life, Jim was devoted to public service and understood the public sector better than most. He was first appointed to the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority in October 1996, representing Harris County. In June 2000, he was appointed Chairman of the Port Commission jointly by Houston City Council and Harris County Commissioners Court. He served as Chairman through 2012.
He oversaw a time of tremendous growth at one of the nation's busiest ports. His leadership and vision positioned the Port to manage what was forecasted and became unprecedented cargo demand for the Texas Gulf Coast and the Houston region. He led the Port Authority's strategy for obtaining a permit to build the Bayport Container and Cruise Terminal, which will ultimately triple the Port's container cargo handling capacity. The new facility allows the Port to capitalize on the expansion of the Panama Canal and increasing trade with Asia.
Jim increased communication between the Port and its many stakeholders. Daily he attended to Port business, spoke to groups large and small, and told anyone he come in contact with about the Port's importance to regional economic development and prosperity. He was a great communicator, always honest and straight-forward. He raised the Port's profile through an instructive advertising campaign that reminded everyone that almost everything in a home or office arrived on a ship at the Port of Houston. He traveled throughout the world promoting business with the Port of Houston.
Jim served on many boards of the Memorial Hermann Health System for 26 years, committing countless hours to its mission and goals. He was chairman of the Hospital System Board in 2007-2008. Jim's quiet and steady leadership was invaluable. In addition, he was a member of the board and executive committee of the Greater Houston Partnership and served on the board of the Texas A&M University at Galveston, Space Center Houston, the San Jacinto River Authority and the I-69 Coalition. Jim received numerous awards, primarily related to his work with the Port of Houston.
Through his marriage to Annette, Jim received another of the many life-changing opportunities that he experienced. Becoming a father to Andrew and Sarah was something he deeply cherished. When he was named Father of the Year in 2010 by the organization Change Happens, he said, "Being a parent is a gift, and our life's greatest challenge. There's no greater reward than doing it well." Jim and Annette were two halves of the same whole and were rarely apart. There was no question as to the depth of their love and devotion to one another.
Honorary Pallbearers are Andrew J. Edmonds, Ned S. Holmes, Robert M. Collie, Jr., James R. Royer, Michael G. Bartolotta, Grover G. Jackson, Joe B. Allen, Clive Shkedy, M.D. and Ariel Velasco, M.D., many of whom are his bird hunting buddies of many years.
Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family and share remembrances of Jim from five o'clock in the afternoon until seven o'clock in the evening on Sunday, the 18th of May, in the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive, 77057.
A memorial service is to be conducted at one o'clock in the afternoon on Monday, the 19th of May, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family in a reception to be held at the church.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to the "Edmonds Children's College Fund," c/o Prosperity Bank, Attention: Teller Line, 55 Waugh Drive, Ste. 100, Houston, TX 77007.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
June 11, 2014
Linda G
I am so sorry to hear of your family's loss, Annette. If I can be of any support to you, please let me know.
May 19, 2014
My condolences. May God Almighty be your refuge and strength in this time of distress.
Psalms 46:1
May 19, 2014
Susan Turbes
Annette, words cannot express how sorry I was to learn of your husband's sudden passing. Please know that I am thinking of you, and praying for you and your family. I do wish Mpls wasn't so far away so I could have attended the funeral.
May 19, 2014
Maxine Buckles
Annette, I am so sorry for your loss. Jim has left his mark on the Port of Houston Authority and will be missed. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
May 18, 2014
It was a pleasure doing business with Mr. Edmonds (moving and handy man work). He will be missed. Norberg Moving, Installation & Renovation
May 18, 2014
Gayle Drinhaus
Dear Nettie, I am so very sorry to hear of your husbands passing recently. Please know he will be in my prayers as well as your family. Love, Gayle McDonough Drinhaus
May 17, 2014
My dear Annette , I am so sad to hear that Jim has passed away , I so enjoyed visiting with both of you when you shopped with me , he was always so pleasant, kind and caring to me , a gentleman in every way , I so admired your love for each other my deepest condolences to you and your children .
Joyce .
May 17, 2014
Annette,I am so sorry for you and your childrens loss. You are in my prayers. Jesus will get you threw this. love Robert Zinn
May 17, 2014
Teri Manwaring McKenzie
Annette, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers ate with you.
May 17, 2014
Rudy Lopez
Annette, please accept my deepest condolences. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
May 16, 2014
Paul B. Joseph, PhD, ThD
Dear Mrs. Edmonds:
I met Jim many years ago when he was the go-to person for the Greater Houston PAC (Political Action Committee) and was a strong supporter of my potential run for City Council District B in 1986. Jim represented Houston Titans like Ted Dinerstein, Howard Horne, George Strake, Jim Box, John Chase, John Bookout and many others who urged me to run for political office. He was intelligent, professional, kind and a wonderful human being, we remained in contact from time to time over the years.
The last two months I thought of him often and planned to reconnect with him when I learned of his untimely passing this week. My heart is broken; we have lost a tremendous asset and friend, he will be deeply missed.
May God Bless and keep you and the family always.
Paul B. Joseph, PhD, ThD
May 16, 2014
Miguel R. San Juan
Annette-My deepest condolences and prayers are with you and the family on the loss of your beloved Jim. A golden heart stopped beating. Hard working hands at rest, God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.
May 15, 2014
Annette, Jim's passing is a personal and community loss. His friendship was special. And, his gift of service to Houston was selfless. May God grant you peace in the many memories and friendships made together. Herb and Alice Butrum
May 15, 2014
Mary Scott Nabers
The team at Strategic Partnerships, Inc. enjoyed working with Jim so very much. He was a great consultant and a wonderful friend. We share your loss! Annette and the rest of the family ...please know we have you in our thoughts and prayers.
May 14, 2014
Maria Eberhardt
I highly regarded my brother-in-law...his accomplishments, his talents, his determination, and his strength in all situations. However, I loved him MOST for his precious gift of 'love & family' that he gave to my sister, Annette, and my niece and nephew, Sarah & Andrew. My heart is so heavy for their loss, but also joyous that he set the bar high as a husband and father.
May 14, 2014
John Kelsey
Annette-You and Jim were an importanr part of a very important period of my life. I always admired both of you and was so warmed by your marriage.I hope that happiness and the grace Jim added to your family life will be with you forever and Jim will succeed to a life without suffering and uncertainty.
May 14, 2014
Isabel Nart
Annette, I am so sorry about Jim's passing. He was such a great guy. I always enjoyed working on projects with him, and getting to see his professionalism, knowledge and commitment to making Houston a better place. He will be missed. I'll keep you in my prayers.
May 14, 2014
James Bielstein
As a former employee of the Port of Hosuton Authority, I am deeply moved upon learning of Chairman's Edmonds passing. For his leadership at the Port and his time devoted not only to the business of the Port, but to building the people at the Port, I offer my sincerest gratitude. My humblest prayers are with Jim and his family.
May 14, 2014
Vince Guarino
Jim and I met when we were very young and he was assisting Louie Welch. He helped make the groundbreaking of Pennzoil Place a major event. Later Jim referred a substantial piece of business to my fledgling communications business creating a momentum which resulted in 20 years of success. Outside of business, Jim was a friend at a time when it was needed. For that caring he lives in my memory forever.
May 14, 2014
Martha Means
Annette,
Know that Jim was a wonderful person, who will be missed by so many; but by you most of all. So very sorry for your loss. Please know that many are praying for your family and you during this difficult time.
May 13, 2014
Frank Rynd
I am so sorry to learn of Jim's death. He has made so many positve contributions to our community and our quality of life. He will be greatly missed. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
May 13, 2014
Chris Kuhlman
Rest peacefully, respected and admired by those left behind. Palms together.
May 13, 2014
RACHEL BRISTOW
I AM SOO SORRY, ANNETTE....DARYL AND I LOVE YOU SO MUCH AND SEND YOU OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES.. SUCH A GREAT LOSS... WE LOVE AND PRAY FOR YOU AND YOUR FABULOUS KIDS...AND SEND YOU HUGE HUGS..RACHEL
May 13, 2014
Janetta Whiteman
Annette....what to say.....as Jim reminded me at last April's retreat, we'd known each other since 1988. He was definitely a favorite! Such a genuinely nice man. You were fortunate to have him by your side and he to have you. I hope you and your family will rest in those happy memories and the blessing of your time together - knowing you'll be together again one day.
Much love to you all.
May 13, 2014
J. Michael Solar
Annette, Patricia and I wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Jim was a special friend who was very kind, intelligent and cultivating, when he didn't have to be. He was always a steady hand on the tiller. Houston has lost a public-spirited citizen, you a loving husband and we a dear friend.
May 13, 2014
Audrey Henry
Annette, may God put His arms around you, Sarah and Andrew and hold you tight. May He give you strength as you walk forward together. You have lost a wonderful husband and father who loved you so much. Houston and our community lost a leader who quietly made many positive changes.
May 13, 2014
Esther de Ipolyi
Jim Edmonds was an extraordinary individual, a remarkable force in this community, and a wonderful friend. Much love to Annette whose care of Jim I very much admire. I cannot imagine what a loss this is to you, but I do know what a loss it is to Houston and Texas. Love, Esther
May 13, 2014
Suzette Caldwell
Annette, Please know that you and your family are loved and we are praying for you. May the joy of the Lord be your strength during this season of grief.
Kirbyjon and Suzette Caldwell
May 13, 2014
Jacquetta Smith
Annette, I know for sure that the comforting ministry of the Holy Spirit will be with you during this time. We are here for you.
Love,
Jacquetta and The Prayer Institute Team
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