Obituary of Robert H. Lord, Sr.

Robert Harris Lord, 87, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 6, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. Robert was born at home to parents Amelia Kleinwachter Lord and Joseph B. Lord on April 28, 1932. He was raised with his three siblings on his parent’s rural farm in Seaford, Delaware. He graduated from Seaford High School in 1950. He moved to Houston in the mid 1950’s where he worked diligently to put himself through school earning both his Bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor degree from The University of Houston. He credited two great mentors with shaping his legal career as a criminal defense attorney. In the early part of his career in Houston, he was mentored by the late trial lawyer Percy Foreman. Throughout his life, he always felt immense gratitude and respect for Mr. Foreman and the wisdom he conveyed to him. In addition, Robert clerked for the late Federal Judge Allen Hannay. He was very proud to have been mentored by such notable and respected members of Houston’s legal community. He practiced criminal defense law with compassion as he sought merciful justice for his clients. He felt very strongly about modeling respect for the accused and the right for all people to a fair trial and due process. He took special pride and satisfaction from his work in death penalty cases in which he was able to spare the lives of the accused. Robert was an avid runner who knew the importance of physical fitness and eating well which conveyed a culture of athleticism to his family. He had a love for nature and spending time outdoors with his children. He enjoyed comedy, laughter and was always quick with a witty remark. He loved the Lord. His faith was a constant source of strength for himself and those around him. Robert is survived by his four children: daughter Loretta Priesner and her husband Roger of Bryan, Texas; daughter Julie Lord and her husband Robin Krause of Seattle, Washington; daughter Ginger Renfro and her husband Chad of Murphy, Texas and son Robert H. Lord, Jr. and his wife Jamie of Richardson, Texas. He was the proud grandfather of seven grandchildren: Kennedy King, Jane Lord-Krause, Chapman King, Katherine Lord-Krause, Amelia King, Ellie Lord and Robert Lord III. Robert is also survived by his sisters: Diane Lord Smith of Delaware and Margaret Cade of Virginia as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph B. and Amelia Lord and his brother Joseph B. Lord Jr. Robert will be laid to rest on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at Restland Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.