Harold James “Jim” Crowley

It is with great sadness that HAR announces the passing of Harold James “Jim” Crowley on December 23, 2010. Jim was born August  3, 1924 in Chickasha, Oklahoma. He graduated from the University of Colorado with a BS in Business, majoring in Finance. Prior to 1963 when he became a real estate broker, he was Budget and Economics Manager for Gulf Oil Corporation’s Domestic Production Department in Tulsa, OK and Houston, TX.

Jim obtained his CCIM designation of the National Association of REALTORS® in November 1976 and was a founding member of the South Texas CCIM chapter. He was president of the chapter in 1981. In 1975 Jim joined the prestigious National Society of Exchange Counselors (SEC), an invitation-only organization of creative commercial real estate professionals. He was Texas Exchangor of the Year in 1978 and 1980 and National Exchange Counselors Exchangor of the Year in 1988. In 2004 Jim was named Counselor of the Year, the highest honor given by SEC.

In 2004, Jim was awarded the first Lifetime Achievement Award by the Houston, Texas CCIM chapter, and in January 2005, was awarded the Life Member of the Society of Exchange Counselors.

He was formerly active in the Bellaire/Southwest Rotary Club with 25 years of perfect attendance.

Jim leaves his wife of 61 years, the former Mary Oden of Waco, Texas; daughters, Sharon Baughn; and daughter Elizabeth (Libby) Beckham with her husband, Wallace; grandchildren, Tracy Evangelista, her husband Ray and their two children Wesley and Ryan; Lisa Baughn; Jimmy Baughn and his wife Maggie; and Scott Beckham and his wife Lara. He was also cared for and loved during the final months of his life by Mrs. Dorothy Ardie, who is considered a member of the Crowley and Baughn extended families. The family is grateful to Houston Hospice for their care and counseling during his final moments.

Hershel Milton Garrett

HAR is saddened to announce the passing of longtime member Hershel Milton Garrett with RE/MAX Northwest on December 22, 2010.

Hershel, who owned Red Carpet Garrett & Associates which became Garrett & Associates before closing in 1993, was born on January 9, 1938. He was preceded in death by parents Acil and Mildred Garrett of Midland, Texas. He is survived by wife Tracey Garrett, sister Abbie Garrett, daughter Kim Medrano and son-in-law Alex Medrano, sons Jeff Garrett and Jon Garrett and grandchildren Zachery and Logan Forest, Cody, Kayla, Blake and Hannah Garrett.

A memorial service celebrating Hershel’s life was held December 28, 2010 at Houston’s First Baptist Church Chapel, with John Young officiating.

Judith Ruth Gibbs

Judith Ruth Gibbs passed away on Sunday, December 26, 2010. She was a long time member of Congregation Shaar Hashalom where she is a Past-President of the Sisterhood. Judith was also one of the founding Real Estate Agents of Keller / Williams Bay Area Offices.

She is survived by her husband, Russell; son, Drew Gibbs and his wife Sarah; step-children, David Gibbs and his wife Nora, Dana Gibbs and her husband Larry Tippit; she was a second mother to Steven Saunders; grandchildren, Emily and Charlotte Gibbs, Katherine Tippit; brother, Don Rosenbaum and his wife Bette; niece and nephew, Lisa Wishengrad and her husband Jeff, Gary Rosenbaum and his wife Sheryl.

Funeral services were held on December 29, 2010 in the sanctuary of Congregation Shaar Hashalom, 16020 El Camino Real, Clear Lake, TX. Interment followed at Forest Park East Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Congregation Shaar Hashalom or M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in recognition of her being a breast cancer survivor.