A chapter in our family story has ended, and none of us wants to turn the page. How will we deal with the new pictures, the pictures without John? I have always treasured the ones of my husband and his three younger brothers lined up in birth order: Herb, John, Bruce, and Michael.
John's friend and mentor, Lou Schofield, said at the wake that John was the most honest man that he had ever known and not only that, John didn't have to work at it--it just came naturally. John was known far and wide for being kind to everyone. He was so modest that Herb and I never heard about his recognition by Texas Monthly or the Houston Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates until after he was dead.
John's Obituary
John E. Haught, beloved husband of Susan and father to Katie, Drew, Kelsea and Charlie passed away in Beaumont, Texas November 12, 2008. John was born August 30, 1959 to Herb and Joan Haught in Riverhead, New York. He grew up in Fort Walton Beach Florida where he met the love of his life, Susan. They were married in 1982. He was a proud graduate of Florida State University. John received his law degree from South Texas College of Law in 1988 and joined the law firm of MehaffyWeber where he became a shareholder in 1994. John was a gifted trial lawyer who tried more than seventy-five cases to verdict with the vast majority ending in favorable results for his clients. He was recognized in Texas Monthly magazine as a Super Lawyer and was recently inducted as a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Houston Chapter. John was loved and respected by other attorneys and judges and the members of the Court staff throughout Southeast Texas. He was loved and admired by his colleagues and the entire staff of MehaffyWeber. He was an honest, ethical and smart attorney with exceptional skills.However gifted an attorney he was, John was an even better father and husband. He was proud that he and Susan recently celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary. He talked about his children and their accomplishments all the time. He was so proud of them and saw the strengths of each one. He loved being with his family and enjoyed his time with them whether listening to Drew’s band or watching Charlie’s ballgame. He was so pleased that Katie has embarked on a teaching career and recently enjoyed presenting Kelsea at the Symphony Ball.
In addition to his wife and children, John is survived by his parents, Herb and Joan Haught; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Michael and Phyllis Haught, Bruce and Cecila Haught, Herb and Wendy Haught, Jr., Pamela Burns, and Carol Ridenour; his mother and father-in-law, Charles and Catherine Keeler; nieces and nephews, William, Olivia, Nadine, Riley, Nathaniel and Emmaline Haught, Colleen Marshall, and Jamie Sears; as well as many, many friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 15, 2008 at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Herb Haught, Bruce Haught, Michael Haught, Joe Broussard, James Peacock and Keith Foley will be serving as pallbearers. A gathering of his family and friends will begin at 4:00 p.m. with a Christian Vigil at 6:00 p.m. Friday, November 14, 2008 at the Mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Haught Children’s Education Fund at Capital One Bank.
5 comments:
I am sorry for your family's loss, Wendy. I'll pray for his soul, and also for his wife and children.
Dear Herb and Wendy,
When I heard the news about John, my first thought was about our trip to Beaumont to return Drew after a visit he'd made to your house. John and Susan came out to greet us and John gave me a hug. I was taken aback by an overwhelming sense of kindness and humility, a sweetness that was so genuine. We hadn't seen each other in years and I'd never known him well, but his greeting was that of an old friend. I remember thinking he was the type of person anyone would be comfortable being around and that he seemed to be a very tender father and husband.
Tender hearts like his seem to have a harder go of it in this world. I pray his rest is sweet and that God will take care of his family while he's away.
With much love,
Bev
My deepest sympathy goes out to the many broken hearts, suffering in this dark hour.
I work for an inusrance company in Dallas TX and John was one of 2 lawyers acting as defense counsel on the case.
Each time I spoke to John he was always kind and helpful.
I am a Cancer survivor and love life. I love waking up each day and so thankful for one more day to hold my kids and tell them I love them. I can't imagine losing all hope. I wish there was something I could have said during one of our conversations to make a differnce.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of John's friends and family.
Judy
This month's Bar Journal carried the news of John's passing. I remember him well from my days as a new lawyer and his as a clerk here in Houston.
John was a fundamentally decent human being without dishonesty or pretense.
My prayers are with him and his family. Richard White
Thank you, Richard.
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