Houston Cotton Munson, Jr., passed away Wednesday, June 14, 2017. Houston was born November 26, 1935 in San Antonio to Houston Cotton Munson, Sr. and Genevieve Hollman Munson. Houston married Peggy Quick on August 23, 1957 in San Antonio. Houston was a member of the Gonzales First United Methodist Church, the Texas Bar Association, the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, the Texas Longhorn Association, a lifetime member of Texas Exes Alumni Association, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, the American Quarter Horse Association, he was recognized as the Outstanding Conservative Rancher in 2006, he was a 30 year Charter member of the Spurs Basketball Association and Houston was a former District Attorney of the 25th Judicial District of Texas. Houston was born and raised in San Antonio but spent as much time as he could at the family ranch in Brazoria County. He played football and basketball while attending San Antonio Academy and in high school at the Texas Military Institute. He graduated from the University of Texas with Class of 1957 and married his charming sweetheart Peggy Quick. Houston studied law at St. Mary’s University School of Law and graduated with the Class of 1962. He worked briefly in San Antonio before opening The Law Office of Houston Munson in Gonzales. Houston’s father had owned the Munson ranch in Dilworth but upon his father’s death the family lost the ranch. Houston vowed to work hard and get that ranch back and by the 1970’s he purchased his father’s former ranch. Houston continued to work hard in his law practice enabling him to keep the ranch. He loved hard work and the challenges in managing a working cattle ranch. Houston had been a big fan of Willie Nelson and months before his 40th birthday Houston decided to call the people managing the singer/songwriter and arrange to have a concert on his ranch. Though there was no immediate response, later on Willie himself called Houston and they struck a deal for Willie to play a 4th of July concert in Gonzales. Initially the idea was discouraged by the Gonzales County Commissioners and other powers that be, so Willie played a private party at the Munson ranch. The party went so well that most who previously protested the 1976 Willie Nelson 4th of July Picnic in Gonzales now thought it would be a wonderful spectacle and the rest is certainly history. Houston loved his wife first and above all else. He adored his children and grandchildren. He was a child born into wealth and a man that worked hard and fought to get it back. He enjoyed raising crossbred cattle and well-bred American Quarter horses. He was generous to people who needed a helping hand, he loved life and loved people. He was the personification of an eternal optimist. Houston loved Vail, Colorado and enjoyed playing golf in the summers in the area and he was definitely passionate about snow skiing and continued to ski through the age of 76 where he was still challenging the black diamond runs. He loved the Spurs, Longhorns, Willie Nelson music and he desperately loved working cattle on horseback while roping and penning cattle. He taught his grandchildren to ride horses, rope and pen cattle. It wasn’t uncommon for Houston to get down on the floor and play with his grandchildren. He took time to uniquely bond with each of his 5 grandchildren. Certainly the grandchildren brought the love out of their grandfather. But there was never a question who held Houston’s heart and that was always his beautiful wife of 60 years Peggy. Together they shared a true and endless love. Houston knew well that all he gained in life would fade but the love he and Peggy shared would last eternally. Houston Cotton Munson, Jr. is survived by his loving wife, Peggy Munson of Gonzales, daughters, Elizabeth “Beth” Munson Bumpass and her husband Keith of San Antonio, Kelly Diane Munson of Gonzales, son, Houston Cotton Munson, III and his wife Beverly of Gonzales, grandchildren, Courtni Munson Baxter and her husband Kevin, Haley Diane Barret, Houston Cotton Munson, lV, Tyler Keith Bumpass and Collin Munson Bumpass, sister-in-law, Linda Munson of Pleasanton, brother-in-law, Corbin Snow, Sr. of San Antonio, and longtime #1 and #2 secretaries, Debbie Culak and Mary Lou Holub. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Ellen Munson Snow, brother, Wendell Munson, his friend and ranch foreman, Jimmy Condel and his loyal canine partner, Carrington. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 20, 2017 in the Gonzales First United Methodist Church with Pastor Matt Pennington officiating. Interment services will follow at 3 p.m. in Sunset Memorial Park at 1701 Austin Hwy in San Antonio. Pallbearers: His loyal cowboys, Bradley Baker, Coy Condel, James DeBord, Ryan Brown, Charles Zella and Raley Morrow. Honorary Pallbearers: Norman Burns, Bill Ploetz, Ron Holub, David Culak, Bob Scheske, Vic Brown and David Burrow. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation at www.m.alz.org/donate.asp, Accolade Hospice 222 W. Grand Avenue, Yoakum, TX 77995 or the Gonzales First United Methodist Church, 426 St. Paul Street, Gonzales, TX 78629. Friends may sign the guestbook at www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.

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