Houston said goodbye to two recently, Roy H. Cullen and Jack S. Blanton, Sr. The contributions these men made to make Houston what it is today — the Texas Medical Center, and Harris County Hospital District made an immense impact on the lives of many, through giving of their time and resources.
Roy Henry Cullen died in April, 2014, and was the highly respected patriarch and eldest of the extended Cullen family clan. The Cullen family is one of Houston’s most influential families. Their foundation and trusts have continue to impact hundreds of non-profits and numerous institutions in Houston, including the Texas Medical Center and beyond.
A local boy, Roy Cullen attended Lamar High School and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, where he studied engineering. Roy learned the “oil business” from his grandfather. With Corbin Robertson, Sr. and other family members, he discovered and developed oil fields operated by Quintana Petroleum Company. He was an officer and director of Quintana for many years. He obtained numerous patents for oil and gas drilling equipment. He also had a gift for finding and investing in real estate and venture capital investments. Roy was one of the original board members of Cullen Bank and continued to serve on the board after the merger with Frost Bank.
He touched the lives of many people in Houston through his contributions and support for countless charities, causes and the arts. He was a long serving board member of the Cullen Foundation and chaired the board from 1998 -2014. He cared deeply about education and served in several leadership roles for a number of different institutions. Individually, Roy was a generous supporter and advocate for the Texas Medical Center including Harris County Hospital District Foundation, which supports Harris Health.
Mr. Roy Cullen was a giant of a man. We were honored by his support of the Foundation. He is missed,” said Ruth Ransom, executive director, Harris County Hospital District Foundation, the fundraising arm of Harris Health.
Jack S. Blanton died on Dec. 28, 2013. Another giant of a man, he loved his church, family and Houston. He dedicated much of his time to making Houston a better place for all. When William Blanton’s son, Jack S. Blanton, married Eddy Scurlock’s only child, daughter Laura Lee, the bond between these two prominent families strengthened and would last through the next four and counting generations.
Jack and Laura Lee were married for 50 years. Raising three children, Elizabeth Louise Blanton Wareing; Jack Sawtelle Blanton, Jr.; and Eddy Scurlock Blanton, before Laura Lee’s death in 1999. Jack later married Ginger Renfroe in 2002. Throughout Houston and beyond, these families are honored where clinics, the Scurlock Tower, endowed chairs in the Texas Medical Center, etc. have honored their name.
Today, the second, third, and fourth Blanton generations continue to carry on the family legacy of their fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers by giving back to Houston helping to change lives. Both families have a tradition of giving back to the community. One of the ways is the Scurlock Foundation, in which Jack Blanton was one of three family founding directors.
Jack also demonstrated his love of community by serving on a multitude of institutions benefiting the citizens of Houston and Texas. Serving as Chairman of Houston Endowment from 1990 to 2003. Jack guided the Endowment from $400 million to over $1 billion in assets. Houston Endowment, one of the largest foundations in Texas, supports a wide-range of non-profits throughout Houston, and like the Scurlock Foundation, continues to change lives.
Jack was recognized numerous times for his contributions to the city and state. He actively served on the board of several health care institutions including Houston Methodist Hospital where he was a Life Trustee, the Harris County Hospital District, M.D. Anderson Hospital, and the Texas Medical Center.
Leslie Blanton, Jack’s daughter-in-law, was on our board at Harris County Hospital District Foundation. Jack Sr. and Ginger as well as Leslie and Jack Jr. were hosts several times for our Silver Tea, which supports our nursing education. Scurlock Foundation was also a contributor to the Breast Care Clinic at Smith Clinic of Harris Health. The Blanton’s have continued to attend events and given to our causes since 2000. We all miss Mr. Blanton,” said Ruth Ransom, executive director, Harris County Hospital District Foundation the fundraising organization of Harris Health.