Herbert Rather Jr.

Louis Herbert Rather Jr., born on June 14th, 1930, went to be with Jesus on Saturday, October 3rd, 2015, at the age of 85, at his home in Copperas Cove, Texas. Herbert was an only child, born and raised in Houston, Texas by his parents Juanita and LH Rather. He was selected to go to Rice University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in 1952, and Bachelor of Science in Architecture in 1954. Herbert married the love of his life, Jaqueline Elizabeth Rather, in June of 1952 and raised 3 children, Kathi, Jon, and Jay in a home he designed and built in the Memorial area of Houston, Texas. Herbert was Senior Vice President of 3D International, working on the first hotel in Dubai, the palace of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, even designing the first of its kind Galleria in Houston. Intending to retire, Herbert instead semi-retired in the 1980’s and bought a ranch outside of Lampasas where he continued to work as a consultant for many, many years, while living at the ranch raising horses, goats and hosting family gatherings. In addition to his professional career, he was also an accomplished and award-winning artist. Herbert was a US Coast Guard Artist, Signature Member and Dolphin Fellow of American Watercolor Society and National Watercolor Society. His paintings have been featured in numerous publications including Southwest Art, American Artist, and Best of Watercolor. Herbert’s paintings are in the collections of Dow Chemical, Community Coffee, Methodist Hospital, Bank of America, Herman Foundation, Kirby Forest Industries (among others) and many private collections and museums. He is survived by his wife, Jaqueline Elizabeth Rather, his three children Kathi Hall, Jon Rather, Jay Rather and wife Karen Rather, as well as their families including 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great- grandchildren, as well as his cousin Betty Randolph. We will remember him as the man who loved New Orleans Jazz, Chinese buffets and our Grunch with a pocket full of gummy worms, in a chilly pipe filled studio, paint brush in hand. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to www.preshallfoundation.org or www.visionlampasas.com