JEFFERSON COUNTY — Legendary attorney Walter Umphrey, who helped pioneer asbestos litigation and represented the interests of Southeast Texans for more than 50 years, has died. He was 85 years old.
Clayton Thompson Funeral Home in Groves confirms with KFDM/Fox 4 that "Walter Umphrey died today at his home in Beaumont, surrounded by his loving family."
Funeral arrangements are pending with Clayton-Thompson.
Umphrey was born in Southeast Texas but his legal accomplishments and skill, and the work of his law firm, were known across the nation.
His firm was one of five in the state that helped win a landmark lawsuit against the tobacco industry.
Umphrey contributed millions of dollars to Lamar University and his alma mater, Baylor University, and his philanthropy benefited organizations across Southeast Texas and the entire state. His name is on the LU football stadium, a state park is named after him, and his name is on the law center at Baylor.
Umphrey and his wife, Sheila, were married for 61 years. She says in lieu of flowers, you can donate to the Alzheimer's Association or the Humane Society of Southeast Texas.
Statement from Sheila Umphrey to KFDM/Fox 4's Angel San Juan: “He was my best friend and the love of my life for 63 years, married for 61, but started dating two years before that. I’m broken-hearted, but it’s for the best. He had been suffering from Alzheimer’s. He was not only a legend in his profession, but a legend to me personally. He loved being considered a...
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