Kenneth Charles Kaye
Kenneth Charles Kaye, 71, noted League City attorney, passed away July 29 in Houston, after a decades-long battle with Crohn’s disease. A first generation American, he was born in Houston on September 15, 1942, to Walter Kaye and Margaret Schoening Kaye, who had come to America from Germany.
He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1964 and in 1968, was awarded his law degree from the University Of Texas at Austin. Kenneth was a loyal Longhorn all his life, particularly during football season.
He was board certified in civil trial law and was selected by the National Trial Lawyers of America as one of the top 100 trial lawyers in the nation. A member of the bar associations in Texas, Galveston County, and Bay Area, Kenneth was also a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. He served on several committees for the State Bar of Texas, including three years as chairman of the district Grievance Committee.
Kenneth was a referee or Master in Chancery for the 308th, 306th, 10th, and 212th Judicial District Courts in both Harris County and Galveston County. He also served as municipal judge for Taylor Lake Village from 2006 until 2013. He was admitted to practice law before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals, the U.S. Tax Court, and the U.S. District Court of Texas.
He married Patsy Jane Hays in Houston 44 years ago this month and became a loving father to her son, Gregory Nassar, and later to their son Anthony. He was a wonderful role model for his sons and an unfailing source of love and support for his wife.
Kenneth was a loving husband, father, grandfather, nephew, friend, and colleague who will be sorely missed by many who loved and respected him. He was preceded in death by both parents and his aunt, Dr. Eva Schoening Pfeiffer-Haufrect.
He is survived by his wife Patsy; his son Gregory Nassar; his son Dr. Anthony Bresenhan Kaye and wife Christy of Lubbock; two granddaughters, Alexandra Veronica Nassar and Marron Margaret Nassar, his sister Irene Kaye Crichton and husband Andy of Pennsylvania; three nephews, David Crichton, Stuart Crichton, and Peter Crichton; and his twin aunts, Ruth Schoening Schultz and Lore Schoening Aufhauser.
Private graveside services were held in Wheelock, Texas, where Kenneth and Patsy had a retirement home. A Memorial Service—a celebration of Kenneth’s life and work—will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, August 4, at the Crowder Funeral Home in Webster, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent in memory of Kenneth Charles Kaye, a good man and fine attorney, to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.
Words of condolence and memories may be left for the Kaye Family at www.crowderfuneralhome.com/obituaries
A wonderful,loving,caring GENTLEMAN. I will miss our phone calls,his humor,his caring and thoughtfulness, and I will always remember seeing how deeply he cared for and loved his family. Patsy I’m grieving with you and for you. We have lost a truly “CLASS ACT” and “ONE OF A KIND”.
My love and caring to the family.
LaDelle Brearley
HOOK ‘UM HORNS,KENNETH!!!! laDelle
Kenneth was a fine man and a very ethical and conscientious lawyer. It was always a pleasure to have lunch and visit with Patsy and him at Kelley’s, and on rare occasion I outsmarted him and got to pick up the check.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the Kaye family. Kenneth was a good person and fine neighbor who will be sorely missed by his long-time friends in Taylor Lake Village and the Houston area.
Kenneth was a true gentleman and one of the best Grievance Committee Chairman I worked with during my time as Senior Investigator with the State Bar of Texas. He was always well organized and kept great records. Plus, he had a great sense of humor. I will miss him. My condolences to the family.
Please accept my condolences at the loss of Mr. Kaye. He was a very fine man and a good friend. He will be missed.
“Remember Me”
Remember me with smiles and laughter for that’s how I’ll remember
you all.
Remember me with tears and sorrow don’t remember me at all.
Our prayers and condolences to the Kaye family
RIP sir
So saddened in reading of Kenneths passing. I initially met him in the early 70’s, and there were subsequent meetings over the years. INTEGRITY above reproach, and a wry sense of humor. With Kenneth RIGHT WAS RIGHT, AND WRONG WAS WRONG-period. It was always a pleasure to encounter him out and about.
“Death is not extinguising the lamp’ it is putting out the lamp as a new dawn has come”.
Just a few weeks ago Judge Susan Baker and I were discussing attorneys and Kenneth’s name came up. She said that he is probably the smartest lawyer she has ever known. That’s high praise from Judge Baker. I met Ken in the early 1970s and we shared a true interest in Texas history and exchanged books about it off and on. Then he hired me because I wanted to learn about the legal profession and his office was the best place to start. He was a patient, steady, fair employee and attorney. And Judge Baker was right…he was smart as the dickens. He loved his wife and sons without fail and quietly fought that hateful Crohn’s Disease with dignity and determination. He influenced my life without doubt, and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one. Peace and comfort to you, Patsy, Gregory and Anthony. We who knew him know that he loved you always.
Dear Patsy: With undescribed sadness I learned of Kenneth’s passing last night. I will miss him greatly as a colleague and friend for more than 40 years. May God comfort you and your family in this most trying time. Billy Smith
Patsy: When Gregory called, we were shocked and saddened to learn about Kenneth. We know not only did he fight this disease for many years, but that you gave it your all and then some to be sure he received the very best care and support. We hold you and your family in our hearts and prayers.
Dorothy and Rudy Gall
Patsy, Just returned from the Valley and read of Ken’s passing. He was a dear friend of over 40 years and will be forever missed. My prayers for you and your family. Beau Miller
Every Christmas I remember how wonderful was to be with my family in the States. It was really a new feeling form me: it happens in 1973 and lasted forever. Thank you for all things that I could learn with you!
We will all miss you. Thanks Kenneth
We were so sorry to hear of Kenneth’s passing. He was a wonderful person and an excellent attorney. He made the world a better place! He will be missed so much.
God bless you Patsy and your family.
Virginia and Bill Jacks
Patsy, we’re so sorry for your loss. We just found out about Kenneth’s passing and I’m so sorry that I couldn’t make it to his celebration service. He was a wonderful attorney and an even better man. He will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He certainly touched our lives and, for that, we are truly grateful.
Matt and Donna Noll
Although I didn´t see Kenneth since we were young kids, I did hear about all of his achievements through life, as a wonderful person, husband, son, father, professional and friend. I am so deeply sorry for your loss.
Lore Schoening (Edgar and Lily Schoening’s daughter from El Salvador)
Just found out about Ken. I will miss him. I am so sorry for your loss. His friend Mike Freedman