Larry Bass

In the beginning . . .  I was born on the day the U.S. declared war on Japan. A native Houstonian, born in the old Hermann Hospital, raised in the East End, schooled at Little Bo Peep Kindergarten, Southmayd, Deady and Milby.

How does one forget the Milby experience? You simply do not. It was all the football games and friends we made, Milby Park, the Teen Canteen every Saturday night during the summer. While I played football, some of the fondest memories are of the basketball team. I still have hand written notes of our 1959 team and the trip to State in Austin. We were anchored by a 7 footer named Alton Adams. We were 19 point dogs to Pampa in the first round and lost 42-41, then creamed Laredo 85-33 for 3^rd place. Then there was Gil Bartosh, our football head coach, the galloping ghost from TCU. What a wonderful coach. He took a football team of 22 players total, and we tied Reagan for district champ. How can we forget those days?

My favorite teacher, Neil Parker. My unrequited high school love, Kay Lawrence. My goodness, what a beauty she was. And then my buddies, Steve Daniels, who was older than us but a neighbor of mine in Glenbrook Valley, and a wonderful friend, John Echoff, Ray (Butch) Marshall, Danny Kirk, Billy Denning, Calvin Blackman, Tex Campbell, Willie Kucera and so many more great guys. Then the girls, well what can I say except hello Sheila Steele, Doris Simmons, Bonnie McCool, Frances Rader (a love from Southmayd), Melanie Winkler, Karla Lofgren, Linda McKnight and soooo many more. What wonderful people that made life so much more enjoyable; some with whom I have maintained contact, some unfortunately not. But, they are all a part of me and my life that will never be forgotten.

[Check out Larry's high school "ride' by clicking here. Sonny makes reference to it in the comments below, but Larry proved Sonny's memory to be somewhat ...well...SENIOR!]

There is life after Milby, so in 1960 it was off to TCU for one semester, then transferred to Texas Tech, not for a better education, just chasing Connie Oliveros, whom I caught and married in 1963. I was graduated from Tech in 1964 with a BS in Social Sciences and a teaching certificate, entered the University of Houston Law School that year and received my LLB in 1967. Then came active duty in the Marine Corps.

While in Tech, I joined the Marine Corps through a program known as Platoon Leaders Class Law. The program allowed me to avoid the draft, complete my education and practice military law while on active duty in the Corps. In exchange for the Corps commitment to me, I did summer camps in Quantico, VA., in 1961 and 1963, running up and down hills, learning combat techniques and stabbing things with a  bayonet. Upon graduation from Tech, I was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. Off to law school and 18 months later promoted to First Lieutenant. In 1967, with my law school education completed, it was off to the Corps for 3 years active duty.

Though I was guaranteed to practice military law while in the Corps, it is the Corps policy that ALL officers must learn to lead Marines in combat. So, I spent my first 6 months in the Corps in the Officer training program in Quantico. I am pretty sure I stabbed some of the same things once again. While at Quantico I learned that I had passed the Texas Bar Exam and was eligible to be sworn in as a real lawyer. There were several of my law school classmates in Washington D.C., and we were able to arrange to be sworn in by Mr. Justice Abe Fortas, in the United States Supreme Court, a most memorable experience.

Upon completion of basic school I was promoted to Captain and assigned to the Naval Justice School in Newport, R. I., to learn military law. I was there in January through March, 1968, and have never been so cold in my entire life. Next assignment, JAG offices at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C. It is Corps policy that the new and inexperience lawyers do defense duty. Once you know what you are doing you are then prosecute cases. An interesting concept though not so certain of the fairness. So I defended Marines charged with a multitude of offenses for about 4 months then took on the duty of prosecuting them. While at Cherry Point I took a part time job teaching history to freshmen students at East Carolina University. Not only did I enjoy that experience but picked up some spending money.

It was early 1969. Vietnam was heating up with the Marines fully engaged. I received orders to report to Headquarters, 3^rd Marine Division, Quang Tri, Vietnam. I had 30 days leave so Connie and I drove cross country on the way to Travis Air Force base in San Francisco. Stopped in Las Vegas to try to see ELVIS at the Hilton. We were unable to get tickets in advance and were told to just show up and perhaps we could get tickets at the door. So, there we were standing in a never ending line trying to finally get to the front and see if ducats could be had. I was in my dress white uniform. A gentleman approached, identified himself as the Club Manager and asked that we follow him, which we did, passing perhaps 300 people in that line, through the show room front door to two seats, center stage, first row! It was gratis and the Hotel’s way of thanking us for our service to the country. WOW! Made us feel wonderful and the show was spectacular.

After Vegas, it was back to the real world. The flight left Travis AFB for fuel stops in Hawaii and Wake Island, then to Okinawa for 2 weeks indoctrination for duty in country. From Okinawa it was military aircraft to Da Nang and helicopter to Quang Tri. I was assigned again to prosecution duty. The offenses were much more serious than those at Cherry Point, including murder and war crimes. All in all it was not a pleasant place. The normal in-country tour was 12 months but the 3^rd Marine Division was withdrawn beginning late 1968 to Okinawa, were I was assigned as JAG to the Commander of Marine Corps Air Station, Futema, Okinawa. In 1969 I was appointed Military Judge presiding over the Court Martial. That was wonderful though challenging  duty. In 1970 I was rotated back to the States and released from active duty at Camp Pendleton in California.

I spent a total of 13 years in the Corps. It was a tremendous learning, growth and rewarding experience, which I would not trade for anything. I am a far better person for having that Marine Corps training and experience.

Now back to the real world, I returned to Houston to begin the practice of civilian law and become reacquainted with my family. I had interviewed with a law firm after graduation in 1967 and they promised me a job when I completed my active duty. They were true to their word so I went to work with that firm. After 3 years I went out in the dog eat dog world and practiced law for the next 30 years in various small partnerships, becoming Board certified in Commercial Real Estate Law, which was my primary practice.

My marriage to Connie survived for 9 years, but collapsed in 1971, shortly after my return from overseas and separation from the Corps. We had no children. As many of you probably know, Connie met a most early and unfortunate death in 1987.

I met Kathy, who became, was, is and will always be the absolute love of my life. She is from Pennsylvania. In 1971 she was working in Washington D.C. for a law firm, decided to pull up stakes and move to San Diego. She stopped in Houston for a short visit and did not make it to San Diego until about 20 years later, when we took our two sons to a Marine summer camp in Camp Pendleton.  We married in 1973 and recently celebrated 35 years of mostly wedded bliss. I would not trade a day of our marriage for anything, but, if one is honest with oneself, there are always hills and valleys in a life commitment, and Lord knows we have had ours.

 

Kathy and I have 2 sons, both married and living in Houston. They have provided us 3 beautiful granddaughters, the oldest of whom is 5, all of whom are a wonderful handful to Nana and Grand Dad. The photo above is of Kathy with our 2 sons and #2 Granddaughter at the hospital waiting on #3 Granddaughter to join our family.

Here is Kathy with our daughters-in-law. We are a truly blessed family.

I retired from full time legal work several years ago and Kathy and I have been fortunate throughout our marriage to travel the world. Among the various places visited are Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Amsterdam, Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Canada, Mexico, many Caribbean and Mediterranean Islands, and of course our favorite places are right here in the good old USA!

We live in a small community in Spring, Texas. Our home is adjacent to the 13^th tee box at Willow Creek Golf Club, where I play golf 3 or 4 times a week. That is my relaxation.

Over the years I have been active with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, serving on several committees but primarily on the Steer Auction committee. The Rodeo is a most worthwhile organization which has provided millions of dollars of scholarships. I also have been active in Special Olympics and the Marine Corps Toys For Tots program. I am currently active as an officer and director of our homeowner’s association and serve in that same capacity with our golf club.

I often reminisce about Milby and the wonderful people from that era of my life. Those memories are always most pleasant. Karla and Ed and Ray Prichard have done a marvelous service to all of us in providing the Milby website and blog. I know it is a labor of love for each of them for their devotion and dedication is apparent in the website and blog.

Well, that’s about it for now. I hope to see all of you at the next reunion if not before. May God bless you and all of those for whom you care.

 Larry Bass

Please take the time to make a comment in response to Larrys biographical information. You will also enjoy reading the comments that others have left.

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Comments

[John Echoff]

Yo bass! By gum you finally did it, Whooee, thought I was going to have to carry out those empty threats of making stuff up about your illustrious life. All kidding aside, welcome to the site, take a while, sit back, relax and read some of the stuff the rest of us have been doing. Great post Larry, glad to see your story here.

John

[Sheila Steele Howard]

Hello Larry,
How great to hear from and about you. And thanks for the mention.
I too have many happy memories of our association through those years. Do you remember the day several of us skipped school for lunch at the Wagon Wheel? You drove the get-away car and of course we got caught. I can laugh now but then it was tramatic. Please stay in touch.
Sheila

[Clyde ( Sonny ) Jones]

Larry,
I have often thought about you over the years. You were such a wild man in high school, it's hard to believe you turned out to be a vital, responsible, member of society. Seriously, you have a terrific legacy to leave your kids and grandkids. Don't ever take that for granted because life is full of challenges and hard knocks, and a man's character is formed by the way he handles himself during them. Man, I'm really looking forward to seeeing some of you guys at the 50th. Do us a favor, and keep feeding the blog occasionally. You were always a really out-front guy and it's good to know that your only claim to fame wasn't that bitchin' cobalt blue Merc.

Your pal,
Sonny

[The Two of You]

Hey Sonny and Larry...

Have you seen the photo of the two of you performing a musical number at a Deady assembly? What a hoot to overhear the two of you meeting up again on the blog! Check out that photo in the "Photos from Deady Junior High" album - way, way down the list in the right sidebar.

While you are there, check out some of the others. For example, the cheerleader pyramid (Sonny is in that one) and the Sadie Hawkins Dance Royalty - Sonny is there too. Larry is seen doing La Cucaracha with a pretty seniorita. Then come back here and give us your impressions upon seeing yourself in the context of those "good old days"!!! Karla

[Clyde ( Sonny ) Jones]

Well, personally, I remembered Larry being much better looking than that. You may not know this but Mrs. Robb took up a collection from all her Spanish classes to pay for dancing lessons for Bass....he was that bad in the early going. However, I'm told he has redeemed himself several times over....never did get any better looking though, bless his heart!!

[Gladys Payne Bohac]

Hi Larry, sorry to say you probably do not remember me, but I remember you. You have had a great life even with the valleys and hills. We all have them, right. You sound very happy in your life and that is wonderful.

See you at the reunion 2010.

Gladys Payne Bohac

[Bonnie McCool Gervais]

Hi Larry,

I really enjoyed reading about your life after Milby. What exciting times you have had and you have an absolutely beautiful family.
I hope to see you and Kathy at the 2010 Reunion.

Bonnie McCool Gervais

[Colin Patterson]

Larry,
It was fun reading about your
adventures.
Do you still practice law?

Colin Patterson

[Larry Bass]

Good evening Colin. Good to hear from you.

No, I no longer practice law. I do, however, do commercial real estate consultation with several clients whom I have represented
for 20+ years.

Tell me about you and your life. I found no bio for you on the site. You should have one.

Hope to see you at the reunion.

Larry

[I agree with Larry - we need more info about you, Colin! You can write some things as a comment or send them to me by e-mail - [email protected] - and either way I will create a bio page for you. Karla]

[Frank Heide]

Larry, Thanks for your "Thoughts of the Day" & your service to the USA. I remember you dad had a Gulf station (correct?). You have done & seen things which most of us can't imagine..thanks again. I didn't talk to you @ the reunion but I took a pic & told everyone here that Buddy Epsen was there. Do you get that often?? Good health to you & yours.
Frank heide

[Larry Bass]

Good afternoon Frank:

Good to hear from you and glad that you enjoy the "Thoughts".
I have never regretted any part of the 13 years spent in the Corps. Good memories and values retained from that experience.
Well, must admit the Buddy Epsen look alike comment is the first I have heard. I figure it could be worse (and probably will be).
How did you end up in Wilmington? Nice country up there. Visited once in the late 60's when I was stationed in NC. My commanding officer was from there.
Hope all is well with you.

Stay in touch.

Larry

[Larry Bass]

p.s. to Frank.

The first station Dad owned was "Humble" @ Washington and Yale, and the 2nd was "Exxon" in Palms Center.

[Pete Reed]

Larry;
What a great post... I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Took me back.... b ball trip to Austin, etc.. I'm sure you just didn't have time to mention the "dirty dozen" and myself...
Thanks for the memories...
Pete Reed