Houston’s New Men of Distinction Take Centerstage — Do-Good Billionaires, a Local TV Legend and Medical Titans Step Up

$5.8 Million Raised For Research in 16 Years of Commitment

BY Shelby Hodge // 05.08.23

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Honorees Bill McKeon, John Arnold, Dr. Jim Muntz, Jim Crane at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Drs. Omaima Sabek, Joan Nichols, Dr. John Cangelosi, Shane Morris, at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Paul & Penny Loyd, Betty & Jess Tutor at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Joe & Cathy Cleary, Bill McKeon at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Houston Chief of Police Troy Finner, Tony & Frances Buzbee at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Dr. Jim & Anne Muntz at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Fred & Dianne Burns at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Hallie Vanderhider, Bobby Dees at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon.(Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Craig & Patti Biggio, Tony Gracely at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

John & Laura Arnold at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Richard & Ginni Mithoff, Jeff Bagwell, Michael Mithoff, Alan Bigman at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Sheridan Williams, Dr. Jim & Anne Muntz, Laura Ward at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Tony & Cynthia Petrello at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Whitney & Jim Crane at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Tony Chase, Jim Postl, Steve Trauber at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Alice & Keith Mosing at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Bobby & Phoebe Tudor at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Luncheon chair Dr. John Cangelosi & Natasha Minor at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Cora Sue Mach at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Gary Petersen, Mike Linn, Tony Petrello, Jim Crane, John Kotts, Dr. Devinder Bhatia at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Dr. Jim Muntz, Dancie Ware, Ernie Cockrell at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Joe Van Metre, Jim Bloodwordh, Ed McMahon at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Stephen Lewis, Dr. John Cangelosi, Dr. Jim Muntz, David Wuthrich, Ross Robin, Tony Bradfield at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Honorees Bill McKeon, John Arnold, Dr. Jim Muntz, Jim Crane at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

With 65 Gittings portraits of former honorees, powerful men, lining the walls of the River Oaks Country Club ballroom, it was a proud day for the Men of Distinction. Its 16th annual awards luncheon saluted five more men who have made remarkable contributions to the city of Houston.

None is more well known that Houston Astros owner Jim Crane. None better recognized for philanthropy than billionaire John Arnold. None more recognized as a physician of renowned than Dr. Jim Muntz. None more esteemed than Bill McKeon, Texas Medical Center president and CEO. And none more admired than Dave Ward, the senior statesman of Houston television news.

Police Chief Troy Finner, Tony Buzbee and Frances Buzbee (Photo by Priscilla Dickson) — Houston Chief of Police Troy Finner, Tony & Frances Buzbee at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

This formidable quintet and the Men of Distinction steering committee helped raise $370,000, which will provide equal grants to three entities in the Texas Medical Center — Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston Methodist and Memorial Hermann. Since its founding Men of Distinction has raised $5.8 million with 100 percent of the funds going to research in the medical center.

Proceeds from the 2023 luncheon were aided by support of presenting sponsors Sonic Automotive/Porsche River Oaks, Steak 48 and Tenenbaum Jewelers.

Sheridan Williams, honoree Dr. Jim Muntz, Anne Muntz and Laura Ward (Photo by Priscilla Dickson) — Sheridan Williams, Dr. Jim & Anne Muntz, Laura Ward at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Particularly interesting this year were several of the gents introducing the honorees. MLB Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell squiried for Crane; former Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt via video introduced Muntz, team physician for the Houston Texans, the Rockets and the Astros; and billionaire Tilman Fertitta heralded Ward, who was unable to attend due to ill health.

In a tearful moment, his award was accepted by his wife Laura Ward.

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Joe Cleary, Cathy Cleary and honoree Bill McKeon (Photo by Priscilla Dickson) — Joe & Cathy Cleary, Bill McKeon at the Men of Distinction awards luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

PC Seen: Emcee Tom Koch, Men of Distinction board chair David Wuthrich and Tara Wuthrich, Patti and Craig Biggio, Frances and Tony Buzbee, Scott Evans, Tony Gracely, Laura Arnold, Michael Mithoff, Penny and Paul Loyd, Holcombe Crosswell, Scotty Arnoldy, Tony Chase, Mike Linn, Dr. David Callender, Dancie and Jim Ware, Tony Bradfield, Stephen Lewis, Cora Sue Mach, Betty and Jess Tutor, Dr. Devinder Bhatia, Andrew Sarofim, Ric Campo, Polly McKeon, Elle McKeon, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Jason Fertitta, Ginni and Richard Mithoff, and Penny Butler.