Top Houston Lawyer Reveals Near Death Experience as Astros Owner and Wife Honored for Community Impact

For many gathered in the River Oaks Country Club ballroom, the story of tobacco attorney John Eddie Williams‘ life-threatening gunshot wound to the abdomen and his subsequent recovery at Ben Taub Hospital was news. Even those aware of the decades-old incident were moved by Williams’ brief but powerful recounting and his praise for the hospital.

“That night, they saved my life,” he said.

And for many, that was inspiration enough at the “Jubilee of Caring” evening to pick up a pledge card and fill in the blanks. The fact that the donation earned patrons a medical stethoscope was further incentive, a party favor that caused a hilarious round of guests playing doctor, listening to each other’s heartbeat and to their own.

This special night, celebrating the 28th anniversary of the Harris County Hospital District, of which Ben Taub is epicenter, and benefiting the Harris County Hospital District Foundation (HCHD), reaped a record of more than $875,000. Proceeds are earmarked for the much-needed first floor renovation of the Harris Health Ben Taub Hospital Level I Trauma Center (Ginni and Richard Mithoff Trauma Center).

Applause, applause for chairs Steph and Al Walker, Marcy Taub Wessel and Tom Wessel and Henry J.N. (Kitch) Taub II, who helmed the fundraiser that was short on program and long on impact.

The evening honored Astros owner Jim Crane and wife Whitney with a standing ovation and the Ben Taub Humanitarian Award, presented for their commitment to improving the health and well-being of the community as witnessed through their individual philanthropic work and through the Houston Astros Foundation, the initiative of which has been cemented by the Cranes.

With Lisa Malosky serving as emcee, the program included remarks by Harris County Hospital District Foundation board chair Theo Franklin who noted that the trauma center sees 80,000 cases a year. And in a moment of personal privilege for Williams, he introduced Dr. Kenneth Mattox, Ben Taub chief of staff and surgeon in chief, as a special thanks for his continuing life-saving efforts.

Culinary curiosity of the night: The purple mashed potatoes in such an odd plating that guests were guessing what the mystery veggie was and mostly passing.

PC Seen: Sheridan Williams, Hilda and Greg Curran, Lisa and Ralph Eads, Michelle and Frank Hevrdejs, Lynn Wyatt, Lisa Holthouse, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Janet and Paul Hobby, Algenita Davis, Carol and Mike Linn, Courtney and Christopher Sarofim, Jodie Jiles, Soraya and Scott McClelland, Jessica and Tom Roupe, Laurie Morian, Karol and Paul Barnhart, Cabrina and Steven Owsley, Swan Franklin, and Tatiana and Craig Massey.