Funeral services for Judge Robert Junell, who died Aug. 1, have been set for 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, 800 W. Texas Ave, with a reception afterward.
Graveside services will take place at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17 in the State Cemetery in Austin, located at 909 Navasota St.
Junell, a lawyer, was elected seven times to the Texas House of Representatives, rising to the chairmanship of the Appropriations Committee, and was later nominated to the federal bench, serving the Western District of Texas until his retirement.
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West Texas Remembers: Robert A. Junell
Neighbor and friend Vic Choate:
While Robert was good for the people of Texas, he was extremely good for Angelo State, and the City of San Angelo … Everything he did was 110 percent.
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Judge Jerry E. Smith:
Robert Junell was my dear and trusted friend and neighbor in Lubbock at Wheelock Elementary School, J.T. Hutchinson Junior High, and Monterey High School. It was quite a coincidence that we both ended up as federal judges, by different paths. We had lots of good times together.
He was an exemplary Texan and a fine judge. I will surely miss him.
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Standard-Times veteran Jack Cowan:
This is an enormous loss.
Rob might have been the most consequential San Angeloan of the last 75 years. In addition to the Houston Harte Expressway, he was responsible for or a key figure behind the San Angelo State Park, the West Texas Training Center, the Ralph Chase state office building, the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, the computer building at ASU and all that is just off the top of my head.
I’m sure others can add to it. He almost single-handedly saved the railroad running through San Angelo, springing into action when he learned the line was within days of being torn up for scrap.
Rob was relentless when he took on a task or cause, whether it was saving the state-supported living center at Carlsbad or spreading the word to get people to sign up for the new children’s health program.
He happened to be at the center of action when Texas government was at its best in the 1990s, when for a brief period good and competent politicians from both parties joined forces to do things that actually benefited Texans. Topping it all off, he was funny, generous and an all-around good person.
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Local author and friend Gus Clemens:
Friend, great and effective human being.
We raised children together, my son Gus and his son Clay remain good friends (Clay lived much of his senior year at Central with us while Rob and Beverly did great work in legislature).
I particularly enjoyed participating in his election campaigns. Easily the best political campaigns I helped produce, especially several TV ads.
He was a seriously good legislator who also was a seriously enjoyable and funny person. My life is richer for having known and worked with Rob (and Beverly).
From Facebook
A great leader and a great citizen. He loved Texas and West Texas in particular. I was blessed to meet him more than once. Godspeed Judge Junell. You have earned your rest.
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He was a great man to our community. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace. He will be missed.
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This is so sad. He was a change-maker.
About the Texas State Cemetery
The State Cemetery has served Texas since 1851, beginning with the burial of General Edward Burleson. The state officially purchased the 22-acre site in 1854, and it has since become a hallowed resting place for many prominent Texans, including Stephen F. Austin. It is considered a place of honor for individuals who have contributed to the state’s history, from astronauts to writers.
