LIVE UP TO YOUR COMMITMENTS 349 Live Up to Your Commitments (In spite of pain…) There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when it’s convenient. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results. —Kenneth Blanchard Motivation is what gets you started. Commitment is what keeps you going. —Jim Rohn Steve Stephens insisted that I insert this recent event that happened October 26, 2020 because it illustrates a valuable lesson to our bankers. This short story is about commitment, sacrifice, determination and the amazing reward that can happen when others see our concern for our community. I was asked to play again (maybe for the 20th time) on the Presidents’ Team for the Star Of Hope annual Golf Tournament. I am always the first to get my invitation, not because I am a good golfer, but rather because I consistently bring important people to play on this team. These are people who need to know about the charity and will potentially spend big money at the dinner auction, or simply those who are good prospects for becoming future donors and supporters. They are the lifeblood of this charity. Murray Bowden and wife, Polly, are very significant Houstonians, as is Gary Peterson, so I was excited to have them join me for the event. Gary is also a wonderful Amegy customer. Hank Rush, CEO of Star of Hope was so pleased I put this team together that he spent the entire day with my
350 AN AMAZING LIFE team, as did Fred Williams, the Chairman of the Board. Fred is also part of a significant Houston Company and is a wonderful board chairman for Star of Hope. So, here is the story… Sunday night before the tournament day, I had a horrible accident, falling down an entire flight of stairs at my Bay house. The stair handrail came off and the result was a very nasty fall… head first and on my back with my ribs bouncing off of 14 wooden stairs. The obvious result was about six badly damaged ribs which are still badly bruised or maybe even cracked (I did not go to a doctor… probably should have and I am still suffering nearly two weeks later). I seriously considered playing sick and not showing up for the tournament. But I would have felt awful for letting them down. I was so appreciative of Murray, Polly, and Gary committing their day to me. How could I possibly not show up? I attended the event, told them my story, and explained I could not do a full golf swing and would only try shots within 100 yards. It worked (as long as I did not run out of pain pills) and I was able to make a few significant contributions—we did tie for first place. But, the best part of this story is that Fred, the chairman, spent a little time telling me how appreciative he and the board are for all the things I do for Star of Hope, and that he wants to move a very major piece of business to Amegy Bank. So now, maybe because I was there, one of the biggest churches in Texas is moving all of its business to Amegy, along with a new loan of about $50 million. Also, I think Murray, Polly and Gary were moved by my passion to meet my commitments… in spite of the pain. This example is pretty extreme but is a great illustration of what can happen when we sacrifice, go out of our way to do what’s right, and follow through on our commitments… even though the path to completion is not a cake walk.
Part IX Other Things About Me
A LIFE OF CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY 353 A Life of Character and Integrity Image is what people think we are. Integrity is what we really are. —John C. Maxwell Character is, in the long run, the decisive factor in the life of individuals and of nations alike. —Theodore Roosevelt How do you want to be remembered? When your loved ones gather around your gravesite, what will they say? How will your friends, colleagues, peers, coworkers, employees, clients, competitors, and critics talk about your accomplishments in life and the means by which they were achieved? Will they speak with admiration of your generosity, fairness, and courage to stand for what is right? Or will they struggle to find anything complimentary to say? None of us wants to think about that day when we are gone from this earth, but it is coming for all of you, inevitably, but I can’t see it happening to me! The way you conduct yourself is probably one of the most important things you do. How you conduct yourself will greatly impact your reputation as well as the confidence people hold in your abilities. But it can also have a great impact on those around you. Your behavior reflects back on your family as well as the bank. Because of this, the character of each member of the Amegy team is important; it can influence the overall perception others have of the bank. That is why I have included a few thoughts here on the importance of cultivating a life of character and integrity.
354 AN AMAZING LIFE The Importance of Integrity With integrity, nothing else counts. Without integrity, nothing else counts. —Winston Churchill There is an old saying—that a person should do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. In other words, the reason to act with integrity is because it is the way to act rightly; anything else is wrong, unhealthy, unproductive, and undesirable. Put another way, Virtue is its own reward. Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. —C. S. Lewis In many ways, this is true. Acting with integrity—as a person of virtue, someone who pursues what is right because it is the right thing to do— brings a lot of inherent rewards. It brings fulfillment, a sense of personal satisfaction that your efforts were carried out to the best of your ability. This fulfillment can last through a lifetime. Looking back over your many years on this earth, there is deep and abiding pleasure that comes from knowing you did your best to live a life of integrity. Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone falls short sometimes, but there is far more satisfaction to be had at the end of your life if your years were largely full of virtuous choices than if you look back on a life filled with self-servicing, greed, dishonesty, and ill-gotten gain. I still often recall many years ago when my apartments caught fire due to a smoker in bed and 20 families had to vacate that night. I set up a card table in the yard and gave each family $1,000 cash (a cautious banker always as a few dollars in his sock). My tenants were low income families and I felt remorse for them and wanted them to have the required escrow to get a new apartment. It’s about compassion, caring, and doing what is right. There is also one’s legacy to be considered. A life of integrity allows you to leave behind a legacy of which you can be proud. If you can leave the world a better place than it was when you found it, then you can move on knowing your time was well spent. Incidentally, I get great satisfaction having raised millions for the Star of Hope Homeless Missions for over 30 years, and the many other charities I have helped. I did it because it needed
A LIFE OF CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY 355 to be done… and I was the guy to do it. You do not have to spend your final years worrying about the legacy you leave behind… instead, you can take pride in it, and cherish every remaining moment with peaceful appreciation for the days you have had. Integrity tends to build other character virtues, as well. In some ways, it is the baseline, or even the foundation from which others are constructed upon… or tumble into wreckage upon if the foundation is not secure. Honesty, compassion, self-sacrifice, justice, philanthropy—they all overlap with, or draw their strength from, integrity. If all boats rise with the tide, then the stately ships of virtue are carried aloft by the waves of integrity. As integrity is nurtured and developed in your life, other positive traits will strengthen along with it. You will find yourself committed to the right course of action with boldness and dedication, not out of obligation but because other parts of your character have been shaped to embrace this outcome as a positive one, a good thing to pursue. And when your goal is achieved, those traits are again reinforced by the satisfaction, enjoyment, and increased confidence that success with integrity brings. You will find yourself happier, even energized by the realization that you are fighting for what is right, that you are on the side of integrity and can claim a moral victory simply by standing your ground. The more you resist the corrupted path, even if it feels easier, the more you equip yourself for choices in the future—like muscles that, each time they are stretched to the breaking point, become a little stronger. You will resist the smaller temptations. And then, when the big temptation comes along to cripple someone else’s chance at success to foster your own, or to secure a coveted position through deceit or bribery, or to cheat your way to the top of the food chain, or to seize the opportunity to make a fortune illegally—well, you’ll be able to resist, to do the right thing, because those muscles will have been strengthened. It will be so out of your character to act in such an immoral way that you cannot conceivably see yourself taking that path and still being you. And so, you will choose the harder road, the higher road. The right road. •
356 AN AMAZING LIFE So, in a sense, the old proverb is right—virtue is its own reward. We benefit from doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do. We see the advantages accrue in our careers, our marriages, our families, our communities, and our overall impact on the world around us. But we will also manage to avoid some highly undesirable consequences. Have you ever noticed how the truth eventually comes out in the end? I won’t name names, but I bet that you don’t have to think too hard to come up with examples of people who failed the integrity test and took the easy way instead—say, cheating their way into millions of dollars, or abusing less powerful people for their own pleasure. Did they get away with it? For a while, yes. Are they paying the price for their corruption now? Undeniably. Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip. —Will Rogers “The truth will come out,” as they say. And although our culture tends to embrace survival of the fittest in some ways, to encourage a dog-eat-dog world in the marketplace, we are still irrevocably a society based on the ideals of truth, justice, and equality, in which the strong are meant to protect the weak—not prey upon them. Those who push their way to the top by cheating, stealing, abusing, and lying will eventually see their fortunes and futures crumble. Their legacies will be tarnished or utterly destroyed. Their families will be impacted, their marriages hit hard, their happiness erased. Even before the truth comes out and their positions of power and influence are taken away, they still have to wrestle with fear over when it might happen, paranoia about who might betray them, and guilt over their own choices. This is no way to live. And a leader who tries to lead in this way will find that he or she is crippled from the outset and will struggle to motivate any of the troops to follow in this kind of footsteps. A disloyal person will not inspire loyalty in others, and loyalty is key. None of us can make it on our own. A life of success and achievement can’t be accomplished by pushing our peers aside, stepping over them for what was a team effort. We need other people we can rely on, people who have earned our trust and demonstrated they will stand by us and come through when the chips are down. In turn, we need to give loyalty where it is due—we should commit
A LIFE OF CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY 357 carefully, but then follow through by being a person who is dependable, loyal, and true. As we give loyalty, and value it in others, it will come back around to us. This is a foundational principle for having a successful life. Knowing what’s right doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right. —Franklin Roosevelt So, it is a simple axiom, “do what’s right,” and yet it is one of the utmost importance, and quite challenging to put into practice. This is not a “one and done” task; rather, it requires consistent and perpetual commitment, day by day, opting to be a person of integrity even when it demands of you much more than you wish to give. Keep at it. Stand firm. At the end of the day, it will be worth it. Integrity has rewards that far outweigh those offered by any other approach to life. Professionalism Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching. —Thomas Jefferson I t is important to always look professional and act professionally, especially at public events or with customers and prospects. Do everything you can to make sure the people you meet know that you are proud of yourself as well as the organization you represent and that you want to be looked upon professionally. We put full length mirrors in our restrooms so you can check yourself before going out in public. Be sure your shoes are shined! When you are out in public always be aware that others are watching— and posting to social media. Avoid overdrinking, being loud and boisterous, or showing too much ego. Stay away from crumpled vanity and showing off too much ego or bragging. It is also very important to conduct yourself professionally in your communication with others in emails, voice mails, texts, etc., especially in this age where social media plays such a dominant role. Do not post inappropriate comments or photos on your social media page that would reflect badly on yourself or the bank. Be careful what you
358 AN AMAZING LIFE say and how you say it. Choose your words carefully; avoid foul language or remarks that can be misconstrued. Your indiscretion or lapse of judgment could possibly be spread all over the internet. Entire careers and reputations have been destroyed because of a momentary action, reaction or a misspoken word. Also be aware, in the past, some officers lost their jobs because of real trash found saved on their computer.
84 YEARS OLD AND STILL ENTREPRENEURIAL 359 84 Years Old and Still Entrepreneurial Entrepreneurial—100% a result of a curious mind. —WEJ Fifteen years ago, at the age of 70, we sold Amegy to Zions. I became Senior Chairman and substantially reduced my day-to-day activities at Amegy. I also took a substantial salary reduction in the process. When we sold to Zions, I cashed out my stock—which Harris understood since 90% of my net worth was in Zions stock—and started building and owning spec (there was not a signed tenant when I built) crane-served warehouses in La Porte, as well as truck yards for 18-wheelers near the port. Here is how that all developed. Building at the Port The Bay house, which I mentioned earlier, is in La Porte, 30 minutes from the Galleria from my Houston high-rise home and within sight of the ship channel and the Port of Houston which consists of Barbers Cut and Bay Port. La Porte is at the epicenter of the Port of Houston as well as the monstrous chemical industry that has, in the last five years, expanded by $200 billion—a fraction of the value of the chemical complex. It is a very dynamic area in which I have discovered a number of entrepreneurial opportunities. Out of curiosity, I learned that there was really very little industrial land available within miles of my Bay home. I knew that my greatest opportunity, and perhaps most secure for the future, was to invest in infrastructure. I also knew it would be hard to make much money buying someone else’s development with their markup, so I decided to develop my own from the raw land. I called Harris Simmons and told him that I was pretty rich for a very poor boy from the wrong side of the tracks in Fort Worth but unfortunately 90% of my total assets were in Zions stock. Any investment adviser
360 AN AMAZING LIFE worth his salt would tell you that is not smart at all and would recommend I diversify. Harris agreed. So, I sold my Zion stock and bought nearly 40 acres of land—in many parcels—all within a mile of the Port of Houston. It took me nearly 10 years to put it together, but I would develop a 7.5-acre tract across the street from the Port for use as an 18-wheeler truck yard. This property has a 15-year lease because it is close to the Port of Houston. It is one of my very best assets. Following this, I began building spec crane-served warehouse buildings. None were monster-sized buildings and all of them have a generous yard attached which is most often necessary to be an equipment yard. The largest is a 15,000-square-foot building on 3½ acres of concrete, plus 3,000 square feet of offices. I now have eight of them—two that I purchased out of distress and five that I built from scratch—and have plans to build two more in the near future. They rent for a significant amount per month and there is no debt—insulating me against even the worst economic downturn. Spec Houses I f I had not chosen to be a banker, there is little doubt that I would have been a contractor. Among my building projects, I also built seven spec houses. We would purchase a lot and then build a house on it, hoping to sell it upon completion. Yvonne and I really enjoyed designing and landscaping them. All of them sold before the slab was even finished. One of the eight warehouses developed with offices and equipment yards.
84 YEARS OLD AND STILL ENTREPRENEURIAL 361 The Lake Sometimes, I would also do joint venture real estate deals. In 2016, for example, I began a project that has proven to be almost as important to me as the creation of Amegy Bank. Two friends of mine—one an industrial realtor specializing in the chemical industry and the other an ingenious friend with many talents but an expert in managing dirt problems and opportunities—asked me to put up the money to purchase a 50-year-old 26-acre lake that is right in the heart of a chemical complex on the strategic south side of the ship channel. This lake had been dug many years ago when Ethyl Chemical built their plant and needed to source clay for their foundation. Obviously over the years, it filled up with rainwater and made a nice lake. But for 50 years, it was only in the way of progress because of its incredibly strategic location. The land where the lake was located was the absolute perfect location for leasing to a plastic distribution company. Plastic distribution companies take the plastic pellets that are made by chemical plants from the conversion of gas that comes by pipeline from the US, mostly from the shale drilling in West Texas. A great deal of the product is exported so it is strategic for the plant to be on the rail line leading to the Port of Houston. The plastic product is universally stored in hopper cars until it is sold. The plan was to fill in the lake and then build a 300,000-square-foot warehouse that would be leased to a plastic distribution company and sold at the end of two years. A Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) would do the interim financing for the tenant my two friends had in mind. Upon completion, the REIT would buy the project. We three partners would make a healthy profit over two years. It sounded like a good plan, so I agreed. I put up the money, paying for all the expenses of the operation. The first step was to drain the 26 acres of the 40-foot deep water from this lake—which we named our duck pond. We had no problem getting a permit and drained it into a ditch that goes to the ship channel, which was less than a mile away. Our next challenge would be to fill the hole. Nearby was a huge company known as Magellan that was building a tank farm and needed to get rid of their dirt. They were going to have at least 100 trucks hauling dirt for months to remove the dirt. We made a deal for them to bring us the dirt. Being only a few blocks away, they only needed ten trucks. We charged them $35 a load. I bought the big yellow pieces of dirt moving equipment and we started moving the dirt to fill in the hole and make the ground solid. We had a Geo Tech and engineers on the job to be sure that
362 AN AMAZING LIFE everything was done properly and ensure that the dirt was clean and that we had good compaction. I was, however, continually curious and nervous about the future of a 300,000-square-foot building sitting on ground that was formerly a lake. One day I told my friend and partner in the project that I was very curious about our strategic plan and wondering if it was the ultimate opportunity for us. Along the way, I had begun to worry and lose sleep over the fact that maybe this was not such a good game plan after all. Yes, we could make it work. Yes, we would be out of it in two years and totally gone. The problem that concerned me was what if five or six or seven years down the road the big building slab constructed on this landfill start cracking. I would feel horrible even though I had no financial responsibility. So, my curious mind started thinking about what alternative could we use for this tract of land. I knew it was in a very strategic location since it was in the middle of all the chemical plants. My friend who did the dirt work had told me a year or so before about Debra Willits, who was a specialist in the Rail Logistics business with a substantial background in rail movement and storage. I asked him to give me her contact information. I met with Debra and learned that she, in fact, had an incredible background. She had worked for two major railroads and had managed Celebrating with investors at the groundbreaking of the first rail yard. This site holds 500 rail cars.
84 YEARS OLD AND STILL ENTREPRENEURIAL 363 rail logistics for Kinder Morgan, one of the largest rail terminals on the Gulf Coast, less than a mile from our location. I was convinced that there was nothing that she did not know about the logistics of rail. Over about a 30-day period, she did her best to educate me on the subject. Debra suggested that we turn our property into a rail yard for rail car storage. There was a critical need for such storage because of all the chemical plants that had been built to process plastic pellets, which are created from natural gas. I became convinced that as many as 50,000 rail cars would probably be coming to Houston as a result of billions of dollars in new plants under construction. We have the cheapest gas in the world, more gas than we know what to do with, therefore I chartered a helicopter and Debra and I toured from the air every rail storage yard within 20 miles. Sure enough, they were so full I do not think you could have parked a Volkswagen in any of them. My curious mind was no longer curious. There was a far greater opportunity for our location and finding Debra was a one in a million opportunity. I did not want her to get another job; I needed her on my team. I bought both of my partners out, and in addition to the 26 acres I bought another 44 acres almost next door and raised $70 million to build the two facilities. Debra is the manager, partner, and the brains behind the company… and she is going to be a rich lady. Thank goodness for my curious mind, for my investors, and most of all, for Debra. including the buildings I own outright, and I fully expect that they will So, from age 70 to 84, I created projects costing about $85 million, • have a substantial market value within five years and fortunately I have a significant interest in them. Those that I do not own personally, I am the managing partner of the projects. This 15-year building experience was a creative challenge, a mental challenge, a financial opportunity, and in most cases prevented me from getting a full night’s sleep many times, not from problem solving, but from the exhilarating experience of being creative and finding solutions and opportunities—all of which caused my adrenaline to work overtime and push me to my limits.
364 AN AMAZING LIFE Second rail yard under construction that will eventually hold 1,000 rail cars. First rail yard completed and full.
84 YEARS OLD AND STILL ENTREPRENEURIAL 365 Second rail yard completed and full.
366 AN AMAZING LIFE Now I am 84 years old, and have lived an exhilarating life full of excitement, adventure, and success. Resting is not in my vocabulary but finding entrepreneurial opportunities is motivating, mentally challenging, and provides me more money for charitable giving. I will never retire! Standing on leased rail engine that moves rail cars to meet rail customer requests.
QUOTES FROM WALTER 367 Quotes from Walter I ’ve always believed that a succinctly put phrase can have more staying power and provide more useful knowledge than paragraphs of dull text. As Oscar Wilde once said, “Brevity is the soul of wit.” While I may be no Oscar Wilde, here is a list of some of my sayings and thoughts from a lifetime in business: Show me a business where everyone is a prospect and I will show you a great career path. Continual encouragement will motivate one to success while constant criticism will stifle productivity and results. With encouragement and recognition of a teams’ contribution, success can become contagious. What can go wrong will go wrong, count on it! Lesson learned at an early age… don’t bet more than you can afford to lose. It’s easy to call it luck but in reality, your reputation may be the reason people seek you out. Everyone is a prospect… even if they don’t know it yet. Necessity is the mother of invention. I firmly believe in working hard coupled with a balanced life. It’s easy to raise money in Houston for an emotional cause. You have to accept fate and stop worrying about the future when there is nothing you can do to affect the outcome.
368 AN AMAZING LIFE Uncontrolled ego can be a killer. When you realize for sure you have made a mistake, cut your losses short and move on. When you find yourself in a bottomless ditch, then stop digging and start over on higher ground. It’s amazing what might be accomplished when a curious mind is used to seek opportunity. A leader should never become complacent and not expect that disaster could be just around the corner. Treat everyone as you want to be treated and you will deliver great service and get along with everyone. If you want to be professional, then look the part. Always assume someone is watching. The person that will be selected for an opportunity will be the one recognized for his work ethic. It is not that difficult to have great work ethic when you are passionate and love what you do. Great accomplishments can only be achieved by perseverance. If first you don’t succeed, you try and try again. When opportunity knocks, you better be listening. Never trust a borrower when he is backed into a corner. Paperwork is meticulous and boring, but the consequences of not being meticulous can be disastrous.
QUOTES FROM WALTER 369 Keep your eyes wide open and ready for opportunities when the door opens. When a banker becomes complacent there is always someone who will take advantage of him. Education is not over at graduation— instead it should be just beginning. The best leader will stick with his convictions and make decisions others fear to make. When you know disaster is at your doorstep act bravely, regardless of what competition is doing. It takes a lot of guts to be a pioneer and leading the charge when everyone is going in the other direction. Success in life is not simply measured in rewards of business, it should also be measure in successful family relationship. I believe it is not simply the amount of time one spends with family, but should be measured in quality of time. It is quite evident everywhere you look, we have sacrificed quality time for our obsession with technology: smart phones, tablets, and even TV… episodes like Netflix. You have to be mentally strong to deal with problems you cannot solve. Never judge a book by its cover. You will never be able to motivate people if you don’t have confidence and enthusiasm for your own abilities.
370 AN AMAZING LIFE The difference in being a boss and a leader is that a leader will pitch in and help do the job... others will follow. There is no doubt that my rise through the ranks and the opportunities awarded me came because I had aggressively prepared myself for whatever the future might hold. A curious mind caused me to find opportunities and possibilities that were not obvious to others smarter than me. I don’t think anyone is born to be a successful leader. It is an acquired trait… through a drive for education and opportunity. The very best leaders show humility and are quick to pick up the paper clips and pitch in. Nothing is more important than understanding how to motivate people and there is no better way to learn the secrets than through Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People!” Never pass up the opportunity to give encouragement. Hire character… train skill. A misstep or even losing is not necessarily wrong unless you quit trying. We have no room for big shots in our organization. A sure recipe for failure is to load the executive office with big shots. Many people have the goal to win… but those who do win are the ones who were best prepared.
QUOTES FROM WALTER 371 The true entrepreneur is a doer… not just a dreamer, and he doesn’t procrastinate because that might open the door for someone else to accomplish the opportunity. I always tell my kids that you are known by the company you keep and it’s much better to be alone than to be in bad company. Pick your friends carefully… because if you lie with dogs you will get fleas. I have achieved so much more success than many people I know who are much smarter than I am and had more advantages in their lives—but they did not have the enthusiasm, the tenacity, the concern to prepare, nor the courage to take a risk. I believe that all successful people must have a strong ego… but the person who shows too much ego will make more enemies than friends and not be successful. The most successful people I know have a strong desire to give back to their community. So many times, I have seen the difference between two good people with the same capabilities and opportunities, but one will become more successful because they had the sense of urgency. I love doing positive things for people who do positive things for their community… I believe it’s a sign of character. Being impulsive can be a virtue, especially when you are totally confident in your own good judgment. Opportunities are often lost through procrastination. I don’t remember lacking in self-confidence or being afraid that I could not do it… I think that is the result of all the years I spent in preparation coupled with a very curious mind.
372 AN AMAZING LIFE The difference in the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination. You can recruit the smartest and most capable in the country, but if you can’t get them to buy into your dream then you will go down together. Imagine what we could accomplish if we could teach all of our staff to have a curious mind? You will never win the lottery if you don’t buy a ticket! If “no” is hard to say… then just say “yes” and qualify it with conditions you want to see… unless you really mean “no, never.” He who procrastinates is lost. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing you have done your best… whatever the challenge. Never be embarrassed if you lost… as long as you know you have done your very best. Much of my success, especially related to starting Amegy Bank and building two railroads, is the result of me seeing possibilities that were not obvious to anyone else. The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination. Don’t be afraid to try things that you don’t think you are capable of doing. Humility is a virtue. A curious mind is often the key to discovering great opportunities others have overlooked.
QUOTES FROM WALTER 373 You can’t get people excited unless you help them see and feel the impact. Never pass up a chance to give encouragement. Great accomplishments can only be achieved by perseverance. Hire character—train skill. A misstep or even losing is not necessarily wrong but you should never quit… keep trying. We have no room for big shots in our company but you will be measured by your ability to be courteous, considerate and generous, not occasionally but all the time. Many people have the goal to win but those who will win will be those who prepare. Courage is the main quality of leadership, in my opinion, no matter where it is exercised. Usually it implies some risk— especially in new undertakings. The difference between being a boss and being a leader: A leader has vision. He doesn’t show his ego and is willing to pitch in and do the same thing that he expects from others. The most important single ingredient of success is knowing how to get along with people. This is the reason I highly recommend everyone to read the book by Dale Carnegie “How to win Friends and Influence People.” I don’t think successful leaders are necessarily born to be leaders, certainly in my case, but you can become a successful leader by hard work, perseverance, enthusiasm, and taking every opportunity to motivate people.
374 AN AMAZING LIFE The very best leaders are those who show humility and are not afraid to pick up paper clips or rubber bands, or even pick up a broom and sweep rather than playing boss. I don’t remember lacking self confidence or being afraid that I couldn’t do it. I believe it is a result of all the years I spent in preparation. You will never win the lottery if you don’t take a ticket. Show me a very successful person and a very successful business and I know you will find that they are the ones who have a strong desire to give back to their community. Nothing is more rewarding than doing positive things for people who do positive things for our communities. There is no better feeling than recalling that you did something extraordinary successfully. A curious mind is often the key to discovering great opportunities others have overlooked. It is amazing what might be accomplished when a curious mind seeks opportunity. How much fun it is for me to look out the high rise I live in and see dozens of buildings that, over my lifetime, my bank provided the funds to develop. I get equal pleasure seeing some buildings that I did not fund, knowing the history of the struggles and the losses that ensued.
QUOTES FROM OTHERS THAT WALTER FINDS INSPIRATIONAL 375 Quotes from Others that Walter Finds Inspirational Putting thoughts into words is as old as time itself but only a handful of people manage to wordsmith bits of wisdom and insight that become memorable enough for others to recall and pass on to others. Quotes are generated on a daily basis and are usually free and easy to access by anyone. They rarely take more than a few seconds to digest and yet some contain messages that are quite heavy, giving you food for thought that can inspire you for months, if not years. There is power in words and a quote can connect feelings, sometimes deep emotions, with words. Someone is able to put an insight into words better than you could have ever said it yourself. Inspirational quotes can even instantly change your entire thought process, causing you to think of something in a way you had never considered before. Some phrases can become so powerful that they become mantras for generations, leaving a lasting impact on the world. Many of us read motivational or inspiration quotes to do just that— motivate and inspire us to continue on when the going gets tough. Some quotes teach or remind us of the principles we need to follow in order to maneuver through life’s challenges and obstacles. They provide us with that morsel of wisdom or encouragement that helps re-energize us when we are tired, stressed or confused as to whether the goal is really worth the effort. They push us forward, out of our lethargy, doldrums or perhaps procrastination. They provide us with a sense of wellbeing. They empower us to success. Inspirational sayings or quotes, then, are expressions of one’s thoughts, feelings, or emotions, typically sandwiched between quotation marks. Here are some of my favorite quotes. They have served me well, and I hope they do the same for you.
376 AN AMAZING LIFE IT TAKES 20 YEARS TO BUILD A REPUTATION AND FIVE MINUTES TO RUIN IT. IF YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, YOU’LL DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY. —WARREN BUFFETT THE TRUE MEASURE OF A CAREER IS TO BE ABLE TO BE CONTENT, EVEN PROUD, THAT YOU SUCCEEDED THROUGH YOUR OWN ENDEAVORS WITHOUT LEAVING A TRAIL OF CASUALTIES IN YOUR WAKE. —ALLEN GREENSPAN A CURIOUS MIND IS OFTEN THE KEY TO DISCOVERING GREAT OPPORTUNITIES OTHERS HAVE OVERLOOKED. —UNKNOWN NO MAN WILL MAKE A GREAT LEADER WHO WANTS TO DO IT ALL HIMSELF OR TO GET CREDIT FOR DOING IT. —ANDREW CARNEGIE ATTITUDE IS A LITTLE THING THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE. —WINSTON CHURCHILL THERE ARE NO SECRETS TO SUCCESS. IT A RESULT OF PREPARATION, HARD WORK, AND LEARNING FROM FAILURE. —COLIN POWELL GOOD JUDGEMENT COMES FROM EXPERIENCE AND A LOT OF THAT COMES FROM BAD JUDGEMENT. —WILL ROGERS I DO NOT THINK THAT THERE IS ANY OTHER QUALITY AS ESSENTIAL TO SUCCESS OF ANY KIND AS A QUALITY OF PERSEVERANCE. IT OVERCOMES ALMOST EVERYTHING… EVEN NATURE. —JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER
QUOTES FROM OTHERS THAT WALTER FINDS INSPIRATIONAL 377 PEOPLE WHO ARE UNABLE TO MOTIVATE THEMSELVES MUST BE CONTENT WITH MEDIOCRITY, NO MATTER HOW IMPRESSIVE THEIR OTHER TALENTS. —ANDREW CARNEGIE I WOULD RATHER HAVE A MAN WITH ENTHUSIASM THAN A MAN WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING. —JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IF I HAD EIGHT HOURS TO CHOP DOWN A TREE… I WOULD SPEND SIX SHARPENING MY AXE. —ABRAHAM LINCOLN ONE PERSON WITH PASSION IS BETTER THAN FORTY PEOPLE MERELY INTERESTED. —E.M. FORSTER THERE IS NO MAN LIVING THAT ISN’T CAPABLE OF DOING MORE THAN HE THINKS HE CAN DO. —HENRY FORD WE DON’T HAVE TO BE SMARTER THAN THE REST— WE HAVE TO BE MORE DISCIPLINED. —WARREN BUFFETT A QUOTATION IS A HANDY THING TO HAVE ABOUT, SAVING ONE THE TROUBLE OF THINKING FOR ONESELF, ALWAYS A LABORIOUS BUSINESS. —A.A. MILNE, IF I MAY MOST PEOPLE ARE OTHER PEOPLE. THEIR THOUGHTS ARE SOMEONE ELSE’S OPINIONS, THEIR LIVES A MIMICRY, THEIR PASSIONS A QUOTATION. —OSCAR WILDE THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE EXPERIENCE OF AGES, MAY BE PRESERVED BY QUOTATION. —ISAAC D’ISRAELI
378 AN AMAZING LIFE COMING TOGETHER IS A BEGINNING. KEEPING TOGETHER IS PROGRESS. WORKING TOGETHER IS SUCCESS. —HENRY FORD WHAT I KNOW IS THAT IF YOU DO WORK THAT YOU LOVE AND THE WORK FULFILLS YOU, THE REST WILL COME. —OPRAH WINFREY TO LOVE WHAT YOU DO AND FEEL THAT IT MATTERS… HOW COULD ANYTHING BE MORE FUN? —KATHERINE GRAHAM IT IS HARD TO BEAT A PERSON THAT NEVER GIVES UP. —BABE RUTH OUTSTANDING LEADERS GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO BOOST UP THE SELF-ESTEEM OF THEIR PERSONNEL. IF PEOPLE BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES, IT’S AMAZING WHAT THEY CAN ACCOMPLISH. —SAM WALTON THE BEST EXECUTIVE IS ONE WHO HAS SENSE ENOUGH TO PICK GOOD PEOPLE TO DO WHAT HE WANTS DONE AND SELF-RESTRAINT ENOUGH TO KEEP FROM MELDING WITH THEM WHILE THEY DO IT. —THEODORE ROOSEVELT FOR ME LIFE IS CONTINUALLY BEING HUNGRY. THE MEANING OF LIFE IS NOT TO SIMPLY TO EXIST, TO SURVIVE, BUT TO MOVE AHEAD, TO GO UP AND ACHIEVE, TO CONQUER. —ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER EXCELLENCE DEMANDS COMPETITION. —RONALD REAGAN
QUOTES FROM OTHERS THAT WALTER FINDS INSPIRATIONAL 379 SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE KEEP MOVING… THEY MAY MAKE MISTAKES, BUT THEY DON’T QUIT. —CONRAD HILTON COURAGE IS THE MAIN QUALITY OF LEADERSHIP, IN MY OPINION, NO MATTER WHERE IT IS EXERCISED. USUALLY IT IMPLIES SOME RISK… ESPECIALLY IN NEW UNDERTAKINGS. COURAGE INITIATES SOMETHING AND TO KEEP IT GOING PIONEERING AND ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT IS REQUIRED TO BLAZE NEW WAYS, OFTEN, IN OUR LAND OF OPPORTUNITY. —WALT DISNEY IF YOUR ACTION CREATES A LEGACY THAT INSPIRES OTHERS TO DREAM MORE, LEARN MORE, DO MORE AND BECOME MORE, THEN YOU ARE AN EXCELLENT LEADER. —DOLLY PARTON FEW THINGS CAN HELP AN INDIVIDUAL MORE THAN TO PLACE RESPONSIBILITY ON HIM AND TO LET HIM KNOW THAT YOU TRUST HIM. —BOOKER T. WASHINGTON EXCELLENCE IS NOT AN EXCEPTION… IT IS A PREVAILING ATTITUDE. —COLIN POWELL IT’S KIND OF FUN TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE. —WALT DISNEY EVERY BOOK IS A QUOTATION; AND EVERY HOUSE IS A QUOTATION OUT OF ALL FORESTS, AND MINES, AND STONE QUARRIES; AND EVERY MAN IS A QUOTATION FROM ALL HIS ANCESTORS. —RALPH WALDO EMERSON
380 AN AMAZING LIFE COMING TOGETHER IS A BEGINNING. KEEPING TOGETHER IS PROGRESS. WORKING TOGETHER IS SUCCESS. —HENRY FORD KNOW AND ACCEPT YOUR OWN STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES. IN OTHER WORDS, LOOK AT YOURSELF HONESTLY, UNDERSTAND YOUR PASSIONS, YOUR SKILLS, YOUR TEMPERAMENT, AND YOUR LIMITATIONS. IF YOU’RE A SQUARE PEG, NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU AND OTHERS TRY, YOU’RE JUST NOT GOING TO FIT VERY WELL INTO A ROUND HOLE. —KATIE COURIC
TRADING THE BOAT FOR GOLF CLUBS 381 Trading the Boat for Golf Clubs Golf is a good walk spoiled. —Mark Twain Golf is a game whose aim is to hit a very small ball into an even smaller hole, with weapons singularly ill-designed for the purpose. —Winston Churchill The year 2006 was another major transition in life for me and Yvonne when we decided to make what my friends and associates would call, an earth-shattering life change. We decided to sell our 70-foot yacht in the Bahamas we loved so much and leave the islands that had such an impact on our lives for nearly 10 years. I have always been impetuous and Yvonne calls me a dictator. I am sure she has good reason because I know that is the only way to live with a Scorpio for 64 years! Nevertheless, I had just turned 70 and had anchored in every cove in the Exumas, and navigated every place I considered a challenge, plus the fact that the stress and endurance required to do the kind of entertaining we were doing created the necessity to try something new. So, I suggested to Yvonne that we sell the boat and boat slip we owned on Paradise Island in Nassau and use the money to build a home in the mountains of Durango, Colorado on a golf course. All of my working career, I considered golf to be a four-letter word and an extravagant form of entertaining in both the cost and the time it required. With my 80-hour work weeks, I never considered leaving the kids and Yvonne on weekends to go play golf. Plus, it seemed to be a sort of stupid game. Nevertheless, we found a fantastic three-acre lot with incredible views on the 6th hole of what I speculate to be one of the most beautiful spots in the world.
382 AN AMAZING LIFE Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated. —Arnold Palmer Playing at Skibo Castle Now another challenge, created by a streak of luck, put a huge rush on my interest to learn to play the stupid little game in a hurry. Randy Meyer told me that he and I just been invited to do a road show for our public company and we would be joining Lehman Brothers Investment Bankers in London and Scotland. While in Scotland, Lehman would host us to spend a few days at the Skibo Castle, formerly owned by Andrew Carnegie, and we would probably play about five different courses in Scotland. Some golfers only dream about staying in the Castle and playing the nearby courses. Mastering the game, I speculated, would not be a problem for me because the trip was four months away and I had plenty of time. I immediately went to see Bruce Richardson, the head Golf Pro at River Oaks Country Club and told him I had put in my application to join the club and would he teach me the game really, really quick. I also told Bruce, “By the way, I need you to get me all the clothes I need and some clubs.” Golfing in Costa Rica at age 83
TRADING THE BOAT FOR GOLF CLUBS 383 Although golf was originally restricted to wealthy, overweight Protestants, today it’s open to anybody who owns hideous clothing. —Dave Berry No one, I soon learned, had ever seen the smile Bruce carried all week. He had found a sucker of all suckers! I started taking lessons from Bruce three days a week and practicing four days a week. Fortunately, Bruce knew some of the golf pros in Scotland, his native country, and assured them I would not embarrass them and could meet their minimum requirements even though I had no handicap—something I learned was imperative to enter any course there. Being a golf caddy in Scotland is a prestigious lifetime job, and the caddies are famous for their quick wit. I will never forget the day I was having a bad day. On the 12th hole, my caddy said, “Now Wally, this is the hardest hole on this course, so I hope you are ready.” I looked down a horrible looking fairway and I asked, “I can see that for sure and I don’t think I should use my driver… what are your thoughts?” His reply was, “Wally, the way you played the last five holes, I recommend you start out with your putter.” If profanity had an influence on the flight of the ball, the game of golf would be played far better than it is. —Horace G. Hutchinson My swing is so bad, I look like a caveman killing his lunch. —Lee Trevino At River Oak Country Club Tournament
384 AN AMAZING LIFE Life in Durango I have a pretty awesome daily routine in Durango. Most days I get up at 6 a.m. and take a threeto five-mile hike. I usually get in about 50 or 60 miles a month… my record is 80. Then I return for breakfast with Yvonne before both of us go play 18 holes together, often with other couples. Yvonne is really pretty good and we both shoot about 100 to 105 consistently—which is certainly nothing to brag about, but at least we do not embarrass ourselves. For t he f i rst ni ne yea rs, Yvonne and I spent the summers in Durango, but since I started building rail facilities four years ago, I need to be in Houston every few weeks. This year, due to the Coronavirus, I am afraid we will not see much of Colorado at all. It is so nice and cool there, but I am always happy to spend more time at my 93-year-old home on Galveston Bay and it is only 30 minutes from Amegy Bank. Golfing in Durango
TRADING THE BOAT FOR GOLF CLUBS 385 Learning to Fly Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute. —Gil Stern Every take-off is optional. Every landing is mandatory. —Unknown About five years ago, I realized that I needed to be in Houston pretty regularly about every two weeks, so I had the bright idea that I might want to have my own small plane. Of course, it is important to learn to fly first, so I started taking flying lessons two or three days a week. I quickly learned I loved to fly and was actually pretty good at it, but there was one problem—I was horrible at landing. And there was a good chance if I continued, I was going to kill myself. Landing a plane is the only challenge in life that I have not been able to overcome. A ‘good’ landing is one from which you can walk away. A ‘great’ landing is one after which they can use the plane again. —Unknown
CRAFTSMANSHIP 387 Craftsmanship Measure Twice, Cut Once. —English Proverb A craftsman knows in advance what the finished result will be, while the artist knows only what it will be when he has finished it. —W.H. Auden Woodworking minus patience equals firewood. —Author unknown I have always gotten my greatest satisfaction from working with my hands. It is a combination of using my curious mind coupled with being creative. The satisfaction of looking back at my projects and knowing that I designed it, crafted it, and now enjoy it is a pleasure that really lasts forever. It is not an instant gratification whereby I enjoy it then it is over… gone. My first opportunity to be creative was when I designed and built my own boat while still a teenager, using a wrecked hull of a fishing boat. I turned it into the prettiest boat in Fort Worth. Then, while I was working at Monings Department Store at the age of 16- and 17-years old, I had the pleasure of building displays created by the artistic people who designed window displays. I would use chicken wire (a woven wire that my Dad used to keep the chickens inside a fence). I would mould it into shapes and cover it with newspapers held together by glue that I made from common baking flour. The artist would then paint it. I also used bamboo and other woods to construct displays. Artsy folks were always pleased with my work. In my early marriage, I designed and built a very attractive sewing machine cabinet and created a way to fold the machine within the cabinet out of sight. We still have that cabinet in our bedroom and Yvonne still
388 AN AMAZING LIFE uses it although it is now at least 60 years old. The only tools I had at the time were a saber saw, a skill saw and some hand tools. My Bay home, 30 minutes away from the city, is really my greatest masterpiece. Yvonne and I started with a tear-down 65-year-old house just 50 feet off the water’s edge and turned it into our little mansion on the Bay… after three and a half years of us both dedicating about 7,000 hours (which equates to about 40 hours a week, including vacations, holidays and every Saturday and Sunday). We always worked at least 30 hours every single weekend. But it was not work! It was so much fun! We had to make ourselves go back to Houston on Sunday nights. We tore out walls, beamed the ceilings, designed lofts and new bathrooms in attic spaces, turned two bedrooms into a master suite, built a fireplace, etc. The house has no sheetrock. Walls and ceilings are the original five-inch-wide V-grooved boards, painted white. Now it is four bedrooms, kitchen, dining room and living room combination, another family room that used to be the garage, and a loft and bath upstairs in the former attic. The kitchen was the most fun because I like building cabinets and decorative shelves. You have to be especially creative to make it all fit together properly. This is the place we now call home, and I plan to retire Collection of Walter’s carved ducks that he gave to customers and friends.
CRAFTSMANSHIP 389 there in 16 years and quit working (maybe). As I have said in other places in this book, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” I taught myself how to do the plumbing and a lot of the electrical. The only time we paid for labor was for the roof and some electrical work. Yvonne and I have spent much of our life at the Bay house and I cannot help but stare at the accomplishments we have achieved, because we did it together with basically no hired help. After we completed the Bay house renovation, I got into wood carving. One day, after knee surgery, I saw a nice block of wood in the trees at a distance and asked my son to bring it to me where I was sitting on the porch. Then I told him where to find my pocketknife and asked him to bring it to me. For about a week, I whittled on the wood and wound up with a blue-winged teal, like I often shot when duck hunting. I was so happy with my accomplishment, and it was the start of a wood carving hobby. I made a few big geese (life-size Greater Canadian Geese) and a lot of different ducks. I still have some but have let customers and employees talk me out of many. One of my favorite pieces of furniture was made about 30 years ago when my wife wanted an antique “Hall Tree” for the Bay house. After pricing them, I convinced her to let me make her one. It is beautiful, made from solid oak boards of random sizes. Since it was to be an antique, I decided to not put a nail or screw in it. Instead the entire piece is pegged together and glued, just as our ancestors fabricated furniture, or as the Amish still do today. Hall tree, built without nails or screws
390 AN AMAZING LIFE My most recent furniture creation has been a cabinet/table for our den in our Colorado home. We had a special place for a cabinet of exactly the right size, but we were not able to find one that we could buy. Yvonne is big into crosses, so I cut out a large one in each end of the cabinet. For years, I have collected wood and friends on many occasions brought me leftovers from their new homes. So, this cabinet was built mostly from badly distressed wood that had been in my shop wood rack for at least 50 years. I first used the wood scraps from a bed I built for our oldest son Mike about 55 years ago. When he left home, I dismantled the bed and kept the beautiful pieces of wood. Another project worth noting was a home we built in 1967 in Tanglewood on Indian Circle. I was my own contractor, doing a lot of the work myself. I built the cabinets; made all the baseboards and crown moldings; and installed all the doors in the house. Yvonne wanted a 6-foot round butcher block center island in the kitchen and when we could not find one anywhere, I built my own. My total cost of the home was $250,000. Sewing machine, my first piece of furniture. I built six rocking horses for friends and family, designed to withstand anything a kid could dish out!
CRAFTSMANSHIP 391 Five years later, I sold it for $850,000. Then I bought a lot across the street and built a bigger home on Buffalo Bayou. Today I have a huge wood shop in my five-car garage at the Bay with at least $25,000 worth of wonderful machinery and every hand tool imaginable. If there is a tool I do not have, it is because I have not seen it yet! I really love building things, creating things, and I still have so many visual images of everything I created. Small workshop at the Bay house. Walter’s big workshop at the Bay house.
THE LEGACY 393 The Legacy Legacy is not leaving something for people. It’s leaving something in people. —Peter Strople What do you wish to pass on to your children? I want to pass on to my children these character values: • Always do what is right. • Always work hard. • Do your best always, give 100%. What was the happiest time in your life? As I reflect back on my life I realize there are a number of stages that were especially important that I will never forget. Most notably: • Kids when they were aged 12 to 20. We camped, had a home on Lake Travis and property on Lake Livingston and we were in the woods or on the water constantly. • Boating on our yacht in the Bahamas for 10 years was a real blast for us. • Building Allied Bank of Texas and then Amegy Bank were challenging, exciting, and rewarding times and although it was a lot of work... it was fun. And now my 1500 Rail Car facilities are a significant feat and it’s so much fun to see the operating results. What does it mean to be a good person? What are the characteristics? To me, a good person is honest, dependable, always tries to do what’s right, works hard and has strong moral convictions. What does this country mean to you? This country is the greatest country in the world. I’m proud to be an American. I am extremely concerned by the leadership of our governments,
394 AN AMAZING LIFE both nationally and locally, but there is no place greater for opportunity than here in the United States. How does one know they are in love? It’s easy. You are in love for sure when you cannot stand to be away from the person. What characteristics are important in selecting a life mate? It starts with real passionate love... but key words are compatibility, loving, patient, amicable, forgiving, understanding and a happy personality... and always remember being happy with a mate is a two-way street. Is lasting happiness possible? I cannot answer that. I have 85 years of absolute bliss but I have 20 years left to go. I don’t think I will be happy if Yvonne is not healthy and strong that long. Should someone always pursue his/her dreams? Yes. Dreams are often goals and ambitions, reaching for the stars. If you do not dream, life is mundane. You have to take risks. You will never win the lottery if you do not buy a ticket. What do you think is the most difficult part of growing old? I think it is declining mobility—but equally it is the loss of my friends through death, dementia, or total lack of mobility. What is the best part about getting older? The best part about growing old is memories. Not everyone has fond memories but I have them in spades. What is the best way to handle life surprises? The best way to deal with tragedies in life is to endure the consequences, then pick yourself up and persevere. You have to be tenacious and mentally tough. You have to figure out how to make the situation work and be determined to succeed. Do not let surprises get you down—overcome them. Have a positive mental attitude.
THE LEGACY 395 Money. What is important and not important about it? The old cliche that money cannot buy happiness is just not always true! To an entrepreneur, money is a way to keep score, as well as a way to grow a business to employ families and to do good works through charity. The thing wrong with big money and big success, in my opinion, is that it makes some people very greedy. Why does anyone need to be worth 5, 10 or 25... or a hundred billion? Think about all the good work those people could do. Is art as important as math or science? Absolutely not. Math and science create things, they solve world problems. Art does not do that. It is just a consumption of money. I will say though, if your passion is art, then you should pursue it to the extent it pleases you. I have some really strong opinions on art, especially the stupid high-priced art that does nothing for you. I think art is a foolish way to spend money unless it makes you feel good. Do I think art is important? Definitely, and mostly I love paintings. However Carey Gray’s woodcarvings that I own are true masterpieces and they are also art. To me, art should have a purpose. • Make you feel good, serene, happy, thoughtful. • Maybe remind you of a place you would like to be, or even someone you would like to meet. • Perhaps bring back pleasing memories. • Show a destination you would like to visit. • Simply relax the mind. If someone does you wrong, what should you do? You should be calm, and accept the consequences. Do not take it personally, or get emotional. Always remember, “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” Consider the source... and possibly just zero that person out of your life as you move on. Sometimes the smartest avenue is to not be confrontational and just let the experience be another lesson in life. For the most part, I have elected to not burn bridge... just go around them.
396 AN AMAZING LIFE Does one control his/her own destiny or is it predetermined? This is really a good question. In my case, I do believe my destiny was predetermined. I had the cards stacked against me; I came from a poor family, had no idea if I should attend college, and had no mentors. But I attacked every situation in life full on and sought education for many years to advance my knowledge and broaden my mind. So, in many ways I controlled my destiny, not allowing my predetermined situation to dictate my future. What characteristics make a close friend? A close friend is compatible, amiable, flexible, ambitious, driven, and decisiveness. I tend to gravitate toward someone very much like myself. How does one know when they are successful in life? You know you are successful in life when you are happy. If it floats your boat and it is not illegal, do that thing and enjoy your life. Be content and happy. Money and accomplishments are not for everyone. Not everyone has to be rich to be happy. Can one compromise and still keep to one’s true self? Sure. I compromise all the time. You can’t have a successful life if you cannot compromise. Are there big differences between the world you grew up in and today’s world? Absolutely. There is a world of difference in opportunity, education, information, automation, automobiles, homes… all the total living standards. The first dream home Yvonne and I built was 900 square feet. My first new car had no radio, AC, or decent seat covers... and the list goes on. Life was hard for all families I knew from the 1930s really until the 1970s. Are there any important moments in your life that significantly changed who and what you are? The most important moment in my life that significantly changed who I am was my marriage to Yvonne, a very special person. Also, starting my banking career over 55 years ago was an important moment in my life that determined the path I would take. I have gained so many wonderful experiences from working with so many people and companies.
THE LEGACY 397 What would you change about your life if you could? Absolutely nothing. Why are friends important? You need friends you can discuss matters with, people you trust and enjoy sharing work or experiences with. Sometimes you need someone to provide counsel and give you an unbiased perspective. Why is being self-sufficient important? When you have to depend on someone else, you cannot guarantee their dependability. You have to control your own destiny or else there is too much risk. Are you content? I’m am extremely content. I have the world’s best marriage and loving children. I have places to go and things to do. I have friends to enjoy. I live in Houston and love this dynamic city. My health is incredible. I’m very content. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would that be? The thing I would have changed is to have more patience. If you faced total desperation, what would you do? If I faced total desperation, I would get a job and find a way forward—a paper route, anything. I would find something to do and get after it. There is always something to do if you are willing to work. What is the number one cause of arguments? Most arguments are caused because you do not have the will power to just ignore what someone says whom you don’t agree with. Are you a proud man? Yes, of course, I am proud of me and what I have accomplished in life and the people and charities I have shared those accomplishments with. I am proud that Amegy Bank provides a livelihood to over 2,200 families and has given at least $50 million—when you include what our employees have contributed—to various charities. I have so much to be proud of.
398 AN AMAZING LIFE Is war right or wrong? War is right. What frightens you? What frightens me is the United States government, especially the legislators who are corrupt and do not have the people’s interest at heart. What is your view on health? I very much believe that health is for the most part exactly what we make it. In my case for example, I have kept my weight the same for more than 40 years through diet and exercise. I believe you are what you eat or drink or smoke... so I never smoked and I am a “sissy drinker.” I have always fasted, most often 17 hours out of every 24. I practice always standing tall and consciously don’t slouch, and when I walk it is definitely not a stroll. I try to get at least seven hours of sleep every night and my curfew has always been 10 pm. I am a morning person and it’s rare that I need an alarm to wake me up. I always wake up happy and raring to go. Absolutely everything I do is with the thought of living until I am 105 which is 20 years away. I am confident I will accomplish this goal, and with very good health. To me, obesity is not a good option for anyone and can be solved with determination, tenacity, and discipline. If you don’t buy sweets or make them, then you aren’t tempted. If the readers of this book would practice the above principles, I believe many would find their lives make a happy turn to good health.