Vincent Bailey Michel, Jr

Vincent Bailey Michel, Jr. of Brenham, Texas died peacefully on December 3, 2017 after a brief illness. He was 84.

He was born in Houston on July 7, 1933 to Vincent Michel and Eleanor McQueen Michel both of Houston. Known affectionately as Jack and Grandpa, Vincent was baptized, raised with his brother, Travis Mike Michel, and attended school in the Heights area. After attending Reagan High School, Vincent enlisted in the United States Navy in January of 1948 where he received accommodations for his service to his country in the Korean Conflict. Vincent was honorably discharged on May 4, 1954. After his service, Vincent returned to Houston and met the love of his life on a blind date, Marlene Cox. The two were married on February 23, 1957 and raised three children.

In his early career he was a small business owner and later a real estate broker and member of the Houston Association of Realtors. He had a twenty-year career as a sales representative of W.W. Grainger Inc. He retired and moved to his farm in Leon County, Texas where he served as a city councilman and briefly as mayor of Leona, Texas. Illness and a desire to be near children led Vincent and Marlene to relocate to Brenham in 2001, where he lived until his death.

Vince was an avid antiques collector and loved records, phonographs, musical instruments, neon lights, religious paintings, and many other collectibles. He volunteered for the HOST program, for his church where he brought communion to homebound seniors, and for Faith Mission where he was recognized as Volunteer of the Year.

He was a founding member of Advent Lutheran Church in northwest Houston where he was active as a Sunday School teacher, bible study leader, head usher and lay leader, then later at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Centerville, and then St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Brenham.

Vince was preceded in death by his mother, father, brother and wife Marlene. He is survived by his daughter, Lori and husband Byron Bajoie of Houston; daughter Loyce and husband Kyle Van Hook of Brenham; son Vince and wife Page Michel of Brenham; eight gifted and loving grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Mr. Michel will be buried in a private ceremony in Houston on December 11, 2017. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Faith Mission & Help Center in Brenham.