Ronald “Ronny” Krist
Legendary Texas attorney Ronald “Ronny” Krist passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 21, 2025, at his home in Kemah, Texas. Ronny was born on April 9, 1937, to Vera Sue and Harry Krist in Tyler, Texas. He met the love of his life, Carole Grubb, at the University of Texas in Austin, and was the first college graduate in his family. Shortly after earning his business degree and while studying law, he and Carole tied the knot. Carole’s beauty and grace were a perfect match for the brash young Longhorn. Carole worked to support the newly married couple, and he graduated from the University of Texas Law School in 1962.
With childhood West Texas roots in both San Angelo and Midland, Ronny’s impressive legal career truly took off when he moved with Carole and their three young children to Clear Lake City. It was there, in an office tucked away in a 7-Eleven parking lot, that a chance encounter with Betty Grissom, the widow of Apollo astronaut Gus Grissom, transformed their lives. Ronny courageously filed a lawsuit on Betty’s behalf against the negligent contractor responsible for Gus’s tragic death, just in time to meet the time limitations on filing a case. His victory in the case was just the beginning; he later successfully represented some family members of the astronauts lost in the Challenger disaster, taking on the manufacturer of the defective parts of
the faulty rocket.
Ronny fought each case for his clients with unwavering dedication and passion. His work was reminiscent of Teddy Roosevelt’s famous words, his favorite quote:
It is not the critic who counts…The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood … who spends himself
in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high
achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so
that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know
victory nor defeat.
Ronny’s fiery spirit earned him the title “giant killer,” and his landmark case, Turner v. General Motors forever changed Texas law by establishing strict liability in crashworthiness cases involving design defects. His relentless advocacy for Robert Turner, who was paralyzed in a low-speed car accident, not only simplified legal processes, but significantly bolstered consumer protection against automotive design defects. Beyond the Lone Star State, Ronny garnered recognition as one of America’s top lawyers, with accolades too numerous to mention; Forbes recognized him as one of the seven most successful lawyers in America, he received multiple awards from the University of Texas, including the outstanding Alumnus award from UT Law School in 2006, and was named the President of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers in 1999. He was also an active member of the International Society of Barristers, the American College of Trial Lawyers, the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Inner Circle of Advocates, and the Best Lawyers in America.
While he devoted himself to his law practice, Ronny also supported his community and served in leadership roles within his beloved state of Texas. In 1993, close friend and former Texas Governor Ann Richards appointed him as Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. He was later named one of only six honorary captains of the Texas Rangers in the organization’s 175-year history. A staunch supporter of education and mental health, he funded endowed scholarships at the University of Texas Law School, Pepperdine Law School, and South Texas College of Law. In honor of his commitment to mental health, the Krist Samaritan Center for Counseling in Houston was established by Ronny and Carole; since its inception in 1986, the center has blossomed into a respected counseling and training program, with over 200 graduates serving worldwide.
In his downtime, Ronny enjoyed wonderful times golfing, attending Longhorn football games, and traveling with his wife Carole, whom he remained devoted to until the end of her life in 2024. He also enjoyed unwinding with friends—or engaging with would-be adversaries—at Carlos Villagomez’s Beer Garden, a beloved Clear Lake institution. Ronny’s favorite moments were spent cherishing time with his family and his faithful dog Poncho. He leaves behind a legacy of love as “Paw paw” to his children and grandchildren, who were his greatest joy. A true optimist, Ronny expressed gratitude for every day of his life, declaring, “I never had a headache, a backache, or a knee ache – I’m the luckiest man alive.” Those who knew Ronny closely would agree that he was not only lucky, but beloved and respected by all.
His children survive him: Kevin Krist, Scott Krist, and Karyn Scott, and grandchildren: Austin Krist, Connor Krist, Garret Krist, Makenna Krist, Savanna Scott, and Dylan Scott.
A Memorial Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 31 2025 at 2 o’clock at St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church, 18300 Upper Bay Road, Nassau Bay, Texas 77058. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Krist Samaritan Center https://samaritanhouston.org/donate/ .
A lot to remember. No one loved friends more than Ronaldy Donaldy. What fun we had. As friends and family. Geep
Ronny was a lifelong friend and buddy from the day that I pledged Sigma Chi at the University of Texas in 1956. He was a sophomore when I entered UT as a freshman. We were close friends and fraternity brothers throughout my undergraduate college days. He was at the top of everyone’s list when it came to his relationship with you…Ronny honored you with his friendship; loyalty; humor; caring; dedication; and holding you high. Because of the strength and power of his reputation resulting from his actual experience practicing law, he, also, concluded…successfully…for me, in 1994, the most contentious, challenging, difficult business relationships of my life which allowed me to secure my retirement. But, above all, Ronny was SUCH a friend…a close and warm buddy…who could…and did…make you feel so good about yourself…sincerely…that you treasured him to his total depth. That smile…that warmth…that sincerity…that personality…was “who Ronny was.” God made a great man when He made Ronny…and He gave Ronny just about “every tool in the toolbox”…to display and use…as he lived his life. There will never be another like him. Thank you, Ronny, for contributing in such a meaningful and powerful way to my life. You were…and are…and always will be…”the MAN”…!
I met Ronny Krist in 1987 or 1988. He represented Rodney Terry and his family in a wrongful death case, Terry v RegO Company, brought in Brownsville. As a result of a gas explosion, when he moved a light switch which ignited gas, Rodney Terry was blown out of the front door of his mobile home near Brownsville. The targets were the supplier of lp gas, the manufacturer of the regulator (RegO), the manufacturer of appliances (Sears), the manufacturer of controls for the appliances (White Rogers/Emerson Electric). Sparks flew at the deposition of the design engineer for White Rogers when Ronny yelled, “How much are they paying you for this?” Things calmed down when I told Ronny the WR engineer was going to testify what happened and what caused the explosion. At the trial: I am not sure Ronny even carried a briefcase. No legal pad. No pen. Son Kevin Krist carried everything. Ronny walked around the courtroom in the area where lawyers and clients were seated (in the round, in a modern courtroom), cross examining witnesses, especially the corporate representative from RegO. Did not use notes. Would pass by Kevin every few minutes to pick up some notes. Ronny’s retained expert cratered in the middle of the trial. Kind of an egg head. At a break I told Ronny that the White Rogers witness-an electrical engineer-was going to explain what happened, and why. Ronny called him to testify and he laid out the case against RegO. We had announced the trial would last two weeks. Near the end of the first week, partly as a result of the testimony by the WR expert, the case had been made against RegO. Friday before noon, Ronny rested his case and everybody except for RegO rested. After lunch, Judge Jane Brasch asked RegO to call its first witness. Jim McKibben explained that he expected the trial to last two weeks, and his witnesses were scheduled for next week. Oops. Judge Brasch ordered parties to rest, then close. Charge of the Court to the Jury. Final arguments ended late on Friday afternoon. Someone-Ronny or Kevin or Ed Stapleton, told the court and us they were going to the bar at the Fort Brown Hotel to wait for the verdict. Several of the rest of us also went to the hotel-John Davis, the WR expert, and I were staying there. So we went to pack up, then joined the others in the bar. Call came in about midnight. We all raced to the courtroom. Verdict, for plaintiffs and against Rego, for $2,000,000. I think Ronny, his wife, and Kevin were going to stay that night in Matamoros. They told us they were going across the border, and to meet them there. Found them, at a bar in Matamoros. Wild celebration. Dancing on table tops. John Davis and I had left the WR expert at the Fort Brown Hotel. We left Matamoros and arrived at the hotel about 5 am. I think WR expert could hear us, opened the door a crack, as we walked by and we told him we would take him to the airport at 6 am. Did that and then John and I, who had driven together from San Antonio, headed home. In jubilation. An unforgettable experience. Still my favorite war story. Of course I will never forget Ronny Krist. May he rest in peace.-robin teague, san antonio
Terry v. RegO Company and Emerson Electric Co., No. 85-2793-D (District Court of Cameron County, 103rd Judicial District of Texas, 1988) (Honorable Jane A. Brasch) (Ronald D. Krist and Kevin D. Krist, Houston, Ed Stapleton, Brownsville, Anthony E. Pletcher, Corpus Christi, David H. Hockema, Edinburg, James F. McKibben, Corpus Christi, Jeffrey D. Roerig, Brownsville, John Davis, San Antonio) (product liability wrongful death suit resulting from a fire and explosion involving a water heater, causing death)