Ronald Ogilvie “Ronnie” Luster passed away in Houston on Saturday, the 27th of July 2024.
The “outdoors” always called Ronnie. He loved hunting and fishing with family and friends, and he worked to preserve the beauty around him as a passionate conservationist.
He was born in Houston on the 6th of December 1942, to Ronnie Luster and Leila Tarkington Luster. When he was three his family moved to Port O’Connor where his father owned a marina, and Ronnie fell in love with Port O’Connor life. When he was in the third grade his family moved to Acapulco, and his father worked as a professional photographer for the El Mirador Hotel. He captured many photographs of “the rich and famous,” including the marriage of Elizabeth Taylor and Mike Todd. Young Ronnie became fluent in Spanish, developed a flair for dancing, and became the only American to dive off the cliffs of El Mirador.
Ronnie attended St. Edwards Boys Boarding School for his junior and senior years of high school and his freshman year of college. He completed his college education at the University of Texas. He graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He concentrated on Marketing, and he was a born salesman. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Order and ran track for St. Edwards and the University of Texas.
Ronnie had a long career in the Commercial Property and Casualty Insurance business. His first job was with Liberty Mutual where he received excellent training. He enjoyed great relationships with many other insurance companies while combining selling insurance and “making friends.” His mantra was “Tell people what they need to know not what they want to hear.”
His passion for hunting and fishing guided his commitment to conservation. He wanted future hunters and fishermen to have the same joys he had experienced. The Coastal Conservation Association, CCA, was his primary interest. He was active in its founding and was a lifelong supporter. He was the first person to suggest and get adopted the Crab Trap Removal program for the Texas coast. He started a movement through CCA that has mobilized 1600 volunteers to remove over 20,000 abandoned crab traps. Other coastal states followed his lead. He became known as “the Crab Man,” and he won the first national award given by Field and Stream magazine for Conservation Hero of the Year. The program of Abandoned Crab Trap Removal continues every February. Ronnie’s involvement with CCA included positions on the CCA Texas Management committee and the National Insurance committee; he served as chairman of the CCA Texas Parks and Wildlife committee. He has also been associated with the Friends of the Port O’Connor Library and has served as a board member of the Guadalupe Blanco River Trust (GBRT.)
Ronnie is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Lynn Cunningham Luster; and his sons, Ron (Tammy) Luster, and Preston Luster both of Houston. He and Lynn also have four wonderful granddaughters, Samantha, Sloane, Stella, and Caroline Luster.
He loved hosting fishing gatherings in Port O’Connor on his airboat, and he taught his granddaughters how to cast after they saw the fish swimming. The family made great memories at Port O’Connor and in Nordheim at the Runge Ranch. Ronnie and Lynn enjoyed cruises with their travel group, and Ronnie’s favorite cruise was the Lewis and Clark on the Columbia River.
Two years ago Ronnie was diagnosed with MDS – Myelodysysplastic Syndrome. He was under the care of the wonderful professionals at Oncology Consultants in Memorial City. The family wants to thank Dr. Alex Nguyen and staff Vicki and Gracie for their excellent care.
A celebration in honor of the life of Ronnie Luster is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 17th of August, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.
For those unable to attend the service in-person, virtual attendance may be accessed by visiting Mr. Luster’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com and selecting the “Join Livestream” icon on the service section. While there you may also share fond memories and words of comfort and condolences with his family by selecting the “Add a Memory” icon.
In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions may be made in his name to CCA Texas, 6919 Portwest Drive, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77024 or at CCATexas.org/donate.
