Obituary of Edwin "Ed" Alexander Bluestein Jr.

Edwin Alexander Bluestein, Jr. was born at home in Hearne, Texas on October 16, 1930, the second child of Edwin Alexander Bluestein and Frances Ely Bluestein. On August 13, 2023, Ed passed away, surrounded by his loving family and caregivers. In 1948, he graduated from Atlanta High School in East Texas, where he proudly played football for The Fighting Atlanta Rabbits. He also achieved the Order of The Arrow, Scouting’s National Honor Society, and earned the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout.

Ed then attended The University of Texas, graduating summa cum laude with a degree in Business Administration. During the Korean War, he enlisted in the United States Army. Ed served two years in California and Alaska as a topographer. After being honorably discharged, he returned to Austin, where he soon met the love of his life, the future Marsha Meredith Bluestein. (They celebrated their 65th Anniversary on December 21, 2022!) After graduating near the top of his class from The University of Texas School of Law, and clerking for Judge Ben Connally, Ed accepted a position in maritime law at Fulbright and Jaworski (now Norton Rose Fulbright). He attained partner status and rose to head of Fulbright’s admiralty law department. His distinguished career was primarily spent representing the largest maritime insurer in the world, Lloyd’s of London. At one time, Ed held the distinction of settling the largest maritime case in history involving El Paso Natural Gas, which was acknowledged by The Wall Street Journal and other publications.

Ed’s passions away from the office included his devotion to God. In Houston, he served in numerous positions at St. Phillip’s United Methodist Church, where his two children were baptized and confirmed. Ed also served as past president of the Houston Mariners Club. In the La Porte area, Ed and Marsha later volunteered to help at Boys & Girls Harbor and at the International Seafarers Center.

Ed was an avid sports fan, and his beloved Texas Longhorns reigned at the top of that list. In addition, he attended many Houston Buffs and Astros games, and was a longtime Houston Oiler season ticket holder. He wholeheartedly embraced the Houston Texans, win or lose, making sure family was in tow for live games. Ed was also an avid outdoor sportsman and hunted throughout his life – including ducks, geese, quail, whitetail, audad, and axis. He was also an enthusiastic saltwater fisherman, hauling in croakers and speckled trout in Galveston to red snapper and ling in the Gulf of Mexico. However, Ed’s greatest outdoor passion was undoubtedly sailing! For over forty years, pleasure sailing AND competitive sailing were a part of Ed and his family’s lives. He often took his family for oystering and “chuting up” near Redfish Island. After successfully competing in many local, regional, and national competitions, Ed Bluestein was inducted into the Ensign Class Hall of Fame in 2019.

Ed, an accomplished, composed gentleman of integrity, is survived by his beloved life of 65 years, Marsha; son Boyd Bluestein (Pam), daughter Leslie Williams (Frank); grandchildren Christine Barsegian (Edgar), Brittany Pippen (Dale), Meagan Bluestein (partner, Nelson Mandeville), and Bryan Williams (Bryan is proudly following in his Poppy’s footsteps by graduating from The George Washington University Law School this May). Ed is also survived by his great-grandson, Marcus Edwin Barsegian, and his sister, Franne Jackson (Frank). He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Frances Bluestein, and by his in-laws, Randolph (Brute) and Grace Meredith.

Ed was laid to rest near Galveston Bay, which he loved dearly, in the historic Morgan’s Point Cemetery. The small family service occurred on Saturday, August 19th. On Saturday, September 9th, from 11a.m.-1 p.m., Ed’s Celebration of Life will be held at his home away from home, The Houston Yacht Club, where he served as HYC Commodore in 1980.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to two charities that were important to Ed:

The Houston International Seafarers Center (https://houstonseafarers.com), and
The Coastal Conservation Association (https://www.joincca.org/our-story/)