John Franklin Winslow

John Franklin Winslow, an extraordinary man, passed away February 13, 2024. He was born November 15, 1933 in Houston, Texas to Frank Jarnigan Winslow and Jane Shipley Winslow. His sights were set on a life of adventure and determination at the age of 17 when he participated in the 1951 Boy Scout World Jamboree in Bad Ischl, Austria, travelling by boat across the Atlantic on the SS Argentina and through Europe only a few years after the end of World War II, and joining 13,000 other scouts from around the world. His literary career also started at the Jamboree, with his role as a reporter for The Houston Chronicle newspaper. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin and the UT School of Law, John moved to Washington, D.C., where he lived for over 60 years. His legal career in the U.S. federal government included antitrust law and energy regulation in D.C., and labor law with fluent Spanish in Puerto Rico. His books Conglomerates Unlimited: The Failure of Regulation (1973) and The Acquisitors (2010) drew from those experiences, as did his satirical novel, The Accurst Tower (2008). He also devoted himself to long-term real estate interests in Texas. He was an undaunted athlete. Although he was said to have asthma as a child, at the age of 36 he placed 114th in one of many Boston Marathons with a time of 2:45:01, and was a regular at the Georgetown University track and swimming pool. Before running, he was a tennis player. He took long trips to explore European and Middle Eastern history and to windsurf off the coasts of Greece, Turkey, Egypt, and Morocco, even into his 80s. A backpack was his preferred luggage, a hostel his preferred lodging. He said he didn't travel alone because of the people he enjoyed meeting along the way. He always brought back small objects bursting with historical meaning, but the most treasured gifts from his travels were the postcards he sent to three generations of family and friends. He was proud of his family lineage, especially the Andersons of Louisa County, Virginia. He was committed to staying in touch with extended family. Remaining single all his life, he was equally proud of his sister and her family. His young nephew and nieces eagerly anticipated his visits back to Houston, which included running with him at Rice University track, handing him water as he ran the Galveston marathon, and hearing travel stories. His friendships, some life long, could be found at The Westchester in D.C. and in Connecticut; Germany; the Pacific Coast; and Houston, Austin, and San Antonio in Texas. His friends shared vibrant intellect, engaging interests, and broad talents. Texas was always a special place for him, and he chose to live his last year of life back in Austin with his nieces and their families. It was a year of inspiration, amazement, and blessing. Certain attributes ran deep in Uncle John: a well-imbued liberal arts education; recognized intellect; unwavering composure; gentle manners; dramatic and extensive vocabulary; independence; and appreciation of history, historical figures, classic literature, and great speeches. His cherished college anthology of English poetry was ever close at hand. He was always in command of himself, with a bit of mystery. His smile and humor would come out in the most delightful ways. He didn't seem to realize how handsome he was. His Christian faith was mostly private. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Jayne Winslow Brandon, his niece Elizabeth Brandon Garland, and his great-niece Kourtney Brandon. He is survived by his brother-in-law Jack Brandon, his nieces Catherine Brandon Glazener (Wes) and Martha Brandon King (Charlie), and his nephew Frank Winslow Brandon (Bridget). As he requested, there will be a private family celebration of his life and resurrection in Virginia.

John Franklin Winslow

November 15, 1933 - February 15, 2024