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    Beloved Priest Dies

    Beloved city-changing, cowboy-boot-loving priest dies at age 44, sending Houston into mourning

    Shelby Hodge
    Nov 28, 2014 | 3:04 pm

    Hearts are aching across the city with news of the passing today of the much-beloved Father T.J. Martinez, 44, founder of Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School. With all who knew him, including this reporter, "Father TJ" had a special relationship that transcended religious affiliations, personal status and means.

    Everyone who knew him felt an extraordinary connection to the man and, often as a result, a greater connection to God.

    "Father TJ had a genuine gift of making people feel as though you were his best friend," said Nancy Kinder, head of the Kinder Family Foundation and ardent Martinez fan. "He was the most positive person I have ever known or will ever know, especially during the pain and suffering that he went through. Houston lost a unique leader and friend. Our heart goes out to his family."

    Martinez was diagnosed with Stage IV stomach cancer earlier this year and recently entered Hospice care.

    Born in Brownsville, Texas, he graduated from Boston College with honors in politics and communications after which he studied to become a Jesuit priest. While preparing for the priesthood, the indomitable Martinez earned a law degree from the University of Texas and a Master's in school leadership from Harvard.

    He opened Cristo Rey in 2009 with 80 students. Today, 500 are studying at the school which has graduated two classes of seniors, all of whom were accepted to college.

    "Father TJ was one of the most outstanding and charismatic individuals I have ever known." — Rich Kinder

    As Paul Posoli, Cristo Rey interim president noted, "We know that Father Martinez was so many things to so many people, and that each person who had the honor of knowing him — whether as a spiritual leader, mentor, role model or friend — was better for it."

    Sharing his larger than life personality with all, Martinez was known for his high spirits, personal charisma and exuberance for life, the latter witnessed in his penchant for cowboy boots and trophy silver belt buckles. He was known among friends in the early days of Cristo Rey as the "Energizer bunny priest," for the boundless energy that accompanied his visionary leadership in education.

    On Martinez' passing, Cristo Rey supporter Tony Sanchez, president and CEO of Sanchez Energy Corp., noted, "Father Martinez is the finest man I know. He gave every minute of every day caring about other people — and the Cristo Rey Jesuit kids. He will be missed by everyone across Texas. This is a loss to all."

    Achievements noted in his biography included "In 2010, Father Martinez was knighted into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, a Papal Knighthood that recognizes outstanding service to the church in founding the only Catholic high school in the state of Texas that exclusively serves underprivileged children."

    Kinder Morgan CEO Rich Kinder was keynote speaker for Cristo Rey's first graduating class in 2013. At the news of the priest's death, Kinder said, "Father TJ was one of the most outstanding and charismatic individuals I have ever known . . . He was an inspiration to the students, staff and supporters and has shown that educating all our young people is attainable with dedication and hard work."

    Father T. J. Martinez' penchant for trophy belt buckles an endearing fashion statement.

      
    Photo by Michelle Watson Catchlight Group
    Father T. J. Martinez' penchant for trophy belt buckles an endearing fashion statement.
    unspecified
    news/city-life

    Game-changing, $18.7 million new park debuts in Houston's Westchase District

    Jef Rouner
    Apr 11, 2025 | 10:33 am
    Westchase District's new Camden Park
    Photo courtesy of Kaplan PR
    The entrance to Camden Park

    Houston's Westchase District has a new and thoroughly modern greenspace for families to enjoy. After two years of design and construction,Camden Park is now officially open.

    “This is a destination park experience unlike any other in west Houston,” says Irma Sanchez, president and CEO of Westchase District. “And as a fully programmed space with year-round activities, Camden Park offers something for everyone—whether it’s fitness, arts and culture, or simply a refreshing outdoor escape.”

    Camden is much more than a standard park, and serves a community purpose closer to a space like Discovery Green. It does have ample playground aspects, including a water feature children can interact with, swings, tunnels, and a giant climbable hummingbird. A dozen mature Bald Cypress and Southern Live Oak trees were relocated from a nearby space on the Beltway after they were due to be destroyed in a construction project. Now, they shade the dog park.

    Camden also includes multi-purpose pavilions and a 30,000-square-foot lawn space that can host gatherings and events. Outdoor reading chairs are situated near a complimentary lending library for those who just want to enjoy a good book on a nice day. Nearby is Sunday Press, an on-site cafe with indoor or outdoor seating as well as a roofed terrace to leisurely survey the park from.

    Westchase District already has several park programs in place for Camden. There will be weekly fitness events including Zumba, Tai Chi, Samba, a running club, and a Sunday boot camp. When Halloween and Christmas roll around, events that were previously held at Woodcase Park will now be held at Camden. A complete calendar of events is available at this link.

    The park is located at 2951 Wilcrest Drive just north of Richmond and sits on 3.4 acres of land. It was conceived and designed by Westchase District with construction by D.L. Meacham and landscaping by the Office of James Burnett (OJB). The total cost of the project was $18.7 million, funded by donations from Camden Property Trust, BGE, Inc., CenterPoint Energy, Cullen Foundation, Green Mountain Energy Sun Club, H-E-B, LAN, Park Eight, Perry Homes, Phillips 66, Stedman West Foundation, Sunderland Foundation, Texas Parks & Wildlife, The Brown Foundation, and The Elkins Foundation. Initial plans for a multi-purpose outdoor space began when the City of Houston purchased the land in 2016.


    Westchase District's new Camden Park
      

    Courtesy of Camden Park

    The entrance to Camden Park
    news/city-life

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