AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Joe Jamail, a swashbuckling, billionaire trial lawyer who toppled Texaco in court and so lavished the University of Texas with donations that his name adorns its iconic football field, has died at age 90.
Spokesman Kevin Mortesen said Wednesday that UT Athletic Director Mike Perrin was informed of the death by a close family friend who was with Jamail Tuesday night. Mortesen said no cause of death had been confirmed.
University President Gregory Fenves said via Twitter that UT had “lost a great friend” and added in a subsequent statement that Joe and late wife Lee Jamail “supported academics and athletics, aspiring for UT to be the best university in the country with the highest values of integrity and service.”
Football coach Charlie Strong tweeted that Jamail was “a true Longhorn Legend.”
Representatives at Jamail’s Houston law firm did not return a series of messages seeking more details, and his family couldn’t be reached for comment.