NICOLAS M. BAZAN

On Saturday, May 11, 2019, Nick Bazan went home to our Lord peacefully and surrounded by his loving family.

Nick was born February 25, 1953 in St. Joseph, Michigan to the late Nicolas & Mary E. "Betty" (Johnson) Bazan.  He graduated from Lake Michigan Catholic High School in 1971.  After attending Saint Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana and Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, he earned his Juris Doctor degree from Valparaiso University School of Law, Valparaiso, Indiana in 1980.

Nick moved to Houston in 1981 and practiced law for more than 36 years.  He was a former Chairman of the State Bar of Texas 4H Grievance Committee and a former President of the Harris County Bar Association, having earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues as evidenced by his numerous awards and honors.

While on a business trip cruise in November 1983, Nick met the love of his life, Brenda Barnette of Nashville, TN, on the decks of the S.S. Norway.  After a short long-distance courtship, Nick and Brenda married on September 15, 1984. Through all of life's challenges they stood side by side. Their love was evident in each joy, sorrow, laughter, and trial they faced together.

Active in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, he attended Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Community in Spring, Texas and was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council No.10872, serving most recently as Grand Knight. He was a man of great faith, strong friendships, and a powerful personal example, inspiring others to know Christ on a personal level.  He loved God and it showed through his warm smile, genuine kindness and limitless generosity.

Nick had a passion for sports, playing basketball and football every chance possible.  His passion, however, was for baseball as a catcher, garnering honors in high school and playing competitively into his 50's. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing in Texas. Throughout his life, he was an avid fan of the University of Michigan Wolverines, the Chicago Cubs, and the Houston Rockets and possessed an extensive knowledge of sports trivia. He passed away during a Cubs game and was able to witness the Cubs' walk-off home run in the 15th inning from Heaven!

While highly competitive, Nick was also a poet, sharing life's difficult and trying times through prose, most notably his father's death in 1976. He never balked when he returned home to help his mother, and years later, he never gave up as he fought valiantly for 22 years to beat the ravages of cancer. No matter the challenge, Nick was a fighter and attacked each battle with faith and a positive, optimistic attitude.

He is survived by his lovely and gracious wife of 34 years, Brenda Barnette Bazan; his two children, Nicolas Jr. and Rachel Bazan; his beloved granddaughter, Elise Bazan; brother Thomas (Paula) Bazan; sisters, Theresa Rondelli, Victoria Lerke, Elizabeth (Myall) Hawkins, Joyce (Dale) DeLong and Mary (John) Spear; mother-in-law, Jean T. Barnette; sister-in-law, Cynthia Barnette; brother-in-law, Stephen (Coni) Barnette; three nephews and six nieces.  He is preceded in death by his parents Nicolas and Mary E. "Betty" Bazan, father-in-law Martin E. "Bill" Barnette, two brothers-in-law, Michael Rondelli and Larry Lerke and nephew and niece Dale and Nicole DeLong.

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 17, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at the St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, 7810 Cypresswood Dr, Spring, TX 77379, with the Rev. James Burkart, Rev. Innocent Okhifo, Rev. Norbert Maduzia, Jr., Rev. Desmond "Desi" Daniels, and Rev. Sunny Joseph.  Visitation with family will be held Thursday, May 16 from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M., with a vigil service and holy rosary beginning at 6:30 P.M. at the Klein Funeral Home – Champions , 16131 Champion Forest Dr., Spring, Texas.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to either a fund for Father Innocent's doctoral education at the University of Saint Thomas or the ACTS Retreats, both in care of: Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Community ( https://membership.faithdirect.net/givenow/TX665/18431 ), 18511 Klein Church Road,
Spring, TX 77379; or Houston Hospice ( http://www.houstonhospice.org/donate.aspx ), 1905 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030.