Burke on passing of founding Harris County–Houston Sports Authority board chair: 'He will be greatly missed'

Harris County–Houston Sports Authority (HCHSA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Janis Burke said the organization’s late founding board chairman, Jack M. Rains, “will be greatly missed,” according to a report from Houston NBC affiliate KPRC. Citing a press release, KPRC reported that Rains died on Thursday.

“On behalf of the entire Harris County–Houston Sports Authority organization, past and present, our thoughts and prayers go out to Jack’s family, his friends and the many colleagues he impacted throughout his life," Burke said in the release. "He will be greatly missed."

The release said Rains led the inaugural HCHSA Board of Directors from 1997 to 1999. The HCHSA said Rains was known for his “hard work, dedication, guidance and knowledge” in the establishment and support of the entity. Per the release, incumbent board chairman J. Kent Friedman touted his predecessor as a “driving force” in bringing the National Football League (NFL) back to Houston after the city’s original franchise, the Oilers, pulled up stakes after the 1996 season and left for Tennessee.

Friedman also credited Rains for heavily supporting the construction of NRG Stadium, which houses the Houston Texans; Minute Maid Park, the home of the Houston Astros; and Toyota Center, the Houston Rockets’ gym, according to the release. The HCHSA said the 85-year-old Rains actively participated in local, state and national politics, and was once the 95th Texas secretary of state (SOS). According to Rains’ biography on Houston law firm Gray Reed & McGraw’s website, as an attorney with more than 50 years of experience, he represented clients in various sectors and also worked as a certified mediator.

Per his LinkedIn, he graduated from Texas A&M University (TAMU) in 1960 and earned his juris doctorate from the University of Houston (UH) Law Center. Rains’ family will accept visitors at Geo Lewis & Sons at 1010 Bering Dr. on July 14 at an unspecified time, with his funeral service slated for July 15 at The Church of St. John the Divine at 2450 River Oaks Blvd., the HCHSA said.