It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Jerel Johnston Hill, beloved son, brother, husband, father, mentor, friend. He passed away on June 8th, 2024, in Houston, Texas at M.D. Anderson Hospital. He was predeceased by his parents, Robert Edward (R.E.) and Elizabeth (Cooper) Hill, and his older brothers James Robert Hill and Kendall Hill.

Jerel was born on July 28th, 1952 in Denison, Texas and continued to reside there the first 20 years of his life. Instilled in him were his parents' commitment to community and service, as well as their belief in the value of education. As a young man, he also discovered his lifelong passions- music, books, history, and sports.

After graduating Magna Cum Laude from North Texas State University (1974), he attended law school at University of Texas Austin (1977). In 1978, he moved to Houston with the help of his brother James R. It was then that he met the love of his life, Mary Ellen (M'Ellen) Hering, a co-worker at Gulf Interstate Engineering Company. They married on July 30, 1979 and subsequently settled in Kingwood, Texas. Jerel opened his own independent real estate law practice in 1992. Son James later joined the practice, and they continued to work together until Jerel's passing.

It's impossible to summarize how much Jerel meant to all the people in his life. He had a brilliant mind, was a respected lawyer, and made many scholarly contributions at national legal conferences. He valued compassion, helping anyone in need- whether human or four-legged. Jerel was instrumental in establishing the Hill family scholarship for graduates from his high school, and in recent years he and wife M'Ellen funded additional scholarships for veterinary students at Texas A&M University. Jerel and M'Ellen also fostered many dogs throughout the years, which they cared for like children. Beyond that, he demonstrated so many smaller selfless acts of support and kindness. He was also a master storyteller whose laughter and constant jokes will be sorely missed.

Jerel is survived by his wife M'Ellen and his two children: son James and wife Lauren, and daughter Julia and her husband David (Hauser). He was an amazing father and his children and their spouses consider him an irreplaceable role model. He supported them in pursuing all their dreams and they hope to continue to make him proud.

A memorial service will be held on June 28th at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Episcopal of Kingwood. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma society where a memorial page has been set up in his honor: http://diy.lls.org/JerelHill