In Memory of John H. Massey

Brilliant and warm-hearted, business executive John H. Massey nurtured Longhorns through service and endowments

The University of Texas McCombs School of Business community lost a visionary business leader, trusted adviser, and generous benefactor with the May 5 death of John H. Massey, UT LL.B. ’66, Texas Law.

“John was a passionate supporter of the McCombs School,” said McCombs Dean Lillian Mills. “He held a special admiration and respect for Red McCombs, a legend in Texas business. Red’s example inspired John to help guide McCombs to become one of the world’s great business schools.”

A lifetime member of the McCombs Dean’s Advisory Council, Massey led in both strategic insight and philanthropy. “The McCombs community is wiser, kinder, and bolder because of John’s many years of influence. He will be deeply missed,” Mills said.

Massey and his wife, Elizabeth Shatto Massey, UT B.S. ’61, fully funded “The Trifecta,” all three scholarships in the McCombs Scholars Program: a Forty Acres scholarship, an Endowed Presidential Level Scholarship, and a Dean’s Level scholarship. The $1.25 million Forty Acres scholarship provides full tuition, room and board, and study abroad opportunities for students who exhibit extraordinary academic and leadership talent.

When Massey was named to McCombs’ Hall of Fame in 2012, he credited admiration for his great-grandfather, a banker and mayor, for his early decision to go into business. “The university in general and the business school in particular have been great for three generations of our family,” he said in a video at the time. “Our Texas roots are deep, and our Longhorn traditions are fundamental.”

His longtime commitment to UT also included service on several boards across campus and generous support for students, faculty members, and programs in the College of Education and School of Law. In 2011, he was awarded UT’s Presidential Citation, the highest honor given by the University to any living graduate.

Massey’s professional career was in the banking, insurance, and asset management industry. He served as CEO and president of Gulf United Corporation and its affiliates and Life Partners Group, Inc., both companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange. He also served as a director for more than 40 corporations. Colleagues described him as brilliant yet compassionate, with a reputation for sharp analytical thinking, strategic insight, and an instinct for economic opportunity.

Massey was matched in generosity and passion for UT by his wife, “Libba.” In a 2014 book honoring the Masseys’ legacy, former UT President Bill Powers praised the couple. “They have been staunch supporters of this university during difficult political times. Both of them have been just absolutely dear, dear personal and university friends,” he said.

In 2003, Massey created the Elizabeth Shatto Massey Award to honor his wife’s lifelong dedication to public education. The award goes to an outstanding “teacher of teachers” — a UT faculty member who is educating the next generation of instructors.

“We believe that education is the key to everything,” he said about their many contributions at UT. “Education drives innovation. Innovation drives the economy. Thinking people keep our society democratic. And that’s why we think it is so critical to have a very strong educational system, and we’re happy to be part of that.”

Among their many transformative gifts to the University, the Masseys established the Elizabeth S. and John H. Massey Chancellor’s Excellence in Education endowment, the Massey Scholars Excellence Endowment, and the Massey Teaching Excellence Award.

Although the couple called Dallas home for most of their years, their passion for student success was rooted in their early years in Columbus, Texas, 90 miles southeast of Austin. The couple enjoyed bringing their two loves together through scholarships for students from Columbus and nearby Weimar.

In 2014, Massey received the Distinguished Alumnus Award, the Texas Exes’ highest award, following the Outstanding Dallas Texas Exes Alumnus Award in 2009.

At various times, Massey served as a trustee of the University of Texas Foundation, president of the University of Texas Law School Foundation, and president of the Texas Exes.

Story by Sandra Kleinsasser