June 22, 1977: Picketers at an adult bookstore across the street from Spring Branch Elementary School, 1700 Campbell, seek signatures for Spring Branch Oaks Civic Association petitions seeking new laws and enforcement of existing laws to rid them of this and other sexually-oriented businesses (SOBs). Zindler attended Pershing Middle School and Lamar High School in Houston before graduating from San Jacinto High School in Houston. A Houston Police officer has been charged with murder in Torres' drowning. Marvin Zindler's income source is mostly from being a successful Actor. Private. It is a close family, Zindler says. The boss of the Harris County sheriffs consumer fraud division is a walking example of deceptive advertising. Adams, a remarkably calm and good-humored man, grouses occasionally about Zindlers absenteeism, complaining that if the boss talked to more people, the lines wouldnt be so long. It wasnt so embarrassing for them., Even then he was known as The Dapper Deputy because of his always smart, always in-style clothes. No other law enforcement official in Houston, probably in Texas, can summon reporters and cameramen on such short notice and with such regularity. What was it like to be on a hockey team in a city dominated by football and baseball? He was interred at Woodlawn Cemetery, Houston, Texas. As Vela tells it, he once left his office while Zindler was making a series of phone calls from the assistant district attorneys phone. Zindler is considering running for public office. Zindler made local and national headlines when he and fellow journalist Larry Conners reported on a long-lived brothel known as the Chicken Ranch in Fayette County, Texas, near La Grange, which led to its closure in 1973. He was previously married to Niki Gale Devine and Gertrude Stella Kugler. A larger-than-life figure who consistently reinvented himself through the years, Zindler has also been a prizefighter, a deputy sheriff, in his family's clothing business, in . Where was Marvin born and where did he live? The role of Melvin P. Thorpe, as played by Clinton Allmon in the original Broadway production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Dom DeLuise in the 1982 film version, is based on Zindler. Two spin-off segments resulted from these reports: On Friday nights, Zindler also gave viewers additional good wishes just before his traditional sign-off: "Have a good weekend good golf, good tennis, or whatever makes you happy.". A couple of days later, Zindler obtained a warrant for the mans arrest and, with his usual posse of television cameramen, went to the store to pick him up. Patricia Peterson, an. Deputy Sheriff Marvin Harold Zindler is a hard man to pin down, not only because his considerable energy keeps him moving all over the county, as well as to Austin and Washington and other power centers where consumers have managed to draw the attention of politicians, but also because his complex personality defies neat classification. Linda Sue McFadden Zindler, 66, passed away August 7, 2015 after her second courageous battle with cancer. Katy Vine has been a staff writer since 2002. Get highlights, trending news, and behind-the-scenes insights from Houston Public Media delivered to your inbox each week. The Plastic Surgeons of America honored Zindler for his openness and honesty in talking about his cosmetic surgeries and for the help he obtained for charity patients who desperately needed reconstructive surgery. Each case, while he is working on it, becomes in his mind the most important problem he has handled, and he will spend hours trying to convince newsmen that it should be written up and shared with the public. It is roomy and tastefully furnished in Middle-American, but it is a tract house, much like one an advertising manager or car repair company owner or roofing contractor might buy. There were catch. When 2 or more people share their unique perspectives, Eventually, Mr. Zindler earned $1 million a year as the KTRK celebrity newshound. The rise of Marvin Zindler, NASA in transition, oil men making their bones, and sports heroes in their prime'70's-era Houston is ripe for the cinematic world. When he gets something, he wont let up. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. ABC 13 reporter Marvin Zindler poses for a portrait May 11, 2006, at his home in Houston. Let us know in the comments below, or tweet host Michael Callahan, @MCallahanTV using #ForgottenDayHOU and he'll tweet you back! Zindler had his first of 15 cosmetic surgeries in 1954 after a television executive said he was "too ugly" to be on television. Pictures show him in a sheriffs car, nattily dressed with a snap brim hat on his head and a box of cigars on the car seat. The entrance was lined with awards from the health department and from Marvin Zindler. When you share, or just show that you care, the heart [20] Zindler stated that he planned to stay on the air as his illness was treated, even doing restaurant reports and greetings from his bedside. ABC 13 reporter Marvin Zindler plays his organ at his home on May 11, 2006, in Houston. Mr. Zindler, with his cheerfully admitted plastic surgery, closet of peacock fashions, blatant hairpieces and blue-tinted glasses, was best known for his first foray into investigative journalism, in 1973. Zindler, after several members complained to him, initiated an investigation of Tussey, a success-motivation organization which offered seminars and lectures on self-confidence. City Employees Are Heading for the Exits. July 1977: HouTran bus passenger opens the window to cool off from the heat from the broken bus air conditioner. Houston television reporter and personality Marvin Zindler is shown in his office May 30, 2003, where he spoke about his role in closing the Chicken Ranch brothel near La Grange, nearly 30 years ago. March 4, 1977: There's nothing like having a story read. Texas-bred director Richard Linklater recently remarked that he would like to make a movie about Houston in the 1970s, which was a hotbed of activity in many ways. Before his death, Marvin and Niki Zindler lived in the Houston neighborhood of Maplewood,[15] where Zindler had lived continuously for forty-eight years. Zindler family member is 74. Who is Marvin Zindler to you? The family will visit with friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at Kingwood Funeral Home, 22800 Highway 59 North, Kingwood, Texas 77339. The manager drew a probated jail term. [9][10] Hundreds, if not thousands, of restaurants in Greater Houston have made at least one appearance on his reports. In 1973, at the age of 51, Mr. Zindler began his career at KTRK. After he filed the charge, Zindler called the manager and asked him to come to the courthouse. Wouldn't the rest of the world want to know about him? A jury awarded $16.5M to Doug Britton and SSC Opportunity Partners in a lawsuit against Charter Title, Marvin Zindler Jr, Bandier Realty, Trey Halberdier, Rob Banzhaf, Rocky Del Papa III, and . He began making the papers when he collected strange judgments or unveiled a new wrinkle in transporting prisoners: He had a furrier make a pair of mink-lined handcuffs for lady prisoners. "Artists have the last word when end is near", Many turn out to say goodbye to Marvin Zindler, "The Roving Mike" radio show (Houston Chronicle), "Marvin Zindler, 85, Crusader in Whorehouse in Texas Case, Is Dead" (NY Times), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Marvin_Zindler&oldid=1135998442, United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II, American radio reporters and correspondents, Lamar High School (Houston, Texas) alumni, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from November 2008, All articles needing additional references, Pages using infobox person with multiple spouses, Articles needing additional references from September 2010, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2011, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Talking with a visitor at home, Zindler says his wife gets mad at the money he spends on clothes because she doesnt get to buy any herself. Zindler was using Velas office on another occasion when he announced one of his most off-beat consumer cases: Acting on a complaint that a man was not paying off on football game bets, Zindler arrested the man and charged him with possession of bookmaking paraphernalia. They were the owners of a dog, Magic, a bichon fris. August 1977: Dan Peters (in canoe) paddles in the front yard of a house he and Durwood Harmon rent in the Brownwood subdivision. A short sampling of Zindler cases includes: A charge of using the American flag to advertise, filed against the advertising manager of Foleys after the store ran an ad featuring a drawing of Old Glory. November 10, 1977: Senator Edward Kennedy (far left) shakes hands with a patient while touring Casa De Amigos Community Health Center. A drive to raise $10,000 to help renovate an on-campus home for Shasta and her retired predecessor Shasta III will be conducted next Tuesday. At the time of his death, Zindler had five children, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. In choosing stories, Zindler focused on two factors neediness and chance of success. Brother of Abe Zindler Jr., Sterling Zindler, Warren Zindler (killed during World War II), and Kenneth Zindler. I burned my eyes under the sunlamp, he explained. Marvin H Zindler Jr of Harris County, Texas was born c. 1945. However, Gertrude was hesitant to leave Houston, and the plans were dropped. The Dignity Memorial brand name is used to identify a network of licensed funeral, cremation and cemetery providers that include affiliates of Service Corporation International, 1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas. Ten victims were airlifted to Houston. Zindler persuaded a grand jury to probe the club, even though Vance at first said the firm was not violating state law and Short concurred with the district attorneys position. Jos R. Ralat is Texas Monthlys taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food. ABC13 announced on July 5, 2007, that Marvin was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer that had also spread to his liver. Defendants range from the advertising director of Foleys, Houstons largest department store, to gypsy palm readers to bookies said to be welching on bets. She was also a member of the Kingwood United Methodist Church, where she loved serving in the Nursery. January 13, 1977: Fog shrouds the upper floors of the Exxon Building, formerly known as the Humble Building. "We were ecstatic," said Lee. RELATED:Vintage pictures show Houston as it was in 1977. HOUSTON, July 30 Marvin Zindler, an antic and a populist television crusader here who became known nationally when he had the best little whorehouse in Texas closed on corruption grounds, died here on Sunday. Foyt signs autographs for fans who braved the rain Wednesday as Houston honored its auto racing champion with a parade and keys-to-the-city ceremony at City Hall. Marvin Zindler and his wife, Niki Gale Devine, are shown in July 2003 after their wedding at a Las Vegas synagogue. The .45 doesnt look right under my coat, he grins. A district court jury, in what Duvall termed the first major court victory in consumer fraud cases in Houston, convicted Enright last November and gave him a five-year probated sentence. The story prompted a magazine article by author Larry L. King. Marvin Zindler sits at his desk at KRTK Channel 13 studios on Feb. 9, 2006, in Houston. The fifth, and, at this writing, last story to come out of Zindler vs. the appliance store, occurred when Zindler and the stores general counsel called a press conference to announce that the manager had paid a fine on one of the three charges, Zindler had recommended dismissal of the other two, and the store had dropped its suit against him. I like to work on one problem or a series of related cases until we get the thing cleared up, then move on to something else. Most of the time he does not initiate any investigation or file any charge without first having a complaint from a citizen. LA GRANGE, Texas (KTRK) -- Known to Hollywood as the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, the La Grange Chicken Ranch made headlines after Channel 13's Marvin Zindler got it shut down after airing. "We came to the conclusion that this would be a perfect fit.". After Jack Heard was elected Sheriff of Harris County in 1972, Zindler was unceremoniously let go, a move that Zindler blamed on agitated car dealers who were alleged to have been rolling back odometers.[5]. [3], Governor Dolph Briscoe closed the operation, only to have it open again after a few months. Thanks to personalities like Coach Bum Phillips and quarterback Dan Pastorini, Houstonians still have warm memories of the time period. As much as Zindler relishes his reputation as a dandy, it is likely he enjoys his duties as the consumers friend and protector even more. The clippings at times do seem to be endless. 2. The other spin-off showcased places where Zindler preferred to dine, called "Where Marvin Likes to Eat". Comfort the family with flowers or a sympathy gift. The average age of The firm had clubs in 11 Texas cities. becomes full Family (1) Spouse Niki Gale Devine ( 23 June 2003 - 29 July 2007) (his death) Gertrude Stella Kugler (1941 - 28 November 1997) (her death) (5 children) Zindler himself complains that his staff and office space arent big enough. Houston TV legends live on long after their death, which is why we're celebrating Marvin Zindler's 100th birthday today. He reported on his own heart surgery, gallbladder removal, prostate cancer and quintuple bypass and, of course, his many facelifts. These reports soon became famous for Zindler's enthusiastic reports of "sliiiiime in the ice machine! He was fired, he later said, after he drew the ire of businessmen who elected a rival sheriff. Do you have a favorite Marvin Zindler memory? Marvin Zindler passes away after battle with cancer. Select the pencil to add details. We share yesterday, to build meaningful connections today, and preserve for tomorrow. Then Zindler stepped in to shed more light on the operation, which led to its being closed for good.[7]. Marvin Zindler. The customer came back, complaining that she was still having problems. This section is to introduce Marvin Zindler with highlights of his life and how he is remembered. Mike Robinson / Houston Chronicle HOUCHRON CAPTION (07/24/1977): The breakdown of bus air conditioners is one of the major complaints by city bus passengers. The closing did not go well with the sheriff of Fayette County, Jim T. Flournoy, who later attacked Zindler in a fight that left Zindler with two fractured ribs, along with a snatched toupee. Anyone can read what you share. (Photo Credit: Michael Hagerty / Houston Public Media), Marvin Zindler's twirling baton, one of many items in the archives of the late Houston TV personality, which are now housed at the University of Houston. 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