Earl Murray Selzer

Earl Murray Selzer celebrated his ninety-eighth birthday on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. It was a week filled with joy and laughter surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. A wonderful culmination to a long and meaningful life, Earl passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. Though he faced the challenges of Parkinsons, it never defined him or touched his remarkable mind, his deep love for family, and his enduring zest for life. Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1927 to parents, Myrna and Joseph Selzer, Earl grew up with his brother, Jerry, in a warm and close-knit extended family that he cherished. This upbringing shaped his deep appreciation for family, faith, and heritage, and all things Cleveland. He cheered passionately for his beloved teams, the Cleveland Indians, the Cleveland Browns, and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Earl’s love of sports extended beyond watching - from high school to adulthood, his passion and skill shone in every sport he played. In 1945, the family moved to Houston, where they established United Plumbing Supply. A large, wholesale plumbing business and American Standard distributor, that grew as Houston grew. Working side by side with his father and brother, Earl established many lifelong relationships in the industry and was deeply knowledgeable and respected in his field. Ten years later, on a return visit to Cleveland, a mutual friend fixed Earl up on a blind date with a beautiful gal named Janice Waldorf. Earl was smitten and proposed immediately, but it took Janice until their 4th date to say yes. They married in Cleveland, Ohio, December 18, 1955 and settled in Houston, sharing a wonderful sixty-seven years together, where they raised three children, Elyse, Bill, and Linda. Earl and Janice loved to travel and had a rich social life, especially with “The Poker Club” and its weekly games. Their home was open to all, filled with lots of love, laughter, and parties. Earl was always charming and quite the storyteller, and he made friends wherever he went. His incredible memory and uncanny ability to recall people and events stayed a constant throughout his life. At the Brookdale, Earl remained remarkably active, triumphantly winning in weekly poker, bingo, and his “Flex Your Brain” game club. Earl’s long life is a testament to love, family, and friendship. A joyful culmination to a life well-lived, he leaves behind a legacy of devotion, warmth and cherished memories that will endure in the hearts of all who knew him. Earl was preceded in death by his wife, Janice Waldorf Selzer, parents, Myrna and Joseph Selzer, brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Barbara Selzer, in-laws, Della and Harry Waldorf, and niece, Eydie Selzer Goldman. He is survived by his children, Elyse and Howard Schultz, William (Bill) Selzer, and Linda and Michael Lang; grandchildren, Eryn Schultz and Sam Rose, Mindy and Kevin Tofsky, Devyn Schultz, Kali and Sam Raphael, Nicole Lang, Morgan Bagnard and Cory Selzer; seven great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Alana Waldorf; sister-in-law, Phyllis Lefkowitz; and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins who will miss him dearly. The family would like to express their deep appreciation for the compassion and care of his loving caregivers and staff at the Brookdale Galleria where Earl resided for over ten years. This community became a beautiful chapter in his life. A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025, at 9:30 am in the Sophia and Jack Bender Memorial Chapel at Beth Yeshurun Post Oak Cemetery, 7445 Awty School Lane, Houston, Texas 77055. A livestream of the service will be available at the following link: https://venue.streamspot.com/f8d04b5b The family requests that donations may be made in Earl’s memory to Congregation Beth Yeshurun, Eydie Selzer Goldman Fund (www.bethyeshurun.org) or the Houston Area Parkinson Society (www.hapsonline.org).

Earl Murray Selzer

December 2, 1927 - December 3, 2025