Peggy Jean Lehr Pollak

Peggy Jean Lehr Pollak (86) was born to Edwin and Carrie Lehr on January 5, 1937 in Baytown, Texas where she was raised. She graduated from Baytown’s Robert E. Lee High School where she excelled in academics and music having won many awards playing the alto saxophone. As a first-generation college student, she attended the University of Texas in Austin majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She next attended UT Galveston where she obtained a Medical Technology degree and soon after was employed by Exxon Chemical as a lab technologist before becoming a lab director. It was there she met and fell in love with a chemical engineer and Rice University graduate named Joe Pollak. They married in 1958, settled in Baytown, and were blessed with two children, Carl, and Amy.

In the early 70s, Peggy earned a Masters in Psychology from the University of Houston while working part-time both at Exxon and at San Jacinto College as an instructor. Peggy then entered private practice as an LLC for nearly 10 years. During this decade, she was very involved in the community including PTA President, St. Mark’s Methodist Church board member, Toastmasters, League of Women Voters, Chamber of Commerce, Lakewood Civic Association, local theater, and the MHMR Agency. With the aid of several local Hispanic Catholic churches, she helped create and establish a school for children of illegal aliens where over 80 students attended the first semester. She was outspoken about women’s rights and was featured in various newspaper articles about having a rewarding career while also being a wife and mother. She poured a lot into her children (and later her grandchildren), exposing them to all kinds of activities from sports to the arts and sciences, not to mention vastly creative birthday parties. Playing cards and board games was almost routine. Amidst the busyness of her career and community, she always had time for her family, their school, and their extracurricular activities. Baking cookies, (particularly her “famous” tea cakes) with her kids and often their friends were a common occurrence. She was the driving force in getting her children involved in tennis at an early age; a sport that indeed is one for life, as both are still very involved in the sport along with their families. She started art classes in her home led by seasoned artists from the Houston area. Additionally, she was the creator of the kids’ theater workshop, S.T.A.R.s (Summer Theater Acting in the Round) at the Baytown Little Theater that was successful for 5 years. She enjoyed acting on stage at the BLT taking on various roles over the years. Peggy even performed at the bicentennial celebration dancing the Charleston in full ‘20s attire. 

In 1979, another dream was realized. After seeing the need for family-friendly entertainment, Peggy opened The Vault Arcade from a renovated bank branch next door to one of the few movie theaters in town. Coinciding with her kids’ high school years, The Vault became a very popular non-smoking facility filled with video games, pinball machines and pool tables along with a dining area ideal for birthday parties or friend gatherings. The Vault was a huge success and one of her greatest accomplishments as an entrepreneur. News of the coming of the town’s first mall set the wheels in motion to sell off the inventory, closing a special chapter in her book that lasted five years.

In the late 80s, Peggy began another career change and attended South Texas School of Law in Houston for three years. Due to complications from surgical errors, she was unable to finish. 

In 1990, she and Joe moved to The Woodlands where they lived for ten years. Peggy served in several capacities of the HOA while there. Plagued by more health issues from toxic poisoning, she was determined to get well and spent the next few years researching, sharing, and helping others with a natural approach to healing and improved health. She became profoundly knowledgeable in her quest and helped many people over the years. She suffered an additional health setback after sustaining a brain injury which ultimately fed into her goal of getting well. Her endeavors on this journey reached across the globe and great strides were made in her own health, as well.

In 2001, Peggy and Joe moved to Fort Worth to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Joe passed away suddenly in 2004, just a year after their grandson Matthew’s untimely death at age seven. Peggy continued to serve on the HOA board, joined various church groups, bridge clubs and poker groups, often holding these activities in her home. She always loved to host parties and events and was frequently referred to as the “hostess with the mostest.” Peggy was a tough Scrabble player often dominating the family competition. She had quite a green thumb with many house plants lasting for decades.

On July 2, 2023, at the age of 86, surrounded by family, Peggy left this earthly home due to complications from congestive heart failure. She was a loving wife to Joe for nearly 45 years and they were blessed to be able to travel all over the world. However, her favorite place to go was to the beach with family. She was affectionately known as “Honey” to her five grandchildren who she loved dearly. Over the years, people from all walks of life have said she left a profound impression on them and was a very unique and special person, with a great sense of humor. She was fiercely loyal to her Christian values and raised her children with them as well. Whether as a wife, mother, or grandmother or in any of the various activities or events in which she was involved, she never did anything halfway. She gave it her all. She will be missed by many, yet her legacy lives on.

Peggy is survived by her two children and their spouses, Carl (Alyson) Pollak and Amy (Greg) Cobble; by her grandchildren CJ Pollak, Hazel Pollak, Gretchen Cobble (Jonathan) Lumpkin and Meredith Cobble. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Joe, her brother, Dr. Ed Lehr, and her grandson, Matthew Cobble.

A memorial service to honor her will be held Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 3pm in the Elizabeth Cramer Chapel at Arborlawn Methodist Church, 5001 Briarhaven Rd, Fort Worth, TX, 76109.

Memorials: If a donor desires, donations can be made in her memory to MercyShips.org or your local SPCA.