Texas memorial for Enron founder Ken Lay

Family and friends of Enron founder Kenneth Lay began saying their goodbyes in the same peaceful US mountain setting where he died last week of heart disease.

Far more will do the same a few blocks from the failed energy company’s former headquarters where Lay was once hailed as a visionary business leader before financial scandal destroyed the company and his reputation.

Lay, 64, died on July 5 in Aspen, Colorado. About 200 friends and family attended a memorial service on Sunday in the ski resort town.

The second service, expected to have a much larger attendance, will be today at Houston’s First United Methodist Church. Lay attended the church for about 12 years.

Lay and former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling were convicted in May of fraud by repeatedly lying to investors and employees about the company’s financial health before Enron careered into bankruptcy proceedings in December 2001.

Skilling, 52, attended the Aspen service and planned to attend today’s service in Houston as well, said his lawyer, Daniel Petrocelli.