Can't find owner of property. Neighbors say deceased? Texas

[DG H.]

I've been watching a property since December 2015. I've mailed three times, door knocked and talked to the neighbor. The neighbor says the person is deceased. I've googled Texas Deaths and Obituaries. I can't find anything. I tried calling the county and they won't give out the information. I thought it was public record. So...how do you find out?