Some sad news.  I have learned that our fellow graduate, Tommy Carter, is now deceased.  The information was released on his daughter’s Facebook account. Several of our graduates reached out to Tommy to encourage him to attend our reunions and become reacquainted with classmates.  Unfortunately, they were never able to obtain success from their endeavors.
Here are some pictures of Tommy in our yearbook.  He was nominated as one of our Senior favorites.  Let us all remember Tommy as we knew him in high school.  May Tommy be at peace.

Unfortunately, all classmates in the picture are now deceased

Michael Don McGown, Sr passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, July 16, 2022. He was born on February 27, 1943 to Need & Gladys McGown in Waco, TX. Don attended Bryan Adams High School where he was on the cheer team. He still has his cheering sweater after all these years, although it would be a bit tight. Don and his family also attended North Waco Baptist Church, the same church where his son, Michael, would one day attend while in college and volunteer in the Youth Department.

Don graduated from Texas A&M University in 1964 with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and received his MBA from Northwestern University. He held numerous positions at numerous companies like Hallmark, Coca-Cola, Kitchen Fresh, Judson Candies, Martin-Marietta, KCI, and USAA. His jobs took him from Chicago, to Kansas City, to Houston, to Chattanooga, and finally to San Antonio where he eventually retired before moving to Katy to be close to his sons and their families.

Don began to date Kay Louise Griffith, a striking freshman at TCU, after being setup on a blind date. It was peaches and cream from there. They married on December 28, 1964, as soon as Don graduated, just weeks before he went off to war in Vietnam. After servicing as an intelligence officer, he came home safely and the family began. Michael Don McGown, Jr was born in September of 1968 and Kevin Wayne McGown followed 14 months later in December of 1969. Being quite the handful, Don and Kay decided that was enough.

Don was a wonderful father to his sons. He never missed a ballgame, took the boys hiking, fishing, and camping as Indian Guides through the YMCA. Adventures at Camp Ocoee included swinging from vines in the woods, fishing at the same productive hole year after year, almost burning the lodge down, and sleeping with the windows accidentally open on a snowy night.

Don was also a loving husband to his dear wife, Kay. They were married a total of 57 years. They built a life of love and mutual support through the years. They served each other and served the Lord at church. They loved to cruise and went to Alaska, the Bahamas, the usual stops out of Galveston, and even the Panama Canal. Don’s final wish was for the whole family to go on a cruise, which they did, just 5 weeks before he passed.

Don was a devoted Aggie. Despite his best efforts, his sons attended Baylor and only one grandchild out of 6 went to A&M. But the Aggies were always his favorite team. True to tradition, the Aggies never lost, they just ran out of time. It was not unusual for Don to watch old A&M football games throughout the summer to gear up for the upcoming season.

But probably the thing that Don will be most remembered for is his love for the Lord. While Don had always gone to church and became a Christ-follower as a boy, he had a personal spiritual awakening in his life in the 1980’s. Probably driven by his desire for his young sons to shape up and follow Jesus, Don & Kay started taking very seriously their own personal spiritual lives while in Chattanooga. This continued when they moved to San Antonio where the family attended Shearer Hills Baptist Church. As a leader in the church, Don taught numerous Sunday School classes, was a deacon, and volunteered in countless ways, all to serve the Lord. But he wasn’t just a church attender—you could see Jesus in his words, his kindness, and his willingness to help anyone. Ultimately, the example set by Don & Kay was a key factor in both their sons being called to go into the ministry and they both serve as pastors today. Michael is the pastor at Parkway Fellowship and Kevin is the pastor at Regeneration Church, both church plants started by each.

Don will be missed greatly. His laugh, his smile, his Aggie fanaticism, his borderline hoarding (because you might need that someday), and his love for Jesus, are what we remember and love the most. He leaves behind his loving wife, Kay, two sons, Michael & Kevin and their wives, Amy & Patresa, and six grandkids, Mason and his wife, Valeria, Elena, Spencer, Abby, Libby, and Ben. There is also a great grandchild on the way which Don will see from Heaven.

We miss you so much already. Love you big.

Darell Gene Gill, a long-time resident of Plano, Texas passed away July 2, 2022 at the age of 80. He had recently moved to Cibolo, Texas to be closer to his sister, Vickie Jackson. He was born on May 15, 1942 to Delbert Gill and Thelma Mae (Wheeler) Gill in Waco, Texas where he grew up. Darell was a graduate of the 1960 class of Waco High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from North Texas State University and also earned a master’s degree from East Texas State University. For a time, Darell played semi-pro baseball for the Waco Missions. He later used his athletic talents to coach baseball and football to budding athletes in Plano ISD. In 1994, he earned a state football championship ring when the Plano Wildcats won the state title. The Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association awarded Darell as the first recipient of the Texas High School Assistant Coach of the year. In addition to coaching, Darell was a teacher for over 30 years.

Darell was a member of the Freemasons and a licensed pilot. He loved to fly and in 1985, the Plano Daily Star-Courier wrote an article about Darell teaching flight training to flying club students.

Darell was a very active member with FCA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and member of the Heights Baptist Church in Richardson, Texas. He was a loving father, brother, uncle and friend. Darell will be missed dearly by those who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his sister, Janice Meadows of Griffin, Georgia, Vickie Jackson and husband, John of San Antonio, Texas, and Kathy Gill Foil of Brenham, Texas; brother, Travis Gill and wife, Pam of Victoria, Texas; nieces, Jennifer Nelson, Vanessa Presson, Amy Horn, and Kara Koen; and a host of other loving family and friends.

Darell was preceded in death by his daughter, Mandy Gill Gupta and parents, Thelma and Mozine Wood.

A memorial service was held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 14, 2022 at Turrentine-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. The service was recorded and can be seen by clicking on the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/darell-gene-gill.

w/ David McPhail	w/Gwen Ewing Hodges

Linda Sue (Shelby) Lyons of Waco passed away on October 26, 2021 at the age of 79.

Linda was born September 12, 1942 in Waco, Texas, to Everett and Lena Belle Shelby. She attended schools in Waco and graduated from Waco High School in 1960. In 1966, Linda earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Baylor University with majors in French, German and English. During her teaching career, she taught high school English, French and Special Education briefly in Dallas then Waco. In 1975, Linda obtained her Masters of Science in Education from Baylor and then began her career as an Educational Diagnostician with Rio Brazos Education Coop until her retirement in 2006.

Linda was soft spoken, kindhearted, and extremely generous. She was a talented artist who loved to paint, sew, quilt, and make stained-glass art. She also played the piano and guitar. In her younger years, Linda enjoyed bowling and water skiing. Linda loved all animals, especially cats, recusing many of them into her loving home. She volunteered at the McLennan County Zoo and Waco Animal Birth Control Clinic.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents Everett and Lena Belle Shelby, and her brothers Everett Shelby Jr and Edward Shelby. Linda is survived by her daughter Diana Waggoner and husband Mark, grandchildren Blake Waggoner and Blaine Waggoner, nephew Everett Shelby III and wife Stacie, niece Erin Williams and husband Chad.

If you so desire and in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fuzzy Friends Rescue, 6321 Airport Red, Waco, TX 76701, any Humane Society, or the American Cancer Society.

You can view Linda’s Memorial Service and Tribute Video by clicking here.

Pictures of Linda during Fun Times

On September 5, 2021 with family by her bedside, Jane Adeline Lucas went peacefully home to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Jane was born on November 8, 1942, in Beaumont, Texas.  She grew up in Waco, Texas and attended Baylor University.  Upon graduation from Baylor, Jane moved to Dallas, Texas where she spent over 30 years teaching and impacting countless lives of students in Dallas ISD.

On her free time Jane enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. She was happiest when she traveled to two of her favorite places, London and Las Vegas.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Margaret Eloise Purl Lucas; father, George Wilson Lucas, Sr; brother, George Wilson Lucas, Jr; sister, Margaret Eloise Patterson and brother Thomas Wilson Lucas.

Jane was a caring daughter, sister, friend and aunt.  She is survived by many dear friends and family including her brother-in-law, William Burdette Patterson; niece, Cydney Patterson Wright and husband Keith; niece, Courtney Patterson Myers and husband Devin; and nephew Joshua William Patterson and wife Nisha.  In addition, she is survived by her grandnieces and grandnephews, Miles Burdette Wright and wife Allison Rose Wright, MacKenzie Ann Wright, Max Garland Wright, Seth Lucas Myers, Noah James Myers, Hope Adeline Myers, Logan Flora Patterson, Andie Eloise Patterson, Eli Daniel Patterson.

Jane at our 50th reunion – October 2010

Jan Massey (l) and Jane Lucas – October 2010

Jane Lucas (r) accompanied her sister, Peggy, and husband Bill, to Gulf Shores, Alabama in July 2014 for their 50th wedding anniversary. The whole family attended bringing the total to 19 people who enjoyed the week.

Russell Lee Keeling was born to Edna and Willard Keeling in Albuquerque NM on February 5, 1942 while Willard (Bill) was stationed in the Army Air Corps during WW II. The family moved to Waco TX at the end of the war. 

Russ attended Texas A&M and became a Group Commander in the Corps of Cadets during his last year of school. 

From A&M he went directly into the United States Air Force and completed pilot training at Reese AFB in Lubbock Texas, graduating first in his class. 

As a veteran of the SE Asian Conflict, and during his twenty-two-year career he earned four Distinguished Flying Cross Medals, the Airman’s Medal (for life-saving), two Meritorious Service Medals, Seventeen Combat Air Medals, Air Force Commendation Medal, Distinguished-Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Readiness Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and other notable recognitions. 

After retiring from Barksdale AFB in Shreveport, LA in 1986, Russ returned to Redlands. He was a devoted member of Redlands First United Methodist Church and sang in the Sanctuary Choir for over 30 years and served on many different committees. Russ joined the Inland Master Chorale in 1987 and continued to sing with the Chorale until recently. 

Russ was an avid racquetball player, enjoyed gardening, traveling, and especially loved playing with his grandchildren. Russ is survived by his wife of 28 years, Lloy Keeling, children Kathleen Keeling of Portland OR, Gregory Lee (Susan) and granddaughters Christina and Annalisa of Newport Beach, Michelle Reynolds of Portland OR, and brother Bob Keeling of San Angelo TX, and several cousins living in Texas. 

A Memorial Service with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, September 11 at 11:00 at the First United Methodist Church of Redlands (One E Olive Ave). 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Redlands First United Methodist Church Foundation (One East Olive Avenue, Redlands CA 923733) or the Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation: 23101 S Tamiami Trl., Ste. 320, PMB 226, Estero FL 33928. 

Read about Russell’s life as featured in the February 2020 issue of The Town Crier

And see more pictures of Russ Keeling.

Ann Hayes, 78, of Waco, passed away on September 2, 2021, surrounded by her family after a long and courageous battle with cancer.  The visitation will be Friday, September 10, 2021, from 10-11 am, with services beginning at 11 am at Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Mingo Balderas & Minister Bert Mercer officiating.

On September 25, 1942, Ann Pierce was born in Waco, Texas, to Cazzie and Marie Pierce.  She was a lifelong resident of Waco and was an avid piano player and singer.  Ann loved singing in her church and school choirs until she graduated from Waco High School in 1960.

Ann married the love of her life, Grant Hayes, in May 1959. She filled her life with service to her natural family and her church family, continuing to lend her beautiful voice to both.  While raising her family, Ann worked for Wm. Cameron and Steakley Bros. Chevrolet. She also spent several years on the cafeteria staff at Speegleville Elementary School.  Ann would finally work for their family business, Southwest Telecom, until her retirement in 2005 due to her initial bout with cancer.  Above all, she dedicated her entire adult life to the love and support of her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Her greatest love was for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and she was a faithful member of Brookview Church of Christ until her death.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her son Scott Hayes, son-in-law Sam Marsh, and her great-grandson Christian Robinson.  Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Grant Hayes, her children David Hayes and his wife Christie, Shirley Hayes Marsh, Eric Hayes and his wife Inez, 11 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Baylor Scott & White – Hillcrest hospice staff for their incredibly loving care and compassion.

Carole Ann (Fisher) Clingman, born February 10, 1942 in Waco, Texas was called home August 11, 2021, in Billings, MT. As the third child to Hugh Homer and Grace Lee Fisher, Carole left this world much like she entered – small in stature, but mighty in spirit.

Carole met and married her husband of eighteen years, Rodger Clingman, while Rodger was attending Baylor University. They soon took up permanent residency in Montana, Rodger’s native home where they raised their two children, John and Cindy. Carole was a southern girl at heart who hated the Montana winters, but chose to stay for the love of her family.

For over thirty years, Carole worked in the oil and gas industry. She was a dedicated, hard worker who loved the industry, her job and her co-workers. She will likely be remembered for her professionalism, her sense of style and sense of humor.

Carole fiercely loved her family, especially her grandsons, James, Niklas and Karson. She was proud to be present at each of their births and is now in Heaven singing and dancing with her granddaughter Callie Ann.

Carole was deeply compassionate, dearly loved the Lord and her family. Her family will remember her for her great cooking, her ability to make even the simplest things special, her style, her ability to laugh at herself, and her loudly cheering her grandsons on from the sidelines of their music and sporting events.

Carole is preceded in death by her grandparents; parents; and her beloved brothers Jimmy and Mike; and granddaughter Callie Ann. Carol is survived by son John; and ex-husband, Rodger Clingman, both of Bozeman; daughter Cindy (Kris) Nordstog of Billings; her sister Barbara Wilks of Waco, Texas; sister-in-law, Sharon Fisher of Mansfield, Texas; grandsons James Clingman of Greenville, Pennsylvania, Niklas and Karson Nordstog of Billings, MT; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services will be held at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at Heights Family Funeral Home. Her urn will be interred at a later date at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in Carole’s name to the Moss Mansion where Carole volunteered her time and Toys for Tots.

Here’s a picture from October 6, 2000 (left to right: Ralph Hill, Susan Harkness Hill, Carole Fisher Clingman)

On Thursday, June 17, 2021, J. Crozier Brown, loving husband, father and grandfather, was called home by the Lord at the age of 78.

Crozier was born on July 14, 1942 in Waco, TX to Benjamin F. Brown III and Mary Hunt Brown. He grew up and graduated high school in Waco, TX before moving to Austin, TX to further his education. While attending the University of Texas at Austin, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the College of Engineering now known as the Cockrell School of Engineering. Upon completing his graduate degree, Crozier served as a leader and early adopter in the use of information technology to find civil and petroleum engineering solutions.

When Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and satellite imagery were new technologies, he was an early adapter who learned how to apply these tools to the engineering discipline, demonstrating their value and guiding users. He also co-authored the computer software used to design the drainage system for the 18,000-acre Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. For his contributions in the field of engineering, Crozier was inducted into the University of Texas Civil, Architectural and Environmental Academy of Distinguished Alumni in September 2016.

After his successful career as an engineer, Crozier, a man of strong faith and a friend to anyone who met him continued serving the community as an active participant in many civic and philanthropic endeavors. He served on the board of the Twelfth Step Ministry dedicated to the support of individuals in North Texas, and he also served as a member of the Shelton School Board in Dallas, TX, always working to help individuals empower themselves and reach their full personal and academic potential.

The patriarch of the family, Crozier was a great family man and friend to all who knew him. Along with his sweet temperament and big heart, Crozier enjoyed the company of others and loved spending time partaking in hobbies such as hunting, golfing, going out for nice dinners and watching and rooting for his beloved UT Longhorns.

Crozier is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Rita Taylor Brown of Dallas, Texas, daughters April (Robbie) Munoz of San Antonio, and Sherri (Trey) Henry of Celina, and son Larry Southworth of McKinney, five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren and his sister in law.

He was preceded in death by his father Benjamin F. Brown III, his mother, Mary Hunt Brown, aunt, Louise Hunt, uncle, James Hunt and brother, Benjamin Franklin Brown IV.

Obit and Memories

Phyllis Ray Brooks, age 79, of Red Oak, Texas, passed away at 4:30 pm on May 23, 2021. After a long struggle with several ailments in recent years, she went to be with the Lord Jesus and is now without pain or illness.

Miss Brooks was born in Waco, Texas on March 3, 1942 to Pauline Ray and William Ira Brooks. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Madelynn Brooks. She is survived by her nephews, nieces, and several grandnephews and grandnieces: Chris and Stephanie Brooks, Josh and Alicia Choat (children Aria and Leo), Hunter and Lindsey Brooks, Alex and Brii Kellum, Tanner Brooks, Keith and Sally Riddle (children, Addis and Heidi), Roy and Rebecca Harsila (children: Brooks and Bodee), Ben Brooks (child: Alix), as well as by cousins in the Brooks family.

Phyllis Ray Brooks was admitted to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) on November 8, 1969 in the Sterling C Robertson Chapter in Waco. Her current chapter was Cedar Mountains, District II. She had been a member for almost 52 years.

Phyllis enjoyed holidays with family, genealogy research, volunteering, working as a substitute teacher, and serving in the DRT. She loved the people of Ovilla Road Baptist Church and her work at the Veteran’s Administration. Phyllis had a knack for making jalapeno jelly that she gave as gifts at Christmas time.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Ovilla Road Baptist Church … 3251 Ovilla Road, Red Oak, TX

Obit