Rodney Alan Fleming
Rodney Alan Fleming, 57, of Friendswood, TX, passed away at M.D. Anderson Hospital on May 9, 2011 surrounded by loved ones, after a valiant battle with leukemia.
Rod was born March 29, 1954 in Denton, TX to Mr. and Mrs. Leo Fleming.He was retired from NASA.Rod is survived by his wife, Betsy Fleming; sisters, Livia Jones and Lisa Goin; brother, Richard Fleming, mother-in-law, Marie Fondren; father-in-law and step-mother-in-law, James and Herta Fondren; brothers-in-law, Larry Jones, Daniel Goin, Tim Fondren and Chip Carroll; sister-in-law, Cathy Carroll; three nephews, Will and Brian Wright, and Joshua Goin; two nieces, Lori and Katy Goin; a great-nephew, Abraham Goin, and multiple cousins.
The memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 11 am at the Jeter Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, 311 N. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, TX 77546.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Leukemia Society, 5005 Mitchelldale St., # 115, Houston, TX, 77092-7230; University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486, or a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be sent to the Fleming family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at www.jeterfuneralhome.com .
Aunee Pierce-Thibodeaux Aunee Pierce-Thibodeaux
Aunee Pierce-Thibodeaux, 55, died March 7, 2011, at her home in Denton, TX.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at DeBerry Funeral Home in Denton at two-o'clock in the afternoon. A gathering with light catering will be held immediately following the service.
Aunee was born December 15, 1955 in Wichita Falls, TX, to Carl and Dale Pierce. Dr. Carl Pierce is a long-time Burkburnett resident and retired chiropractor. Dale Pierce was a local philanthropist and activist for the National Federation of the Blind. Aunee grew up with her four brothers in Wichita Falls and lived in the area much of her adult life until relocating to Houston and eventually moving to Denton.She was a student at Rider High School and a graduate of Midwestern State University where she studied English, History, and Anthropology.
After receiving her Bachelor of Arts Degree, Summa Cum Laude, in 1987 from Midwestern, Aunee relocated to the Houston area with former husband, Jim Short of Iowa Park.In Houston, she developed in-house publication departments for a number of prominent corporations and did freelance editing and graphic design. She was a dedicated career woman, mother, and grandmother.
In 1998, Aunee met and married current husband and dedicated best friend, Chuck Thibodeaux of Beaumont, TX.In 2001, they settled in Denton with their beloved dogs, Al Sloan and Eddie, and cat, Bumper.
Aunee was an extremely intelligent, well-travelled avid reader with a wide variety of interests including art, classical music, motorcycling, and Texas Rangers baseball. She was also a talented artist. Her wildlife artwork has been displayed and sold in art galleries. Her art is highly coveted by family members and will be cherished as family heirlooms. Aunee's graphic art designs also live on today in numerous company logos, books, and album covers.
Aunee is survived by her husband, Chuck Thibodeaux; daughter, Sunshine Gillett of Boise, ID; granddaughter, Sheradan Magee; father, Carl Pierce; and three brothers, Chris, Dan, and Mark Pierce.She was preceded in death by her brother, Keith Pierce, and mother, Dale Pierce.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the dedicated doctors, nurses, and staff at the Texas Cancer Center of Denton and especially to Chuck for his unwavering dedication to Aunee and fighting the fight with her every day.
Aunee's in memoriam request was to have wildflower seeds sprinkled along Texas highways.
Dennis Ray Geeslin
Dennis Ray Geeslin, 55, of Denton, TX passed away on Thursday, May 12, 2011 in Denton. He was born on November 23, 1955 in Dallas, TX to Robert and Margie Geeslin.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 10 am at the Denton Funeral Home Chapel.
Survivors include his mother, Margie Geeslin of Healdton, OK; daughters, Aimee Anderson of Denton, TX, Kizzy Bishop of Tyler, TX, Danielle Geeslin of New York, NY, Denise Holman of Denton, TX, and Brandi Collins of Aubrey, TX; brothers, Robert Geeslin of Hickory Creek, TX, and Ricky Geeslin of Healdton, OK and sister, Tammy Helm of Sacramento, CA.
Services are under the direction of Denton Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
Berton Edward Lyle, Jr. Berton Edward Lyle, Jr.
Dr. Bert Lyle, also known as The Ole Coach, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on May 11, 2011. He was 83 years old and a resident of Denton, TX, since 1964. Dr. Lyle was a former track coach and athletic director at Texas Women's University. He coached the track team from the mid 1960's through 1981 and continued as Athletic Director for many years after that. A true Pioneer of Women's track and field, his team won the very first Women's Collegiate Championship in 1969 along with two others after that.
In addition to coaching at TWU, Dr. Lyle traveled the globe coaching U.S. teams in the Olympics and World Championships. Many of his athletes from TWU participated in the Olympics as representatives of several countries including the United States. He truly loved the sport of track and field and loved even more, the relationships he had with the athletes, coaches and others that he met along the way. His track girls were family and his house was always open to them.
Dr. Lyle received many prestigious awards for his coaching and contributions to the sport. His detailed analysis of tape and technique was taught to, and utilized by, athletes and coaches all over the world. Most recently, he was inducted into the 2010 Hall of Fame Class of the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Dr. Lyle was born in Tupelo, MS on May 8, 1928. He received his undergraduate degree from Duke University where he was a pre-season All American in football and also lettered in baseball and basketball. He served in the Air Force from 1953-1956 where he was named to the All Air Force Football Team. He received a Master's Degree from Southern Methodist University and his Doctorate Degree in Physical Education from The University of Texas.
Dr. Lyle enjoyed his basset hounds and thought they made excellent assistant coaches. In the late 1960's and 1970's, he was often seen driving them to and from the track with their big ears flapping in the wind. He was a master gardener and bird watcher and would not hesitate to stop the car immediately upon spotting a plant, flower or feathered friend of interest. He was always teaching and wanted others to understand the importance of "stopping to smell the roses along the way."
He had a tremendous sense of humor and a deep Southern drawl to deliver it. He was quick witted and very intelligent. He loved his family dearly and was a born leader, teacher and coach. He cherished his relationship with God which grew even stronger in the last few years. He knew that he would continue his journey in the Kingdom of Heaven and will save places for us all. He will be dearly missed but his love, life and teachings will be with us forever.
He would surely tell you today that his greatest accomplishment in this life was his marriage of over 56 years to Eula Mae "Pris" (Bass) who was always by his side in whatever endeavor he was pursuing. He is survived by Pris and their two children, Bert E. Lyle, III of Huntsville and his wife, Susie and Frank Lyle of Argyle and his wife, Julie. Bert and Susie's children are Kristopher and his wife, Jayna, Austin and Alexis Mae, "Lexi." Frank and Julie's children are Blake and Chad. Dr. Lyle is also survived by a niece and nephew, Kathryn Lyle and Jeff Lyle of Washington, DC. He is pre-deceased by his brother, Frank Lyle; his mother, Beatrice Chilcoat Lyle and his father, Berton E. Lyle, Sr.
If desired, and in lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Bert Lyle Scholarship Fund at Denton Area Teachers Credit Union, 225 W. Mulberry St., Denton, TX, 76201 or P.O. Box 827, Denton, Tx, 76202.
Visitation will be at the Mulkey Mason funeral home in Denton on Friday, May 13, 2011 from 5 to 7 pm. A funeral service will be conducted at the First United Methodist Church in Denton on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 11 am which will be followed by a reception from 12 to 1 pm.
