Newsmakers, September 2012
NAMED: Brandon Tatum , president of Oklahoma Christian Academy, Edmond, Okla. Kenneth Olree , director of engineering, Abilene Christian University in Texas.
HONORED: Rex Farnsworth retired as elder of the Lakeview church in Tacoma, Wash., following 34 years of service. Cliff Craig , 20 years as preacher for Northridge church in Shawnee, Okla.
ANNIVERSARIES: 74th: Jack and Bessie Vestal, Iowa Park, Texas. 71st: James and Marie Cate, Springville, Tenn. 69th: Maxine and Gail Straight, Norwalk, Ohio. 67th: Monroe and Julia Hawley, Milwaukee, Wisc. 64th: Dan and Lois Whitaker, Cleburne, Texas. 60th: Wayne and Betty O’Bannan, Deer Park, Texas
BIRTHDAYS: 90th: Therma Lee Defer, Midland, Texas. Clinton L. Storm, Atwater, Calif.
PASSAGES: Avis Duncan , 83, July 8, Woodward, Okla., longtime minister’s wife and supporter of mission work in Brazil. Dwain Hart , 80, July 5, Abilene, Texas, an Army veteran who served Abilene Christian University for 56 years. T. Harding Lowry Jr. , 85, June 12, Mocksville, N.C., a preacher for 65 years and former president of Madison Academy in Huntsville, Ala. and Ohio Valley College in Parkersburg, W.Va. James Mangrum , 78, July 4, missionary to numerous countries including Honduras, member of the Hermitage church in Nashville, Tenn. E. Ray Martin , 81, May 26, Longview, Texas, former deacon and elder of the Lindale church in Houston. Madison Martin , 86, June 21, Edmond, Okla., Navy veteran and longtime member of the Memorial Road church in Edmond. Debbie Mitchell , 48, June 10, Tulsa, Okla., member of Park Plaza church and volunteer at Metro Christian Academy. Virginia Murphree , 85, May 27, a charter member of the Eastside church in Duncan, Okla. James H. Nixon , 81, April 3, Temple, Texas, Navy veteran and member of team that established a church in South Dakota. Eddie Faye Thornton , 96, May 14, Amarillo, Texas, a preacher’s wife serving churches in five states. Barry Trent , 73, May 27, Dardanelle, Ark., minister for more than 30 years. Donald Wright , 79, June 10, Duncan, Okla., Army veteran and member of Eastside church in Duncan.