Nita M. Adams

Nita M. Adams, 84 of Thackerville, OK passed away on Friday, February 19, 2010 in Marietta, OK. Arrangements are pending with Huff/Slay Funeral Home, Pilot Point, Texas.

John H. Brown

John H. Brown, 77, of Denton, passed away Friday, February 19, 2010.  John was born on July 28, 1932 in Denton, Texas to Otis (Pete) and Mildred Brown. He received his education from Denton High School and North Texas State University. John earned his private pilot’s license when he was 18 and his commercial and multi-engine ratings after returning home from the military. He entered the United States Air Force where he served as an aircraft mechanic mainly in Japan, from 1952-1956. Mutual interests in flying led him to marry his beloved wife of 49 years, Carolyn Jo Smith of Denton, on April 2, 1960. John retired from Fischbach and Moore International Corporation in 1990. His 23 years of being a civil estimator, project manager and corporate pilot, carried his family to many different parts of the world.

John is a member of Taylor Park Church of the Nazarene in Denton, where he has served as the construction coordinator in the building of their new church home. John’s love and dedication will soon be realized as the church is nearing its opening.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Brown, and one son, John Kevin Brown, and daughter-in-law, Libbi Hedges Brown. John also has three granddaughters, Mattison, Hannah and Haley Jo, who were the delight of his life. He is also survived by his brother, Donald Ray Brown, and wife, Virginia Brown of Runaway Bay, Texas and many brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws and dozens of nieces and nephews. John will be missed immensely.

Visitation will be on Monday, February 22, 2010 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bill DeBerry Funeral Directors in Denton. Services will be on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Bill DeBerry Funeral Directors. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton. In lieu of flowers, any contributions may be made in John’s name to the Taylor Park Church of the Nazarene Building Fund, 1905 McCormick, Denton, Texas, 76205.

Mary M. Dunn

Mary M. Dunn, 81, of Collinsville, passed away Friday, Jan. 29, 2010.  A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 27, at 5 pm, in the Whitesboro Community Center, 400 Wilson, Whitesboro, TX.

Billie Louise Leddy Foster

Billie Louise Leddy Foster, 79, of Krum, passed away Thursday, February 18, 2010 at her residence.  She was born on May 17, 1930 in Midland to Frank Harris Leddy and Wilma Billie Turner.  She married Billie Adam Foster on March 21, 1958 in Weatherford, co-owned Foster Saddle Shop with her husband, and was a member of the Krum United Methodist Church. 

Billie is survived by her husband, Billie Adam Foster; daughters, Sandra North and husband John of Slidell, Christie Enoch and husband Terry of Slidell, Lisa Foster of Little Elm, and Tina Bergbauer and husband Craig of Clare, IL; sons, Mark Foster and wife Madeline of Denton, and Brad Foster of Krum; 16 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; and other close family and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Billie Leddy; son, Buddie Foster; daughter-in-law, Jeannine Foster; sister, Peggy Griffith; father-in-law Elliott Foster; and mother-in-law, Edith Foster.

Visitation will be Sunday, February 21, 2010 from 5 to 7 p.m. at DeBerry Funeral Directors.  The funeral service will be held Monday, February 22 at 3:30 p.m. at the Krum United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Christy Thomas officiating.  Burial will follow at the Jackson cemetery in Krum.

Lee Gerard Knox

Lee Gerard Knox passed away Feb 15, 2010 in Denton, TX.  He is survived by his wife of 63 years, June, and their three children, Steve, Tom and Elise Knox.  He is also survived by his daughters-in-law Cindy and Nancy; and grandchildren: Anne Baker, Amy Lentz, Jay Lentz (Amy’s husband), Stephen Knox, Renee Knox, Lee Knox, and Jeanette Knox.  His great-grandchildren include Madeline and Jackson Baker, Kyle, and Jamy Lentz.

Fresh out of High School, Knox started in the 55th Regiment, and shipped out with the 1st Armored and Infantry.  He participated in seven landings during WWII.  His military expeditions included Rome–Arno, Rhineland-Central Europe, Southern France, Oran-North Africa, Naples-Foggia, Tunisia, Sicily and Iceland. By the end of his military career in 1945, he was a Technical Sergeant. Directly after the war, he put his VA benefits to use, attending Oklahoma A&M (now OSU).  His activities included the National Society of Scabbard & Blade.  While there, he met his future wife.

In 1949, he visited Denton as the national Representative of Gama Theta Upsilon to set up a Geography Fraternity at North Texas.  Impressed with his skills, North Texas State College (now UNT) hired the young professor that following year to teach Physical Geography and Geology.  Knox dedicated his working career to UNT proffering scientific studies mixed with colorful stories to students for 37 years.  He will always be remembered for his open honesty and hearty sense of humor. He loved the lecture hall, but even more, he loved the geological field trips.  Busses of students took short hops to the Wichita Mountains, or more intense national journeys to Canada or both Coasts searching geographical data.

An active volunteer in the college environment, he served many years on the Faculty Senate, and was the “Voice of UNT Eagles” (football and basketball announcer).  He also volunteered as Special Events Coordinator and Chairman of Homecoming Parade.  For his commitment, the Student Activities Committee selected him as “Outstanding Professor on Campus” in 1962.A highlight of his career, he was selected for the prestigious “Fessor Graham” the highest honor presented by the University’s student body in 1985.  For many years he was a dedicated member of the American Legion Post 71.  Some of his titles included Post Commander, Oratorical Contest Chairman and Finance Officer.

Long known for his civic volunteerism, Knox was highly recognized for his dedication as a Denton Election Judge for over 45 years.  He was also a regular at Boy Scout activities, directing special events, badge workshops and swim programs.  In later years, he assisted many hours as a Ft. Worth National Archives Volunteer.

The family requests donations made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.  Knox was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

William (Bill) D. Lukie, Jr.

William (Bill) D. Lukie, Jr., 40, of Lake Dallas, passed away Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at Denton Regional Hospital.  He was born April 27, 1969 in Madison, Indiana.  He was a courier at DSI and married Rhonda Garvin on October 21, 1999 in Lewisville.

Visitation will be Sunday, February 21 from 3-5 at DeBerry Funeral Directors.  A funeral service will be held Monday, February 22 at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Lake Dallas.  Burial will follow at Gunter Cemetery in Gunter, TX.  Pallbearers will include Byron Umphress, Mike Umphress, Mike Rutherford, Johnny Brogan, Jody Brogan, and Denton Simpson.

Bill is survived by his wife, Rhonda Lukie; daughters, Nicole Ann Lukie and Kayla Marie Lukie all of Lake Dallas; parents, Glenda and Jim Brown of Trenton Ohio, and Bill and Brenda Lukie of Fort Mill, S.C.; sisters, Michelle Lukie, and Rachel Helms; and brothers, Stacy Brown, Adam Lukie, and Aaron Miller.