John Ed Balentine (’39), Gainesville :: Born on a farm in what is now Trophy Club, he remembered riding his pony to first grade at the Demonstration School on campus. In Tracks of A Country Boy, he recounted stories of his youth, including riding freight trains from California back to Texas when he was 19. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II with an antiaircraft division in Australia, New Guinea, Morotai and Manila and worked for 40 years for Magnolia Petroleum Co., later Exxon Mobil Corp. He and his wife moved to a farm in Gainesville in 1959, where he enjoyed trail rides and was active in the Cooke County Heritage Society and Antique Farm Equipment Club and was a member of the First United Methodist Church for more than 40 years. He rode horses until he was in his mid 80s. In 2008, he sold his farm and moved to Waco, where he spent time with great-grandchildren.

Tommie Jean Dobie Bothwell (’36, ’50 M.Ed.), Prosper :: She taught first and second grades for 37 years, including 35 years in Celina. She served as an elder and treasurer for her church for many years, and was a charter member of the Fidelis Inter Se Club. At North Texas, she was a member of the Elementary Council.

Peyton Foster ‘Doc’ Roden (’67 M.A., ’70 Ph.D.), Denton, professor of finance since 1975, died March 14. He was a teaching fellow in economics and in finance at North Texas before joining the faculty full time. His recent research and publications examined financial markets in Mexico, including the impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Roden received a UNT Citation for Distinguished Service to International Business in 2002 and was named director of the UNT Center for NAFTA Studies in 2003. He also was a certified managerial accountant and a certified financial manager. Roden previously taught at Baylor University and the University of New Orleans. He received a bachelor’s degree from Baylor, which he attended on a tennis scholarship, and master’s and doctoral degrees from UNT. Donations may be made to the Peyton Foster “Doc” Roden Memorial Scholarship Fund at UNT.

Zachary C. Tucker (’92 M.Ed.), Denton, who served as student activities coordinator from 1984 to 1996, died May 1. Known as a devoted mentor, university supporter and Mean Green fan, Tucker received the UNT Alumni Association’s 2004 Ulys Knight Spirit Award, given to alumni for their efforts to sustain spirit among the UNT family. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas Wesleyan University and a master’s in adult and continuing education from UNT.He had served on the University Union board of directors, the Honors Day committee, and parking and housing appeals boards. He also was named an outstanding alumnus of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity multiple times and served as an officer of the fraternity’s alumni association. He continued mentoring students and employees as the manager of the Wells Fargo branch in the University Union before moving to PointBank, where he was a vice president and branch manager.

James C. Stewart Jr. (’49), McKinney :: He earned his degree in business and was a member of the Trojan fraternity. He started his banking career working for his father’s Central National Bank and became the executive vice president of business development for Independent Bank of McKinney. He was involved in church and community organizations, including the Lions Club and city council, and was a former president of the Chamber of Commerce.

Arlette Crawford Hill (’52), Albuquerque, N.M. :: She was a mechanical and architectural draftsperson and later taught those skills. She also was a medical and technical illustrator. After earning her Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico, she taught technical writing at Texas A&M University. In Albuquerque, she also served as a docent at four museums and worked with the St. Michael’s Episcopal Church food pantry. At North Texas, she was a member of Phi Sigma Alpha, the Gammadions, the Mary Ardens and the Green Jackets.

Bettye Dutton Webb (’50), New Braunfels :: She received a journalism degree from North Texas, where she met Cloys Webb (’51, ’58 M.M.Ed.), a respected choral director whom she married in 1949. She worked as a paralegal and secretary in Perryton, McAllen and Fort Worth in addition to working as a homemaker. The Webbs retired to Wimberley in 1993, and Bettye moved to New Braunfels in 2008 after Cloys’ death.

George Wilson (’53), Chesterfield, Mo. :: After graduating, he served in the U.S. Navy and then worked for the L.G. Balfour Co. for 30 years. He was a member of Sigma Nu at North Texas. Survivors include his wife, Gloria Spangler Wilson (’53).

Mack Christian (’65), DeSoto :: He was a State Farm Insurance agent for more than 40 years and was instrumental in the development of State Farm’s matching scholarships for UNT. He was a member of The Kendall Society and a lifetime member of the President’s Council. He also was involved in his church and in charitable organizations such as the Methodist Children’s Home, the Austin Street Shelter and Habitat for Humanity.

Rebecca E. Mabra (’83), Double Oak :: She was a member of the Delta Zeta sorority and a lifelong fan of UNT athletics. She taught in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD for 28 years, including teaching third grade and instructional technology. Survivors include her husband, Russell Mabra (’91). He says she enjoyed living life at the lake, fishing, golf, gardening and traveling — she attended all four of the Mean Green’s New Orleans Bowl games as well as NCAA appearances. Her final wishes included a recording of North Texas, Fight at her memorial.