Joseph Benjamin Thompson (’37), Bentonville, Ark. :: He was a pharmacist’s mate in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He owned a Western Auto Store and Thompson’s Auto Supplies in Helena, Ark., for many years. As a North Texas student, he studied chemistry and economics and worked at J.C. Penney.

Margaret Nicholson Fry (’40), Arlington :: After receiving her bachelor’s degree in biology, she earned a master of science in bacteriology from Texas Tech University. She was a biology teacher, retiring from the Arlington ISD.

Garland Matthews (’42), Pecos :: At North Texas, he was an All Conference tackle on the football team. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and coached football in Corsicana and Pecos. He retired from the Pecos ISD as principal in 1981 and ranched until 2001.

Gladys Seelbach Renfro (’43), Austin :: She attended North Texas from 1922 to 1925 until the birth of her son, Matty Barrett Renfro (’53). She returned to graduate with her bachelor’s in history when her husband was serving in World War II. She taught in Gaston and Daingerfield before moving to Carrollton Elementary School, where she taught in the same third-grade classroom for 26 years. Her early memories of North Texas appeared in the spring 2008 North Texan. She was 102.

Patricia Ruth Rushing January (’53), Dallas :: She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority at North Texas and married her college sweetheart, Donald R. January (’53). She traveled with her husband while he competed on the PGA Tour, visiting Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Hawaii, England, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Italy in addition to countless cities in the U.S. She enjoyed painting and spending time with her grandchildren.

Edythe Osborne Kirtley (’40), Shawnee, Okla. She earned her bachelor’s degree from North Texas in business education.

Crillon Payne (’40, ’51 M.Ed.), Denton. He played football and track on scholarship at North Texas for two years, serving as captain of the track team his senior year. He was in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1946, serving in the South Pacific and leaving at the rank of lieutenant commander. After teaching and coaching, he served the Denton ISD as assistant superintendent for business affairs for 26 years until his retirement in 1981.

Mildred Louise Fowler McLendon (’44), San Antonio. She was a longtime teacher, having taught first grade for 45 years when she retired from the Northeast ISD in 1988 and also serving in children’s Sunday school leadership roles at Trinity Baptist Church. She had received numerous awards, including the outstanding teacher award from the Northeast ISD, “Teacher Extraordinaire” and “Hidalgo de San Antonio de Bexar” recognitions from Bexar County, and the Jim Ruble Award for Excellence in Christian Education.

Myrtle Neale Nall Marino (’43), Denton. She was the first director of the Head Start program in Denton and had also taught in Little Elm and later in Coppell. She was a member of the UNT President’s Council and an avid bridge player and volunteer. As a student at North Texas, she was a member of the Green Jackets, the Current Literature Club, the Elementary Council and the Press Club. Memorials may be made in her name to the UNT Foundation, 1155 Union Circle #311250, Denton, Texas 76203-5017.

James Richard ‘Dick’ Thornton (’50), Vancouver, Wash. He was a Navy veteran and a retired teacher and minister who had worked in Texas, Oregon and Washington. Survivors include his wife, Nita Watkins Thornton (’49, ’53 M.Ed.).