Gerald Elliot Wood (’99), Hot Springs Village, Ark. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon at North Texas and left after his junior year to attend Baylor College of Dentistry, from which he graduated in 1962. He retired from his dental practice in 1998, and received his bachelor’s degree in biology from UNT the next year.

Zane Stephen Bennett (’02 M.S.), Oakhurst. He was diagnosed with retinitis-pigmentosa during his early elementary school years and his eyesight grew steadily worse. He was a counselor with the Texas Rehabilitation Commission/Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services for 25 years, assisting individuals with physical and mental challenges.

Kevin Taylor Miller (’03, ’06 M.S.), Fort Worth. He earned his bachelor’s degree in applied arts and sciences and a master’s in computer education and cognitive systems at UNT. He worked in the insurance business for many years as a claims supervisor, auditor and senior examiner.

Tom Harpool (’39), Denton. He was retired from Harpool Seed Inc. and was a civic leader credited with laying the groundwork for the development of Denton. He served on the Denton utilities board for 30 years and the Texas municipal power agency board for many years and helped organize the Upper Trinity Regional Water Supply District. He served on a committee that helped move Denton from well water to surface water, leading to the development of Lake Ray Roberts. He also served on the school board. Tom Harpool Middle School is named in his honor.

William Byron Taylor (’66 M.S.), Abilene :: He served as a minister of Churches of Christ in Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arizona and Texas, including 37 years at Maryneal. He also served as a teacher and counselor in public schools in Snyder and Abilene.

Jesús Moroles Moroles (’78), Rockport :: When he arrived at UNT in the 1970s, Jesús Moroles had never worked with granite before. He even broke his chisel in half the first time he tried it. But Moroles went on to become one of the most renowned sculptors in the art world. He died June 15 in a car accident north of Georgetown. His art can be viewed in Egypt, China, India and the White House. He also has various collection pieces residing at the Smithsonian Institute. One of his best-known pieces is “Lapstrake,” a 64-ton, 22-foot-tall sculpture sitting in the heart of New York City. On campus, his 80" x 7.25" x 9.75" Diamondback Ruin Totem, made in Georgia grey granite, sits in the Office of the President. In 2008, former President George W. Bush awarded him the National Medal of Arts for his acclaimed public art sculptures. Other honors and awards include a UNT Distinguished Alumni Award, the Texas Medal of Arts, the prestigious Awards in the Visual Arts fellowship and a National Endowment for the Arts matching grant. He was the 2011 Texas State Artist for three-dimensional works. He also served on the board of commissioners of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American Art and on the board of the Texas Cultural Trust. He credits his gravitation to “heavy stuff,” like granite, to when he helped his uncle build hurricane-proof homes along the Texas Gulf Coast when he was 13. After earning a B.F.A. at UNT, Moroles did studio work in Italy and then began the work that would gain him worldwide attention. He purchased his first large diamond saw in 1981 and created his own studio in Rockport, where he prepared and finished the majority of his work before shipping it for installation. His other works include the Houston Police Officers Memorial, a cross with a pyramid in the center and four outer inverted pyramids that sink into the ground. His most recent work was a series of granite columns for Hall Arts in the Dallas Arts District. He served as artist-in-residence at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. He was recently featured in the spring issue. "Art is one of the things that might save us, save humanity," Moroles said. "If we could get people out of their cities, out of their countries and traveling to see art around the world, then we'd all have more of an open mind toward each other."

Prilla Hinton Kuhnell Isdale (’53), Dallas. For most of her teaching career she was employed by the Richardson ISD, where she taught first and second grades. She was the recipient of the Perot Award for Excellence in Teaching. At North Texas, she was a member of Phi Gamma Kappa and was a Yucca Beauty. 

Mary Ann Turner Fitch (’76 M.S.), Midlothian. She taught for many years in the Dallas ISD and at Mountain View College.

Brian Keith Leavell (’96 Ph.D.), Denton. He was a lecturer in teacher education and administration at UNT from 2002 to 2006 and went on to become an assistant professor of education at TWU. He previously taught at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and was director of music at The Selwyn School in Denton. He learned to play the guitar at the age of 10 and had kept a full guitar studio since high school. Survivors include his wife, Alexandra Leavell, associate professor of teacher education and administration at UNT.

Kyle Michael Kilgore (’04), Denton. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry and was pursuing a doctoral degree in molecular biology at UNT. He also was an accomplished musician and loved the outdoors.