Barbara Ellen Mars Yount (’72), Fort Worth. She served four years in the U.S. Navy upon graduation with a degree in English from North Texas.

James Kevin Culberson (’91, ’94 M.A., ’03 Ph.D.), North Richland Hills. He was a teacher at Covenant Christian Academy, using his doctorate in modern European history to help shape the curriculum. He enjoyed off-roading trips, traveling and reading. A former Eagle Scout, he was a Scoutmaster, and he also was active in his church.

Anne Rice, 80, who attended North Texas in the early 1960s before becoming an internationally best-selling novelist known for her Gothic vampire stories, died Dec. 11 in Rancho Mirage, California.

Her most famous book, Interview with a Vampire, was made into a 1994 movie starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, and it followed a dozen other books known as the Vampire Chronicles. The books even inspired a Broadway musical, Lestat, with music written by Elton John.

She wrote more than 30 books, including the novel Exit to Eden and the memoir Called Out of Darkness: A Spiritual Journey. Her works have sold 150 million copies.

In our 2009 profile, Rice recounted that she enjoyed college life in Denton so much that she featured the town in her novel The Witching Hour. She had come to Denton initially to attend Texas Woman’s University and later transferred to North Texas.

Both she and her boyfriend, Stan, were English students who married at the home of Jesse Ritter, a creative writing professor. They frequently listened to the lab band in the student union, among other activities.

“It was a wonderful atmosphere of creativity,” she says. “We really felt like you could do wonderful things, and that was shared by other people.”

They later moved to California, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in creative writing from San Francisco State University, before pursuing a writing career.

William Lee Creel (’58), Round Rock. He spent more than 35 years working with State Farm Insurance Company. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea in 1953. While at North Texas, he was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity where he engaged in many shenanigans. He was known as a grillmaster, collector of World War I and II guns, excellent dancer and avid traveler. Survivors include daughter Christine (’93).

Edward Supina (’65, ’68 M.Ed.), Denison. He was a member of the Mean Green football team and attended UNT on an athletic scholarship in 1960. In 1963, he suffered an injury that ended his college football career and went on to become an offensive line coach for the freshman football team. He also was a member of the Geezles. He went on to become a teacher on the adolescent unit and activity director at Timberlawn Psychiatric Hospital in Dallas. Afterwards, he spent the rest of his career in recreation therapy for the City of Dallas and received numerous awards for his work. Along with his professional career, he was also involved in the Grayson County Master Gardener Association and became known as “Mr. Tomato.”

Jared Sherman (’05, ’12 M.S.), Garland. He worked in the College of Engineering’s Computer Systems Research Laboratory from 2010 to 2013, then began working as an engineer at Raytheon Technologies for nearly eight years. He loved being with family, volunteered his technical and musical skills for his church and was an avid sports fan.

John Allen Lovelace (’52), Dallas. He was a writer and editor for several newspapers in Sherman, Tyler and Madison, Wisconsin and, after receiving a master’s degree in religious journalism from Syracuse University, worked for several religious publishers in Texas and Illinois. He also taught at Oklahoma Baptist University. While at North Texas, he was editor of the 1952 Yucca, a tenor in the A Cappella Choir and a member of the Wesley Foundation, Phi Alpha Tau and Phi Mu Alpha. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Reynolds Lovelace (’52), and preceded in death by his parents, William True Lovelace (’38) and Cleo Wayne Crandall Lovelace (’37). Read some of John's memories of his time at North Texas.

James Hampton (’57) Trophy Club. He was an actor best known for his roles in F Troop, The Longest Yard, Teen Wolf and Sling Blade. He also had numerous directing credits for TV shows such as Sister Sister, Boston Common, Grace Under Fire, Evening Shade and Hearts Afire. At North Texas, he appeared in several plays and was a member of Kappa Alpha. After serving in the U.S. Army, he studied at the Knox Street Theater in Dallas and performed at the Casa Manana in Fort Worth before pursing his career as an actor. He and his wife, Mary Deese-Hampton, co-wrote the book, What? And Give Up Show Business?

Eddie ‘Mac’ McMillan (’57), Cisco. He served as a staff sergeant and engine specialist in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, where he was awarded the Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation and the United Nations Service Medal. After his service, he came to North Texas, where he played football and was a member of the Geezles. He worked at T&P Coal and as a State Farm Insurance Agent until his retirement. Eddie was a Master Mason and active in the Lions Club, serving as district governor.

James B. Giles (’90), McKinney. James served as a hospital corpsman first in the U.S. Navy, then the U.S. Marine Corps and Reserves. An art major at North Texas, he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Texas Christian University and a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Texas at Austin and worked as a registered pharmacist for 52 years. He earned his bachelor’s degree in printmaking at UNT.