Dr. Henry “Hank” Lamar Eaton, 90, Professor Emeritus of history who taught at UNT from 1966 to 2010, died Nov. 27 in Tigard, Oregon. During his long career, he taught undergraduate and graduate courses in American and Russian history, Russian language, and Holocaust studies. He created and taught the Great Books course, a 12-credit-hour course in the great works of Western literature, philosophy and history, alongside instructors from the philosophy and English departments. He wrote The Origins and Onset of the Romanian Holocaust, a book exploring the history of anti-Semitism in Romania and the atrocities inflicted on its Jewish community during World War II. Beyond his teaching and scholarly work, he was a Korean War-era veteran, a draft counselor to North Texas students during the Vietnam War, and an editor, cartoonist and cover artist for the community newspaper Denton Voice in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Margaret Lambert, 89, of Denton, an administrative assistant in the housing department for UNT from 1977 to 1999, died March 7.

She was recognized with an outstanding staff award from then Chancellor Alfred F. Hurley in 1988 for her work in updating procedures to make them more efficient – stepping up from her position’s usual duties without training.

In 1999, she received the Southwest Association of College and University Housing Officers’ Bob Cooke Distinguished Service Award, recognizing her service, dedication and contributions to student housing.

She also was active in her church.

Jose Guadalupe Calderón (’91 M.S., ’94 Ph.D.), of Denton, 62, died Feb. 21. He was the instructional lab manager in the Department of Chemistry from 1998 until his retirement in 2022.

A native of Mexico, he attended Texas Southmost College in Brownsville before transferring to Sul Ross State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1987. He then moved to Denton where he completed his graduate degrees in analytical chemistry.

As lab supervisor he provided training and assistance in the use of the equipment and is credited in many theses and dissertations over the years, especially for his expertise in mass spectrometry.

Jose and his wife, Alicia Re Cruz, professor of anthropology and director of women’s and gender studies, met at UNT, and their three sons are current and former UNT students: Samuel (’20 M.A.); Gabriel (’22), chemistry graduate student; and Daniel, an urban policy and planning major. Over the years, the family created and supported many programs that serve students, UNT and the Latino community.

A memorial service is scheduled at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 5, in the DeBerry Funeral Directors Chapel, 2025 W. University Dr. in Denton.

Roy Kirkland, who worked on the UNT Facilities maintenance team from 2007 to 2022, died Jan. 16. He served as a facility technician from 2007 to 2017, and then as a plumber until he retired in 2022.

He grew up in the Cumberland Presbyterian Children's Home in Denton. His co-workers remember him as a family man, a hard worker, and the type of person who brought joy and a good attitude to every situation. He was beloved by his team and by everyone at Facilities.

A celebration of his life will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 25 at 3311 Danbury Cove in Corinth.

Kenneth Tyrone Ballom, 56, dean of students at UNT from 1998 to 2008, died Jan. 11.

He came to UNT in 1995, first working as assistant dean of students for three years before being promoted. While at UNT, he also spearheaded the establishment of the volunteer center and served on boards supervising the construction of Sorority Row, the Waranch Tennis Complex and the Pohl Recreation Center.

He had previously worked as an assistant hall director at Western Illinois University and as a counselor and director of Student Support Services at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon, Illinois.

After his time at UNT, he served as associate vice chancellor and dean of students for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was known for his tireless work and advocacy for students and gave many presentations on finding solutions for them.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce and his master’s degree from Western Illinois University, and he had completed all but his dissertation for a doctorate in higher education from UNT.

A Celebration of Life will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, in the Jade Ballroom of UNT’s University Union.

Cory Johnson, 43, of Denton, a food service specialist who had worked at Eagle Landing for Dining Services for more than two years, died Jan. 11. Family members remember him as someone who was kind, generous and open-hearted to everyone. He loved people, his family and his church and was a big Dallas Cowboys fan.

The viewing and visitation will take place from noon to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at Peoples Funeral Home, 1122 Mulberry Street, in Denton. The homegoing celebration will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at St. Andrew Church of God in Christ, 608 Lakey Street, in Denton.

Diana Bracken, 60, of Lewisville, a photographer who worked as creative director for UNT’s public relations and communications division from 1997 to 2007, died Dec. 5, 2022, in Dallas.

A lifelong artist, she served various roles throughout her career -- photojournalist, custom printer, prepress coordinator, graphic designer, creative director and brand manager – for employers including News Star in Monroe, Albritton’s Camera in Austin, U.S. Bowling Congress, Sally Beauty and Denton ISD, in addition to UNT.

Co-workers remember her as a very creative person, a kind friend and a great collaborator. She worked on many of the North Texan issues as well as other university publications in her years at what is now University Brand Strategy and Communications.

She also was a strong believer in social justice and was active in her church. She loved hanging out at the beach and art museums and listening to music.

Joe Glenn Stewart (’71 Ed.D.), 85, of Denton, who held various high-ranking positions at UNT – including associate director of housing, dean of students and vice president of student affairs – died Dec. 28.

During his years of service at UNT from 1971 to 1998, one of his biggest initiatives came in 1995, when he helped spearhead a one-stop service for students, soon known as the Eagle Student Services Center, that consolidated several enrollment-related support offices into one building.

Dr. Stewart and his late wife, Judy (’84), received UNT’s Continuing Academic and Professional Service Council Award for exemplary service to the university and to the Denton community in 2003 and UNT’s Outstanding Alumni Service Award in 2004. Dr. Stewart also received the College of Education Outstanding Alumnus Award. He was a life member of the UNT Alumni Association, served on the association’s board and was a member of the Mean Green Scholarship Fund.

The Stewarts established The Dr. Joe and Judy Stewart Scholarship in 2001 to provide opportunities for undergraduate students at the university. Dr. Stewart became a member of the Chilton Society in 2018. He received his bachelor’s degree from New Mexico State University and his master’s degree from the University of Texas at El Paso. He was a sports fan and avid traveler.

Kenneth “Kenny” Anderson, 60, of Ponder, a food service specialist at Chick-fil-A in the University Union, died in November. Kenny first worked at UNT from 2010 to August 2018, then returned in 2019. He was a very talented handyman and always willing to help out. His coworkers remember Kenny as a person full of humor who loved to share his jokes.

Clara Anne Buttafuoco George, 85, of Lewisville, died Oct. 23. She was a licensed vocational nurse who worked at UNT from 1989 to 2006. She enjoyed spending time with her family — which included nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren — and she loved being out at the lake.