Posts by Valerie Wong
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D. Keith Downing
D. Keith Downing, award-winning Texas architect, beloved father, friend, and avid fisherman died Jan 9, 2012 in Dallas. Longtime resident of the Park Cities, he was born in Paducah, Texas, May 28, 1932. Downing was a graduate of Texas Tech University, where he was later named Distinguished Alumnus of the College of Architecture at Texas Tech University. He founded Downing Associates architectural firm, where he led a broad and varied practice, designing the first high-rise tennis club in New York City, a thoroughbred horse racing farm in Oklahoma, and major industrial projects throughout Texas for clients such as John Stemmons, Dallas civic leader and developer.Downing is acknowledged as one of the leading architects in Texas in preservation/restoration. He is remembered for his deep fascination with what he considered the “elegant intersection of design with artisan craftsmanship” of early Texas architecture. His award-winning works include structures at Old City Park in Dallas and the innovative Meadows Foundation 20 acre preservation/restoration project, the Wilson and Beilharz Blocks, the Meadows Foundation Headquarters building, restoration of the adjoining historic park, and many structures included in the original plan. Equally renowned was his creation of an 1830’s farmstead for industrialist, Pete Gifford, CEO, Gifford Hill. That property, called Wolf Run, located in North Texas, was later given to a Dallas private school to serve as an educational retreat.
In recent years, Downing led the restoration of the historic chapel built on the Kenedy Ranch in South Texas for Sarita Kenedy. He occasionally designed period and contemporary homes for both city and country life.
He is survived by spouse, Victoria Smith Downing; daughter, Nan Elizabeth Downing; son, Michael Lindsay Downing and wife Alexandra; grandson, Archer “Archie” Lindsey Downing; sisters, Joy Sue Moutos and husband Vas, and La Ruth Scruggs and husband Larry; nieces: Sheila Holt and husband Steve, Mary Ann Murphy and husband Joe, and Susan Kaye Bailey and husband Ken; nephew, Jimmy Moutos; grandnieces, Carrie Taylor and Allyson Holt; and the Loucille and Kenneth Smith families.
Services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb 4, 2012, at Cox Chapel, Highland Park United Methodist Church. The Rev. Terry P. Jones will officiate and Curtis Meadows, former president of the Meadows Foundation, will deliver the eulogy. Tributes may be made to the Texas Tech College of Architecture, c/o Andrew Vernooy, Dean of Architecture, College of Architecture, 18th and Flint Avenues, P.O. Box 42091, Lubbock, TX 79409.
By Valerie Wong Feb. 3, 2012 | 10:07 am | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Park Cities People Classifieds 2/3/12
By Valerie Wong Feb. 2, 2012 | 11:07 am | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Park Cities People 2/3/12
By Valerie Wong Feb. 2, 2012 | 10:51 am | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Park Cities People Classifieds 1/27/12
By Valerie Wong Jan. 26, 2012 | 1:15 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Park Cities People 1/27/12
By Valerie Wong Jan. 26, 2012 | 1:10 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Park Cities People 1/20/12
By Valerie Wong Jan. 19, 2012 | 4:31 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Park Cities People Classifieds 1/20/12
By Valerie Wong Jan. 19, 2012 | 1:55 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Meredith Fletcher & Daniel Rath
Matthew Shelley
Meredith Ann Fletcher and Daniel John Rath exchanged wedding vows on Oct. 29 at the Church of the Incarnation. The ceremony was officiated by T. Gregory Methvin. A reception of dining and dancing followed at the Rosewood Crescent Hotel.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Dickson Fletcher of Dallas. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Goodison Williams Jr. of Erie, Pa., and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Frederick Fletcher of Dallas.
The groom is the son of Dr. Gary Alan Rath and Dr. Cynthia Ann Gerow Rath of Greeley, Colo. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Dennie Jubert Gerow of Newport, Wa., and Mr. and Mrs. John William Rath of Rochester, N.Y.
The bride was given in marriage by her parents. Attending as maid of honor was Arwen Elizabeth Fletcher. Bridesmaids included Kristin Elizabeth Nelson, Kara Colleen Krautter, Laura Meyer Maloney, Avery Erica Mack, Corina Renee Baldwin, Emily Rose Courtney, Allison Leigh Rath, and Hillary Marie Halter.
Serving the groom as best man was David Michael Osborne. His groomsmen included Douglas James Fletcher, Stephen Knox Case, Joshua J.G. Baldwin, Patrick W. Adams, David Emerson Brooks, Matthew James Osborne, David Shapiro, William Warren Davis, and William Lynham Anderson. Ushers were Jason Kyle Putnam, Brett Douglas Tattersall, and Daniel John Wright
The bride is a graduate of Highland Park High School. She received a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri, where she was president of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She is a marketing manager for Vogue Magazine and a member of the New York Junior League.
The groom received his international baccalaureate from Greeley West High School. He received a Bachelor of Science from Pepperdine University, where he was a recipient of the President’s Scholarship. He is a fixed income trader for Concordia Advisors, LLC.
Following their wedding trip to Cabo San Lucas, the newlyweds are now at home in New York.
By Valerie Wong Jan. 19, 2012 | 1:37 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Molly Strief Wilshusen & Robert Houston Hunt
Lindsey Shea Photography
Molly Strief Wilshusen and Robert Houston Hunt exchanged wedding vows Oct. 15 at Park Cities Presbyterian Church. The ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Dr. Mark Davis, senior pastor. A reception of dining and dancing followed at Northwood Club.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Carroll Wilshusen of University Park. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Henry Eiband Wilshusen and the late Mr. Henry Eiband Wilshusen, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Edwin Strief, all of Highland Park.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Houston Bunker Hunt of Highland Park. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. William Price Huckin Jr. of Tulsa, Okla., and Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Bunker Hunt of Dallas.
The bride chose an ivory gown with a soft sweetheart neckline from Priscilla of Boston. The lacy detail on the A-line dress was mirrored in her chapel-length veil. The bride wore her maternal grandmother’s diamond bracelet, carrying on a family tradition of sharing this heirloom piece with each bride-to-be for her special day.
The bride was given in marriage by her parents. She was escorted down the aisle by her father. Attending as maid of honor was Layne Catherine Ogden. Bridesmaids were Arleigh Victoria Andrews, Grace Kendall Flora, Sarah Kathleen Hamilton, Rachel Ellen Hawes, Elizabeth Croom Hunt, Jamie Leigh Oden, and Erin Chancellor Vestring. Members of the house party included Callea Elizabeth Bogdon, Erin Patricia Burton, Elizabeth Blair Culwell, Erin Elizabeth Frost, and Emily Hatch Hollaway.
The groom’s brother, Nelson Huckin Hunt, served as best man. Groomsmen included Aaron Reid Cave, James Reed Gardner, Robert Melville Goudge, James Arthur Madden II, Donald Miles Matter, Garrett Russell Merrell, Robert Carroll Wilshusen, William Eiband Wilshusen, and Andrew Crawford Zeiler. Robert John Bain, John Tyler Day, Martin Jacob Newman, and Travis Michael Ward were ushers.
The bride is a graduate of Highland Park High School. She received a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from the University of Oklahoma, where she was also a member of Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity for women. She is employed by Highland Park Middle School in the special-education department.
The groom is also a graduate of Highland Park High School. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from Texas A&M University. He is the manager of development for West Dallas Community School.
Following their wedding trip to Riviera Maya, Mexico, the couple have since made their home in Dallas.
By Valerie Wong Jan. 19, 2012 | 1:35 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Holly Hurmis & Chace Langford
Holly Hurmis and Chace Langford exchanged wedding vows Oct. 8 at University Park United Methodist Church. The ceremony was officiated by J. Richard Wilson, associate pastor. A reception followed at Brook Hollow Golf Club.The bride is the daughter of Darrell and Kim Hurmis of Dallas. She is the granddaughter of David and Alice Hurmis of Dallas and the late Bill and Sue Lloyd of Chicago.
The groom is the son of Gaylon and Suzanne Langford of Lufkin, Texas. He is the grandson of Vernon and Betty Burkhalter of Diboll, Texas, and Ray and Etoile Langford of Lufkin, Texas.
The bride was given in marriage by her parents and escorted down the aisle by her father. Attending as maid of honor was her sister, Callie Hurmis. Bridesmaids included Blair Culwell, Amy Douthey, Whitney Franklin, Jennifer Frye, Hannah Langford, Lara Beth Levy, Jordan Morley, Maggie Morrow, and Sara Rhodes. Members of the house party included Alyssa Alspaw, Sarah Burns, Catherine Coleman, and Paige Morley. The flower girl was Olivia Lloyd.
Serving the groom as best man was Austin Franklin. Groomsmen included J.B. Askew, Jarrod Cox, Josh Duckworth, Randy George, Jack Kennedy, John Mark Lowery, Rob Staky, Ryan Stoudt, and Rich Warner. Ushers were Stephen Broussard, Justin Gill, Matt Gill, and Eric Johnston.
The bride is a graduate of Lake Highlands High School. She received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Christian University, where she was a Neeley Associate and a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. She is an assistant account executive for Encircle Marketing.
The groom is a graduate of Lufkin High School. He received a Bachelor of Science in economics from Texas Christian University, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He is employed by Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.
Following their honeymoon trip to Maui, Hawaii, the couple are now at home in Dallas.
By Valerie Wong Jan. 19, 2012 | 1:32 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS
