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.

The daughter of James Butler Goodson and Molly Barnes Goodson, Laurie was born in Dallas on Feb. 21, 1951. Laurie graduated from Highland Park High School in 1969. After attending Stratford College in Danville, Va., Laurie transferred to University of Texas where she graduated with a degree in art history. At UT, Laurie pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma, making many lifelong friends. After college, Laurie married Steve Owen, with whom she had three cherished children – Steve, Molly, and Sam.

She was a member of Park Cities Presbyterian Church, the Junior League of Dallas, the Founders Garden Club, and Wednesday afternoon bible study. However, her deepest interests were in her home, family, friends, and faith. Laurie’s Christian faith deepened throughout her life. She endeavored to follow the course laid out in Philippians 4:8: “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” She adored her children and had a special way of looking for the best in them and their friends.

Laurie brought her impeccable sense of style and taste to all that she did. A natural born nester with the gift of hospitality, Laurie’s love of cooking, decorating, and gardening – a special passion for roses – made her home a welcoming and inviting place for family and friends. Laurie’s countless friends treasured her generous nature, loyalty, and sense of humor. Laurie loved children and for years taught at University Park United Methodist Church Weekday School and Providence Christian School. Near the end of her life, she was greatly touched by the many books donated in her honor at Providence.

On July 3, 1999, Laurie married Hank Glasgow, her true soulmate and a gift from God. In March of 2008, Laurie was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia, a degenerative neurological disorder. In facing this challenge with the help of her devoted husband, family, and many friends, Laurie’s strength, character, dignity, and ever-deepening faith was never more apparent. Her complete trust in her husband Hank and in the Lord have been a powerful witness to her willingness to “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

Laurie’s family wishes to extend their sincere thanks, gratitude, and appreciation to Anita Martinez, Vilma Riviera, Norma Ramirez, and especially Ana Galdamez for their exceptional compassion and graciousness in caring for Laurie in her final days. Her family also thanks her devoted friends, who have provided invaluable support with their companionship, food, prayers, and innumerable kindnesses.

Laurie is survived by her husband Hank, her parents Molly and Jim Goodson, son Steve Owen, son Sam Owen, daughter Molly Soper and her husband Steven, and granddaughter Mary Laura Soper; sister Liza Nichols and her husband Rusty, brothers Jim Goodson, Tom Goodson and wife Wylly, nephews and nieces Jason Nichols and wife Leslie, Will Nichols, Liza Goodson, Henry Goodson, and Claire Goodson and mother Jessica Wren; stepchildren Martha Glasgow Greenberg and husband Steve and daughter Kate, Hank Glasgow Jr. and wife Jordan, and Bo Glasgow; sister-in-law Marty Glasgow Cooley and husband Wayne, daughter Beth Cooley Glasgow and husband Brandon, and son Daniel Cooley and wife Gloria and daughter Eleanor; sister-in-law Bonnie Glasgow and daughter Michelle Hopper and husband Austin and their children, Thomas and Margaret.

A memorial service was held in the sanctuary of Park Cities Presbyterian Church on Nov. 11. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Laurie Glasgow to the Think Ahead Group at the Center for BrainHealth:

Center for BrainHealth ATTN: TAG 2200 Mockingbird Lane Dallas, Texas 75235.

John Thomas Wright passed away peacefully on July 26, with his family by his side. Beloved husband, father and grandfather, he was lovingly known to his family as Tommy, Thomas, Daddy, Bebaw Boy, Babaw and Grandpa, and also known to co-workers, caregivers and friends as John or Mr. John. He was born in Ethelsville (Pickens County) Ala., to parents John W. Franklin Wright and Amelia Brownlee. According to family records, the year was 1913, although a subsequent duplicate copy of his birth certificate received over 35 years later, showed 1912 as the year.

Upon the death of his mother in 1914, he and his sisters, Mary and Florence, went to live with their maternal grandparents on the family farm in New Hope, Miss. Growing up in rural Mississippi, Tommy developed a lifelong love for baseball, hunting and fishing, carpentry, and woodworking. As with most young men during the early years of the Great Depression, after graduation from high school, Tommy found few employment opportunities available. For a time, he worked as a butcher in a local grocery store, as a pattern cutter in the garment industry, and for the highway department building roads. An offer to drive an elderly gentleman to Dallas to visit the Texas Centennial Exposition in 1936 changed Tommy’s life. Family members living in nearby Arlington convinced him that job prospects were much better in Texas at that time. The decision to stay in Texas was made, and Tommy quickly found employment with an up and coming men’s pants manufacturing company called Haggar.

Several years later, he was introduced to the love of his life, Vera Lucille Palmer, at Oak Cliff First Baptist Church. While Tommy continued to work at the Haggar Company, Lucille was an executive secretary for the Ripley Shirt Company. However, a call from “Uncle Sam” interrupted their marriage plans. For more than three years during World War II, Tommy faithfully served his country in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, stationed in the Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska. It was during this tour of duty that he acquired the telecommunications skills that would lead to his future career.

Post-World War II American saw an explosive growth in the telecommunications industry. After his return from the war, Tommy’s valuable experience in the Signal Corps allowed him to find almost immediate employment with Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. During a 32-year career, he worked on numerous large telephone-switch installations in almost every major corporation and office building in downtown Dallas. From his early experience in the garment industry in Mississippi, Tommy strongly supported union workers’ rights and was a member of the Communication Workers of America during his years with Southwestern Bell. He was also a lifetime member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. Tommy instilled a strong work ethic in his daughters, particularly the importance of punctuality and attendance, receiving numerous “perfect attendance” awards during his career.

Tommy and Lucille were married in January 1945. They settled in Oak Cliff, where they lived for more than 65 years, raising two daughters and enjoying five lively grandchildren. Outside of work, Tommy enjoyed hunting and fishing trips with his father-in-law, other co-workers, and his daughters. He was also a Mason for more than 30 years. His leisure time was spent gardening, landscaping or toiling in his workshop creating handcrafting furniture and other wood-working projects.

One of his true pleasures throughout his life was listening to radio broadcasts of professional sport events. He felt the radio’s play-by-play coverage was far superior to televised coverage and would often turn the TV volume completely off while listening to a baseball game on the radio. Tommy was a diehard Texas Ranger fan, and although declining health prevented him from attending their games, he always listened to the radio broadcasts.

During his retirement, he also spent countless precious hours with his grandchildren. Often, multiple grandchildren would be sitting in his lap or perched on the arms of his recliner while he read stories to them, enjoyed “tea parties” with the girls or playing toy trains with his grandson. Tommy loved his family deeply, not only his wife and daughters, but also his sons-in-law, whom he considered as true sons, and his grandchildren. Tommy was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Vera Lucille Wright, his parents, and sisters. He is survived by daughter Carolyn Tipton and husband Glynn; daughter Patricia Erickson and husband Steven; grand-daughters, Erin Tipton, Elspeth Erickson, Elisa Tipton, and Kestrel Erickson; and grandson Rowan Erickson.

Funeral services were held Monday, Aug. 1 at First Baptist Church, 323 W. Wheatland Rd, Dun-canville, Texas. Visitation with the family began one hour before the service. Memorials may be made to: Grace Presbyterian Village Caring Fund, Dallas, Texas.

He graduated from Southwest High School in St. Louis. In 1942, he enlisted and served in the U. S. Navy. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., in 1949. He returned to serve in the Navy until honorably discharged in 1952. He founded and was president of the Cross Country Insurance Agency and Crowder Davis & Co. (later renamed Dexter Insurance).

He was a member of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, John DeGrazier Masonic Lodge, Hella Temple Shrine, and Top of Dallas Shrine Club. He was also a volunteer with SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives).

Walter is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Louise, daughter Evelyn, her husband, Miguel Ylagan and their children Elaina and Michael; son James M. Davis, wife Deborah and their children Preston and Price; son W. John Davis Jr., wife Andrea and their son Ben; and son William F. Davis, wife Amy and their children William, Hannah, and Gilbert.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Friday, July 29 at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 11122 Midway Road, Dallas, Texas 75229. In lieu of flowers, please make any expression of sympathy in the form of a memorial contribution to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital.

Departed this life on Tuesday, June 28, at the age of 90 years. She was born in Fort Worth to Joseph V. Graffeo and Geneva Swink Graffeo on Dec. 31, 1920. She was educated in parochial schools in Fort Worth until the family moved to Dallas, where she graduated from Highland Park High School and attended SMU.

In high school, she met the love of her life, L.W. “Buddy” Sharp, and they were married as he was enlisting in the U.S. Navy for WWII. Her life was devoted to Buddy and her three sons and their children. She was a lover of art, and she was an excellent cook.

She was a member of the Marianne Scruggs Garden Club and the Women’s Club of Dallas. She is survived by sons Steven James Sharp and his wife, Pat; Michael Robert Sharp and his wife, Sara; Christopher Glenn Sharp and his wife, Kydie; grandchildren Kimberle McGaw, Mark Woodall, Pamela Kennebeck, Ellen Tuthill, Bonnee Sharp Fuller, Sally Schwarz, Elizabeth Sharp, Stephen Sharp, Michael Sharp, and William Sharp; 13 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and their children.

A graveside service at Hillcrest Memorial Park will be held at 10:30 a.m Saturday, July 9.

Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers are requested to be given to Alzheimer Foundation of America, Faith Presbyterian Hospice, Christ the King Catholic Church, or another charity of your choosing.

He grew up in Athens, Texas, and was graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. As a Chi Phi, Devane was selected Alumnus of the Year in 1987. Devane had an advertising agency and then became an accomplished real estate developer with major projects in several cities. This included developing Chandler’s Landing Yacht Club in Rockwall, where he was the club’s first commodore. Devane served as the president of the Dallas and the Texas Apartment Association. He was appointed by the governor to the Special Advisory Council on Housing and the Texas Department of Community Affairs. He loved his work and was also an avid sportsman. He excelled in sailboat racing, skiing, fly-fishing, scuba diving, and tennis.

Devane enjoyed travelling and seeking new adventures with his soul mate and wife of 33 years, Aggie, who survives him. He is also survived by his three children, Benjamin Devane Clarke III of Austin, Cary Clarke and his wife, Kama, of Colleyville, and Susan Wood and her husband, Clinton Wood, of Highland Park and two stepsons, Barron Thomas and David Thomas. Devane is also survived by his pride and joy, his three grandchildren, Clarke Wood, William Clarke, and Avery Clarke. He is also survived by his devoted sister, Jean Holmes, of Athens.

As a longtime member of Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, Devane served on several administration boards and also established the Prayer Room. He wrote a book on God’s spiritual universe. Devane served on the board of Bent Tree Country Club and served as the president of the Men’s Tennis Association at Bent Tree. Devane was amazingly energetic and competitive and was a blessing to his family and many friends.

A memorial service was held at 10 a.m. July 7 at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church. Memorial gifts may be made to the Shepherd’s Garden and Columbarium at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, 9200 Inwood, Dallas, TX, 75220, or visit Devane at this beautiful setting after its completion on July 30.

Louise Hemingway Montjoy Lathem, a resident of University Park, passed away Sunday, June 26, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born Sept. 16, 1954, in Tampa, Fla., to Jule Sellers Montjoy and Richard Wilson Montjoy, Louise grew up in Jackson, Miss.

After graduating from the University of Mississippi, Louise moved to Dallas to obtain her master’s degree in early childhood education at Texas Woman’s University. Though she had intended to return to Mississippi, she never left Dallas and began her career teaching art, kindergarten and beginners, at Preston Hollow Presbyterian School, at the St. Michael School, and at Episcopal School of Dallas. She is remembered as Miss Montjoy by her former students, who are now young adults.

Like her father, Louise was an avid chef. She attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. In the 1980s, she founded the Montjoy of Cooking in Preston Center with her cousin Ellen McDowell. They offered cooking classes for children during the day and for adults on weekend nights. In 1996, she married Charles Lathem, and in 1999, she became mother to Wilson Lathem.

Louise was a member of Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, where she taught Sunday school and was a member of the pastoral care team cooking meals for parishioners who were ill or had experienced a traumatic event. She was also a member of the Slipper Club, the Junior League of Dallas, and the Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. She spent countless hours volunteering at the Episcopal School of Dallas and was a Cub Scout den mother.

In addition to her husband and son, Louise is survived by her brother, Robert Seibels, and his wife, Cynthia, of Montgomery, Ala.; sister Jule Northup and her husband, Frederick, of Asheville, N.C.; sister Carol Jackson and her husband, William, of Montgomery, Ala.; aunt Rebecca Doe of Montgomery, Ala.; nine nephews; hundreds of cousins; and thousands of friends.

Visitation was held June 29 at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas. Services were held June 30 at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 8011 Douglas Ave., Dallas, with graveside services following at Sparkman/Hillcrest.

Louise’s brother-in-law, the Very Rev. Frederick B. Northup, officiated. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Louise’s memory to Children’s Medical Center Foundation, 2777 N. Stemmons Freeway, Suite 700, Dallas, TX, 75207.

Dorothy was born on May 19, 1930, in Dallas to L. R. Gibson and Mary Melton Gibson and grew up in the Park Cities.

She was a lifelong scholar who was dedicated to teaching and learning. Dorothy graduated with high honors from Highland Park High School in May of 1947. She attended Baylor University before later graduating from SMU with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. In the summer of 1965, she studied classics as a Fulbright Scholar at the American University in Rome. She pursued further graduate coursework in classical studies at the University of Texas at Austin and education at Columbia University.

For many years, Dorothy taught Latin and English at several high schools and community colleges in the Dallas area, including Highland Park, Ursuline Academy, Plano East, Richland College, and Brookhaven College.

She was a charter member of Park Cities Baptist Church, joining in December 1939. Dorothy was unwaivering in her faith and spent her life as an active member of PCBC, teaching Sunday school and singing in the choir. She also belonged to many literary and philanthropic organizations, including the Hanover Book Club, Front Row Center Book Club, the Shakespeare Club, and the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary.

In 1968, she married William F. Blankenship Jr., and had two sons: William F. Blankenship III of Dallas and Stephen M. Blankenship of Atlanta.

Dorothy is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Jennifer Howard Blankenship; two grandchildren, Will and Caroline Blankenship; her sister, Nancy Witt of Mount Pleasant, Texas; her brother, Bob Gibson of Dallas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

On April 9, a memorial service to celebrate Dorothy’s life was held in Ellis Chapel at Park Cities Baptist Church and she was laid to rest at Pecan Grove Cemetery in McKinney.

Memorials in Dorothy’s honor may be made to the Vickery Mission at Park Cities Baptist Church, Food for the Hungry, World Vision, or to the charity of your choice.

Bobbie was a former president of Stevens and Tenison Ladies and Golf Association and a member of the Lubbock Altrusa Club. She was also a member of the Lubbock Association of Realtors and the Southcrest Baptist Church in Lubbock.

Bobbie was funny, loved life, and adored her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband, James Fisher; her husband, Cecil W. Chapman; parents; three brothers; and one  sister. She is survived by her daughter, Pamela Fisher Neubauer, and husband Jim; her son, Roger Fisher, and wife Sherry; grandchildren Heather Neubauer Staunton and husband Bill, Shawna Fisher Kuykendall and husband John, Shelly Fisher Cossota and husband Jason, Jonathan Neubauer and wife Margaret, and Roger Fisher II and wife Shannon; and great-grandchildren, Caitlyn, Clayton, Kate, Brooks, Caroline, Claire, Kingsley, and James. She is also survived by her beloved pet, Peekka.

Services were held Wednesday, April 6 at Restland Wildwood Chapel following visitation on Tuesday at Restland Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Texas Health Presbyterian Foundation, 8440 Walnut Hill Lane, Ste. 800, Dallas, TX 75231, or Genesis Women’s Shelter, 4411 Lemmon Ave., Ste. 201, Dallas, TX 75219.

She graduated from Athens College and worked at the Air Force base in Decatur, Ala. There she met her future husband, Ed, who was stationed as a flight surgeon on base.  When he was deployed, she moved to Washington, D.C., and assisted as a secretary and administrative assistant to the founders of Southern Airways, which later became a part of Delta Airlines.  She also worked in the office of the secretary of state, Cordell Hull.

After returning from service, Chris and Ed were married in 1946 and moved to his home in Dallas, where they worked together to establish his ophthalmology practice. She ended her work in his office and dedicated herself to raising their three children, the first arriving in 1948.  She participated in the Highland Park PTAs and spent many days doing cafeteria duty.  She was active in the Dallas County Women’s Auxiliary, enjoyed playing bridge with the Doctors’ Wives group, and was an active golfer and tennis enthusiast at Northwood Club.  She also enjoyed fishing, traveling, dove hunting, reading, needlework, and spent many happy years as a charter member of Hidden Hill.

Her faith was deeply rooted and Skillman Avenue Church of Christ, her church since 1947, played a formative role in her time in Dallas. She spent countless hours on the sidelines of numerous sporting events, cheering for her children and grandchildren.  The Great Depression and World War II gave Grandma Chris a special elegance, strength and spirit.  Her many kindnesses touched her family, friends, and acquaintances.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years, Dr. Edwin G. Grafton and her oldest daughter, Lila Grafton Hanson.  She is survived by her son-in-law Ron Hanson and his children David Manley and wife Leslie Hanson, Kathryn Christine and husband Tom Jacks, and Dr. Kristin Ann Hanson; her son Dr. Edwin G. Grafton Jr. and his wife Lu Ann Purnell Grafton; and her daughter and son-in-law Linda and Tom Barton and their children, Scott Grafton, Lila Christine, and Maggie Hayes Barton; and one great-grandchild, Lila Christine Jacks.  She is also remembered by her three siblings, Marjorie and husband Ven Mitchell of Montgomery, Ala.; Buddy and wife Barbara Laubenthal of Athens, Ala.; and Jane Bridgeman of Nashville, Tenn., along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Her family would like to thank her housekeeper of 21 years, Maria Martinez, and her special caregiver and companion of the last 7 years, Debbie Wafford, for their loving and tireless care. A Memorial Service and Visitation will be held at the Skillman Avenue Church of Christ Chapel, 3014 Skillman St., at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Her body has been willed to the UT Southwestern Medical School.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Skillman Church of Christ or the charity of your choice.