Louis Palmer McCown, longtime collegiate minister and later minister to senior adults, died Dec. 25 in Midland. He was 83. He was born in Hillsboro to Erma LaVerne and Walter Hooper McCown on March 16, 1939. After his graduation from Littlefield High School, he went to Hardin-Simmons University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Bible and history. While in college, he was pastor of a church in Guthrie. He later earned a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He married Patricia Jean Jones on June 2, 1961, in Dallas. McCown worked as a Baptist Student Union director for the Baptist General Convention of Texas at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, South Plains College in Levelland, the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor in Belton and Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. During a four-year hiatus from college ministry in the early 1970s, he was minister of youth and adult education at Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church, Va. After retiring from student work in 2001, he served as interim music minister and pastor for various churches in the Abilene area. In 2006, he became minister to senior adults at First Baptist Church in Abilene, where he served until his second retirement in 2016. For more than 40 years, McCown sang in the choir at First Baptist Church in Abilene, and he was part of the church’s men’s ensemble. In retirement, he enjoyed singing with the Celebration Singers civic group. He served on the board of development at Hardin-Simmons University and, at one point, was president of the Texas Baptist Student Summer Missions Committee. Palmer was named a distinguished alumnus by Logsdon School of Theology at HSU and received the Altom Christian Service Award from HSU. He is survived by his wife of 61 and a half years Patsy McCown; daughter Stephanie Markgraf and husband Jim; son Michael McCown and wife Barb; two grandsons;  and sister Sue Thomas. Memorial gifts can be made to Texas Baptist Student Missions or to the music ministry at First Baptist Church in Abilene.

Joe Vernon, a Texas Baptist pastor more than four decades, died Dec. 20 in Beeville. He was 91. He was born March 22, 1931, in Petersburg to William Morris Vernon and Vera Lucile (Truitt) Vernon. After graduating from Brownfield High School, where he was the salutatorian and participated in all sports, he went to Hardin-Simmons University to earn an undergraduate degree in English and religion. While a student at HSU, he met Emma Jo Goodson. They married Aug. 16, 1952, in Midway, near Lamesa. After he graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1953, the Vernons moved to Midway where he became pastor of his wife’s home church. Over the course of 43 years, he was pastor of Texas Baptist churches in Midway, Menard, Canadian, Post, White Settlement, Earth and Rotan, as well as Lovington, N.M. Vernon was preceded in death in November 2019 by his wife of 67 years, Emma Jo Vernon, as well as by his sisters, Hazel Zorns and Ruth Scarborough.  He is survived by daughter Sarah McKinney and husband Ellis of Beeville; son David Vernon and wife Susanna of Round Rock; daughter Rachel Hoff and husband Ronnie of Three Rivers; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren, with two more expected in the near future. Visitation with the family is scheduled at 1 p.m. on Dec. 22 at First Baptist Church in Beeville. The memorial service follows at the same location at 2 p.m.

Craig Bird, Baptist journalist and educator, died Dec. 12 due to complications from a fall the week before. He was 73. Bird was born Oct. 4, 1949, in Arkansas to Clyde and C.W. Bird. He earned an undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Texas and a master’s degree in English from Hardin-Simmons University, and he also studied at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He worked for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and the Lawton (Okla.) Constitution-Press before becoming features editor at Baptist Press in Nashville. From 1985 to 1996, he and his wife Melissa served with the Southern Baptist Convention’s Foreign Mission Board in Africa. While he was based in Nairobi, Kenya, Bird traveled to 26 African nations to report on missions as part of the first wave of SBC foreign correspondents. During his long career, he served on staff at Hardin-Simmons University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, South Texas Children’s Home, Baptist Children’s Home of North Carolina and Baptist Child & Family Services. He most recently served 17 years at Baptist University of the Américas, where he taught cross-cultural communications and theology. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Melissa; sons Brant and Coby; five grandchildren; and a brother, David Bird.

Harvey Gene Rotramel, a Texas Baptist pastor more than three decades, died Nov. 25 in El Paso. He was 83.  He was born Oct. 9, 1939, in Centralia, Ill., to Joseph Roscoe Rotramel and Eleanor LaRue Gilbert Rotramel. He met and married his wife of 64 years, Dorothy Lillian Henry Rotramel, when they were students at Howard Payne University. His first pastorate was at Cottonwood Baptist Church near Cross Plains. While he was pastor of Seventh Street Baptist Church in Ballinger, he attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He was pastor of Belmont Baptist Church in Odessa from 1975 to 1986 and First Baptist Church in Edinburg from 1986 until his retirement in 1999. The Rotramels moved to Huntsville, and in retirement, he served at Hawthorne Baptist Church in New Waverly. In his final years, he was a member of First Baptist Church in El Paso, where his son Mark is senior pastor. Throughout his ministry as a pastor, many young men responded to God’s call to the gospel ministry. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy in 2018.  He is survived by son Harvey Gene Rotramel Jr. and wife Susan; son Mark Rotramel and wife Teresa; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. A memorial service is scheduled at 1 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on Dec. 16 at First Baptist Church in El Paso.

Lawson James Hager Jr., former director of Hardin-Simmons University’s Cowboy Band and dean of the HSU School of Music and Fine Arts, died Nov. 19. He was 78. He was born July 10, 1944, in Stamford to L.J.  “Mutt” and Zelda (Skiles) Hager. After graduating from Abernathy High School in 1962, he enrolled in Hardin-Simmons University to play French horn in the Cowboy Band. He received his bachelor degree in 1967. At HSU, he met and fell in love with Jane Dennis, whom he married in August 1967. Hager served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1969 and was a quartermaster officer in Vietnam. He received his Master of Music-French Horn in 1971 from North Texas State University. Hager returned to HSU to became the third director of bands, including the Cowboy Band. In 1982, he became assistant professor of brass and music theory. In 2002, he accepted the position of dean of the School of Music and Fine Arts, from which he retired in 2011. As busy as he was at school, he spent many years coaching his daughters’ softball teams, attending concerts, helping with home repairs, building fences, teaching a few music lessons, watching grandsons play football and baseball, and seeing some granddaughters dance and others play soccer, volleyball and basketball. He attended his three daughters’ graduations from high school and college, gave all three daughters away in marriage, was at the hospital for the birth of all his grandchildren, and saw five grandchildren graduate from high school and one graduate from college with her bachelor and master degrees. He was a deacon at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, where he served on several committees and enjoyed Friday lunches with the men of his Sunday school department. He also took pride in his yard work and once earned the Yard of the Month from the Abilene Garden Club. He was preceded in death by his sister, Rebekah Ann Hager Poindexter, and one granddaughter, Faith Davis Soben. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jane Dennis Hager; daughter Heather Baker and husband Cory; daughter Emily Clancy and husband Patrick; daughter Holly Soben and husband Wes; nine grandchildren; and sister Yvonne Joyce Hager Satterfield. A celebration of his life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26, at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. The service will be streamed through the Livestream tab on the funeral home website.

Lynda Ballou, longtime teacher and children’s ministry volunteer at First Baptist Church in Arlington, died Oct. 24 after a prolonged illness. She was 80. She was born Oct. 19, 1942, in Three Rivers. While at the University of Corpus Christi preparing for her long career as a schoolteacher, she met her husband of 57 years, Jack Ballou, who later served as comptroller for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. She was a member of First Baptist Arlington most of her adult life, serving in various missions activities and in the children’s ministry. She was a certified Master Gardener. For many years, the highlight of her summer was Camp Lynda, a special week spent with her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband Jack Ballou; son Jason Ballou and wife Lorena; daughter Judith Anhuth and husband Michael; eight grandchildren; one-great granddaughter; a brother Bubba Stewart; and a sister Judith Lee.

Edward “Ed” Rogers of Georgetown, Texas Baptist pastor and denominational leader, died Oct. 23. He was 88. He was born Jan. 21, 1934, to Earl and Chrystelle Rogers. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard Payne University in 1956. He and his wife of 67 years, Sylvia, married while he was a Howard Payne student. He went on to earn Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Baylor University granted him the status of Alumnus Honori Causa, and Howard Payne University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. His first full-time pastorate was in Manitou Springs, Colo. Rogers was pastor of First Baptist Church in Dumas 34 years. During his time in Dumas, he also preached on four continents. He served in a variety of leadership positions within the Baptist General Convention of Texas and preached in more than 60 churches around Texas. He served first as chairman and later as director of the BGCT Human Welfare Coordinating Board. William M. Pinson Jr., BGCT executive director emeritus, praised Rogers as “the personification of the servant leader” who “did not seek positions but was willing to serve when asked.” Rogers “loved people, and people loved him,” Pinson said. “Perhaps that was his greatest gift—to always be searching for ways to help people. … He was my friend and coworker and God’s gift to me.” Rogers is survived by his wife Sylvia; daughter Janna Hill and husband Mike; daughter Susan Morrison and husband Neil; son Richard Rogers and wife Sarah; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and four siblings. A memorial service is scheduled at 11 a.m. on Oct. 28 at First Baptist Church in Georgetown, preceded by a period of visitation with his family beginning at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to Children at Heart Ministries.

DALLAS—Bobby Smith, founding director of Chaplaincy Relations with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, died Oct. 18. He was 68.

“For 25 years, Dr. Bobby Smith faithfully and capably served Texas Baptists. For over 20 years, he worked to create one of the finest chaplaincy programs in the United States,” said Katie Frugé, director of the Center for Cultural Engagement.

“His ministry legacy is a worldwide network of chaplains serving in every corner of our communities under the umbrella of Texas Baptists. As we grieve his passing, we also celebrate the monumental impact he made and thank God for the eternal impact Bobby Smith had on so many.”

Smith served as a chaplain at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston from 1997 to 2001. In 2002, he became the founding director of Texas Baptists Chaplaincy Relations, a ministry that endorses and trains chaplains in the areas of military, correctional, lifestyle, public safety, healthcare, marketplace, crisis response and pastoral counseling.

Since the ministry’s creation, more than 1,125 chaplains have been endorsed, including 650 active chaplains.

Smith was honored last month for his years of service at the Chaplaincy Relations 20th anniversary banquet. He was described as a “chaplain to the chaplains” by those in the ministry, and chaplains shared stories of the many times Smith provided support as they and their families went through hard times.

During the banquet, the Chaplaincy Endorsement Council announced the Bobby and Vicky Smith Endowment Fund would be created in honor of Smith and his wife for their years of dedication. Those interested in giving towards chaplaincy in Smith’s name can learn more here.

Smith received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard Payne University in 1976. He also earned Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.

Before beginning his chaplaincy ministry, Smith was pastor of First Baptist Church of Mullin, First Baptist Church of Mont Belvieu and First Baptist Church of Galveston.

He and his wife, Vicky, have two children, Laura and Nathan.

A memorial service is scheduled at 2 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24, at First Baptist Church in Arlington.

Santos Rodriguez, a pastor and a mentor to other ministers, died Oct. 15. He was 68. He was born to Santos Castillo and Maria Rodriguez on July 30, 1954. He married Yolanda Godsey in September 1979. He was mentored in his life and ministry by her parents, Glen and Mary Godsey. Santos and Yolanda Rodriguez had no children of their own, but they nurtured and mentored several children in their circle of family and friends. Rodriguez earned both a bachelor’s degree in religion and a master’s degree in Christian ministry from Wayland Baptist University. His pastorates included Iglesia Bautista Date Street in Plainview and Primera Iglesia Bautista in Petersburg. He also was involved in the Compañerismo de los Planos and served on the board of Caprock Plains Baptist Association. He was preceded in death by his wife, Yolanda Godsey Rodriguez. He is survived by a brother, Jesus Carranza, and two sisters, Marta Carranza and Florencia Rodriguez.

Nathan Johnson Porter of Waco, former home missionary, pastor and advocate for the poor, died Oct. 3. He was 90. He was born July 22, 1932, in Campinas, Brazil, to missionaries Paul and Margaret Porter. He graduated from Baylor University and later completed a master’s degree and doctorate at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 1965, Porter helped found the Southern Baptist Convention’s US-2 program, in which students and young adults served alongside career missionaries in the United States for two years. He worked for decades with the SBC Home Mission Board in its Christian Social Ministries Department. He also was pastor of a mission congregation in Tulsa, Okla., pastor of First Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, Ark., and a consultant with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and its Christian Life Commission. Porter was a strong voice for the poor and vulnerable. He was known for his commitment to social justice and spent his life as an advocate for equality for all people. He married Francis Booth on Aug. 23, 1952. She preceded him in death in 2006. He is survived by son Joel Porter and wife Janet of Waco; daughter Leslie Porter Smith of Waco; daughter Becca Hollaway and husband Steven of Baltimore, Md.; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family also includes adopted grandchildren Andrea McQuistion Han and Suzi McQuistion Mao. Memorial gifts may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 1001 N 18th-A Street, Waco TX 76707.

Robert “Bob” Glynn Russell, longtime coordinator of technical services for the Baptist General Convention of Texas, died September 21 in hospice care in Dallas. He was 91. He was born May 4, 1931, to Jesse Anderson and Myrtle Edna Russell in Rocky, Okla. He lived in Irving 54 years. Russell served 28 years in the BGCT communications office, from November 1968 to January 1997. He received numerous awards for outstanding workmanship and for volunteer service. He was preceded in death by his wife Frances and siblings Sam, Clova and L.A. He is survived by son David and his wife Sherry of Irving; son Steve Russell of Bremond; Patricia Russell of Bryan; five grandchildren; one great-grandson; and a brother, Jesse Anderson Jr. of Rowlett. Graveside services with honors will be scheduled later at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Texas Baptist Men.

Ken Starr, the former independent counsel in the Clinton administration Whitewater investigation who later became president and chancellor of Baylor University, died Sept. 13 at age 76.

Starr, former U.S. Solicitor General and a U.S. circuit court judge, died at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston due to complications from surgery, a statement from his family said.

Starr was elected president of Baylor University in February 2010, and he concurrently held the title of university chancellor beginning in November 2013.

Baylor’s board of regents removed Starr as president in May 2016, citing the university’s “fundamental failure” to handle sexual violence complaints appropriately under his leadership. He soon resigned as chancellor and later stepped down as a professor at the Baylor Law School.

However, for six years, Starr oversaw significant expansion at Baylor, including construction of McLane Stadium, the Hart Track and Field Stadium, the Paul Foster Campus for Business and Innovation and Elliston Chapel, along with renovation of three residence halls.

He also led in fundraising for the university, beginning with his first major project—completing ahead of schedule the $100 million President’s Scholarship Initiative.

During Starr’s time as president, Baylor also took significant steps toward becoming a top-tier research university, expanding the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative and establishing the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences.

Praised for public service and scholarship

“Judge Starr had a profound impact on Baylor University, leading a collaborative visioning process to develop the Pro Futuris strategic vision in 2012 that placed Baylor on the path to where we are today as a Christian Research 1 institution,” President Linda Livingstone said.

“Judge Starr was a dedicated public servant and ardent supporter of religious freedom that allows faith-based institutions such as Baylor to flourish,” Livingstone said.

Noting she and Starr served together as deans at Pepperdine University, she added, “I appreciated him as a Constitutional law scholar and a fellow academician who believed in the transformative power of higher education.”

Livingstone expressed condolences on behalf of the university and the Baylor Family to Alice Starr and the rest of Starr’s family.

“May God’s peace and comfort surround them and give them strength now, and in the days to come,” she said.

Tommye Lou Davis, Starr’s chief of staff at Baylor, spoke of the “great honor” to serve alongside him.

“His warm, inclusive personality brought the campus uniquely together. He was deeply loved by students, highly respected by faculty and staff, and greatly admired by alumni and the broader Baylor family,” Davis said.

“Judge Starr’s brilliant mind, affable personality and tireless efforts on behalf of the university have left an indelible mark on all of us fortunate enough to have worked with him. I will always be grateful for his friendship, dynamic leadership and selfless service to Baylor University.”

Kenneth Winston Starr was born July 21, 1946, to William D. and Vannie Trimble Starr, and he grew up in San Antonio.

He earned his undergraduate degree from George Washington University, a master’s degree in political science from Brown University, and his Juris Doctor degree from Duke University.

Starr argued 36 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, including 25 as U.S. Solicitor General from 1989 to 1993. He was U.S. Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit from 1983 to 1989.

From 1989 to 1993, he was the independent counsel who led an investigation into the Whitewater real estate investments of President Bill Clinton. The inquiry expanded into other areas, including suspected perjury by Clinton regarding his relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

The allegation in the Starr Report that Clinton lied about the sexual relationship with Lewinsky in a sworn deposition led to Clinton’s impeachment.

After Starr left Baylor University, he worked with the Lanier Law Firm and was a commentator for Fox News.

Starr is survived by his wife of 52 years, Alice; son Randall P. Starr and wife Melina; daughter Carolyn Doolittle and husband Cameron; daughter Cynthia Roemer and husband Justin; nine grandchildren; a sister, Billie Jeayne Reynolds; and a brother, Jerry Starr.

Lori Fogleman of Baylor University contributed to this article.