On Jan. 17 and Jan. 20, retired professors at Texas A&M University-Commerce, Dr. Billy Ray Webb and Dr. Charles Wesley Blanton, died. Services were held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 24 at First Baptist Church in Dallas.
Both Blanton and Webb were members of the Hunt County Community and alumni at the University.
Blanton grew up in Commerce and graduated from Commerce High School in 1957, before attending East Texas State University.
According to the Web site ntxe-news.com, Blanton had a passion for sports, that led him to become a coach for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
During Blanton’s 45-year, professional career, he taught, coached and served as principal for several Dallas ISD schools, as well as Carrollton ISD. He was also an active church member, later teaching and becoming deacon at First Baptist Church.
Dr. Charles Webb, a dedicated professor, was known for his involvement with the community on and off campus.
Cathy Haynsworth , an administrative assistant for the office of diversity and cultural affairs at A&M-Commerce, has been with the university for 17 years, and
known Webb family for just as long.
“I think very highly of Dr. Webb and his wife, they gave me my first start,” Haynsworth said.
The Webbs gave Haynsworth the opportunity to open her first business, Cathy Dress to Tea, in Commerce, on 1600 and 1602 Lee Street.
Webb was also noted for his passion in working with the mission program, where he traveled overseas. According to Havnsworth, he was always involved in weekly church meetings, and had outstanding interaction with students.
“He was very involved in church, and apart of the “Lion’s Club”, which was an organization that did all kinds of things for children.” Patty Doster, administrative assistatnt of the department of art said. “Whatever Dr. Webb did he gave a 110% in whatever he was involved in. When he was in the room you knew he was there, he was a tall man with a large, outgoing presence.”