December 2020
Gary G. Wisener, JD ’65
Gary G. Wisener passed away on Monday, Dec. 7, in Hot Springs, Ark. Gary was born in Warren, Ark., on Aug. 24, 1938, he grew up in Fort Smith, Ark., and graduated from Fort Smith High School before moving on to Baylor University. At Baylor University, he played football as offensive end and was on the track and field team, where he was named All American. Gary is also a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and in the American Football League for the Houston Oilers, playing for the Oilers in their second AFL Championship season. After his time in the NFL, he returned to Baylor University to attend law school. Upon graduation, he moved to Midland, Texas, and joined Lynch, Chapel Law firm in 1965, where he practiced oil, gas and energy law until his retirement. He was active with Fellowship of Christian athletes and an avid golfer.
He is preceded in death by his father, RC Wisener, and mother, Ruth Wisener. He is survived by his sister, Sandy Wisener of Knoxville, Tenn.; his son, Greg Wisener and his wife, Pam Duke of Kerrville; his daughter, Allison Owens and her husband, Phil Owens of Georgetown, Texas; and his grandson, Gage Haugland and his wife, Madison Haugland of Austin, Texas.
Hon. Robert George Dohoney, JD ’69
The Hon. Robert George Dohoney was born 1929 in Italy, Texas, only child of Robert Gilmer Dohoney and Kathleen George Dohoney, and died December 9, 2020, in Dallas, Texas. The family moved to Hillsboro in 1934. He married Betty Ray Smith in 1951, and she survives him. Their marriage lasted over almost 70 years. They had three children, Kathleen Dohoney Liebendorfer (Craig), Beth Dohoney Kennard (Rusty), and Patrick Smith Dohoney (Karen); together with seven grandchildren.
Judge Dohoney graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1947, then attended Hillsboro Junior College, graduated from Texas A & M in 1951 and Baylor Law School in 1969. He was an officer in USAF from 1951 to 1953, serving in Korea and Japan. He was involved in Boy Scouts, earning the rank of Eagle and later serving as Scoutmaster. Following his military service, he returned to Hillsboro in 1953 and entered into his father’s Oldsmobile-Cadillac dealership, serving as Vice-President until 1971. He served as Hill County District Attorney 1971-1972, was Partner in the law firm of Sims, Moore, and Dohoney 1973-1982, and District Judge 66th District Court Hill County 1983-1993, and Senior Judge from 1993-2018, altogether 35 years in the Texas Judiciary presiding in many courts around Texas.
Judge Dohoney was a member, teacher, Deacon, Elder and Trustee of the First Presbyterian Church of Hillsboro from 1936-2016, and a member of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church of Dallas 2016 until his death. Judge Dohoney was active in many Hillsboro and Hill County civic activities, which included President: Hillsboro Lions Club, Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce, Hillsboro Country Club, and Aquilla Water Supply District. He founded the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame program, presided over its initial ceremony (1987) and later functions, and together with his wife, each received that honor in 2009. He was named Distinguished Alumnus of Hill College 1991. He was very active in the campaign that led to the re-establishment of Hillsboro Junior College, now Hill College.
Kelly Dwight McGehee, JD ’69
Kelly Dwight McGehee, of Dallas, passed away Saturday morning, November 28, at his residence in Lake Highlands. Kelly Dwight McGehee was born August 7, 1943 in Amarillo, TX to David Kelly McGehee and Bessie Frances (Peck) McGehee. He was raised in Canyon and growing up worked the family wheat farm in Wayside, Texas. He received his bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University and his law degree from Baylor University. He served as a captain in the United States Army and was an attorney. Kelly was a long-time member of the Dallas Bar Association, Probate Section. He was also a past president of the Dallas Red Raiders Club and a member of the Baylor Law School Alumni Association. Kelly was a past president of the Dallas Gulf Coast Conservation Association and a member of 30 years of the Sunova Beach Rod and Reel Club. He married Shannon Reynolds in Dallas, TX, on September 2, 1967; she survives. Other survivors include his daughter, Paige McGehee Johnson and husband, Jason; son, David Kelly McGehee and wife, Bonnie; grandchildren, Braiden McGehee, Spencer Johnson, Madison McGehee, Audrey McGehee; great- granddaughter, Piper McGehee; and sister, Bette Morris. Kelly was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Lee Taylor; and brothers-in-law, Dr. Mark Morris, Dr. Lindsey Taylor, Mickey Reynolds and Tim Reynolds.
David Butler Britt, JD ’76
David Butler Britt, of Temple, Texas, passed away December 4, surrounded by his wife and daughters. David was born November 2, 1951 in Belton, Texas, to Ouida and Kelly Morgan Britt, Jr. He graduated from Belton High School, where he was involved in football, basketball, theater, and the Marching 100 band, as well as working for his dad at Britt Drug. He received his bachelors and law degrees from Baylor University, as well as a masters in tax law from Southern Methodist University School of Law. While at Baylor, David took part in the founding year of the Baylor Line and was a member of Phi Kappa Alpha (Sigma Alpha Epsilon) fraternity. After meeting their senior year of college, David and Cindy married on August 16, 1974 in Jackson, Mississippi. They settled down in Waco to raise their family, where David practiced with the Sleeper, Johnston, Helm and Estes law firm; he later served as Vice President and Trust Officer for InterFirst Bank Waco. In 2001, David, Cindy, and their youngest daughter, moved to Spangdahlem AFB in Germany, where David worked for the US Department of Defense. After almost 19 years in Germany, David and Cindy retired and moved home to Temple in November 2019 due to his battle with cancer and ALS. David will be remembered as a leader in his family, church and community. While attending Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Waco, David served as a preschool Sunday school teacher and an ordained deacon. He continued to serve alongside Cindy at their church in Germany, Trinity Baptist Church Metterich, as chairman of the deacons, treasurer and adult Sunday school teacher. David and Cindy spent their years in Germany traveling extensively and indulging in their shared love of history, good food and wine. Time with family was always important, and summers were often spent with the Britt family camping in Colorado or with the Herm family at Navarre beach in Florida. Ever the outdoorsman, David grew up hunting, fishing, and camping and enjoyed passing that along to his daughters and grandchildren. In the 46 years of their marriage, David and Cindy always made their relationship and “date night” a priority and modeled a loving, Christ-centered marriage for their daughters.
David is survived by his wife, Cindy; his three daughters, Julianne (Bryan) Trahan of Pearland, Camille (Aaron) Bragewitz of Temple, and Elizabeth of Houston; his brother Kelly (Janetta) Britt III of Colleyville and sister Mary Jane (Blair) Williams of Belton; and 4 grandchildren, Blayne and Sarah Trahan and Evelyn and Carter Bragewitz.
Hon. Melton Cude, JD ’80
Hon. Melton Cude went to be with our Lord Sunday, November 29. Melton was born June 22, 1955 to Milvern Leslie and Margaret Ann (Gettys) Cude in Decatur, Texas. He was united in marriage October 9, 1982 to Billie Arlena Hesteande in Decatur, Texas. Melton graduated Texas A&M/Baylor Law School, and joined the law firm Woodruff, Fostel, Wren, and Simpson, working there for about 6 ½ years. He went on to be the Wise County Court of Law Place 1 Judge for many years. Melton was in the National Guard for 8 years and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Decatur. He was a Scout leader while David was in the Boy Scouts and a member of the Decatur Rotary Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife, Arlena Cude of Decatur; his son, David Cude and wife Kristen of Denton; his daughter, Amy Casares and husband Noe of Decatur; his grandchildren, Evanglynhnn and Nehemiah Casares of Decatur, and Jireh Grace Cude of Denton; and his brother, Murray Cude of Decatur.