Daryl “Chief” Walton
With heavy hearts, we, Tia and Germaine Walton, regret to announce the passing of our dearly beloved father, Reverend Daryl G. Walton, who peacefully departed this life on the morning of July 9, 2026.
Our father was a man of unwavering faith, love, wisdom, and compassion whose life touched countless hearts through his ministry, his kindness, and his devotion to his family and community. While we grieve this tremendous loss, we also give thanks for the remarkable legacy he leaves behind.
Doug Geldert
Douglas (Doug) Vance Geldert passed away on May 11, 2026 in Denison, TX after a lengthy illness. A native Texan, Doug was born on January 2, 1952 to Vance and Mary Geldert and graduated from Lake Highlands High School in 1970. He attended the University of Texas at Austin and played four seasons on the Texas Longhorn football team, where he was a member of the Southwest Conference Championship teams and lettered in 1973. After college, Doug built diverse careers in a variety of fields, including civil engineering as a supervisor for TxDOT, apparel retail, and as a small business owner of Dude's resale shop in Sherman. Doug deeply loved his children and told everyone he encountered how proud he was of them. He was a Christian man, and later in life he became a member of the Friendship Class at the First Baptist Church in Sherman, Texas. He continued to enjoy watching football and golf while discussing game strategies with old friends. He is survived by his life partner, Reba Wilson of Sherman, TX; daughter Wendy; sons Gabriel (Christy) and Joshua (Natalee); grandchildren Ryleigh, Ella, Charlotte, Audrey, William, and Maggie; sister Mary Gunter; brother Donny (Julie) Geldert; nieces Vanessa Gunter and Natalie Vidrini; and nephews Hal Samples, Brandon Samples, and Nicholas Geldert. Doug spent the last year and a half of his life under the care of the staff at Beacon Hill in Denison and Heart to Heart Hospice in Sherman. The family is very grateful for the love and support the caregivers shared with Doug.
Published by The Herald Democrat from Jul. 21 to Jul. 23, 2026.
Austin Oldham, "A Blessed Life with No Regrets"
Austin Oldham - July 11, 2021
Austin Rhea Oldham was born on July 24, 1952 in McAllen, TX. He graduated from Lake Highlands High School and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in insurance from UNT. He joined his father’s business and remained in the industry for 40 years before his illness. He was also a member of Lake Pointe Church for 25 years. He is survived by his wife, Leianne Oldham, his two children, Ashlei Dove and Addison Oldham, and his sisters, Brenda Lyon, Laurie Conforti, and Denese Holland.
It's easy to love a good man. Austin is a good, kind-hearted man. As a child, he loved being outside and playing in the creek all day. That love of the outdoors continued throughout his life. Whether he was at home, the lake, the mountains, or the ranch, he appreciated God's creation. He worked hard so he could enjoy the things he loved.
Austin set a good example for everyone who knew him. He loved the Lord and mastered the art of living each day as it came. He was the head of the family, a role he loved. He adored his children, Ashlei and Addison, and was a great dad! He created his legacy leading by example: love the Lord, be humble, kind, watch your words, be generous, forgiving, work hard, be respectful.
The crown jewel of the family is Leianne, a wife perfectly made for Austin. She's a Proverbs 31 kind of woman. Standing by his side, together they lived a wonderful and blessed life.
One of Austin's best qualities was having an attitude of accepting whatever trials came his way, he met them head on. James 1:12.
Austin said, "I've had a blessed life with no regrets, God has been good to me. I'm ready for Heaven." No doubt the Lord welcomed Austin with these words, "Well done my good and faithful servant. Welcome home!"
A Celebration of Life was held at 2:00 pm Saturday, July 17, 2021, at Rest Haven Funeral Home – Rowlett Location.