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.
Randall Blair Ashby 1952-2021
Randall Blair Ashby
1952-2021
Randall Blair Ashby died unexpectedly Friday, March 19, 2021. Randy was born in Gatesville, Texas on January 27, 1952 to Paul and Eleanor Ashby, the third of four boys. He was a 6th generation Texan. His mother's family, the Blairs, arrived in 1845, and the Ashby family in 1854. He graduated from Lake Highlands High School in North Dallas in 1970, and the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a B.B.A. in Marketing with honors. He went on to study law and received his J.D. degree from the University of Houston Bates College of Law.
Waiting for his bar results, he worked at a restaurant as a server, the job that was the most consequential of his life. It was there that he met Mary. They married in 1982 and joyfully welcomed Timothy Andrew in 1989 and Matthew Paul in 1996. Randy loved Mer and their boys more than anything, especially cherishing their time camping and hiking together in the Texas Hill Country.
Upon graduating from law school, Randy worked as an attorney with the City of Houston Prosecutor's Office, then practiced law at Ross Banks. He was a partner at Waldron & Schneider for 28 years, joining the firm shortly after it was founded.
Randy was very active in his community, serving on the boards of the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, the Armand Bayou Nature Center, and was a member of The O.N.E. Group.
Randy's love of singing started early when he and his brothers would harmonize together as a family. His beautiful tenor voice was enjoyed by the members of St. Rose of Lima and St. Clare of Assisi Catholic parishes. He was also a former member of the Houston Choral Society.
Randy is survived by Mary, his loving wife of almost 39 years; sons, Timothy (fiancée Angela), and Matthew; brothers, Jerry Ashby and his wife, Sharon, and Doug Ashby and his wife, Cindy; sister-in-law, Tina Ashby; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Therese Behrendt, Margaret and Ben Denson, Gary and Kuniko Wahlen, Joanne and Robert Johnson, David Wahlen, and Lissa Goodwin. He is also survived by many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Eleanor and Paul Ashby: brother, Wendell Ashby, aunts Doris Denman and Roberta Powell; his father and mother-in-law, Hank and Gloria Wahlen; and brothers-in-law, Greg Goodwin and Frank Behrendt.
Randy was an honorable man whose faith guided him throughout his life. His gentle nature and big hugs will be missed by all.
A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, April 9, 2021 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 3600 Brinkman, in Houston Texas.
If desired, donations can be made to: Armand Bayou Nature Center, PO Box 58828, Houston, TX. 77258; Birthright of Houston, 1200 Blalock Rd. Ste. 104, Houston, TX. 77055; or Texas Parks and Wildlife, 2914 Swiss Avenue, Dallas, TX. 75204; or a charity of your choice.
For more information or to leave a condolence, please visit josephjearthman.com.