Obituaries

Obituaries published in the April 2026 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

JOHN CARL BEST

ABILENE – John Best, a former Abilene Reporter-News photojournalist who went on to become general manager at KACU FM, died Jan. 8 in Cedar Park. He was 75.

Memorial service was held March 14 at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St. in Abilene.

A native of Denton, Best moved to Abilene in 1960 when his father Carl Best came to Abilene ISD as a choral director. John remained in Abilene for much of the rest of his life, committed to bettering the community through music, media, and the arts.

He graduated from Hardin Simmons University (HSU) in 1973 with a bachelor of music in theory and composition. He met his wife, Kara Jeanne (Jeannie) Wilmeth, at HSU in an opera workshop in 1969. They married in 1972.

He played in the Abilene Symphony for many years as well as the Corpus Christi Symphony. Along with other local cellists, he formed the Abilene Cello Quartet  and played at venues throughout Abilene.

His first love was music and his second love was photography. He was an award-winning photojournalist for the Abilene Reporter News and Corpus Christi Caller Times. He was a member of the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) and while at the Corpus Christi Caller Times was editor of the regional NPPA publication.

He transitioned to owning his own commercial photography business in the 1980s and 90s. In the 2000s he returned to school to earn a master’s degree in digital media from Abilene Christian University (ACU). For 15 years, he was affiliated with KACU FM Radio as program director and general manager. He also taught in the Journalism & Mass Communication department at ACU.

He and his wife recently moved to Cedar Park to enjoy retirement near their grandchildren.

In addition to his wife of 54 years, he is survived by two children, six grandchildren and other relatives.

Interment was held at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest Columbarium in Abilene.

MARGIE ADA PARTIN KILPATRICK

SAN ANTONIO – Margie Ada Partin Kilpatrick, widow of Charles O. Kilpatrick, longtime editor and publisher of the San Antonio Express-News, died March 11. She celebrated her 100th birthday on Jan. 15.

A native of San Augustine, she and her future husband met as students at Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College in the early 1940s. She followed Charles as editor of the SFA Pine Log student newspaper in 1944. They married that year after Charles graduated and enlisted in the Marine Corps. She finished her degree and became a teacher while he served in the Pacific during World War II.

After working at small newspapers in East Texas, Charles moved the family to San Antonio in 1950 where he joined the San Antonio Express-News, starting a four-decade career that culminated in serving as editor and publisher.

Shortly before Charles’ retirement in 1990, they moved to a downtown apartment to enjoy the city while keeping active in local community activities. In retirement, they enjoyed regular travel to France and Mexico.

Following Charles’ death in 2013, she continued to host events and support the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and the Mexican Cultural Institute, both at Hemisfair Plaza. They were among founders of the Amigos de Plaza México, which supported both those institutions, and she was the first president.

In 1997, the Kilpatricks were honored by México with the Aguila Azteca (Order of the Aztec Eagle), that nation’s highest award bestowed upon foreign citizens. They were the first couple honored together.

She is survived by three children, 11 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Francis Nursing Home, 630 W. Woodlawn Avenue, San Antonio, Texas 78212 (https://www.stfrancisnursinghome.org/donate); Village of the Incarnate Word, 4707 Broadway St., San Antonio, Texas 78209 (https://www.thevillageiw.org/supportthevillage/); or the San Antonio Food Bank, 5200 Historic Old Highway 90, San Antonio, Texas 78227 (https://safoodbank.org/donate/).

Services have not been announced.

DIANA FUENTES

Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE) Executive Director Diana R. “DeeDee” Fuentes died unexpectedly March 20 from an accidental fall after attending an open records conference in Washington, D.C. during Sunshine Week.

She was 67.

Colleagues called her a mighty force for high-impact journalism, with a sharp understanding of the law and South Texas politics. She worked as a newspaper editor in San Antonio and Laredo and was a national figure in print journalism and fierce advocate for newsroom diversity. She had an insatiable drive for truth-telling.

In 2021, she became the first person of color to serve as executive director of Investigative Reporters & Editors Inc., a nonprofit that trains journalists on improving the quality of investigative reporting. She also served on the board for the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas.

Fuentes had more than 35 years of experience in journalism and was inducted into the National Association of Hispanic Journalists Hall of Fame in 2022. She also taught journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia and Texas State University, where she recently earned her master’s degree.

“I’ve never forgotten the teenager with the effervescent personality who walked into the new Laredo News and asked for a job,” said Carmina Danini, a veteran journalist and former Express-News writer, who knew Fuentes for nearly 50 years. “She was 18 or 19. She was hired and did a wonderful job.

“DeeDee never lost that ability to win people over with her kindness, compassion and optimism.  She was just a wonderful human being,” Danini said.

Born on Sept. 27, 1958, in Corpus Christi, Fuentes grew up in Laredo. She was a natural leader in her family, the oldest of five children of strict Hispanic parents, her sister, Lydia Aranda, said.

“My dad was very traditional in male and female roles. However, he always told DeeDee if she wanted to be president of the United States, she definitely could,” Aranda said. “She’s always been the leader.”

Jaime Fuentes said his big sister was the peacemaker, the boss and “the one who kept things from getting out of hand.

“I think Mom and Dad put a lot of trust and responsibility on her, and she carried it well,” the brother said. “We were pretty close then, but we became even closer as adults.”     

A well-rounded honor roll student, Fuentes was on the debate team, student council and newspaper staff at Nixon High School in Laredo, where she spent many hours in the library or with her books spread out in front of her at home.

“Even in high school, she always seemed to have a plan,” her brother said. “Whatever she imagined for herself, it always seemed to involve people, education, information and real personal connection.”   

As a budding journalist at Laredo Junior College, she was often “making waves” and “getting into trouble” with the administration, her sister said. She earned a bachelor degree in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin.

“She was all about the story,” Aranda said.

Longtime State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, who taught Fuentes when she was a student at Laredo Junior College, said Fuentes “made a difference” through her work and advocacy. 

“I will remember her fondly as one of the best students in my classes, for her lovable personality and contagious enthusiasm and for her impressive intelligence, professionalism and leadership,” Zaffirini said in a statement. “DeeDee developed from an inquisitive student scholar to an inspiring teacher who motivated her students to excel and to develop inquiring minds.”

Fuentes was a reporter for nearly 20 years — first at the Laredo News — during the late 1970s to late 1990s. She also reported at the Laredo Morning Times, San Antonio Light and San Antonio Express-News. One of the many highlights of her reporting career was covering the 1993 Branch Davidian siege near Waco and the subsequent trial in San Antonio.

She later became editor of the Laredo Morning Times from 2004-2011; editor/publisher of the Del Rio News-Herald from 2011-2013; and an editor at the San Antonio Express-News from 2013-2021, holding the title of deputy metro editor starting in 2015.

Family members mentioned other highlights in Fuentes’ career, including coverage of the 1991 Luby’s mass shooting in Killeen that claimed 23 lives, and the 1994 assassination of Mexican presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio. She interviewed five Mexican presidents and four U.S. presidents. She was the first female managing editor of the Laredo Morning Times and was honored by the city of Laredo with DeeDee Fuentes Day in 2011.

Her commitment to journalism extended beyond the newsroom as she served as president of the Texas Managing Editors and was a lifetime member and former secretary and financial officer of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

Though a “workaholic for sure” in her career, Fuentes rarely missed a graduation or award ceremony for her family and would call and sing “Happy birthday” to relatives, her sister said.

Retired longtime Express-News reporter John MacCormack said Fuentes was one of only three editors who, “whatever they asked me to do, even if it bordered on nonsense, I would do it simply because of the goodwill” generated.

In all, Fuentes worked for nearly 50 years in journalism. The National Association of Hispanic Journalists inducted her into its Hall of Fame in 2022. In 2023, she was honored with the San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists’ Henry Guerra Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Journalism.

On March 22, IRE announced Fuentes will be nominated for its Ring of Honor, which recognizes current, retired, or deceased members who made a substantial impact on the news industry, particularly in data journalism and mentoring.

“Her warmth created an inviting atmosphere at IRE, especially during crucial periods, like navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing for our 50th anniversary last year,” Josh Hinkle, IRE board president, said in a statement, calling Fuentes “a fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion, always striving to ensure that everyone felt heard and valued.”

“Dee Dee made a deep impact on open government in her many years with our organization and in the journalism field throughout her lengthy news career. She will be greatly missed,” said FOIFT Director Kelley Shannon. “She was committed to a free and robust press and the people’s right to know. And, she was a kind, loving and fun person.”

In 1993, Fuentes married Raymond A. Gomez Jr., a longtime television news editor. He preceded her in death.

She is survived by two brothers, two sisters, numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives.

Funeral services were held March 28 at Sunset Memorial Oaks Funeral Home in San Antonio followed by internment at Westlawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers Fuentes’ family is requesting donations to an endowment in her name at Texas State University.

(Excerpts are from a tribute published March 24 in the San Antonio Express-News.)