Obituaries published in the July 2026 editon of the Texas Press Messenger.
David Crisp
VICTORIA – David Crisp, 75, a longtime newspaper man and educator in Texas and Montana, died May 16.
A native of Victoria and high school graduate there, he volunteered for the Army Security Agency in 1970, serving at bases in Missouri, California, Texas and Germany. After discharge in 1973, he spent a year traveling in Europe.
Obituaries published in the June 2026 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.
Jill Darden
FORT WORTH - Fort Worth Black News founder Jill Darden, 52, died suddenly April 24 — days before her birthday on May 2, her sister Ginger Darden-Ford confirmed.
S. Griffin Singer
S. Griffin “Griff” Singer — devoted husband, father, grandfather, teacher, mentor, caregiver and friend — died March 25, 2026, at the age of 93 following a brief battle with cancer.
A celebration of life is set for May 29 in Austin at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 5416 Parkcrest Drive. Visitation with family will start at 10 a.m., followed by a service at 11 o’clock and reception at noon. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to:
The Friends of the Daily Texan Griff Singer Fund;
The S. Griffin Singer Endowed Professorship; or
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.
Obituaries published in the February edition of the Texas Press Messenger.
ROGER COWLES
VIDOR — Roger Cowles, 70, longtime editor, reporter and employee of the Port Arthur News, died Dec. 26.
He is remembered as a quiet but influential force in Southeast Texas journalism, a steady presence whose career spanned decades and whose work helped shape how a community saw itself, according to the newspaper’s obituary.
(Obituaries published in the December 2025 edition of the Texas Press Messenger)
JOHN GRAVOIS
DALLAS – John Gravois, a man whose passion for journalism shaped both the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s political coverage and the reporters who worked for him, died on Nov. 11. He was 67.
Colleagues remembered Gravois for his passion for the craft and ability to make the people around him better.
Obituaries published in the November 2025 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.
ROBERT BAKER
LOVELAND, COLORADO – Attorney and former owner of the Fort Stockton Pioneer Robert Walter Baker died Sept. 23. He was 83.
As a teenager and student at Fort Stockton High School, he worked as a disc jockey for the local radio station KFST.
He attended the University of Texas at El Paso where he earned a degree in journalism and served as editor of the school newspaper. He also met his wife future wife, Carol Jenness.
Obituaries published in the October 2025 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.
RUTHANNE BROCKWAY
TERRELL — Ruthanne Brockway, 73, one of three recipients of the Golden 50 Award at the Texas Press Association conference in Denton in June, passed away on Sept. 16, 2025 after a long illness.
Austin Lewter, director of the Texas Center for Community Journalism, who nominated her for the award, said, “We were glad that she was able to come in person to receive the award.”
MUENSTER – Alvin Hartman, a fixture of Muenster life through his involvement with Sacred Heart Catholic Church, sports at Sacred Heart Catholic School, and decades of service at the Muenster Enterprise, has died at the age of 97.
By STEVE SNYDER, Muenster Enterprise
Hartman had deep roots in Muenster. One of his grandfathers helped build the original school building, and Alvin would later serve on the school’s board himself.
Obituaries published in the August 2025 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.
JOYCE ANN ASHLEY
VERNON - Joyce Ann Ashley, long-time member of The Vernon Daily Record staff, died at her residence on July 20. She was 82.