Post by duckbutter on Oct 13, 2011 9:20:09 GMT -5
Oldest living football letterman for Texas A&M dies in Beaumont
BEAUMONT - From Broussard's Mortuary - God called home one of his good and faithful soldiers. W. B. “Pappy” Drennan passed into the next life on Sunday, October 9, 2011. He is survived by a host of friends who will miss him greatly. “Pappy”, as he has been known from his college days at Texas A &M University, was born in rural Texas near Cleburne. He was 101 years old (we think); however, his age is somewhat of a mystery as he claimed to be born on April 29, 1910. His birth record in Johnson County, Texas, shows his birth date to be April 29, 1911. He could be right, as the fact that he was born and lived out on a ranch. His birth may have been recorded some time after he was actually born. “Pappy” was always very proud of his longevity, so we will take his word for it.
“Pappy” was the oldest living football letterman for Texas A&M University. He lettered four years at A&M graduating in 1938. He served on the Texas A&M Hall of Honor selection committee for many years. He enjoyed telling stories of his days at A&M and had great loyalty to the university all his years. He was a favorite of A&M coaches and athletic office staff. They treated him like royalty, and he loved it. On his many trips “home” to attend ball games, he returned the favor by showering them with beautiful roses he grew in his own yard. “Pappy” and his roses were even featured in an article of the Texas A&M 12th Man Magazine in June of 2010. Also, his story was featured in the Austin-American Statesman in June of 2009.
After his graduation from A&M, “Pappy” started a football coaching career, first at Hallettsville, Texas, and then at Yoakum, Texas, where he had excellent success. This led him to be offered a job at Uvalde, Texas, and he continued his success there as well. He moved from there to Jacksonville, Texas, with continued coaching success. When Laredo Junior College, in Laredo, Texas, called him to begin a football program there, he obliged, and coached there until financial hardship forced the college to terminate their football program.
Upon leaving Laredo, through connections with Beaumonter, Bobby Wilson, SMU All-American football player, “Pappy” found his way to Beaumont in 1951 where he was hired at Amelia Junior High School in preparation for becoming the first head coach at Forest Park High School (now West Brook High School) in 1961. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 1972. “Pappy” was honored by induction into the Southeast Texas Football Coaches Hall of Honor in 1999.
“Pappy” had many friends across the state. His days as high school and junior college coach, director of Camp Stewart in Hunt, Texas, and Lions Club membership has left many faithful friends who routinely checked on him throughout the years. “Pappy” left a little of himself with each person he met, and they never forgot him. Many of his former athletes kept in touch with him, and he took great pride in their accomplishments and the fact that they remembered him.
Mr. Drennan belonged to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church of Beaumont. The Pastor, Dr. Harland Merriam, and many caring friends there looked after “Pappy” with great love. Many thanks to his doctors, Dr. Bob Birdwell, Dr. John Henderson, Dr. Daniel Harmon, Dr. Eddie Collins, Dr. Tim Colgan, and Dr. Jeremy Huff for taking such good care of him through the years.
Mr. Drennan was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Funk Drennan; his son, Weldon B. Drennan, Jr.; and his parents, Robert Pascal Drennan and Georgia May Chafin Drennan.
He is survived by nieces, nephews, and many friends.
His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 14, 2011, at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 1350 North 23rd Street, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A gathering of his family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 13, 2011, at the Church. John Donaho, Jerry Hentschel, Don Lockwood, Jerry Mallett, Arthur McDonald, Johnny Passmore, Charles Starcke, and Jim Teutsch will serve as pallbearers. All former players are designated as honorary pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the W. B. (Pappy) Drennan Scholarship Fund, Texas A&M Foundation, account #0407109, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station 77840; St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 1350 North 23rd Street, Beaumont, Texas 77706; or to Lamar University, P.O. Box 10011, Beaumont, Texas 77710.
Read more: www.kfdm.com/articles/letterman-45236-living-oldest.html#ixzz1afhOIhzp
www.kfdm.com/news/letterman-45236-living-oldest.html
BEAUMONT - From Broussard's Mortuary - God called home one of his good and faithful soldiers. W. B. “Pappy” Drennan passed into the next life on Sunday, October 9, 2011. He is survived by a host of friends who will miss him greatly. “Pappy”, as he has been known from his college days at Texas A &M University, was born in rural Texas near Cleburne. He was 101 years old (we think); however, his age is somewhat of a mystery as he claimed to be born on April 29, 1910. His birth record in Johnson County, Texas, shows his birth date to be April 29, 1911. He could be right, as the fact that he was born and lived out on a ranch. His birth may have been recorded some time after he was actually born. “Pappy” was always very proud of his longevity, so we will take his word for it.
“Pappy” was the oldest living football letterman for Texas A&M University. He lettered four years at A&M graduating in 1938. He served on the Texas A&M Hall of Honor selection committee for many years. He enjoyed telling stories of his days at A&M and had great loyalty to the university all his years. He was a favorite of A&M coaches and athletic office staff. They treated him like royalty, and he loved it. On his many trips “home” to attend ball games, he returned the favor by showering them with beautiful roses he grew in his own yard. “Pappy” and his roses were even featured in an article of the Texas A&M 12th Man Magazine in June of 2010. Also, his story was featured in the Austin-American Statesman in June of 2009.
After his graduation from A&M, “Pappy” started a football coaching career, first at Hallettsville, Texas, and then at Yoakum, Texas, where he had excellent success. This led him to be offered a job at Uvalde, Texas, and he continued his success there as well. He moved from there to Jacksonville, Texas, with continued coaching success. When Laredo Junior College, in Laredo, Texas, called him to begin a football program there, he obliged, and coached there until financial hardship forced the college to terminate their football program.
Upon leaving Laredo, through connections with Beaumonter, Bobby Wilson, SMU All-American football player, “Pappy” found his way to Beaumont in 1951 where he was hired at Amelia Junior High School in preparation for becoming the first head coach at Forest Park High School (now West Brook High School) in 1961. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 1972. “Pappy” was honored by induction into the Southeast Texas Football Coaches Hall of Honor in 1999.
“Pappy” had many friends across the state. His days as high school and junior college coach, director of Camp Stewart in Hunt, Texas, and Lions Club membership has left many faithful friends who routinely checked on him throughout the years. “Pappy” left a little of himself with each person he met, and they never forgot him. Many of his former athletes kept in touch with him, and he took great pride in their accomplishments and the fact that they remembered him.
Mr. Drennan belonged to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church of Beaumont. The Pastor, Dr. Harland Merriam, and many caring friends there looked after “Pappy” with great love. Many thanks to his doctors, Dr. Bob Birdwell, Dr. John Henderson, Dr. Daniel Harmon, Dr. Eddie Collins, Dr. Tim Colgan, and Dr. Jeremy Huff for taking such good care of him through the years.
Mr. Drennan was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Funk Drennan; his son, Weldon B. Drennan, Jr.; and his parents, Robert Pascal Drennan and Georgia May Chafin Drennan.
He is survived by nieces, nephews, and many friends.
His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 14, 2011, at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 1350 North 23rd Street, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A gathering of his family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 13, 2011, at the Church. John Donaho, Jerry Hentschel, Don Lockwood, Jerry Mallett, Arthur McDonald, Johnny Passmore, Charles Starcke, and Jim Teutsch will serve as pallbearers. All former players are designated as honorary pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the W. B. (Pappy) Drennan Scholarship Fund, Texas A&M Foundation, account #0407109, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station 77840; St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 1350 North 23rd Street, Beaumont, Texas 77706; or to Lamar University, P.O. Box 10011, Beaumont, Texas 77710.
Read more: www.kfdm.com/articles/letterman-45236-living-oldest.html#ixzz1afhOIhzp
www.kfdm.com/news/letterman-45236-living-oldest.html
