TEXAS SAR

William Hayes Baskin

National #158793, State #9043. Approved 29 July 2002.
Patriot ancestor is James Baskin, SC, P-110363.
Transferred to Chapter Eternal 23 November 2019.

U.S. Army Infantry veteran. Went ashore at Utah Beach, Normandy and marched across France. During WWll Bill was awarded a Purple Heart and 3 Bronze Stars. Bill said, “When the Korean war broke out, I dashed over and joined the Navy so I wouldn’t be pulled back into the Infantry!” He worked on Aircraft design while in the Navy.

His career included working at Convair, Lockheed Martin, Chance Vought, Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV), and he retired from Bell Helicopter.

David Vance Cason

National #157740, State #8957. Approved 29 March 2002.
Patriot ancestor is Asa Crabb, GA, P-140110.
Transferred to Chapter Eternal 24 August 2011.

Served in the U.S. Army for two years during the Korean War, as part of the first NATO troops and served with the engineers to create topographical maps.

After his discharge from military service, he attended the New England Conservatory of Music for five years and from 1966 to 1992 he lived his dream of playing the violin with an orchestra - The Mesquite Symphony.

LCDR William David Farnham

National #163116, State #9420. Approved 5 August 2004.
Patriot ancestor is Cornelius Whittington, GA/SC, P-319371.
Transferred to Chapter Eternal 4 May 2024.

He was a 21-year naval veteran. During his career he participated in support of both the Mercury and Apollo Space Programs-The Lunar Push.

Genealogy was his lifetime hobby. He would often say that he was always curious and proud of his heritage, and that he enjoyed a lifetime of “climbing in my family tree”. He was a tenth generation American and had traced and proved his family on his father’s side 455 years to Rochester, Kent County, England. He traced and proved his family on his mother’s side 416 years to Horschback, Germany.

Hon. Jack Dean Ferguson

National #179458, State #10952. Approved 5 May 2011.
Patriot ancestor is Job Bennington, MD/PA, P-113469.
Transferred to Chapter Eternal 8 May 2014.

He served in the army in World War II Pacific Theatre, Headquarters of Headquarters Company, Mid Pac.

Jack proudly served as Star Harbor Mayor four years and was currently Star Harbor Municipal Judge, a role he served for 14 years. He loved his garden and reading. Traveling was another joy and with “JD” traveled all the 50 states and many foreign countries.

Jack loved his garden and reading. Traveling was another joy and with his wife, “JD”, traveled all the 50 states and many foreign countries.

Harry Millard Fife, Jr.

National #146612, State #7929. Approved 18 June 1996.
Patriot ancestor is John Ogletree Sr, GA, P-262817.
Transferred to Chapter Eternal 14 May 2023.

Harry served in every Officer position of the Athens Chapter. He was Chapter President 2001-2002 and 2012-2013. He was elected TX SAR President for 2008-2009. Among his many accolades was the Patriot Medal, 2003.

During his Navy tour he served on the aircraft carrier, the USS Bennington. He was part of the VW-1 crew weather squadron that searched for typhoons. The Navy ignited Harry’s passion for flying and travel, which he was able to fulfill later in life.

Ronnie Leslie Gadberry

National #152121, State #8466. Approved 21 June 1999.
Patriot ancestor is William Addington, SC, P-101732.
Transferred to Chapter Eternal 24 April 2020.

Ron loved life, had a great sense of adventure and would try anything. Ron was a huge Boomer Sooner, told great jokes, and loved horses and boats but his passion was fishing and fly fishing.

Johnny Lawton Goforth

National #152122, State #8467. Approved 21 June 1999.
Patriot ancestor is Preston Goforth, NC, P-167378.
Transferred to Chapter Eternal 26 February 2020.

He was a Veteran having served in the US Navy.

Johnny enjoyed doing projects and working with his hands. He built his own house and did wood working as well as built furniture for his children. He worked cattle, enjoyed fishing, and stock car racing.

Hon. Jack Humphrey Holland

National #142398, State #7377. Approved 31 March 1994.
Patriot ancestor is Henry Holland, NC, P-183527.
Transferred to Chapter Eternal 10 June 2022.

He was a Founding Member and was Chapter President during the Charter year 1994-1995.

Jack was a Veteran having served in the US Air Force.

In 1969, he was appointed by Governor Preston Smith as the district judge of the 173rd court where he served for more than 35 years becoming the longest sitting judge in Henderson County and the second longest sitting judge in the state of Texas. After retiring in 2005, he remained an active part of the community as a city attorney for the City of Athens, the City Municipal Judge of Gun Barrel City and a private lawyer.

Norman Nuel Huneycutt

National #175285, State #10526. Approved 5 October 2009.
Patriot ancestor is Jonathan Knight, NC, P-231254.
Transferred to Chapter Eternal 19 June 2024.

At a young age, Norman realized he had a servant’s heart, and he would embark on a life of service to his fellow man as he surrendered to the Call of the Lord and began his ministry here on Earth. Norman was ordained as a Presbyterian Pastor and began his ministry at Grace Presbytery in Dallas and First Presbyterian Church in Terrell. He also held many elected and appointed positions with several charitable, civic, business and benevolent associations.

James Samuel Knisley Jr.

National #150489, State #8283. Approved 16 July 1998.
Patriot ancestor is James Laffoon, VA/GA, P-232246.
Transferred to Chapter Eternal 18 December 2008.

He proudly served his country in World War II as a pilot in the Army Air Corps, flying the Hump over China, Burma, and India.

Jim was a voracious reader, avid skier, and consummate pilot, he loved to laugh, to travel, and the company of friends and family.

Charles E. Luna

National #162808, State #9407. Approved 26 May 2004.
Patriot ancestor Peter Looney/Luna, VA, P-239683.
Transferred to Chapter Eternal 8 December 2020.

Charles served in every Officer position of the Athens Chapter. He was Chapter President 2007-2008 and 2009-2010. Among his many accolades was the Patriot Medal, 2009.

First and foremost a mentor. He had a real passion for working with young people and promoting public service. He was often seen at the Henderson County Commissioners Court, getting proclamations signed to mark important moments in history—and, true to form, he never missed the chance to share a little history lesson while he was there. His dedication and leadership has become a true blueprint for all of us in the Athens Chapter.

John Douglas McLemore

National #152235, State #8475. Approved 3 August 1999.
Patriot ancestor is William Simms, GA, P-290428.
Transferred to Chapter Eternal 15 November 2014.

John D. served in the Navy during World War II and the Korean War where he volunteered for Submarine Service.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. But it was being a member of the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II of which he was most proud. John served as National President of the organization from 1990 -1991. He cherished his fellow shipmates dearly and they thought highly of him also.

Leonard Bruce Odom

National #187727, State #11594. Approved 25 June 2013.
Patriot ancestor is George Tucker, GA, P-307621.
Transferred to Chapter Eternal 15 November 2013.

Bruce was a Veteran having served in the US Army as a Specialist 5.

He enjoyed a 35-year career with Trinity Valley Community College as a Government Instructor because of his love for politics and current events. He also enjoyed studying family history as well and was very proud of his induction into the Sons of the American Revolution.

Gene Howard Pilgrim Sr.

National #183717, State #11304. Approved 23 May 2012.
Patriot ancestor is Parnack George, VA, P-332143.
Transferred to Chapter Eternal 14 October 2025.

Gene was Chapter President 2014-2015.

He was a Veteran having served in the US Army.

He was President of the Athens Chapter TX SAR 2014-2015.

Gene was deeply proud of his heritage. The James George Chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas is named after his ancestor who fought and died at the Alamo. He was also a member of the Ensign James Luna Chapter of the Society of the War of 1812 in Texas. He served as a Chapter President of each.

Terry Eugene Douglas Sharit

National #177297, State #10740. Approved 11 June 2010.
Patriot ancestor is William Ware, SC, P-313486.
Transferred to Chapter Eternal 20 January 2017.

Terry was Chapter President 2013-2014.

Charles Wayne Stafford

National #142555, State #7401. Approved 23 May 1994.
Patriot ancestor is Moses Hanks, VA, P-174537.
Transferred to Chapter Eternal 15 December 2018.

“Wayne” was a founding member of the Athens Chapter and was the chapter photographer and webmaster. He was also a founding and dedicated member of the Henderson County Master Gardeners Club, a 16-year member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas and the National Huguenot Organization. Wayne's most enjoyed hobbies included genealogy and photography.

Rayford Lee Tiner

National #210289, State #13860. Approved 18 January 2019.
Patriot ancestor is John Lawrence, NC, P-233875.
Transferred to Chapter Eternal 7 May 2020.

He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Rayford had a booming voice and we used to joke that it was because he was in Mechanized Artillery.

Rayford Lee was known as being a man of his word. He was fond of saying “I say what I mean and I mean what I say”.