Obituaries

Jay W. Schmoll, 78, passed away on February 11, 2021 in Plano, TX. 

Jay was a humble man who cared about his family and often took the role of being the peacemaker at home and at work. Jay was always there when friends and family needed him.

As a young man, Jay was proud to be a shot-put champion and a sprinter on his high school track team and a running back on his freshman football team. He served his country in the Marine Corps and could often be heard saying “ooh rah!”  Afterwards he went on to earn a bachelor's degree in Business at Oregon State University.

Jay loved to support his wife (he was her #1 dishwasher and taste-tester), daughters (bowling coach, soccer coach, choir attendee, horse shows and more), and of course his grandchildren by attending their events and becoming the first middle school WatchDog in Keller ISD!

Jay was charming, loved dancing, watching Star Wars, football, soccer, Aussie-Rules football games on TV, and John Wayne movies. He would recite his favorite poem to anyone with ears, even during brain surgery!  There was always a story he could tell you, even if you’d heard it twice. You were never strangers long with Jay, as he always loved having someone new to tell stories to. He had subtly sarcastic comments ready for any occasion. He had a wonderful grin when he would take the literal fresh out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies off the tray before it even made it to the counter for cooling (he insisted they were best right off the tray). His later years were unfortunately spent more in hospitals, but the nurses always loved him, even when he was in timeout at the nurse’s stations, which likely worked more in his favor than theirs.

His Parkinson’s diagnosis deterred him only physically for many years. He was smart, had a sense of humor, and a stubborn old man. Those of us who knew him, could tell you that his stubbornness is what got him this far into his diagnoses. He was full of love and never knew a stranger. We are lucky and blessed to have known him and he will be greatly missed.

Jay is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Diane, his brother Lynn (Cheri), his daughters Carolyn (Tim), Diana (Curtis) and Allison (Josh), his 3 grandchildren, Nathan, Jacob and Natalie, and many family members across the country. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Bea, and his son Scott.

If you would like to donate a gift in honor of Jay, the family requests any donations are sent to the following as they were dear to him:

• Parkinson Voice Project: https://www.parkinsonvoiceproject.org/
• Dallas Area Parkinsonism Society (DAPS): https://daps.us/
• Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church: https://www.canyoncreekpres.org/give

Sandra Helen Griffin of Allen, Texas passed away November 29, 2020 at the age of 86. She was born December 22, 1933 to Marvin and Olivia Watkins in Ennis, Texas. Sandra graduated from Ennis High School in June 1951. She then attended Parkland School of Nursing and graduated in August 1954 as a Registered Nurse. Sandra was a devoted mother who loved to take care of her family. She was selfless and worked hard to make her home a special place.  After her children were grown, Sandra decided to return to the workforce, landing at Blue Cross Blue Shield, working there until she retired.  She was a founding member of Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church. Sandra’s love for her family was only

 surpassed by her love of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Sandra is survived by her two sons, A. Dale Griffin, III and his wife Kerri of Naples, Florida and Thomas Griffin and his wife Suzie of Allen, Texas.  Additionally, Sandra had two wonderful grandchildren, Kyle Griffin of Denton, Texas and Hannah Greenwood and her husband Nicholas of Allen, Texas, and her great-grandson, Grayson Greenwood of Allen, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, and three sisters.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Sandra can be made to the Villages in Partnership ministry (villagesinpartnership.org)

Harry Jirou "Jerry" Dalton, Jr., Brig. Gen. USAF Retired, 93, of Dallas, departed the Life Militant and entered the Life Triumphant, November 1, 2020. 

For his service, he was awarded the AF Distinguished Service Medal (2), Legion of Merit (3), Air Medal, Bronze Star, Joint Service Commendation Medal (2) and Air Force Commendation Medal (3). A Pentagon conference room is dedicated and named in his honor.

He worked in corporate public relations for Electronic Data Systems Corp., LTV Corp. and Vought Aircraft and served as a solo PR counselor and consultant. He was an extremely active member of Texas PR Association, Public Relations Society of America and Air Force Public Affairs Alumni Association, serving as organization chairs, member of committees, boards and task forces. At PRSA he served as national treasurer, national secretary and president in 1990, was founding president of PRSA's Foundation in 1991 and was elected to PRSA

He is survived by his wife Carolyn Mabel Dalton, Allen; daughter Cynthia K. Dalton, Dallas; son Robert Hume Dalton and wife Linda, Lake Charles, LA; son Steven Jirou Dalton and wife Dee Ann, Plano and seven grandchildren, Grace, Michael, John, Faith, Hope, Andrew and Austin Dalton along with brother-in-law Dr. James W. Dinsmore and wife, Vicki, Omaha, NE; and cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife of 55 years Marion Hume Dalton. As a testament to his generosity, he donated his body to the Willed Body Program at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

A celebration of life service in Dallas will be planned at a future date out of an abundance of safety.

Curtis Wayne McIntyre died Sunday, August 9, from heart failure at the age of 76. A beloved professor and a loving husband and father, Curt will be remembered for his relentlessly inquisitive mind, his kind soft-spoken nature, and his hilariously irreverent sense of humor.

Curt grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio raised by his parents Curtis Runyon McIntyre and Iolene Arnold along with his sister Patti and his younger brother Richard (Rick). The first in his family to go to college, Curt earned a B.A. from the University of Cincinnati in 1965 and went on to get his Ph. D. in Psychology from Vanderbilt in 1969. A ladies’ man in his own mind, Curt’s love of the academic world was matched only by his lifelong love for his college sweetheart, Cynthia “Cindy” Kasson. The couple got engaged shortly after graduation and were married for 54 years.

Together they followed Curt’s career as a professor to several distinguished schools, before settling at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where he was a valued member of the faculty for 31 years. As Chair, he helped propel the Psychology department to national recognition and published over 40 articles and edited a book on clinical techniques for treating dyslexia. His early research focused on cognitive development in children, and he later initiated a research program to evaluate the differences between violent and nonviolent juvenile offenders.

His most lasting professional accomplishment, however, is no doubt the effect he had on his students. From teaching introductory classes to supervising doctoral candidates, Curt was most passionate about sharing what he knew. As a trusted mentor and counselor, he helped a generation of scholars pursue their studies, start their careers, and navigate the everyday problems of their lives. He was loved and respected by both his students and colleagues alike- his office door was always open.

The greatest beneficiaries of his teaching were his two children, Wade McIntyre and Sally Michaud and his three treasured grandchildren, Story Jo (10) Porter (9) and Maëlle (6). He loved spending time with them, sharing his passion for reading and world history, revealing the secrets of double plays and zone defenses, and demonstrating the power of a perfectly timed punch line. His children saw him value teamwork, reason, and patience. And watched in horror and amazement as the neighborhood kids would flock to their house where they were allowed to watch R-rated movies and curse. Curt embodied one of life’s most important lessons: don’t sweat the small stuff.

After retirement, Curt continued to teach. Working together with Cindy at SMU Plano, he helped design and implement a program to train Professional, Family and School Counselors. Private at times, he kept a small group of close friends, but he also made time to get out and lead discussion groups at church on topics ranging from spirituality to politics. He had a skill for finding the common ground in people with differing views. He lived a life of tolerance toward everyone, even his dogs whom he loved completely, despite his allergies.

His mind remained sharp, and he spent his free time either reading or playing bridge. He never grew tired of learning or challenging himself. Of solving life’s puzzles, together. Somehow, he always knew what card was coming next.

In his final weeks, Curt made a point to keep his doctors and nurses laughing as long as he could. He was thankful for the science that extended his life, and the support of all the people who loved him. He died surrounded by family, partaking in one of his all-time favorite hobbies: a long afternoon nap.

His heart may have finally failed him, but Curt’s spirit beats on in his students, his children, his grandchildren, and the hundreds of others lucky enough to have learned by his side.

Curt is survived by his wife Cindy, son Curtis Wade McIntyre (Samantha Montgomery), daughter Sally McIntyre Michaud (Ludovick Michaud), sister Patti McIntyre Gramke, brother Richard Louis McIntyre, grandchildren Story Jo McIntyre, Porter William Michaud, Maëlle Brooks Michaud and many cherished nieces, nephews and spouses.

A service will be held at Perkins Chapel on the SMU Campus at 11am CST on Tuesday August 25 for family, and will be streamed and/or posted online at  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1RIjlvmK2VIve3KCco-wcg

After a long illness, Shirley Broome Pittman passed away in her sleep in the early morning  hours of Friday, May 29, 2020.

Shirley was born in Amarillo, Texas, on April 11, 1936. After graduating from Amarillo High School, home of the Sandies, she attended the University of Oklahoma, where in 1954 she graduated with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. While a student at OU, she was elected state president of the Oklahoma Future Teachers of America. She also was a lifetime member of the Delta Gamma sorority, and was proud to maintain her DG friendships throughout her life.

After graduating from OU, she met Lewis Stanley Pittman. After a handful of dates during a furious two-week romance, Shirley and Stan were married and initially moved to Winchester, Kentucky, where Stan first began working in the petroleum industry. That was followed by a time in Bridgeport, West Virginia, where Shirley presided over a class of what was then known as the “educable retarded,” teaching them schoolwork and whatever life skills she could, so they could later better make their way in the world. The children were all from poor families, so Shirley saved what extra money she could to buy them some lunches and an occasional pair of shoes, as some of them had none. One afternoon after school, a student’s father confronted her, putting the shoes she bought for his son on her desk, stating, “My kid don’t need charity.” Shirley pushed the shoes back to him across her desk and said, “Maybe not, but he sure needs shoes.”

Not long after, Shirley and Stan moved to Abilene, Texas. After discovering they could not have children of their own, they adopted Edward Cleveland Pittman in August 1963, the first of their three adopted children. A year and a half later, in 1965, they received a call from the adoption home; and they were soon on their way to adopt Charles Clay Pittman. The family also included Lucky, a Sheltie, and Mama Kitty, the first of many family pets over the years.

Stan was next transferred to the Dallas area, and the family settled in Richardson. In 1970, Shirley and Stan adopted Frances Margaret Pittman, and the family was complete. Over the years, more cats and dogs followed, instilling in the children an enduring love and sense of responsibility for caring for companion animals.

While Stan had a long career in the petroleum industry, Shirley spent her time teaching at such schools as Canyon Creek Daycare and, later, a decades-long devotion to private tutoring. Her tutoring students were primarily the children of Chinese immigrants, and Shirley spent her years not only teaching them to speak English, but helping them to learn what it meant to be an American. In addition to receiving many heartfelt gifts from grateful families, Shirley – often called Missy Pittman – was often invited to former students’ college graduations, weddings and citizenship ceremonies, as her students became American citizens.

On December 27, 2013, Shirley and the rest of the Pittman family were overjoyed to welcome Francie’s son, Benjamin, into the world.

Shirley was always known for her sage advice, which she shared only when asked, and her infectious laugh, often described more as a cackle. In her last years, Shirley struggled with Alzheimer’s. Although her short-term memories often quickly faded, she always asked about everyone’s children and pets, and she freely expressed her love to anyone who came close enough to hug.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Frances Broome, as well as her son Charles. She will be remembered by her husband Stan, her son Edward and his wife, Michelle Koller; her daughter Francie and her son Ben; Leslie Farnham and Alison Gross, the children of her cousin Richard Gross; the many others she touched during her lifelong legacy of teaching; and a few lifelong friends (as well as their children) who still remain.

In lieu of flowers or other forms of remembrance, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association.