Weldon E. "Dean" Renfro, 80, passed away Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, at a Plano hospital after a brief illness. Funeral: 1 p.m. Wednesday at Acton United Methodist Church, 3433 Fall Creek Highway, Acton, with the Rev. Paul Gravley officiating. Interment: Greenwood Memorial Park. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Greenwood Funeral Home. Memorials: Expressions of sympathy may be made to Acton United Methodist Church Children's Ministry, 3433 Fall Creek Highway, Acton, Texas 76049. Dean was born June 15, 1932, in Whitesboro. He married the former Sara Jacobs on Aug. 5, 1988. He was a graduate of Leonard High School and the University of North Texas in Denton. Dean was all-conference in football and basketball in high school. While at UNT, he was a four-year letterman in football. Dean lettered in track as a sprinter, serving as the team captain and was a finalist in both 100 and 200 at the NAIA 1953 meet. Dean was a second-round draft pick of the Baltimore Colts and played in the Canadian Football League for the Calgary Stampeders. He retired from professional football in 1958. Dean joined the Fontana Unified School District in Fontana, Calif., where he served as head football coach and athletic director. He was named Southern California Citrus Belt League Coach of the Year. Dean left Fontana and joined the coaching staff at TCU. He later worked for the Lafarge Corp. and Cemex until his retirement. He and his wife, Sara, have lived in Granbury since 1993. They share eight children. Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Jewel and Dolly Renfro; brothers, J.R., Junior, Preston, Ray and John; and one sister, Lois Arnwine. Survivors: Wife, Sara Renfro; son, Robbie Renfro and wife, Kelley; son, Randy Renfro and wife, Roseann; daughter, Ronda Peppers and husband, Charlton; daughter, Renaye Peterman and husband, Pete; daughter, Rikki Pate and husband, Chris; son, Marc Rea and wife, Pat; daughter, Viki Sisco and husband, Glen; daughter, Stacey Walthall and husband, Larry; 23 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Published in Star-Telegram on November 13, 2012