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Varnell E. Fleming died on Thursday, October 8th at sunrise. He was born in Brownfield, TX on October 4, 1920, baptized at University Hills Baptist Church in Austin.

In addition to being a talented artist and builder of many construction projects, he retired from the Texas Highway Department as a Draftsman Engineer.

Varn enjoyed a long life of adventures and confessed he had many interesting vocations throughout the years; pilot, crop duster, cabbie, antiques dealer and a longtime employee of Standard Oil. Varn graduated in 1938 from Big Spring, TX High School, went on that same year to enlist in US Army Air Corps as a flight instructor, where he trained many for WWII pilot duty.

As a young soldier, he married Doris Neal and had two children. A lifelong student of learning, he used his knowledge to construct many homes, even a sailboat. He was 32 Degree Mason, a member of both Ben Hur and Alzafar Shrine Temples, a Boy Scout Master, a Ham Radio operator, a golfer, a bocce player, a smooth dancer and a world traveler. In short, he did all things enthusiastically, many of them well, especially being a faithful husband and loving father.

After moving back to Central Texas from a 6 year hiatus in Southern California, he bravely suffered a battle with cancer that ultimately took his life.

He was predeceased by the other half of his heart, his wife of 25 years, Marguerite Bates; his parents, and two siblings. His devoted partner of the last 32 years, Jean Eyres, passed away this past April.

Varn is survived by his son, Dave E. Fleming and his wife, Elizabeth Hubbard, daughter Donna L. Hight and husband, Wayne; son, Mark V. Fleming and daughter, Laurie S. Park and her family, Mike Park and Ellie Park .

The family wishes to thank Dr. David Friedman, Dr. Dan Ramsey, nursing staff of the LBJ Medical Center and the Fredericksburg Hospice staff for their care and compassion.

In memory of Dad, donations to Hill Country Memorial Hospice are requested. Immediate family and friends gathered graveside, Monday, October 12, at the Masonic Cemetery in Johnson City to celebrate his life.

Dr. L.R. “Dick” Louden

Dr. L.R. “Dick” Louden of Johnson City passed away at home on Saturday October 10, 2009 at the age of 76.

Dick Louden was born to Lester and Mabel Louden on July 8, 1933 in Monroe, Washington. He grew up in Wichita Falls, Texas. He served his country in the Army. After his discharge in Germany, he studied at a German University where he received his PHD in Geology and Geochemistry. On April 14, 1963 he married Edit Toeroe in Germany. They settled in Houston where he taught Geology at the University of Houston. Dick worked for Dresser Industries, now Haliburton, and traveled to Russia, China, the Far East and Eastern European countries in his career. He also worked in Alaska, where he developed a system for recycling antifreeze.

For the past years, Dr. Louden and Edit have lived on their ranch near Johnson City.

Dick Louden is survived by his wife Edit Louden.

Per his wishes, Dr. Louden will be cremated. No services are scheduled at this time.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.beckmannfuneralhome.com

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Beckmann Funeral Home.