Felix M. Gresham

Felix M. Gresham, 94, passed away in Stephenville, Texas, on December 6, 2010, after a long illness. Graveside service: 11:00 AM December 9 at Glenn Cemetery in Bluff Dale, Texas. Family visitation: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM Wednesday, December 8, at Stephenville Funeral Home. Felix Gresham was born February 6, 1916, in Austin, Texas. In 1939 he was graduated from the University of Texas and then enrolled in Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. There he met Bunelle Hall, his future wife. In 1942 he left the Seminary to join the United States Army as a chaplain. He served in campaigns in New Guinea and the Philippines. While on furlough in July 1945, he married Bunelle Hall in Dothan, Alabama. During his furlough the war ended, and he was honorably discharged at Fort Rucker, Alabama, in December 1945. He resumed studies at SWBTS, and was graduated with a Doctorate of Theology in 1949. He served as the first director of the Baptist Student Union at John Tarleton College (now Tarleton State University) in Stephenville, Texas. He then served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Stephenville. He became the first Dean of Students of SWBTS in 1955. He served in various capacities at SWBTS until his retirement in 1986. In his last years of work he was the first Seminary Chaplain. His hobby of some 40 years was woodworking. He made many pieces of furniture, including grandfather clocks. He was a member of Gambrell Street Baptist Church of Fort Worth, Texas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bunelle Hall Gresham, in 2009. Survivors: Son, John Gresham and wife, Renee Gresham of Bluff Dale, grandchildren, James Gresham and wife, Marti Gresham of Stephenville, and Joanna Shaw and husband, Cory Shaw of Stephenville; and three great-granddaughters. Memorials: Gambrell Street Baptist Church of Fort Worth, First Baptist Church of Stephenville, Alzheimer's Association.