We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and teammates of the letterwinners we have recently lost. 

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”

 

Dr. Robert “Jackie” Robinson- Basketball 1946-48

Dr. Robert Jackson “Jack” Robinson, Th.D. of Augusta, GA, aged 94, entered into rest at home on February 8, 2022. Jack was the loving husband of 71 years to Charlotte Furrh Robinson, who he married in 1950 at First Baptist Church in Mineral Wells, Texas.

Jack was a gifted athlete, intellectual, and servant to the Lord, who lived a life bursting with adventure, accomplishment, and service. A minister’s son, he grew up and attended high school in Fort Worth, Texas. He graduated with the class of 1945 from Pascal High School, where he played basketball and was voted by Texas Sportswriters as the best high school basketball player in Texas history. Jack went on to great academic and athletic success at his beloved alma mater, Baylor University, where he was a letterman and All American for three consecutive years in 1946, 1947 and 1948. Already accomplished, basketball had more in store for Jack. He was selected to play in the 1948 London Olympic Games and won the Gold Medal in basketball. He was also honored to be chosen for an audience with the King and Queen at Buckingham Palace as a representative of the US Olympic Teams. In recognition of his achievements, Jack was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1966 and was privileged to carry the Olympic Torch through Macon on its way to Atlanta in 1996 for the Olympic opening ceremonies.  A lover of sports, Jack passionately followed the Atlanta Braves and watched any televised basketball or football game. With his best friend Charles Mize, he watched his beloved Baylor Bears’ basketball team win the National Championship, which he’d waited seventy years to see. Click here to read the full obituary.

 

Kirk Thompson– Tr. Mgr/Baseball 1986

Kirk Alan Thompson walked into the presence of his Savior, Jesus, on January 6, 2022 at the age 57.  He is now fully healed and more alive than he has ever been!  Kirk was born to Ray and Judith Thompson on May 30, 1964 in Houston, Texas.  As a child, he loved every sport!  If there was a ball-to-be-had, it was being thrown, caught, hit, bounced, shot or kicked.  He also was an outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and water-skiing.  Kirk had quite a voice and loved singing.  Kirk met the love-of-his life, Sheryl, in the fall of 1984 at Baylor University.  He and Sheryl moved to Round Rock after graduation and began their beautiful life together.  They married December 5, 1987 and went on to have two amazing children, Kally and Kaci. Kirk was always zealous about his faith, his family, his friends, and his career.  In addition to being a dedicated and loving husband and father, Kirk also continued pursuing his life-long passions for hunting, fishing, and Baylor Football.  Spending time with friends and family on his ranch and (as of lately) loving on his little granddaughters and nieces were among his biggest priorities.  Click here to read the full obituary.

 

Byron Lewis, age 59, of Baytown, Texas passed away on Monday, February 28, 2022.  Bryon was born April 17, 1962.  He played at the cornerback position for the Bears from 1981-1984.  No obituary has been posted to-date.

 

 

 

James Rowell- Football 1976-79

James Rowell, age 64, of Meadows Place, TX, passed away on Tuesday, January 25, 2022.  James was born on February 26, 1957.  He played defensive tackle for the Bears from 1976-79 and was a member of the 1979 Peach Bowl team.  

He leaves behind his wife Mary and his two sons, Clay and John, daughter-in-law, Julia, and granddaughters, Hadley and Tinsley. 

 

 

 

 

Gordon Utgard– Football 1967-69

Gordon Utgard passed away on Saturday, December 5th, 2021. Gordon worked in the health care industry for more than 30 years, nine being in international markets, serving in the CEO capacity at five hospitals and one health plan. He created a proprietorship business in early 1997 to support the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association’s development of a worldwide hospital network. Gordon earned a BA degree in Economics/Finance from Baylor University, where he was a three-year football letterman and team captain, and a Master of Health Care Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He was a fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives and a Lead Faculty Member in the School of Graduate and Professional Studies at LeTourneau University in Dallas, Texas. Gordon served as a director on several boards and presented at several domestic and international seminars. He also served as the Master Facility Plan Project Executive at Memorial Health Care System in Chattanooga, TN. Gordon is survived by his wife, Linda, and his two children. A Celebration of Life Service is planned for Gordon on April 30, 2022, at Brainerd Baptist Church in Chattanooga Tennessee.

 

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