Patricia Ann Denton

FORT WORTH – Patricia Ann Denton died peacefully in her sleep at Trinity Terrace on September 3rd. At the age of 91, she lived an extraordinarily full life. A service of remembrance will be held for her at 1:30 PM on October 8, 2022 at University Christian Church.

Pat was born in Paducah, TX on November 26, 1930 to Pat Neff Jones and Inez Harrell Jones. Like both parents before her, she attended Baylor University, graduating with a Bachelor of Music degree in piano in 1951. Pat was an accompanist for Arthur Murray Dance Studios as well as a dance instructor there prior to enrolling in graduate studies at Texas Christian University. She obtained her Master of Education degree in 1957 and began teaching 1st grade at B.H. Carroll Elementary School in the Fort Worth Independent School District.

That same year, Pat met and married Ronald Gene Denton on June 1, 1957 and had her only child, James Ronald Denton, in 1959. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother to Jim and his friends and was also a private tutor. An accomplished pianist, Pat played a recital of Chopin and Liszt in Cowden Hall at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1964. As a hobby, she trained several successive Dobermans over the next decade – all named “Judy” – and showed them in Novice, Open and Utility Dog competitions, earning numerous trophies. She also showed Burmese and Korat cats to championship status.

Pat began teaching again in 1969 as a Reading Specialist. Ever the educator, she enrolled in night school at Texas Woman’s University, driving to Denton in the evening after teaching all day in Fort Worth. While there, she became an NTSU/TWU Phi Delta Kappa scholar and earned her second graduate degree, a Master of Arts from TWU in 1984. After that accomplishment, she was acknowledged in the 1984-85 publication, “Notable Women of Texas” and she also joined MENSA, the High IQ Society. Pat was then appointed Administrator in Gifted Education for the Fort Worth ISD and she developed their Gifted and Talented Program. Pat retired in 1989.

After retirement, Pat became active at University Christian Church. She sang in the Chancel Choir, rang handbells, taught the Bible to adults and children, and music to the children. She prepared curriculum for ChristCare groups at UCC and created the large print worship bulletin for many years. Education called yet again and Pat went back to TCU, earning her third graduate degree, a Master of Theological Studies from Brite Divinity School in 1999 at the age of 69 … so she could be a better Sunday school teacher!

At the time Pat moved to Trinity Terrace, no pets were allowed, but she had one stray cat left and they let her in anyway. In her 80’s, her hobbies turned to working crossword and sudoku puzzles – beginning at the back of the books.

She is survived by her son, Jim (Ya-Chieh Wang) of Houston and nephew, Ben Noey, Jr. of Fort Worth.

Brown Owens & Brumley Family Funeral Home
425 S. Henderson St.
(817) 335-4557