The Texas A&M University-Kingsville community is mourning the loss of Jerome Tymrak, lecturer in agricultural science and William Edward Renfrow, art professor.
Tymrak was 73. Tymrak has worked at the university for 20 years. Prior to that, he spent 27 years as the ag science teacher at Banquete High School. He also was an alumnus, earning his bachelor’s degree in agriculture education in 1969 and his master’s in 1977.
The family will receive visitors at Hurley Funeral Home, 118 W. Oaklawn, in Pleasanton at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8. A reading of the rosary will follow at 7 p.m. Christian burial will be at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 1608 W. Campbell in Jourdanton, at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9. Interment will follow at the Campbellton.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds in Robstown.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Jerome’s honor be made to the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Foundation, memo line Jerome M. Tymrak Memorial Scholarship, 700 University Boulevard, MSC 173, Kingsville, TX 78363 or online at www.javelinagiving.org/tymrakmemorial or to the Nueces County Junior Livestock Show Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 260968, Corpus Christi, TX 78426.
Texas A&I University Visual Art Professor, William (Bill) Edward Renfrow, 84, passed away August 29, 2020 in Kingsville, Texas. He was born on December 26, 1935 in Cooper County Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William C. Renfrow and Nora Viola Renfrow, and by his wife, Billie Dee Renfrow of 49 years.
William was a graduate of Kansas City Art Institute. He was a professor for 43 years at Texas A&I University, Kingsville. He had a passion for Art especially painting. As he taught over the years, he grew to love teaching Art History.
In the 1960’s William fought discrimination against Chicano students. Out of his and Ben Bailey’s dedication to all of their students, today there are a number of well-known artists who graduated from Texas A&I University, Kingsville. Among the Chicano graduates are well-known artists including Amado Pena, Carmen Lomas Garza, Jose Riviera and Cesar A. Martinez. Rest in peace, Mr. Renfrow.
The Texas A&M University-Kingsville mourns the loss of two great individuals that impacted Javelina Nation.