R. Don Vardeman

Retired Lt. Colonel Chaplain R. Don Vardeman, age 83, passed away on Veteran's Day, Nov. 11, 2023, following a fall & brief hospitalization. Don was born in Mart, TX on January 19, 1940, to Martice A. Vardeman and Willie Graves Vardeman, the last of five brothers.

He grew up in Mart, TX, moving to Bellmead and graduating from La Vega High School in 1958, where he served in the TX State Guard from 1955-1958. He joined the Navy in '58 where he served during the Vietnam War, off the coast of Japan, and was honorably discharged in 1962 in Long Beach, CA.

He met the love of life, Carolyn Sue Brunson, at the 1962 Singles Sunday School Christmas Party, FBC Irving, TX, where his brother & wife were the S.S. teachers. He was smitten from the moment they met. They married in Gilmer, TX on April 13, 1963.

Don was an active member of MacArthur Blvd. Baptist Church, Irving, TX where he worked for Aetna Insurance. They moved to Longview, TX in 1975 where he was licensed to the Gospel Ministry at Mobberly Ave. Baptist Church. They returned to Irving, TX where he graduation from Southwestern Theological Seminary with his Diploma in Theology in Dec. 1977.

They moved to their current home in Hewitt, TX in 1978, where they raised their children, Alesha and Brad.

Don was a bi-vocational pastor in multiple churches over the years. He re-joined the TX State Guard in 1995 where he served for 18 years. This service was among the most important calling in his life.

He received his teaching certificate from Univ. of Mary-Hardin Baylor in History/Government/Economics and taught at Waco ISD & La Vega ISD before retiring and continued to substitute teach and work for Midway HS Athletics until 2019. Don & Carolyn were loyal Midway ISD supporters since 1982 and were inducted as "Special Friends to Midway Athletics" in 2015. During his teaching years, he was heavily involved in the Association of Texas Professional Educators and TX Retired Teachers Association where he served as Campus Rep & Region XII Treasurer, VP, and President. He was awarded both Region XII Campus Rep and State Rep of the year. In TRTA he served as District 12 President, as a State Board Member, and on numerous committees.

Don served faithfully at both FBC Hewitt & 1st Woodway, serving on multiple committees, as Life Group & Bible Study leader, and as leader for Triple L Sr. Adult Ministry.

Don was very involved in his community, serving as President of Longview Optimist Club, Midway HS Booster Club, Greater Hewitt Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Committee, and was still serving on the Hewitt City Board of Adjustments.

Preceded in death by parents, Martice & Willie Graves Vardeman; brothers, Bill, Joe, Martice Jr, and Jerry Vardeman; and many sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Carolyn Sue Brunson Vardeman; children, Alesha Ann Vardeman Walker and husband, Frank, and Brad Vardeman and wife, Monica; grandchildren, Audrey McCambridge, Braden Vardeman (wife Hannah & great-grand daughter Rylee), Makayla Vardeman, and Chandler Vardeman; sisters-in-law, Pat Vardeman, Dorothy Brunson Nash, and Sarah Wynell Brunson; along with countless friends and family.