Individual Details
Henry Bedford FURR
(6 Oct 1917 - 24 May 2011)
Drs. Bedford and Oneta Furr Endowed Scholarship
Established by Drs. Bedford and Oneta Furr in 1986 "in profound gratitude to God for His manifold blessing," this scholarship will provide financial support for worthy graduate students majoring in Counseling and Human Development. Selection of recipients will be made by the chair of the Department of Counseling and Human Development.
Anson library gets gift to renovate
By SANDRA CHITTUM Correspondent
ANSON - A "substantial" pledge of money by an Abilene couple will help the Anson Public Library renovate two downtown buildings for a bigger and better facility, library directors said.
In recognition of the gift from Drs. Bedford and Oneta Furr, directors voted to name the new building the Roberts-Furr Memorial Library. Mrs. Furr's maiden name was Roberts.
A Sunday afternoon reception honored the Furrs for their gift, but the couple was not present.
"Bedford and Oneta did not want to draw attention to themselves and their gift. They wanted the library and the community to focus on the goal at hand," library spokesman Tom Isbell said.
Cost of renovation is estimated at $345,000, which is less than the cost of building a new library, Isbell said. In addition to the Furrs' gift, about $20,000 has been raised through memorial gifts and fund raisers, he said.
Directors' goals are to raise at least $100,000 more, he said. The library is also applying for grants from several private foundations.
The new library will be housed in the former Barrett Brothers building on 12th Street, at the southwest corner of the courthouse square. Restoration of the 6,600-square-foot building will enhance the beauty of the downtown area as well as create a 21st century library and learning center, Isbell said.
The Barrett Brothers building was originally one building, but at some point was divided into two. When it is reconfigured as one building it will give the library more than six times as much space as it now has, Isbell said.
The library has been in its current location east of the new site since 1962. Plans are to raze the present library, when the new building is complete, to make room for additional parking on the square.
Working with the Anson Chamber of Commerce, the library plans to create a park on the west side of the new facility. A walkway, which will connect the library and the park, will be paved with memorial bricks, which are being sold for $125 each as a fund raiser.
"Restoring the building to its grandeur will only enhance the beauty of our historic town," Isbell said.
The Furrs moved to Abilene in 1979 after 30-year educational careers in Wichita Falls. She was a professor of education at Midwestern State University for 29 years, and he had been assistant superintendent of Wichita Falls public schools. In 1968, they became the first husband and wife to receive their doctoral degrees together at what is now the University of North Texas.
Mrs. Furr, a graduate of McMurry University, was a teacher certification officer at Hardin-Simmons University for more than 10 years before her retirement. Her husband was on the staff of St. Paul United Methodist Church for four years, then director of development for Sears Methodist Memorial Center for several years before his retirement.
In 1986, the couple established an endowed scholarship at HSU for graduate students in counseling and human development.
(Regional Editor Roy A. Jones II contributed to this report.)
Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, Texas, January 20, 1998
McMurry plans welcome center
By Brye Butler / Reporter-News Staff Writer
March 5, 2005
McMurry University officials announced Friday the building of a million-dollar campus welcome center, and a 5.9 percent tuition increase effective June 1.
McMurry President John Russell unveiled plans for the Bedford and Oneta Furr Welcome Center, which will be a 4,600 square-foot addition to Radford Memorial Auditorium.
The center will include a reception area, gallery, lobby and offices. A courtyard will connect the two buildings.
The center will be south of the auditorium along Sayles Boulevard. Its purpose is to centralize alumni events and campus visits from prospective students.
The events are now held at various locations around campus.
Construction probably will begin in six months and wrap up by August 2006.
The cost of the center is more than $1 million, Russell said. A monetary gift from the Furrs will cover the expenses, although Russell did not disclose the exact amount donated by the couple.
Oneta Furr is a 1937 graduate of McMurry. The couple lives in Abilene.
Student Body President Enrique Cisneros, 22, said the center will be an improvement on campus and will fulfill a need at the university.
''It lets you know there are alumni who care,'' he said.
Established by Drs. Bedford and Oneta Furr in 1986 "in profound gratitude to God for His manifold blessing," this scholarship will provide financial support for worthy graduate students majoring in Counseling and Human Development. Selection of recipients will be made by the chair of the Department of Counseling and Human Development.
Anson library gets gift to renovate
By SANDRA CHITTUM Correspondent
ANSON - A "substantial" pledge of money by an Abilene couple will help the Anson Public Library renovate two downtown buildings for a bigger and better facility, library directors said.
In recognition of the gift from Drs. Bedford and Oneta Furr, directors voted to name the new building the Roberts-Furr Memorial Library. Mrs. Furr's maiden name was Roberts.
A Sunday afternoon reception honored the Furrs for their gift, but the couple was not present.
"Bedford and Oneta did not want to draw attention to themselves and their gift. They wanted the library and the community to focus on the goal at hand," library spokesman Tom Isbell said.
Cost of renovation is estimated at $345,000, which is less than the cost of building a new library, Isbell said. In addition to the Furrs' gift, about $20,000 has been raised through memorial gifts and fund raisers, he said.
Directors' goals are to raise at least $100,000 more, he said. The library is also applying for grants from several private foundations.
The new library will be housed in the former Barrett Brothers building on 12th Street, at the southwest corner of the courthouse square. Restoration of the 6,600-square-foot building will enhance the beauty of the downtown area as well as create a 21st century library and learning center, Isbell said.
The Barrett Brothers building was originally one building, but at some point was divided into two. When it is reconfigured as one building it will give the library more than six times as much space as it now has, Isbell said.
The library has been in its current location east of the new site since 1962. Plans are to raze the present library, when the new building is complete, to make room for additional parking on the square.
Working with the Anson Chamber of Commerce, the library plans to create a park on the west side of the new facility. A walkway, which will connect the library and the park, will be paved with memorial bricks, which are being sold for $125 each as a fund raiser.
"Restoring the building to its grandeur will only enhance the beauty of our historic town," Isbell said.
The Furrs moved to Abilene in 1979 after 30-year educational careers in Wichita Falls. She was a professor of education at Midwestern State University for 29 years, and he had been assistant superintendent of Wichita Falls public schools. In 1968, they became the first husband and wife to receive their doctoral degrees together at what is now the University of North Texas.
Mrs. Furr, a graduate of McMurry University, was a teacher certification officer at Hardin-Simmons University for more than 10 years before her retirement. Her husband was on the staff of St. Paul United Methodist Church for four years, then director of development for Sears Methodist Memorial Center for several years before his retirement.
In 1986, the couple established an endowed scholarship at HSU for graduate students in counseling and human development.
(Regional Editor Roy A. Jones II contributed to this report.)
Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, Texas, January 20, 1998
McMurry plans welcome center
By Brye Butler / Reporter-News Staff Writer
March 5, 2005
McMurry University officials announced Friday the building of a million-dollar campus welcome center, and a 5.9 percent tuition increase effective June 1.
McMurry President John Russell unveiled plans for the Bedford and Oneta Furr Welcome Center, which will be a 4,600 square-foot addition to Radford Memorial Auditorium.
The center will include a reception area, gallery, lobby and offices. A courtyard will connect the two buildings.
The center will be south of the auditorium along Sayles Boulevard. Its purpose is to centralize alumni events and campus visits from prospective students.
The events are now held at various locations around campus.
Construction probably will begin in six months and wrap up by August 2006.
The cost of the center is more than $1 million, Russell said. A monetary gift from the Furrs will cover the expenses, although Russell did not disclose the exact amount donated by the couple.
Oneta Furr is a 1937 graduate of McMurry. The couple lives in Abilene.
Student Body President Enrique Cisneros, 22, said the center will be an improvement on campus and will fulfill a need at the university.
''It lets you know there are alumni who care,'' he said.
Events
| Birth | 6 Oct 1917 | Breckenridge, Stephens County, TX |  | ||
| Occupation | 1940 | broadcast radio writer - Wichita Falls, Wichita County, TX | |||
| Marriage | 24 May 1942 | Oneta ROBERTS | |||
| Occupation | 1950 | Spec. Argriculture Credit public relations - Wichita Falls, Wichita County, TX | |||
| Death | 24 May 2011 | Abilene, Taylor County, TX |  | | |
| Military | in World War II | | | ||
| Burial | Elmwood Memorial Park, Abilene, Taylor County, TX | |
Families
| Spouse | Oneta ROBERTS (1914 - 2015) |
| Father | Henry Byron FURR (1868 - 1944) |
| Mother | Florence Adella ENGLAND (1873 - 1956) |
| Sibling | Jewel FURR (1897 - 1975) |
| Sibling | Enid FURR (1899 - ) |
Notes
Death
Dr. Henry Bedford Furr was born to Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Furr, Sr., in Breckenridge, Texas, and passed from this life on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 in Abilene, Texas. His parents and one sister, Jewel Furr, preceded him in death. He and Oneta Roberts were married in Wichita Falls, Texas at First United Methodist Church. Dr. Furr is survived by his wife, Dr. Oneta Furr of Abilene. Dr. Furr pursued careers in both education and business. He was valedictorian of his Breckenridge High School class and also, of his graduating class at John Tarleton Agricultural College, where he rose to the rank of Cadet Colonel, the highest ranking cadet officer. He was graduated with high honor from Southern Methodist University. He and his wife earned doctoral degrees at the same time from North Texas State University — the only married couple to accomplish that achievement to that time at that institution. He was charter president of the Texhoma Field Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa. After serving a number of years as a classroom teacher, he became Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Wichita Falls, both for secondary education and for business administration. In early adult years he worked as announcer and account executive for Radio Station KWFT in Wichita Falls, and went on to become sales and promotion manager for United Electric Company of that city. He served as keynote speaker for numerous conventions, both regional and national. Dr. Furr was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church, having held several responsible positions, including that of Certified Lay Speaker. He was a member of Kiwanis International over fifty years, holding many positions at the local club level. He was a past president of the Abilene Kiwanis Club and had served as president of another Kiwanis club. He organized three new clubs and served as Lieutenant Governor. He was a recipient of the Kiwanis Legion of Honor. Dr. Furr will be remembered as an outstanding scholar with a quiet but relentless passion for helping others. The family will receive friends at a visitation Wednesday, May 25, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. There will be a private family graveside service in Elmwood Memorial Park on Thursday morning, May 26, with a memorial service to follow at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 525 Beech Street, at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Dr. Clifford S. Stewart and Dr. Eduardo Rivera. Honorary pallbearers will be Tryce Bagley, Heath Bagley, Tim Willis, Joe Blake, Jackie Lankford and Bob Cook. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s favorite charity. Online condolences may be posted at www.HamilFamilyFuneralHome.com.Published in the Times Record News, May 25, 2011
Military
Name: Henry B FurrBirth Year: 1917
Race: White, citizen
Nativity State or Country: Texas
State: Texas
County or City: Wichita
Enlistment Date: 5 May 1941
Enlistment State: Texas
Enlistment City: Dallas
Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Grade: Private
Grade Code: Private
Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Source: Civil Life
Education: 4 years of college
Civil Occupation: Gunsmith* (Armorer), Diesel Mechanic (Automobile mechanic, Diesel engine), Camera Repairman (still camera), Instrument Repairman, Nonelectrical (Instrument maker), Utility Repairman (Mechanic, general), Equipment Maintenance Man, Motion Picture equipment
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Height: 70
Weight: 157
Endnotes
1. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VHDM-YZP : 1 March 2021).
2. The Times Record News, Wichita Falls, Texas, May 25, 2011.
3. National Archives and Records Administration. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 [database online]. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2005. Original data: Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946 [Archival Database]; World War II Army Enlistment Records; Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 64; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD..
4. findagrave.com.