Gerald Severn Brenholtz, Ed.D was born February 3, 1923 in Denton, Texas and died of pneumonia and complications of Alzheimer's disease on January 3, 2016.
Gerald was the 2nd son of Dr. and Mrs. Harold Brenholtz. He grew up in Denton with 3 brothers, Harold, Eddie and William, and sister, Joanna. As a young boy, he participated in the simple things young boys of the Depression era did. Sandlot baseball and Boy Scouts were among his pleasant memories. He was a strong Christian and a member of First Presbyterian Church of Denton from its earliest days. In later years, he served as a Deacon and an Elder there.
"Dr. B", as Gerald was known for years, was a teacher. He earned his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Industrial Arts from North Texas State Teachers College in Denton and his Doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin. In 1943 his education was interrupted when he was unexpectedly drafted out of college and into the Army Air Corps. Upon his return to civilian life in February 1946, he reentered NTSTC and continued his studies. He accepted his first teaching position in Seagraves, TX that fall.
It was at NTSTC, as an undergraduate, that he met his future wife and "Sweetheart", Virginia Lee Giddens. They were married on December 12, 1942 and shared life's journey for almost 64 years, until her sudden death in 2006. Along that journey, Gerald and Virginia were blessed with two children, Betty Lee and Bradley Gerald.
In 1949, with eager anticipation, Gerald accepted a job offer from the Austin Public School system. He taught first at S.F. Austin High School and in the early 1960's, was chosen to set up the Industrial Arts program at the soon-to-be-opened A.S. Johnston High School. He taught shop classes there until 1965 when he and his family moved back to Denton to begin the next phase of his career, teaching at his Alma Mater. In 1967 he completed his Doctorate of Education, and continued at University of North Texas until retirement in 1985.
Gerald enjoyed many interests. He was an avid reader and was fervently interested in genealogy. He and Virginia loved to travel and spent summers researching their family histories across the country. Both were charter members of the Denton County Genealogical Society and they eagerly shared the fascinating things they had discovered through their research.
Gerald's was a life well lived. He was a good man and, until his Alzheimer's diagnosis, he enjoyed good health. Being a former educator, he especially enjoyed meeting and talking with former students. At times Gerald was stubborn and outspoken, but, above all else, he was a generous compassionate man who loved his family and genuinely cared for the less fortunate among us.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia (Giddens) Brenholtz; son, Bradley Gerald Brenholtz of Denton, TX; parents, Dr. and Mrs. Harold Brenholtz of Denton, TX; two brothers, Dr. Harold Brenholtz of Ada, OK and William Brenholtz of Denton, TX.
He is survived by his daughter, Betty (Brenholtz) Caldwell and husband, Jerry, of Georgetown, TX; granddaughter Jennifer Morgan and husband, Brian of Van Alstyne, TX; grandson Bradley Rising and wife, Joy of Georgetown, TX; ten great-grandchildren, Tyler Rising, Carter Morgan, Braden Rising, Emma Morgan, Matthew Rising, Chloe Morgan, Ethan Rising, Molly Rising, Abby Rising and Quinn Rising. Gerald is also survived by his sister, Joanna Bemis of Carlsbad, NM and brother, Eddie Brenholtz of Venice, FL.
A visitation and celebration of Gerald Brenholtz' life will be held Friday evening, January 8th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at DeBerry Funeral Directors in Denton, TX. Graveside services will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton at Noon on Saturday, January 9th with Rev. Bob Joyce, officiating.
The family is especially thankful for the outpouring of support from friends and family in this time of loss. In lieu of flowers, for those who desire to do so, please donate to the charitable cause of your choice.