Weldon Rea Denman

Weldon Rea Denman Weldon R. Denman of Austin, was proud to be a native Texan, born in Luling, TX to C.W. and Florence Denman on June 18, 1942 and passed away April 14, 2005 after a brief illness. He grew up with his family and graduated from high school in Yoakum, TX. He attended Texas State University in San Marcos where he majored in Political Science. Weldon was raised in the Methodist faith and most recently was a member of Riverbend Church in Austin. He was a resident of Austin for more than 30 years. Following college, Mr. Denman worked for the IBM Corp. for 16 years as a buyer & transportation analyst. Prior to the establishment of Denman & Company in 1992, Weldon was employed by the Tobacco Institute as a regional vice president, by the National Federation of Independent Businesses as a state director, by the Aggregates and Concrete Association as vice president on government affairs, by the Texas Restaurant Association as vice president of government affairs, and by the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce as public affairs director. As the president of Denman and Company, a lobbying firm, Mr. Denman provided more than 13 years of service to Philip Morris USA, Altria Corporate Services Inc., Texas Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, and the Miller Brewing Company. Mr. Denman was also a member of the Texas Society of Association Executives, the American Society of Association Executives, and served on the board of directors of the Phoenix Club. Mr. Denman’s love and support of UT men’s basketball resulted in his founding of the Burnt Orange Club in 1977. Weldon directed and administered this booster club for five years as it grew to a 1200 member organization which is still operated by the UT Athletic Dept. Mr. Denman is survived by his daughter Deidre and husband Dr. Bryan Vartabedian of the Woodlands, grandchildren Nicholas and Laura Vartabedian, his mother Florence Denman of Bellevue, NE, his sister Kathryn and husband Rev. Dan Nietfeld of Bellevue, NE. Funeral services will be held at Riverbend Church, Smith Family Chapel at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 16, 2005 with Rev. Gordon Smith officiating. Burial will be at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery with fellowship to follow at the Riverbend Church. Pall bearers will be Mr. Jerry Denman, Mr. S.E. Denman, Dr. Bryan Vartabedian, Mr. Michael Rea, Col. Dennis Rea, and Mr. Brad Payne. Memorials and guestbook online at wcfish.com