Harold was born June 30, 1949 and passed away September 14, 2016.

Harold who had Parkinson's Disease died peacefuly in his sleep.  According to his facebook page, he lived in Macon, GA.

Legendary Texas drama educator Ruth Denney (1914-2007) was the founder and first principal of HSPVA.  It was primarily through her drive and determination that the school was created with a focus that has not changed since its inception:

…the purpose of such a school would be to more effectively and professionally train and educate those students with the ability, potential, and desire in any of the many fields of the performing and visual arts.

 Memo to HISD administrators, February 23, 1971

Born April 4, 1914, in California, Denney was educated at Ohio Wesleyan University.  After teaching for several years in Ohio she moved to Houston, where she taught at Lamar High School.  While she was there, her students won six state championships in the University Interscholastic League’s one-act play contest. Nine-time Tony Award-winner Tommy Tune credited Ruth with setting him on the path to show business, “High school theater was extremely important for me in helping to shape my later career.”

After more than a dozen years in the classroom, Denney took an administrative job with the Houston Independent School District and set about creating a high school for the arts.  In 1971, her dream was realized and she became the first principal of Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, only the third such fine arts magnet school in the nation when it opened.

In addition to Tommy Tune, her students over the years included notable performers including Robert Crutchfield, Robert Foxworth, Carlin Glynn-Masterson, Paula Prentiss and Jaclyn Smith.

In 1976, Denney became a professor of drama education at the University of Texas.  She taught at UT until 1988.  At retirement she was named professor emeritus and many of her former students and colleagues helped establish a scholarship in her honor.  The Ruth Denney Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Theatre helps benefit theater arts students.

Denney’s inspiration is credited for the establishment of a performing arts high school in

Austin: The Fine Arts Academy at McCallum High School.

Denney’s contribution to the arts has been honored many times by organizations including the American Association of Theatre Education, Theatre Under the Stars and the Texas Education Theatre Association.  In 1987, she was selected to receive the Houston Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts for her role in creating a strong arts community in Houston.  In 2002 she was inducted into the Austin Arts Hall of Fame.

In recognition of her contribution to its success, the HSPVA named its theatre the Denney Theatre.  The Denney Theatre signs from the original campus of HSPVA now hang in the school Commons in front of the second theatre to be named in her honor.

The HSPVA Ruth Denney Theatre Guild is proud to also honor her in its name.  

Thank you, John Sherman from HSPVA Theatre Guild for the permission to publish this on our website.

ALMA JEAN NIPPER, born August 4, 1929, in Omaha, Texas, found eternal rest February 7, 2009. Daughter of Noreen Coffey and J.D. Nipper, Jean lived in Texas with most of her years spent in the Dallas, Houston, and Austin areas. She was a well known educator in each of those areas. Jean assisted her long time friend and partner, Ruth Denney in opening the Houston High School for the Performing Arts. After moving to Austin, she was an administrator working with AISD and established Texas' first electronic multi-agency educational resources network: GATIN. Jean also served on the Austin Cable Commision for several years. Ruth and Jean retired to the beautiful Lake Travis area with a home in Point Venture, Texas, where Jean was active with the Point Venture Community Association. Jean was a five event cancer survivor, and attacked the disease with her vigor and her well known strength of will that she brought to all projects. For the last two years, she lived in the Houston area with her sister, then The Vosswood Care Center. She passed away peacefully after another struggle began. Jean is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Oscar and Bennie Nipper, her sister, Millie Freeman, and her niece, Susan Freeman, all of Houston. Memorial services will be held at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar Blvd. in downtown Austin on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 1:00pm, and in Houston at Waltrip Funeral Directors on Saturday,April 4, 2009, at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society, the Ruth Denney Scholarship Fund at the University of Texas, or the Bay Area Harbour Playhouse, Dickenson, Texas, are suggested.

September 13, 1919-May 29, 1987

Massachusetts, USABorn of immigrant parents from Italy Anthony and Josephine Trongone, was musically inclined and after serving in the U.S Army went to the University of Houston obtaining a BS degree 1950 began teaching Music in Humble 1950-1954, later Robert E. Lee-1954-1971- in Houston and then coordinator of Music at HSPVA. Retired in 1980- moving back to the Boston area for the last seven years of his life, still active in the Music circles in Boston. He was well known for his saxophone playing in many of the symphony orchestras in many locations as also the jazz band and big band leaders of the era. He was most noted for encouragement to young people to continue with music as a profession. Loved by many of his students. The Ed. Trongone scholarship he placed with HSPVA in Houston is still producing musicians. He was survived by his daughter and two grandsons who lived in Baton Rouge, La. and many grateful students he taught during his 40 years in the Houston area. 

Patrick Steven Coakley Jr.

Published in Houston Chronicle from Oct. 11 to Oct. 12, 2006 - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=patrick-steven-coakley&pid=19529122#sthash.6aA7nkKm.dpuf

PATRICK STEVEN COAKLEY, JR, passed away on October 9, 2006. A prominent member of the film and video community of Houston, he was very active in SMPTE and a respected teacher, instrumental in the founding of HSPVA and a Professor at U of H and most recently an instructor at HCC. He leaves a legacy of mentoring many of today's media professionals. He is preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Genevieve Coakley, a brother, James Coakley, and nephew, James Coakley, Jr. Patrick is survived by sisters-in-law, Lois Perucca, Alberta Rogers and husband, Kenneth and Rita Coakley; nephew, Keith Rogers; nieces, Margaret Mohundro and husband, Thomas, Alice Britt and husband, Robert, Patricia Mistrot and husband, Jacques; numerous great-nieces and nephews, many loving friends and present and former students and his beloved cat, Felix. The rosary will be recited in the Chapel of Levy Funeral Directors at 7:00 P.M. Thursday evening with a Funeral Mass at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, October 13, 2006 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 3600 Milam, Rev. Joseph Konkel, O.P, celebrant. Military Honors and interment will follow at Houston National Cemetery.

     LELA ELIZABETH BLOUNT, born in Mart, Texas on October 28, 1920, died Wednesday April 2, 2003. Daughter of Mary Drumwright Blount and E.Y. Blount. A graduate of The University of Houston majoring in Drama. She earned her Masters Degree from the Little Theater of the Rockies in Greeley, Colorado an affiliate of The University of Colorado. Did summer theater work in New York. She was an instructor in the Drama Department at The University of Houston. Then taught Drama at Sam Houston and Waltrip High Schools. She opened the first Drama Department at The High School for the Visual and Performing Arts and became Assistant Principal by the time she retired. She performed at the Alley Theater under the direction of Nina Vance. She was a charter member of St. Mark's United Methodist Church where she served on the administrative board, choir member, Sunday school teacher, President of the United Methodist Women for many years. In 1998, she received the Brother Ed Award for sustained ministry to and through St. Marks. She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Alvin Blount and Dr. Robert Blount, General U.S. Air Force. She is survived by nieces, Marijean Tucker of Waco, Texas and Michele Noyes of Portland, Oregon. A visitation will take place on Sunday April 6, 2003 from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Heights Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will occur Monday April 7, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary of St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 600 Pecore, with Rev. Mary Jane van Dussen officiating. In lieu of usual remembrances, contributions may be made to St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 600 Pecore, Houston, Texas 77009.

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=lela-elizabeth-blount&pid=911613#sthash.eQK32tBX.dpuf

NORMA IRENE LOWDER passed away in Houston, Texas on Tuesday, the 5th of October 2010, at the age of 83.Norma, a resident of Houston since 1953, devoted her life to music, both as a teacher and as a church organist. She taught at West University Elementary School, was counselor and choral director at Lamar High School, and served as principal at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Norma was active in the Sister Cities Program, taking students to and hosting students from Scotland, Norway, France, Japan and Taiwan. She was also an active committee member of the College Entrance Examination Board. Honoring her four decades in education, the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, in conjunction with the White House, conferred upon her the Distinguished Teacher in the Arts Award.For 35 years, Norma served as children's choir director and organist at Bellaire United Methodist Church. Named Organist Emeritus, she was invited to play the "Toccata," from the 5th Symphony by Charles Widor, at BUMC's 60th anniversary. She was a charter member and secretary of the National Fellowship of Methodist Musicians, area chairman of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, and author of numerous articles and four books. Norma received the Francis Asbury Award for her work with Methodist colleges and seminaries.Norma remained active in retirement, arranging music programs at the University Place Retirement Community, where she resided until her death. The Texas Association of Homes and Services for the Aging honored her philanthropic work with the Volunteer Achievement Award in 2001. She also involved herself in missionary work in the Aleutian Islands and wrote two books chronicling the history of Methodism in the Aleutians. In 2000, both the Alaska Missionary Conference and the Texas Methodist Annual Conference recognized Norma for her work in Unalaska, a small island 800 miles southwest of Anchorage. Her support of the music program and its students at Houston Baptist University earned her the title Distinguished Mentor Emeritus. In addition, she generously contributed a rare folio volume on Chartres Cathedral to Moody Library. The climax of her donations was the Gilbert & Sullivan collection of books, scores, recordings and memorabilia, known as the Robert Linder Collection. In 2007, HBU awarded her an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.Norma was preceded in death by her parents, Silas W. and Iva B. Means, of Akron Ohio, and her husband, Earle, who was Minister of Music at Bellaire United Methodist Church for nearly 30 years. Norma leaves behind a brother and sister-in law, Donald and Theresa Means, of Indianapolis, IN; nieces, Jennifer Marie Pope (Brian), of Waukesha, WI and Rebecca Marie Barnes (Maxwell), of Grand Rapids, MI; three grandnephews; and three grandnieces. She also leaves behind a brother-in-law, Rev. Charles Lowder, of Fairfield Glade, TN; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Jean Lowder, of Silver Spring, MD; a nephew, (Ret.) Captain Gavin Lowder (Sandy), of Queensbury, NY; nieces, Martha Lee Kimble (Richard), of Jamestown, NY and Alice Lowder Zetterstrom (Charles), of Saratoga Springs, NY; five grandnephews; and one grandniece; and countless friends and generations of grateful students.The memorial service is to be conducted at one o'clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 14th of October, at Bellaire United Methodist Church, 4417 Bellaire Boulevard, where Rev. Bill Davis and Rev. Jim Flagg are to officiate.In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in memory of Mrs. Lowder may be directed to the Bellaire United Methodist Church Organ Fund, 4417 Bellaire Blvd., Bellaire, TX, 77401-4399; the University Place Retirement Community Foundation, 7480 Beechnut St., Houston, TX, 77074; the Norma Lowder Scholarship Fund at Houston Baptist University, 7502 Fondren Rd., Houston, TX, 77074; or to the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Friends, Attn: Dr. Scott Allen, 4001 Stanford St., Houston, TX, 77006.

William Chaison, 44, Dancer and Teacher

Provided by Cynthia Birdwell

Published: January 14, 1989

William Chaison, a dancer and choreographer and associate professor of physical education at Kean College in Union, N.J., died last Friday at Doctor's Hospital in New York City. He was 44 years old.

The cause of death was lymphoma, said Patricia Molden, director of public information at Kean College.

Mr. Chaison was born in Bakersfield, Calif., and danced with several troupes, among them the Houston Jazz Ballet Company, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the companies of Eleo Pomare and Rod Rodgers. The dances he choreographed included ''Place,'' performed by the Ailey company in 1984. He joined Kean College in 1977.

Mr. Chaison is survived by a sister, Deborah Cotton, and a brother, Robert, both of Galveston, Tex.

A memorial performance will be presented by the William Chaison Dance Company of New Jersey, founded to provide opportunities for minority choreographers, on Feb. 12 at 2 P.M. in the Wilkins Theater at Kean College.

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=dorothy-may-leach&pid=111512552#sthash.u4jdvTRp.dpuf

October 10, 1927 - April 25, 2005

Carmen Velasco Gonzalez, 77 -- loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and friend - passed away on Monday, April 25, 2005 from heart failure. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Nicolas F. Gonzalez, by her four children, Maria Carmen 'Carmelita' Gonzalez, Anita Gonzalez-Cecchin, Rose ‘Rosebud’ Davis, and Nick Gonzalez, by daughter-in-law Jill, and sons-in-law Frank and Phil, and by five grandchildren, Sara, Chris, Morgan, Robert, and Sophia. She is also survived by her two brothers, Manuel Velasco, J.D., and Fr. Joseph Velasco.

Carmen was born in Eagle Pass, Texas on Oct. 10, 1927. She was a dedicated Catholic with a loving devotion to the Virgin Mary.

Carmen was a Hispanic pioneer. She was the first Hispanic woman in South Texas to get a Masters Degree. She has two Masters. She earned her first Master of Arts in Foreign Languages from Texas Woman’s University at age 22, and her second Masters in Education, with a Counseling specialty, from Texas A&M at age 49. Carmen taught in Houston schools for over 30 years and was a founding faculty member of the High School for the Performing & Visual Arts, where she served as school counselor. She was also a Master Teacher at Rice University.

Nancy Ruth Taylor passed away on Monday, the 6th of January 2014, in Katy, Texas, at the age of 83.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, on the 14th of January 1930, to John Calhoun and Ruth Pearl Wilson Taylor, she was a graduate of the University of Houston where she was a member of delta gamma sorority. She was also a member of the Junior League of Houston. 
Nancy spent many years teaching music and was gifted with a beautiful voice. She pursued her passion in theater and music in New York as well as other theaters throughout the country, working many years on stage and behind the scenes.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Elizabeth Taylor Dodson; and her brother, John Calhoun Taylor, and is survived by nieces, Meredith Taylor Riddler and Allison Taylor Hunt.
A memorial service is to be conducted at noon today, Thursday, the 9th of January, at West University Church of Christ, 3407 Bissonnet Street in Houston, where Dr. Calvin Warpula is to officiate.
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent fellowship hall.
Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, and for those desiring, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Ms. Taylor's name be directed to the West University Church of Christ, 3407 Bissonnet St., Houston, TX, 77005. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=nancy-ruth-taylor&pid=168959594&fhid=6290#sthash.Qwfy2QV4.xMpGVVq5.dpuf

SHIRLEY WALTERS WILEY, teacher, artist, loving wife, mother and grandmother, 89, died on July 7^th, 2009 at The Hampton Senior Living Facility in Houston. She was loved and admired as a classroom teacher who used literature, creative writing, and art to inspire the "burgeoning minds" of legions of upper school students in five Houston schools over a 50 year career. She was untroubled by classroom convention and was among the avant-garde in teaching methods, employing innovative means to foster in her students a love of the written word.

Ms. Wiley received her BA in Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas, Austin where she met Lee Grandison Wiley whom she married just as World War II began. During the war, while her husband fought in Okinawa and served in the Army of Occupation in Japan, Shirley worked for the war effort by inspecting bombs, doing clerical work, and eventually, teaching. When the war was over, the couple moved to Houston, where her husband began his career in insurance and real estate development. Shirley began teaching at Reagan High School, and earned a Masters Degree from the University of Houston She was recruited to the newly opened Bellaire High School, being appointed Chair of the English Department. While at Bellaire she established the first major works English classes, created and taught the first humanities courses, and was sponsor of a creative writing class and of the National Honor Society. Rice University pulled her away from HISD for a short time to teach education but she was lured back into HISD to set up the curricula and teach at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. She always felt that the work at HSPVA was her, "perfect job" because it combined her love for art, music, drama, and English. After two years at HSPVA, she became the Chairman of their English department at the Kinkaid school, where she retired after 20 years in 1995.

More complete information about the life of Shirley Wiley is available at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?pid=129948412