In celebration of a “wonderful life” service for Douglas “Dewayne” Womack, 77 of Jacksonville, Texas was held on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 2:00pm at Autry Funeral Home, Jacksonville with Brother Danny Brown, nephew, officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00pm, Friday, August 1, 2025 also at Autry Funeral Home.

Dewayne passed away on July 30, 2025 at the Hospice of East Texas Home Place, Tyler, Texas. This was a terrible surprise to us all, including Dewayne, no symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer and a few days later of Liver Cancer. He went to the hospital for a triple by-pass heart procedure. The cancer turned our world up-side down. We, the four of us were told by the Oncologist that he was a stage 4 and no cure. He did not complain of pain until about three weeks later. He would now tell you to ”go for your check-ups, don’t put this off.” We appreciate your calls, prayers, cards, visits, food, wise counsel, etc. Within about 6-7 weeks, he was gone from this earth.

Dewayne was born August 12, 1947 in Tyler, Texas to Jewel Texas Roycroft Womack and Benjamin “Ben” Franklin Womack. He was a proud graduate of John Tyler High School class of 1965. He had many friends and attended almost every class reunion, including the 60th this year. After high school, he attended Tyler Jr. College and Trinity Valley Jr. College. Dewayne moved to Jacksonville in 1968. His first job was with Buddy’s Grocery Store, then Coca-Cola Bottling Co. for Mr. Harry Tilley, and later an independent routes salesman. He returned to college in 1981 at University of Texas at Tyler. He graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. His dream job was to coach young men, however, his first year as a certified teacher there were no coaching openings. This was a hidden blessing; he was hired by Principal, Mr. Fletcher Wilson at East Side Elementary School and was there for one year. Along the way he also taught Driver’s Education and the stories, he could tell! He was a coach at Jacksonville Middle School for many years. He coached primarily football and track. He enjoyed the students and “forever friends in teachers and staff”. He finished his career at the new alternative Campus Center in 2010. He was with JISD for 26 years, retiring in 2010. He was often asked “What are you going to do in retirement?” His reply “play with my grandchildren” and play, love, and teach four wonderful grandchildren; he did well and loved every minute of it.

Dewayne loved Jacksonville and its people. He also enjoyed fishing Lake Jacksonville. He especially loved being the “Captain” on Vista Ridge’s high school fishing teams for grandsons, Wayne and J.T. He and Beverly enjoyed their lake house to the fullest and four generations of fun. Hosting 4th of July Celebrations became a tradition for over 30 years.

It is no secret that he enjoyed college football and baseball but really loved the Texas Longhorns. In their middle age years, he and Beverly enjoyed “Brian’s job” more than he did. They attended many bowl games, home games, and tailgates with loyal serious friends of the “Horns”. Leslie and her family live in McKinney. Their last home purchase, we can proudly say, has a “grandparent’s suite” on the lower floor.

Dewayne was preceded in death by both parents, brother, James Womack and sister-in-law, Patsy Womack; sisters, Lucille “Lucy” Womack Hughes and brother-in-law, Pete Hughes; and Bennie Ruth Womack Meshell and brother-in-law, Jim Meshell.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of over 52 years, Beverly Walker Womack; son, Brian and daughter-in-law, Jennifer, children, Douglas Wayne and J.T. of Austin. Daughter, Leslie Remy and son-in-law, Steven, children, Sydney and Grayson. He is survived by nephews, Steve and Teresa Hughes of Whitehouse, Terry and Lynette Hughes of Bullard, Danny and Kimberly Brown of Lindale, Donnie and Beth Brown of Atoka, Tennessee and Dennis and March Meshell of Flint; nieces, Laurie and Bruce Ferrell of Flint; and Donna Kay Reid of Whitehouse, Deborah Renneker of Bullard, Donna and Bob Parks of Jacksonville. Dewayne and Beverly are members of the First Baptist Church, Jacksonville.

Pallbearers are JMS former players and family friends Dean Dublin, Greg Wade, Paul Travis Kannon Hood, Josh Pruitt, and Nathan Acker.

Honorary Pallbearers are John Alexander, Larry Cigainero, Mark Ousley, Rodney Kelley, Stanley Wade, Jack Evans, Mo Rassi, Jack Traylor, Mike Hood, Tom Remy, Cliff Cary, Gayle Miller, Robert Goodwin, and Lyndon Smith.

“Thanks for the Memories” Love, Beverly SUE

https://www.autryfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Dewayne-Womack?obId=43804496#/obituaryInfo