List of people from Abilene, Texas
Encyclopedia
The following people were all born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Abilene, Texas
, and its surrounding metropolitan area, which includes Callahan County, Texas
, Jones County, Texas
, and Taylor County, Texas
.
Abilene, Texas
Abilene is a city in Taylor and Jones counties in west central Texas. The population was 117,063 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Abilene Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2006 estimated population of 158,063. It is the county seat of Taylor County...
, and its surrounding metropolitan area, which includes Callahan County, Texas
Callahan County, Texas
*Baird*Belle Plain*Callahan City*Clyde*Cottonwood*Cross Plains*Eula*Putnam-See also:*National Register of Historic Places listings in Callahan County, Texas-External links:* at the University of Texas*...
, Jones County, Texas
Jones County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 20,785 people, 6,140 households, and 4,525 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile . There were 7,236 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile...
, and Taylor County, Texas
Taylor County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 126,555 people, 47,274 households, and 32,524 families residing in the county. The population density was 138 people per square mile . There were 52,056 housing units at an average density of 57 per square mile...
.
- Dave AndrewsDave AndrewsDave Andrews is an Australian Christian anarchist author, speaker, social activist, community developer, and a key figure in the Waiter's Union, an inner city Christian community network working with Indigenous Australians, refugees and people with disabilities in Australia...
, also known by his given name, Johnny JohnsonJohnny JohnsonJohnny Johnson may refer to:* Johnnie Johnson , RAF pilot* Johnny Johnson , Major League pitcher* Johnny Johnson , American football player* Johnny Johnson , a musical by Kurt Weill...
is a longtime radio personality, winner of a AAF American Advertising Award in 1999, and longtime Abilene resident and radio personality for numerous stations in Texas, including KFGL 97.1 The Eagle in Dallas, TX. Worked with the world's oldest rock and roll weatherman Stubby Baldwin. Dave AndrewsDave AndrewsDave Andrews is an Australian Christian anarchist author, speaker, social activist, community developer, and a key figure in the Waiter's Union, an inner city Christian community network working with Indigenous Australians, refugees and people with disabilities in Australia...
was the afternoon drive on air personality on KEYJ Rock 108 for almost 12 years. Currently, he is the President & Founder of BIG JOHNSON LIQUOR & BEER located 3351 Turner Drive Suite #110-N Abilene, Texas 79606. He is also the public address announcer for the professional arena football team, Abilene Ruff Riders of the Southern Indoor Football League. He resides with his wife, Rhonni in Abilene. Dave AndrewsDave AndrewsDave Andrews is an Australian Christian anarchist author, speaker, social activist, community developer, and a key figure in the Waiter's Union, an inner city Christian community network working with Indigenous Australians, refugees and people with disabilities in Australia...
became the first professional baseball public address announcer in history to be ejected from a professional baseball game. The game was between Abilene Prairie Dogs and the Amarillo Dillas in July 1995. He was also the Public Address Announcer for the Abilene Aviators of the Western Professional Hockey League. - Nic Noblique, Professional Sculptor and Painter. Best known for his large steel sculptures, an internationally exhibited artist, his work can be seen throughout Abilene including "People at Play" which was acquired by the City of Abilene through Cultural Affairs and placed at the corner of Grape Street and North 1st Street. Nic Noblique also has public sculpture at Hardin Simmons University and McMurry University in Abilene.
- Coby Archa, cast member of Survivor,
- Alvin O. AustinAlvin O. AustinAlvin O. "Bud" Austin was the fifth president of LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas from 1986 to 2007. Since July 2007 he has held the role of University Chancellor, in accordance with the wishes of the Board of Trustees.-Life:He was raised in Florida and Utah before attending Westmont...
, administrator at Hardin-Simmons UniversityHardin-Simmons UniversityHardin–Simmons University is a private Baptist university located in Abilene, Texas, United States.-History:Hardin–Simmons University was founded as Abilene Baptist College in 1891 by the Sweetwater Baptist Association and a group of cattlemen and pastors who sought to bring Christian higher...
, - Brown BannisterBrown BannisterBrown Bannister is a CCM producer and songwriter. Bannister released one album of his own, Talk to One Another, in 1981 on NewPax Records. It was reissued on the Reunion Records Label five years later, featuring a newer recording of the album's final cut, "Create In Me A Clean Heart"...
, Abilene Christian UniversityAbilene Christian UniversityAbilene Christian University is a private university located in Abilene, Texas, affiliated with Churches of Christ. ACU was founded in 1906, as Childers Classical Institute...
alumnus, music producer, winner of numerous Dove Awards, - Sammy BaughSammy BaughSamuel Adrian "Slingin' Sammy" Baugh was an American football player and coach. He played college football for the Horned Frogs at Texas Christian University, where he was a two-time All-American. He then played in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins from 1937 to 1952...
, football coach at Hardin-Simmons University, named the most versatile player in NFL history - Ray BerryRay BerryRaymond Lenn "Ray" Berry is a former professional American football linebacker in the National Football League. He played seven seasons for the Minnesota Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks...
, linebacker who played for the Minnesota VikingsMinnesota VikingsThe Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
and Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
, - Gordon Bethune, Abilene Christian University alumnus, became CEO of Continental AirlinesContinental AirlinesContinental Airlines was a major American airline now merged with United Airlines. On May 3, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. and UAL, Inc. announced a merger via a stock swap, and on October 1, 2010, the merger closed and UAL changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc...
, - Marion Zimmer BradleyMarion Zimmer BradleyMarion Eleanor Zimmer Bradley was an American author of fantasy novels such as The Mists of Avalon and the Darkover series. Many critics have noted a feminist perspective in her writing. Her first child, David R...
, Hardin-Simmons University alumnus, noted fantasy author of The Mists of AvalonThe Mists of AvalonThe Mists of Avalon is a 1983 novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley, in which she relates the Arthurian legends from the perspective of the female characters.-Plot introduction:...
and the Darkover seriesDarkover seriesThe Darkover series consists of several novels and short stories set in the fictional world of Darkover as created by science fiction author Marion Zimmer Bradley.-Darkover chronology:...
, - Randy Brewer, Abilene Christian University alumnus, winner and frequent nominee for ACM, CMA, MTV and Dove Awards.
- Doyle BrunsonDoyle BrunsonDoyle F. Brunson is an American professional poker player who has played professionally for over 50 years. He is the first two-time World Series of Poker main event champion to win consecutively, a Poker Hall of Fame inductee, and the author of several books on poker.Brunson is the first player to...
, Hardin-Simmons University alumnus, championship level poker player and author, - Jess Cagle, writer for Entertainment WeeklyEntertainment WeeklyEntertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
and TimeTime (magazine)Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
, - Chris ChristianChris ChristianChris Christian is a songwriter, record producer, and a record label executive. His songs have been recorded by Elvis Presley, Olivia Newton-John, Natalie Cole, Sheena Easton, The Pointer Sisters, Al Jarreau, The Carpenters, Amy Grant, Patti Austin, Dionne Warwick, Amy Grant, The Imperials, B.J...
, Music Producer,Artist,songwriter for Elvis,Carpenters,Amy Grant,Ali Lohan,Pointer Sisters,Al Jarreau, CEO of World Digital Media Group, - Karen Christy, Abilene native, an AmericanUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
modelModel (person)A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
who had been PlayboyPlayboyPlayboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
magazines's Playmate of the Month, - Isaac ClineIsaac ClineIsaac Monroe Cline was the chief meteorologist at the Galveston, Texas office of the US Weather Bureau from 1889 to 1901. In that role, he became an integral figure in the devastating Galveston Hurricane of 1900....
, resident of Abilene, a noted meteorologist, he was the first to provide reliable forecasts of freezing weather, and successfully predicted several floods and hurricanes, - Nelson Coats, Abilene Christian University alumnus, film production designer,
- Randall "Tex" Cobb, Abilene native, prizefighterPrizefighterA prizefighter is a boxer.Prizefighter may also refer to:*Don King Presents: Prizefighter, a video game by 2k Sports released in 2008*Prize Fighter, a video game by Digital Pictures released in 1994 for the Sega CD...
and actorActorAn actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, - Charles CoodyCharles CoodyBilly Charles Coody is an American professional golfer, best known for winning the 1971 Masters Tournament.Coody was born in Stamford, Texas and raised in Abilene, Texas...
, Abilene resident, pro golfer with 12 twelves victories on the PGA TourPGA TourThe PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
with one Masters TournamentThe Masters TournamentThe Masters Tournament, also known as The Masters , is one of the four major championships in professional golf. Scheduled for the first full week of April, it is the first of the majors to be played each year...
victory, - Byron CookByron Cook (Texas politician)Byron Curtis Cook is a rancher and businessman from Corsicana, Texas, who is a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 8, which encompasses Anderson, Freestone, Limestone, and Navarro counties.-Early life:...
, Republican state representative for Navarro County - Carole CookCarole CookCarole Cook is an American actress. She has appeared in many theatrical productions, in films and on television.Born as Mildred Frances Cook, she was a protege of Lucille Ball. Ball gave her the stage name of "Carole", after her friend Carole Lombard because, Ball reportedly told Cook, "you have...
, Abilene native, actress and protege of Lucille BallLucille BallLucille Désirée Ball was an American comedian, film, television, stage and radio actress, model, film and television executive, and star of the sitcoms I Love Lucy, The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy and Life With Lucy...
, - J.B. Cook, writer-coproducer of King of the HillKing of the HillKing of the Hill is an American animated dramedy series created by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, that ran from January 12, 1997, to May 6, 2010, on Fox network. It centers on the Hills, a working-class Methodist family in the fictional small town of Arlen, Texas...
, contributing producer/writer, My Name Is Earl, - Terri Colombino (Theresa Celeste Conn Colombino), attended Dyess Elementary actress, Breaker High, soap As The World TurnsAs the World TurnsAs the World Turns is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS from April 2, 1956 to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created As the World Turns as a sister show to her other soap opera Guiding Light...
CBSCBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of... - Randy Colvin, Abilene native, elementary teacher
- Roy CraneRoy CraneRoyston Campbell Crane , who signed his work Roy Crane, was an influential American cartoonist who created the comic strip characters Wash Tubbs, Captain Easy and Buz Sawyer. He pioneered the adventure comic strip, establishing the conventions and artistic approach of that genre. Comics historian...
, Abilene native, cartoonistCartoonistA cartoonist is a person who specializes in drawing cartoons. This work is usually humorous, mainly created for entertainment, political commentary or advertising...
and creator of Wash TubbsWash TubbsWash Tubbs was a comic strip created by Roy Crane that ran from April 14, 1924 to January 10, 1988.Initially titled Washington Tubbs II, it originally was a gag-a-day strip which focused on the mundane misadventures of the title character, a bespectacled bumbler who ran a store. However, Crane soon...
, Captain EasyCaptain EasyCaptain Easy, Soldier of Fortune was an action/adventure comic strip created by Roy Crane that was syndicated by Newspaper Enterprise Association beginning on Sunday, July 30, 1933...
, and Buz SawyerBuz SawyerBuz Sawyer was a popular comic strip created by Roy Crane and highly regarded by comic strip historians. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, it had a long run from November 1, 1943 to 1989. The last strip signed by Crane was dated 21 April 1979....
, - Sonny CumbieSonny CumbieSonny Jack Cumbie is an American football Assistant Coach for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, serving as Inside Receivers Coach...
, Abilene native, quarterbackQuarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
for the Los Angeles AvengersLos Angeles AvengersThe Los Angeles Avengers was an Arena Football League team based in Los Angeles, California from 2000 through 2008. They folded on April 19, 2009.-History:...
of the Arena Football League - Bonnie CurtisBonnie CurtisBonnie Kathleen Curtis is an American film producer whose credits include Saving Private Ryan, A.I., Minority Report, and The Lost World: Jurassic Park, directed by Steven Spielberg. Her first solo project was the 2005 release The Chumscrubber...
, Abilene Christian University alumnus, film producerFilm producerA film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
whose work includes Saving Private RyanSaving Private RyanSaving Private Ryan is a 1998 American war film set during the invasion of Normandy in World War II. It was directed by Steven Spielberg, with a screenplay by Robert Rodat. The film is notable for the intensity of its opening 27 minutes, which depicts the Omaha Beach assault of June 6, 1944....
, A.I., and Minority ReportMinority Report (film)Minority Report is a 2002 American neo-noir science fiction film directed by Steven Spielberg and loosely based on the short story "The Minority Report" by Philip K. Dick. It is set primarily in Washington, D.C...
, - Shae D'LynShae D'LynShae D'lyn is an American actress. She's best known for her role as Jane Deaux/Cavanaugh on the ABC sitcom Dharma & Greg and as Cousin Vicki in National Lampoons' Vegas Vacation.- Biography :...
, Abilene native, actress who played Jane Deaux in Dharma & GregDharma & GregDharma & Greg is an American television sitcom that aired from September 24, 1997, to April 30, 2002.It starred Jenna Elfman and Thomas Gibson as Dharma and Greg Montgomery, a couple who married instantly on their first date despite being complete opposites...
, - Jody DeanJody DeanJody Dean is an American journalist and author and a member of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame.Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Dean's career in broadcasting began in junior high school, in 1973 on WBAP-TV's "Museum of Horrors". After graduating from Ft. Worth's Paschal High School, Dean took a shift at...
, Abilene Christian University alumnus and news anchor of KTVTKTVTKTVT, virtual channel 11, is a CBS owned-and-operated television station licensed to Fort Worth, Texas, and serving the Dallas-Fort Worth designated market area. The station is co-owned with independent station KTXA , and the two stations share facilities in Dallas and Fort Worth...
, Dallas, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, - Holly DunnHolly DunnHolly Dunn is a country music artist who first found fame with her 1986 Top-10 hit "Daddy's Hands" from her self-titled début album. Dunn has charted more than a dozen country singles, two of which reaching the #1 spot.Dunn is the daughter of a minister father...
, Abilene Christian University alumnus, country musicCountry musicCountry music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist, - Novalyne Price EllisNovalyne Price EllisNovalyne Price Ellis was a Texas-born schoolteacher and writer who became close friends with and occasionally dated famed pulp fiction writer Robert E. Howard....
, schoolteacher in Cross Plains, TexasCross Plains, TexasCross Plains is a town in Callahan County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,068 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Abilene, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Cross Plains is located at ....
, member of the National Forensic Hall of FameNational Forensic LeagueThe National Forensic League is a non-partisan, non-profit educational honor society established to encourage and motivate American high school students to participate in and become proficient in the forensic arts: debate, public speaking and interpretation. NFL is the America's oldest and largest...
, and noted memoirist, - Billie Sol EstesBillie Sol EstesBillie Sol Estes is an American former financier best known for his association with U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson. Mr. Estes currently lives in Granbury, Texas.-Fraud charges:...
, Abilene native and scandalous financierFinancierFinancier is a term for a person who handles typically large sums of money, usually involving money lending, financing projects, large-scale investing, or large-scale money management. The term is French, and derives from finance or payment...
who has accused Lyndon B. JohnsonLyndon B. JohnsonLyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
of a variety of crimes, - Bob EstesBob EstesBob Alan Estes is an American professional golfer.Estes was born in Graham, Texas and reared in Abilene, Texas. He first played golf at age 4 and decided to become a professional golfer at age 12. Estes attended the University of Texas from 1984–1988, and was a member of the golf team...
, from Graham, TexasGraham, TexasGraham is a city in north central Texas. It is the county seat of Young County, and as of the 2010 Census had a population of 8,903.-History:...
, American professional golferProfessional golferIn golf the distinction between amateurs and professionals is rigorously maintained. An amateur who breaches the rules of amateur status may lose his or her amateur status. A golfer who has lost his or her amateur status may not play in amateur competitions until amateur status has been reinstated;...
, - Megan EwingMegan EwingMegan Christine Ewing is an American model who has worked for Abercrombie & Fitch and La Perla, but is perhaps best known as a Guess? model.- Early life :...
, an Abilene native, fashion model, best known for her part in Guess?Guess?Guess is a American clothing line brand. Guess also markets other fashion accessories besides clothes, such as watches, jewelry and perfumes. The company also owns the line Marciano.-Founding:...
advertisements, - Mark I. FoxMark I. FoxVice Admiral Mark I. Fox, USN is a United States Navy officer currently serving as the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet . Prior to assuming command as COMUSNAVCENT and COMFIFTHFLT, he was the Commander of the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center at NAS...
, an Abilene native, Deputy Assistant to the PresidentPresident of the United StatesThe President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
and Director of the White House Military OfficeWhite House Military OfficeThe White House Military Office , an entity of the Executive Office of the President, provides military support for White House functions, including food service, Presidential transportation, medical support and emergency medical services, and hospitality services...
, - David FunderburkDavid FunderburkDavid Britton Funderburk was the ambassador of the United States to Romania from 1981 to 1985, and a U.S. Representative from North Carolina, serving as a Republican between 1995 and 1997....
, former professor at Hardin-Simmons University and member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from North CarolinaNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, - Larry GatlinLarry GatlinLarry Wayne Gatlin is an American country music singer/songwriter. He is perhaps best known for teaming up with his brothers Steve and Rudy in the late 1970s, becoming one of country music's most successful acts of the 1970s and 1980s. Gatlin has had a total of 33 Top 40 singles...
, singer, songwriterSongwriterA songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, and actor - Rudy Gatlin, singer, member Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers Band
- Steve Gatlin, singer, mdmber Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers Band
- Stedman GrahamStedman GrahamStedman Graham is an American educator, author, businessman and speaker, who has also served in the United States Army, although he is primarily known as the partner of media mogul Oprah Winfrey...
, Hardin-Simmons UniversityHardin-Simmons UniversityHardin–Simmons University is a private Baptist university located in Abilene, Texas, United States.-History:Hardin–Simmons University was founded as Abilene Baptist College in 1891 by the Sweetwater Baptist Association and a group of cattlemen and pastors who sought to bring Christian higher...
basketball player, motivational speaker, romantically linked with Oprah WinfreyOprah WinfreyOprah Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist. Winfrey is best known for her self-titled, multi-award-winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011...
, - Carol HallCarol HallCarol Hall is an American composer and lyricist, born in Abilene, Texas.Hall is best known for composing the music and lyrics for the Broadway stage musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas...
, composer/lyricist whose work includes The Best Little Whorehouse in TexasThe Best Little Whorehouse in TexasThe Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a musical with a book by Texas author Larry L. King and Peter Masterson and music and lyrics by Carol Hall...
, - J-Rod Hardegree, lead guitarist for the band Plainview,
- Lou HensonLou HensonLou Henson is a former college basketball coach. He retired as the all time leader in victories at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with 423 victories and New Mexico State with 289 victories...
- Andy HolmesAndy HolmesAndrew Jeremy Holmes MBE was a British rower.Holmes was born in Uxbridge, Greater London, and was educated at Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith, west London, where he was coached by Olympic rowing silver medallist Jim Clark. After leaving school, he rowed for Kingston Rowing Club and then...
children's book author and creator of "Gerbert" character and television show which was first aired in the mornings on the old CBN Cable network (now ABC Family) from 1988-1991, and was also sold as a video series in WalMart and Christian book stores. Gerbert has aired on Christian television stations and networks continuously since its 1988 debut. A secular version, with the religious material edited out and replaced, was produced for PBS in the mid-1990s - Johnny Johnson, also known as Dave Andrews, longtime Abilene resident and radio personality for numerous stations in Texas, including KFGL 97.1 The Eagle in Dallas, TX, and winner of a AAF American Advertising Award in 1999. Worked with the world's oldest rock and roll weatherman Stubby Baldwin. Johnny, or Dave AndrewsDave AndrewsDave Andrews is an Australian Christian anarchist author, speaker, social activist, community developer, and a key figure in the Waiter's Union, an inner city Christian community network working with Indigenous Australians, refugees and people with disabilities in Australia...
was the afternoon drive on air personality on KEYJ Rock 108 for almost 12 years. Currently, he is the Founder & President of BIG JOHNSON LIQUOR & BEER located at 3351 Turner Drive Suite #110-N Abilene, Texas 79606. He is also the public address announcer for the professional arena football team, Abilene Ruff Riders of the Indoor Football League. He resides with his wife, Rhonni in Abilene. Johnny, or Dave AndrewsDave AndrewsDave Andrews is an Australian Christian anarchist author, speaker, social activist, community developer, and a key figure in the Waiter's Union, an inner city Christian community network working with Indigenous Australians, refugees and people with disabilities in Australia...
became the first professional baseball public address announcer in history to be ejected from a professional baseball game. The game was between Abilene Prairie Dogs and the Amarillo Dillas in July 1995. He was also the Publc Address Announcer for the Abilene Prairie Dogs of the Western Professional Hockey League. - JamisonPriest, folk/Americana trio, singers and songwriters,
- Rhonda A. Johnson, Certified Public Accountant in Abilene, Texas and Founder & Vice President of BIG JOHNSON LIQUOR & BEER located in Abilene, Texas Rhonda or "Rhonni" is married to Johnny Johnson, a.k.a. Dave AndrewsDave AndrewsDave Andrews is an Australian Christian anarchist author, speaker, social activist, community developer, and a key figure in the Waiter's Union, an inner city Christian community network working with Indigenous Australians, refugees and people with disabilities in Australia...
, longtime radio personality in Texas.. - Lonnie D. Kliever, Hardin-Simmons alumnus and noted professor of Religious Studies,
- John LackeyJohn LackeyJohn Derran Lackey is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. Lackey was drafted by the Anaheim Angels in 1999 and helped the franchise win its first World Series title in 2002, which was his first season in the major leagues...
, Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher for the Anaheim AngelsLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
, played in the 2002 World SeriesWorld SeriesThe World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
, - Deirdre LovejoyDeirdre LovejoyDeirdre Lovejoy is an American actress. She is most notable for her role on the HBO television series The Wire as Rhonda Pearlman. She graduated from the University of Evansville with an undergraduate degree in theatre....
, actress in The Talented Mr. RipleyThe Talented Mr. RipleyThe Talented Mr. Ripley is a psychological thriller novel by Patricia Highsmith. This novel first introduced the character of Tom Ripley who returns in the novels Ripley Under Ground, Ripley's Game, The Boy Who Followed Ripley and Ripley Under Water...
, - Max LucadoMax LucadoMax Lucado is a best-selling author and writer and preacher at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas...
, Abilene Christian University alumnus, Christian author/preacher/broadcaster, - Wayne MillnerWayne MillnerWayne Vernal Millner was an American football player who was known for his clutch play as an offensive and defensive end for both the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and for the National Football League's Washington Redskins.-Early life:Millner grew up in Roxbury, Massachusetts and played high school...
, Hardin-Simmons University football coach, professional football wide receiverWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
, and member of the Pro Football Hall of FamePro Football Hall of FameThe Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
, - Nathan Monroe, epigrammist,
- Paige MossPaige MossPaige Moss is an American stage, film and television actress.-Background:Moss was born in Bowie, Maryland and raised in Abilene, Texas. While in high school, she was a Senate page for Senator Tim Wirth, and interned for Congressman Vic Fazio. She also auditioned for the summer drama program at...
, actress who has appeared in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Beverly Hills, 90210Beverly Hills, 90210Beverly Hills, 90210 is an American drama series that originally aired from October 4, 1990 to May 17, 2000 on Fox and was produced by Spelling Television in the United States, and subsequently on various networks around the world. It is the first series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise...
, - Ty O'NealTy O'Neal-Career:He is best known for playing the ice-skating cowboy, Dwayne Robertson, in D2: The Mighty Ducks and D3: The Mighty Ducks. In 2001 he portrayed real life outlaw Clell Miller in American Outlaws along side Colin Farrell, Scott Caan and Gabriel Macht....
, rodeo cowboy and actorActorAn actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, - Terry OrrTerry OrrTerrance F. Orr is a former American football tight end in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and the San Diego Chargers...
, running back for the Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
, - Caryl Mack Parker, country singer,
- Fess ParkerFess ParkerFess Elisha Parker, Jr. was an American film and television actor best known for his portrayals of Davy Crockett in the Walt Disney 1955-56 TV mini-series and as TV's Daniel Boone from 1964-70...
, Hardin-Simmons University alumnus, star of television series Daniel BooneDaniel Boone (TV series)Daniel Boone is an American action/adventure television series starring Fess Parker as Daniel Boone that aired from September 24, 1964 to September 10, 1970 on NBC for 165 episodes, and was made by 20th Century Fox Television. Ed Ames co-starred as Mingo, Boone's Native American friend, for the...
, - Lee Roy ParnellLee Roy ParnellLee Roy Parnell is an American country music artist. Active since 1990, he has recorded eight studio albums, and has charted more than twenty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts...
, country musician, - Paige PattersonPaige PattersonL. Paige Patterson is the eighth president of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.- Education :*B.A. - Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, Texas*Th.M. - New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary...
, Hardin-Simmons University alumnus, Southern Baptist theologian and sminary president, - Gary PerkinsGary PerkinsBorn in 1937 in Abilene, Texas, USA, Gary Perkins was a radio DJ who began his radio career in 1957 at Midland Texas' KCRS where Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly used to drop their records off...
, radio broadcaster, - Don PiersonDon PiersonDonald Grey Pierson was a businessman and civic leader in Eastland, Texas. He founded the British pirate stations Wonderful Radio London, Swinging Radio England and Britain Radio during the 1960s...
, longtime Abilene resident and Hardin-Simmons University alumnus, businessman and founder of Wonderful Radio LondonWonderful Radio LondonRadio London, also known as Big L and Wonderful Radio London, was a top 40 offshore commercial station that operated from 16 December 1964 to 14 August 1967, from a ship anchored in the North Sea, three and a half miles off Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, England...
, and Swinging Radio EnglandSwinging Radio EnglandSwinging Radio England was a top 40 offshore commercial station billed as the "World's Most Powerful" that operated from 3 May 1966 to 13 November 1966 from a ship in the North Sea, three and a half miles off Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, England...
, - Dominic RhodesDominic RhodesDominic Dondrell Rhodes is an American football running back for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He attended Cooper High School in Abilene, Texas. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2001...
, running back for the Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
, - Sid W. RichardsonSid W. RichardsonSid Williams Richardson was a Texas oilman, cattleman, and philanthropist known for his association with the city of Fort Worth....
, Simmons College alumnus, oilman, cattleman, and philanthropist, - Jessica SimpsonJessica SimpsonJessica Ann Simpson is an American recording artist, actress, television personality, and fashion designer whose rise to fame began in 1999. Since that time, Simpson has achieved many recording milestones, starred in several television shows, movies, and commercials, launched a line of hair and...
, pop singer and actress, - Justin SnowJustin SnowJustin Snow is an American football Long snapper for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He played college football at Baylor.-High school career:...
, long snapper for the Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
, - Ed SprinkleEd SprinkleEdward Alexander Sprinkle was an American football player. He was known to many as "The Meanest Man in Pro Football" and was nicknamed "The Claw." He played for 12 seasons with the Chicago Bears of the National Football League and is credited for call attention to the NFL's defensive players...
, Hardin-Simmons and Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
offensive lineman, member of the NFL's 1940's ALl-Decade Team, - Diane StanleyDiane StanleyDiane Stanley is an American children's author and illustrator.Stanley was born in Abilene, Texas on December 27, 1943. She earned her bachelor's degree from Trinity University and her M. A. in medical illustration from Johns Hopkins University College of Medicine. She has worked as a medical...
, children's book author, - Hollis ThomasHollis ThomasHollis Thomas, Jr. is a defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 1996. He played college football at Northern Illinois....
, NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
defensive tackle - Bulldog TurnerBulldog TurnerClyde Douglas Turner was a professional football player for the Chicago Bears.-NFL playing career:...
, Hardin-Simmons University alumnus and Pro Football Hall of FamePro Football Hall of FameThe Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
defensive back, - Sarah WeddingtonSarah WeddingtonSarah Ragle Weddington is an American attorney and lecturer from Texas who gained worldwide fame when she and Linda Coffee represented "Jane Roe" in the landmark Roe v. Wade case in the United States Supreme Court.-Family and education:She is the daughter of Lena Catherine and Rev...
, Abilene native, attorney who represented Jane RoeJohn DoeThe name "John Doe" is used as a placeholder name in a legal action, case or discussion for a male party, whose true identity is unknown or must be withheld for legal reasons. The name is also used to refer to a male corpse or hospital patient whose identity is unknown...
in the Roe v. Wade case before the United States Supreme Court, - Duane WhitakerDuane WhitakerDuane Whitaker is an American actor.Duane Whitaker is probably best known for his role in Quentin Tarantino's popular 1994 film Pulp Fiction as Maynard, the sadistic pawn shop owner. He wrote and portrayed the title role in Eddie Presley...
, actor in The Devil's RejectsThe Devil's RejectsThe Devil's Rejects is a 2005 American horror film written and directed by Rob Zombie, and the sequel to his 2003 film House of 1000 Corpses. The film is about the family of psychopathic killers from the previous film now on the run...
, - H.C Zachary, artist, best known for his western art.