Obituaries: Jennings, Dorrell, Richards

Brian Jennings, 41, June 16 in Burleson. Jennings, teens’ pastor at Alsbury Baptist Church in Burleson, Brian Jenningswas one of several people helping a stranded driver just after midnight. Jennings was one of four people killed—including a mother and her child—when the driver of an oncoming vehicle struck the group. More than a half-dozen more people were injured. Police were investigating whether the driver was intoxicated. Jennings had just left the high school graduation party of his oldest son. He served the Burleson church six years. He is survived by his wife, Shaunna; sons, Evan and Micah; and daughter, Abby.

Seth Dorrell, 32, June 16 in Mexico City. Dorrell had just finished a mission trip when he suffered a heart Seth Dorrellattack that may have been brought on by a two-year fight with cancer. Dorrell and his family had been going to Mexico on mission trips since he was 5 years old. He was in Philadelphia eight years serving and living in one of the city’s lowest-income communities. He also ministered in Thailand, Peru, Indonesia, Mexico and Haiti. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2011 and had moved to Waco from Haiti, where he was serving the poor. A Baylor University graduate, he worked with Mission Waco/Mission World as the director of Mission World. He attended Church Under the Bridge in Waco. He is survived by wife of almost nine years, Sarah; parents, Jimmy and Janet Dorrell; daughter, Finley; brothers Josh and Zach; sister, Crystalina Fajardo; and in-laws, Timothy and Nancy Pfanner.

Lonnie Richards, 77, June 19 in Houston. He was head basketball coach at Houston Baptist University from 1970 to 1975 Lonnie Richardsafter serving as an assistant coach for Gerald Myers. In 1973, he led the Huskies from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I, which coincided with the school’s renaming from Houston Baptist College to Houston Baptist University. During his time at HBU, Richards posted a record of 51-74. He was ordained as a deacon at Broadway Baptist Church, and he later attended Park Place Baptist Church, Sharpstown Baptist Church and Elkins Lake Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Rosenel; son, Rick; daughter, Lorri Apel; brother, Lawrence; and five grandchildren.