HINTS:
— Use the ‘Ctrl and +’ and the ‘Ctrl and -‘ key combinations to get everything onscreen -or-
— Use the left/right arrows to scroll across the page.
— All icons open web sites in a new window except the Submitter/Visitor Notes icons.
Many of us have lost ham friends over the years. We want to
remember our SK friends and this page is dedicated to their memories.
We encourage you to submit additions with appropriate links, photos and notes for inclusion. Send those and BUSTED LINKS to Paul Smith (k5prs@aol.com)
We also encourage you to visit both the FindAGrave and SilentKeyHQ web sites to create entries where there are none.
| IMAGES | Last Name | First Name | Callsign | SK ..Date.. | Location | ARES Leadership1 | SK HQ Link | FindAGrave Link | Obituary Links | Submitted By | Submitter  and Visitor  Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ARNOLD | ROBERT (BOB) | K5KZS | 25 Feb 2018 | Magnolia |  |  | Paul Smith, k5prs | Bob and Linda https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/260004920/linda_marie-arnold, both gone now, are remembered for their annual bonfires/pot lucks and for their gun range where many, including local law enforcement, honed their shooting skills. Linda Arnold, age 80 of Magnolia, passed away July 4, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. The Addison family and staff of Magnolia Funeral Home extend condolences to the Arnold family during this difficult time. –Paul (k5prs) | ||
 | BERNARD | GUS | K5GMB | 02 Oct 2023 | SW Houston | |  | Sheree Horton, wm5n | |||
 | DERRICK | DARRELL | KB5ZXM | 11 Jun 2024 | Magnolia | | | | Paul Smith, k5prs | Many from Magnolia will remember Darrell as a local computer repair geek and ham operator. He was a regular at our Tuesday ham lunches that attracted up to 25 locals before Covid decimated us. Darrell passed away quietly and peacefully in his bed the day before my weekly visit. I wonder if it was from anticipation? –Paul (k5prs) | |
 | DUTSON | KEITH | NM5G | 2025 | Hufsmith | Paul Smith, k5prs | No money, five grandkids, NM5G and his wife quartered horses on their property in Hufsmith. Keith really enjoyed DX competitions and field days and he was a regular at our Tomball HAM lunches. He kept me honest lol. Goodby old friend. –Paul (k5prs) | ||||
 | GREEN | JERRY W. | K5IHK | 26 Nov 2018 | Stagecoach | | | Paul Smith, k5prs | Gerry Green, owner and operator of the 146.720 Rosehill repeater, now the WA5TRC repeater was one of my first HAM contacts. He was kind and generous and free with his time. I think many will remember Gerry as their Elmer. –Paul (k5prs) | ||
 | LAVENDER | MIKE (Mikey) K. | AE5MZ | 24 Jun 2022 | Oklahoma | | | Paul Smith, k5prs | Mikey was my best friend, one of my Elmers and my power supply repairman. Mikey and I worked a lot of Special Events together; he especially liked to work the Wings Over Houston event down at Ellington Field, the Houston Marathon and the MS-150. Mikey was a proud Vietnam vet and member of the Tomball VFW where he served in the honor guard for fallen bretheren. –Paul (k5prs) | ||
 | MERRIT | HAROLD F.(Hal) | KD5HW | 02 Aug 2021 | Plantersville | D14 NW EC |  | | | Freddie Laird, kf5udk | Born September 9th, 1946, as Harold Francis Merritt at Heights Hospital in the Houston Heights area. He worked his life, after being drafted by the Army in 1966, as a computer analyst. Hal lived most of his life in the Shady Acres subdivision near Greater Heights. –Jeff Walter, ke5fgaHal Merritt KD5HW Born September 9th, 1946, as Harold Francis Merritt at Heights Hospital in the Houston Heights area. He worked his life, after being drafted by the Army in 1966, as a computer analyst. Hal lived most of his life in the Shady Acres subdivision near Greater Heights. Hal received his amateur license as KD5HWW. I do not know the year. He began his Harris County NW leadership position circa 2003. He replaced former EC Ken Mitchell KD2KW who was moved up to District Emergency Coordinator for District 1 then DEC 14 when Harris County was separated from District 1. Ken replaced Jerry Reimer KK5CA, who became the SEC for South Texas. In February of 2003, Hal volunteered along with Bill Rimmer, N5LYG, to search for Space Shuttle Columbia debris in the Hemphill, Tx area. Both men had their own camping vehicles that they stayed in during the search. I first met Hal at a Harris NW meeting in 2004. At that time, their monthly meetings were held at the Cypress Creek Five Forks Training Center in the Klein area. In 2005, Hal began working closely with George Levandowski, KD5AYF at the Astrodome complex providing volunteers to provide communications for the Katrina evacuation of Louisiana. In 2006 Hal resigned his ARES position to become the DRO for RACES after David Heard N5SRC resigned. Working directly for Jenniffier Hawes, KD5SQK, they began a grand served agency – volunteer relationship. Hal was assigned to the DPS building at West Road on Highway 290. He also changed his call sign to KD5HW. Also in 2006, my local Cypress Creek Fire Department was assigned to the Beaumont area in response to Hurricane Rita. I requested to go with them. Hal and other leadership in the county said “no”. “You don’t have the experience.” In 2008, Hal worked 3 assignments for Hurricane Ike. His first assignment was at the DPS building. Due to restrictions at the time, Hal set up his amateur station in the parking lot. He was able to communicate directly inside the building via radio. During a time when power was out around the county including at TranStar, a successful WinLink message was sent from my station in the old TranStar Radio Room to Hals station via peer-to-peer with a request for fuel to be sent to Katy Memorial Hospital. Their generator had run out. After being released from the DPS assignment, he was re-assigned by the ARES leadership at TranStar. Hal accepted a POD position south of the Astrodome. After completing that assignment, he took on assignment #3 near the Astrodome for the Harris County Department of Community Housing. We had a new ham that wanted to help. Hal gladly asked that we send the new ham his way. I don’t remember who that was. Around 2015, Hal resigned his RACES position and moved to Todd Mission where Hal joined the local town council. A member of that council attended his funeral. During all of these years, Hal was one of the amateur coordinators for the Houston Air Show. He also enjoyed working the customer service tent at the Fayette County Fairgrounds for the MS 150. On August 2nd, 2021, Hal passed away from complications of cancer. He was honored by his good friend George Levandowski as a pall bearer. George was assisted by fellow amateurs Ronald “Pump” Fawcett KD5CDM and Dwayne Jones KB5YTA. He had a military presence at the funeral. These words were spoken to the family during the presentation of the folded flag: “On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.” Thank you, Hal, for being our friend and mentor. –Author Unknown I first met Hal during a meeting at Transtar for Hurricane Katrina. I had been asked to come up to Transtar as one of a handful of radio operators. The DEC was there in the room, and he was busy trying to figure out what needed to be done. It was Hal that asked me to start a resource net. I did not know much about a resource net at the time, so I just did the best I knew how. During my time at Transtar we had 8-12 hours shifts and we slept in a closet on the floor in what was then the radio room. Food was great. Transtar took orders and went to the Denny’s around the corner to pick up food for all the radio operators. I thought we were supposed to be “locked in” but they sent people to pick up food at Denny’s. I didn’t ask any questions.It was Hal that worked to have us refer to ourselves as “communicators” rather than just radio operators. I believe it was a very good suggestion because it shows that we can do more than just operate amateur radios. –George Fletcher, AD5CQ I had not talked with him in quite some time. The last conversations we had he was so excited about moving to Todd Mission and getting to kick back and enjoy a real retirement. When he did get there, he talked about all the things he had time to do. I’m not surprised he became very involved in the community. He was a good and kind man. Anytime I had questions or needed help, he was always ready to assist. I will miss his bright light in this world. Thanks! Jenniffier Hawes TX Department of Public Safety |
 | O’HALLORAN | TOM | W2TPO | 10 Dec 2020 | Tomball | | Paul Smith, k5prs | “I’m just sick and tired of being sick and tired.” –From Tom’s final thoughts; available on request. Tom was a great friend but a troubled soul. He died far too soon and he is missed. –Paul (k5prs) http://www.khou.com/article/news/local/resident-missing-person-explosion-fire-tomball/285-e251b33a-bc3d-42a4-bf28-1b826d6fd969 https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/resident-missing-person-explosion-fire-tomball/285-e251b33a-bc3d-42a4-bf28-1b826d6fd969 | |||
 | SHERWOOD, III | SIDNEY JAMES (Sid) | N5ZKD | 17 Aug 2016 | Houston | D14 NW EC | Jeff Walter, ke5fga | Sid and I were not close friends but we worked many Special Events together and I always appreciated his big smile and good humor. I will miss him. “BVARC newsletter (shows “Sid Sherwood, N5ZKD” as a 2-year board member and appearing in nets/rosters).” | |||
 | SMITH | CHRISTINE | N5CAS | Waller | D1 WALLER EC | Paul Smith, k5prs | Many of you will remember Christine as the author of so many of our District 14, ARES net trainings which she originally wrote for Waller County. She was a dear friend and she is missed by those of us from our little lunch bunch. –Paul (k5prs)June 26, 2021 I am both saddened and honored to report the passing of Ms. Christine V. Smith, N5CAS. Ms. Smith passed away in October 2020. She was a resident of Waller Texas. Christine sits with the top of the class in amateur radio training article writing for the South Texas Section. Her training articles are used throughout the country. Licensed on March 12, 1997, as KC5CJL, she joined the ARES organization in December 2002. Christine was first assigned as the Waller County Emergency Coordinator, then added the District Emergency Coordinator title until May 1, 2013. Setting her leadership standards high, Christine successfully completed the “big 4” FEMA IS classes completing IS-100, -200, -700 and -800 in September 2009. She completed several National Weather Service SkyWarn classes. She also completed the ARRL Continuing Education Program Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Courses (ARECC) Level I, Level II and Level III. These courses are conducted at home and in the field by participating in public service and emergency events. Additionally, as a graduate of the local Tomball Community Emergency Response Team program, Christine has been the communications coordinator for the Harris County CERT Rodeo for the past 10 years. Christine worked for eBS Equipment Business Software Systems until retiring in about 2008. Thank you, Christine, for teaching us the proper way to conduct ourselves in trying situations. Thank you for being our friend. Jeffery A Walter – KE5FGA ARRL STX SEC | ||||
| 1 ARES Leadership abbreviations like D14-DEC, SEC, NW-AEC, SW-PIO, D1Montgomery-EC |