Roll Call Tribute

Donald Christy "Chris" Tracy 

September 13, 1941 - August 24, 2024 

Dr. Donald Christy "Chris" Tracy passed from this earth into Heaven on August 24, 2024, after a brief battle with cancer.

Chris was born in Marshall, Texas, on September 13, 1941. He spent his childhood fishing on Caddo Lake, hunting, and spending time outdoors with his nephews and friends. He also attended Marshall High School, where he was active in athletics and lettered in track. After graduation in 1960, Chris remained actively involved with his high school classmates and others from Marshall, maintaining lifelong friendships and regularly seeing them at reunions, the annual Hog Hunt, and other occasions over the past 64 years.

After high school, Chris attended Stephen F. Austin University, graduating in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. While at Stephen F. Austin, Chris was an active member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, where he met and formed lifelong friendships with a group of brothers who have stayed close and meet every year since to reminisce and tell stories about each other. Following his college graduation, Chris moved to Huntsville, Texas, and began working in correctional education as a teacher and principal within the Texas prison system.

In 1968, Chris married his high school friend and sweetheart, Pat, and she moved to Huntsville, Texas, where they built their life together. Their children, Don and Tara, were born in 1970 and 1974, respectively. As "Dad," Chris loved them deeply, and he always had an encouraging word for them. He enjoyed mentoring and coaching them in so many areas of their lives, and he loved watching and helping them grow personally and professionally.

Chris also honorably served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1969 to 1971. While in the armed services, he worked as a military police officer, earned distinction as a marksman, and received the National Defense Service Medal.

In 1969, Chris joined the newly formed Windham Independent School District within the Texas prison system and began working with his mentor and close friend, Dr. Lane Murray, to build the finest correctional education system in the country. Over his 32-year career in correctional education, Chris had a tremendous positive impact on those who worked with him and thousands of others who may not have known him personally but knew him through the vocational and adult basic education certificates they received from Windham that bore his name. The legacy of that work will continue for generations to come.

During his professional career, Chris also continued his own education at Sam Houston State University, where he earned a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice in 1972. He then attended Texas A&M University, earning a Doctor of Education degree in 1985. Chris was also involved in numerous local and national organizations, including the Jaycees of Huntsville, the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce, and the Correctional Education Association, where he served as National President from 1979 to 1980 and was instrumental in the association's efforts to establish national standards for correctional education programs.

After retiring from Windham as Superintendent in 1997, Chris continued his service in correctional education through work with Management & Training Corporation and several prison systems around the country. During this time, he consulted with correctional institutions and helped them establish and align their training and education programs with the national standards created through the Correctional Education Association.

In 2007, he became a proud grandfather, and since then, as "Papa" to Jackson Earl Childers and Addison Tracy Childers, he has loved spending time with them, teaching them to fish, and giving them wise advice and life lessons. As they grew, he particularly enjoyed watching Jackson and Addison play basketball and volleyball.

Chris was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Patricia Miller Tracy; his father, Donald George Tracy; his mother, Gaudra Dempsey Tracy; and his sisters, Jeanette Johnson, Wynette Emery, Gay Irwin, and Frances Rives.

He is survived by his son, Donald Joe Tracy; daughter, Tara Tracy Childers; son-in-law, Shaun Childers; his grandchildren, Jackson Earl Childers and Addison Tracy Childers; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the many friends and family who prayed for Chris and his family, as well as all of the outstanding medical staff and caregivers who supported Chris throughout his illness.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 1800 Avenue R, Huntsville, TX 77340.

Visitation and Funeral Service will be held Sunday, September 1, 2024 at First Christian Church with visitation beginning at 1:00pm and service beginning at 2:00pm. All information can be found at heritageoakfh.com.