Cover photo for Rusty Talbot's Obituary
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1933 Rusty 2017

Rusty Talbot

August 3, 1933 — January 28, 2017

Rusty Talbot, 83, died unexpectedly on Saturday, January 28, 2017.Born Fitzhugh Erwin Talbot to Reverend Fitzhugh and Elsie Talbot on August 3, 1933 in McKinney, Texas. In elementary school, the preacher’s son renamed himself Rusty, after his dog.Talbot graduated from North Dallas High School in 1950 and earned a football scholarship to Ranger Junior College, where he also played basketball and ran track. He went on to attend Stephen F. Austin University, also on a football scholarship, and graduated with a degree in history.From there, Talbot earned a master’s degree from University of North Texas and coached at several high schools in Texas, first as the assistant coach at McKinney High School and later as the offensive coordinator at North Mesquite High School. Most of his coaching experience was as head coach for Grand Saline, Nocona, Borger, Electra, Lubbock, and Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, and finally for West Mesquite High School and Mesquite High School.He also served as the head coach for the semi-professional football team the Texas Wranglers.After a successful thirty-two year coaching career, Talbot went into administration for the Mesquite Independent School District, where he directed the purchasing department for thirty years.He also remained involved in sports and announced football games at Memorial Stadium and baseball games at Copeland Field for twenty years. Talbot served as a member of the Mesquite Lions Club, the Mesquite Education Association, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Texas Association of School Business Officials, and as the President of the Balch Springs Chamber of Commerce.Talbot was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church and held several leadership roles there, including chair of the Pastor Parish Committee, chair of the administrative board, and district lay leader of North Central Texas Methodist Conference.He enjoyed reading James Patterson mysteries, singing bass in quartets, walking his two dogs that he called “the boys,” leading songs in church services, attending Texas Rangers games, and watching movies. His favorites were Casablanca, Gone with the Wind, Shane, and The Wizard of Oz. He began attending the State Fair of Texas at the age of three and visited several times every year, including this past one.He is survived by his wife of forty-seven years, Martha Jo Talbot, of Mesquite, Texas; his son, Rodney Talbot, of Denton, Texas; his daughter, Dr. Jill Talbot, of Denton, Texas; his three grandchildren, Randi Talbot, Lance Talbot, and Indie Talbot; his sister, Rebekah A. Wilson, of Gainseville, Texas; his nephew, John Byron Wilson, of Culver City, California; his niece, Kaye Wilson Campbell, of Gainesville, Texas; one grand-nephew and three grand-nieces; and his dog, Raley.He was preceded in death by his dog, Satch. A funeral service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Mesquite, Texas at 300 North Galloway on February 1, 2017 at 11:00 am with visitation at 10:00 am. The burial will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, Texas.In lieu of flowers, contributions are welcome to either the SPCA http://www.spca.org/waystogive or 2400 Lone Star Drive, Dallas, Texas 75212 or to First United Methodist Church of Mesquite Music Fund.
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First United Methodist Church of Mesquite

300 N Galloway Ave, Mesquite, TX 75149

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First United Methodist Church of Mesquite

300 N Galloway Ave, Mesquite, TX 75149

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