Jess Ranson Totten

Jess Ranson Totten of Austin died on May 12, 2004 at the age of 76. Mr. Totten was born on April 27, 1928 in Sherman, Texas. He attended the Virginia Military Institute, the Air Force Institute of Technology, and Princeton University. He was an Air Force pilot, serving for 28 years and retired as a Colonel. Following his retirement, he worked in the Graduate School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin for 15 years. Mr. Totten married Julia Ann Kyle, also of Sherman, and they enjoyed 53 years of marriage. Together they lived in numerous locations around the United States and Europe and raised four sons. Three of their sons live in Austin, and their home has been the site of many happy family celebrations and gatherings. Family was always the center of his life, and his family remembers him for the strength of his love and support for all of them and for instilling in them the values of hard work and honesty. He was truly an officer and a gentleman. Mr. Totten’s survivors include his wife, Julia Totten, his brother, Jerry Totten of San Antonio, and his sister, Fannie (Mrs. Richard Scott) of Sherman. The Austin sons and their families are: Jess K. and wife Gail and their children Jess G. and Julia (of New York City); John and wife Jeanine and their children Jason, Erin, Lindsey, Megan and Paige; and Bill and fiancée Jackie. Son Joe lives in Park City, Utah with wife Morag and their children Rita, Grace and Sam. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 15th at University United Methodist Church, with Rev. Barrett Renfro officiating. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Instead of flowers, the family asks that those who wish to honor his memory contribute to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at (800) 525-5841 or University United Methodist Church at (512) 478-9387. Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78705 (512) 452-8811. You may view memorials online at wcfish.com