Truett Lamar Chance

Truett L. Chance was born on the family farm near Liberty Hill to Edgar Lee and Edith Alma Chance, a pioneering Texas family descending from Captain Joseph Bell Chance, who came to Texas from Tennessee in 1831, settled at Washington-on-the-Brazos as part of Stephen F. Austin's Second Colony and fought for an independent Texas at the Battle of San Jacinto.

Truett L. Chance left Liberty Hill in the midst of the great depression to pursue higher education at the Southwest Texas State Teacher's College. As a student he was employed in various positions such as campus laborer and janitor; ultimately attaining the highest paying job on campus, as editor of "The College Star" the campus newspaper. As a member of the White Stars many friendships were formed that lasted a lifetime. It was in San Marcos where he met his future wife of 54 years, Opal Goodwin of Stockdale, Texas. Upon graduation in 1936 both began their teaching careers in small town Texas schoolhouses.

Chance earned his Master's degree in Education from the University of Texas at Austin in 1940 while teaching and serving as principal in Stockdale and Floresville. After serving 18 months in the Pacific during World War II, he began as a social sciences instructor in January 1947 at San Antonio Junior College. During his over 35 years of service to San Antonio College, Truett taught courses in history, economics, and government, as well as serving as chairman of various departments and establishing the Faculty Senate and the San Antonio Chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

Constantly in the pursuit of knowledge, Dr. Chance was conferred a PhD in Government in 1970 by commuting to classes at the University of Texas at Austin as schedules permitted. In 1975 Chance became Dean and later President of the College, however he continued to make the students his first priority. Retirement was taken in 1982 but separation from the College was not; in 1997 the Truett L. Chance Academic Center was dedicated. "His Building" was often a recent topic of conversation and excuse for a field trip.

In his retirement Chance served as Chairman of the San Antonio Public Library Board, on the Board of Goodwill Industries, the Advisory Council of Foster Grandparents and as a proud member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. A man of wide-ranging interests, Truett Chance was an avid gardener, Cowboys and Spurs fan, amateur weatherman, daily napper, picky yet enthusiastic eater and competitive "42" player.

Chance lived a full and happy life, filled with many memorable events; he was an inspiration to family and friends, and his legacy of success and achievement will long live in their hearts.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Opal Goodwin Chance; and brothers, Coleman and Luther Chance. Dr. Chance is survived by his daughter, Trudy Chance Kinnison and her husband Paul Kinnison, Jr, grandchildren, Abigail Ruth Kinnison and Paul Chance Kinnison and dear friend Pat Griffith all of San Antonio; sister, Mary Ruth Strandtmann of San Marcos, nieces and nephews.

The family will receive visitors at Porter Loring from 4:00 P.M.to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 25, 2007.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity of your choice or to the Truett L. Chance Scholarship at San Antonio College in care of the ACCD Foundations, 201 W. Sheridan, Suite C3, San Antonio, TX 78204.