It is with sorrow for the loss of their patriarch and with joy for Christ’s gift of eternal life that the family announces the passing of Darwood Edmund Heldmann. He was born on earth on March 29, 1937, in Caldwell, Tx., and born into eternal life on March 25th, 2022, at his home in Magnolia, Tx.
Darwood was the youngest of two children born to Edmund and Ella Heldmann. He graduated from Caldwell High School, and then Blinn Junior College and Texas Lutheran College (now Texas Lutheran University) where he obtained a degree in Physical Education with a minor in Social Science. He also began work on a Masters degree. His passion for sports was evident his entire life. In high school, he lettered in basketball and track and was very active in Future Farmers of America serving in leadership roles and receiving many accolades. In junior college, he lettered in basketball and track and was the 1957 Conference High Jump Champion. While at Texas Lutheran, he lettered in basketball and was team captain, leading them to the NAIA playoffs in 1959. Prior to his college graduation, Darwood joined the Air Force Reserves serving honorably from 1960-1966 as a Staff Sergeant-Medical Specialist. On November 27, 1965, he married the love of his life, Emma Jo Woodward Melvin. They were married for 54 years until she passed away in 2019. They were members of Crossroads Baptist Church.
Except for a time as a parole officer, Darwood, known as Coach to many, spent his career as an educator and coach in high schools across the state of Texas including Caldwell, Dickinson, Brownsville-Hanna, Terrell, Seymour, Magnolia, and Covenant Christian (Conroe). He taught Social Studies, U.S. History, Economics, World Geography, and Physical Education. In addition to teaching roles, he also held positions as Athletic Director (Covenant) and Assistant Principal (Seymour), and coached basketball, track, and football. He coached for over 50 years, achieving 652 career wins as a basketball coach. He also had a state championship in track and field along with multiple district championships and state play-offs in basketball, track, and football.
While he was passionate about coaching, Darwood’s great love was being a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ella and Edmund; his sister, Hulene; and his wife, Emma Jo. He will be greatly missed by his daughter, Darla Dennis; granddaughters, Lauren Wilks (Blake), Emily Dennis, and Leann Dennis; great-grandchildren, Paisley Wilks and Tuk Wilks; numerous close friends, and countless former student athletes and their families whose lives are forever enriched through his love, guidance, and unwavering support.
A public visitation is scheduled for Friday, April 1 from 5-7 PM at Cashner Funeral Home to be followed by a funeral service at 10:00 am Saturday, April 2, also at Cashner. Darwood will be laid to rest at Garden Park Cemetery next to his beloved wife.
“I want you to give (life) everything you have. God gave you so much talent, so use it to the best of your ability, and don’t waste it. If (you) lose (at something) and you’ve given it your all, (be) OK with it. If you give your all, that’s all (anyone) can expect of you.”-paraphrase of Coach H quote.
