Hyde Danforth founder W. Jerry Hyde dies at age 78

Sept. 6, 2012 - PRLog -- DALLAS – Surrounded by family and friends who deeply loved him, Waymon Jerry Hyde of Dallas died August 30, 2012, at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital following a massive heart attack.  He was 78.

Jerry was born on December 23, 1933, in McKinney, Texas to Waymon and Elta Tompkins Hyde.  He spent his childhood in Wagner, Texas and graduated from Bland High School at age 16. Jerry moved to Greenville, Texas and attended Texas A&M University – Commerce (formerly known as East Texas State Teachers College) and earned a B.B.A. in general business in 1954.  Jerry then voluntarily joined the military and served as Personnel Specialist Third Class in the United States Army from 1954 until 1956, during which time he was stationed in Korea.  After receiving an honorable discharge, Jerry returned to Texas A&M University – Commerce and earned an M.B.A. in human resources management in 1958.  Hyde remained very active with TAMUC for many years, first serving as a graduate assistant and many years later as an alumni board member, which honored him with the organization’s distinguished Gold Blazer Award.  

Jerry married Susan Ann Albright on September 3, 1960, in Cooper, Texas.  The couple moved to Irving, Texas and raised two sons, Waymon “Wade” Douglas Hyde and Chance Tompkins Hyde.  Jerry, Susan, Wade and Chance were all very active members of Plymouth Park United Methodist Church for over two decades.  Jerry was also a longtime member of Irving Rotary, and Jerry and both sons participated in the YMCA’s Indian Guide program.

In 1973 Jerry founded Hyde Danforth & Co., one of America's leading management consulting firms specializing in executive search, retained legal search, career transition, and related human resources consulting matters. Previously, Jerry was manager of human resources consulting for KPMG Peat Marwick and served as manager of Preferred Business Services, a Chicago-based service company, as well as personnel officer for a Republic National Life (a/k/a Anthem Health).  He began his professional career as a high school principal and girls basketball coach at Bland High School.  Hyde was an Accredited Personnel Diplomat and was recognized as a “Top Career Maker” in all three editions of John Sibbald’s The Career Makers.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Waymon and Elta, and his nephew Stephen Hyde.  Jerry is survived by Susan, Wade and his husband Tim, and Chance and his wife, Janelle, and their daughter Elly, Jerry’s only grandchild.  He is also survived by his sister Judy, her husband Bill, and their four children, Keith, Shelly, Sharon and Stacy, as well as Jerry’s brother Ben, his wife Marilyn, and their daughter Sara, along with many great nieces and nephews as well as hundreds of extended family and beloved friends.  

In lieu of flowers, Jerry's family suggest making a donation in his memory to Meals on Wheels (https://www.hpumc.org/pages/09_meals_on_wheels), the DFW Humane Society (http://www.dfwhumane.com/index.shtml) or Legacy Counseling Center (http://www.legacycares.org/).