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BARROW, Frank and Betty Ann (both b. 1922)

Oral Histories

OH 1618

For the Denton County Historical Commission. Longtime Denton residents. Frank’s childhood in Jasper County, Tex., and family’s move to Denton; career; education at North Texas State College and Louisiana State University; career as radio announcer, including at Denton’s KDNT radio station and the Atlantic Radio Network; wartime service in the Special Services division of the Army Air Forces, including relationships with various celebrities; career as a Chevrolet automobile dealer, insurance agent, and haberdasher in Denton; work with Methodist church; involvement in Denton Community Theatre; political career, including service on Denton City Council and as mayor of Denton; Denton’s transition to city manager form of government; Betty Ann’s memories of how her family coped with the Great Depression; family history; education at North Texas State College; marriage to Welby “Whip” Williams; Williams’ death in a flying accident during Korean conflict; experience of widowhood; marriage to Frank Barrow; clothing business; work to liberalize Denton race relations