Dennis Brooks Linam

Dennis Brooks Linam was born on July 12, 1941 in Waco, Texas to Raymond and Evelyn Brooks Linam, and passed away peacefully at home surrounded by the love of family on Saturday, August 3, 2024.

He grew up in a wonderful Christian home with his older brother, Ronald Linam. His childhood was filled with days of fishing and canoeing on Rainbow Lake, exploring in the woods, and finding arrow heads crafted by the Waco Indians who hunted and fished on the property decades before. It was a boy’s dream come true.

Seventh and James Baptist Church in Waco partnered with his parents in laying a spiritual foundation for a life of service and love for others. His mother was a woman of great prayer who never wavered in intercession for others with faithful prayer partners. His father was President of Central Freight Lines and served as a respected deacon at church. His mother was a vibrant Sunday School teacher for a large class of Baylor University Freshman girls. Dennis often joked about the burden of being a dutiful son helping to host the Baylor freshmen girls at their home, taking them on canoe rides around the lake.

But all that changed in his Senior year when a new student, Gail Green, moved to town and enrolled as a Sophomore at Waco High School. Dennis was a dark-haired, handsome, outgoing yell leader who quickly caught Gail’s eye after a friend shared that he came from a respected Christian family. Dennis was immediately smitten when Gail bought a football spirit ribbon from him. He invited her to sit with him on the bus ride from Waco to Temple for a football game when they were 15 and 17 years old. They never dated anyone else and were married on August 15, 1964.
Dennis attended Baylor University and graduated from the University of Texas in Austin with a degree in Architecture. Gail taught sixth grade in the Austin Public Schools after graduating from Baylor. Their daughters, Angela and Diane, were born in Austin where the family attended Hyde Park Baptist Church.

Later, Dennis accepted a position as an urban planner with the City of Waco. In this role, Dennis was instrumental in the development of Indian Spring Park and amphitheater, designed the Freedom Fountain at the Waco Convention Center, and helped coordinate the Waco Bicentennial Celebration at Baylor Stadium. He also hosted President Gerald Ford when he visited Waco’s historic Suspension Bridge.

Gail served as the Minister of Childhood Education at Calvary Baptist Church where Dennis taught the young adult Sunday School class. He was ordained as a deacon in 1971 shortly before the birth of their son, Brooks. Dennis reflected the love and joy of Jesus in how he invested in his family, church, and community. He began the annual Dean Highland Neighborhood 4th of July parade which became a long-standing tradition including a fire truck and decorated bicycles, tricycles, and strollers. Speakers on the Linam’s front porch played John Philip Sousa to get the celebration started each year.

Dennis resigned his position at the City of Waco to support his father in managing a large cattle ranch. There, Dennis and Brooks made treasured memories fishing and riding horses. The family also enjoyed picnics by the lake and lying on a blanket with their grandmother, looking up at the endless stars in the Texas sky.

One spring day in 1988, Dr. Gary Cook invited Dennis and Gail to join him at Dallas Baptist University where Dr. Cook had just been named President. Despite the university’s financial peril, Dr. Cook shared his conviction that daily fervent prayer by the university family and friends would lead to a transformed institution. This vision inspired Dennis and Gail to accept Dr. Cook’s invitation to join the effort to rebuild DBU.

For over 30 years, Dennis Linam played a significant role in the life of Dallas Baptist University, serving as a friend, mentor, administrator, and leader to so many. His tireless commitment to the importance of Christian higher education and community building was evidenced throughout his tenure. Dennis supported various campus infrastructure projects, utilizing his experience as an architect and city planner. Dennis also served as the University’s liaison to alumni of Decatur Baptist College which later became Dallas Baptist, building new bridges of trust and friendship.

In 1990, Dennis was named Vice President for External Affairs. In this role, he offered ongoing support, encouragement, and friendship to pastors across the metroplex. In 1992, Dennis became Director of the John G. Mahler Student Center, coordinating and hosting countless events over many years. Dennis also worked with the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas in their efforts to encourage Texas State legislators to support the Texas Equalization Grant. Every year, he took outstanding DBU students to Austin to meet with state representatives and senators to highlight the value of this important program. In recognition of his tireless efforts, ICUT presented Dennis with the President’s Award in 2004.

Whether serving as a greeter for dinners in the Mahler Student Center, managing booths at various denominational events, visiting alumni in their homes, spending time with DBU donors, hosting alumni events, working with current students, taking international students under his wing, or a multitude of other acts of service and kindness, Dennis was a friend and confidant to thousands. Over the years, he received honors from the school, including being named a DBU Honorary Alumnus, a Decatur Honorary Alumnus, DBU Staff Member of the Year, and a DBU Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.

Dennis was loved by the congregation of First Baptist Church of Arlington, where he served as a deacon and in other leadership roles. Dennis utilized his experience as an architect and city planner while serving on the church’s Master Planning Committee.

Dennis loved sitting on the porch swing in his backyard, delighted in his extended “adopted” family, and cherished visits with his grandson to the piney woods of East Texas. One of his favorite family traditions was going to Ham Orchards for fresh peaches where he and Gail would sit in the rocking chairs, eating their peach ice cream together.

Jesus was the cornerstone of Dennis Linam’s life. His daily walk with Christ filled him with abounding joy and pure delight in serving others. His zest for life and love for others blessed everyone he met.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Evelyn Brooks Linam, and his nephew, Danny Linam.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Gail Linam; his daughters, Angela Linam and Diane Linam; his son, Brooks Linam; beloved grandson, Spencer Brooks Linam and his mother, Sherri Linam; his brother, Ronald Linam, and wife, Lin Hai; and cherished cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Memorial gifts may be sent to the Dennis Linam Endowed Scholarship Fund at Dallas Baptist University, 3000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211.