Carol Jean Pyfer, age 69 passed away at home on December 9, 2016 of liver cancer.
Carol was born on April 1, 1947 in Odessa, Texas to Harrison Watson Henry and Selma Ladell Henry. Carol has an older brother and sister, Harley (Sonny) Henry and Virginia Hill. Carol married her high school sweetheart, Wes Pyfer, on December 22, 1964. Before moving to Irving in 1980, Carol and Wes lived in Odessa, San Angelo, Cuero, Hurst, and Moore, Oklahoma. Carol was truly the “Wind Beneath the Wings” of her husband, Wes, for 52 years. She truly lived by these five F’s: faith, family, friends, fishing and football. The last three sometimes changed in order, but the first two never did. Carol and Wes have two children, Darren and Dana, of whom they are very proud. They have six wonderful grandchildren that are truly the light of their lives. Carol loved all family activities. She enjoyed watching the Cowboys and Rangers on TV. But most of all, she enjoyed watching and supporting all activities in which her six grandchildren participated. These activities included choir concerts, hockey games, soccer games, baseball games, volleyball games, and basketball games. Carol was an invaluable member of the Travis Middle School Faculty and Staff from August of 1980 when she accepted the position as the Counselor’s Secretary. During her thirty-two years with Travis Middle School, Carol took on the additional responsibility of receptionist and later became the Principal’s Secretary in 1996. The Pyfer family has always shown an enduring commitment to the Irving community and the Irving Independent School District as Carol’s husband, Wes, served as the Defensive Coordinator for the Nimitz High School Football team and her children, Darren and Dana, are graduates of Nimitz High School. Carol always exhibited professionalism and courtesy as she performed her duties with faithfulness and beyond expectation. She possessed a true spirit of volunteerism, a willingness to assist students, teachers, parents, and all visitors to Travis Middle School, and has served as a model to all. Upon Carol’s retirement, Travis Middle School affirmed the initiation of the Carol Pyfer Student Service Award that has and will henceforth be awarded each spring at the Eighth Grade Award Ceremony to an eighth grade student who exhibits a dedication to academics and citizenship while exemplifying the qualities and characteristics set forth by Carol. Wes and Carol reside in Irving, Texas. They are active members at Oak View Baptist Church, where Carol has served in teaching Sunday school, as well as coordinating several women’s events.
Carol was preceded in death by her father, Harrison Watson Henry, mother, Selma Ladell Henry, and stepfather, Wiley Sydney Strictland. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Wes Pyfer of Irving; son Darren Pyfer and beautiful wife, Nicki of North Richland Hills, Texas; daughter Dana Polk and her wonderful husband, Russell Polk of Allen, Texas; just like daughter Dana Bailey Mullennix and husband, Ray of Irving; grandchildren Haidyn Pyfer, M’Lyn Pyfer, Reagyn Pyfer, Andy Polk, Brooklyn Polk, and Jackson Polk; just like grandchildren Sydnee and Casey Mullennix; brother Harley (Sonny) Henry and wife, Bobbie of Cedar Park, Texas; sister Virginia Hill of Ojai, California; nieces Debra Hill, Renee Harvish, Regina Henderson, Reniece Westmoreland; nephews Larry Hill, Harley Hill along with numerous cousins and extended family.