Linda Jean Denton

Linda Jean Denton died peacefully while surrounded by members of her family on May 7, 2024. Linda was born Linda Jean Shelton in 1946, to parents J Maxel Shelton (an engineer and US Naval officer) and Mildred (Hall) Shelton who lived in Kingsville, Texas. She has since resided in Texas, West Virginia, Utah, and Germany. She served as Salutatorian of her Arlington Heights High School class in 1964 and graduated with high honors from the Baylor University School of Nursing in 1968.

While on a blind date, Linda met and fell in love with Richard Alan Denton of Austin, TX. On June 22, 1968 they were married. In 1970 Richard completed medical school and a residency. Linda and Richard moved to Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where he served as a Captain and General Medical Officer in the United States Air Force. It was there that their first child, Richard ‘Rick’ A. Denton II was born in 1973. At the end of Richard’s military tour in 1974, the family returned to Dallas where Richard completed a residency in otolaryngology. Except while in Germany, Linda helped support Richard’s education by working as a registered nurse. In 1977, while living in Dallas, their second child Rachel A. Denton was born. In 1978 Linda and Richard moved their family to Austin. Richard established a private practice and Linda supported him by working in his office.

Linda and her husband both loved travel and traveled Europe extensively while living in Germany. Upon returning to the U.S., they traveled as often as possible. When not traveling, Linda was very involved in her community, serving as President of the Travis County Medical Alliance, volunteering with the Helping Hand Home for Children, and as a member at Hyde Park Baptist Church. When her two children reached their teens, Linda returned to school and earned an MBA at the University of Texas at Austin. She entertained thoughts of moving into nursing management or even accounting. On the advice of friends, who realized how much she knew and loved travel, she entered the industry as a Travel Advisor. That advice proved well founded, and she became a beloved Travel Advisor in Austin. She lived for the joy brought to her by the happy reports she received from her clients. As she strove to increase her skills and knowledge of the world, she personally visited more than 80 countries.

In 2003, while Linda and Richard were traveling together with family and friends, Richard unexpectedly died while vacationing in Colorado. Of course, this changed Linda’s life in ways that she had never imagined or anticipated. What it did not change, was her love of travel, her zest for adventure, or her pride in being a Travel Advisor. In 2013 she met Jerald “Jerry” Dykstra, a widower. Upon meting her, Jerry exclaimed ‘I never want to travel again’, due to his extensive travel for work. However, with time they realized they were meant to spend the second phases of their lives together and married in 2015. Linda opened up his eyes to the world in new ways. Linda introduced Jerry to the joy of cruise trips and traveling with friends – including many new-for-him countries like New Zealand, Australia, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Portugal, Greece, Peru, Ecuador, Spain and the Galapagos Islands,

Despite her busy professional careers, Linda was always a loving wife, devoted and caring mother and grandmother, a generous and kind friend, and a humble servant of God.

In her final years she fought bravely against Alzheimer’s. Never one to sit quietly on the sidelines, she eagerly signed up for an invasive clinical trial to help prevent the ravages of the disease. She fought not just for herself, but for those who will come along after her that may be impacted by this devastating disease.

She is loved by her family and will be missed, but we take great comfort in knowing that she now is teaching angels the joy of travel.

Linda is survived by her husband of 9 years, Jerry Dykstra, her son Richard “Rick” Denton II and his wife Clancy, Linda’s daughter Rachel Brown and her husband Stephen. She has four grandchildren, Tanner and Teagan Denton, and Kate and Charlotte Brown. She’s survived by her stepson Mark Dykstra and by her beloved mother-in-law, Dorothy Denton. She is also survived by Richard’s brothers and their families – Paul and Alice Denton and Dennis and Peggy Denton.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents Mildred and J Maxel Shelton, and by her husband Dr. Richard Denton.

A Service Celebrating Linda’s Life will be held at 2:30 pm, June 3rd, in the sanctuary of Tarrytown United Methodist Church, 2601 Exposition Blvd, Austin Texas. All who would like to celebrate Linda’s life are invited.

The family is grateful for the exemplary and compassionate care provided by the angels and caregivers at Arden Courts – ProMedica Memory Care Community of Austin and to the skilled nurses at Aspen Hospice and Palliative Care. We are especially thankful for Yvette Espinosa and all her angels at Senior Sitters, LLC, of Austin.

In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that memorial donations be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, http://www.alz.org; to Terrytown United Methodist Church, 2601 Exposition Blvd, Austin, TX 78703; or to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 5416 Parkcrest Dr., Austin, TX 78731 – (512) 452-8811.