Kathryn and her husband John have been at Highland Oaks for 23 years. They have been married for 15 years and she shares two wonderful grown stepdaughters. Kathryn was a teacher for 22 years but for the last 8 years has been the admin assistant to the principal at Dallas Christian School in Mesquite. When Kathryn is not outdoors with John, you can find her watching movies or singing lyrics from all kinds of silly songs (she even knows all the words from “We Go Together” from the Musical Grease and can sing on command if asked!). Kathryn has a passion for working with our student ministry and says her favorite things about Highland Oaks is “watching our teens grow in Jesus and help participate in their growth in the Lord.”

David and his wife Sandi have called Highland Oaks home for the last 40 years. After completing law school at Texas Tech, they moved to Dallas and began a family that is now comprised of 3 grown children, 5 grandchildren, and 2 grand-dogs. When David is not serving his clients at the law firm, you can find him as an adjunct teacher at Amberton University or reading the latest book on theology or church life. David says this about Highland Oaks: “I love the members’ transparency and unconditional love for one another.” And one thing you may not know about David… he once danced with his daughters’ drill team at halftime of a high school football game!

Debbie and her husband Richard have been at Highland Oaks since 1972. They have four grown daughters and 5 grandchildren. Before she was retired she had a career in the newspaper business but now spends her time outdoors in the yard and especially enjoys gardening. Debbie has a passion for working with the Ladies Ministry and the Deaf community and you can often find her interpreting in our Sunday assembly. Debbie says this about Highland Oaks: “I just love the sweet, sweet Spirit of this place.”

Carolyn and her husband Rodger have called Highland Oaks home for 11 years. They have tow grown daughters and 3 amazing grandchildren. Before her retirement, Carolyn was the office manager and bookkeeper for a Lake Highlands design and build remodeler for 29 years. Carolyn’s favorite thing about Highland Oaks is “how we love each other, are led by the Holy Spirit, and are focused on looking like Jesus.” When Carolyn is not teaching Ladies class or spending time with girlfriends, you will find her only driving automatic shift cars since her first “vehicle” was a John Deere tractor… and not the best experience!

Mark and his wife Debbie have been with Highland Oaks since 2007. While Mark is a full time Shepherd he is also our missionary partner to Asia while working with Mission Resource Network (MRN) providing mentoring and coaching to church planters all over Asia. Mark and Debbie have 2 children and 4 grandchildren as well as a host of adopted “children” all over the mission field. His favorite thing about Highland Oaks is the emphasis on discipleship and the consistent question: What would Jesus ask us to do? When Mark is not travelling the world or reaching out someone for coffee, you can find him making others laugh or riding his Harley Davidson (he’s actually ridden in 48 states!).

Tom and his wife Kristie have called Highland Oaks their church home since 1995. They have 2 grown children and 3 grandchildren who live in Abilene. Tom is a software developer for Valbrea Technologies during the day but a 4th degree black-belt Taekwondo instructor by night. When he is not teaching kids self-defense, you can find Tom holding babies at Highland Oaks, reading Henri Nouwen, or working in his woodshop. Tom says this about Highland Oaks: “I love that we are learning to truly welcome everyone to Christ’s table.”

Bruce and his wife Kelly have been at Highland Oaks for the last 42 years. They have 3 grown children and a few dogs that keep their house lively and loud. Bruce is the general manager for an HR software company that is a division of a global company. Bruce is a member of our Praise Team at HO and has also travelled all over the world singing in cathedrals and music halls with a choir here in Richardson. When he is not singing he is training Boy Scouts and Scout Leaders in outdoor camping skills. Bruce loves the “fabulous singing at Highland Oaks and the deep friendships he has developed while here.”

Kerry and his wife Tracy have been at Highland Oaks for 36 years. They have 4 grown children and 7 grandchildren (and counting!). Kerry is the Sr. Vice President for Dallas Door Company and has installed doors all over Dallas including projects at the American Airlines Center and AT&T Stadium. When he’s not wrestling his grandkids or grilling a nice steak, he loves to build furniture and work with all kinds of wood. Kerry’s favorite thing about Highland Oaks is “how welcoming and loving we are to anyone who walks in the door.”

Susan has been at Highland Oaks for over 39 years. She and her late husband Marvin share 2 children, 3 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. Before her retirement, Susan was a business teacher for 13 years and school counselor for 19 years. Her favorite things about Highland Oaks are the people and the way they “are kind and caring” along with the ministerial staff. Susan is passionate about the Ladies ministry, loving and spoiling her grandkids, and has “not so fond” memories of helping her Dad taking care of his cows and horses… it was very much against her will!

Barry and his wife Diane have been at Highland Oaks since 1998. They have 2 grown children and 5 grandchildren in Dallas and Houston. Barry has vast ministry experience as a former Minister and Preacher in TX and CA while also leading the Bell Trust for over 23 years. When Barry is not serving on the board of MRN or the Christian Chronicle, you can find him cheering on the Texas Rangers or playing golf at Boot Ranch. Or… you might even find him killing flies with his bare hands as he is often called the “human fly swatter!” Barry has a deep love for HO and says he appreciates most “the fact that we take seriously a commitment to being disciples of Jesus.”

Bob has been at Highland Oaks for over 60 years. He and his late wife Barbara share 3 children, 4 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. Bob is currently serving as the Financial CPA for Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church and has worked in financial management for decades. His favorite thing about Highland Oaks is “the love and spirit of the people.” Bob serves on our greeting team, loves to hang our with the student ministry, and even (at the young age of 90) likes to go skydiving when the opportunity presents itself. Bob also spent 5 days on the USS Enterprise Nuclear Aircraft Carrier.

Annette and her husband Eddie have been at Highland Oaks since 2019. Together they share 3 children and 6 grandchildren here in the Dallas area. Before she “retired,” she was a teacher, elementary school secretary, and full-time stay at home Mom/preacher’s wife. As she and Eddie have been in ministry together for well over 40 years, she has travelled extensively and even holds a minor in Spanish from ACU. If you have the opportunity to hear her preach or teach on Sunday, you might hear a story or two about her travels or about the time she was a bilingual secretary for the Herald of Truth radio program. Annette says this about Highland Oaks: “I love the warm spirit of welcome and the desire for our discipleship to reflect the heart and will of God.”