Subject: Former Miss Texas's and Contestants and Volunteers Remembering B.Don Magness |
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Date Posted: Sat, Jul 19 2008, 1:27pm
In reply to:
's message, "Miss Texas Organization Loses FriendB.Don Magness 8/12/1932-7/17/2008 
www.voy.com/216568/" on Fri, Jul 18 2008, 2:44pm
Author Topic: I Remember BDon
Lolly posted 7/17/08 7:38 PM
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I have just moments ago learned of BDon's passing. I hope the readers of this board will allow me to post my thoughts and then others will join me in sharing their memories...I was 10 years old when I met him, it was 1970 and Phyllis George was Miss Texas. I knew then that I wanted to be her and I figured out pretty soon that this man was the most important person around and that he, with all his knowledge and power, could help me get there. In my mind he was the Wizard of Oz..."the great and powerful oz". Over the next ten years as I grew up, I spent the first week of July every summer in Fort Worth at The Miss Texas Pageant. Oh my gosh, I really wanted to be her. I was always in awe and maybe a bit afraid of Oz, but I began to consult with him and listen to him. He was without a doubt one of the funniest people I had ever been around. I usually didn't get his jokes, but I laughed anyway. My yellow brick road never led me to the crown (although I came close once), but it did give me the opportunity to know one of the kindest, dearest, smartest pageant people in all the world. Just like the wizard in oz, he was just a normal guy, a great big teddy bear. He was the Miss Texas Pageant and I will miss knowing that he was that bigger than life figure behind the curtain...the Great and Powerful Oz. Rest in peace, B Don.
http://twocleverchicks.com
event planning560210
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Brooke posted 7/17/08 7:50 PM
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Lolly I two was in the same shoes as yourself. I first met him when I was 12 years old and wanted to compete at Miss Teen Texas, I had heard he was the man behind the scenes and I needed to meet him. When I was determined to make top 5 at Miss Texas I went to his home to meet with him and Jean, Jean asked me what the spot was on the side of my nose and I said a mole, but I would really like for it to be gone, and he said well go win the dang pageant so we can have it done. I will never forget his sense of humor and his forward opinion. He would tell you what he liked and what he didn't like, and that is what I will miss about him. Not to many people can tell you they don't like something with a smile on their face, but he sure could! Even though I never won that crown but came oh so close I had the honor of getting to know a great man!
B Don you will deeply be missed but know that your legacy will live on. My prayers are wtih Jean and the family.
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Lisa '02 posted 7/17/08 7:51 PM
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One of my favorite memories with B. Don after I won Miss Texas, was that every free afternoon... which wasn't very often... he would sit in one easy chair and I would sit in another. And we would "compete" against each other in Jeopardy. He would sit there with his famous cigar in his mouth and get "really mad" whenever I would beat him at the final question. =) He was like another grandfather to me. Each Miss Texas generally comes up with a nickname for him. Mine was Obi Wan. Very fitting... considering he truly was the "Obi Wan of pageants." He will be greatly missed. And I know not just by those who had the privilege to live with he and Jean.
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TM posted 7/17/08 7:54 PM
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Lolly, what an eloquent way to put it. Although I never competed myself, I grew up in the Dallas area and I always knew who B. Don Magness was, as far back as I can remember. Getting to know him over the last 10 years has been an honor. He will truly be missed.
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Miss Carrollton Org posted 7/17/08 7:56 PM
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Our thoughts and prayers are with Jean and the family at this time. God Bless.
http://misscarrolltonorganization.com
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Chris & Alex M posted 7/17/08 8:06 PM
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I (Chris) did now know B Don; however, Alex did. As such my memories are few but I do have one that sticks out and it is from just a few weeks ago. I was eerily struck by Jean's prophetic remarks on stage about, and correct me if I mix this up, "the old bald man" who was not in the audience this year. I remember thinking as she told that story how things change so quickly in life, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. There can be no doubt that B Don Magness was a rainmaker, Miss America's Outstanding Teen is proof of it. We shoud all strive to be rainmakers in our own life and pay our respects when one passes on to the next life. May God hold the Magness family and keep them. Goodnight Mr Magness and God Speed.
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Sherry & Jim posted 7/17/08 8:41 PM
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I'm not quite so eloquent but can say after about 25 years of knowing B.Don that he will be sorely missed. His wit, his willingness to help, his love of his pageant family, but most of all his love of his fellow man. He was funny, kind and passionate about everything he did. I'm sure he is up there having great conversations with our own Suzanne Lawrence as we speak. Jean and the entire family are in our thoughts and prayers. Hug your husband, wife, child.... Life passes way too quickly!
http://www.DuncanvillePageants.org
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B. Don, THE Icon of Pageants posted 7/17/08 9:00 PM
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I am so sorry to hear about B. Don. I am in Toronto through the 22nd on business and have received several telephone calls/messages and a bunch of text messages. He is and always will be THE Pageant Icon!! During his tenure, the Miss Texas Organization was THE leading pageant to win. All of my friends across the U.S. said that their titleholders would love to be Miss Texas. I also attribute the success of the Miss Teen Texas Program and the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Program to B. Don because he had the foresight to acknowledge the need for a teen feeder program. Texas has had three former Miss Teen Texases (Carly Jarmon, Tara Watson…and now Rebecca Robinson) who went on to become Miss Texas…and Texas had the very first Miss America’s Outstanding Teen (Meghan Miller). Please keep his son Scott, Jean, and the rest of their families in your thoughts and prayers. If anyone knows anything about a memorial service or funeral arrangements, can you please post them as soon as possible. I would like to make travel arrangements to attend. ~ Michael Hannah ~
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my idol posted 7/17/08 9:27 PM
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I was only in 8th grade when my sister began competing in locals. I along with the rest of my family were clueless as to what exactly Texas pageantry was. When my sister entered her first local we didn't even know it went to a Miss Texas Pageant much less The Miss America Pageant. At her first local she didn't place but progressively did better over the next year and a half till she finally won the local she had always coveted. During the growing and learning period of Texas Pageantry we learned who the movers and shakers were and who we needed to get to know. The first and only name on everyone's lips was always B. Don Magness. Say what you will, but if the man loved you or even remotely liked you...you were Golden! I remember hearing how pageant people spoke of him and whether you feared him, loved him or hated him...he was respected by everyone. I loved that about him, I loved the power and respect he had. As a little kid (a blossoming gay male) and lover of everything Pageantry, I wanted to be this man. I wanted to meet him to pick his brain and learn the ropes because unbeknownst to him I too was going to eventually "own" Miss Texas just like him. The only thing was, we didn't live in the Dallas area, so meeting him was almost an impossibility!!! Until one day....My sister's Executive Director told my sister that she was going to be a visiting queen at the Miss Georgetown Pageant because she was asked to judge. she also mentioned that B.Don and Mary Mc Mullen (another one of my idols) were going to be judging as well and that it would be a good idea to get to know him and have him get to know her. As soon as I heard this, I plotted my plan and some how managed to wiggle my way in and tag along on this once in a lifetime chance meeting. I knew that once I met this living legend that the wheels of my taking over Miss Texas someday would be in motion and nothing would be able to stop them. For some reason, the pageant was held on a Friday and I begged my mother to let me miss a day of school to be able to make the trip with my sister and her director. Thankfully, she said yes! So there I am sitting in the audience and I see the back of the heads of all these judges and I try to figure out which one belongs to the powerful B.Don Magness! As the judges get introduced they start reading B. Don's bio and I soaked it all in!! Then, all of a sudden to my total surprise this chubby, bald man stand up and waves to the crowd. THAT'S B. DON MAGNESS?!?!?! Not at all what I envisioned the "God of Pageantry" looking like, he more resembled a cleaner cut, shaven Santa Clause than a feared and respected pageant mogul! I studied his every move!!!
After the pageant I wanted to meet him, but he left right away. I was totally bummed out. I saw my fate slipping through my hands. As my sister, her director and I walked out of the theater she told my sister we had to go to a convenience store to pick up some chips, dip and sodas because......B. DON MAGNESS was coming over with Mary MAC and a few other judges for a night cap! I could not believe it!!!! B. DON in my very own room...I was beside myself!! I could pick his brain at total leisure!
We get to the room and we wait and wait and wait, as a little kid I started to get extremely tired and could hardly keep my eyes open. Next thing I know, I wake up to the sounds of "good bye's" and "See you in July". I slept right through his visit!!!! The man who was going to teach me everything I needed to know was in my room and I slept right through it!!! The only thing I ever remember seeing was his ENORMOUS diamond covered ring on his hand that spelled "B.Don"!
As the years went by, my sister had given up pageantry all together but as a family we stayed involved on local levels.
Sadly, I never had the opportunity again to meet the man that I admired and wanted to be like, but to this day I hold him with the utmost respect and credit him for making Texas Pageantry what it is today.
Here's to you B. Don
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Holly Graves-Hill posted 7/17/08 9:54 PM
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I am devastated as I write this. I knew this day would come but prayed that it wouldnt be so soon. I cant help but think that he waited until after Miss Texas so that Jean could be with all of us. I was lucky enough to compete in the very first Miss Teen Texas pageant that was the vision of B.Don Magness. I did not know then how important he was to so many people. However, as my time as a contestant came to an end and I became a local director, I found out how truly compassionate he really was. One of my first wedding gifts was from Jean and B.Don and they were some of the first people who I spoke to after my daughter was born. He will be dearly missed but he has left a legacy in each girl who has passed through this system. I hope that Heaven can handle B.Don and Bob Horan both!!!
http://www.misstarrantcounty.org
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Old Mom posted 7/17/08 9:57 PM
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I first met B-Don in 1984 when a friend was competing in the Miss Texas Pageant. He was full of advice and concern and wit!! I never forgot him. Many years later I found myself on the board of a local pageant then the mom of a contestant. I was amazed to find out that B-Don never forgot me either. He was still funny and kind and just as concerned with any contestant who took the time to ask questions and seek help. He will be greatly missed in this system and in the lives of all the girls he influenced over the years. I hope and pray his legacy will be of comfort to his family. Jean, please know you are in our hearts and prayers and while we mourn, we are forever grateful for having known your sweet husband.
Thoughts...
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(Moderator) posted 7/17/08 10:09 PM
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Receiving Committee.. besides his personal family who preceeded him... Bob Horan, Mike Miller, Suzanne Lawrence, Vanessa Hunt and more...
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Frank Lameira, Danfranc Productions posted 7/17/08 11:11 PM
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There are certain people that make a BIG difference in the world of pageantry. Even in California the name of B. Don Magness was well known as an icon in pageantland. To his family I wish them the peace and solace. As a fellow pageant director, I can honestly say he will go down in pageant history as one of the most recognized and revered gentleman in the field.
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Scarlett O'Hara posted 7/18/08 0:41 AM
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I never had the opportunity to meet B. Don but was able to meet Jean. I have really enjoyed reading all of the post that have been left telling of stories and rememberances of him. So many people admired and respected him. It has given those of us who didn't know him a glimpse into what kind of a man he was. Please keep the stories coming. It truely is heartwarming to read them. My prayers are with Jean and their family and also the Miss Texas family....There will never be another B. Don.
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Lillie Mae posted 7/18/08 1:04 AM
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I am so saddened to hear about B Don's passing. I had talked with Jean during Miss Texas week and although she tried to contain her concern, I could sense she was worried sick. Although I have never competed, I had the privledge of talking with B Don on several occasions as my daughter was a LSP. He was so encouraging to all the young ladies competing, as well as to my daughter who was considering competing. I am sorry my daughter won't have the chance to really get to know this man of great humor and kindness, but I am very thankful that I have. He will be missed by so many. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Magness's, the Jones's and all the MTO board members who will feel his loss so much.
Florist
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(Moderator) posted 7/18/08 5:36 AM
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Official Miss Texas Florist
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817-831-0341 or 1-800-234-6279
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3209 Denton Hwy.
Fort Worth, TX 76117
(800) 234-6279
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Donna Rosas posted 7/18/08 5:37 PM
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Larry and I just got the news about BDon and are truely saddened by his passing. We might be out of the pageants but we still love all of our pageant family. Our prayers go out to Jean and all she is going through at this time of loss. BDon was always a huge part of our lives. I remember the first time I met BDon back in the 70's. He came and judged the Miss Humble pageant for us. After the pageant, we had a party at my home. The first thing BDon said to me was get rid of that husband, and I'll take you to Miss Texas. Of course he was kidding, but I was the same age as our Miss Humble, so I was certainly flattered! He and I became great friends after that. BDon taught me how to prepare a girl for Miss Texas, what to look for, how to enhance the best features,etc. When I married Larry and we got re-involved, after many years out of the system, raising my children, it was BDon who remembered me and welcomed me back with a huge hug. He and Larry became great buddies. It was Jean & BDon who would not accept our resignation when we "hocked the farm" one year trying to hold a concert to raise money for our girls. BDon told Larry "we need you kids, anyone who is willing to hock the farm for their girls is definately in this business for thye right reason...have you thought about a 'chipping toss' as a fund raiser?" We had a good laugh over that one.
Lat year, when we went to Molly"s Homecoming in Buffalo, the first thing our of BDon's mouth was..."well, you kids ready to come back? I miss you two, things are not the same without you". Both of us miss the pageant, but we are so busy during the summer, we just can't take off work. I hated letting him down.
Each of us who knew BDon Magness will miss him. But, each and everyone of us learned life lessons from him and we will have those for the rest of our lives. God Bless you BDon Magness!
BLog / NEWS Article
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(Moderator) posted 7/18/08 6:21 PM
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History of the Miss Teen Texas Pageant
***The Miss Texas’ Outstanding Teen Program began 1990 as the Miss Teen Texas Program. It was the idea of B. Don Magness, who thought there should be a program to give younger teens an avenue to develop their public speaking skill and a forum to present their talents and viewpoints. The program also provided these young women the opportunity to be better prepared as they moved into the “Miss” competition age group.
Since the first Miss Teen Texas, Brooke Bigelow, was select in 1990, Three (3) Miss Teen Texas’ have gone on to become future Miss Texas’. Miss Teen Texas 1992, Carly Jarmon went on to become Miss Texas 1995, and Miss Teen Texas 1993, Tara Watson went on to become Miss Texas 2000 and a top-ten finalist at Miss America.
A few weeks ago, on July 8, Rebecca Robinson Miss Teen Texas 2000 became Miss Texas 2008 and will compete for Miss America 2009 in Vegas on Saturday, January 24, 2009.
PLANET HOLLYWOOD RESORT & CASINO TO HOST
2009 MISS AMERICA LIVE! on TLC
Saturday, January 24, 2009
After Texas having a teen program for 15 years, the Miss America Organization sponsored their first national competition, Miss America’s Outstanding Teen. Because of the title Miss America chose for the national competition, we changed our program title to Miss Texas’ Outstanding Teen. Our own Meghan Miller, Miss Texas’ Outstanding Teen 2005 went on to be selected the first ever Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2006. In doing so, she not only takes a place in history as the first Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, but also won $33,000 in scholarships.
The Miss Texas’ Outstanding Teen Competition is a program of the Miss Texas Organization. The Miss Texas Organization is an official state preliminary to the Miss America pageant. The Miss America Organization is the largest source for scholarship assistance for women in the world.
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Colorful FW beauty pageant promoter dies
8:09 AM Fri, Jul 18, 2008| Yahoo! Buzz
B. Don Magness sounds like one of those larger than life, friend-to-all, pick-up-the-bar-tab promoters of a bygone era. Magness (pictured in 1998), was the longtime organizer of the Miss Texas beauty pageant. He died Thursday at 75.
His "personality was as big and flashy as the Miss Texas pageants he oversaw," writes Anna M. Tinsley. She adds:
"Mr. Magness, who often had a cigar in his hand, was known for telling jokes, speaking his mind, even his self-promoting T-shirts -- including one that read, 'Matthew, Mark, Luke and B. Don.' "
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Vicki posted 7/18/08 8:23 PM
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I, too, am saddened at this loss. I've known B Don since 1976 and he was always a source of encouragement, laughter, knowledge and just "fun" to be around. I appreciated all he did for me and The Miss Arlington Pageant. He will be missed by so very many people. Jean and family: my thoughts and prayers are with you.
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