Carl Glenn Bonds

Carl Glenn Bonds, BA ’59, of Richardson, TX, dedicated husband, father, grandfather, Baylor Bear, deacon and friend, passed away peacefully in his sleep Jan. 3.

Bonds was born to Delpha and Carl Bonds in Pampa, TX, Dec. 29, 1936. A native of Plainview and the son of a farmer, he learned the value of hard work while his mother made music a part of their daily life. Bonds graduated from Plainview High School in 1955. A graduate of Baylor University with a degree in math, Bonds was active in Baylor Chamber of Commerce, a service organization with the motto “Anything for Baylor.” Bonds continued to support Baylor throughout his life. He and his wife, Rita, were actively involved in Baylor activities. They were current season ticket holders for football and women’s basketball, and they established two endowed scholarships. They have served on the dean’s board of Baylor's Louise Harrington School of Nursing and were involved with the Nursing School Gala each year. 

After college, Bonds began his business career in Dallas with the Equitable Life Assurance Society of New York City. Following assignments in Charlotte, NC, Atlanta and Houston, Bonds returned to Dallas as the division manager of group operations for the Texas/Oklahoma Division. In 1988, Bonds established Bonds Benefits Company, Inc., which he continued to operate until his passing.

Bonds was blessed to have two families. He met his first wife, Celia Middlebrooks, when he first moved to Dallas. They had two children together, Janis and Steve. Bonds met and married Rita Murrell in 1981 and they had a loving marriage of 42 years. They have one son, Scott. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren and always made everyone feel special.

Bonds was a true believer in family, faith and service. He followed the motto he learned at Baylor, “Anything for his family!”