Since the Dunbar Neighborhood Council building burned last December, the annual DNC party for the kids has been at Pizza Hut, mostly through the generosity of Danny Jones and his family.
Jones, who owns A&D; Glass company next door to the DNC site, said he started donating pizza to the Christmas party last year. He again contributed the pizza for this year’s party on Thursday and Dunbar families filled Pizza Hut with cheer and loads of enthusiasm.
But Jones’ family was missing one member this year – Danny Jones’ grandson Tyler Heiliger, who had helped with the party in the past.
They lost Heiliger in March. The Azle High School teen was the victim of a murder-suicide, which occurred when his mother’s estranged boyfriend, Stephen Bowden, shot and killed Heiliger, his grandmother, Kristin Jones [Jones’ ex-wife] and then himself in North Richland Hills. The boyfriend also shot and wounded Heiliger’s mother – Jones’ daughter, Tammie Jones.
Heiliger was 17 and looking forward to graduating from high school and study engineering at Texas Tech University, Jones said. In fact, Jones said he purchased the former Resort Lodge for Tyler as a renovation project.
According to a March 13 article in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, a teacher described Heiliger as a “very bright, sweet and responsible young man.”
Jones said his grandson was involved with Azle FFA and had a York show pig named “Dog,” which he said took a second place at the Parker County Stock Show this year and went on to the State Fair of Texas, being show by Heiliger’s girlfriend, Sierra Kelly.
Jones, a DNC board member, said his grandson helped in the summers with the Dunbar summer breakfast and lunch program that ensures children have at least two meals each day when school is out.
“This year – since my grandson [Tyler] has always been here – we thought we’d make [the party] in honor of him,” he said.
On Thursday, the DNC family helped Jones, his wife, Tammy, Heiliger’s mother, Tammie, and their respective children and grandchildren honor Heiliger. After singing “Silent Night” and sharing a moment of silence – or as silent as 128 kid and adults could get in Pizza Hut – children and adults enjoyed a Christmas cake in Tyler’s memory.
Dunbar Neighborhood Council continues to work toward rebuilding. Its latest addition is a new Web site at dunbarneighborhoodcouncil.org, which contains information on the organization, ways to contribute and more photos from last week’s event.
Local News
Related Photos
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Santa Claus visits with an unsure Brooklyn Gilbert and her brother during Dunbar Neighborhood Council's Christmas party. Libby Cluett/Index
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Family members came to honor Tyler Heiliger, who was killed in a North Richland Hills murder-suicide last spring. Pictured are Tyler’s girlfriend Sierra Kelley, holding his little brother, Hunter Cope, Tyler's sister, Hailey Rutledge, Tammy Jones, Brock Hibbs, Zachary Jones and Tyler's grandfather, Danny Jones. Libby Cluett/Index
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Brendan Cotrell enjoys a cheesy slice of pepperoni pizza. Libby Cluett/Index
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Christmas spirit
<font size="3">Dunbar neighbor provides holiday party for agency's children while remembering slain family member</font>
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