Elmer Derwood Selman was born January 23, 1929 at Pyote, Texas to Juanita Faye Lanham and John Riley Selman. He died September 17, 2009 at the Heritage Health Center, Naples, Florida at the age of 80. Derwood Selman grew up in Odessa Texas. In high school he was known for his musical talent as a French horn player and Drum Major of the High School Band. He attained the level of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Selman attended Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls on a music scholarship and graduated in 1954 with a Bachelors Degree in Geology. He was an Air Force Veteran having served during the Korean Conflict as a member of the Air Force Band of the West stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. Mr. Selman became a public school educator in the Arlington Independent School District in 1964 and retired from that system in 1987. He will be remember by his geology students at Lamar High School as an unusual teacher who loved his subject and aspired to instill that same love of Earth Science in them. In order to expand the opportunity for his students to experience Geology in the field, he organized and sponsored an Explorer Co-Ed Scout Troop that was active for several years.Mr. Selman held a Masters Degree from SMU in Religious Education and a Masters Degree from TCU in Education. He served as a Minister of Education and Music in Methodist Churches in the West Texas and North Texas Conference during the 60ies and 70ies. After retirement from public education, Mr. Selman moved to Lindale, TX and established a gold and silversmith business where he developed a line of original jewelry under the Selman and Sons Logo. He also became a consultant to Lindale teachers in the area of Earth Science and was frequently invited into the classroom to display his extensive rock and fossil collection. He was a member of the First Methodist Church of Lindale where he often served as a teacher in the Open Door Class.

Mr. Selman is survived by two sons, Steven Selman of Lindale, TX and Cole Selman and wife, Deborah, of Naples, FL.; 4 granddaughters, Shannon, Jessica, Jennifer, and Kristi; 3 grandsons, Cole Jr., Casey and Sean; 2 step grandsons, Jesse and Christopher; 5 great grand children. He is also survived by the mother of his children, Noreen Vickrey, the son of his best friend whom he considered family, Jimmy Watson, 4 sisters-in-law, and six nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents and a brother, Joe Selman.

At Mr. Selman's request his remains will be returned to his favorite fishing spot off the Texas Coast.

Those wishing to honor Derwood's life are asked to take an action of your choice that will serve to protect Mother Earth. End of Life Services were provide by Fuller Funeral Services, Naples, FL.