Sunday, May 12, 2024
The Hood County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of a “long-time member of its family,” following the passing of Hood County Jail Corrections Officer Dusty Wren Thursday, Feb. 29.
Wren, who had served as a Hood County jailer for 16 years and nine months, passed away surrounded by family after fighting a long battle with cancer. He was 42.
Jacob Shelly, administrative lieutenant at the HCSO, said Wren held several positions while he was employed at the sheriff's office, including shift sergeant and shift lieutenant.
“He was a cared for and loved member of our family, and he was very involved in his church, Brazos Covenant Ministries,” Shelly told the HCN. “His priorities in life were family, church, and the sheriff's office. He will be missed by all.”
Hood County Sheriff Roger Deeds told the HCN he didn’t meet Wren until after he became sheriff, but said he was a hard worker.
“Some people have come and gone but Dusty has been here for a long time,” Deeds said. “He trained a lot of people and helped a lot of people. He never had any problems or issues other than with his health.”
Deeds said Wren was diagnosed with a type of brain cancer about 10 years ago and underwent several surgeries.
“When he got that bad, he was off work for a period of time, but then he’d come back,” Deeds said. “But then on this last time he went downhill pretty fast. It started affecting his memory, so we knew it was affecting his brain again.”
Although Wren was constantly having problems with his health, Deeds said he always seemed to be a “real happy and hard worker.”
“He never let anything slow him down,” Deeds said.
Wren’s wife, Diane, took to Facebook following her husband’s passing and said her family doesn’t “mourn for him,” because he is “whole and restored with Jesus” and “no longer suffering.”
"We mourn because we lost an amazing husband, father and friend. He will be deeply missed by many for a very long time,” Diane’s Facebook post reads. “His brothers and sisters from the sheriff's office are making sure my family is cared for with an unbelievable amount of support and compassion.”
The Hood County Sheriff’s Office made a similar post March 1, saying Wren will be “missed but not forgotten.”
“If you know his family, please send your love and memories their way to help lift them up and guide them through this tough time,” the HCSO’s Facebook post reads.
Wren is survived by his wife, Diane, and five children: Hayden, Brett, Ethan, Zachary and Hunter.
A visitation was held from 1-2 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at the Granbury Church of Christ, 1905 Pearl St., in Granbury. Funeral services celebrating his life followed at 2 p.m. Thursday, at the church. The burial was private.
Memorials in Dusty’s name may be made to the Isaiah 61 ministry, c/o Plains Capital Bank.
