Former theology professor Bert Dominy dies at 83

Bert B. Dominy, theology professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1968 to 2001, died on May 20. He was 83.

“Dr. Dominy was a favorite professor of many students at Southwestern Seminary during his decades of service here, well regarded for his classroom instruction and the way he related to those ‘frail children of dust’ he taught,” said President Adam W. Greenway. “His impact continues to this day in the lives of the countless students he taught and those to whom they minister. I urge all Southwesterners to join me in prayer for his wife, Anna Jo, and his family.”

Dominy was born January 9, 1938, in Houston, Texas. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Baylor University in 1960. He then became a three-time graduate of Southwestern Seminary, earning his Bachelor of Divinity in 1963, Doctor of Theology in 1969, and Master of Divinity in 1973. He also completed additional studies at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland from 1975 to 1976, and the University of Cambridge in England in 1983.

Dominy served as the pastor of Forestburg Baptist Church in Forestburg, Texas, and as an interim pastor for more than 20 churches in Texas. He also held a teaching position at Wayland Baptist College from 1966 to 1968. He joined the faculty at Southwestern Seminary in 1968, where he taught for more than 30 years.

Dominy was the managing editor of the Southwestern Journal of Theology from 1978 to 1980, and contributed to many published works, including God’s Work of Salvation and numerous other book reviews and articles.

Among the many students he directly impacted in the classroom included at least one former president of the Southern Baptist Convention—Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tennessee.

“Great teacher,” Gaines said. “He ran a good race. He’s home now with Jesus.”

Malcolm B. Yarnell III, research professor of theology at Southwestern Seminary, was deeply influenced by Dominy, he said.

“He was a great professor, from whom I learned much about the Holy Spirit,” Yarnell said. “It was Dominy’s lectures that led to my lengthy chapter on pneumatology in A Theology for the Church and to my book, Who is the Holy Spirit? With B.H. Carroll and Thomas Rouse and W.T. Conner and Bert Dominy, Southwestern Seminary has a unique depth in that doctrine.”

Terri Stovall, dean of women at Southwestern Seminary, also reflected on her experience with Dominy as a student in his classes, calling him “one of my all-time favorite professors during my master’s degree” at Southwestern. 

“He was a wonderful professor,” Stovall said. “His personal investment in students made all the difference and communicated that what he did each day was more than a job but a calling.”

Many more of Dominy’s former students reflected on social media about his life, work, and impact on their own academic work and ministries.

Christopher D. Keefer, pastor of First Baptist Church in Poolville, Texas, said, “I loved his Systematic Theology class! His sense of humor and brilliant mind made his class memorable. I still refer to tests as a ‘remnant of original sin’ because of Dr. Dominy. Praying for the family in this time of grief but knowing the homecoming he has experienced!”

Dominy is survived by his wife, Anna Jo; his two children, Steve and Susan, and their families. A memorial service will be held at University Baptist Church in Fort Worth on Saturday, May 22, at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Presbyterian Night Shelter.