ABILENE, Texas (ABP) -- Baptist professor, playwright, director and producer Darrel Baergen died Oct. 23 in Abilene after a long battle with cancer. He was 68.

Baergen committed most of his career to teaching speech and drama in three Baptist schools. He began at Oklahoma Baptist University and later taught twice at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, where he retired as chair of the department of communication in 2000.

He also was chairman of communication arts at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth and director of the Center for Christian Communications Studies, operated jointly by the seminary and the Southern Baptist Radio and Television Commission. He produced "Sunshine Factory" and "The Good News" for the RTVC. Both aired on the ACTS Network.

Baergen earned degrees from Oklahoma Baptist University, Baylor University and the University of Denver. Survivors include his wife, Judy, of Abilene; two sons; a daughter; and five grandchildren.

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