Paul Stuart Hudgins '32, of Williamsburg, Va., was born July 30, 1909, and died Jan. 18, 2009. He graduated from Davidson and West Virginia University School of Law; served as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army's 95th Division, "The Iron Men of Metz"; was wounded in France during the Battle of the Bulge; and was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. After WWII, he established a law firm in Bluefield, W.Va. For many years, he served as an attorney for the Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs. He served on the Bluefield City Council, the West Virginia State Legislature, the board of visitors of Davis & Elkins College, and as an elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Bluefield. He was a proud member of the Kiwanis Club in Williamsburg and a member of the Middle Plantation Club. He is survived by his wife, Norma Hudgins, 608 Beechwood Dr., Williamsburg, VA 23185; his four stepchildren, the Rev. Howard Gordon (Roberta Saxon), Douglas Gordon (Linda), Melinda Perkins (Larry), and David Cattell-Gordon '76 (Donna); six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Frank E. Hudgins '27.
George Franklin Albright '37, 94, of Richmond, Va., died May 18. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy Severs Albright, and is survived by children, Dottie Albright (James Millikan), Claudia Albright Wyatt, and George Franklin Albright, Jr. (Beth), 6424 Crosswoods Dr., Falls Church, VA 22044; six grandchildren, W. Whitlow Wyatt, Jr. (Amanda), Sloane Wyatt Alford (Brad), George Franklin "Toby" Albright III (Stephanie), John W. Albright (Sheri), William A. Albright, and Abigail Albright; and seven great-grandchildren, Bradley Huston Alford, Jr., Wyatt Franklin Alford, Adeline Elizabeth Alford, George Franklin Albright IV, John W. Albright, Jr., Drew Sloane Wyatt, and W. Whitlow Wyatt III. He was the retired vice chairman of the Harford Mutual Insurance Company, a former executive with the Life Insurance Company of Virginia, and a director of the Bank of Virginia. Born Sept. 13, 1916, Albright was a 1937 graduate of Davidson and a 1956 graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program. He was also valedictorian of his class at Belmont Abbey College. He served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army in the American-Asiatic Theater (1943-46). Memorials may be made to Davidson College, Box 7174, Davidson, NC 28035-7174.
Lt. Col. Edward Smoot Finley '37 USAF (Ret.), of North Wilkesboro, N.C., died on July 20. He was born April 6, 1916 in Alexandria, Va., son of Edward G. and Sibyl Smoot Finley 1906. He grew up in North Wilkesboro and graduated from Davidson. Afterwards, he returned to North Wilkesboro, where he was employed by Meadows Mill Company until being ordered to active duty with the Army Air Force in June 1941. On May 2, 1942, he married Elizabeth Stewart Heath, who preceded him in death in 2008 after 66 years of marriage. During WWII, he served in China Theater of Operation, commanding air bases in Sian, Ankang, and Pai-Shi, under the ultimate command of Gen. Claire Chennault, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. Returning to civilian life in 1946, he was again employed by Meadows Mill Company as secretary-treasurer and general manager. He served as chairman of the North Wilkesboro Board of Education from 1957-67; president of Wilkes Jaycees; North Wilkesboro Lions Club; vice president of Wilkes Chamber of Commerce; and treasurer of Friends of the Wilkes County Library. At the North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church, he has served as deacon, receiving treasurer, elder, clerk of session, and Boy Scout leader. He was a member of the Board of Visitors of Davidson and its Ne Ultra Society. He raised cattle and trees on his Brushy Mountain Farm. He is survived by Edward S. Finley, Jr. (Virginia Doughton Finley), 2024 White Oak Rd., Raleigh, NC 27608-1450; Ann Finley Reynolds (Fairfax C. Reynolds); five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Robert Wood Finley '41.
John Breckenridge Overall III '38 passed away on March 7, 2008, at the age of 91 in Palm Desert, Calif., after a brief illness. He was born near Springfield, Ky., in 1916 and was the only child of Dr. John B. Overall II and Anna McClure Overall. He came to California and graduated from UCLA in 1938. He served his country as a naval officer aboard the USS Custer in the Pacific Theater during WWII. Upon returning to civilian life, he had a successful career in the printing industry in Los Angeles. Throughout his life, he was an avid traveler and golfer. He visited more than 100 countries and had a special fondness for African wildlife. Over a period of 15 straight years, he "shot his age" or better at Oakmont Country Club in Glendale, Calif., and Ironwood Country Club in Palm Desert. He is survived by second wife, Gloria McKay Overall, 4711 Zamora Way, Oceanside, CA 92056-5112; son, John B. Overall IV; two grandchildren, Kristin Overall Behn and Breck Overall; and three great-grandchildren.
Charlton Henry Storey, Jr. '38 passed away at his home in Tucson, Ariz., on Sept. 2, 2010. Storey was born Aug. 27, 1917, in Bryan, Tex. His father, Charlton Henry Storey, Sr., was a Presbyterian minister and his mother, Willie, was the church organist. Storey moved with his family many times throughout his youth as his father was called to many different congregations. He had a wonderful childhood, full of adventures and a menagerie of pets, including a donkey and horse. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout just prior to his 16th birthday. He graduated from N.C. State with a B.S.E.E. He worked his entire professional career at Westinghouse and retired in 1982. During college, he was the drum major of the college marching band and was also active in the ROTC. From 1940-45, he served in the U.S. Army in the North African and European Theaters. He retired from active duty after WWII as a lieutenant colonel and served in the Reserves for 20 years. It was during his service in French Algeria, that Storey met the love of his life, Hermance Dadoun. They were married 64 years and were true soul mates. Storey was a devout Christian, who loved the Lord and served many congregations as a member of the session and Bible study teacher. He is survived by his wife, Hermance Dadoun Storey, 4857 N Territory Ave., Tucson, AZ 85750-5959; his daughters, Margaret V. McMillan (Robert), Ellen C. Montijo, and Madeleine A. Lucas (David); grandchildren, Michael X. Montijo (Daria), Tessa C. Riley (Jeremy), and Scott A. Lucas (Kristen); great-grandchildren, Zane C. Montijo, Ayden W. Riley, and Theadora L. Montijo; and a brother, John M. Storey '44. His son, Charlton H. Storey III, preceded him in death in 1980.
Frank Mallary Willingham '39, 94, of Macon, Ga., died July 5. Willingham was born on Clisby Street in Macon on Aug. 14, 1916. His parents were the late Broadus Estes Willingham, Jr. and the late Rosalie Mallary Willingham of Macon, Ga. Willingham attended Davidson for two years and transferred to University of Georgia, where he met his wife, Mary Eugenia Watson. Frank served in WWII as a Navy lieutenant. At the war's conclusion, he was vice president and later president of Willingham Cotton Mills. Willingham was one part of the founding families of Highland Hills Baptist Church. He was also a member of the choir and the chairman of the deacons. He also served on the Bibb County Board of Education. He was a founding member of the Macon Touchdown Club, and he loved his Georgia Bulldogs football. Willingham was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was preceded in death by his three siblings, Broadus E. Willingham III, Rose Willingham, and Thomas Slade Willingham. Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Mary Willingham, 1139 Oakcliff Rd., Macon, GA 31211; sons, Broadus E. Willingham IV '65 (Melinda), Frank M. Willingham, Jr. (Patricia), and Lloyd Watson Willingham (Carol); and seven grandchildren, Amy, Kassandra, Bo, Michelle, Frankie, Thomas, and Brandon.
David Brainard Woodward '39, 93, went home to be with the Lord on Aug. 23 at Atherton Baptist Homes in Alhambra, Calif., from complications following surgery. Born to missionary parents on June 11, 1918, in the Philippines, Woodward spent his life in ministry as a pastor and missionary. He is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years, Elizabeth Woodward, 801 W Commonwealth Ave., Apt. 10, Alhambra, CA 91801-3656; son, Ted Woodward (Omi); daughters, Marion Shay (Ken), Edie Nelson (Randy), Susan Bonilla (John); 11 grandchildren, Christy, Omi, and Timothy Shay, Nick and Brian Woodward, Rob and David Nelson, and Theresa (Landon), Andrea, Julia, and Caroline Bonilla; and two great-grandchildren, Jane and Joshua Landon. Woodward returned from the Philippines to complete studies, earning a B.A. from Davidson in 1939, earning a Th.M. from Princeton Seminary in 1942, ordination by the Presbyterian Church in 1942, earning an M.A. from Seattle Pacific University in 1968, and earning a D.Min from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1979. In March of 1945, Woodward and wife Betty embarked on a lifetime of ministry around the world from India, China, Tibet, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. In 1983 he returned to become pastor of community outreach and then missions pastor at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, Calif.
William J. "Jay" Bolin '41 died peacefully at his home in Vinton, Iowa, July 23 following a long illness. Bolin was born Aug. 16, 1919, in the small zinc mining town of Mascot, Tenn., the son of Dr. H.J. and Stella Dykes Bolin. He married his high school sweetheart, Susan Buchanan, in Knoxville, Tenn., on Feb. 7, 1942. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Susan Bolin, 207 Lutheran Home Ct., Vinton, IA 52349-1684; daughters, Cindy Elwick (Mike) and Barbara Bolin; son, W.J. "Bill" Bolin III (friend, Patty Meixner); six grandchildren, Chris Elwick (Julie), Dawn Rall (Tim), Brian Elwick (Kristi), W.J. "Bill" Bolin IV, Kevin Bolin (Jennifer), and Jeff Bolin; and nine great-grandchildren, Karra, Kaila, and Koen Elwick, Sam, Simon, and Sydney Rall, and Madison, Cyrus, and Victoria Elwick. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Herbert Julian "Bill" Bolin II '40, and his sister, Elnora Bolin Hill. Bolin graduated Davidson in 1941, where he excelled in football and baseball. At Davidson, he was inducted into the honorary leadership and service fraternity, Omicron Delta Kappa, was an outstanding marksman and leader in the ROTC, and was captain and "outstanding back" of the football team his senior year. After graduation in 1941, Bolin enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a major in the infantry as a weapons instructor until his discharge in 1946. After his tour of duty, he joined the American Zinc Company and remained with the firm until his retirement in 1984, working out of Columbus, Ohio, and later, St. Louis, Mo. He was an elder in the Vinton Presbyterian Church, a member of the George G. Luckey American Legion Post, the Vinton Lions Club, Aladdin Shrine of Columbus, Ohio, a 32nd degree mason with a 50-year award from Ohio Grand Lodge of Free Masons, a State of Missouri Master Gardener, and past president of the St. Louis Paint and Coatings Association. In his leisure time, he enjoyed gardening, golf, cards, following the stock market, Davidson, Tennessee, and Missouri football, cooking funnel cakes in the Lions Club trailer, and traveling and spending special times with Susan and Barbara.
Anderson Marshall Foote, Jr. '41, 90, former longtime resident of Jacksonville and recently of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away on June 27 at Baptist Medical Center in Fernandina Beach. Born in Hattiesburg, Miss., he was one of four children born to Anderson Marshall and Ethel Enochs Foote, Sr. As a young child, the Foote family moved to Holopaw, Fla., where they remained until coming to the Riverside area of Jacksonville in 1932. After graduating from Robert E. Lee High School, Foote enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Louisiana as a supply sergeant. Upon being honorably discharged, he attended Davidson and the University of Florida, where he obtained his juris doctorate degree. Upon completing law school, Foote returned to Jacksonville joining the firm of McCarthy, Adams, and Lane. He later worked with Ulmer, Murchison, Ashby, and Ball before entering private practice in 1971. During his years in private practice, he served as general counsel for the Atlantic National Bank. In 1988, Foote worked exclusively with the Coggin Automotive Group of Jacksonville until he retired in 2005. Foote and his wife have been residents of Amelia Island since 2008. Foote was an accomplished tennis player, found many afternoons at Boone Park playing for sport or in local tournaments. In 1955, after completing an afternoon's set, he met a young National Air Lines stewardess, also an accomplished tennis player, Joan Marie Woodberry, who would become his wife in 1956 and the mother of their four children. Foote enjoyed woodworking, cooking, and the designing, construction, and installation of an audio sound system for their family home. He was a former member of the Riverside Methodist Church. In addition to his wife of 55 years, John Marie Foote, 862 Parkview Pl. E., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034-4612, he leaves behind two sons, Anderson "Andy" M. Foote III (Gaye) and David N. Foote (Gail); two daughters, Elizabeth M. Morris (Tom) and Laura E. Foote; a sister, Margaret Dunsford; eight grandchildren, Thomas Morris, John Morris, Mary Morris, Calvin Morris, Angela Foote Shepard, Christen Foote, Amy Foote, Sara Foote; a great grandson, Braden Morris; and several nieces and nephews.
Retired Lt. Col. James Murphy McDonald '41, 92, passed away June 20 in Sebring, Fla. He was born Dec. 17, 1918, in Hamlet, N.C., to Joseph Murphy and Pearl Swaim McDonald. He retired from the U.S. Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, serving during WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Masonic Lodge, and the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America. He was a resident of Sebring since 1973, coming from Holyoke, Mass. He is survived by his sons, James M. McDonald, Jr. (Jannette), 8212 E. Cortez Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85260-5667, and John R. McDonald (Kathleen Johnston); sister, Josephine Rees; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Lee Stoll Dukes, Jr. '42, 91, of Charlotte, N.C., died June 19 at Presbyterian Hospital. Dukes was born on May 11, 1920, in Branchville, S.C., to the late Carrie Lucile Ott and Lee Stoll Dukes. The family lived at various locations due to employment with the railroad. Dukes went to work in a café in Belmont that the family purchased after graduating from high school. During that time a friend who was planning to register for Belmont Abbey College asked Dukes to ride there with him, and Dukes was asked by one of the priests if he would like to attend. When Dukes answered that he didn't have the money to attend, the priest said to just come on anyway. He studied there for two years and then went on to Davidson, where he earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry and biology. Immediately after graduation he served in the U.S. Navy, where he was stationed at Norfolk, Va. Dukes married Doris Jean Neal on July 2, 1944. After his time in the service, they returned to Charlotte, where Dukes worked in the family grocery store business until he began employment as a chemist with the Charlotte Water Department in 1948. He completed his master's degree in public health at UNC Chapel Hill while continuing his career with the water department. He left briefly during 1965-68 to work in the chief of engineering section/sanitary engineering division of the N.C. Board of Health in Raleigh, N.C., but returned to Charlotte, and in 1974 became director of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities. He retired in 1980. On May 31, 2005, the North Mecklenburg Water Treatment Plant was renamed the Lee S. Dukes, Jr. Water Treatment Plant in recognition of his legacy of dedicated public service with the city and in the water/wastewater profession. Upon his retirement Dukes began actively pursuing his passion for woodcarving. He taught woodcarving classes at Shepherd's Center for 25 years, joined the Tar Heel Woodcarvers Club, and in 1982 formed the Charlotte Woodcarvers Club. He was recently honored at the club's 28th Showcase of Woodcarvings, dedicated to him. When he moved to Aldersgate Retirement Community in 2006, much of his woodcarving collection was moved to be displayed at the Lee S. Dukes, Jr. Water Treatment Plant. Another passion for Dukes was his love of music. He first noticed his future bride in the choir at Wesley Heights Methodist Church and later met her at a square dance, where he was playing guitar in the band. He used his woodworking skills to make two mandolins, which he enjoyed playing through the years, and he fostered the love of music in his children. In 1968 Dukes joined Myers Park United Methodist Church, where he remained an active member until his death. He taught Sunday school for a total of 70 years at the various congregations where he was a member, most recently for the fellowship and Ruth Fisher classes at Myers Park. Amidst all of his accomplishments and recognitions, a primary core value of his life was always his love and dedication to his family. Dukes was preceded in death by his wife, Doris, in 2003. Survivors include his son, Dr. Lee S. Dukes III (Minnie), 212 Arbor Dr., Lexington, NC 27292-5548; daughters, Sylvia Dukes Elwyn (Rich) and Elaine Dukes Turner (Fred); four granddaughters, Kathryn Elaine Dukes Miller, Allison Margaret Turner, Lauren Elaine Turner, and Meredith Elise Turner; one great-grandson, Charles Edmund Miller; his sister, Dorothy Rudisill; and many nieces and nephews.
William Harry Suttenfield '42, 90, a former Westport, Conn., resident, died July 15 in Keene, N.H. Born June 30, 1921, in Charlotte, N.C., he was "a renaissance man, known for his deft musical talent, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to his family," his family said. He celebrated his 90th birthday in New Hampshire a week before breaking his hip. He died from pneumonia following surgery. At age 12, he began his first career as a professional musician. He spent his youth playing alto saxophone and later clarinet in dance bands throughout the South. Music would be a central theme during his entire life; he continued playing while attending Davidson and N.C. State in Raleigh, where he graduated with a degree in textile engineering. His music would be a touchstone for him as he took on new careers. The next step in Suttenfield's journey was the Navy. Upon completing midshipman's school in January 1944, he was made captain of a PT boat and sent to the Pacific arena, where he was soon promoted to squadron leader. In January 1945, he was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievements in the Philippines. Adm. T.C. Kincaid, commander of the Seventh Fleet, cited him "for distinguishing himself by heroic and meritorious conduct... Lt. Suttenfield's exemplary leadership and direction... distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character." Four months later, while on leave in Sydney, Australia, Suttenfield met his beloved Helen Margaret Colyer, a secretary at the American Red Cross Officer's Club. After a three-day courtship, they became engaged. A year and a half later, Helen traveled by ship for six weeks through the Panama Canal to the U.S. to be reunited with Suttenfield. Married in 1946, in Charlotte, N.C., the newlyweds soon moved to New York, where Suttenfield began his next career, this time in the textile industry. In the following three decades, he worked for R.R. Lowenstein and Glen Raven Mills in a variety of roles, and in the last role before starting his own company, he served as vice president for market planning for Allied Chemical Corp. In 1969, Suttenfield started Westport Industries, a textile company located in South Carolina, where one of his personal goals was to provide employment opportunities to create diversity and equity in this economically depressed area. Throughout his life, Suttenfield remained active in the National PT Officers Association. In 1962, while serving as president of the association, Suttenfield had the honor of presenting John F. Kennedy with a Steuben sculpture commemorating his naval service. During this visit in the Oval Office, the president recalled his fond memories of Suttenfield's clarinet playing in the Pacific. When Suttenfield shared this memory he recalled the president, addressing the entire group of PT officers, as saying, "I shouldn't be receiving this recognition-you all should. I lost my boat." During his career, the Suttenfields resided in Westport, where they raised their four children. The family traveled back and forth from Connecticut to Nelson, N.H.-two places they considered home. They enjoyed boating on Long Island Sound, family weekends of skiing in New Hampshire, and tennis with friends wherever a court was available. Suttenfield retired in the late 1970s, at which point he and Helen began to divide their time among family and friends in Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Australia. Suttenfield's music brought people into his life. In the Westport years, he and Helen often hosted jam sessions at their home with area musicians, including one recording session where they were joined by Dave Brubeck. Suttenfield's clarinet traveled with him until his final days, entertaining family and friends with the lively tunes of Benny Goodman and other swing-era musicians. After the Suttenfields moved to Langdon Place in Keene, N.H., in late 2007, he played almost daily and gave frequent concerts to the residents. His last performance was just a few weeks before his death. Suttenfield lost his beloved Helen to cancer in 2009. He is survived by his four children, Linda Joyce Suttenfield, 137 Harding St., Medfield, MA 02052-1029, Walker Coast, Elizabeth deMartelly, and Keith Suttenfield; his grandchildren, Christopher and Skye Suttenfield, Alexander and Keith Bennett, and Iva deMartelly; and his niece, Helen Robertson (Brian), her daughter-in-law, Vivian Suttenfield, and sons-in-law, Jonathan Bennett and Mike deMartelly.
Boyce McKnight Morrison, Sr. '43, 88, of Davidson, N.C., died March 16 at The Pines at Davidson. Born April 3, 1922, in Cabarrus County, he was a son of the late Mason McKnight Morrison and Lelia Alexander Morrison. Morrison was a graduate of Davidson and received his master's degree from UNC Chapel Hill in 1950 and his Ed.S. degree from the George Peabody College for Teachers (now part of Vanderbilt University) in 1970. He retired in 1987 as assistant superintendent of the Shelby (N.C.) Public Schools, after a 41-year career in education, the last 32 years in Shelby. Morrison served as a quartermaster in the U.S. Army during WWII and was stationed in England, France, and Germany. Morrison served as an elder and Sunday school teacher in various Presbyterian churches. His community involvement included the Lions Club, the American Red Cross, and the Head Start Advisory Council. A devoted husband, father, and brother, he leaves to cherish his memory his sons, Boyce McKnight "Mack" Morrison, Jr. (Alice A. Morrison), 5 Dally Rd., Flemington, NJ 08822-6931, and David Stewart Morrison (Suzanne M. Morrison); grandchildren, Emily Caldwell Morrison, Robert Alexander Morrison, and Jonathan Stewart Morrison; step-grandchildren, Lauren Michelle Mehlhorn, Kendall Marie Mehlhorn, and Kelsey Louise Mehlhorn; and brothers, John Alexander Morrison and William Emerson Morrison, Sr. (Emmy Morrison). In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Vera Eugenia Ferguson Morrison, in 2004; brother, Robert Edward Morrison, Sr.; and sisters, Margaret Umberger and Janie Goodman.
Dr. William Tull Grimsley, Jr. '44, born May 22, 1923, in Greensboro, N.C., died July 20 in Green Valley, Ariz. Son of the late William T. Grimsley and Corinne Justice Grimsley, he is survived by his wife, Esther Nowell Grimsley, 685 LaPosada Cir., Apt. 2004, Green Valley, AZ 85614-5143; sister, Corinne Grimsley Donkle; and many nieces and nephews. Grimsley was a graduate of Davidson and Bowman Gray School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C. He served in the U.S. Navy on a destroyer in the Pacific during WWII. He practiced solo medicine in Guilford County, N.C., for over 35 years and was a diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice. He served as a volunteer with USAID 1966-67 in Da Nang, South Vietnam, and in a mission hospital in Bangkia, Thailand, in 1979, later serving in the N.C. State Legislature for two years. In addition to the practice of medicine, Grimsley enjoyed bird hunting with his beloved dog Buffy, swimming, golf, and gardening. He retired to Montreat, N.C., and later to Green Valley. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Roberta Grimsley Baddar, and his brother, Robert Justice Grimsley.
Richard D. Gillespie '45, 87, passed away peacefully on June 16, under the loving watch of his family at his home in Charlotte, N.C. Gillespie was born Jan. 29, 1924, in Effingham, S.C., the son of the late W.B. and Ruth Wilbourne Gillespie, Sr. 1907. He attended Davidson before he was drafted into service in the U.S. Army during WWII, where he was seriously wounded in action on the German border and received the Purple Heart. After an extended stay in the hospital, he went on to continue his studies at Duke University and then at Harvard University Graduate School of Design. After graduation from Harvard, he relocated to Charlotte to pursue his architectural career at Odell Associates, where he was involved in the designing of the Charlotte Coliseum, Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte Public Library. and other projects. Later in his career, he formed his own firm specializing in elegant residential homes and concurrently managed his family's cotton farm in Rowland, N.C. He was loved, admired, and respected by many. His contributions to the community were generous and varied. He served as a deacon at Myers Park Presbyterian Church. Above all, he was a devoted father and husband. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Mary May Mitchell Gillespie, 9621 Elm Ln., Charlotte, NC 28277-0035; his son, David Mitchell Gillespie (Sinclair Ellett Gillespie); three grandchildren, Richard Tazewell Gillespie, Walker Russell Gillespie, and William Harrison Gillespie; nieces, Betsy C. Griffith (James H. Griffith, Jr.) and Jane W. Gillespie; sister-in-law, Fay M. Hand; brother-in-law, Calvin D. Mitchell, Jr. (Tanya L. Mitchell); and nephew, William B. Choate, Jr. (Alicia V. Choate) and their sons, William B. Choate III and J. Mitchell Choate.
Elwood "Pic" W. Walton, Jr. '45, 87, of Hickory, N.C., passed away on April 13 at Palliative Care Center and Hospice of Catawba Valley. Born in Hickory on April 11, 1924, he was the son of the late Elwood W. Walton, Sr. and Marion M. Walton. Walton attended Davidson and, after graduation, entered the U.S. Army. Upon his return from the U.S. Army, he entered Lenoir-Rhyne College, where he graduated. After college, he went into business with his father at Walton Knitting Mills, Inc., founded in 1934. Upon the death of his father, he took over the management of the mill, which was sold in 1988. The mill was a charter member of the Catawba Valley Hosiery Association, and he was the third president as well as co-chairman of the first two hosiery shows held in Hickory. The mill also received the first "Mill of the Year" award given out by the Catawba Valley Hosiery Association. He was a charter member of the Hickory Junior Chamber of Commerce and was the last charter member to age out. Also, he was a member of the Hickory Rotary Club. Walton was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, serving many years in the vestry and as junior warden of the church. He also served as chairman of the committee to put new stained glass in the church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nell Barkley Walton, of Hickory and formerly of Gastonia. He is survived by two sons, Robert H. Walton and William W. Walton, 840 4th Ave. NW, Hickory, NC 28601; two sisters, Margaret Anne Heafner and Elizabeth Reid Frye; and a number of nieces and nephews.
William Graham Disque '46, of Jamestown, N.C., passed away on Aug. 5 at Beacon Place Hospice Home following a brief illness. The youngest of five children, he was born on July 11, 1925, in State College, Pa., to the late Frederick C. and Jean Caldwell Disque. Disque grew up in Charlottesville, Va., and attended Davidson and the University of Virginia before earning a bachelor's degree at Penn State University. Disque worked for several companies including Southern Dairy, DuPont Company, Heritage Furniture Company, and Woodmark Originals before founding the Disque Furniture Corporation (currently Jessica Charles). He retired in 1994 at the age of 69. Disque was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was in the Amphibians of the Pacific in WWII. He was a devoted family man and a charter member of Jamestown Presbyterian Church. Other long-standing interests were golf and Duke basketball. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Janet Disque Lange, and three brothers, Frederick, Jr., Joseph, and Donald Disque. He is survived by his daughters, Carol Disque, 611 Rollingwood Dr., Greensboro, NC 27410-4519, and Jan Kiefer.
Grover Parsons Fowler, Jr. '46, a native of Hickory, N.C., died June 6 in Durham, N.C. Born Dec. 27, 1924, to Mary Victoria Reid and Grover P. Fowler, Sr., he attended Davidson and Lenoir-Rhyne Colleges. He retired from Duke University, where he served as business manager for Dr. Herbert Saltzman of the Hyperbaric Center. He was married to Juanita Helms Fowler (deceased) for 40 years, and they had five children. He was preceded in death by a sister, Minnie Lyerly, who passed away in 2006. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Joy Hill Fowler, 5901 Wilkins Dr., Unit 11, Durham, NC 27705; sisters, Janie Reid Walpole and Sarah Bradfield; children, Victoria Reid Sattler, Rebecca Edwards, Grover Fowler III, William Perry Fowler, and George Lyerly Fowler; eight grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Meldrum Barnett Winstead, Jr. '46, 84, of Sun City West, Ariz., passed away on May 21. He was born Oct. 19, 1926, in Lincolnton, N.C., a son of the late M.B. and Annie H. Winstead. Winstead was a 1946 graduate of Davidson, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. In 1952 he earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from UNC Chapel Hill. Winstead became a faculty member at Bucknell University in 1952 and retired as professor emeritus of chemistry in 1991. Post-doctoral studies during his 39-year tenure included research at Chelsea College of the University of London, California Institute of Technology (under a National Institutes of Health fellowship), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Medi-Physics Inc. at Emeryville, Calif., and Israel Resources Corporation, Technion, Haifa, Israel. In 1969, Winstead shared the first Georg von Hevesy Prize awarded by the European Society of Nuclear Medicine with former student and colleague, H.S. Winchell. He was a member of Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church, Sun City West, and belonged to the American Chemical Society for 62 years. He was a member of the Susquehanna Valley Chorale, the Buffalo Valley Singers, and the Milton Area Theater of the Arts. In Arizona he played softball with the Sun City West Senior Club, was a member of the Sun City Concert Band and the West Valley Chorale, and a Sun Health volunteer chapel organist at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center. Winstead is survived by his wife of 52 years, Merle Holden Winstead, 14515 W. Granite Valley Dr., Apt. C621, Sun City West, AZ 85375-6045; three married children, Deborah W. McNicholas (Edwin), Charles H. Winstead (Kunjan Raval), and Ellen M. Winstead (John Gordon); four grandchildren, Audrey and William McNicholas, Kalina Winstead, and Matilda Gordon; and one sister, Margaret W. Spainhour.
Lewis Tillman Rogers '47, 86, of Charlotte, N.C., passed away Dec. 24, 2010. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eloise P. Rogers, and is survived by his three children, Michael Rogers, Pamela Mulcahy, and Alice Rogers Yoder '76, 828 Blackburn Ct., Charlotte, NC 28209-4065; five grandchildren, Karl and Bethany Mulcahy, Christopher and David Yoder, and Lauren Y. Sawyers; and one great-grandson, Luke Sawyers. Rogers graduated from Davidson in 1947. His studies there were interrupted by WWII, when Rogers enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He graduated from the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry in 1951 and practiced general dentistry in the Richmond area. Rogers also remained on staff at MCV as a part-time faculty member for over 40 years. He and his wife were founding members of Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church. An avid cyclist, he was honored with a lifetime membership by the Richmond Area Bicycling Association (RABA).
Bernard W. Cruse, Jr. '48, of Concord, N.C., passed away May 2 at CMC NorthEast. He was born on July 14, 1927, in Enochville, Rowan County, N.C. (St. Enoch Lutheran Church parsonage, where his grandfather was the minister), son of the late Bernard William Cruse, Sr. and Juanita Boland Cruse. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Elizabeth Cruse, who passed away Jan. 20, 2003. He is survived by his children, Bernard William Cruse III, P.O. Box 6918, Concord, NC 28027-1533, and Kathy Parnell (Larry); grandchildren, Bernard William "Brad" Cruse IV (Tracy Mitchell), Jeffrey Michael Harrison, and Alicia Anne Parnell; great-grandchildren, Bailey William Cruse, Alexis Danielle Cruse, and Matthew Logan Cruse; stepchildren, David Waugh, Randy Waugh (Pamela), and Cheryl Oakes; step-grandchildren, Andra Waugh, Christian Waugh, Jesse Waugh, Christopher Treem, Timothy Treem, and Lauren Green; step-great-grandchildren, Ryan Treem, Wesley Treem, and Madison Treem; and brother, Kenneth Boland Cruse, Sr. Cruse attended Davidson, Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, and UNCC, as well as other colleges. He attended several trade schools including, McCarrie School of Mechanical Dentistry in Philadelphia, Pa., where he received his diploma, Detroit Institute of Technology in Detroit, Mich., and CPCC. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII in the South Pacific and in North China Occupation and later served in Reserves in Georgia and North Carolina. He was employed in print shops and as a radio announcer and disk jockey while in high school and at Lenoir-Rhyne. He operated a newsstand for a short period of time and worked in sales while attending Georgia Tech. Upon graduation from McCarrie School, he operated and worked in dental laboratories for about two years in Concord, Charlotte, Lenoir, Tucson, Ariz., and Detroit and Saginaw, Mich. While in Michigan, he worked and acquired certificates as a tool and die maker at Chrysler, GM, Ford, and other general machine shops. During occasional layoffs, he drove mainly new trucks and buses from the factories to dealerships, as well as driving military vehicles to military posts. While in Michigan, he worked in sales as an audiologist fitting people for hearing aids. He then joined his parents in Wilmington at their motel, where he built and operated a restaurant until selling the business and moving with his parents to Alexandria, Va., to both operate a motel and work in tool shops in Alexandria and Bethesda, Md. He then returned to Concord and worked in machine and sheet metal shops in Charlotte until he opened Craft Manufacturing Company in Concord for sheet metal work. After the closing of that business, he went to work as a staff engineer for about five years for a hosiery concern, and then went on to work at Celanese Corp. for about nine years as an electromechanical designer. During that time, he collaborated with two partners to start CEM Corp. as the founding president, developing and marketing analytical electronic instrumentation. He retired in 1983 from CEM Corp. and had been pursuing his lifelong hobby of genealogical research and historical publications. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, where he achieved the status of Eagle Scout. He was also a member of the Detroit Council of Skilled Trades, American Society of Tool and Manufacturing Engineers, and Fifth District Citizen Band Radio Assoc., where he served as president. At the time of his passing, he was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of Confederate Veterans, lifetime member of Silver Wings Fraternity, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assoc., Cabarrus Genealogy Society, Rowan Genealogical Society, N.C. Genealogical Society, N.C. Society of Historians, and Historical Works Committee of the N.C. Synod. He was also a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for about 15 years, served on several committees and congregational council for Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Concord, and taught Sunday school for a period of time at Calvary Lutheran Church. His honors and awards include, honorary life member of Lutheran Men in Mission, Who's Who in the South and Southwest, Dictionary of International Biography, Personalities of the South, Personalities of America, certificate of recognition from Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society, four publications awarded blue ribbons by the N.C. Society of Historians, and one publication awarded the certificate of merit from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. He was responsible for many books and publications.
Dr. Robert Haney Benfield '49, of Charlotte, N.C., was born on Oct. 17, 1920, in Mooresville, N.C., and died peacefully on May 7. He was the son of the late James Gilmer Benfield and Laura Ellen Miller Benfield. In addition to his parents, Benfield was preceded in death by a brother, Harry G. Benfield, and two sisters, Elizabeth B. Gabriel and Sara B. Wright. Benfield enlisted in the U.S. Navy after high school, where he served for four years during WWII. Following the war, he attended Davidson and went on to graduate from the Emory University School of Dentistry. He practiced dentistry in Charlotte from 1952-98. Benfield was a member of the N.C. Dental Society and served as president of the Mecklenburg County Dental Society. Benfield was very active in the Boy Scouts. He was an Eagle Scout and was particularly proud that his sons had attained the same rank. He also enjoyed woodworking, travel, Davidson basketball, collecting antiques, and collecting just about anything else. Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Shirley White Benfield, 8919 Park Rd., Apt. 8014, Charlotte, NC 28210-7639; daughter, Laura Benfield Thompson (Bill); sons, Robert Haney Benfield, Jr. (Stephanie) and James Earl Benfield; and six grandchildren, Hannah Thompson '06, Anne Claire Thompson, Davis Benfield, Lindsey Benfield, Robert H. Benfield III, and Beverly Benfield. Memorials may be made to Davidson College, Box 7174, Davidson, NC 28035-7174.
Col. John Means Harden III '49 (Ret.), of Lexington, S.C., died at the Presbyterian Home in Lexington on April 29. He was the eldest son of the late John Means and Kathleen Caldwell Harden, Jr. He was born in Winnsboro, S.C., on June 16, 1925. Harden served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII in the European Theater and later achieved the rank of colonel. After WWII, he graduated from Davidson, where he majored in psychology. After graduation he worked for Burlington Mills in Greenville, N.C., Carolina Life Insurance Company, RL Bryan Company, and later retired from the bridge design department of the S.C. Highway Department. An enthusiastic supporter of the arts and history, Harden was a member and supporter of many organizations, including the Drama Club, Columbia Museum of Art, the S.C. Philharmonic, Fairfield County Historical Society, S.C. Historical Society, Caroliniana Society, English Speaking Union, Military Order of World Wars, and Sons of the American Revolution. Harden is survived by a sister, Margaret Harden McLeod, 9 W. St. N., Summerville, SC 29483; sister-in-law, Betty Mayes Harden (Mrs. Joe C.); five nieces and nephews, Kathleen M. Gelzer (Randall), Virginia M. Bales (Steve), Cliff McLeod, Jr. (Lisa), Carol H. House (Jim), and Elizabeth H. Baggott (Chris); great nieces and nephews, Margaret G. Culclasure (Harry), Randall Gelzer, Jr. (Maureen), Aaron Bales (Liz), Jason Bales (Maureen), Cliff Hill McLeod, Jr., Rob McLeod, Catherine McLeod, Kathleen House, Andrew House, Sarah Frances House, and Lily Baggott; and special lifelong friends, David A. and Julie Epting, Jr. Harden was preceded in death by his brother, Joe C. Harden.
John C. Pritchard, Sr. '49, of Saint Johns, Fla., who lived a vibrant and fruitful 85 years on this earth, died peacefully on June 8. Born in Lothair, Ky., he grew up around the coal mines; served in the U.S. Army during WWII; graduated from Davidson and then heard God's call to the mission field. There he met his wife, and together they began 20 years in educational ministry in the Congo. He worked an additional 20 years for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as the staff specialist for Europe, Middle East, and Africa. He was preceded in death by his youngest son, both brothers, and parents. He is survived by his wife, Helen Pritchard, 115 Lake of the Woods Ln., Apt. 106, Saint Johns, FL 32259-6227; four children; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Jack Brown Scott '49, 83, of Jackson, Miss., went home to be with the Lord June 13, shortly after celebrating his wedding anniversary with his wife of 57 years, Eleanor. He was born Jan. 2, 1928, in Greensboro, N.C., to Lacy Allen and Mamie Brown Scott. He married Eleanor Lier Caslick, of Paris, Ky., in 1954. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Caslick Scott, 1530 Sherman Ave., Jackson, MS 39211; their children, Ann Wiley Scott, Edward Allen Scott (Charlotte Anderson Scott), Caroline Brown Scott, and John Thomas Scott (Holly Roub Scott); seven grandchildren, Antigone Davoulas, Blake and Austin Scott, and Will, Mark, Andrew, and Katie Scott; and his brother, Lacy Pershing Scott. Scott graduated from Davidson with a B.A. in 1949, from Columbia Theological Seminary with an M.Div. in 1952, and from Dropsie University in Philadelphia with a Ph.D. in 1976. He served as a church planting missionary with the Presbyterian church in South Korea from 1952-57, where he met his bride, Eleanor, who was serving as a medical missionary with the Presbyterian church. The two married and had two children while in Korea before returning to the U.S. in 1957; the couple returned to Korea for several weeks in 1979 in honor of their 25th anniversary, and he preached at many of the churches he had helped start in the 1950s. He served as the pastor of the Springfield Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Ky., (1958-60) and the Mt. Salus Presbyterian Church in Clinton, Miss., (1961-66). He was a founding faculty member of Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson and served as professor of Old Testament and Hebrew until 1977. From 1977-86 he worked as a writer for the Christian education committee of the Presbyterian Church in America, and in that capacity wrote numerous Biblical study books, including a multivolume adult Biblical education Sunday school series. In addition to his work for the denomination, he wrote several works of Biblical study; his most widely distributed book, God's Plan Unfolded (1976), has been translated into multiple languages and used by students of the Bible around the world. He also wrote a weekly Sunday school lesson for the Clarion-Ledger for four decades. In 1986 he accepted the position of chair of the department of Biblical studies, Christian ministries, and philosophy at Belhaven University and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1992; upon retirement he was named professor emeritus. After retirement, Scott continued to teach and preach across the southeast and the world, traveling as far as Malaysia in the early 1990s. He was a founding member of the Presbyterian Church in America in 1973 and a longtime member of the Mississippi Valley Presbytery. In 2005 many of his former students and the General Assembly of the PCA honored him with resolutions, honorary dinners, and a festschrift entitled Interpreting and Teaching the Word of Hope. In recent years he and his wife have attended Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church in Ridgeland, where he has taught the Reflector's Sunday school class on a weekly basis. Scott loved the God of the Bible, his Savior Jesus, and the Word of God, the Bible. He lived his life following the call of Psalm 1:2: "[The man of God's] delight is in the law of the Lord; and on his law doth he meditate day and night."
Charles Seawright Crowther, Jr. '50, 84, of Sylacauga, Ala., and Sunset Beach, N.C., died June 30. He was born in Sylacauga, Ala., May 24, 1927, to Rebecca Byrd Crowther and Charles Seawright Crowther. After serving in the Navy during WWII, Crowther attended Davidson, and graduated from Auburn University. He was employed by Avondale Mills for 34 years in various sales and management capacities, living in Chattanooga, Boston, Charlotte, and Sylacauga. Upon retiring from Avondale Mills, Crowther became a consultant in risk management, and, most recently, was chairman of Seawright Farms, Inc., producer of livestock, and SeaBlu LLC, blueberry growers in North Carolina. Crowther served as a deacon/elder in five churches, and was most recently a member of Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church. He was an elder emeritus in the Presbyterian Church in America. At the age of 66, he and Kathy lived one year in the former Soviet Union, where they served with Co-Mission, an educational ministry. They served for shorter periods in Belgium and China. Among his various associations, Crowther was a member of Rotary International, served as president of Sylacauga Habitat for Humanity, and served as chairman of Knollwood Christian School. He was an Eagle Scout with three palms. Crowther had a positive influence on many people throughout his life. Proverbs 11:25 reflects his character best: "... he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kathleen Baxter Crowther, 119-2 Crooked Gulley, Sunset Beach, NC 28468; children, Cynthia C. Johnson (Ron), Charles S. Crowther III (Cindy), Gaye D. Crowther, and H. Bradford Crowther; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
William "Billy" Wilson Pate, Jr. '50 passed away April 18 at the age of 80. Born in Greenville, S.C., he was a son of the late William Wilson and Alethea Beckham Fennell Pate, and the brother of the late Wallace Fennell Pate, Sr. '55. He graduated from Davidson and served in the U.S. Navy. He was president of Wunda Weve Carpet Co. in Greenville, S.C. The name "Billy Pate" is linked with fly fishing records, a 35-year long collaboration with Ted Jurascik's Billy Pate fly reels, the angler, the author, the water skier with Dick Pope, Jr., and a true Southern gentleman. Pate was an innovator, unsurpassed as a fly fisherman, knowledgeable, a true sportsman. He made many videos, but the two most well-known are the one in Key West with Capt. Nat Ragland and the other in Homosassa, Fla., with Capt. Lee Baker. He was regarded as one of the world's foremost big-game fly fishermen. He may be best known for his 188-pound world record tarpon caught on 16-pound tippet. He held more significant saltwater fly fishing records than any other angler. He was the first angler to catch a blue marlin on a fly rod, the first to catch a black marlin on fly, and the first to catch six billfish species on fly: blue, black, white, and striped marlin, and Atlantic and Pacific sailfish. He also set records for mako shark, jack crevalle, bonefish, channel bass, grouper, and redfish. Pate fished over the years with many well known professionals, but for the last 30 years of his life he fished mainly with one-Capt. Lee Baker. Pate fished the Islamorada Invitational Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament, where he was Grand Champion four times (twice with Capt. Baker). He and Boyd Walker started the Golden Fly Invitational Tarpon Tournament, where he won the first year with Capt. Baker. Baker and Pate fished the Costa Rica Fly Sailfish Tournament where they were partners-and they won. Many times they traveled to Costa Rica just to fish-and fish they did... once for 21 straight days! Pate and Capt. George Hommell started World Wide Sportsman in Islamorada-a premier tackle shop with the finest angling travel agency attached. If you fished you wanted World Wide to book your travel for they were experts. Pate and Hommell sold 28 years later to Johnny Morris of Bass Pro Shops, and you will still find World Wide Sportsman in Islamorada. He was the founder and/or past board member of the following: Everglades Protection Association, Trout Unlimited, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, the Don Hawley Foundation, and the Pate Foundation. He was a member of the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame, the Miami Beach Rod and Reel Club, Islamorada Fishing Club, and Club Limited. Pate was inducted into the IGFA International Fishing Hall of Fame in 2003. Pate married and divorced several times over the years, but in 2004 he found Tetyana "Yana" Kushynskaya in Ukraine. She is a concert pianist and teacher who soon became known to all as just Yana. He had the good sense to marry her and bring her to Islamorada, where she has delighted all. For the last four years of Pate's life, Yana took amazing care of him as he sank into Alzheimer's. Her patience, dedication, and strength kept him well-fed, clean, safe, and she took him everyplace with her. Pate is survived by his wife, Yana Pate, 80908 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada, FL 33036-3792; five nieces and nephews, Stella Law Pate Ford, Wallace Fennell Pate, Jr., Dorothy Pate Bridgers, Beckham Pate Dunbar, and John McDonald Pate; and seven great-nieces and four great-nephews. He was preceded in death by one great-nephew.
William Bryant Weathers '50 died July 28 at his home in Belton, Tex. Weathers was born Dec. 23, 1929, in Rome, Ga., to Frank Clanton Weathers and May Weaver Weathers. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged May 20, 1953. He married Ava Gene Breed Nov. 23, 1951, in Marlin, Tex. He was a graduate of Davidson and the University of Texas Austin. He was a CPA and partner with Wade-Barton-Marsh and subsequently Main LaFrance. He was employed for more than 10 years as the city auditor for the City of Austin and then remained in private practice until he retired. Weathers was a member of Wilshire Presbyterian Church (now Genesis), where he served as deacon and elder. He was a member of the Austin Lions Club and a 45-plus gallon donor at Austin Regional Blood Bank. Weathers was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Frank Clanton Weathers, and an aunt, Frances Weathers. Survivors include his wife, Ava Gene Breed Weathers, 2622 Fort Rd., Belton, TX 76513-6562; five sons, William Philip Weathers (Sandra), Timothy Weathers (Lottie), Scott Weathers (Pam), John Weathers (Sue), and Stephen Weathers (Pat); two sisters, Hope Bothwell (David) and Julia Hart (Phil); a brother-in-law, David Breed (Lorrie); 12 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
T. Garnet Fawcett, Jr. '51, of Mount Airy, N.C., passed away April 22 at Golden Living Center in Mount Airy. He was born in Mount Airy on July 21, 1929, to Thomas Garnet Fawcett, Sr. and Katie Lee Mills Fawcett. Garnet attended Davidson and graduated from Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, N.C. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951-53, being stationed at Fort McPherson in Atlanta, Ga., and at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. The Fawcett family was instrumental in helping establish the Episcopal Church in Mount Airy, with construction of the church being started in March 1886. Garnet was a retired banker with 57 years of service. He was a third generation of Mount Airy bankers that began with his grandfather, Thomas Fawcett, who organized the First National Bank of Mount Airy in 1893. Garnet is survived by two sons, Thomas Garnet Fawcett III (Elaine) and George Lenfesty Fawcett; two granddaughters, Lila and Raina Lee Fawcett; his twin brother, George D'Espard Fawcett '51 (Shirley), 602 Battleground Rd., Lincolnton, NC 28092; a sister, Elizabeth Fawcett Burke; a brother-in-law, Dozy Caldwell (Susan); and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Fawcett was preceded in death by his wife, Roberta "Dink" Caldwell Fawcett, and three sisters, Mary Mills Fawcett Folger (Fred, Sr.), Katherine Fawcett Folger (Henry), and Evelyn Fawcett Randolph (Bob).
Gene Houston Little '52, 80, died July 8 in Richmond, Va. A retired United Methodist minister for 40 years, he is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carolyn Allen Little, 5925 Bliley Rd., Richmond, VA 23225-2476; two children, Marsha and Larry (Allyson); and three grandchildren, Joshua, Jared, and Tyler. Though an only child, he considered Carolyn Little Miller to be his true sister. He was preceded in death by his parents, Coy Houston Little and Mabel Hartsell Little, and cousin, C.G. Little. Little graduated from Davidson and Duke Divinity School. He served as a Methodist minister in the Western N.C. Conference, holding pastorates in Huntersville, Highlands, Thomasville, Rural Hall, Winston-Salem, Pilot Mountain, Charlotte, Greensboro, and Kannapolis, and as district superintendent in the Asheville, Statesville, and Marion districts. Little served on many boards of the Western N.C. Conference, including the Children's Home, the Givens Estate Retirement Home, and the WNC Board of Ministry. He was elected to Jurisdictional and General Conference of the United Methodist Church. In 1991, he retired to Richmond, Va., and attended Reveille United Methodist Church. He enjoyed sharing humorous stories with local civic groups, churches, and of course family. He also enjoyed his part-time employment with the University of Richmond.
William "Bill" Hiden McEachern III '52, of Wilmington, N.C., died June 1 at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice & Life Care Center after a brief illness. He was born in Wilmington, N.C., on April 27, 1929, the son of the late William H. and Katherine McEachern. McEachern graduated from Davidson and served his country honorably in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. After returning from the service, he married Norma Carpenter and worked for W.H. McEachern Sons, Inc., a wholesale fruit and produce company, until his retirement in 2005. He was a member of the Wilmington Rotary Club for 55 years, where he served in various capacities, including past president. McEachern was a former chairman of the New Hanover County Board of Elections and served in various capacities throughout the years and was active in local politics. He was one of the South's top amateur showmen and horseback riders, won numerous championships on American Sun Dance, and received top honor by being recognized in the American Blue Book. McEachern continued to ride his horse "Dolly" until his recent illness. McEachern was the best husband, father, grandfather, and friend to everyone he met. Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Norma C. McEachern, 1506 Beasley Rd., Wilmington, NC 28409; three children, Hidy McEachern (Julia), Stuart McEachern, and Caroline "Missy" McEachern (Lou Pucillo); two grandchildren, Will McEachern V (Tiffany) and Drew McEachern; and one great-grandchild, Curran McEachern.
Walter Eddice Oakes, Sr. '52, of Columbia, N.C., died on June 2 at Chowan Hospital in Edenton. Born in Halifax County May 21, 1928, he was the son of the late Albert Womble and Betty Taylor Oakes. He served in the U.S. Navy for two years after which he attended Gardner Webb College for an additional two years, where he played football. He then transferred to Davidson, where he was on the football and baseball teams. He was known by his teammates as "Sturdy Oaks." He married Helen Braswell Copeland in 1951. He was a banker in his professional life, and he was a caring husband and father in his personal life. He was an active member of Wesleyan United Methodist Church and also was a member of the Columbia Rotary Club until his vision no longer allowed him to attend meetings. He was an avid jogger and continued that until he died. He will be missed by all who knew him. Surviving are his wife, Helen Braswell Oakes, 1855 N.C. Hwy. 94 N., Columbia, NC 27925; two sons, Walter Eddice Oakes, Jr. (friend, Pam Smith) and William "Billy" Albert Oakes (Sherry); daughter, Elizabeth "Libby" Oakes Orr (Richard); two brothers, Taylor Oakes and Albert W. Oakes, Jr.; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
David R. Peeler, Jr. '52, of Winston-Salem, N.C., was born June 22, 1929, and passed away July 10. He was a resident of Arbor Acres in Winston-Salem, having retired from a 40-year career at Burlington Industries as an executive vice president of the Klopman division in the early 1990s. He was a beloved father and dear friend to many. Born in Cleveland County, N.C., he graduated from Davidson in 1952, where he played football. He loved playing golf and tennis, and remained an avid fan of all sports throughout his life. A favorite tradition was breakfast out with his friends, which was something he did without fail for many years. Survivors include his son, Douglas David Peeler (Jodi); his daughter, Alison Carol Peeler '78, 929 Oaklawn Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27104-1038; their mother, Jess Carter Peeler; sisters, Catherine P. Ross and Margaret P. Harbison; and four grandchildren, Elana, Gregory, Carter, and Maris.
Dr. Jack Switzer Hurley '53, of Bluefield, Va., lost his courageous battle with cancer on July 31 at his home surrounded by his family. Born Aug. 20, 1932, in Pocahontas, Va., he was the son of the late John Bogle Hurley and Norine Hutson Hurley. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Rupert Bogle Hurley and Macon Warner Hurley; and his nephew, John Patrick Hurley. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Mary "Mary D" Langhorne Hurley, 112 Penn St., Bluefield, VA 24605; his five children, Beverly Hurley Friedberg (Bob), Rebecca Hurley Mercke (Roger), Jack Switzer Hurley, Jr. '83 (Julie), John Langhorne Hurley (Katie), and Mary Dabney "Dee" Hurley (Chris); his 15 grandchildren, Brett, Michelle, and Lauren Friedberg, Jim (Shea), Jay, Bill, and Beth Mercke, Hannah and Chandler Hurley, Heather, Luke, and Lucy Hurley, and Nick, Sam, and Abby Shoemaker; one great-granddaughter, Anna Leigh Mercke; nieces and nephews, Martha Hurley Butt (Wilson), Teresa Turley Hurley, Isabel Hurley Ball (Bill), Bo Hurley (Bobbi), Dorset Hurley (Marex), Dewey Hurley (Mary), and Warner Hurley; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. Hurley attended Davidson and graduated from Union College (Ky.) in 1953. In 1957, he graduated from the Medical College of Virginia Dental School. After serving his country in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Syracuse, N.Y., from 1957-59, he started practicing general dentistry. In 1960, Hurley opened his private practice at in Bluefield, Va. After practicing dentistry for 35 years, with his assistant of 35 years, Ms. Daralene Plaster, he retired due to health reasons. Being a part of the dental profession was a very special and valuable part of his life. He treated every patient with the dedication, integrity, and commitment of a true professional. Family was the heart and soul of his life. His love, sense of justice, patriotism, and remarkable sense of humor will live on in everyone whose life he touched.
Wesley "Wes" Westmoreland Pritchard '53, 79, a resident of Cleveland, Tenn., passed away March 6 at the family residence. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church. He graduated from UTK in 1954, where he was the first "Smokey handler." He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in the 101st Airborne. Pritchard was actively involved in his community, where he served on the board of Bachman Home/Academy, Cleveland Utility Board, Cleveland Associated Industries, the Boy's Club, and Main Street of Cleveland. He was a member of the Civitan Club, involved in Junior Achievement, and a trustee of the B.P.O.E. Lodge #1944. Pritchard was the recipient of the M.C. Headrick Free Enterprise Award. After leaving active duty in 1957, Pritchard joined American Uniform Company and later became president of their dust tex division. He started Permna Color in 1967 and Specialty Chemical Co. in 1976. He was also the owner of Pik-Quik Convenience Stores. He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Dorothy Westmoreland Pritchard. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Patricia Koltun Pritchard, 3782 Bowman Circle Dr. NE, Cleveland, TN 37312-5017; daughter, Patricia Pritchard Pendergrass (Stan); grandchildren, James Westmoreland Pendergrass and Abby Corinne Pendergrass; and special caregiver, Rick Stevenson.
John "Johnnie" Gerald Smith '54, of Fuquay-Varina, N.C., died April 18 as a result of an accident. A native of Harnett County, he was the son of the late Edgar Solomon and Estelle Byrd Smith. Smith was preceded in death by two brothers, Theodore and William Harold Smith '52. He graduated from Davidson with a bachelor of science degree in business. He married Ola Kelly Avent of Fuquay-Varina on Aug. 27, 1955. He served as a lieutenant at Fort Benning, Ga. He was also athletic director of the Seventh Infantry. While in service at Fort Benning, he trained six cycles of basic trainees and attained the ranking of first lieutenant. He always loved baseball and was a baseball pitcher in high school, college, and pro for the Baltimore Orioles. He played one summer with the Fayetteville Highlanders in the Class B Carolina League. He was a merchandise manager for Varina Wholesale and the Wickes Corporation. After working for several years with the company located in Fuquay-Varina, he moved to Greenville, S.C., and later to Saginaw, Mich. After 20 years with Wickes, he returned to Fuquay-Varina, where he went into business for himself as a manufacturers' representative and formed the company John G. Smith and Associates. He represented 15 separate companies in the Southeast U.S. and sold his company in 1998. After 22 years, he retired and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and playing golf. He was a former member of the Flat Branch Presbyterian Church and served as chairman of the finance committee for building the new church. He later became a member of Christian Light Christian Church, where he had served as a Sunday school teacher for the men's class, choir member, and deacon since 1978. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Ola Kelly Avent Smith, 125 River Rd., Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526; son, Randy Gerald Smith (Susan Moore Smith); daughter, Kelly Smith Bain (Alton "Al" Deems Bain); sister, Ann Funderburk (Jim); sister-in-law, Monteen B. Smith; five grandchildren, Jessica Vickers, Morgan Smith, Andrew Smith, Drew Bain, and Daniel Bain.
Igor Nicholas Sviatoslavsky '54, of Madison, Wis., passed away on Nov. 21, 2010, at UW Hospital. Sviatoslavsky was born in Jerusalem on Oct. 11, 1932, the son of Nicholas and Alexandra Sviatoslavsky. He came to the U.S. on a Fulbright scholarship in 1952 and attended Davidson. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954-55. He married Wanda Blejwas on May 13, 1956, in New Jersey. He received his master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin in 1958 and worked for UW Madison from 1956 until he retired as a senior scientist in 2005. He was the 1998 recipient of the John G. Bollinger Award for his contributions to fusion engineering, for developing innovative design solutions for fusion reactors, and for developing methods for recovering lunar resources. Sviatoslavsky loved going on his annual Canadian fishing trip with his work friends and going to his cabin, Pete's Place, in Northern Wisconsin. Sviatoslavsky loved reading and writing poetry. He loved attending his grandchildren's musicals, baseball, soccer, and basketball games. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Wanda Sviatoslavsky, 1249 Meadow Sweet Dr., Madison, WI 53719-4516; sons, Andy Sviatoslavsky (Meg) and Greg Sviatoslavsky (Cindy); grandchildren, Lydia, Elena, Peter, and Alex; brother, Nicholas Sviatoslavsky (Marina); sister, Olga Nazaroff (George); and by a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Peter (29) in 1991.
Leroy Harper Fargason '55, of Deltona, Fla., was born March 15, 1933, and passed away March 14.
Dr. William Amos Buck, Jr. '56, of Pawleys Island, S.C., died July 18 in Pawleys Island. He was born March 1, 1931, in Jasper, Ala., the son of the late William A. Buck, whom took part in the D-Day landings during WWII, and Pauline Gray Buck. He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Thomas Pacey. Buck served in the U.S. Navy on the destroyer USS Van Valkenburgh during the Korean Conflict, and provided shore bombardment troop support. He attended Davidson, the University of South Carolina, and the Medical College of Virginia, receiving his DDS in 1959. He practiced in Myrtle Beach for over 30 years and was loved by all his patients for his expertise, wit, and chair-side manner. Buck provided free dental services to many through local charities. He was a Rotarian in Myrtle Beach for over 20 years and received the Paul Harris Fellowship in 1987. His family hosted numerous exchange students from all over the world during this time through Rotary. Buck traveled to Russia and China in the 1970s with the People to People organization, serving as ambassadors in dentistry groups teaching modern methods. As a member of the S.C. Dental Association and the Pee Dee Dental Association, he served as directing secretary and commercial secretary for the annual meetings, then as president of the Pee Dee Dental Association in 1967-68. He was elected to the South Carolina State Board of Dentistry (1973-78) and served as president in 1977. In 1978 Buck received a fellowship in the academy of General Dentistry. He has held membership in the American Academy of Oncology and the International College of Dentists. In 1986 he received his certified financial planner degree and enjoyed helping other dentists set up planning for their practice. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Sada Ann Cox Buck, 76 Old Waccamaw Dr., Pawleys Island, SC 29585-7233; two sons, Thomas Brewster Buck (Jamie) and John Franklin Buck (Cindy); a daughter, Sarah Lacy Anderson (Sammy); nine lovely grandchildren, Dalt Todd, Mary Ashley Mercer (Buck), David Buck, Paulina Buck, Ward Buck, Caroline Buck, Juliet Buck, Pace Anderson, and Elle Anderson; and his siblings, Terry Buck (Iris), Barbara Bianco (Joe), and Peter Buck (Rebecca).
T. Sills Bunn '56, 78, passed away Aug. 4 in Alexandria, Va. He was a computer systems analyst with the Department of Education until 1995, when he retired due to poor health. Sills was an active member at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C., for 52 years. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Amoret Bell Bunn, 607 Melrose St., Richmond, VA 22302, and his daughter and son-in-law, Amoret Louise Bunn, Ph.D., and Capt. Paul E. Gray (USAR).
Henry Alexander Ghigo, Sr. '56, of Shelby, N.C., died June 13, 2009, at Wendover Hospice House in Shelby. He was born Oct. 8, 1934, in New York, N.Y., to the late Henry Francis Ghigo and Jenny Susan Ghigo. Ghigo attended Davidson and graduated from King College in Bristol, Tenn. He was a veteran, having served in the Army. He worked as terminal manager for Waldensian Bakeries in Shelby for many years and after that at Eaton Corporation in Kings Mountain. He was a member of John Knox Presbyterian Church, where he served as treasurer, elder, and trustee. He was a member of the Shelby Community Lions Club serving in various capacities, including president, and was the recipient of the Melvin Douglas Lifetime Achievement Award. He was a member of the fraternal organization Le Phare des Alpes in Valdese. He loved gardening, winemaking, stamp and coin collecting, and rug making, as well as N.C. Tar Heels basketball. He enjoyed visiting with friends, carpentry projects, and tools that went with it. He was a good friend, good father, and excellent husband. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his godparents, John Peter Rostan, Sr. and Irma Ghigo Rostan, who raised him; and cousins, Athos Rostan, Sr. and John Peter Rostan, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Miller Ghigo, 408 Robinwood Dr., Shelby, NC 28150-5555; son, Alex Ghigo; daughter, Anne Marie Ghigo; sister, Ada Ghigo Canal (Felix); nieces, Carol Canal King (Dan) and Lynn Canal Kennell (Tom); and nephew, David Canal (Terry).
Ben Hill Webster, Jr. '56, 77, of Flat Rock, N.C., passed away Feb. 15. Webster resided in Flat Rock since 1993 and was a communicant at St. John in the Wilderness Church. His late brother, Jack Webster, resided in Lake Summitt with Dorcus Webster, who continues to live there. Webster was born in Charlotte and was the son of the late Dr. Ben H. Webster and Minna K. Webster. He was a graduate of Davidson and Western State University College of Law in Fullerton, Calif. After graduation from Davidson in 1956, he served as an Army artillery lieutenant in Dachau, Germany, during the Cold War. Webster was an attorney with the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in Long Beach, Calif., and retired in 1992.
James Clagett Taylor, Jr. '57 died July 10. He was born in Spartanburg, S.C., in 1935 to Annie Laurie and J. Clagett Taylor, Sr. He returned to Sebring, Fla., with his parents at age four. He received his B.A. from Davidson. He was a proud member of the Sebring High School and Davidson College bands. He also obtained a master's degree in international relations at the American University in Washington, D.C. His thesis on the political development of the African nation of Tanganyika was later published by both Oxford and Princeton Press. In 1958 he married Patricia Kressly of Easton, Pa., and in the spring of 1961 they went with their six-month-old daughter to Rhodesia in Southern Africa as educational missionaries for the Methodist church. Both their sons were born during the five years they worked there. When they returned to Florida, Taylor attended the University of Florida in Gainesville in the newly developing African studies program. Meanwhile, he received a position as a Foreign Service officer for the U.S. Department of State. He was assigned to several different countries to work in their U.S. Embassies: Jamaica, West Indies, Zambia in central Africa, and Venezuela, South America, as well as a cultural exchange with a man from Mauritius back in Washington. Following a tour in Washington and the desk officer for South Africa, the family returned to Sebring in 1979 due to ill health of his dad to help in the family businesses. A few years later, he was taking courses at Polk Community College to study citrus growing, as well as joining with Joel Stevenson to purchase and run Webster Manufacturing, which Hank Webster, Joel's father-in-law and Taylor's father, had originally started. He supported the Sebring Blue Streaks and was proud to see two sons follow him as graduates of SHS. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Patricia Taylor, 5959 Sun N. Lake Blvd., Apt. B303, Sebring, FL 33872-7645; a daughter, Debbie Valencia (Pablo); sons, J. "Jim" Clagett Taylor III (Sue) and John A. Taylor (Katherine Livingston); and eight grandchildren, Laura and David Valencia, James Clagett Taylor IV and Kristen Taylor, and Forrest, Johnny, Patricia, and Daniel Taylor.
Donald Follmer, Jr. '61, 71, of Brevard, N.C., died at home Aug. 15. He was born on Sept. 30, 1939, in Charlotte, N.C., to the late Grace McPhail Follmer and Donald Follmer. Follmer attended Davidson and was a graduate of St. Andrews Presbyterian College in 1962 with a B.A. in history. While at college, he was a member of the SAE fraternity. Follmer began his career as a journalist with the High Point Enterprise. After moving to Virginia, he continued writing for the local newspapers and contributed articles to a number of major newspapers and publications, including Equus Magazine and the New York Times. In addition, he co-authored the books, The Endless Chucker (1978) and Write Right (1996). While in Virginia, his love for horses and dogs brought him professional status as a trainer, and for five years he was huntsman for the Moore County Hunt in Southern Pines, N.C. His talent for journalism and his interest in politics led to his appointment as spokesman for the N.C. Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources in the 1980s and early 1990s. He was later press secretary for the N.C. House Leadership in Raleigh until 1996, when he retired to Brevard. He was an honorary member of the Grouse Hilton Hunting and Fishing Club. Follmer was never happier than when he was outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a voracious reader and raconteur. Follmer is survived by his wife, Jane Coleman Follmer, 17 Resada Dr., Brevard, NC 28712-9400; by her daughter, Brenna Baumeister (David) and their children, Hannah Grace and Eliza Brooks; by her son, William Marshall "Mark" Gilbert III (Tia) and their children, William Zachery, Justin Edward, and William Marshall Gilvert IV; by his sister, Katherine Genois (Edward); by his aunt, Elizabeth McPhail (late husband, Ernest Frederick McPhail '35); and his faithful cats, Princess Run Amok and Porter Williams.
William Joseph "Joe" Ward '61, of Hinton, Va., passed away June 22, 2006.
Robert Emmett Chumbley III '65, of Baton Rouge, La., went home to be with the Lord on July 11 at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Covington, Va., on Feb. 29, 1944, to Bessie Stokes Chumbley and Robert Emmett Chumbley, Jr. As a young man, Chumbley excelled in both academics and music. While pursuing his bachelor's degree at Davidson, he developed a passion for French literature, spending his junior year abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France. At Davidson, he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in French at Yale University. He was an associate professor of French at LSU, where he taught for 40 years. He was also a devoted Sunday school teacher, most recently at Broadmoor Baptist Church, where he also served as a deacon. He is survived by his wife, Marsha Burks Chumbley, 10335 Browning Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70815; son, Robert Emmett Chumbley IV; daughter, Lauren Elizabeth Chumbley; cousin, Elizabeth Lindsay Jones; his wife's parents, Bill and Lynne Burks; sister-in-law, Laura Moser; and brothers-in-law, Brad Burks and Charles Burks. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38, 39.
Charles Clayton Persons '67, 66, died at his home in Winston-Salem, N.C., on June 18. He was born in Winston-Salem on Jan. 4, 1945, to Clayton H. and Helen Frankenfield Persons. He graduated from Davidson in 1967. He liked the study of languages and pursued post-graduate studies in German linguistics at UNC Chapel Hill from 1967-69. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1969-73, teaching English and working on programmed instruction at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Tex. He worked in North Carolina for Employment Security Commission, Northwest Structural Components, Tri-City Building Components, and Veterans' Administration. Among the staff at the VA's Outpatient Clinic Imaging Services, he found a "second family," whom he greatly enjoyed and cared for. Upon retirement in 2008, he pursued his hobbies and interests, including politics, economics, and model airplanes. He is survived by one sister, Margaret Persons Wooding, 138 Clarendon Cir., Danville, VA 24541-2626; two nephews; two great-nieces; and one great-nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents.
John "Jack" Manson Sherrill '67, 65, passed away at The Pines at Davidson, N.C., on July 12. He was born Aug. 6, 1945, to the late Margaret Armstrong Sherrill and Flake Anderson Sherrill. Sherrill received his B.A. in history from Davidson in 1967. In l967 he was commissioned second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Branch, serving his country in the Vietnam Conflict from 1969-70. He left the service at the end of his career as first lieutenant. During the conflict he was awarded a Bronze Star. He returned to school in 1970, earning a B.S. in forestry management from N.C. State University in 1972. Sherrill started his professional career in 1972 working for Daniel H. Gelbert and Associates, leaving as a vice president in 1977. He returned to Statesville in 1978 opening his own consulting forestry practice, Jack Sherrill and Associates, licensed to practice in North and South Carolina. Sherrill was elected president of the N.C. Society of Consulting Foresters in 1988, serving in that capacity for two years. He had previously served in other capacities and as a board member. He was a member of the N.C. Forestry Association and American Forestry Association. In 2007 Sherrill was recognized by the N.C. Forestry Association as Forester of the Year. Sherrill had been a member of Statesville's Arts and Science Museum, serving as a board member and board chairperson. He served on the board of directors of Camp Tekoa, United Methodist Church. He was a life member of Trout Unlimited and served its local affiliate in a number of capacities. Sherrill was a lifelong member of Broad Street United Methodist Church. He served as president of the men's Bible class, chairperson of the evangelism committee, adult council coordinator, council on ministries, the administrative board, and as church lay leader. He also served his church as Scoutmaster of Troop 175, taking particular pride in working with those young people and turning out more than a handful of Eagle Scouts. He leaves behind his brother, F. Anderson Sherrill, Jr. '62 (Cummins), 3209 Deauville Pl., Statesville, NC 28625-4753; a niece, Elizabeth Sherrill Druga (John); and a nephew, Flake A. Sherrill III '90. His family and friends will always miss his kind and gentle spirit. Sherrill lived a life of "service to others," which was demonstrated in the loves of his life-his church, his profession, his family, and his friends.
William Noble Horton '70, resident of Walnut Creek and Clayton, Calif., passed away at the age of 62 on April 15 from prostate cancer. Horton was born the middle son to parents L. La Verne and Rosemary Horton April 29, 1948, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Horton received his B.A. in economics from Davidson in 1970 and served in Vietnam as a first lieutenant, platoon and company commander in the 1st Air Cavalry Division. In 1975, Horton graduated with distinction from Harvard Business School. He was an investment banker at Goldman Sachs, which included living in Tokyo from 1979-83. He became a managing director at Hambrecht and Quist in 1989 and also held positions at KPMG BayMark, Nesbitt Burns, LECG, and taught corporate governance at the Leavey School of Business at SCU. Horton's last position was with Finance Scholars Group as an expert witness. Horton was an ardent supporter of education and served as VP on the board of trustees for The Seven Hills School from 1992-2000 and was co-head of the parents fund at The Thacher School from 1998-2000. Horton is survived by his wife, Diane Horton, 5844 Verna Way E., Clayton, CA 94517-1105, and their five children, Kristina, Rebecca '09, Cheryl Lynn (James Click), Nicholas '06, and Audra. Also surviving are his brothers, Richard and Robert and their families. Horton will always be remembered as a devoted husband and father, loyal brother, faithful friend, role model, and teacher. His keen mind and sense of humor enabled him to keep life in perspective. [See Summer 2011 Davidson Journal, for his In Memoriam, p. 72.]
Howard Joseph Ramagli, Jr. '72, 61, of Lynchburg, Va., born May 25, 1950, died June 14 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Ramagli worked at Lynchburg College as director of information services and technology for the last 10 years. In 1972, he received a B.A. in psychology from Davidson. He was active in theater, a DJ at the college radio station, and a sound engineer and technical director of his student union. Ramagli also received a master's degree in education from Harvard in June 1974. Ramagli then traveled to Gainesville, Fla., to pursue his Ph.D. in educational psychology. While in Gainesville, he also hosted a television show at WUFT, served as vice president of the Gainesville Little Theater, and worked on a master of fine arts in acting and directing. Ramagli received his Ph.D. in 1979 and his M.F.A. in 1980 from the University of Florida. In his professional life, Ramagli was always at the forefront of research on the educational use of technological advancements, presenting and publishing many papers on the topic. He never lost his love or practice of theater, continuing as an accomplished actor and director in community theaters wherever he lived, including Lynchburg, Va. He was the son of the late Howard J. Ramagli, Sr. and the late Lois E. Ramagli. He is survived by his son, H. Joseph Ramagli III (Susanne Stover); his stepdaughter, Janis Taube (Alexander Hillel); his brother, Louis S. Ramagli (Camilla); his sister, Carolyn R. Cahill (David), 95 White Pine Dr., Tullahoma, TN 37388-5368; nephews, Sean Cahill and Brian Ramagli; nieces, Michelle Cahill and Lori Ramagli; and beloved dog, Rascal.
James Michael "Mike" Harding '74, 59, of Marietta, Ohio, died July 2 in Morgan County. He was born on Nov. 2, 1951, in Granville County, N.C., to Robert Lee and Willia Marie Long Harding, Sr. Harding received a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the UNC Greensboro, and completed his undergraduate degree in psychology at Davidson. He was the head of the counseling center at Marietta College and was self employed, working with the court systems in Washington County, Ohio. He was a very active man who loved to play tennis, walk, and jog. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Brenda Jones, 110 Windy Point Dr., Marietta, OH 45750-9371; daughter, Jessica Harding '08, a graduate student at Indiana University; two brothers, Ronald Harding (Sandra) and Clyde Harding (Ruth); four sisters, Kathleen Landis, Emily Washington, Rosa Marie Harding, and Vivian Hampton-Harding; and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Robert Lee Harding, Jr. and Warren Harding.
Kenneth R. Jaegers, Jr. '85, of Louisville, Ky., passed away on April 16 after an illness. He was 48. Jaegers was born in Vicenza, Italy, to Patricia B. Jaegers and Kenneth R. Jaegers, Sr., M.D. He grew up in Louisville, where he was an Eagle Scout. He was a graduate of Davidson and the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He pursued his residency in ophthalmology at the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa., where he was chief resident. He then did a fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery at Wills Eye Hospital, after which he returned to Louisville in 2000 and entered practice with his father, retiring in 2007. Jaegers had a brilliant and contemplative mind, and an exemplary and comforting bedside manner. He was on an unending quest for knowledge and understanding, and he loved to travel. During the past 20 years, he made frequent visits to Kerala, India, where he opened an eye clinic, treated patients, and explored Indian culture. He was blessed to visit Anandashram in Kerala, and to meet and know Swami Satchidananda. He was also blessed to marry the love of his life, Radha, in 2005. He was loved and respected by his patients, colleagues, friends, and family, and he will be missed by all who ever knew him. He is survived by his wife, Radha Jaegers, 10513 Rile Rd., Louisville, KY 40223-3674, parents, and brother, Eric.
Case Ashmore Bodiford '93 went to join his Lord and family on July 1. Bodiford was born in Pensacola, Fla., on June 25, 1971. He received his B.S. from Davidson in anthropology, M.S. from Samford University in environmental management, and J.D. from Cumberland School of Law. Bodiford was employed with the State of Florida's Department of Revenue as a senior tax attorney in the Office of General Counsel. He had a passion for history and philosophy. He was an avid reader and enjoyed writing as well. In addition to Bodiford's passions, he held strong relationships with his friends and family. Everyone knew him as a kind, caring, highly intelligent person who always made the people around him laugh with his witty repertoire. He will be remembered by his beloved parents, Larry Ashmore and Elizabeth Whitehead Bodiford; his devoted wife, Samantha Bodiford, 5390 Pedrick Crossing Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32317; loving daughter, Elizabeth Grace Bodiford; father and mother-in-law, Sonny and Patricia Thornsberry; brother-in-law, Keith Thornsberry; and will be dearly missed by extended family, Ken, Marilu, Ashley, and Rebecca Allewelt.
Katie Marie Sanderson '99, 34, died unexpectedly on July 15. She is survived by her husband, Michael Miga '99, 1131 47th Rd., Apt. 2R, Long Island City, NY 11101-5527; her son, Milo; her parents, Mark and Ruth Kopcinski Sanderson; and her sister, Ellen. She was the director of development at The Moth, an organization whose mission embodied her passion for bringing people together and her openness to others. She was beloved by her family, friends, and colleagues and will be missed forever.
Donald Lee Moore III '01, 32, of Spartanburg, S.C., formerly of Savannah, Ga., died May 26 at his residence. A native of Savannah, Ga., he was a graduate of Davidson. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Donald Lee Moore, Sr., and his maternal grandparents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Leland Chandler, Jr. '38. Moore is survived by his parents, Donald Lee Moore, Jr. and Roselyn C. Moore; his wife, Stephanie Smith Moore, 584 Otis Blvd., Spartanburg, SC 29302; sisters; Natalie Moore Solomon, Jennifer Moore Black, Katie Moore Durkee, and Jaime Moore Wall '98 (Benjamin Rutledge Wall II '98); four nieces; four nephews; and an aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Lanny Cole.