In Memoriam From Winter 2009-10

Ina Mae Kelly Wilson, who worked in Baylor's admissions office for 27 years, died June 20. She was 95. Wilson was born in 1913 in Bosque County, and was active in Waco's Calvary Baptist Church before moving to Houston.

Grover "Rusty" Kearns, an employee of ARAMARK Food Service who served as director of the Collins Hall Residential Restaurant, passed away on Aug. 28 at age 57. Rusty was a beloved friend to residents for many years, greeting students, faculty and staff each day as they dined at Collins Hall.

Annie Marjorie Pohl Teske of Waco passed away Oct. 9. She was 86. Born in El Dorado, Ark., she grew up in Monroe, La. When her late husband, Raymond, returned from WWII, they began their life in Monroe and, in 1950, moved their family to Waco. In 1953, she was working in Cox's Department Store on Austin Avenue when the great tornado struck Waco. She held various offices in Trinity Lutheran Church, the Girl Scouts of America and the Altrusa Club of Waco. She volunteered for 10 years as a recorder for The Texas Prevention of Blindness for Children. For 20 years, Marjorie served as Director of the Waco Girls Club and at retirement the United Way named her as Director of the Year. In 2009, she was selected as a Baylor Alumna by Choice.

Marcia Whitaker Simmons, 81, of Carrollton, Ohio, passed away Oct. 25 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. She received her master's degree in the Science of Nursing from Case Western Reserve University. She worked at the UT Galveston and was professor of psychiatric graduate students at Akron University of Ohio and Baylor University.

Don Oliver, 83, of Brenham, Texas, passed away Aug. 1. He was sports information director at Baylor University from 1947-50 and again from 1970-77. A sports columnist for many years, Oliver served as editor of Golf World Magazine in the 1950s. He was the last surviving Baylor staff member to see Baylor play for the national basketball championship against the Kentucky Wildcats in 1948.

B. Carolyn Chastain, of Longview, Texas, passed away on Nov. 1. She was 76. Born in Corsicana, Texas, Chastain married Dr. O. Jack Chastain, Jr., BA '51, in 1953. She held degrees from North Texas State and Louisiana Tech. Mrs. Chastain had a 22-year teaching career at Edinburgh [Texas] High School, Mary Carroll High School in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Angleton [Texas] High School. She committed her life to ministry and service as the wife of a minister, serving along her husband in six Baptist churches in Texas and Louisiana. The family established the Chastain Ministerial Scholarship Fund at Baylor University in support of young people who want to pursue seminary training for ministry.

Dr. Eugene F. (Gene) Jud, BA '35, MA '39, of Waco, passed away on Oct. 13. He was 95. Jud was a teacher and principal before serving in the Navy during WWII. Jud worked in Methodist ministries in various capacities, and upon officially retiring, he went back to work serving as Caritas Executive Director from 1978 to 2000, never drawing a salary.

Captain Enrique Valentin, Jr., BA '39, BS '41, D.C., U.S. Navy (Ret.), passed away Sept. 18 at the age of 94 in San Antonio. A World War II and Korean War Veteran, Valentin spent 26 years in the Navy. Among his many military decorations are the World War II Victory Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the Korean War Service Medal. Upon his retirement from the Navy in 1968, Valentin was the first Director of the dental assisting and dental hygiene program at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Mary Frances Kendrick Cash, '40, passed away Oct. 4 in Henderson, Nev. Born in Quitman, Texas, she married the late Charley L. Cash in 1940. She worked as a schoolteacher and counselor for more than 30 years, retiring in 1980.

Florace Fay Gatlin Kling, BA '40, died at home in College Station, Texas, on Oct. 12. She was 91.
Born in Dallas, she graduated from Baylor and joined the FBI in 1941, where she served during WWII at duty stations in Dallas and Houston, with temporary assignments in San Francisco, El Paso, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, and Asunción, Paraguay. In 1949, Florace and husband Billy James Kling moved to College Station, where she lived for 60 years. She worked at Texas A&M in the Soil and Crop Sciences Department, the Special Collections section of the University Library and the Oceanography Department. After retiring in 1982, she began another career in politics. She was active in the local, state and national Republican parties.

Betty Shirar Russell, BA '41, of Bakersfield, Calif., passed away on Oct. 12. She was 89. Graveside services were held in Bryan, Texas. Born in Martin, Tenn., Russell was a graduate of Temple [Texas] High School. She taught English and history in the 1940s and then became a homemaker and mother. She was a resident of Houston, in Briargrove Park, from 1977 to 2004.

Myrtle E. (Smith) Rodgers-Price, '44, passed away Sept. 30 at the age of 85. Born in Philadelphia and raised in Dallas, she then attended Baylor where she reunited with her childhood preacher's son, Mack Rodgers. They were married in 1942 and lived most of their married life in San Diego. In 1991, Myrtle moved to Tucson after her husband died. She was then married to Donald Price for 10 years until he passed away in 2005. Myrtle was a gifted seamstress and cook, and she created beautiful antiqued furniture and mosaics. She loved to travel and was able to see most of the world.

Charles Talmadge Wellborn, '46, of Georgetown, Kentucky, retired minister and professor of religion, died Oct 1. He was 86. A native of Alto, he was a graduate of Baylor, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and received his PhD in 1964 from Duke University. He was senior minister and a popular preacher among Baylor students at the Seventh and James Baptist Church near campus, which he integrated in 1958. He taught at Baylor, Campbell College, and Florida State University (1969-1992) and was Director of Florida State University London Study Center, London England from 1976-1990.

Vernon G. Garrett Jr., BBA '47, passed away on Oct. 30. He was 84. Born in Waco, he served as officer and pilot in the Navy Air Corps during WWII, graduated from Baylor, and served as interim CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board of the Memorial-Hermann Healthcare System. He worked for Arthur Andersen & Co. and had numerous civic and professional affiliations. He served as deacon and past chairman at Houston's South Main Baptist Church, past treasurer for the Downtown Optimist Club of Houston, past president of the Baylor Alumni Association, and director and past president of the Texas Association of Hospital Governing Boards. He was also a faithful donor to Baylor, giving generously to athletics, endowed scholarships, business, law, Truett Seminary and music among others.

Dr. Edwin J. Mays, BA '47, a retired Baylor administrator, died July 12. He was 89. Mays was born in 1919 in Mineral Wells. After receiving degrees from Baylor and Southwestern Seminary, he pastored seven churches over 50 years and served as Baylor's director of continuing education and director of church and denominational ministries before retiring in 1990.

John Allen Hugghins, '48, passed away Oct. 10 at age 86. Hugghins served with the U.S. Navy Amphibious Force during WWII and engaged in battle at Iwo Jima. He graduated from Baylor Law School and practiced law in Houston for 44 years. Hugghins was a longtime member and deacon of both First Baptist Church and Tallowood Baptist Church. He was a member and past president of Downtown Optimist Club and served on the Board of Directors of Texas Baptist Children's Home in Round Rock, Texas.

Walter W. Steinmann, '49, '51, of Waco, passed away at home on Oct. 9. He was 84. A Waco High graduate, he entered WWII as a Navy radarman onboard the destroyer USS Portfield. He received 11 battle stars for loyal service. A journal of his service aboard ship is in the Texas Collection at Baylor. After graduating from Baylor, Walter began his 36-year career in education as the first male WISD classroom teacher, and then served as a principal.

Wilma Turner Brown, '50, of Greenville, Texas passed away Sept. 30. She was 85. Brown was born in 1923 in Pflugerville, Texas, and married Robert L. Brown in Austin. She attended Howard Payne University and Baylor University. She was retired from the Greenville Independent School District where she worked as an aide to the school nurse. 
 

Robert "Bob" Lee Alexander, Sr., '51, of Alvin, Texas, passed away on Oct. 12 following a battle with cancer. He was 80. Born in Galveston, Texas, he attended Baylor after graduating from Alvin High School. He served as 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army prior to marrying Dolores (Ghrist) Alexander in 1952. Bob was active in farming, oil, trucking, tennis and skiing. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Alvin and ministered through working with the Gideons, local nursing homes and Fellowship of Christian Business Men.

Nikolas "Nick" Klaras, BBA '52, passed away on Oct. 4 after a courageous battle with leukemia. He was 80. Nick was born in 1928 in Waco. He was head drum major of the Waco High Tiger Band and enjoyed playing big band and swing music all of his life. He met his wife, Luanne Miller Evans, BA '55, while at Baylor, and they married in 1955. Nick served in the Texas National Guard from 1947 to 1959. He was a quality control analyst for Phillips Petroleum Company (later known as Hercules) from 1953 to 1958. He operated the first Nick's Restaurant in Westview Bowling Lanes from 1958 until 1965, and then opened Nick's Restaurant and Catering in 1965, serving Greek and American cuisine for over 30 years. He served as director/president of the Baylor Bear Foundation, director of the Baylor Waco Foundation, and was a board member of the Waco Chamber of Commerce. He volunteered and supported the Heart of Texas MHMR's Klaras Children's Center.

Iletta Fay Townsend, '52, passed away on Oct. 10. Born in Weatherford, Okla., she grew up in Rockport, Texas. She settled in La Marque, Texas, after graduating from Baylor. She also received her master's degree in education from the University of Houston. Townsend was a caring teacher of many elementary school children at various La Marque schools for 35 years before retiring in 1987.

John Lee Hancock, Sr., BS '53, passed away on Sept. 30 in Texas City, Texas. He was 81. John, called "Coach" by many former students and players, was born in San Antonio. John served as a Sergeant in the Marines. He played football at Schreiner Junior College before being awarded a football scholarship to Baylor, where he met his wife, Sue Hoover. John was awarded All-SWC honors at guard his senior year. He later earned a Master of Science in Education from Prairie View A&M. John was drafted in the second round by the NFL's Chicago Cardinals. Following a trade to the Philadelphia Eagles, John decided to forego the NFL for his true calling--coaching and teaching. He did both at many high schools, including Midway High in Waco, Clarksville [Texas], and Pine Tree in Longview, Texas. He completed his coaching career at Texas City High School. He retired in 1993 and opened "Coach's Corner" restaurant on the Texas City dike.

Alice Ball Watts, '53, of Lewisville, Texas, passed away Oct. 10 after a battle with cancer. She was 78. Born in Dallas, she taught high school English and Spanish for more than 30 years. An accomplished musician, she sang with the San Antonio Choral Society and her church choirs in San Antonio and at First United Methodist Church in Coppell, Texas.

Lt. Col. Eric J. Brister, BBA '54, U.S.A.F. (Ret.), passed away Oct. 17 due to cancer. He was 76. Born in Hillsboro, Texas, he grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas. After graduating from Baylor, he became a fighter pilot. After retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 1978, he opened three businesses: Brister Construction Services Inc., Val Verde Used Cars and Parts, and BSB Inc., serving the Del Rio area for the next 30 years.

Frank Griggs Ratliff, BA '54, of Stockton, Calif., passed away Oct. 2. He was 79. Born in Killeen, Texas, Ratliff graduated from Baylor and earned a degree in theology while working full time at the post office. He helped build and pastor the Trinity Church in Stockton and the First Baptist Church in Ripon, Calif. After retiring from the ministry he began teaching math to troubled teens. Ratliff served in the Air Force during the Korean War.

Wilfred Pliler, '57, of Phoenix, Ariz., passed away on Oct. 4. He was 74. Graveside services were held at Gum Springs Cemetery in Carson, Texas.

Jimmie Sue Lambert Finch, '58, of Waco, passed away Oct. 10. She was 80. She was born in Hubbard, Texas, and taught in La Vega [Texas] and Waco ISDs before retiring after over 30 years as a teacher. She and her late husband, W.E. Finch, were avid square dancers, and she designed and sold square dance dresses and accessories.

Mary Emma Schmoyer Fox, BA '58, of Giddings and formerly of Hearne, Texas, passed away Oct. 21. She was 102. Born near Rosebud, Texas, she graduated from Marlin [Texas] High School and Baylor. She retired from teaching in May 1971 after 22 years, 17 of them in the Hearne schools.

Harold Lloyd Long, '58, '64, died peacefully in Davidson County, N.C., on Oct. 9. After graduation from Gastonia High, he entered the U.S. Army during the Korean War. A platoon leader and machine gunner, Long was awarded two Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. Wounded on the battlefield during the last day of his tour of duty, he dedicated his life to the Lord. He earned a master's theology at Baylor, and he also attended Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C. In the early 1960s, Long founded the Gaston Baptist Church in Dallas, N.C., where he retired.

William Kenneth "Big Bill" Baldwin, BBA '59, Baldwin passed away Oct. 5. He was 80. Born in Hollywood, Calif., Baldwin graduated from Pasadena [Calif.] High School in 1946. He spent four years in the Air Force. After Baldwin graduated from Baylor, he moved to New Mexico in I960, where he owned several businesses from Albuquerque to Hobbs, N.M.

Earl F. Newland, BA '59, a member of Baylor's purchasing department for 36 years, died June 14. He was 85. Newland was born in 1923 and he graduated from Baylor. He began working at Baylor in 1957 and retired in 1993 after serving for many years as director of purchasing.

Thomas E. Winford, Jr., '61, passed away Oct. 1 in Dallas at the age of 78 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was an associate professor in microbiology from 1961-1987 at Baylor College of Dentistry. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a Staff Sergeant, Medical Division, at Lackland A.F.B. in San Antonio during the Korean War from 1950-1954.

Dr. James David Slover, BA '61, who retired from Baylor in 2004 after 18 years of service, died July 18 after a battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 70. Slover was born in Covington, Tenn., graduated from Baylor, and pastored churches for more than 25 years in Oklahoma and Texas before coming to Baylor in 1986 as director of the ministry guidance program and professor of religion.

Jim Bradshaw, BBA '64, of Fort Worth, passed away on Aug. 26. He was 69. Bradshaw met his wife, Ouida Massey, '63, at Baylor. The couple settled in Fort Worth where Mr. Bradshaw took over his father's auto-parts business. In 1975, Bradshaw was elected to the Fort Worth City Council. In 1979, he gained national attention for an aggressive effort to unseat then-House Majority Leader Jim Wright. Later, Bradshaw and Tom Vandergriff, then a Democrat, vied for a newly created 26th District seat in the U.S. House. The race was seen nationally as a referendum on Ronald Reagan's presidency, but Vandergriff ultimately won. Bradshaw worked in the family business until 1990, when he became a political consultant. In 2005, President George W. Bush gave him The President's Call to Service Award.

James Luther "Jim" Dickinson, '64, of Coldwater, Miss., passed away on Aug. 15. He was 67. Dickinson was an American record producer, pianist and singer who collaborated with legendary artists like Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin and the Rolling Stones. After attending Baylor, he returned to Memphis, Tenn., to become a career musician. Dickinson played piano and sang on what has been called the last great record on the Sun label, "Cadillac Man" by the Jesters.

In the late 1960s, Dickinson joined a group, the Dixie Flyers, who provided backup for musicians recording for Atlantic Records. Perhaps their best-known work was for Aretha Franklin's 1970 "Spirit in the Dark." In 1971, Dickinson also played piano on The Rolling Stones' hit "Wild Horses." In the 1970s he became known as a producer for many musicians. Dickinson was the father and musical mentor to sons Cody and Luther Dickinson, front men for the Grammy-nominated group, the North Mississippi Allstars.

Margaret L. Davis, BA '66, MA '70, a retired lecturer in English, died Aug. 1 in Lorena. She was 68. Davis was born Aug. 10, 1940, in Waco. She graduated from Waco High and received bachelor's and master's degrees from Baylor. She began teaching at the University in 1971 and retired in 2000.

Dr. James Lee Brooks, Jr., BA '69, of Dallas, died Oct. 15 in Charlotte, N.C. He was 61. Lee was born in Blytheville, Ark., and grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas. He graduated magna cum laude from Baylor, then graduated from medical school with a specialty in anesthesiology. Lee served in the U.S. Air Force and achieved the rank of major before leaving the service for private practice in San Antonio. He founded an anesthesia practice in Orlando, Fla. After retiring, Lee returned to Dallas in 2007 and established a new consulting business focused on enhancing the quality of life for his clients. One of Lee's hallmarks was his constant intellectual curiosity. He was an avid reader, spoke several languages and traveled extensively. Lee was active with the Atlas Society, a Washington, D.C., based think tank.

Morris Trent Phipps, '71, of Amarillo, died Oct. 9. He was 61. He played football for Baylor from 1965-70 as a nose guard. He began coaching in 1971 at Lubbock Cooper, and continued his career at Lubbock, Sweetwater, Graham and Uvalde high schools. He coached most of his career in Amarillo at Tascosa High School, Bonham Middle School, Palo Duro High School and Horace Mann Middle School.

Frances "Fran" Lorae Francis, BA '72, MA '81, of Woodway, Texas, passed away Oct. 12 after a long and courageous bout with cancer. Born in Patrick, Texas, she was valedictorian of China Spring High School in 1956, the same year she married Carroll Francis of Waco. She was a librarian at Robinson and Midway ISD, and a librarian and diagnostician at McGregor ISD.

James (Jim) Harmon Holt, JD '75, died Oct. 9 at his home in Denison, Texas. He was 82. Holt was born in Bainbridge, Ga., and entered the U.S. Navy in 1944, later receiving an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy, West Point. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Air Medals, and the Meritorious Service Medal for service in Germany, Korea, Hawaii and Vietnam. He retired as a lieutenant colonel to attend Baylor Law. He became the chief prosecutor for Grayson County. After his public service, he entered into private law practice and concentrated most of his effort on pro bono work for the poor and needy. A naturalized Texan, he visited all 254 county courthouses in the state. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

David Ward Proctor, BA '90, of Belleville, Ill., formerly of Herrin, Ill., passed away on Oct. 12. He was 42. Born in Kansas City, Mo., he graduated in 1985 from Herrin High School, where he was on the football team, a tri-captain on the wrestling team and an all-state trombone player in the band. He graduated from Baylor and later earned an MA degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Most recently, he was a pharmaceutical representative for Sanofi-Aventis in the St. Louis area.