Class Notes, Spring 2014
'48
Frank Boggs, BA '48, was honored April 27 with "Seventy Years of Song" at the Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga. He began singing at age 17. Among his many accomplishments, the musician, soloist, and choral director coauthored, Old Fight, the Baylor fight song, and founded The Georgia Festival Chorus.
'52
Dr. Macklyn "Mickey" W. Hubbell, BA '52, has written his 18th book, Break Thou the Bread of Life (CreateSpace 2013: 336 pages), a story of the Bible beginning with Genesis and ending with Revelation. Professor Emeritus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Hubbell has been a pastor for 52 years and continues to provide counseling services. He has done extensive psychological consultant work for the International Mission Board in Africa, Asia, South America, and Europe. Hubbell and his wife, Elizabeth "Bet" (Melton) Hubbell, BA '52, reside in Cleveland, Miss.
'57
Dr. James T. "Jimmy" Draper, BA '57, of Colleyville, Texas, began serving as interim president of Criswell College on Nov. 1, 2013. Draper is president emeritus of LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, having served the Southern Baptist entity from 1991-2006. He was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1982, serving two terms during the years of the denomination's Conservative Resurgence. Draper has pastored six churches in Texas.
Charlotte Neal, BM '57, was featured in the cover story of The Best Times news magazine in Dec. 2013. She and husband, Robert Neal, BBA '57, reside in Memphis, Tenn. Neal, a teacher for 33 years at Presbyterian Day School, has raised money for the arts and many other causes for decades. The feature story details her years of service and memorable moments in her life, such as answering her door to with her hair in rollers to Elvis Presley. Read the story at thebesttimes.com/news/2013/dec/03/.
'58
Cecil, BA '58, and Phyllis (Bauman) Dunham, BA '59, have lived in Waco since marrying in 1959. After 41 years in banking, Cecil is now business administrator and building and grounds supervisor of First Baptist Church, Waco. He also serves on the Board of Synergy Bank and Central Texas Senior Ministry. Their son-in-law, Jeff Anz, BBA '01, and daughter Susan (Dunham) Anz, BBA '87, also live in Waco. They have four children. Elizabeth Anz is a sophomore at Baylor and Lauren Anz will enter Baylor in the summer of 2014. The Dunham family celebrated New Year's 2014 at Disney World and then took a short cruise on the Disney Dream. Contact at pdunham@grandecom.net.
Drayton McLane Jr. BBA '58, of Temple, Texas, is the third recipient of the Lamar Hunt Lifetime Achievement Award from the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. He joined former San Antonio Spurs owner Red McCombs and Dallas Mavericks founder Don Carter as winners of the award. McLane owned the Houston Astros from 1993 to 2011, during which the team enjoyed the most success in franchise history, including the Astros' only World Series appearance in 2005. McLane has been instrumental in funding construction for Mary Hardin-Baylor's Crusader Stadium in Belton and Baylor's McLane Stadium.
'60
Katy [Texas] ISD's James E. Taylor High School has named its Jim Mavity Tennis Complex in honor of Jim Mavity, BS '60, MS '61. During his 20-year tenure as tennis coach, he guided his teams to a 5A state record 12 consecutive trips to the state Final Four from 1995-2006. His teams won three state championships and Mavity was the 1997 5A tennis coach of the year. Contact at 1002 Dominion, Katy, TX 77450 or jlmavity@academicplanet.com.
John Nickols, BA '60, MA '65, has recently written a Christian-themed baseball novel called The Last Three Outs (Tate Publishing) available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Nickols, a former FBI agent and a longtime basketball coach, currently teaches history and political science at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas.
The 2012 Texas Poet Laureate, Jan (Epton) Seale, '60, of McAllen, Texas, has authored The Parkinson Poems (Lamar University Press, 2014: 81 pages). With grit, humor, and compassion, she spells out the vicissitudes of dealing with this condition affecting seven million people worldwide. She and her husband, Dr. Carl Seale, BM '58, have three sons and four grandsons.
'63
Vince Palasota, BA '63, is celebrating 45 years of service with Pattillo, Brown & Hill LLP in Waco. He was a partner with the firm from 1986-98 and continues to work part-time. Vince served as president of the Central Texas Chapter of CPAs and the National Association of Accountants. Palasota was the district manager for the Waco Tribune for nine years. He and his wife Alice have three children and two grandchildren.
Doug Ware, BS '63, MBA '86, and Pat (Peacock) Ware, '66, celebrated 50 years of marriage Feb. 1. They have three children and 12 grandchildren and all reside in Houston, where Doug operates a medical billing business. Contact at dware@pmeb.com.
'64
Dr. Robert Walling, BA '64, MA '67, of Henderson, Texas, practiced general pediatrics for 15 years in Fort Smith, Ark., before teaching at his alma mater, the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, beginning in 1992. He taught pediatric students and supervised residents for 17 years. He was the first full-time staff member for child abuse and traveled over three states. Walling established an exchange program with the University of Guadalajara in 1990 and continues to lecture at international pediatric conferences there each year.
'65
Ava (Leavell) Haymon, BA '65, of Baton Rouge, was named Poet Laureate for the state of Louisiana for 2013-15. Her latest book of poetry is Eldest Daughter (LSU Press, 2013: 96 pages). The award-winning poet is a committed teacher of poetry writing. She worked as Artist in the Schools for a number of years, teaches poetry writing during the school year in Louisiana and, during the summer, directs a retreat center for writers and artists. Learn more at avahaymon.com.
'67
Barbara Walker, BA '67, of Anthem, Ariz., was guest speaker at Baylor's Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Celebration Luncheon on Jan. 22. She was the first African-American female to graduate from Baylor. Walker earned a graduated degree in social work from Florida State University in 1969. Now retired, she worked as a mental health specialist for the state Department of Mental Health in California and is working on a biography. Her grandson, Kristoff Firedancing, is a Baylor freshman.
T. John Ward, LLB '67, of Longview, Texas, has joined Federal Arbitration Inc. as an arbitration and mediation panelist. He served as a U. S. District Judge in East Texas for 12 years and as a trial attorney for 31 years. Ward has received numerous awards, including American Lawyer's Top 25 Most Influential People in Intellectual Property (2010) and Baylor Lawyer of the Year (2004).
'68
Darrell Keith, BA '68, JD '70, has been recognized for the 23rd consecutive year in The Best Lawyers in America 2014 in the areas of plaintiff's medical malpractice law, legal malpractice law, professional malpractice law, and personal injury law. He received the H.G. Wells Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award for 2013 from the Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association. Contact at 1705 W. 7th St., Fort Worth, TX 76102 or dkeith@keithlaw.com.
'69
The Address Shop, owned by Jim Reeder, BBA '69, of Arlington, Texas, has become licensed for a line of Baylor custom address and spirit signs. A portion of the revenue is reserved for benefitting Baylor above and beyond licensing royalties, and Baylor organizations are welcome to use the products to create revenue for scholarships and projects. Contact at baylorbearsaddressshop.com.
'72
Owen Griffin, BMEd '72, MM '79, is retiring after serving in music ministry at Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin since 1983. An accompanist for BRH while at Baylor, he plays piano or organ every year for Singspiration and often plays for Baylor events in Austin. Griffin performed an organ and piano concert on May 4 at 6 p.m. Then on May 18, at 6 p.m., the choir and orchestra will perform one of his compositions and there will be other surprises during the service, followed by a reception. Both events are at Hyde Park Baptist Church.
Roland Lundy, BBA '72, is a partner in the executive search firm The Buffkin Group, headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. He is married to Sarah (Ford) Lundy, BBA '72, BA '73. Sarah teaches 6th grade at the Oak Hill School in Nashville. Contact at roland@thebuffkingroup.com.
'73
Marty Jones, BA '73, JD '77, has been selected as a Super Lawyer in the practice area of litigation for 2012-13. He is managing shareholder of Sprouse Shrader Smith PC in Amarillo, Texas. Jones practices in areas such as complex commercial litigation, power and utilities, natural resources, water, oil and gas and agribusiness. He has over 35 years of legal practice.
Gregg Pell, BA '73, has retired to the North Carolina mountains after 35 years as a television news photographer covering news, politics and sports for North Carolina stations WGHP-TV in Greensboro-High Point and WBTV in Charlotte.
'74
Tommy King, BA '74, MA '75, retired from a 37-year career in education. He worked in Alvin [Texas] ISD for 25 years, retiring as deputy superintendent for business and support services.
District Judge F.B. "Bob" McGregor Jr., BSEd '74, of the 66th District Court of Hill County, Texas, was presented the 2013 Big Voices for Little Texans Judge of the Year award by Texas CASA at it annual statewide conference in San Marcos. McGregor has served 21 years as judge of the court and has announced his retirement at the end of his term in 2014.
'75
Dr. Keith Bruce, BA '75, has been appointed regional vice president of mission and ministry for Baptist Health System in San Antonio. His wife, Janet (Thornton) Bruce, BS '76, has retired after 27 years in education, having most recently served as librarian for Boulter Middle School in Tyler [Texas] ISD. Contact at 13318 Star Heights Dr., San Antonio, TX 78230 or kdbruce@sbcglobal.net.
Paula (Goode) Lohse, BM '75, of Harker Heights, Texas, has been given the Distinguished Baylor Woman award by the Central Texas Baylor Women. Lohse is a board member of Vive Les Arts Theatre and the Metroplex Hospital. She is director of the children's music program at First Baptist Church of Killeen and heads Turkey for the Troops.
'76
Arthur K. Fischer, MHA '76, of Pittsburg, Kan., has co-authored a textbook, The Essentials of Managing in the Healthcare Industry, Bridgepoint Education (2013), San Diego, Calif.
Deborah (Beard) Meyer, BSEd '76, MA '79, of Spicewood, Texas, has authored a children's book, The Butterfly Girls (Tate Publishing 2014: 32 pages), which presents a loving tale between a grandmother and her granddaughters. Meyer has been involved in Christian education for 30 years. In 2007, she founded The Daughters of Truth ministry, which exists to empower girls and women of all ages to embrace and to apply the truth of God's Word in their lives and in their relationships. For more information, visit daughtersoftruth.com.
'77
Mike Little, JD '77, has been honored as Liberty [Texas] Citizen of the Year for 2013. He has been a district and municipal court judge. Among his many acts of community service, he is founder of the Bridgehaven Children's Advocacy Center, the local D.A.R.E. unit, and Liberty County Citizens Police Academy.
Philip Poole, BA '77, of Hoover, Ala., has been faculty advisor for Pi Kappa Phi's consecutive sweepstakes award-winning shows during Samford University's 2013 and 2014 Step Sing competitions. He is in his 11th year as Samford's executive director of university communication. "Baylor's All University Sing is patterned after Samford's Step Sing, which Mrs. Marie Mathis saw in the early 1950s and decided to replicate at Baylor. One of the ironies is that I was not Greek at Baylor and never performed in All University Sing, although I was involved through SUB Board," writes Poole.
'79
Ken Daraie, BA '79, has been appointed as chairman of the Board of Directors for Lucas Energy Inc. Daraie joined the board in 2012. He has served as the vice president of Wold Oil Properties, cofounded Mizzen Energy, founded Continental Industries, and served a four-year appointment as the executive director of the Wyoming School Facilities Commission.
'80
Nelda (Luce) Blair, BA '80, of The Woodlands, Texas, was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the Texas Economic Development Corp. Blair is an attorney, and president and owner of the Blair Law Firm PC. She is president and board chairman of Conroe ISD Education Foundation, a board member of the Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce, and past chairman of the University of Houston System Board of Regents.
Curtis Fenley III, BA '80, JD '83, has been presented with the annual Silver Spike Award from the Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce, which is given to 10-year Leadership Lufkin graduates for community service and leadership. He has been practicing law in Lufkin for 30 years.
'81
Jerry Clements, JD '81, who has headed Locke Lord LLP since 2006, has been reelected chairwoman of the law firm. Clements is one of those few women to successfully lead a large law firm. She has been named one of the Top 50 Most Influential Women Lawyers by the National Law Journal, one of 30 Extraordinary Women in Texas Law by Texas Lawyer and one of Texas' Most Powerful Women by the Texas Diversity Council. Clements is also a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and a member of the Baylor Board of Regents.
'82
Jack "Dyke" Heald, BM '82, published his second book, Buy High Sell Low: Lessons and Warnings for Beginning Traders (CreateSpace 2013: 110 pages). Heald owns and runs an investment firm in Chandler, Ariz., and is the proud grandfather of three.
Theresa (Dickey) Miller, BSEd '82, of Amarillo, Texas, is a business teacher specializing in career and technology at Amarillo High School, where she was named Teacher of the Year on Jan. 28.
Douglas Alan Silliman, BA '82, has been nominated to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait by President Barack Obama. A career member of the Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, Silliman was most recently deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, a position he held since 2012. From 2011 to 2012, he was counselor for political affairs in Baghdad. Before serving in Iraq, he was deputy chief of mission in Ankara, Turkey from 2008 to 2011. Silliman was deputy director and then director of the Office of Southern European Affairs in the Department of State from 2004 to 2007. From 2000 to 2004, he was political counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan. Silliman joined the Foreign Service in 1984.
'83
Marelyn B. Shedd, BBA '83, has been added to the Abilene Christian University Board of Trustees. She is regional president at First Financial Bank for Abilene, Odessa, Albany, Clyde, and Moran. Shedd serves on the board of Abilene Arts Alliance and as board chair of the Community Foundation of Abilene and the Hendrick Medical Center Foundation and is vice president of the Development Corporation of Abilene.
Mike Wright, BA '83, has become vice president and general manager of KWTX-Waco and KBTX-Bryan/College Station. He now oversees daily operations in Waco while maintaining oversight of KBTX in Bryan. Wright joined KBTX in 1991 and has served as general manager since 2003. The Texas Association of Broadcasters recognized him as the 2013 Broadcaster of the Year.
Melody (Howard) Yuhn, BS '83, of Plano, Texas, has accepted the position of vice president and chief technology officer for the Carrier Services Division of CSS Corp. She serves on the board of trustees for Cathedral Gardens, a low-income apartment complex for seniors. She and husband Jim are active in their church, Transfiguration Episcopal in Dallas.
'84
Philip LeMasters, BA '84, has authored The Forgotten Faith: Ancient Insights for Contemporary Believers from Eastern Christianity (Cascade, 2013: 164 pages). LeMasters believes that ancient teachings and practices persist in Eastern Christianity that hold together much of what Catholics and Protestants have separated. Believers of all stripes increasingly resonate with Orthodoxy's healthy synthesis of prayer, doctrine, liturgy, asceticism, and call to holiness in all areas of life. He is dean of the School of Social Sciences and Religion at McMurry University and pastor of St. Luke Orthodox Church in Abilene, Texas. Contact at 266 Elm Cove Circle, Abilene, TX 79605 or plemasters@mcm.edu.
Gene (Partain) Roehlkepartain, BA '84, of St. Louis Park, Minn., has earned his doctorate in education, curriculum and instruction with a specialization in family, youth, and community from the University of Minnesota. He is vice president of research and development for Search Institute. Contact at groehlkepartain@gmail.com.
'85
Terri (Hurley) Barnes, BA '85, has written Spouse Calls: Messages From a Military Life (Elva Resa Publishing), a collection of her best newspaper columns. A columnist for Stars and Stripes, Barnes writes about issues facing military families like her own. She and her husband, Mark, a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force, are stationed at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. Mark and Terri have three children, Wesley, Jessie, and Will Barnes, BS '13. Contact at terribarnes@me.com.
Nancy (Wilson) McEachern, BFA '85, of San Jose, Calif., has authored Student's Gluten-Free Cookbook for Dummies (For Dummies 2013, 368 pages), featuring cooking and nutritional advice along with more than 160 simple recipes for young adults to prepare using low-cost and easy-to-obtain ingredients. McEachern writes the popular blog, GlutenFreeville.com, and socializes with thousands of gluten-free friends via the Gluten Freeville Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest pages.
Mark A. Newton, BA '85, is now director for church engagement in Baylor University's Division of Constituent Engagement. He will continue his passion for ministry by engaging Baptist churches, as well as non-denominational fellowships and other congregations friendly to the University's Christian mission, in the life of Baylor. Newton will serve as a link for these churches to the University's vast academic resources and will help coordinate efforts on campus with the various entities involved in ministry outreach, such as spiritual life, ministry guidance and Baylor's George W. Truett Theological Seminary. For the past 11 years, he has served as the senior pastor of First Baptist Church of San Marcos, Texas. He and his wife, Aurelia (Northcutt) Newton, BS '89, have two children: Adolynn, a Baylor freshman, and Truett, a high school junior.
'86
Nicolas Barzoukas, BS '86, MBA '89, a leading lawyer on patent litigation in the pharmaceutical field and in industries related to chemistry, electronics, biotechnology, medical devices, lasers and mechanical systems, has joined Baker Botts LLP as a partner in the firm's Houston office. Previously, he was a partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.
Jeff Christensen, BS '86, of Lake Bluff, Ill., has become division vice president and general manager for Sonoco Alloyd, a retail packaging business. Christensen came to Sonoco with the acquisition of Tegrant where he served as vice president of sales for the Protexic business unit. He has more than 20 years of sales, marketing and engineering experience in the industrial, automation, electrical products and controls industries.
Stephen Schlacks, JD '86, a Montgomery County [Texas] attorney since 1986, has been honored as a 20-year AV-rated Preeminent Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell. The AV preeminent rating is bestowed upon the nation's attorneys with the highest legal ability and ethics peer review ratings. In 2013, Schlacks became re-certified as a Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer through the year 2018 which will mark 25 years as a Board Certified Attorney. Only nine percent of all licensed Texas lawyers are Board Certified. Schlacks also was recognized this year as a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and a Fellow Member of the College of the State Bar of Texas.
'87
A Baylor alumnus is guiding People magazine. Jess Cagle, BA '87, was named the magazine's new editor in January. Cagle has been at Time Inc. since 1987, working his way up through the ranks at People and most recently at Entertainment Weekly, where he had been editor since 2009. Entertainment news fans might also recognize Cagle as a co-host of ABC's Academy Awards red carpet pre-show and as a regular contributor to CBS News. In his new role at People, Cagle will also oversee People.com and continue to have a hand at EW as editorial director. He is not the first Baylor alumnus to play an important role with People. Fellow Baylor graduate Hal Wingo, BA '57, formerly a senior editor at LIFE Magazine, served as People Weekly's first news editor beginning in 1974 and helped to steer the publication for two decades. Today, it claims the largest readership of any American magazine.
On March 4, Sam Houston, JD '87, secured the Democratic nomination for the Texas Attorney General race. A named partner at the Houston firm of Shepherd, Scott, Clawater & Houston LLP, he has spent 26 years practicing law in Texas.
Dr. Samuel W. "Dub" Oliver, BSEd '87, president of East Texas Baptist University since 2009, has been named president of Union University, a Baptist school in Jackson, Tenn., effective June 1. Previously, he was vice president for student life, dean for student development, associate dean for campus life and director of student activities at Baylor. Oliver and his wife, Susie, have one daughter, Callie, a Baylor senior.
Peggy (Parks) Rush, BBA '87, writes, "In 2012 I was given the opportunity to open a Xerox sales agency (Document Solutions) in Waco. After living in East Texas for 13 years, I am excited to be back in the city where I was born and raised. My husband David and I are thrilled to be back near family, friends and Baylor."
'88
Paul Lee, BBA '88, was named the CFO of Mortgage Contracting Services. Before joining MCS, Lee served as vice president and treasurer of Texas-based Safety-Kleen Systems Inc. He previously served as vice president, finance, for Capital Senior Living, one of the largest operators of senior living communities in the U.S.
'89
Dean Rader, BA '89, of San Francisco, Calif., has penned a collection of poems titled Landscape/Portrait/Figure/Form. It was named one of the Best Poetry Books of 2013 by the Barnes & Noble Review.
Dr. Michael Sonntag, BA '89, has been named dean of the University of South Carolina at Sumter. He has nearly 20 years of higher education experience that includes serving as chief academic officer at the University of Maine at Presque Isle since 2007.
'91
Dr. Michael K. McLendon, BA '91, associate dean of Southern Methodist University Simmons School of Education and Human Development, was named the Annette and Harold Simmons Centennial Chair. In 2013, McLendon received national recognition for his research contributing to public debates about K-12 and higher education. McLendon joined SMU in 2012 after serving as a professor of public policy and higher education at Vanderbilt University's Peabody College, where he was executive associate dean and chief of staff from 2008 to 2011.
In Dec. 2013, Noel Sloan, BBA '91, JD '94, became CFO and vice president for administration and finance for Texas Tech University, where she has worked since 2006. The Wisconsin native has served as tax director, interim managing director for Student Business Services, managing director for Financial Services and Tax, and most recently, interim chief financial officer for the university. She also has served as an adjunct faculty member in the Rawls College of Business.
Michelle Smith, BA '91, is the Federal Reserve's chief of staff and communications director and a highly influential person in Washington. She was featured in Jan. 25 Washington Post story by Zachary A. Goldfarb. It has been Smith's responsibility to explain the Reserve's actions to the public. She has worked for the Federal Reserve Board as assistant to the board and director of the Office of Board Members. She has served as the Federal Reserve Board's chief spokesperson, beginning during Alan Greenspan's tenure as chairman.
Dr. Jeffery W. Scott's children's book, Where Do Belly Buttons Come From? has been published by CrossBooks. It reminds children of all ages that we are specially made and especially loved by God. Scott, PhD '91, is senior pastor of Northside Baptist Church in Mechanicsville, Va.
Dr. Tony Talbert, MA '91, professor in the Baylor School of Education's Department of Curriculum and Instruction, received the inaugural McGraw Hill Distinguished Scholar Award in recognition of his career of scholarly contributions to qualitative and ethnographic research. The award was presented by the Ethnographic and Qualitative Research Conference (EQRC) at its 26th annual conference in February. The EQRC is a national, juried research conference.
Laura (Foreman) Vinson, BA '91, was recognized by the Lubbock YWCA with the Women of Excellence Award. Vinson began working in public relations for a Fort Worth bank and currently is part of a commercial lending team at Prosperity Bank.
'92
Christine A. Berry, BA '92, opened Berry-Campbell Art Gallery in New York City in October. Berry began her career at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and then continued onto New York City's Whitney Museum of American Art. As an art dealer, she works with the world's foremost public and private collections. Berry-Campbell features Post-War Modern and Contemporary art. See more at berrycampbell.com.
Perry E. Brown, MBA '92, has joined First Republic Private Wealth Management as a managing director, having relocated to the firm's New York City office. Contact at pebrown@firstrepublic.com.
Greg Davis, BBA '92, of Austin, resigned from his technology business position in 2004 and traveled the world for one year. Upon his return, he decided to become a professional photographer. His award-winning work has been published by National Geographic.com, MSNBC.com, Professional Photographer Magazine, PDN Magazine, and the Houston Chronicle, among others. Davis is a National Geographic creative photographer, a founding member of the Austin Center for Photography and a member of the Texas Photographic Society. See his work at gregdavisphotography.com
Jeffery D. Price, BBA '92, appears as one of the nation's top financial advisors in the March issue of Barron's Magazine. For the second consecutive year, he made the list of America's Top 1,200 Advisors: State by State. He and his wife, Cara, reside in Flower Mound, Texas. Contact at 286 Grand Ave., Suite 200, Southlake, TX 76092 or jeffery_price@ml.com.
Dr. Doyle Srader, BA '92, MA '93, was promoted to full professor of speech and communication at Northwest Christian University in Eugene, Oregon, on Dec. 5, 2013.
Ignacio Torteya III, BA '92, JD '95, has been appointed U.S. magistrate judge by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. He serves in the Brownsville Division. Torteya is a managing attorney at The Torteya Law Firm PLLC, a consular attorney, and associate judge at the City of Brownsville Municipal Court.
'93
Dr. Lance Hampton, BA '93, is the chair of urology at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine where he holds the Barbara and William B. Thalhimer Professorship in Urology. In March, he made his third trip in five years to serve in Hu, Vietnam, as part of International Volunteers in Urology. Hampton shares advanced surgical techniques in a region severely lacking in modern technology and training. At the VCU Health System, Hampton is medical director of robotic surgery, one of the busiest programs in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Andy Kerckhoff, BA '93, of St. Louis, Mo., has written a book for parents titled Critical Connection: A Practical Guide to Parenting Young Teens (White Orchard Press, 2013: 236 pages). With 25 years of experience working with young teens, Kerchhoff teaches parents how to build healthy families that their children can rely on for safety, guidance, and unconditional love. The book became an Amazon Bestseller in its first week in Dec. 2013. He is married to Julie (Primrose) Kerckhoff, BSEd '93. Contact at andy@growingupwell.org.
Last fall, Trey Morris, BBA '93, was named executive producer of Walk in the Word, the media ministry of Pastor James MacDonald of Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago. The ministry airs six daily radio broadcasts on over 1,100 stations across the U.S. Morris oversees all of James MacDonald's content for distribution on radio, television, video, podcasts and publishing. Morris also has opened a third location of his barbeque restaurant chain, Q BBQ. Morris and his wife, Rebecca (Whiddon) Morris, BA '93, have two daughters, Haley and Jordan.
'94
Laura (Lyon) Irvine, BA '94, president of Methodist Dallas Medical Center, has been promoted to executive vice president for integration and alignment for Methodist Health System. In this role, she will lead the ongoing implementation of health care reform initiatives, integration and alignment of Methodist's physician enterprises, accountable care organizations, expansion of care delivery centers, population health management, and growth in Methodist's overall non-hospital health care delivery migration. She began her career at Methodist in 1996.
Trevor Ives, BA '94, was promoted to counsel at Hunton & Williams in the firm's Dallas office. His practice focuses on commercial real estate acquisitions and dispositions, development projects, real estate finance, and leasing.
Last summer, Foreign Service officer Chuck Pope, BA '94, supported President Obama's trip to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. In a picture with children of U.S. Embassy workers, the President put Chuck's eldest daughter, Kyra, on his lap. Chuck's youngest daughter, Kalyn, can be seen over the President's shoulder. Contact at Unit 2140, Box 134, DPO AE 09846-0134 or cpope@usaid.gov.
Jay Sudderth, BBA '94, has been promoted to assistant vice president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas in the Financial Institution Relationship Management Department. Previously, he served as relationship management officer.
'95
Dr. Amanda Heidemann, BA '95, of Ballwin, Mo., became one of the first physicians to be board certified in the new subspecialty of clinical informatics through the American Board of Preventive Medicine. She currently serves as a chief medical information officer and enjoys visiting national parks with her sons Adam, 13, and Eric , 9. Contact at mandyjane_heidemann@yahoo.com.
Kirk Pittard, BA '95, of Grapevine, Texas, has been selected as a director to the Texas Lyceum, a non-profit, non-partisan group and premier statewide leadership organization focused on identifying the next generation of top Texas leaders. Contact at kpittard@kdplawfirm.com.
Celeste R. Yeager, BA '95, JD '96, has been added as a shareholder to the Littler Mendelson PC firm's Dallas office. She was previously a partner with Gardere and vice chair of its hospitality industry team. Yeager represents clients in a wide variety of employment disputes.
John T. Young Jr., BBA '95, MBA '97, of Houston, has been appointed chief restructuring officer for Buccaneer Energy Limited. His recent interim management positions include chief executive officer of Par Petroleum and chief restructuring officer and chief financial officer of Delta Petroleum. Young is a member of Conway Mackenzie's board of directors, where he has held his position as senior managing director since 2008.
'96
Silla (Yi) Francis, BFA '96, of Grapevine, Texas, was featured in the March 2014 issue of DFW Child magazine. She runs a hair accessories business, Silla Soup. For every headband she sells, one is donated to people with cancer. Learn more at sillasoup.com.
Kim Vance, BBA '96, is now director of marketing for Frog Street Press, which provides educational curriculum for the early childhood market. Vance had been president and founder of Trugenius Marketing, where she spent more than a decade as a consultant. She holds an MBA from UT-Dallas and lives in Dallas with her sons, Noah and Peyton. Contact at kvance@frogstreet.com.
'97
Austin attorney Ivan Andarza, JD '97, has been appointed to the Texas State Technical College System Board of Regents by Gov. Rick Perry. Andarza is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Austin Bar Association and Hispanic Bar Association of Austin. He is also board chairman of the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation.
'98
Dr. Ann Snyder, EdD '98, is president and CEO of Interfaith of The Woodlands [Texas]. In Sept. 2013, she was honored in the naming of Ann K. Snyder Elementary School in Conroe ISD. Snyder's career in education includes teaching at virtually every level, from preschool through college, including at Oklahoma City University and the University of Houston. In 1998, she was elected to the Conroe ISD board of trustees, where she served until 2013.
Lauren E. Waddell, BBA '98, has been named a 2014 Premier Women in the Law Modern Trailblazer by the Association of Women Attorneys in Houston. She is the founder of The Waddell Law Firm, P.C. and her practice focuses on family law matters.
'99
Melissa (Cash) Cox, BA '99, of Birmingham, Ala., has received the Edward G. Hirschman Award from RemoteSolutions, Inc., a division of Comprehensive Pharmacy Services based in Memphis, Tenn. As regional vice president of business development for RemoteSolutions, Cox works with hospitals to improve the access and affordability of pharmacy remote order entry services. Contact at melissa.cox@cpspharm.com.
Ahmad Washington, BA '99, MSW '01, MDiv '06, of Hewitt, Texas, has spent nearly two decades working with youth. He heads Movement
Up, a youth motivation service he founded, and is spiritual development minister for the Methodist Children's Home in Waco. The former Baylor football player made music and speaking a full-time ministry in 2007. He has opened for groups such as Third Day, Pillar, Seventh Day Slumber and KJ-52.
In February, Brandon Wilson, BBA '99, joined Catapult Systems in Austin as a senior lead consultant.
'00
Jimmy Chiang, BM '00, of Vienna, Austria, was named Kapellmeister (principal conductor) of the world famous Vienna Boy's Choir in the fall of 2013. He is leading the choir in most concerts in Austria and on international tours, which will include the U.S. A conductor, pianist, and recipient of numerous awards, he won the 2007 Lovro von Matacic international competition for Young Conductors in Zagreb, Croatia. He has served as principal conductor of the Hong Kong Pan Asia Symphony since 2008, worked as assistant music director of the Wagner's "Ring" cycle at Theater Lubeck from 2007 to 2009, and as well as Kapellmeister at Theater Freiburg, where he led from 2009 to 2011. He is married to Anna (Baxter) Chiang, MM '99. Learn more at jimmychiang.com.
Dr. Robert Duron, EdD, '00, has been named associate executive director of district services for the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). Duron, who most recently served as deputy commissioner of finance and administration for the Texas Education Agency, has 32 years of education experience. He has been superintendent of San Antonio ISD and Socorro ISD in El Paso, and an assistant superintendent in Clear Creek ISD in League City.
Pratik Patel, MBA '00, MSIS '00, of San Antonio, has been elected first vice president for 2014 of the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association's Board of Directors and will ascend to the position of chairman of the board for that association in 2015. He has also been named to the 2014 Board of Directors of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Patel is a principal in REM Hospitality, which owns and manages a portfolio of more than a dozen hotels and other properties.
'02
Gov. Rick Perry has appointed Cory J.H. Crenshaw, BA '02, of Beaumont, Texas, as Jefferson County criminal district attorney. Crenshaw is an assistant U.S. attorney with the Department of Justice U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Texas. He is an adjunct criminal justice professor at Lamar University and a former assistant district attorney for Brazos County.
Rev. William H. Shurley, BA '02, has become pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Gulfport, Miss. He was previously the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Titusville, N.J.
'03
Bianca Castro, BA '03, is now a news anchor and reporter for NBC-owned KXAS Dallas. She had been anchor-reporter at WFTV, an ABC affiliate in Orlando, Fla., since 2010.
John Pegram, BBA '03, JD '06, has joined the Bailey Insurance & Risk Management Inc. of Waco team as a commercial insurance agent. Pegram is a licensed attorney and practiced law in Dallas for six years prior to joining the Bailey agency.
After 10 years of teaching in the classroom, Amelia (Perdichi) Rabroker, BSEd '03, of Harker Heights, Texas, has created Tap Tap Art School, a mobile school using a school bus to bring art education to Central Texas children. She currently has contracts with private schools and offers party plans and summer programs. Learn more at taptapartschool.com.
'04
LuAnne Butler, BSFCS '04, of McGregor, Texas, has been elected as the first female president of the Heart of Texas Builders Association in the organization's 58-year history. A third-generation builder, the homes that Butler herself designs and builds are marketed within Woody Butler Homes as Imperial Designs by LuAnne Butler. She studied interior design at Baylor.
Dr. Rebekah Crowe, MA '04, received her doctorate from Texas Christian University in Dec. 2013. She is an assistant professor of history at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas. Her husband, Ryan Crowe, BA '01, is a reporter for the Plainview Herald. Their 3-year-old son, Wesley, requests That Good Old Baylor Line every night at bedtime before laying his head on his Bruiser pillow. Contact at rebekah.crowe@wbu.edu.
Marycruz De León, BS '04, has been hired as research director at the Borderplex Alliance, the regional economic development organization based in El Paso. She previously was employed at Moody's Analytics where she was lead economist for coverage of the Uruguay and Puerto Rico economies.
Robert Greeson, JD '04, was promoted to partner in the global legal practice of Norton Rose Fulbright's U.S. member firm. Greeson concentrates on patent litigation, licensing, transactions and prosecution in Norton Rose Fulbright's Dallas office.
Dr. Amanda Howard, BS '04, MA '07, PhD '10, has been promoted to chief research officer of Profiles International, a talent management solutions provider. She joined Profiles in 2011 as director of research and development. Howard's work has been published in Applied Cognitive Psychology, Applied Psychology in Criminal Justice, Keller Center Research Report, and the Encyclopedia of Human Behavior.
Anderson Jones, BA '04, of Dallas, joined New York Life Insurance as an agent. He previously worked in the healthcare and banking industry. He continues his interest in sailing and has volunteered with the North Texas Special Olympics in sailing regattas. Contact at acjones@ft.newyorklife.com.
Gwen I. Walraven, JD '04, has been named to the 2014 Texas Rising Stars list published by Super Lawyers and featured in the April issue of Texas Monthly. Walraven, of Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP in Dallas, is a partner and a member of the firm's intellectual property; creditors' rights; and litigation practices.
Jonathan Zendeh Del, BBA '04, was named one of Houston's Top Lawyers by Houstonia Magazine. He was also recognized in Texas Monthly and Super Lawyers Magazine as a Super Lawyers Rising Star, an honor bestowed on only 2.5 percent of lawyers in the state. Zendeh Del is an attorney with of Zendeh Del & Associates PLLC in his native Galveston, Texas, where he practices criminal defense, DWI/DUI defense and personal injury law.
'05
Phallan K. Davis, BA '05, has joined the National Electrical Manufacturers Association in Rosslyn, Va., as its first public relations specialist. Davis has more than seven years of agency, nonprofit and political communications experience.
Dr. Tom Ogburn, DMin '05, has become pastor of First Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tenn., after almost a decade as pastor of First Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Previously, he was the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's associate coordinator for volunteer and partnership missions and missionary/strategy coordinator for an unreached people group in Southeast Asia.
In March, Lauren (Milford) Perkins, BS '05, appeared on ABC's Live with Kelly and Michael as one of four finalists for the Unstoppable Moms contest. She received $10,000 and a trip for her family to Florida. She and her husband, David Perkins, BBA '05, reside in Houston with their sextuplets, who turn 2 years old in April. Lauren keeps a family blog,
perkins6pack.blogspot.com.
Robert Thornell, EdD '05, of Newark, Texas, was approved by the Northwest [Texas] ISD school board as the district's new assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. Thornell previously served as the district's executive director of curriculum and staff development.
'06
Heath Cheek, JD '06, of Dallas, has been included on the Texas Rising Stars list published by Super Lawyers. He is a member of Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP's litigation and intellectual property practices.
Kevin Muenster, JD '06, has been promoted to partner at Dallas-based law firm Estes Okon Thorne & Carr PLLC. He is a trial lawyer who maintains an active litigation practice primarily representing Fortune 500 companies, small and medium-size businesses, and individuals in complex business disputes.
'07
J. Ryan Fowler, JD '07, the lead attorney at Sloan, Bagley, Hatcher and Perry, has been elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates. Fowler was also recognized among the Texas Rising Stars in both 2012 and 2013.
Lindsey (Oden) Skinner, BBA '07, joined Pattillo, Brown & Hill, LLP in 2007 and was recently promoted to manager of the Accounting and Business Consulting Division in Waco. A CPA, she specializes in preparation of annual and reviewed financial statements, payroll and sales tax preparation, and business consulting for clients in various industries.
'08
Johnasan Gregory, BBA '08, has received his CPA certificate. He joined Pattillo, Brown & Hill LLP in 2008. Gregory works in Governmental Audit as a senior auditor in the Waco office.
Kristopher D. Hill, JD '08, has been named to the 2014 Texas Rising Stars list published by Super Lawyers and featured in the April issue of Texas Monthly. Hill, of Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP in Dallas, is an associate and a member of the firm's labor, employment and benefits practice as well as their litigation practice.
Eric, BBA '08, and Lauren (Jones) Kirchner, BBA '08, of Houston, were married Nov. 3, 2012, in San Antonio. Eric works in oil and gas commercial insurance, and Lauren works in sales and marketing for her family's commercial nursery. They welcomed a son, Jack Jones Kirchner, on Dec. 17, 2013.
Dr. Peter Ly, BA '08, and Lenh Ngo, BBA '08, MAcc '08, of San Diego, Calif., were married Nov. 10, 2012, in Dallas. Peter is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, and Lenh is a CPA working in the Internal Audit Department for Qualcomm.
Brinn Serbanic, BBA '08, MTax '08, joined Waco's Pattillo, Brown & Hill LLP in June 2012 and was recently promoted to tax manager. She is on the editorial board of Today's CPA magazine, serves on the Board of Directors for Fuzzy Friends Rescue and is an adjunct professor at Baylor.
'09
Jency (Allison) Weeks, BSEd '08, MSEd '09, of Plano, Texas, is experiencing success in her acting career. She appears on the TNT drama Dallas, in the feature film, Hoovey, directed by Sean McNamara, and in many regional and national commercials.
As Barry Rowe, BSA '09, and Jessica Goodlett, BA '10, celebrated at their wedding rehearsal dinner at the Ritz-Carlton in Dallas, they received an unexpected visitor, Conan O'Brien. The talk show host and comedian added his good wishes to the happy couple. They were married the next day, Dec. 14, in Royse City, Texas. Barry is a second lieutenant in the Air Force Reserves, stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, La. Jessica is an on-air personality for Townsquare Media in Shreveport.
Certified personal trainers Dustin, BBA '09, and Bethany (Northern) Stephens, BSW '10, MSW '11, have opened Entire Fitness in Woodway, Texas. Their facility focuses on functional fitness and holistic health (mind, body, and spirit). "Our hope is to improve Waco's health as a whole and help people live sustainable, healthy lives," writes Bethany. Learn more at entirefitness.net.
'10
Fitness entrepreneur Rachel Armstrong, BBA '10, is president and her friend Brooke Ezell, BA '10, is social media manager for Timbuk Fitness, the nation's first African dance fitness program that teaches people how to move to the beat of African drums while also breaking a sweat. Learn more at timbukfitness.com.
Capri Box, BBA '10, has received her CPA certificate. She joined Pattillo, Brown & Hill LLP in 2011. Capri works in Governmental Audit and recently was promoted to a senior auditor at the Waco office.
Jillian (Veiga) Gusukuma, BMEd '10, MMEd '12, married Stephen Gusukuma, BMEd '07, MM '12, on July 19, 2013, in McKinney, Texas. Stephen is pursuing a doctoral degree in choral conducting at the University of Michigan, and Jillian is a high school choir director and special needs and elementary music teacher. They reside in Ann Arbor, Mich.
'11
Clayton Spencer, BS '11, married Katelyn Issleib on Jan. 18 in Round Rock, Texas. Clayton works for an engineering firm in Austin, and Katelyn is a teacher in Round Rock ISD. They reside in Austin.
Shannon Skinner, BA '11, MS '12, and Tim McGee, BBA '12, of Houston, were married Nov. 17, 2013. Many of their Baylor friends were in attendance. The couple met in an a guitar class during their junior year at Baylor. Tim started First Focus Marketing, an inbound marketing company, and Shannon is a speech pathologist in Cy-Fair ISD.
Dr. Adrienne (Akins) Warfield, PhD '11, married Bradley Warfield on June 9, 2013. She is assistant professor of English at Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, N.C.
'12
Katie Durrett, BSW '12, MSW '13, and Travis Steadman, BBA '12, were married June 8, 2013. The couple met at Line Camp in 2008 and have been together ever since. They were engaged on campus in Sept. 2012. The postlude at their ceremony was "That Good Old Baylor Line" and was followed by a "Sic 'em!" The couple lives in Garland, Texas. Travis works as a financial paraplanner, and Katie is a social worker at a skilled nursing facility.
Ilianna Garcia, BA '12, and Andrew Rafie, BA '12, were married March 8 in Comfort, Texas. Ilianna is currently working for the City of San Antonio, and Andrew plans to attend dental school in the fall. The couple began dating during their sophomore year at Baylor and was engaged Sept. 29, 2013. Contact at 230 Dwyer Ave., Unit 1201, San Antonio, TX 78204 or ilianna89@gmail.com.
Megan Morrissey, BBA '12, and Kyle Gemas, BBA '12, were married March 1 in Marco, Island, Fla. After meeting during their sophomore year at Baylor, they were engaged on Kyle's graduation date in Waco's Cameron Park. Megan is attending Clemson University Graduate School in Greenville, S.C. Kyle is a credit analyst for Comerica Bank in Dallas.
'13
Dona Ribin, BA '13, married Alan Nguyen, BA '12, on Jan. 3, and their entire wedding party consisted of Baylor alumni. The couple resides in Plano. Alan, who earned a master's degree from Dallas Baptist University, works for Ernst & Young, and Dona works for Dallas Center Inc.
In Memoriam
1930s
Gladys (Felder) Kathcart, BA '31, of Bryan, Texas, passed away Dec. 3, 2013 at age 103. She taught algebra in Bryan until retirement, then worked in a former student's State Farm Insurance office until she was age 86. She was preceded in death by her husband Rex "Kitty" Kathcart, BBA '31. He was a halfback on the football team and she was a Baylor Beauty. Among her survivors are her son, Rex Kathcart Jr., BS '57, granddaughter, Kim (Kathcart) Irwin, and great granddaughter, Sarah Irwin, a Baylor senior.
Mauriece (Vance) Johnston, BA '38, of San Antonio, died Feb. 15 at age 96. She served as president of Texas Woman's Missionary Union, as first vice president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, as the first female director of The Baptist Standard and the first woman to serve on the Executive Committee of the BGCT. She served on the Baylor Sesquicentennial Council of 150 and received the W.R. White Meritorious Service Award and the George W. Truett Distinguished Church Service Award. She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, the Rev. Dr. Earl W. Johnston, AB '37.
1940s
Mary Jane (McIver) Soroosh Jackson, BA '42, of Weatherford, Texas, died Nov. 25, 2013, at age 91. She taught elementary school for 36 years in Weatherford ISD and played the violin in the First Baptist Church of Weatherford chamber orchestra for years. Among her survivors are daughter, Roxanne (Soroosh) Snell, BA '68, and son, Robert McIver Soroosh, BA '71. Contact Roxanne at roxannesnell@aol.com.
Agnes (Rabon) Stanley, BBA '42, passed away Feb. 12 in Houston at age 92. She was a member of Delta Alpha Pi (now Kappa Alpha Theta) and the Heritage Club. Stanley was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Oliver Walton "Dub" Stanley. She was an avid Baylor sports fan and had a deep and abiding love for the University and its students.
James W. Wray Jr., BA '43, JD '47, of Corpus Christi, Texas, died Feb. 13 at age 91. He was a captain in the Navy during World War II and practiced with the law firm of Lewright, Dyer, Redford, Burnett, Wray and Woolsey for over 30 years. Wray continued to practice law with the firm of Chaves, Obregon & Perales until he was 91. He served as president of the Corpus Christi Bar Association, State Bar director for District 11, director of the Texas Association of Defense Counsel and Texas State chairman for the American College of Trial Lawyers. Memorials may be made to Baylor Law School.
Evelyn Dougherty (Box) Smith, BA '46, of Waco, died March 19 at age 88. She was salutatorian of Grapevine High School in 1942, trained as a classical pianist at Baylor and was editor of the Baylor Round Up. Smith was married to Dr. Walstein Smith Jr., '41, for 52 years until his death in 1998. She worked as a legal secretary, a teacher at La Vega ISD, and as an instructor of adult G.E.D. students at McLennan Community College. She was a Sunday School teacher/director at First Baptist Church of Waco. Smith was president of Baylor Round Table, the Hankamer Business Wives Club and the McLennan County Bar Auxiliary. She also served as a trustee for Hillcrest Baptist Hospital. Among her survivors are two children, including Dr. Elaine Smith, BA '74, MA '79. Memorials may be made to the Walstein Smith Real Estate Scholarship at Baylor.
David Daniel Tiner, BA '49, MA '50, of Crane, Texas, died Oct. 24, 2013. He was married to Margaret (Crouch) Tiner, BA '44, for 58 years before her death in 2007. Tiner was an educator for 37 years beginning in Elm Mott and ending in Crane. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the USS Lawrence.
1950s
William "Bill" Leon Bidelspach, '51, of Waco, died March 5 at age 86. He served in the armed forces and was married to Dorothy Jean Hardy, '49, who died in 1990. Bidelspach was employed by Texas Farm Bureau in 1955 and retired as vice president of underwriting in 1988. In 1991, he married Alice Walker Yates. Survivors include his daughter, Lisa Bidelspach, MSEd '79, of Houston.
W.P. "Bill" Henderson, BA '51, of Tyler, Texas, died Dec. 19, 2013, at age 85. He served in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War and earned a master's degree from East Texas State University. Henderson was a coach and principal at Daingerfield, Clarksville and Tyler. He also had a 20-year career with Star Engraving Co. Among his survivors are sons Plez Henderson, BBA '79, Bruce Henderson, BBA '83, David Henderson, BBA '87, and a daughter, Kay Bowman, BSEd '87.
Betty Joyce (Polley) Crockett, BA '52, of Tulsa, Okla., died Aug. 16, 2013. She earned a master's degree from The University of Tulsa in 1972. She taught elementary school in five states, ending in Country Club Hills, Ill. Among her survivors are husband, Wayne Crockett, BBA '52, two children, and four grandchildren.
Merrill C. Leonard, BA '52, of San Diego, Calif., died Jan. 30 at age 85. He served in the Navy in World War II and graduated from Baylor and Southwest Baptist Seminary. Leonard was a pastor in California churches and a Navy chaplain in Vietnam. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Frances (Smith) Leonard, BA '52.
Barbara Allgood Lee, BA '54, of Fort Worth, died Feb. 14 at age 81. She taught for 19 years at Westcliff Elementary in Fort Worth ISD. She married Oliver Lee in 1957, and they celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2007. Among her survivors are her husband and their children, Brian Lee, BBA '80, and Courtney Fisher, BBA '86, and four grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Baylor University.
Charles D. Bass, BA '55, of Evergreen, Colo., died Oct. 22, 2013, at age 79. He served in the U.S. Army for 20 years as a chaplain and then was a pastor and chaplain in Colorado and a missionary in Antwerp and other locations. Bass authored several books, served on the Colorado Baptist General Convention and was an elder in his local church. He was an avid Baylor football and Lady Bear basketball fan. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Martha (Latham) Bass, BA '58, and daughter, Elizabeth (Bass) Richards, BA '84. Contact Martha at cmabass@comcast.net.
Horace E. Perry Jr., BBA, '55, of Houston, died Jan. 11 at age 80. He retired from Shell Oil Co. after 38 years. Perry was married to Pat (Pattillo) Perry, '58, for 58 years. He is also survived by four children: Chuck Perry, BMEd '80, Janet (Perry) Pankratz, BBA '79, Summer Perry Garnett, BSEd '85, and Sam Perry, BMEd '90. The Perrys were active members of Tallowood Baptist Church.
James Weldon Jackson, BS '56, of Fort Worth, died Feb. 21. He was 80. Jackson worked for Worth Construction Co. on the Interstate Highway System from northern Oklahoma to the Texas Gulf Coast. Later he established the James W. Jackson Construction. Among his survivors is his wife of 58 years, Marjorie Kann Jackson, BA '56.
Norma (Willingham) Schaffer, BA '56, of Abilene, Texas, passed away Feb. 21 at age 79. She became a flight attendant and a math teacher and married pediatrician Herman Schaffer. An active volunteer, Schaffer served on the boards of Hardin-Simmons University, Junior League of Abilene, TJH Medical Alliance, Medical Foundation, YMCA, United Way of Abilene, A.C.T., Abilene Philharmonic and Hope Haven. She was a Girl Scout leader and Cub Scout leader. She taught Sunday School at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. The Schaffers loved to travel and visited six continents. Survivors include children Dr. Andrew Schaffer, BBA '88, Jeff Schaffer, BBA '90, and Susan (Schaffer) Roberts, BBA '91, MTax '91.
Frank Engler Jr., BA '58, of Kansas City, Kan., died Jan. 13, at age 78. For 15 years, he taught elementary school in Midland, Texas, and later owned Turquoise Treasures in Midland and Odessa.
Sue (Braumiller) Fair, MM '58, of Waco, died March 7 at age 77. She graduated from North Texas State University, where she befriended and collaborated with pianist Van Cliburn. Fair taught piano to hundreds and also taught Sunday School at Austin Avenue United Methodist Church. She served as president of the Waco Music Teachers Association. Fair was preceded in death by her husband, Ted Fair, BBA '50, JD '51, in 1996. Survivors include her sons, Walt Fair, JD '83, and Will Fair, BBA '84, and four grandchildren.
Meredith Earl Roberts Jr., BA '58, of Longview, Texas, died
Jan. 2 at age 77. He practiced law in Longview for more than 50 years. For more than 35 years, Roberts served as attorney for the Sabine River Authority of Texas and headed the legal efforts of acquisition of land for the Lake Fork Reservoir. He also was involved with the Sabine River Authority. Roberts was a member of the Board of Trustees of LeTourneau University and served as mayor of Longview. He ran more than 40 marathons, including the Boston Marathon. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Elizabeth Hull Roberts, BA '58; and son, Murray Earl Roberts, BBA '88.
Joe H. Cooper, BS '59, MS '61, a longtime resident of Tucumcari, N.M., died Dec. 18, 2013, near Clovis, N.M. He was 76. He and his wife, Margorie, owned Cooper's Market in Tucumcari for many years.
1960s
William Woodward Bell, BBA '60, JD '65, of Brownwood, Texas, died March 5 at age 75. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a tank platoon commander and naval aerial observer captain before returning to Brownwood to practice law for 45 years, including serving as municipal city judge and city attorney. Survivors include his wife, Betty (Beniteau) Bell, BBA '59, daughters Susan Elizabeth Bell, BA '96, and Carol Ann Bell, BA '97, and sister, Betty Jane Smith, BA '54.
Dr. Alfred Gustav Koestler, BA '60, PhD '71, of Greensboro, N.C., died Jan. 20 at age 79. He conducted aerospace medical research for the U.S. Air Force in support of Projects Mercury, Gemini and Apollo. Koestler worked as director of psychological services for Blue Bell Inc. in Greensboro and vice president for human resources for the U.S. operations of the Robert Bosch Corp. before retiring to join Pegasus International.
Charles R. Shuffield, BA '60, of Fort Smith, Ark., died Sept. 30, 2013, at age 75. He worked at Sparks Regional Medical Center for three decades, including 28 years as president. Among his honors was the American College of Healthcare Executive's Regents Award as the outstanding health-care executive in Arkansas. Shuffield was active in many community, civic and professional organizations. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Sherron (Sipes) Shuffield, BA '61.
Norma Jean (Sorrells) Flynn, BA '62, of Shavano Park, Texas, died July 7, 2013. She was a teacher and published 15 books for children and young adults. The Texas Institute of Letters named its annual award for Best Book for Children and Young Adults in her honor. Woodland Baptist Church, San Antonio, named its church library for her and a coworker. Flynn and her husband, Robert Flynn, BA '54, MA '56, celebrated their 60th anniversary in Havana, Cuba, shortly before her death. Contact Robert at rlflynn@earthlink.net.
Claude L. Pearson, BA '63, of Bartlett, Tenn., died Sept. 28, 2013 at age 73. The Baylor football letterman became a probation officer, director of sanitation and alderman in Bartlett. He also taught and coached at Briarcrest Christian School. Among his survivors is his wife of 41 years, Carolyn (Crawford) Pearson, '65.
Albert William Steele, BA '62, of Waco, died Dec. 20 at age 81. He was a teacher for 51 years teaching in Houston, Dallas, Waco, Groesbeck, Cleveland, all in Texas, and Prague, Czechoslovakia. After retiring from full-time teaching in 2001, he continued to substitute through 2013. Steele was fluent in five languages and loved history.
Stacy Earl Mathis, BBA '64, of Richardson, Texas, died Jan. 9 at age 72. He made the Honorable Mention All Southwest Conference Football Team in 1963. He played in the Canadian Football League and is in the Texas Six-Man Football Hall of Fame. Mathis was an officer in the National Guard and had a 41-year career in insurance. Among his survivors are his wife of 43 years, Betty Ann (Crawford) Mathis, BA '69, and children, including Michael Mathis, BBA '95, and Dr. Meredith Curtis, BA '01.
Dr. Donald "Don" Robert Blake, DDS '67, of Dallas, died Jan. 12 at age 72. He was a dentist in the Navy as a first lieutenant in Vietnam. He practiced dentistry in Richardson, Texas, for 46 years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn (Hodges) Blake, BS '71.
Ernest F. Cadenhead, JD '67, of Brownwood, Texas, died Jan. 26 at age 81. He served as a first lieutenant in the Air Force and as a captain in the Air Force Reserves. Cadenhead was twice post commander of American Legion, Post 196. He was an attorney in Brownwood and served as a justice of the peace, county attorney, county judge and retired as 35th District Court judge.
Reta (Vondean) Penney, BA '67, of Waco, formerly of West, died Jan. 11 at age 72. She married Clyde P. Penney in 1958. Penney was a teacher for Waxahachie ISD, Waco ISD, and Parkview Christian Academy before retiring in 2012. She was also a Girl Scouts leader. Survivors include three daughters, Lavonne Blalock, BBA '80, Cyndee Penney, '94, and Anjee Reed, BA '93, and a sister, Peggy Land, BBA '72, MBA '96.
1970s
J. Miles Horner, BBA '72, of Granbury, Texas, died Dec. 7, 2013, at age 63. A master carpenter and ranch foreman, he was part of a large Baylor family. A member of the NoZe Brotherhood and Sigma Tau Epsilon, Horner rode in the first Bear Downs 50-mile bicycle race in 1971. He helped to restore many of Granbury's historic buildings and was active in several community service organizations.
Larry Earl Kelly, JD '74, of Waco, died March 19 at age 67. Kelly spent 20 years as Chief Judge for the Western District of Texas. He was an adjunct professor of law at Baylor Law School for 30 years. He was appointed to serve on the Federal Judicial Center Committee on Bankruptcy Judges Education, 1991-94. Kelly was the chairman of the National Council of Bankruptcy Judges Automation Committee/Web Page from 1995-2006. Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Suzanne (Veiluva) Kelly, MSEd '69, and brother, Jim Hillin, BMEd '79. Memorials may be made to the Larry and Suzanne Kelly Endowed Bankruptcy Law Scholarship.
Harry Wayne Kluck, BBA '78, of Crawford, Texas, died Feb. 15 at age 57. He married Donna Ann Wolfram in 1979 and was the controller of Central Texas Iron Works. Kluck was a committed Baylor sports fan and had a passion for the outdoors. His survivors include Austin Kluck, BBA '06.
Larry Norman Sims, BA '80, of Dallas, died March 11 at age 56. At Baylor, he was a charter member of Delta Upsilon fraternity. Sims was the founder, president and CEO of QCD of America Inc. for the past 22 years.
1980s
Blake Sieker, BBA '85, died Jan. 14 at age 51. For 16 years he worked for Context Network, an international agribusiness consulting firm, including serving as a managing partner since 2006. Sieker was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Denver, Colo., and was on the board of the Baylor Alumni Association. Among his survivors are children Justin, BBA '12, Andrea and Jeremy, a Baylor sophomore.
2000s
Gabriel Chapa Sr., BBA '08, of Robinson, Texas, passed away Dec. 7, 2013. He was 48. Chapa worked for Baylor's ITS department from 2009 until his passing. Among his survivors are his wife, Anna Chapa, BSEd '98, and five children.
2010s
Joshua Eric Partridge, a Baylor senior computer science major from San Antonio, died March 27. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Universal City and an intern at Rackspace.
Joanne Louise Pepper died on Friday, Jan. 24, 2014, in Rocky Face, Ga., having recently moved from Katy, Texas. She was a school nurse for more than 20 years in Lamar and Katy ISDs. Pepper was a member of Baylor's Old Main Society. Among her survivors are her husband of 57 years, Paul E. "Ed" Pepper, BA '62, MA '69, and sons, Paul Pepper, BBA '79, MPP '83, and Timothy Pepper, BSEd '92.
Dr. John Watson Shepard Jr., of Waco, died Feb. 1 at age 92. Born in Brazil to missionary parents, he graduated from Mississippi College, Vanderbilt and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Jean, studied Chinese together at Yale in preparation for their career as Baptist missionaries. After China was closed to missionaries, they were reassigned to Japan, arriving in 1950. Shepard taught at Seinan University in Fukuoka, Japan, and worked in Japanese churches until his retirement in 1983. He helped establish Meinohama Baptist Church and taught at Wake Forest and Baylor. Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Jean Shepard, BM '79, and children, John W. Shepard III, Margaret S. Thomson, BA '73; Douglas K. Shepard, '79, and Alan T. Shepard, BA '82. Memorials may be made to the Baylor University Endowed Scholarship Fund.