In Memoriam
1940s
Jack Allen Whetsel, BBA ’41, of Austin, died July 29 at age 94. At Baylor he met Nevie Martha Webb, BA ’40. They were married for 71 years until her death in 2013. Whetsel served in the Navy at Pearl Harbor, Guam and Iwo Jima and was awarded a Bronze Star. He founded Broadway Hardware in McAllen, TX, which was recognized as one of the most outstanding hardware stores in the country. Whetsel also served as mayor of McAllen from 1969-77. The Whetsels provided the naming gift for the Lt. Jack Whetsel Jr. Basketball Practice Facility at the Ferrell Center, which is named for their late son, who briefly attended Baylor before being killed in Vietnam. The Whetsels provided significant support for Baylor’s Track and Field program and established the Jack and Martha Whetsel Endowed Scholarship Fund for students whose parents or guardians are police officers, firefighters or schoolteachers. The Whetsels were members of the Baylor University Medallion Fellowship at the James Huckins level.
Bettye (Sparkman) Bass, BA ’45, died July 26 in Hot Springs, AR. She was 90. Bass was valedictorian of her class at Ingleside (TX) High School. She lived in Corpus Christi for 66 years. While working for Humble Oil, she met and married Franklin Bass, who died in 1996. Bass was active in family, church and community life. She taught Sunday School for decades at First Baptist Church. Bass served on advisory councils of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Baylor’s Truett Theological Seminary, and the South Texas School of Christian Studies. She also served on the board of the South Texas Children’s Home. Bass is survived by her children, Dr. Harold Franklin Bass Jr., BA ’71, and his wife, Mitzi (Watson) Bass, BA ’73; Robbie Lea Bass, BA ’73; and Rebecca (Bass) Brown; four grandchildren, including Jessica Bass Vaught, BA ’98: and five great-grandchildren.
Dr. James Franklin Cole, ’47, of Waco, died June 5 at the age of 93. A native of Trenton, TN, Cole received his bachelor’s degree from Union University before serving in U.S. Army during World War II, including D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded The Bronze Star. Cole was called to the ministry as a result of his experience in battle. He attended graduate school at Baylor, where he met his wife, Helen (Witten) Cole, BA ’47. He earned degrees from Southwestern Baptist Seminary and Louisiana College. He pastored several churches in Texas and First Baptist Church of DeRidder, LA. Cole also served as editor of The Baptist Message, the state Baptist paper of Louisiana. He served as president and then executive vice president of the BAA from 1978-91 and was honored in 1991 with the W.R. White Meritorious Service Award. His wife, Helen; son, James Franklin Cole Jr.; and his granddaughter, Allison Ann Bucy, preceded Cole in death. Among his survivors are daughter, Carolyn Ann Cole (Meyer), BA ’77; grandson, James Cole Bucy, BA ’02, and wife, Skye Perryman, BA ’03, and step-grandson, Mike Meyer, MBA ’98. Memorials may be made to the Baylor School of Social Work.
Dorcas “Dot” (Dean) Beck, ’45, of Amarillo, TX, died June 23 at age 91. She met and later married David Wilson Beck Sr., BBA ’42. The Becks were members of First Baptist Church of Amarillo for 48 years. She was a member of Amarillo Art Alliance, Art Force, Amarillo Symphony, Junior League of Amarillo and Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae.
Jennie Kathryn “Kathie”
Mitcham, BA ’45, of Corsicana, TX, died May 30 at age 90. At Baylor, she was president of the Alpha Omega girl’s club. She and her first husband Dr. Robert Bone, BS ’46, made their home in Corsicana. She volunteered at the hospital as a Pink Lady and served at church in several capacities through the years. The family had a keen interest in missions and spent one summer on a missionary jungle base in Peru where Dr. Bone volunteered as a physician. She was preceded in death by her second husband, Lee A. Mitcham. Among her survivors are daughter Gaynelle (Bone) Newport, BS ’76, and granddaughter, Anna (Newport) Stover, BA ’00.
Dr. Johnye (Cannon) Strucken, BA ’45, of Lacey, WA, died April 24 at age 90. She became a professor of literature and languages at East Texas State University, now Texas A&M University-Commerce, where she served as dean of the graduate school and dean of the College of Liberal and Fine Arts, becoming the first woman to serve as an academic dean in the university’s history. She resumed teaching English in 1976 until retiring in 1993.
Dr. Edwin L. Caldwell, BBA ’46, of Wethersfield, CT, died April 6 at age 90. During World War II, he served in the Navy before returning to Baylor to teach for five years where he would later serve as chairman of the economics department. He earned a doctorate in economics from Harvard and then worked at one of the largest banks in Connecticut.
Amy Louise (Presson) Nelson, BA ’46, died July 13 in Garland, TX. She was 89. Preceding her in death was her husband, Rev. Richard Nelson, BA ’49, and a sister, Ann Harper. Among her survivors are son David Nelson, BS ’70, MS ’75, and wife Cathie; daughter Debbie (Nelson) King, BBA ’74, and husband Tom; son Richard, BA ’75, JD ’78, and wife Lisa; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She received her master’s degree from East Texas State. Nelson taught English for a few years in Garland. She served as church pianist for many years and occasionally played the organ.
Dr. Joe Allen Cox, professor of management in the Hankamer School of Business, died July 13 at age 67. He taught at Baylor for 37 years. Cox helped shape the professional lives of thousands of students.
Dr. Terry Maness, dean of the Hankamer School of Business, said the passing of Dr. Cox is “particularly poignant to me” as the two professors began their careers together at Baylor in 1977.
“Joe excelled in the classroom and was loved by his students,” Maness said. “His lasting legacy is our program in human resource management which he championed and was particularly successful in developing numerous industry relationships. Joe will be greatly missed by his colleagues, our staff and the thousands of students who he taught and mentored for more than three decades. Our deepest prayers are with Joe’s family as we grieve alongside them in their loss.”
A native of Stillwater, OK, Cox earned three degrees from Oklahoma State University. In 1994, he was the first recipient of Baylor’s Collins Outstanding Professor Award. He also received the Herbert H. Reynolds Award for Exemplary Service, was regularly recognized by Mortar Board as an outstanding professor mentor and was honored (with his son, Cody) with the Global Forum Best Symposium Award by the Academy of Management. He served as chairman of Baylor’s Faculty Senate and for many years chaired the Business School scholarship committee. For more than 30 years, Cox served as the faculty sponsor for the Baylor Association for Human Resources, which he founded. He and his wife taught children’s and adults’ Sunday School classes for over 25 years at Woodway United Methodist Church. Among his survivors are his wife of 43 years, Linda (Haynes) Cox, BS ’68; children, Collin Joe Cox, BA ’97, and wife, Jacquelyn (Dubose) Cox, BBA ’97; Cody Brent Cox, ’99, and wife, Amy Lou; and Clint Tyler Cox, BA ’04, MA ’05, and wife, Shae; and three grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Hankamer School of Business Endowed Scholarship Fund.
Walter Carroll Fadal, ’48, a lifelong Wacoan, died Aug. 8 at age 86. He and his brother, Edmond, purchased White Pharmacy at 25th and Bosque in 1947 and owned and operated it until 1963. In 1963, Fadal joined Texas Life Insurance Co. as an agent and enjoyed a successful career there before retiring as senior vice president and director of sales and marketing in 1991. He was a member of the Baylor Bear Foundation, the Baylor Waco Foundation board and Rotary Club of Waco, among others. Fadal was a founding member of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church and a longtime member of Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit. Among his survivors are his wife of 62 years, Lilian Khoury Fadal; son, Carroll Fadal, BA ’75, and wife, Harriet (Hull), BA ’75, MSEd ’07; daughter, Rosanne Fuller, BSEd ’77, MSEd ’83, and husband, Hayes, BA ’76, JD ’79; grandchildren, Kathryn Williams, BBA ’03, and husband, Noel, BS ’03, Eric Fuller, BBA ’07, and wife, Brandy, of Houston, and Annie Fuller, BBA ’09; and two great-granddaughters. Memorials may be made to the Walter and Lillian Fadal Endowed Scholarship Fund at Baylor.
Kathleen (Brown) Forman, BA ’48, of Denton, TX, died July 27, 2014, at age 87. She was married to Ray Hugh Forman Jr., for 47 years before his passing in 1999. They had two children, Elbert Ray and Ann. The couple raised their children in Decatur before moving to Slidell, Texas, in 1976. They later moved back to Denton. Forman was a member of Baylor’s 1845 Society and First United Methodist in Decatur.
Jane Frances (Young) Smith, BA ’48, of Garrison, TX, died June 23 at age 86. She was valedictorian of Garrison schools in 1944. In 1948, she married Ernest Duane Smith, ’49. Jane taught junior high school English in Garland. In 1971, the family returned to Garrison, where Jane was heavily involved at First Baptist Church in Garrison. She taught Sunday school for 61 years, until 2012. Smith was secretary and treasurer of the Greenwood Cemetery Association for almost 40 years. While in her 70s, Jane served on the Garrison City Council and was Citizen of the Year in 2008. Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Greg, BS ’81, and Treacey (Williams) Smith, BMEd ’80, and her grandchildren, Nolan Smith, BA ’08, and his wife Stacy (Teising), BBA ’07, Caroline Smith, BBA ’09, and Sarah Smith, BBA ’14.
Joseph Shuford Davis, BA ’49, of Frisco, TX, died July 5 at age 89. He served in World War II and was awarded three Purple Hearts. Davis played the tuba in the Golden Wave Band at Baylor, where he met his wife of 63 years, Janelle H. Davis, BA ’48. He was a principal and assistant superintendent in Louisiana before becoming a medical textbook editor. He faithfully supported Baylor sports. Among his survivors are his granddaughters, Laura (Youngblood) Fitzgerald, BA ’95, and Jessica (Kunde) Ozanne, BA ’02.
L.A. Pittman, BBA ’49, of San Antonio, died June 14 at age 89. He served in the Navy and worked for Remington Rand Corp. and Allstate Insurance. In 1964, Pittman started work at Frost Bank of San Antonio, eventually heading the real estate and commercial lending area. He retired in 1988. Pittman was a board member of the Baptist Hospital System and the Baptist Children’s Home. He was on the advisory board for the Hankamer School of Business and taught summer sessions at the Southwest Graduate School of Banking at SMU. Pittman was also a deacon at Castle Hills First Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Verna Lou (Bissett) Pittman, BA ’48. Survivors include his sister, Betty Remus, BA ’48, his son, John Pittman, BBA ’76, MBA ’77, and daughter, Ami Brown, BSEd ’74, and grandson Christian Brown, BBA ’10. Memorials may be made to the Verna Lou Pittman Endowed Scholarship Fund at Baylor.
David Floyd Smith Jr., BBA ’49, longtime city manager of Waco, died June 6 at age 88. He joined the Marines at 17 and served during World War II. He married Betty Jane Bradford, BA ’46, in 1948. Beginning with the city in 1961, Smith was Waco’s first purchasing agent. Over the years, he was promoted to assistant director of public works, director of finance, and assistant city manager before becoming city manager in 1971. He held this position until his retirement in 1988. Survivors include his sons, David Bradford Smith and William Scott Smith.
1950s
Gloria (Shearin) Logue, ’50, of Waco, died April 3 at age 87. She played piano and organ at Calvary Baptist Church in Memphis, TN. Logue graduated from Memphis State University, taught shorthand and typing, and worked as a court reporter. Later in life, she worked for more than 20 years at Baylor, including working in library acquisitions in Moody Library. Her husband, Bill Logue, BBA ’47, JD ’49, preceded her in death. Among Logue’s survivors are four daughters, including Linda Picazo, BA ’78, MBA ’82, Sharon Boyland, BSEd ’80, Katherine Logue, BA ’84, JD ’87, and Margaret Sudderth, MA ’94.
Dr. Bill L. Halbert, BA’51, MD ’56, of Teague, TX, died Aug. 9 at age 83. He was a practicing physician in Teague for 45 years. Halbert served on the medical staff of the City Hospital and Teague General Hospital for 30 years. He served on the board and as president of the Texas State Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners. For 30 years, he served as division surgeon for Fort Worth and Denver, Rock Island, and Burlington Northern Railroad. Among his survivors are his wife of 62 years, Audrey (Mallett) Halbert, BM ’52, MS ’52, and his children, Belinda Baldree and husband, David, Denise Bruton and husband, Pete, and William Blair Halbert, ’90, and wife, Irene, ’88. He has nine grandchildren, including Megan Baldree, BA ’10.
Donald O. Hall, LLB ’51, of Hewitt, TX, died July 15 at age 87. He served in the Navy during World War II and was elected Judge of the Justice Court for Waco. During his career, he served as assistant district attorney, first assistant district attorney, and district attorney. He later practiced general law in Waco as senior partner in his law firms and owned a downtown office building. Hall was president of several law associations and a Master Mason. Hall was a charter member of Delta Theta Phi law fraternity, Baylor chapter, and a licensed pilot. He married Mary Ann Morgan in 1951 and they had two children: Lisa Don Hall and Brett Clayton Hall, BA ’84.
Elizabeth “Betty” (Campbell) Cash, BA ’52, of Waco, died July 11 at age 83. In addition to taking care of her family, she taught English and Spanish and worked as a librarian in several school districts. She also worked in her church as a pastor’s wife and in a number of church-related ministries. Among her survivors is her husband of 62 years, Jack Cash, BA ’54; children, Jack Robert Cash, Jr., Wesley Campbell Cash, BSEd ’78, and wife, Julie, BSEd ’81, and Ginger Cash Etcheson, MSEd ’85, and husband, Steve.
Dr. B.H. Lee, BA ’52, of Amarillo, TX, formerly of Castro County, died June 14 at age 84. He graduated from Baylor and University of Texas Southwestern Galveston Medical School. He practiced in Dimmitt for many years and retired there in 1994. Survivors include his wife, Rubie Lu Lee, six daughters, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Barbara (Miller) Rogers, BA ’52, of Trophy Club, TX, died June 19 at age 82. Born in Corpus Christi, she attended San Marcos Baptist Academy, Colorado College and the University of Colorado. Rogers graduated from Baylor and Texas A&I University and was a teacher before marrying her husband of 55 years, James F. Rogers. The couple lived in New Jersey, London, New Mexico and Texas. Among her survivors are her husband, James, and daughter, Jena (Rogers) Himmelheber, BSN ’83.
Howard N. Pool, BA ’53, of Georgetown, TX, died June 3 at age 84. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 30 years Joan Marie Pool and his brother Frank Pool, BA ’49. He is survived by his wife Betty, two daughters, and a brother. Pool held a 36-year career with Southern Pacific Railroad in both Houston and St. Louis. He enjoyed playing the piano, camping and Baylor sports.
Anthony “Tony” Gentry Riddlesperger, BA ’53, LLB ’54, of Dallas, died Aug. 7 at age 81. Following his service in the military, he was employed as an attorney with Gulf Oil Corp. and Superior Oil before becoming a partner in the law firm of Jones, Stephens, Bell and Willey. In 1976 he became vice president and chief counsel of Grace Energy Corp. in Dallas, where he remained for 34 years. He served 10 years on the legal Committee of the Interstate Oil Compact Commission and was on the board of directors of the Business Law Foundation. He was president of the Thomas J. Rusk Chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. He was a founding Elder of Grace Presbyterian Church in Houston and a founding member of Park Cities Presbyterian Church in Dallas. Survivors include his wife Jane (Johnston) Riddlesperger, BA ’54, sons John and Dan Riddlesperger; and sister-in-law Katherine Hawthorne, BA ’56.
George B. Lassetter, BBA ’54, MS ’59, of Waco, died June 26 at age 92. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. In 1959, he was the first to ever graduate from Baylor Night School, having received his master’s degree after 10 years of attending Baylor. He was employed with the Veterans Administration for many years as chief of loan guaranty. Among his survivors are daughter, Linda Kay Worley, BSEd ’89, and step-daughter, Paula (Pack) Henningsen, BSEd ’81.
Dr. William Davis “W.D.” Northcutt III, BS ’54, DDS ’57, of Longview, TX, died Aug. 12 at age 80. He was a practicing orthodontist until retiring in 1995. Northcutt was a partner with his brother, LeGrande Northcutt, BA ’58, in Northcutt Interests, a property management, real estate, and oil and gas investment company. He and his wife, Susanne, reared four children. Northcutt served on the city council and was elected mayor pro tempore. He was president or board chairman of at least 14 groups, including the Longview Rotary Club, the Gregg County Historical Commission, Crisman School, Longfellows Association, Summit Club, Longview Museum of Fine Arts, Longview Community Theater, and others. In addition, Northcutt was a director or trustee of at least one dozen other entities and was honored as “Citizen of the Year” by the Longview Rotary Club in 2010.
Dr. Thomas K. Lagow, BA ’56, of Rome, GA, died June 17 at age 79. He attended Rice, Baylor, SMU, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the University of Georgia. Lagow taught at North Carolina State University before becoming a professor of history at Shorter College in Rome in 1961. He retired from Shorter in 2005. Lagow was a deacon, Sunday School teacher and church historian at the First Baptist Church of Rome. He also served on the Georgia Baptist Historical Commission and Georgia Council for Teacher Education. Lagow was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Glenn (Cox) Lagow, BA ’57.
Archie Edward Anderson Jr., BBA ’57, of Houston, formerly of San Antonio, died June 30 at age 78. He received his law degree from St. Mary’s Law School in San Antonio. Anderson served nine years in the U.S. Army Reserve and achieved the rank of captain. He lived for a short time in Chicago, but returned to San Antonio where he began working with his father in the building of houses in the city of Windcrest.
Charles Williams Evans, BBA ’57, of Southside Place, TX, died July 28. He was 79. Evans earned an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania and was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. His career ranged from business consultant to professor at the University of Houston to real estate agent. He was a councilman for Southside Place and served for 11 years as an emergency management volunteer instructor for both the Texas Department of Public Safety and Pasadena. Evans received the Distinguished Community Service Award from the American Red Cross. He volunteered with the South Side Place Volunteer Fire Department for two decades.
Henry H. “Bud” Jones, BA ’57, of Waco, died July 27 at age 79. He worked most of his career as an insurance adjuster for Indiana Lumbermen’s Mutual Insurance Company in Waco. He became a state manager for claims for three different insurance companies before forming Bud Jones Inc. Jones was a deacon of First Baptist Church of Woodway. He served on the resolution and executive committees of the Southern Baptist Convention and as a trustee for Lifeway Christian Resources. He served on the advisory board for the Southwestern Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters, as chairman of the board for Naler Cemetery Association, and for six years for the Texas National Guard. Jones was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Aura Bell Jones of Moody, Texas, and his daughter, Angela Ruth (Angie) Jones. Survivors include his wife, Annette Jones; his daughters, Julie Cash, BSEd ’81, MS ’82, and Anne Ryon, BSEd ’87; his sister, Eva Jo (Dobie) Butler, BA ’59, MSEd ’76; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Angela Ruthe (Angie) Jones.
Glen David Montgomery, BS ’57, of Fort Worth, died July 4 at age 79. At Baylor he played football and was a member of Chamber. He earned an MBA at the University of Oklahoma and served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Montgomery served during the Vietnam War and, after 26 years of service, retired with the rank of colonel. Glen served as a social aide at the White House for six years and also volunteered with the Neighborhood Watch program in his area. Among his survivors is his wife, Jo Ann Ownby Montgomery.
James Sandy Boren Sr., ’59, of Boerne, TX, died Aug. 1 at age 77. He attended Law School at Baylor where he met his future wife, Glenda Jean. They married and had two children, Jimmy and Dayna. Boren was a military veteran and later a civilian employee stationed in Izmir, Turkey, on assignment for the Department of Defense. He retired from the Defense Language Institute at Lackland Air Force Base. He and his wife, Glenda, were active in many organizations in San Antonio until her death in 1988. He later married Mary Jo Bowers, and they remained married until her death in 2011. A brilliant man who spoke multiple languages, Boren volunteered at the San Antonio Zoo, the Hill Country Animal League and Boerne First Baptist Church.
1960s
J.C. Ewing Jr., BBA ’60, of Lampasas, TX, died Aug. 10 at age 78. He served in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Japan during the Korean War. The Ewings ran their own accounting firm in Lampasas for 45 years. He was the first county auditor of Lampasas County. In 1989 he also became affiliated with H.D. Vest Investment Services. Ewing served on the Baylor Estate Planning Council, the University Development Board, and the Old Main Society. He was also a regional chairman of the Selective Service System and president of the American Lung Association of Texas. Ewing served as an ordained Elder and Clerk of the Session at the First Presbyterian Church of Lampasas and most recently was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lampasas. Among his survivors are his wife, Johnnie Lou Ewing, and children, Melissa Katherine Rollins Foil, Cynthia Lou Sloan, BS ’80, and Marcus Alan Sloan, BA ’83, MIJ ’84, and Jennifer Lee Ewing, BA ’92.
W. Fred Cameron, BBA ’60, JD ’62, of Houston, died Aug. 24. He was 76. A Baylor alumnus, Parents of the Year and Founders Medal honoree. Fred and his wife, Princess (Mike) Cameron, BA ’60, have been dedicated members of the Baylor family since they met at Baylor’s Dr Pepper Hour. In 2009, Fred and Princess were awarded the Founders Medallion, the University’s most distinguished award. The Camerons have kept their close ties to Baylor, serving as leaders in organizations such as the Baylor Law Alumni Association, Baylor University Women’s Association of Houston and the Houston Baylor Club. Fred is a past chairman of the Baylor Board of Regents, serving on the board from 1990-2000. He received the W.R. White Meritorious Service Award in 2002 for his outstanding service and loyalty to the University. Fred also served Baylor College of Medicine on the Board of Trustees. The Camerons have supported scholarships and construction projects such as the Baugh-Reynolds Campus of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary and the McLane Student Life Center. They are members of the James Huckins Society within the Baylor University Medallion Fellowship, Old Main Society, 1845 Society and Baylor Bear Foundation. Cameron, who retired in 2000 as senior partner of Fulbright & Jaworski LLP, served as a deacon and choir member at Tallowood Baptist Church. Fred was predeceased by his parents and his son, Kenneth William Cameron (BS ’84). He is survived by his wife, Princess; his sons, Kirk Robert Cameron, BA ’88, and wife, Jeanette, and Keith Charles Cameron, BA ’90, JD ’93, and wife, Michelle (Malaise), BA ’93, MPP ’96; his grandchildren, Kyrie, BA ’12, Kaeden, Kiera, Sutton and Sloane Cameron; and Kyrie’s mother, Jan (Patterson) Cameron, BS ’86. Memorials may be made to the Fred and Princess Cameron Endowed Scholarship in Law and the Fred and Princess Cameron Endowed Scholarship in Music at Baylor.
Barbara (Cowen) Almany, BA ’60, died June 3 in The Woodlands, TX. She was 75. Almany lived in Houston for many years before returning to her hometown of Cleveland, TX. She is survived by her husband, Harry Almany, and daughters Melissa (Almany) Kemper, BS ’86, MBA ’87, and Kimberly (Almany) Killian, BSEd ’88.
Larkin Craig Keoun, BBA ’61, of Fort Wayne, IN, died July 7 at age 74. After earning an MBA from Indiana University, he became a captain in the U.S. Air Force before starting his career as a CPA at Price Waterhouse in Dallas. He later became vice president and controller and then a general manager of General Portland Cement. He owned Plastic Composites Inc. for 20 years. Also an inventor, he holds a U.S. patent on an aerial bucket support apparatus. Keoun’s service on the Heritage Trail Foundation established historical markers throughout Fort Wayne.
Dr. H. Wayne Pipkin, BA ’61, of Greece, NY, died June 29 at age 74. A 16th century Reformation scholar, he published numerous books and articles on Anabaptists, most extensively on the reformer Ulrich Zwingli and Balthasar Hubmaier. He taught in the U.S. and abroad, including the Baptist Theological Seminary in Ruschlikon, Switzerland, and served as senior pastor at the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy, Russian Federation. Pipkin held degrees from Baylor, the University of Connecticut and Hartford Seminary. He was a Fulbright Scholar and knew six languages.
Stanley Ben Williams, BA ’62, of Lancaster, PA, died Aug. 4 at age 74. He was the loving husband of Judith Lepley Williams, to who he had been married 30 years. Born in San Angelo, Williams held degrees from Baylor, the University of Texas and Dickinson School of Law. He was an assistant professor of economics at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA, from 1971-79. He served two terms as a county commissioner in Pennsylvania and became a senior trust officer and an investment banker from at Hopper Soliday and successor firms Tucker Anthony and RBC Dain Rauscher. Among his survivors is his wife of 30 years, Judith Lepley Williams.
Karolanne (Bown) Thompson, BA ’65, of Duncanville, TX, died April 2, 2013. She was 69. Survivors include her husband, Tommy Thompson, BA ’64; son, Jarrod Thompson; daughter, Stacey Thurston; and two grandchildren, Savannah Marie and Ethan William Thurston.
James J. “Buck” Bovenzi, BBA ’67, of Amarillo, TX, died July 17 at age 69. He played football at Baylor. After many years in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, he lived in Amarillo for 34 years, working for Ordway-Saunders which later became Willis Insurance Co. Bovenzi is survived by his wife of 48 years, Susan Bovenzi, two children, four siblings, and five grandchildren.
David E. Nicholson, BBA ’68, of Kerrville, TX, died Aug. 5 at age 73. He served in the U.S. Navy before enrolling at Baylor and working full time at General Tire. In Waco he met and married Neva Jean Day. They had three children. Nicholson worked for Shell Oil Co. and then Conoco Inc. He received his MBA from Cornell and served one year as CEO of Executive Service Corps in Houston. Nicholson retired from Conoco in 1996 and retired near Hunt, TX. The family owned and managed Casa Bonita Riverside Lodges in Hunt for several years. He also served as Kerr County Commissioner, Precinct 4, from 2002-06.
Richard Franklin Dennard, ’69, of Dallas, died June 14 at age 65. He played on Odessa Permian’s first state championship football team in 1965 and played football at Baylor. Richard was the former owner of Dennard Chemical and Supply in Duncanville and a member of Ebby Halliday Real Estate Team. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; sons, Dustin Dennard, BBA ’96, Brandon Dennard, BA ’00, and Kyle Miller; three grandsons; mother, Dorothy Dennard; and sister, Patricia West. Dennard was preceded in death by his first wife, Judy (Wilson) Dennard, BA ’69; his father, and one brother.
1970s
Nelson M. “Mike” Davidson Jr., BA ’70, MS ’72, JD ’75, of Dripping Springs, TX, died June 28 at age 66. He contracted polio at the age of four and was valedictorian of Dripping Springs High School. He met his future wife, Barbara Watkins, BMEd ’72, in 1969 at Baylor, where they both participated in the Baylor Chamber Singers. Davidson had a law practice and served as a member of the DSISD Board of Trustees from 1984-1990, and was a leader in the establishment and growth of the Friends of the Pound House Foundation, the DS Community Library, and the DS Education Foundation. Davison was a founding member of Sunset Canyon Baptist Church. Among his survivors are his wife, Barbara, and his children, Sarah (Davidson) Henline, BBA ’97, and her husband Eric Henline, BBA ’97; Alice James, and Andrew Davidson. Memorials may be made to the Robert and Betty Young Choral Scholarship or Mary Ila and O. Herbert Colvin Scholarship Fund at Baylor.
Johnnie R. Krizan, BBA ’71, of West, TX, died July 24 at age 66. He was an accountant and employed by the U.S. Postal Service in Waco where he had various positions over the past 35 years. He also managed the family farm and rental properties. Krizan was a member of the West Brethren Church. As a district III director, he represented SPJST by attending lodge functions and meetings throughout the District and State. He participated in many community services, including serving as election judge. Krizan enjoyed collecting historical artifacts and documents. Survivors include a sister, Jeanette Beseda, BS ’73.
Marsha (Johnson) Enterline, BM ’72, of Dayton, OH, died July 27 at age 63. Born Oct. 15, 1950, in Shreveport, LA, to the late John Henry and Mildred (Davenport) Johnson, she was a celebrated teacher, musician and arts supporter. Survivors include her daughters, Sarah and Claire.
Ronald “David” Helton, BA ’72, JD ’73, of Throckmorton, TX, died Aug. 5. He was 65. Helton was as a Judge Advocate General in the U.S. Air Force before becoming a dedicated corporation lawyer. In recent years, David worked primarily for H.R. Stasney & Sons Ltd. doing title work on the Cook Ranch in Albany, TX. Helton was an avid photographer and Baylor fan.
Stephen P. Roskamp, BA ’73, of Houston, died June 25. He was 64.
Bobby Ray Gilliam, BA ’76, of Waco, died Aug. 13 at age 61. He spent 37 years doing social work. with 30 of those years at Methodist Children’s Home in Waco. He was president and CEO there from 2003-10 when he retired. During his tenure, Methodist Home tripled the number of children in its residential, foster care and community services. He also oversaw the care of children released from the Branch Davidian Compound and YFZ Compound. He was named Wacoan of the Year in 2008 by Wacoan Magazine. The Coalition for Residential Education (CORE) named him Administrator of the Year in 2006 and awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. The City of Waco declared April 30, 2010, Bobby Gilliam Day. Among his survivors are his wife of 40 years, Linda, BA ’76, and three children Luke, ’00, Rebekah and Leah. Preceding him in death was his daughter, Rachel. Also surviving him are his parents, Bobby Joe and Roma Gilliam, and his sisters, Sharon Krumnow, Glenda Huang, and Gina Ward.
1980s
Terry Lynn Stewart, BBA ’80, of Houston, died Aug. 9 at age 60. Stewart had a 25-year career in banking and finance that spanned over 25 years, ultimately serving as a vice president and senior client service manager with JP Morgan Chase Bank and Bank of New York. He retired in 2008. He was an active member of River Oaks Baptist Church. Stewart was a gourmet chef, a pilot, and an aircraft dispatcher. Among his survivors are his wife, Gail (Woodson) Stewart, BBA ’80, JD ’83; daughters, Kelsey and Jillian; and parents, Bill and Wanda Stewart.
Dana Elise (Ohlenbusch) Neumann, BBA ’86, of Oakland, CA, died July 9 at age 50. At Baylor she was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. Neumann worked for First City Bank in El Paso for two years and had a 25-year career at Wells Fargo in San Diego and San Francisco. Among her survivors are her husband of 22 years, Dave, children Travis and Torey, parents Herman and Doris Ohlenbusch and sister Carol (Ohlenbusch) Chappell, BS ’79.
Denise Fiama Yambra, BSEd ’88, of Frisco, TX, died June 27 at age 47. Born in Brownsville, TX, she taught second grade for 25 years, many of those with Frisco ISD. She was a member of the Fellowship Church and was part of the Baylor Alumni Network.
1990s
Dr. Beatriz Hordista Coquilla-Canete, MHA ’90, died July 28. The retired colonel was the first class president of the 1990 U.S. Army-Baylor Program in Health Care Administration. She was devoted to her patients and to the U.S. Army and the Veterans Administration.
Kathy Susan (Stokes) Gardner, BA ’91, of Waco, died July 30 at age 63. In 1978, Gardner moved to the Waco area, with her husband, who joined the Baylor faculty. She worked as a counselor for Consumer Credit Counseling Service and in several other positions. Kathy was a deacon at Lake Shore Baptist Church and volunteered with Seeds of Hope Publishing and Waco Meals and Wheels. Among her survivors are her husband, Dr. Steve Gardner, and children, Daniel Gardner and Jessica Gardner.
Stephanie (Shelton) Lienenbrugger, BBA ’93, of Driftwood, TX, died June 26 at age 44. Stephanie is survived by husband of 21 years, Kevin Lienenbrugger, BSE ’93, son Ryan and daughter, Courtney; parents, Judy and Raymond Shelton; brother, Stephen Shelton.
Shelly René (Drew) Evans, BBA ’94, of Frisco, TX, died July 31 at age 42. At Baylor she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority Evans was a member of the Liberty High School Booster Club and Frisco community sports. She was in software sales and was an OEM account manager at Actuate Corp., where she was awarded salesperson of the year. Survivors include her husband, Rob Evans, BBA ’93, their sons, Robby and Tanner, her parents Bert and Jeanette Drew, and her sister Shanda (Drew) Jaye, BSEd ’98.
Dr. Vance Andrew LeCrone, BA ’94, MCG ’95, of Spring, TX, died Aug. 4. He was 43. LeCrone was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and earned his doctorate of dental surgery in 2000 in Houston. In 2004, he established LeCrone Orthodontics. He was an active member of The Woodlands United Methodist Church and did mission work in Honduras. Survivors include his wife, Amy Anderson LeCrone, and three children, Charlotte Blake and Adeline Grace, and Thomas Vance. He is also survived by his siblings, Adam Blake LeCrone, BA ’90, JD ’93, and Dr. Noelle (LeCrone) Fields, MSW ’04; and parents, Noel “Blakie” Blake and Dr. Harold “Hap” LeCrone.
Doris Ann Stanford, ’97, of Lorena, TX, died June 6 at age 67. A graduate of the University of Texas, she taught for 30 years in Brownsville, Waco and Connally ISDs. She was active in her community, including serving as choir director of Lorena United Methodist Church.
2000s
Kevin Nicholas Day, BFA ’00, of Houston, died July 5 at age 36. He is survived by his parents, Terry and Lynn Day; brother, Derrick Day; brother-in-law, Brian Miller; niece, Kaelyn Miller; and nephews, Matthew and Jonathan Miller. He was preceded in death by his sister, Karen Elizabeth Miller.
Jonathan Charles Silko, BA ’08, JD ’11, died Feb. 13 at age 27. He was an attorney with Levicoff, Silko & Deemer in Pittsburgh, PA. At Baylor, Silko was an honors student of history and a member of Brothers Under Christ. While at Baylor Law School, Jonathan met his future wife, Violet (Fuller) Silko, BBA ’08, MBA ’11, JD ’11. They were married in April 2012. Silko is also survived by his parents, Maureen and David Silko, and siblings, Emily and Christopher.
Billie Joyce “B.J.” Davis of Hewitt, TX, died June 11 at age 70. A graduate of Waco High School, she enjoyed horseback riding, photography and watching the Dallas Cowboys. Her passion was Baylor softball. Honorary pallbearers for her service were members of the Baylor Lady Bears softball team. Memorials may be made to the Baylor Softball Excellence Fund or consider becoming a member of the Baylor Softball Diamond Club.
Lukin Taylor Gilliland Sr. of San Antonio died July 20 at age 87. He is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Harsh Gilliland; brother, Lee Gilliland; granddaughter, Hannah Marie Gilliland, BSED ’03; and his parents, Taylor and Mary Gilliland. Among his survivors are his sons, Lukin Taylor Gilliland, Jr., Kip Gilliland and wife Lisa, and John Gilliland and wife Frederique; grandchildren, Kara Lee Armstrong, Haley Beth Barr, Brittain Gilliland and Alessandra Gilliland; great-grandchildren, Lukin Cash Gilliland, and Rayden and Hannah Armstrong. Memorials may be made to The Hannah Marie Gilliland Endowed Scholarship Fund at Baylor.
Glen E. Hobart of Woodway, TX, died June 29 at age 75. He graduated from TCU in 1964. He worked for American Amicable Life Insurance Co. in Waco and later Detroit-area Alexander Hamilton Life Insurance Co., retiring as senior vice president of operations. He was a member of Baylor’s 1845 Society and the Baylor Bear Foundation. Among his survivors are his wife of 56 years, Sharon Hobart, and his two sons, Mike Hobart, BBA ’86, and Brian Hobart, BBA ’87.
Claude Edwin “Ed” King Jr., of Tyler, TX, died June 19 at age 77. He was a firefighter before beginning a career with Xerox. In 1978, King became the first Chick-Fil-A franchisee in Longview and later owned two locations in Tyler. He was a philanthropist for many institutions and nonprofits including Baylor. King received the Passion Award from The Salvation Army and the 2012 Community Builder Award from the Tyler Masonic Lodge. King is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sandra King of Tyler and three children.
On the morning of July 29, Laura Ezinwa Onwudinanti, BMEd ’14, and John Patrick “Jack” Stewart, a junior, died in a one-vehicle accident.
The two, along with senior Jake Hale and incoming freshman Megan Ritzi, were headed to Baton Rouge, where they were to perform at a meeting of the International Clarinet Association at Louisiana State University. Hale and Ritzi were seriously injured.
Onwudinanti, 21, of Grand Prairie, TX, earned her bachelor’s degree in instrumental music in May and was set to begin graduate study at the University of Michigan.
Stewart, 19, was an instrumental studies major from Dallas.
The Baylor School of Music held a memorial concert in honor of Onwudinanti and Stewart in September. Stephen Heyde, The Mary Franks Thompson Professor of Orchestral Studies, director of orchestral activities and Conductor-in-Residence at Baylor, said the concert reflected their lives because it was about faith and about music. “Those elements defined Laura and Jack,” he said. “They were both committed Christians, and both were wonderfully gifted musicians.”