Dr. Francis E. “Ab” Abernethy passed away March 21. Abernethy was born Dec. 3, 1925, in Altus, Oklahoma, and grew up near Palestine, Texas. Abernethy’s family moved to Nacogdoååches, where he graduated high school in 1943. Abernethy joined the Navy two weeks later and served in the South Pacific during World War II. After the war, Abernethy attended 91ֱ and received his bachelor’s degree in English in 1949. He continued his education and received both his master’s and doctoral degrees in literature from Louisiana State University. In 1965, he began his career at 91ֱ, where he taught for 32 years. Abernethy retired in 1997 as a member of the Texas Institute of Letters and 91ֱ professor emeritus. Abernethy was a longtime member of the Texas Folklore Society, where he served as secretary-editor. Abernethy’s wife, Hazel Shelton Abernethy, preceded him in death.
In Memoriam
Issue: Fall 2015
Dr. Francis E. “Ab” Abernethy
Ina Pearl Riggs Brundrett
Ina Pearl Riggs Brundrett, an educator, gardener and philanthropist from Tyler, passed away June 3. Brundrett held memberships in many garden clubs and related organizations. She served on 91ֱ’s Pineywoods Native Plant Center’s board and was a major contributor in establishing the Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building on 91ֱ’s campus. She generously gave to educational and botanical endeavors throughout the state. Texas Parks and Wildlife and the National Wildlife Federation declared the backyard of her Tyler residence a wildlife habitat.
Shirley Wooten Crawford
Shirley Wooten Crawford passed away March 8. Crawford was born Sept. 10, 1937, in Panola County. She was a proud 91ֱ graduate, receiving her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the university in 1958 and 1970 and served on the 91ֱ Alumni Association Board and the 91ֱ Alumni Foundation Board of Governors. Crawford worked for Texas A&M University and retired as a district extension director. She was well known for her local civic participation, serving as executive director for the United Way of Rusk County and as a member of the Henderson Lion’s Club and Keep Henderson Beautiful committee. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Henderson and served as pianist for Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church.
James Galen “Jim” Dickson
James Galen “Jim” Dickson passed away March 18. He was born May 26, 1935, in Hugo, Oklahoma. Dickson moved to Texas in 1947, and he graduated from Honey Grove High School. He graduated from the University of North Texas and the University of Texas before serving in the Navy. After his military service, Dickson taught Texas government and constitutional law at 91ֱ from 1965 until retiring as professor emeritus in May 2000. He is survived by his wife, Martha Barker Dickson.
Dr. June Irwin
Dr. June Irwin, former 91ֱ professor of health and physical education, passed away April 5. Irwin was born Aug. 4, 1925, in Laneville, Texas. She earned her bachelor’s degree from 91ֱ in 1946 and her master’s degree from Texas Women’s University. In 1958, she received her doctoral degree from the University of Indiana in Bloomington. Irwin served on the 91ֱ faculty from 1947 until 1985 and was a devoted supporter and fan of 91ֱ athletics. Irwin was inducted into the 91ֱ Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.
Dr. David Jeffrey
Dr. David Jeffrey, former 91ֱ associate vice president for graduate studies and research, passed away April 7. Jeffrey was born Sept. 28, 1940, and grew up in Oklahoma, served in the military and later received two degrees from Oklahoma State University. Jeffrey taught rehabilitation counseling at 91ֱ and retired in 2007. He is survived by his wife, Jann Lowther Jeffrey.
Dr. Jerry N. Lackey
Dr. Jerry N. Lackey, former 91ֱ professor of psychology, passed away March 14. Lackey was born Nov. 30, 1939, in Overton, Texas. He graduated from Longview High School in 1958 and received his bachelor’s degree in 1963 and doctoral degree in educational psychology from the University of Texas in 1971. He joined 91ֱ in 1967, where he remained until his retirement in 2005. In 2011, he was named professor emeritus of psychology. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Verna Barron.
Arthur “Buddy” Temple III
Arthur “Buddy” Temple III, an Angelina County businessman and conservationist, passed away April 14. 91ֱ’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture is named in honor of the Temple family’s contributions to the study of forestry in East Texas. Temple was born in Texarkana, Arkansas, to Mary Denman and Arthur Temple Jr. on Feb. 26, 1942. He grew up in Lufkin, Texas, and attended the University of Texas before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1961, serving as a crew chief and helicopter co-pilot. Temple later served four terms as a Texas state representative. He played an active role in the management of his family business, Temple Industries and served on the Texas Railroad Commission, where he was named chair in 1985. He served on the Temple-Inland Board of Directors and as board chairman of the T.L.L. Temple Foundation. He also served on the boards of First Bank & Trust East Texas and the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute. In 2014, Temple received the Texas Forest Country Partnership’s Silver Bucket award for his efforts in preserving the natural habitat of East Texas, including approximately 19,000 acres of hardwood forest and wetlands along the Neches River. His wife of 45 years, Ellen Clarke Temple, survives him.
In Memoriam
| Name | Class | Hometown | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tommye Earle Adams | 1944 and 1962 | Nacogdoches | April 2 |
| Elisabeth Early Anderson | Friend of 91ֱ | Nacogdoches | April 2 |
| Stephen F. Austin | 1974 | Spring | Feb. 10 |
| Gilbert Baker | 1967 | Jacksonville | Jan. 31 |
| Bo Barbe | 1957 and 1963 | Center | April 19 |
| John W. Barnett | 1950 | Carthage | March 16 |
| Eva H. Barrett | 1968, 1971 and 1974 | Dallas | May 12 |
| Dr. Stewart Sutherland Barron | 1949 | Nacogdoches | April 1 |
| Thomas Jerrel Belk | Friend of 91ֱ | Nacogdoches | March 28 |
| Marcus Brast | 1992 | Katy | May 24 |
| Carolyn Muckleroy Price Bright | 1947 and 1954 - Retired faculty | Lufkin | May 23 |
| Marian Brightwell | 1966 and 1978 | Nacogdoches | June 2 |
| Helen Brooks | 1969 | Tyler | June 4 |
| Shannon Renee Brown | 2006 | Nacogdoches | March 8 |
| Mary L. Bunn | 1949 and 1950 | Orange | March 30 |
| Sonja Burnett | 1984 | Shreveport, Louisiana | Feb. 4 |
| Joe Edd Callaway III | Friend of 91ֱ | Boerne | April 30 |
| Carroll Campbell | 1959 | Longview | Jan. 30 |
| Dr. Janiece Buck Campbell | 1967 and 1973 | Nacogdoches | May 31 |
| Randell T. Clark | 1987 | Kilgore | March 15 |
| Johnathan Brian Coppinger | 2013 | Marion | Jan. 23 |
| Gregory Paul Covington | Friend of 91ֱ | Nacogdoches | Jan. 22 |
| Gail Cuculic | Friend of 91ֱ | Center | Jan. 12 |
| John M. Daniel | 1972 - Retired faculty | Nacogdoches | April 1 |
| Cathryn White Davis | 1954 | Jacksonville | Feb. 25 |
| Dr. Harry Dale Dawson | 1959 | Dallas | Feb. 23 |
| Arthur Baker Denman | 1948 and 1950 | Nacogdoches | March 5 |
| Frank T. Devereaux | 1949 and 1968 | Diboll | March 25 |
| Jacqueline Anne Dowden | 1955 | Pasadena, Texas | April 26 |
| Jacqueline A. Dudley | Former faculty/staff | Nacogdoches | May 1 |
| Robert Russell Dunavant | 1970 | Ripley, Mississippi | May 18 |
| Dr. Wentworth Guy Eaton | 1956 | The Woodlands | Feb. 12 |
| William H. English Jr. | 1975 | Alabaster, Alabama | March 4 |
| Cinda Elizabeth Farrell | 1977 and 1999 | Longview | Jan. 30 |
| John Ford III | 1991 | Port Arthur | Jan. 26 |
| Ernestine Fountain | 1942 | New Williard | March 12 |
| Judy Kay Furrh | 1990 | Spring | March 8 |
| Jack Gatewood | 1969 | Hamshire | Jan. 28 |
| Bret Allen Gentzler | 1996 and 1999 | Orange | March 8 |
| Laura Gates Graham | 1981 | Spring | July 28, 2014 |
| Tracy D. Groom | 1987 | Eustace | March 29 |
| Dr. Bettie Sue Florey White Hadac | 1967 and 1969 | Nacogdoches | Jan. 19 |
| Virginia Hangerstrom | 1942 | Queenstown, Maryland | May 28 |
| Alison Audrey Hardaway | 1999 | Calhoun City, Mississippi | Jan. 17 |
| Sharron Heath Henson | 1973 | Nacogdoches | March 26 |
| Ralph Higgs | 1970 | Cottonwood, Arizona | April 8 |
| Charles D. Holmes | 1953 and 1957 | Carthage | Feb. 16 |
| Roger Guyton “Guy” Hopkins | 1972 | Americus, Georgia | March 11 |
| Arthur “Gene” Howard | Developer of early childhood program/lab | Dallas | April 25 |
| Matthew G. Jacoby | 1995 | Nacogdoches | April 20 |
| Glenn Allen Johnson | Friend of 91ֱ | Nacogdoches | May 18 |
| Victor J. Johnson | 1956 | Longview | March 4 |
| Evelyn Jolley | 1969 and 1976 | Longview | May 9 |
| Juanita Vera Scott Kendrick | Friend of 91ֱ | Nacogdoches | Feb. 3 |
| Terry D. Lamon | 1979 | Lufkin | Jan. 25 |
| Clarence Langford | 1959 | Magnolia, Arkansas | May 5 |
| James H. Langston | 1937 | Longview | Jan. 18 |
| Thomas R. Machann | 1988 | Zavalla | Feb. 9 |
| Henry Lee Malone | 1971 | San Antonio | April 2 |
| Ila V. Martin | 1953 | Nacogdoches | Feb. 15 |
| Bennie J. McMillan | 1954 | Tyler | Jan. 21 |
| Minnie McMillan | 1955 | Jasper | April 29 |
| Carlos Michel | 1966 | Conroe | April 16 |
| Robert Joshua “Rudy” Millard | 1954 | Nacogdoches | Feb. 15 |
| David Miller | 1982 | Rusk | June 3 |
| Reginald Victor Monzingo | 1956 | Nacogdoches | April 29 |
| Annette M. Moore | 1968 and 1975 | Daingerfield | Jan. 18 |
| R.H. “Rick” Murff | 1964 | Bullard | March 3 |
| Dr. Charles Thomas Nall | Retired faculty | Nacogdoches | Feb. 13 |
| Pat N. Nash | 1946 | Tucson, Arizona | Jan. 20 |
| Daryl W. Nooner | 1948 | Houston | June 9 |
| Marilyn Zelle McKaskle Odom | 1954 and 1958 | Nacogdoches | May 4 |
| Simeon W. Oefinger Jr. | 1970 | Tyler | Feb. 17 |
| Djuana R. Oxford | 1953 and 1955 | Pasadena, Texas | April 3 |
| Jack C. Peebles | 1956 | New Orleans | May 13 |
| James Powell | 1946 | Shelbyville | May 22 |
| Gary L. Price | 1974 and 1982 | Atlanta, Texas | April 24 |
| Father Paul Procella | 1956 and 1957 | Houston | May 5 |
| Betty Pruitt | 1975 and 1978 | San Marcos | June 2 |
| George K. Rambin | 1950 | Nacogdoches | May 5 |
| Dr. Odis Odean Rhodes | Retired faculty | Lufkin | April 17 |
| Keifer Glen Richards | 1956 | Tyler | May 4 |
| Wayne M. Roland | 1975 | Longview | March 15 |
| Stanley D. Russell | 1981 | Anchorage | Jan. 2 |
| Joe D. Sanders | 1968 | Orange | March 19 |
| Gerald S. Schmale | 1968 | Round Rock | Feb. 23 |
| Catherine Jordan Evans Schmidt | 1949 | Nacogdoches | March 7 |
| Frank Sisco | Friend of 91ֱ | Nacogdoches | Jan. 15 |
| James “Larry” Stanaland | Friend of 91ֱ | Nacogdoches | April 4 |
| Sharon Stratton | 1979 | Longview | March 4 |
| Jason Stringer | 1999 | Jonesboro | June 11 |
| Cindy R. Strube | 1977 | Mount Pleasant | Feb. 10 |
| Patsy R. Summers | 1958 | New London | March 8 |
| Kathleen Taylor | 1951 | Timpson | June 6 |
| Phillip K. Taylor | 1970 | Marshall | Jan. 20 |
| Kathlyn LaGrone Tuttle | 1946 and 1948 | Carthage | Jan. 17 |
| Paul Ware | 1984 and 1991 | Nederland | April 7 |
| William David Whitescarver | Retired faculty | Palestine | Jan. 27 |
| Maxine Mozelle Langford Williamson | 1949 | Longview | May 3 |
| J.R. Wright | 1960 | Nacogdoches | May 26 |
| John William Y’Barbo Sr. | 1950 | Groves | March 3 |