ulated with a Boston accent plus pleasing personality greatly aided him in establishing rapport with students. The longer the conversation or conference, Brother James Afred Jeffress, who the more he was able to convince and dedicated his life to serve youth, eduinfluence his students. cation and the School District of KanHe sought to increase his proficiency sas City, Missouri, was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts just before the turn by studying at several midwestern uniof the present century. He attended versities. But it was from the University of Kansas that he received the the public schools of his home town. M. E. and Sp. Ed. degrees. For undergraduate work he chose Tufts Probably no one, not even "Jeff" University, Medford. Massachusetts, from which he was awarded an A. B. himself, can give an estimate of the time, effort and energy, expended in degree in 1915. working with educational, civic and While living in the Boston area, Bro. fraternal organizations. Believe-youJeffress became interested in music and me when I say that he was more than joined up with a dance band. He was a member in each organization in which an accomplished violinst. For a while he held membership. In the list of orhe was a teacher of the mandolin. ganizations given below, one can note Following graduation from Tufts Un- that he became either president or iversity, Bro. Jeffress accepted a pos- chairman of a committee in each orition as teacher of mathematics at Lin- ganization. coln University, Jefferson City, MisBro. James Alfred Jeffress is recogsouri. During the summer vacation periods he strove to increase his pro- nized by the University of Kansas as ficiency in mathematics and music by the "First" to receive the degree of studying at the University of Chicago. Specialist in Education from that inIn Chicago he met and lived in the stitution. The degree was awarded in home of Bro. W. D. Giles, a physician. 1954. Bro. Jeffress' numerous activiOut of love for the Fraternity and be- ties and accomplishments are outlined cause of their intense interest in music, as follows: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Brothers Jeffress and Giles collaborPast President, Beta Lambda Chapated in the writing of several Alpha ter; Corresponding Secretary Emeritus, songs. Alpha Man of the Year (1950); EducaAfter the cessation of hostilities and tional Achievement Award (1954); the signing of the Armistice to end General Convention Program Chairman World War I, Bro. Jeffress returned for 1940 and 1950; Compiler of Alpha to his teaching position at Lincoln UnSongs 1948; Former Regional Director iversity. But teaching college students of Education; Chairman of Regional was not to his liking! He had always and National Committee on Recomhad a hankering for teaching young mendations (1951); Midwestern Repeople of high school ages. He believed gional Director (1956); Editor, Vade he knew the problems confronting high Mecum, Alpha Brochure and Thumbschool students and that he could work Nail Sketches for the 1950 General closely with them in solving the same. Convention. The dream of teaching high school Y. M. C. A. students became a reality in 1923. It Past Chairman of Committee of Manwas in that year that he accepted a position in the Kansas City, Missouri agement, Paseo Department; "Service Public Schools and was assigned to to Youth" Silver Plaque Award (1953); teach mathematics at the Lincoln High Solicitor in "Y" Membership Drives; School. Because of his keen intellect and ability to present his subject, he soon won the admiration of both teachers and pupils. After several years of superior teaching he became Head of the Mathematics Department at Lincoln. BROTHER JAMES A. JEFFRESS by Bro. Dan W. Lewis
The old saying, "a jack of all trades is good at none", does not apply to "Jeff". He was identified with every activity at Lincoln. Each project attempted was carried through to completion in a manner superb. While not a counselor, he was responsible for guiding scores of young people into a c ceptable patterns of behavior. He was a "Big Brother" to many potential drop-outs. His soft, round voice, mod-
MAY 1965
"Y" Athletics. Boy Scouts of America Former Scoutmaster, Troop 95, Yates School; Skipper, Explorer Troop, Ship 5293; Past District Commissioner: Scoutmasters Key, Order of the Silvei Beaver (1954); "Tribe of Mic-o-say" (1955). The American Legion Past Commander, Wayne Minor Post No. 149; Sergeant-at-arms, City Central Executive Committees (1950-1953): ViceJState Commander, Department oi Missouri (1953-1955); Organizer, Sons of the American Legion; Organizer, Drum Corps for Fathers and Sons. Professional Head, Department of Mathematics, Lincoln High School; Past President, Secondary Teachers Study Association; Member, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, N. E. A.; Athletic Commissioner, Lincoln High School; Head, Department of Mathematics, Lincoln Junior College (before integration of schools), etc. Church and Civic Organizations Secretary, Brotherhood of St. Andrew, St. Augustine Episcopal Church; Former Secretary Urban League Board; Vice-President, Carver Neighborhood Center; Chairman, Greater Kansas City Research Academy; Former President, Soldiers Service Club; NAACP; Fellowship House; Red Cross; Polio, etc. All of us in Beta Lambda chapter recognize Bro. Jeffress as an unusually versatile and creative individual. He served as corresponding secretary for more than 20 years. Presently he is corresponding secretary emeritus. The monthly notices of meetings are indicative of his creative ability. Each notice was exquisitely designed and carried an unusually interesting message urging attendance of the meeting. It was he who planned the beautiful decorations and made unique favors for the "Annual Alpha Spring Party." (Continued on page 31)
Bro. James Alfred Jeffress is shown receiving the Midwestern Regional Award presented tc him at the St. Louis Regional Conference, 1956, by the then Regional Vice President, Bro. C. Anderson Davis. Left to right: Bros. Stenson E. Broaddus, Jeffress and Davis.
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