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im Margene ’70 comes from a family who is heavily invested in both preaching and teaching. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in History at Bryan College and played as a starter for four years on the basketball team. He was part of the leadership that helped the Bryan Lions take their first serious steps into playoff recognition in a trip to the NCCAA. In his four years at Bryan, Margene scored 2,075 points. But success on the court was not his only area of influence. He was jokingly called “Mother” among his friends due to his efforts to point out the better choices along life’s path. The role has stuck with him. In 1970, Tim married fellow Bryan graduate (and head cheerleader) Vickie Rowsey. He took a job teaching History and Bible at Miami Christian School, where his ex-Bryan College Coach Jack Wells was involved. He was also able to assistant coach football and head coach basketball. In 1982, Tim expanded his ministry to students by taking groups on 2-3 week backpacking trips to the Sierras. Many of these kids had never seen the beauty of mountains before, and the trips have been continued by his teacher/coach sons. From Miami, Tim and Vickie moved to Christian schools in Florida and Alabama. Between 1970 and 2017, Tim taught over 7,000 students and coached over a thousand athletes in basketball and cross country. By then, he was often called Papa. He also taught 11th grade Bible using a modified version of Dr. Jensen’s inductive method. Nowadays, Tim is Grandpa to 6 grandsons and 2 granddaughters. He is still in contact with many former students who have become coaches, teachers, and even grandparents themselves. And last spring, four years after retiring, Tim was at the state track meet, leaning over the fence, encouraging the hurdlers, sprinters, distance runner, and pole vaulter. That last one was his oldest grandchild. It’s family tradition—to teach, to lead, to train up.
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r. David Gerard ’69 earned his Bachelor of Science in Natural Science from Bryan College and played basketball all four years he attended. Coach Wayne Dixon ’64 said of David Gerard, “I do not know of another athlete who is more deserving of being in the Hall of Fame.” In 1969, he anchored the basketball championship against Lee University. He also led the team to the national finals against Azusa Pacific University. During his four years at Bryan, David scored double figures in every game. His fellow teammates described him as, “having a built-in intimidation factor, set high standards for himself, was known for his strength and control, best rebounder they ever saw, great defensive player, unselfish passer, and a scoring machine.” In 1968, David married Ruth Sheppard ’71. Following graduation, David taught at Spring City High School for two years. He then served in the military and attended graduate school at University of Tennessee (UT) - Knoxville. He graduated in 1975 with his Master of Science and in 1980 with his Doctorate of Biology. From 1980 on, David worked at UT - Knoxville in a variety of roles conducting research and mentoring graduate students and post-doctoral researchers. He was named Professor Emeritus of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in fall 2019 and passed away peacefully in August 2020. PAGE 20 | BRYAN LIFE
