Danny ’76 and Vicki Reynolds ’79

FrIeNDS & FAMILY

Sam Darby ’46 and his wife Carolyn have enjoyed many trips to South Africa. Of the seven trips they have taken, the attached picture shows the only time they have seen a black rhino. Mr. and Mrs. darby live in Albany, Oregon. 1953

Richard Deats ’53 lives in nyack, nY where he worked for the Fellowship of reconciliation (FOr) from 1972 until his retirement on June 30, 2005. A United Methodist minister, deats taught social ethics at Union Theological Seminary in the Philippines from 1959 to 1972. dr. deats has authored and edited many books including co-editing Active Nonviolence: A Way of Life, A Strategy for Change. His book, Martin Luther King, Jr., Spirit-led Prophet (1999), with a foreword by Coretta Scott King, is now in its third printing and his biography of Gandhi, with a foreword by Sister Mary evelyn Jegen, is entitled Mahatma Gandhi: Nonviolent Liberator (2005). dr. deats has been named to the Civil rights Hall of Fame and received the distinguished Alumnus Award from Boston University.

1957

Tommy Watkins `57 was recently inducted into the texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor in July. tommy coached 44 years and won state championships at Class A rotan in 1962 and Class 2A Iowa Park in 1969 and 1970. He returned to the Permian Basin after the 1970 season to become the athletic director and football coach at Andrews, which gave him the chance to be closer to home. He stayed for six years, leaving in 1978 to return to Iowa Park, before stops at Uvalde, Garland Lakeview Centennial, and finally Garland rowlett in 1996 when the program was just beginning. When he retired after the 2001 school year, Watkins had compiled a 301-1538 record to go along with the three state championships, numerous district championships and coaching accolades. Watkins is ranked among the top 50 coaches of the past 50 years by dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine, but Watkins attributes his success to the help he received from others.

1958

Dick Countiss ’58 recently agreed to leave semiretirement for another stint in the courtroom as district Attorney. Countiss was selected as the democratic nominee for Criminal district Attorney of San Jacinto County after the incumbent district Attorney died. He is unopposed in the november General election and will begin a four-year term on January 1, 2011. Countiss served as district Attorney and later district Judge and Court of Appeals justice in the Amarillo area in the 1970s and 1980s before returning to private practice in Houston. Countiss presently serves as First Vice-President of the McMurry Board of trustees. He and his wife Karen (Hopkins, ex ’60) live on Lake Livingston and recently celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary.

FrIeNDS & FAMILY

1961

Deana (Thomas) Hazelwood `61

recently retired after 34 years of teaching, 19 in the Artesia Public School System. Thirteen of those years were teaching second grade and six were in kindergarten. deana reported that she is enjoying every minute of her free time. She is thankful to McMurry “College” University for the beginning of many blessings. She is sincerely thankful for her many teaching experiences, blessings, family, friends, and numerous fantastic students she taught throughout her life. After losing her first husband in the early 70’s (who she met at McMurry) she married Bob Hazelwood. In 1999, after sharing 24 1/2 years of marriage, she found herself a widow again. She is putting her house up for sale and will be moving to Frisco, texas where she hopes to buy a home close to her daughter and family.

1968

Dr. Jerry Campbell ‘68, president of Claremont School of Theology, was featured in a story in the August 22 issue of Time magazine. The article describes dr. Campbell’s leadership in establishing a theological university which opened this fall to train future pastors, imams and rabbis under one roof. The experiment to end isolated clerical training brings together Claremont, the Islamic Center of Southern California (ICSC) and the Academy for Jewish religion California. The Time story can be accessed at http://www.time.com/time/nation/ article/0,8599,2010951,00.html.

1985

Stanley Laing ’85, has been named the executive director of Athletics for northside ISd. He takes over a program that oversees thousands of athletes in 11 high schools and 18 middle schools, as well as a coaching force of hundreds of employees. He has been a 20-year educator, served as a coach and teacher for 16 years and as a high school administrator for eight years. Laing is a graduate of McMurry University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education and a minor in english. He also earned his master’s degree from texas A&M University at Kingsville.

Roy Sharp ’85 is the new principal of Fannin elementary. He was a teacher in the Abilene School district. He is a 1985 graduate with a BS in geology. His wife rebecca is a 2004 graduate of McMurry also. 1987

The Willis Independent School district recognized Stormy Cullum ’87 as the 2009-2010 WISd Secondary teacher of the Year. Cullum teaches technology at Brabham Middle School. She previously was named teacher of the Year in Sherman ISd and Coach of the Year in Sherman ISd and Pleasant Grove ISd. She is a 1987 graduate of McMurry University, earning a Bachelor of Science in education focused on secondary business courses, 8th-12th grade technology applications and physical education in all levels.

Ken Morton ’87 has returned to texas from California to serve as the new director of campus recreation at Stephen F. Austin State University. He

FrIeNDS & FAMILY

began his career with a six-year stint on the recreation center staff at his church, and for eight years he served as director of Student Activities and Campus recreation at McMurry University. 1983

David Osborn ’83 was promoted to Chief Lending Officer at Bank of the West in el Paso, texas. He joined the locally-owned community bank in 2000 as Senior Vice- President. He holds a BBA in business and marketing at McMurry University and also graduated from the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. 1993

Greel Myers `93 and his wife Carrie Danko Myers `94 are happy to announce the birth of emma Grace on March 2, 2010. emma weighed 6 lbs. 13 oz. and was 19 3/4 inches. emma joins big brothers Grant, age 10, and nolan, age 6, at home.

1995

Craig Watson `95 and his wife are proud to announce that their son, Hatcher Landon, was born on April 5 at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio. He weighed 6 lbs. 14 oz., was 19 1/4 inches long and was welcomed home by big sister, Hayes. 2002

Randy Glenn ’02 was recently featured with his wife on the cover of the new Abilene Big, the Abilene Chamber of Commerce business publication. The article mentions that while a student at McMurry (and running track for Coach Barbara Crousen), randy continued the lawn care business he began as a high school student at Wylie High School. That business has grown into a large landscaping and yard design business that has a significant impact in Abilene.

2003

Carrie (Patrick) Samuels ‘03 and Aaron Samuels ‘03 welcomed Jackson Patrick Samuels on november 16, 2009; he was 9 lbs. 4 oz. and 22 1/2 inches. Carrie is teaching high school english at north Crowley High School and Aaron works for State Farm Insurance in Fort Worth. 

85 Years of Smooth Sailing

The women of t.I.P. celebrated their 85th anniversary with a special cruise this summer.

Front to back, left to right: Marsha Lewis ’68, Gretchen von ende ’96, Gabie Hawkins ’42, James ’62 and Jane Ammons Harvey ’61, Sara Hudman Graham ’63, Jonasue Ammons Phillips ex ’66, Clay ’95 and Melissa Phemister Bulls ’94, and Amanda roberts Breeden ’97

FrIeNDS We’LL MISS

Pat Appling ’48 of Lubbock, texas, died July 21, 2010. Barbara Aulseybrook of Abilene, texas, died May 12, 2010. Rayford Baldwin ’54 of Abilene, texas, died March 5, 2010. Leon Barr of Abilene, texas, died April 22, 2010. Pauline Caffey ’37 of Clovis, new Mexico, died October 14, 2009. LaVeta Sinclair Campbell ’68 of Upland, California, died April 19, 2010. Beth Shepherd Chapman ’46 of Lubbock, texas, died March 18, 2010. Marilyn Boydstun Clement ’56 of new York City, new York, died August 3, 2009. Fannie Beth Arnold Craig ’37 of San Antonio, texas, died June 25, 2010. Willis W. Deichmann of Abilene, texas, died March 1, 2010. Edithe Easter died June 12, 2010. Russell B. Evans of Abilene, texas, died July 22, 2010. Eileen Smith Faulks ’30 of Abilene, texas, died August 1, 2010. Margaret Wall Glasgow of Incline Village, nevada, died on July 17, 2010. Dr. Thomas H. Greer ’38 of Cedar Park, texas, died January 15, 2010. Jo Ann Hamil of Abilene, texas, died January 26, 2010. Ann Lynn Hill of Amarillo, texas, died March 3, 2010. Bennie R. Jones ’49 of Abilene, texas, died February 20, 2010. Margaret H. Hunt Jones of Abilene, texas, died April 6, 2010. Dr. Jere Mack Lawrence ’54 of Sweetwater, texas, died February 17, 2010. Rev. Orion Neely Lewis ’53 of Lenexa, Kansas, died April 11, 2010. Harold Longino ’47 of Arvada, Colorado, died december 25, 2009. Patsy Sue Cox Martin of Abilene, texas, died August 6, 2010. Donald Mawson ’57 of east Moline, Illinois, died March 15, 2010. Bess C. Church McDonald ’38 of Benbrook, texas, died July 1, 2010. Rev. Kenneth T. Metzger ’59 of Lubbock, texas, died March 9, 2010. Billie Ruth Hawkins Miller ’66 of Midland, texas, died March 11, 2010. Marsha Iwana Monroe Miller ’92 of dallas, texas, died March 13, 2010. Homer C. Parris of Abilene, texas, died January 13, 2010. Mr. John Plant died 2010. Billyjo Stewart Robertson ’64 of Floydada, texas, died August 1, 2010. Irvin Shields of Abilene, texas, died June 14, 2010. Jacquelyn Ann Stephens Skidmore ’46 of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, died July 11, 2010. Louise Stallings ’50 of Stanton, texas, died April 5, 2010. Virginia Taylor of dallas, texas, died May 5, 2010. Larry Alan Teaff ’70 of tye, texas, died March 15, 2010. Robert Wayne Tiner ’60 of Abilene, texas, died June 2, 2010. Lillie Mae Smith Walker of Marble Falls, texas, died February 9, 2010. Frances Warren of Abilene, texas, died March 13, 2010. Curtis L. Wheat of Abilene, texas, died december 30, 2009. Rev. Jalma Newton Whetstone ’37 of Carlsbad, new Mexico, died July 12, 2010. Fern White of Clovis, new Mexico, died February 24, 2010. Howard T. Wilkins ’47 of Abilene, texas, died december 25, 2009. Wallace L. Wilson ’57 of Lubbock, texas, died May 13, 2010. Frank Barron Wood ’82 of Midlothian, texas, died July 9, 2010. Billy G. Yarbrough ’48 of Midland, texas, died August 2, 2010.

Obituaries

Bennie Ray Jones ‘49

Bennie ray Jones ’49, age 83, of Abilene, passed away on February 20, 2010, in Abilene. Bennie was born in McCaulley, texas, to Cloyce and delia Jones on december 26, 1926. He attended school at McCaulley. Bennie married diane Carlton on June 3, 1948, in Hamlin, texas. He graduated from McMurry College in 1949 and worked for riley G. Maxwell Company and rGM Core Analysis for 15 years. Bennie began his outstanding insurance career in 1965 at Southwestern Life Insurance Company, then later founded Bennie r. Jones CLU and Associates, where he further distinguished himself as one of the leading financial services consultants in texas and the nation. Bennie was a veteran of World War II and served in the Army. He was the first president of Crimestoppers Abilene, a director of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, a trustee at McMurry College and a lifetime member of the nrA. Bennie received numerous honors over his

FrIeNDS We’LL MISS

career including being a Life and Qualifying member of the Million dollar round table and texas Leaders round table. He was a Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant.

Jere Lawrence ‘54

A former mayor of Sweetwater, business owner and active public servant, Jere Lawrence ’54 died February 17, 2010, at dallas Methodist Hospital. He was 76. Until his death, Lawrence was active in his family's business, Lawrence Brothers Management, which had its corporate headquarters in Sweetwater. The company owns and operates more than 20 Lawrence Brothers IGA grocery stores in the area, including one in Abilene, as well as some Save-A-Lot grocery stores, bakeries, check-cashing stores and pharmacies. The business employs about 750 people. Lawrence grew up in Sweetwater, graduating from newman High School (now Sweetwater High School). He was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Sweetwater and supporter of McMurry University and Butman Methodist encampment. He followed in his father's and grandfather's footsteps and worked in the family supermarket business since 1956, after serving in the Army. He served as president of the company for many years. His sons, Jay and Kyle, his brother tere, and son-in-law neal Hoover, now run the company. Lawrence also became a community leader like his father, J.M. Lawrence. The elder Lawrence served as mayor in the early 1940s, and then Jere Lawrence served as mayor from 1975 to 1980 after serving as a city commissioner in the early 1970s. nolan County Judge tim Fambrough, who has been Lawrence's neighbor for 27 years, and worked as a public servant alongside him for many years, said he was shocked to hear the news. "He was as nice of a guy that you could ever meet," he said. Fambrough added that Lawrence was active in the community, serving on many boards, including the tStC Board of regents. Sweetwater City Manager eddie Brown, who served in the rotary Club with Lawrence, said he is considered one of the "city fathers" because of his service on the city commission and volunteer work in the community.

Colonel R. B. “Russ” Evans

Colonel r.B. "russ" evans (U.S. Air Force retired), 87, died tuesday, July 21, 2010, in Abilene. Col. evans was born on november 12, 1922, in rockford, Illinois, the son of russel evans and Caroline Johnson evans. After graduating from high school, he worked a few years with Woodward Governor Company before joining the Army-Air Corp in 1942 where he proudly served his country during WWII flying 51 missions with the P-38 Lightning Aircraft. russ returned from war in 1944 and served in the U.S. Air Force for 24 years, retiring on April 5, 1966, while stationed at dyess Air Force Base. After retirement from the Air Force, russ worked 19 years as the executive director of Abilene regional MHMr now known as the Betty Hardwick Center. The impact he made in the field of mental health was later honored when the day services and half-way facilities were named the r.B. evans Center. Col. evans was a longtime member and elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church. He was an avid golfer and a gifted craftsman and skeet shooter, competing with the Air Force national Skeet Shooting team while in the Air Force.

Marilyn Clement ‘56

Marilyn Clement ’56, age 74, a social activist who helped expand black voting rights under the guidance of the rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1960s, and later was a campaigner for a universal healthcare system in the United States, died August 3 in new York. She had multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow. Mrs. Clement, the daughter of gospel-singing texas sharecroppers, originally intended to become a missionary. Instead, she settled in Atlanta in the early 1960s to join the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a civil rights organization led by King. She worked directly for King and contributed toward many of the organization's projects. Mrs. Clement made her career in social activism. She served in leading roles for such organizations as the Center for Constitutional rights, a nonprofit legal and educational group in new York, and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom in Philadelphia. After founding the new York-based advocacy organization Healthcare-nOW! in 2004, Mrs. Clement became the foremost voice for passing a single-payer healthcare bill now being sponsored by rep. John Conyers, Jr. (d-Mich.). Marilyn Louise Boydstun was born in tulia, texas, on June 30, 1935. She graduated in 1956 from what is now McMurry University in Abilene, texas. In 1955, she married Gene G. Clement. The marriage ended in divorce. Survivors include their two children, Scott Clement of Lone Oak, texas, and Pamela Clement of Wirtz, Virginia; a brother, and three granddaughters. After King's assassination in 1968, Mrs. Clement moved to new York and was associate director of the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization. From 1976 to 1989, she was executive director of the Center for Constitutional rights and was heavily involved with the Center's efforts to take legal action against the Ku Klux Klan and against the government in domestic spying cases. Mrs. Clement moved to Philadelphia in 1994 to lead the U.S. headquarters of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. The next year, in her role with the league, she helped organize hundreds of supporters on a "peace train" that wound through 42 countries and wrapped up in Beijing.

FrIeNDS We’LL MISS

LaVeta “Veta” Dea Sinclair Campbell ‘68

LaVeta "Veta" dea Sinclair Campbell ‘68, beloved wife of Claremont School of Theology president, the rev. dr. Jerry Campbell, died on April 19, 2010. She was 64. She died surrounded by her family as she succumbed to acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by sarcoidosis and pneumonia at San Antonio Community Hospital in Upland, California. Sandra n. Bane, chair of Claremont's board of trustees said, "Veta had a ‘can do’ spirit and a quiet strength about her, and a gracious soul. She touched my heart and held me up many times, as I am sure others who have worked with her or got to know her on campus can also attest. I can't imagine the emotions that both Veta and Jerry have endured over the last several weeks." Veta's genuine interest in people and wide-ranging intellectual curiosity, combined with her gracious and easy manner, made her the ideal friend and confidante. “She was the perfect partner for a college administrator,” said Jerry, who served in senior administrative positions at duke University and University of Southern California before becoming Claremont School of Theology's sixth president. "Veta was always genuinely interested in others, and really paid attention to what they said," he continued. "She would remember everything about people and she always tried to be of help." A member of First United Methodist Church in Pasadena, California, Veta served the church and congregation in many ways. She was particularly proud of having chaired the committee that oversaw the redesign and retrofitting of the church's historic chapel. She also started and co-taught an adult class with Jerry for several years, and served as a trustee of the Pasadena Methodist Foundation. College sweethearts, Jerry and Veta met at McMurry University in Abilene, texas, and married in 1967. She received her B.S. in education from McMurry, and her M.ed. from east texas State University in Commerce, and taught first and third graders for many years. After a move to Chapel Hill, north Carolina, a friend needed help with her new store, Purple Puddle Flowers and Gifts, so Veta quit teaching to become store manager. The store prospered under her care, and it is still successful today. On every campus where the Campbells have served, Jerry shared that Veta always enjoyed getting to know students and doing what she could to make them feel at home and help them succeed. 

office of University relations Box 938 mcmurry Station Abilene, texas 79697 non-Profit Org. u.s. Postage PAiD Lubbock, tX Permit no. 49

The children at roosevelt elementary School in Lubbock, texas have “adopted” McMurry University in their Pre-K classroom. Inspired by a book by damen Lopez, No Excuses University, that encourages educators to “whisper” to young students that “after high school comes college,” each of their 40 classrooms has adopted a University. “research shows that the sooner you can plant this thought in their mind, the better chance of them going to college,” said tim Crane ’82, Assistant Principal. The Pre-K teacher, Ms. Shelly emery, has no connection to McMurry, but thought it would be a great school to promote. Thank you, Principal Crane, Ms. emery, support teacher Patricia Soto and the roosevelt Pre-K class!