TAPS Katherine Ann Cullen and Jane Randall Cullen; his brother, Dorsey and his wife, Karen, of San Diego, California, Philip of Bay Pines, Florida; and brother David, sister Mary Cullen Lynch, both of Topeka, Kansas; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, including Frank M. Horner ’82.
Christopher C. Rackley ’71 Christopher Carson Rackley ’71 of Richmond, Virginia, died on June 6, 2011. He was 61. Rackley matriculated from Mineral, Virginia, and attended VMI for one year, four months and 22 days. As a cadet, he was a member of the Baptist Student Union, Glee Club, band, cross country team and track team for one year. He graduated from the University of Richmond and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. For over 40 years, Rackley served churches in Surry, Mine Run (Orange County), Partlow (Spotsylvania County), Amherst and Prince William. At the time of his death, he was the pastor of Elko Union Church in Sandston, Virginia. He is survived by his wife, Susan Buchanan Rackley; his daughter, Jennifer Blair Rackley; his son, James Christopher Rackley; his mother, Florence (Peggy) Sieg; sister, Bette Vaughn; brothers, David Rackley (Connie), Rev. Sam Sieg (Kathy), George Sieg (Leigh Ann) and Robert Sieg; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Robert V. Bailey III ’72 Robert Victor (Zirc) Bailey III ’72 of Arlington, Virginia, died on Jan. 12, 2011. He was 60. Bailey matriculated from Arlington and graduated from VMI with a bachelor of arts degree in English. As a cadet, he was on the Bomb staff for three years, was a member of the lacrosse team for two years and participated in VMI Theatre. Bailey served in the U.S. Air Force from 1972-74. He was a program analyst for the U.S. Coast Guard/CG 926 and had recently retired. He is survived by his wife, Karen Lesher Bailey; two daughters, Clare E. Bailey and Mary M. Bailey; a son, Patrick S. Bailey; and brother-in-law, Matthew J. Carter ’85, who lives in Burke, Virginia.
Michael W. Burks ’73 Michael Waldemar Burks ’73 of Mechanicsville, Virginia, died on May 19, 2011. He was 60. Burks matriculated from Richmond, Virginia, and earned a bachelor of science degree
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in electrical engineering from VMI. He was a member of the Civil War Roundtable, Institute of Electrical Engineers, Rifle & Pistol Club and the rugby team. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1974-82 in the Signal Corps, attaining the rank of captain. Burks had been employed with Virginia Power as a supervisor in the Transmission Engineering Department. He was preceded in death by his father, Waldemar Epple, and his stepfather, Ramon L. Burks. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Saum Burks; mother, Gerda Burks; and many family members and friends.
Eric L. Buchanan ’83 Col. Eric Leon Buchanan ’83, USAF (Ret), of New Port Richey, Florida, died on May 17, 2011. He was 50. Buchanan matriculated from Wharton, New Jersey, and earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He also held a master of science degree in electrical engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Buchanan served in the U.S. Army from 1983-94 in the Signal Corps, attaining the rank of captain. In 1994, he transferred to the U.S. Air Force Reserve. During his military service, he took part in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. In his last position, he was employed with the U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill AFB in Tampa, Florida. Buchanan was predeceased by his parents, Leon and Joan Buchanan. He is survived by his wife, Anna; son, James and daughter-in-law Karolina of Amsterdam, Netherlands; daughter, Rosina Cavano of Port Richey, Florida; granddaughter, Miliana; grandson, Danny; and sister, Susan of Vienna, Virginia.
Howard J. Cook III ’01 Chief Warrant Officer 2 Howard June Cook III ’01, TNG, of San Antonio, Texas, died on July 7, 2011. He was 31. Cook matriculated from West Point, Virginia, and earned a bachelor’s degree in history from VMI. Prior to joining the Texas National Guard, he was a decorated veteran in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and served in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, both during and after his cadetship.
Howie Cook, left, pictured with his wife, Shelley, and Brig. Gen. Tim Crosby after graduation from the U.S. Army Flight School at Fort Rucker, Alabama, in May 2010. This photo appeared with the class of 2001 class notes in the 2010-Issue 4 Alumni Review. At the time of his death, Cook was preparing to deploy to Afghanistan as a Blackhawk pilot, having graduated with honors from flight school. He is survived by his wife, Shelley Valentine Cook, and his parents Mr. and Mrs. Howard J. Cook Jr.
Michael W. Newton ’03 Capt. Michael Wray Newton ’03, USA, died on June 11, 2011, of a non-combat related incident while serving in Faryab Province, Afghanistan. His obituary appears in the OEF/OIF Update section of this Alumni Review.
Death in the VMI Family Edward P. Joyce Former Sports Information Director Edward Patrick Joyce of Asheboro, North Carolina, died on May 30, 2011. He was 75. Joyce graduated from the Richmond Professional Institute of the College of William and Mary. A lifelong Redskin and Senator fan, he was a journalist and radio broadcaster. He worked at the Richmond Times-Dispatch; was Sports Information director at VMI; was a sports writer with the Charleston Post and Courier; and was a long-time radio broadcaster in the Charleston, South Carolina, area. He is survived by his daughters, Ayn-Martha Joyce and Julia Domenick, both of Jesup, Georgia; son, Mark Joyce of Asheboro, North Carolina; the mother of his children, Faith Joyce of Jesup; and grandchildren, Collin and Hannah Joyce of Asheboro and Taylor Domenick of Jesup.
VMI ALUMNI REVIEW