CLASS NOTES has very fond memories of meeting ‘Shake a Leg’ and their discussions. In the first two years at the Institute, we were there for each other when the system was getting to us. We collected demerits but always a few shy of 70 thanks to our other roommates. The rest is history. We all lost a loved BR and a great representative of the Class of ’65 and VMI. He will be missed but remembered always.” Buddy Dalton wrote: “Just returned from the Pennsylvania mountains and heard the unexpected and awful news. BRs of ’65. Surround Jan and their sons with your loving care and protection. Though Al was doing what he loved, it is an awful loss to family, friends and BRs. Marcellus, we love you and will sorely miss you. Ivanhoe.’65 and 420 roomie.” John O’Keefe was at the services for Al Orgain. “Along with a large number of our brother rats, I attended Al Orgain’s funeral. Obviously, it was a solemn occasion, but as Mark Orgain ’91 (Al’s son) and I discussed, no one wanted to see Al Orgain in any kind of assisted living facility. He was way too much of a charismatic and hard charging guy. Jan was as beautiful as ever and a real trooper. It was also great to see Mary Chapman looking wonderful as always. Jan and Mary indicated that they would be at our 50th Reunion, which should help us feel complete as a class. Russell Proctor spoke at Al’s funeral and was eloquent, and the class was extraordinarily well represented at the proceeding.” Russell Proctor provided a very moving eulogy at the service for Al Orgain in Richmond and provided this further commentary: “The memorial service for Al Orgain was held in St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Richmond July 2. Five days later, the Orgain family and about 25 family members and friends went by chartered bus to the family cemetery in Dinwiddie County, south of Petersburg. John and Nancy Baillio, Donny White and Pat and Russell Proctor accompanied the Orgain family. At the cemetery, the priest from St. Stephens led a memorial service and most of Al’s ashes were put to rest. A cannon salute was fired by his two grandsons, Jack and Peter, sons of Al’s older son, Marc Orgain ’91. Following that, the bus went directly to Lexington and the Institute. Some tasted a superb moonshine from Franklin County with sandwiches on the bus. Donny White had asked Gen. and Mrs. Peay ’62 to join us in Memorial Gardens for a brief service. The priest conducted this, and when he finished, Frazer Orgain ’99 and John Baillio stepped out from behind some shrubs and fired a salute ... the shell containing some of Al’s ashes! Gen. Peay took it rather well, reacting with a guarded but cordial smile! We thanked him for attending and quickly embarked on the bus, returning to Richmond.” Michael Kearney celebrated his 71st birthday July 8 and died July 22. This is a summary of
2014- Issue 4
Class of 1965: A memorial service was held July 8 in the VMI Memorial Gardens for Al Orgain. His ashes were spread across the garden via his 10 gauge signal canon. Family members in attendance included Orgain’s wife, Jan; son, Marc Orgain ’92 and wife Besty; son Frazer Orgain ’99 and wife Corbin; grandchildren, Peter, Jack, Gates and Ann Darnley Orgain; cousin, Katie Hoffman; and in-laws, Darnley Adamson and Bill Saxman. VMI alumni in attendance were Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62 and Pam Peay, Russell and Pat Proctor, John “Bruddy” and Nancy Baillio, Richard and Mimi Mooring, Donny White ’65, Col. Steve and Peggy Riethmiller ’63, and Mike Richardson ’92. Friends in attendance were Richard and Susan Wight, William Darr, Tup Purcell, Rev. Bill Sachs, Doug and Marion Rucker, and Bobby and Barbara Priddy. his obituary. A Taps entry will appear in the VMI Alumni Review 2015-Issue 1. William Michael Kearney, 71, of St. Charles, Missouri, formerly of Yorktown, Virginia, died July 22, 2014. He was born July 8, 1943, to William and Totsy Kearney. He is survived by his beloved wife Marilyn Holt Kearney; children, Deirdre Segarra (Armando), Kevin (Martha), Brendon, Tammy Hance and Clell Shores; siblings, Peggy, Tom (Barbara), Cynthia Potter (Thomas), Paul (Carol); and grandchildren, Jessica and Christopher. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Pat Kearney (Beverly). Memorial service was held at 1 p.m., Saturday, July 26. Dave Thompson sent a picture of Company F BRs in front of room 430. Unfortunately, it cannot be published because it is less than 1MB in size. He writes, “On June 23, I had a left knee replacement. The operation went OK, but I had to stay in the hospital a couple of extra days while some problems with my bloodwork were sorted out. Thankfully, the numbers have steadily improved since my discharge and therapy went very well. I had a follow-up appointment yesterday and was told that I’m at a point where most of his patients are six months out from surgery. I can’t take credit for much except doing a lot on my own. Otherwise, it’s just God’s grace and the prayers of a lot of Christian friends. Now, of course, my right knee is the problem child and will probably
require surgery within the year. Although surgery and recovery are far from a cake-walk, the absence of pain when walking is a benefit that makes it worthwhile. “Because of Jewel’s condition and my knee problems, we haven’t been anywhere this year so far, as vacations go. We planned on traveling once I retired, but health issues have forced us to stay close to home. If, at our age, you are blessed with health that allows travel, then go, go, go! God has created a beautiful world, and we need to see as much of it as we can. I still enjoy writing but have yet to find someone willing to pay for it. But that’s OK. I belong to a writer’s group that gives me honest (i.e., brutal) feedback that has proven invaluable. Maybe one day it’ll all come together, and I’ll get my Pulitzer Prize. (Ha!) Take care, roomie. See you at the 50th!” From professor Jim Turner: “At the VMI 2014 awards ceremony, I was presented with two awards. One was the Read ’41 Institute Professorship in the Arts and Sciences, an endowed chair that recognizes exceptional accomplishments by a member of the VMI faculty. Also, I received the Jackson-Hope Prize for Excellence in Academic Achievement, which is awarded to a member of the faculty or academic program staff whose efforts bring renown to the Institute and its programs.” Jim will be at the 50th Reunion. Bill Murphy has been recognized by the Navy
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