Mark Edwin Wickline, Post Graduate Class of '69
Mark Edwin Wickline, of Charlottesville, Va., left us suddenly Friday, July 23, 2010. He was the son of Lucille Minter Wickline of Charlottesville, Va. and the late Cecil Edwin Wickline Jr. of Clifton Forge, Va. Mark was born February 2, 1950 and raised in Palmyra, Va. He was a graduate of Fluvanna County High School and attended Greenbrier Military Academy on a football scholarship. He graduated from Elon College in 1973 and received a Master's degree from the University of Virginia in 1977. Mark's life was devoted to the well-being of others. He spent every second enriching the lives of his family. His career was no different. In 1983, he became an agent with New York Life Insurance Company which was a major point of pride throughout his life. Over the years, Mark assisted countless families in dealing with their own tragedies. Mark is survived by his loving wife, Cynthia of Charlottesville. He was a proud father, mentor and best friend to his two sons, Matthew Edwin Wickline and Steven Forrest Wickline, both of Charlottesville. He loved his two daughters-in-law, Jennifer Law Wickline and Ashley Case Wickline, as if they were his own. He is also survived by his sister, Anita Pace and her husband, J.W. Pace, of Winston Salem, N.C.; and brother, Robert Voris of Cave Creek, Ariz. Mark leaves behind two labs, Max and Rosco, and his pride and joy, Oscar the bulldog. We are all saddened that he will not be here to welcome his grandchildren into our family. We will all miss you big guy. Visitation for family and friends will be held 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 27 at Hill and Wood Funeral Home in Charlottesville, Va. A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 28 at Monticello Memory Gardens. Roger Browning will officiate. In lieu flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA at 3355 Berkmar Dr., Charlottesville, Va. 22901, or the American Red Cross Association, 1105 Rose Hill Drive, Charlottesville, Va. 22903. Friends may sign the guest book
John Stoughton Benjamin, Class of '60
John Stoughton Benjamin died quietly in Jewish Hospital on July 13, 2010 from Pulmonary Fibrosis. John’s entire life was dedicated to his family and to the Arts.
John was born on August 4, 1941 in Roanoke, VA. His mother, an actress and his father, a restaurant owner, taught him, and his sister Susan, the importance of living each day to the fullest. At age 15, while attending Greenbrier Military School in Lewisburg, WV, John met Bette Vaughan on a blind date. They developed a great friendship and were dating seriously by the time they left for college.
After attending University of Michigan for a short time, John transferred to Davies and Elkins College before he and Bette moved to NYC to take a crack at Show Biz.
After marrying on June 12, 1965, John and Bette decided to start their own theater. With the help of Bette’s many hometown contacts, they founded the Greenbrier Repertory Theater in Lewisburg, WV. They spent winters in NY, held auditions in the spring, then headed down with their troupe of actors to spend their summers putting on incredible theater and forming bonds that would last a lifetime.
In the late 60s they moved to Huntington, WV, where John worked with the Huntington Community Players, and soon their first daughter Arwen was born. After two years, John began his work at Theater West Virginia in Beckley, where their second daughter, Beth was born. The family spent a short stint in Chattanooga, TN, where John worked in theater and Bette founded her own dance school with great success. In 1986 they made the move to KY and John eventually began his career with the KY Arts Council where he was the Director of Arts in Education until he retired in April of 2008.
John’s last several years were spent directing at Theater West Virginia (where he served in some capacity since 1972), acting and directing at Shelby County Community Theater, creating the Vihiga newsletters, serving as a panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts, and spending time with his bride. He was able to walk his daughter, Beth, down the aisle in 2007 and welcome his first grandson, Lexington, in February 2009….one of the highlights of his life.
John touched more lives that he’ll ever know. He will be missed terribly. But his influence on each and every person he ever came in contact with will be remembered for generations to come.
Goodbye John. Thanks for all the smiles.
Gen. Louis L. Wilson Jr., Class of '38 PG
Louis L. Wilson, Jr., Ret. General USAF, died peacefully, June 25, 2010, in Tucson, AZ.
Louis was born in Huntington, WV, January 10, 1919. He graduated from Hurricane High School in West Virginia, after which he attended Greenbriar Military School in Lewisberg, WV. He received his appointment to the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY in 1939 and was graduated early, January 1943, due to the War. His initial assignment was with the 385th Fighter Group as a P-47 pilot, flying bomber support leading up to and including D-Day and later flying support for Gen. Patton’s drive through France. By the end of the War, he had flown 114 combat missions and was commander of the 367th Fighter Squadron.
Following the war, he served in many capacities organizing and commanding various fighter and bomber squadrons within the Strategic Air Command. In 1964 he was assigned to Washington, D.C., serving as deputy director of operational requirements in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Research and Development, where he worked on conceptual plans for the B-1, F-15, A-10, and advanced versions of intercontinental ballistic missiles. In 1968 he served as Vice Commander of the Space and Missile Systems Organization and in 1970 the Commander of the Space and Missile Test Center in Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. He was appointed inspector general of the Air Force in 1971 and Vice Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe in 1973.
Louis finished his military career as the Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Air Force, 1974-1977. From headquarters in Hickam Air Force Base, HI, he commanded all of the forces of the Pacific basin and organized and executed the evacuation of military and U.S. civilian personnel from Vietnam at the end of that conflict. Lesser known was the evacuation of over 2000 orphaned children, know as Operation Baby Lift, to new adoptive parents in the U.S.
During his very distinguished career he had the opportunity to travel the globe and meet dignitaries of many countries. His favorites were Bob Hope and Jane Mansfield, whom he entertained on one of their USO tours.
After 35 years of military service, he retired May 31, 1977 to a small ranch in Tucson, AZ where he was able to fulfill his childhood dream of raising horses and cattle. He has been very active in his community, loving the sun, the warmth, his family and his many friends that surround him.
Louis L Wilson, Jr. lived a life of service to his country, his family and his friends. He is honored for his contributions to the safety and integrity of our country and loved for his gentle kindness and loving generosity. He has made a difference.
Rich Richmond, Class of '52
6/02/10
Sad News..... My brother Rich (Richard Charles Richmond) 1936 - 2010 passed away this morning. His health has not been good for several years. He is survived by his wife Winifred "Win" and 3 children. Rich attended GMS from 1946 to 1952, at which time he graduated and was Company Commander of The Band. Condolences can be sent to Winfred Richmond, 536 Quarry Rd., Fairmount, Ga. 30139.
Don Richmond
From the Cherokee Tribune, June 04, 2010:
Richard "Rich" Charles Richmond, age 76, of Fairmount, died Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at Northside Hospital Cherokee. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and owner/operator of Home Away From Home Boarding Kennel. Mr. Richmond was preceded in death by his father, Howard Lewis Richmond, Sr. and mother, Leone Ruth Richmond and his brother, Howard Lewis Richmond, Jr. Survivors include his wife, Winifred "Win" Richmond, Fairmount; son, Doug Richmond, Culver City, CA; daughters, Sherry Walker, Toledo, OH and Laura Levy, Austin, TX; stepson, Larry Hornby, Hoffman Estates, IL; stepdaughters, Lesa Liewald, St. Charles, IL and Linda Rundell, Roswell, Lori Thompson, DeKalb, IL and Jean McNiell, Bartlett, IL; brother, Don Richmond, FL; 16 grandchildren also survive.
Don Elroy Roberts, 76, of Sarasota, died May 11,
2010.
A celebration of life will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at St.
Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Church, 8700 S.R. 72,
Sarasota. Arrangements are by Jennings Funeral Home and
Crematory.
Don was born Feb. 16, 1934, in Bluefield, W. Va., to
Frank P. and Lila T. Roberts. He attended school at The
Citadel, graduated from Concord College with a B.S.B.A.
in 1956, and attended the University of South Florida
through 1977 for post-graduate education. He was a
senior accountant for Lee W. McClain, C.P.A., from 1952
to 1962, and then ran his own accounting firm, Don E.
Roberts Co., from 1962 to the present. Don was an
enrolled agent, receiving his license, #630, in 1962. He
was a member of the National Association of Enrolled
Agents, the Florida Society of Enrolled Agents, the
National Association of Public Accountants, the Florida
Society of Accountants and Kiwanis International. In his
spare time he was also the leader of a 17-piece dance
band, The Sophisticates. He was an active member of St.
Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Church.
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Pamala Roberts
of Sarasota; his seven children, Donna L. (Avery)
Harrington of Bonair, Ga., Bruce F. (Sandi) Roberts,
Susan Taylor, Christina R. Prieur, Donald O. (Christina
L.) Prieur, Daryl A. (Kristal) Roberts and Dwight D.
Roberts of San Diego; his eight grandchildren, Angela
(David) Hall, Robert (Aimee) Dinwoodie, Sadarah
Harrington, Desiree, Peyton, Joshua, Remington and
Kyleigh Mae; and his two great-grandchildren, Haiden and
Mackenzie.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made
to St. Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Church, 8700 S.R.
72, Sarasota, FL 34241.
Bruce Williamson, Class of '59
04-19-10
Walter Riggs, Class of '65
Dear Friends,
This message brings the sad news that my husband, Walt Riggs, passed away Friday at Memorial University Hospital. As many of you know, Walt had suffered health issues for several years and finally succumbed to viral pneumonia after a short illness.
We will have a memorial service for him next Saturday, March 13, at 2:00pm . The service will be held at Fox & Weeks Island Chapel (Hwy 80) with details to be announced in his newspaper obituary later this week. Please share this information with any of our friends who cared about Walt. Thank you.
Roberta
Robert Davis, Class of '49
Robert “Bob” Davis, age 78, of Charleston passed away Thursday, January 28, 2010, at his residence after a sudden illness.
Bob was born December 11, 1931, in Morgantown, WV, son of the late Paul and Hester Davis. He was a 1949 graduate of the Greenbrier Military Academy and a 1957 graduate of Morris Harvey College. Bob was a veteran who served his country in the U.S. Navy and as a civilian contractor in Vietnam. He later worked as a carpenter for the United Mine Workers at Valley Camp Coal Co.
Bob was an avid reader who also enjoyed fishing and spending time with neighbors and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jackie; brother, Phillip; and stepson, Terry Ranson.
Bob is survived by one son, Robby and his wife Joyce of Charleston; stepchildren, Randy Finley and wife Shelley of Wellington, Fla., Melody Olsen of Milford, Del., and B.J. Finley and wife Julie of Burlington, N.C.; sisters, Lois Vines her husband Bob of Athens, Ohio, Adrienne Pappas and husband Greg of Fairfax, Va., and Marilyn Davis of Dover, Del.; 12 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren
The family would like to thank the many neighbors who befriended Bob throughout the years.
A tribute to Robert’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday February 6, 2010, at Ellyson Mortuary, Glenville, W.Va., with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in the Pisgah Methodist Church Cemetery with military honors by the U.S. Navy.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday February 5, 2010, at Harding Funerals & Cremations.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.hardingfamilygroup.com
John Byrne Holt, '56
John Byrne Holt of Atlanta, Ga., died Sunday, January 3, 2010. He was born in Clarksburg on April 8, 1938, and was a son of the late Joseph M. and Julia Beury Hodges Holt. Raised in Lewisburg, he also was a resident of Tampa, Fla., for 28 years. Mr. Holt graduated from Greenbrier Military Academy and Morris Harvey College. He is survived by his son, Christopher Beury Holt; his daughter, Elizabeth Anne Freck; and four grandchildren; A.S. Turner & Sons, Decatur, Ga., (404) 292-1551, is in charge of arrangements.
Benjamin H. McCrackin, Jr, Class of '36
Benjamin H. McCrackin, Jr., age 91, of Vestavia Hills passed away Sunday, November 8, 2009. Mr. McCrackin was born in Unity Township, PA and spent his childhood in Frostburg, MD. He attended Greenbrier Military School of Lewisburg, WV graduating 2nd in his class of 1936. After a brief stint in the U.S. Coast Guard he transferred to the U.S. Army Air Corps attending flight school at Randolph Field near San Antonio, Texas graduating in 1942. This resulted in a commission piloting B-29 bomber aircraft in the Pacific theater of World War II. He continued service to his country in the Air Force Reserve until his retirement in 1961. Mr. McCrackin met his wife Clara Hall Plumlee in Birmingham in 1947 and were married in 1948. They were happily married for 44 years until her death in 1992. He was self-employed as a coal broker from the early 1950's until 1970 after which he semi-retired to assist a local coal operator with real-estate transactions. His favorite past time was shooting trap and skeet and maintained a national ranking through most of the 1960's. He is survived by his sister Dorothy Foster, daughter Lynn McCrackin, and son Clay McCrackin. He has three grandchildren Sarah, John, and Katherine McCrackin. Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 5 - 7 p.m. at John Ridout's Valley Chapel in Homewood. Funeral service will be Thursday, November 12 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with burial at Elmwood Cemetery to follow. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 904-296-7350 or donorservices@wounded-warriorproject.org.
BARNEY DEARTH
College Freshman, '53
Bernard E.(Barney) Dearth Sr. passed away on Nov 5th in Marietta, Ohio. He was a graduate of Parkersburg High School with the class of 1952, where he was a 3 sport standout. After High School, he attended Greenbrier Military School and West Virginia University, where he excelled as a running back .
He was an avid WVU fan, and loved to play golf, and watch his children and granchildren participate in activities.
He was for many years a WVIAC Track official around the state of West Virginia at the high school and collegiate levels.
Barney
was well known around the Parkersburg Pee-Wee Football
Community as The Head Coach of The Hamilton Green Dragons.
His love of socializing and watching sports made him a
virtual fixture at the 19th Street County Club and River
City Tavern and Grille.
Carlos A. Williams, Sophomore '71
Capt. Carlos A. Williams, DVM. 55, of 238 Fairview Ave.,
Beckley, died on October 13th 2009 at 11:30 am (2:30 pm EST)
in Tucson, Arizona.
Born July 10, 1954 in Beckley, he was the son of the late
Jordan M. Williams and Cecilia A. Dobbins.
Dr. Williams graduated from West Virginia University with a
Bachelor of Science Cum Laude in 1978. He also received a
Master of Agriculture in 1980.
He acquired his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from
Louisiana State University in 1984.
In 1984 - 1990 he served in the United States Army
Veterinary Corps. He left his military career with the rank
of Captain promotable to Major.
Shortly after his military career he went on to work with
the USDA as a Veterinarian for Southern West Virginia. He
then worked with Princeton Veterinary Associates and Raleigh
County Animal Hospital.
In 1992 Dr. Williams opened his own business Crossroads
Small Animal Clinic. During the tenure of Crossroads Small
Animal Clinic, Dr. Williams was often featured in various
local newspaper articles and local television interviews.
In 2002 Dr. Williams retired from Veterinary practice.
Survivors include his daughter Carissa J. Abitabilo and her
husband Joey M. Abitabilo of Boston, Massachusetts; two sons
Elijah J. C. Williams and Zane C. M. Williams, grandson
Isaac S. Abitabilo, and half-brother Meredith E. Williams of
Boomer.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, 22nd; 12 - 2pm at Blue
Ridge Funeral Home in Beckley, with burial following at
Williams Cemetery in Shady Springs, West Virginia.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at
www.blueridgefuneralhome.com
Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd
Dr. Beckley, WV.
RICHARD HOWARD STATEN '38
Richard Howard Staten, 95, of White Sulphur Springs WV, passed away Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at the White Sulphur Springs Family Care Center in White Sulphur Springs.
Born February 3, 1914, in Portsmouth, OH., he was a son of the late Stanley George and Carrie Yeager Staten. Mr. Staten was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in WSS. He graduated from Greenbrier Military School in 1938, and after he came home form serving in the Navy during WWII, he also graduated from Elon College in Elon, NC in 1947. Mr. Staten then taught and coached at Greenbrier Military School from 1948 to 1971. He also was assistant director of the school's summer camp, Camp Shaw-Mi-Del-Eca, at Caldwell, WV, for all those years. When the school closed in 1972, he took a management job at Catawba Hospital in Catawba, VA, until his retirement in 1978. Being bored with retirement and deciding White Sulphur Springs need a convenience store, he built a brand new building called the "Buzz-In" convenience store and operated it for many years. He also loved working with wood in his spare time.
Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Adams Staten in 2001, one brother Wendell Staten of St. Petersburg, FL, and a sister, Mildred A. Blair of Centerville, OH.
Survivors include on daughter Stuart Ann Hanna of White Sulphur Springs, three sons, Richard H. Staten Jr of White Sulphur Springs, WV, Michael C Staten of Mobile, AL, and George Stanley Staten, of Troutville, VA; nine grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
A funeral service is scheduled for Friday, September 25, 2009, at 1pm at the First Presbyterian Church in White Sulphur Springs with the Rev. Ben E. Gurley officiating. Internment will follow in Greenbrier Memorial Gardens in Lewisburg. Visitation will be from 6-8 PM on Thursday, September 24, at the funeral home. Shanklin Funeral Home in White Sulphur Springs is serving the family
Addendum: Dick Staten was one of several GMS Alumni who met in January, 1982 and decided to reorganize the Alumni Association. In the fall 1982, the first reunion of the reorganized association was held since the closing of the school in 1972. Dick Staten served as the first secretary of the Association until October 1989.
