In memoriam

The Rev. Phil Mace Jones, April 3, 2022, Columbia, S.C. Mace, a retired United Methodist minister, served at churches across South Carolina for 45 years. He served as chaplain for a day in the U.S. House of Representatives while Tip O’Neill was speaker of the house. He was a founding member of the Tuomey Foundation at Tuomey Hospital in Sumter, S.C., and served on the board of the L. O’Neill Trust Fund, which helped students attend college. He served on the Wofford College Board of Trustees from 1972-84.

Dr. David Gatlin Byrd, March 28, 2022, Columbia, S.C. Byrd was a high school teacher for three years before joining the U.S. Army. After leaving the military, he earned his doctorate in English at the University of South Carolina. He taught at USC for 26 years, earning the Teacher of the Year award in 1980. He was an avid supporter of the arts. He held a lifetime membership to The National Film Society and was a founding member of Workshop Theatre of South Carolina. He enjoyed reading and socializing with friends, which often included playing cards or traveling. He enjoyed tending to his garden, and his well-known guilty pleasure was collecting Santa Claus figurines.

Harry LeGette Parker, April 11, 2022, Columbia, S.C. Parker served in the U.S. Army for three years during the Korean War. He started a CPA practice in Hartsville, S.C., after holding a variety of positions, including comptroller at Wild Dunes resort and as a staff member for former Gov. Jim Edwards.

Philip Hamlet Gibson Sr., March 30, 2022, Hampton, Va. A U.S. Navy veteran, Gibson had a 39-year career as a ship designer at Newport News Shipbuilding. He also earned his real estate license. He loved spending time on the water and was an avid sports fan. He attended Wofford on a football scholarship and earned two letters.

The Hon. Raymond Converse “Ray” Eubanks Jr., March 23, 2022, Spartanburg, S.C. Eubanks served as a probate judge in Spartanburg County for almost 25 years He was later appointed the county’s drug court judge and retired in 2018. He was a longtime advocate for those needing drug and alcohol treatment. In 2018, the United Way of the Piedmont, the Spartanburg Area Mental Health Center and Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System celebrated the grand opening of the Eubanks Peer-Support Living Room near Spartanburg Medical Center. The Peer-Support Living Room is designed to be a safe space where individuals can find support and resources to prevent a behavioral health crisis. Eubanks served his profession in many capacities, including as secretary/treasurer, president-elect and president of the National College of Probate Judges and president of the South Carolina Bar Association. He was a member of Second Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg for more than 75 years. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Eubanks attained the rank of captain. He was elected to the state House of Representatives in 1964 and served two terms. While at Wofford, he played basketball and ran track.

Dr. Vernon Wilson Goodlett, April 23, 2022, Kingsport, Tenn. Goodlett spent his career with Tennessee Eastman. He began as a research chemist and was named head of the physical and analytical chemistry division in 1970. He later held several positions in the research and development division, retiring in 1992 as director of research and development planning. He was an accomplished woodworker and enjoyed restoring classic sports cars. He also enjoyed a friendly game of bridge, including over 50 years with a long-standing regular eight-man group where, even at age 80-plus, he could claim to be the group’s youngest. His father also graduated from Wofford, and Goodlett liked to tell the story of how, when he was a sophomore, his father showed up for his 50th class reunion.

David Furman Herbert, March 21, 2022, Asheville, N.C. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Herbert earned the American Spirit Honor Medal. After working briefly as a federal probation officer in Washington, D.C., he moved to Roanoke, Va., where he was the founding executive director of the Roanoke Valley Health and Welfare Planning Council and served as the president of the Virginia State Council, National Association of Social Workers. His career as a social worker took him to North Carolina, California and Virginia before settling in Asheville, N.C., where he was active in the community. A passionate runner, he competed in the Senior Olympic Games. He used his medals to honor members of the community who were supportive to seniors, presenting a gold medal as a token of appreciation to many.

Dr. John Louis Tate, March 31, 2022, Spartanburg, S.C. After graduating from the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry, Tate worked at the VA Hospital in Richmond, Va., before entering the U.S. Air Force. He returned to Spartanburg and opened his dentistry practice following military service. He was a longtime member of St. John's Lutheran Church, where he was a member of the choir, a Sunday school teacher and a lay leader. He also was a member of the Downtown Sertoma Club. He was a two-year letterman on the Wofford football team.

Philip Gordon Pitts, Feb. 15, 2022, Greer, S.C. The owner of Gordon Pitts & Associates Realty Group, Pitts received several awards for his accomplishments in real estate. He was a member of Memorial United Methodist Church. His love for music and playing the trumpet took him on many journeys conducting and playing with several bands.

Oliver Blake Webber Jr., May 8, 2022, Florence, S.C. Webber was a veteran of the Army Reserve. He retired from Milliken and Co. after 33 years. He was a former member of the British Car Club and an avid golfer. He was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church.

Glen R. Melton, March 23, 2022, Moore, S.C. Melton was the owner of the Glen R. Melton Insurance Agency and a veteran of the National Guard. He was a former Alumni Association board member. He was an avid tennis player and enjoyed golf, fishing and horseback riding. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg, the Spartanburg Lions Club and the Piedmont Club. He also was a master gardener.

Jesse Linwood Wade Jr., April 24, 2022, Conway, S.C. Wade was a real estate broker for 40 years, retiring from Beverly Homes. He was a veteran who served in the U.S. Army Reserve and a longtime member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder and deacon. Wade was actively involved in the community and served as treasurer for the Shriners Pedalers. His lawn was meticulous, and he enjoyed exercising and running 5K road races.

Michael Allen “Mike” Cobb, May 7, 2022, Gaffney, S.C. Cobb was retired from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., where he was a bank examiner. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Gaffney.

Ronald Lee Poole, April 12, 2022, Spartanburg, S.C. Poole retired as a production manager, having served at Abbott Labs, Texize and Wise Foods. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and the National Guard. An avid reader, he enjoyed discussing politics and loved spending time with other veterans.

William A. “Billy” Gray Jr., March 24, 2022, Hendersonville, N.C. Gray was a veteran of the U.S. Army, reaching the rank of captain. He began his career in management with the REA Express Co., then with the SCM-Allied Paper Co. He spent many years in management consulting, working in New York-based firms. He was a member of the Hendersonville Country Club. His friends sometimes called him “Mumbles.” He was kind to all, and all the dogs in the neighborhood were fond of him.

Heyward Charlie “Buddy” Luckey, Feb. 18, 2022, Beaufort, S.C. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Luckey served in Vietnam. He worked for the Bank of Beaufort, which brought him to Hilton Head Island, where he lived for nearly 40 years. He dedicated much of his time to participating in and supporting charities. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Hilton Head and a longtime supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project.

Clarence Odell “C.O.” Koon, Feb. 7, 2022, Shelby, N.C. Koon retired from Burlington Industries and later drove a bus for Lynx and Carolina Charter. He was an active member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.

Thomas Theodore Lewandowski, March 19, 2022, Louisville, Ky. Lewandowski earned his law degree from the University of South Carolina in 1968. He found his career passion late in life as a professor of law. He lettered in basketball while at Wofford and was inducted into the Delaware Basketball Legends Hall of Fame in 2013.

Joseph Alfred “Footsie” Borum Jr., Feb. 14, 2022, Lexington, S.C. A U.S. Army veteran, Borum served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He earned the Bronze Star and the Vietnam Service Medal with one Silver Service Star and one Bronze Service Star in 1970. He ended his active duty in 1972 but continued to serve as an officer in the Army Reserve until retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 2004. He had a 26-year career with Spartan Foods Systems. After leaving Spartan Foods, he served in various management positions in the food service industry until retiring at age 70. In retirement, he enjoyed visiting family and friends in Virginia Beach and Alabama and achieved his lifelong goal of visiting all 50 states. He attended Wofford on a full athletic scholarship, playing football and baseball.

Edwin Newman “Ted” Beery Jr., April 1, 2022, Craftsbury, Vt. Beery loved the snow, and he spent his entire career as a social worker in Morrisville, Vt. He first worked for the state doing child abuse investigations and later at the Lamoille Family Center working with children who had been in the foster care system. He also was a board member of Laraway Youth and Family Services and later president of the board. He liked to sharpen knives for friends, drop by for a visit, listen to music and, above all, lift weights. He died peacefully sitting by the fire at home.

John William Mitchell Jr., March 5, 2022, Columbia, S.C. After a two-year stint in the National Guard, Mitchell joined the family business at Mitchell Music Co. in Columbia. After selling the business in 1985, he began a six-year run as the director of development at Camden Military Academy. He followed that with a 14-year career in sales for the Cline Co. in Greenville, S.C., and for various companies selling fire trucks. At the same time, he became involved in firefighting, first as a volunteer in Columbia and later spending 14 years as either the chief or assistant chief of the Hobbysville department in Spartanburg County. He received both the Firefighter of the Year Award and the Top Gun Award during his time at Hobbysville. He also served as president of the Spartanburg County Fire Chiefs’ Association and was selected to the hall of fame in 2014.

Joseph Edwin “Joe” Worley, April 13, 2022, Tulsa, Okla. Worley led the Tulsa World newsroom as executive editor for 19 years before retiring in 2014. He joined the newspaper in 1987. Out of his 45 years in journalism, he spent 27 years at the World. A member of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, Worley was named an official Tulsa Press Club Tulsa Media Icon. He was recognized often for his emphasis on inclusion and diversity in coverage, receiving honors from the Islamic Society of Tulsa, the Tulsa Association of Black Journalists, Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry and the Dan Allen Center for Social Justice. He also was a retired lieutenant colonel with the Oklahoma National Guard. He served 34 years between Tennessee and Oklahoma units.

Wayne Neil Billings, March 28, 2022, Spartanburg, S.C. After beginning his career with AT&T, Billings moved to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, in 1987 and started his own marketing firm, Image Concepts. He returned to South Carolina in 1997 and began his final career as a financial planner in Greenville. He also served in the National Guard. He loved cooking, especially new dishes, and was always open to adventures.

Paul Lee Ramsey Sr., March 13, 2022, Rutherfordton, N.C. A U.S. Army veteran, Ramsey spent his career working in textile mills, including 24 years at Spartan Mills and 18 at the Inman Mills Ramey Plant. He served as a deacon and taught Sunday school at Piedmont Baptist Church in Chesnee for more than three decades. In his final weeks when he couldn’t make the trip to church, church members came to his house to hear him teach. He was a year-round coach, teaching his children, grandchildren and hundreds of others to play baseball, football and basketball.

Larry Alman Gable, May 1, 2022, Spartanburg, S.C. Gable was a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve. He began his teaching career in Spartanburg School District 2 in 1974 and moved to District 6 in 1979, where he taught seventh grade science at Gable Middle School. He also coached volleyball and Dorman High School softball. He was an active member of Roebuck Baptist Church, where he served as a Sunday school teacher and deacon and was active in missionary work. He was an avid gardener and yard care specialist. He loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting and spending time with his family and friends.

Carl Donald “C.D.” Hathcock, Feb. 2, 2022, Charlotte, N.C. Hathcock worked at Southern Bell/BellSouth/AT&T for 37 years. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve. He loved playing his guitar and singing, especially in the church choir. He was an active member of Living Saviour Lutheran Church in Charlotte, where he taught the preschool children chapel each week.

Michael Jay Sweet, May 15, 2021, Greer, S.C. Sweet was a real estate and investment broker. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and enjoyed playing golf and tennis.

William Way Fick Jr., Feb. 13, 2022, St. Matthews, S.C. Fick was retired from International Paper’s Wateree Mill. He was proud of the National Wildlife Federation’s recognition of his 20-plus acres with its Certified Wildlife Habitat Certificate, and he enjoyed long days in the woods and rivers surrounding his home.

Roderick Mark Buie III, Feb. 27, 2022, Greensboro, N.C. Buie taught elementary school in the North Carolina mountains, picked apples in Vermont, painted houses in Nantucket, wrote songs and played guitar in bars (his dog Spot passed the hat for tips) and roamed the Americas until he joined the Peace Corps and was sent to Tibet. He returned to work for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Washington, D.C. Buie returned to school in his 30s and earned degrees in nursing and public health. He joined the Peace Corps for a second time, serving two years in Honduras. When he returned, he settled in New Orleans, La., and worked at Tulane Hospital and Charity Hospital as an ICU nurse and later as a home health nurse. He then went into research, monitoring pharmaceutical trials all over the United States and Africa. He retired in 2012.

Arthur Steven Alexander, March 10, 2022, Abbeville, S.C. Alexander was the owner and operator of Frontier Adjusters. He was an avid reader and outdoorsman. He was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church.

John Thorne Camby, Feb. 22, 2022, Spartanburg, S.C. Camby was the owner of Piedmont Textiles and Recycling. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg.

William Webster “Bill” Lucado Jr., Feb. 18, 2022, Juliette, Ga. Lucado became a successful land developer and set up Southern Land and Lumber, which he ran out of his office in Gray, Ga. He loved antiques, hunting, traveling and music. He became a well-known music promoter in middle Georgia, bringing big names to the area such as Little Richard, Taj Mahal and the Tedeschi Trucks Band. He was involved in the early years of the Big House and was Derek Trucks’ mentor as he started his journey in music.

H. Steve Butler, March 23, 2022, Gaffney, S.C. Butler was retired from Norfolk Southern Railway. He enjoyed farming and raising cattle with his dad. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Gaffney.

Ralph George Hellmer Jr., Feb. 3, 2022, Amelia, Va. Hellmer worked at Pool Wizard in Farmville, Va. He loved remodeling his house into his wife’s dream farmhouse-style home. He had just completed his last project and had started another major project on the day of his passing.