Former Councilor, auto dealer dies
W. Julian Foy (Gamma Psi ‘72 - Northwestern) passed away on Sunday, November 23, 2003, in Many, La.
Julian served as the Commander for White Province, which encompasses the state of Louisiana, from 1990 to 1995. Prior to that, he served as the alumnus advisor and as house corporation president for his own Gamma Psi Chapter at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La. In 1995, Julian was elected as a member of the 28th Executive Council. He was re-elected successively in 1997, 1999, and 2001. He resigned in 2002 for health reasons.
Julian was a co-owner of Foy Motors in Many, La., where he also lived. In addition to his long and valued service to the Order, he also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Northwestern State University; past president of the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association; a former member of the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission; and was named in Time magazine the 2003 “Automobile Dealer of the Year” for Louisiana.
“I have lost one of my best friends. I had the pleasure to speak with him [recently],” said Dick Wilson, KAOEF Trustee.
“I had been to Oxford on Thursday and someone saw the Foy Motors, Many, La., tag on the front of Lester’s car and thought I might be from Louisiana up for the Ole Miss-LSU Game. They welcomed me to Mississippi!!! I called Julian to tell him that it was marginally better to be confused as a LSU fan than a democrat, I guess!!! We laughed and he said he was feeling good. We have truly lost a great KA.”
Julian was a warm and compassionate leader who always championed the undergraduate experience in KA. He remained involved with his chapter and provided guidance at every opportunity. Julian was a consummate host in true Louisiana fashion and had a great sense of humor. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Life trustee, community leader, faithful Kappa Alpha
Vernon W. Piper (Beta Theta ‘33 - Washington University), whose accomplishments ranged from importing olives to preserving old buildings, died November 20, 2003, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield, Mo. He was 90 years old. As an original trustee and the first named life trustee of the Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation, he was a visionary and supportive leader. As one of our largest donors, he established the Vernon and Marion Piper Scholarship Fund and provided a lead gift to the Headquarter Campaign.
Born in St. Louis, Brother Piper attended the University of Missouri at Columbia and earned a degree from Washington University. He retired as president of A.C.L. Haase Co. in St. Louis, a distributor of Spanish olives and other foods and was a past president of the Landmarks Association of St. Louis, the National Museum of Transport, the Chatillon-DeMenil House and the Civil War Roundtable of St. Louis.
Brother Piper was also involved in higher education. He served for many years on the board of the Winston Churchill Memorial and Library at Westminster College. The Pipers also endowed scholarships and professorships at Washington University, Westminister College and the University of Missouri.
“As a generous man, community leader and most of all, faithful Kappa Alpha, Brother Piper leaves a legacy to be emulated and will most certainly be missed by all,” said Larry Wiese, Executive Director.
One-hundred year old father and long-time supporter
George Walther “Wally” Ewalt (Alpha Lambda ‘25 - Johns Hopkins), father of Wood Province Commander Douglas Ewalt, passed away on December 27, 2003. He was 100 years old. Brother Ewalt was a friend of Bill Forester’s and a longtime supporter of the Order and Foundation. Prior to his passing, he was likely the oldest KA. He had two KA sons (including Doug) and a KA grandson as well as other KAs in his family. He was a longtime member of the Wood Court of Honor. Those who knew him will remember a dignified gentleman with a great sense of humor.
Former legislative leader dies
Legendary Tennessee legislator John Bragg (Pi ‘42 - Tennessee) was known for following his instincts, telling the truth and doing what’s right.
He died January 31, 2004, following a 20-year battle with heart problems.
“Daddy always said ‘Do what’s right and tell the truth,’” his son Tommy Bragg, mayor of Murfreesboro, Tenn., said.
Other politicians remembered Bragg for his commitment to the state, Rutherford County, MTSU and his fellow legislators.
Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen said, “He was a major leader in reforming education.” Ned McWherter, former governor, said, “John Bragg is responsible for whatever success I’ve had in public service.”
In addition to 31-years of service as a state representative, Bragg served two years as president of the MTSU Foundation, chairman of the Southern Legislative Conference, president of the National Conference of State Legislators and president of the Foundation for State Legislators. (excerpts from The Tennessean, Nashville, Tenn. - photo courtesy of Middle Tennessee State University)
KA dies in Afghanistan
Sgt. Roy Alvin Wood (Kappa ‘76 - Mercer) died January 9, 2004, in a vehicle crash in Afghanistan according to Florida National Guard officials.
Wood put himself through Mercer University partly by joining the Army Reserve and partly by working as an orderly at Riverside Clinic. The experience inspired him to become a doctor.
“Once he was determined to be a doctor,” said Danny Williams (Kappa ‘78), “he was the most focused person I have ever known.”
“The military was a good match for Wood’s disciplined, quiet manner,” said Williams.
A complete listing:
Alabama, University of
Wright H. Ross, Jr., ‘38, 11/21/2003
Arizona, University of
W. Alexander Frey, 2003, 1/11/2004
Auburn University
James B. Cantley, ‘50, 1/10/2004
Grady F. Edwards, Jr., ‘55, 7/31/2003
Bethany College
F. Richard Frey, ‘42, 12/14/2003
Birmingham-Southern College
William L. Bouton, Jr., ‘49, 12/26/2003
Delaware, University of
Robert H. Ley, ‘58, 7/17/2003
Duke University
Escalus E. Elliott, Jr., ‘43, 9/10/2003
Emory University
H. Alan Palmer, ‘87, 11/23/2003
Merrell L. Poole, ‘36, 11/9/2003
Florida State University
John L. Branch, ‘55, 10/23/2003
Florida, University of
John A. Beckman, ‘42, 8/21/2003
Frank P. Bowyer, Jr., ‘35, 1/20/2004
Georgia, University of
John T. Newton, ‘34, 9/28/2003
Hampden-Sydney College
John W. Kolmer, ‘52, 4/10/2003
Johns Hopkins University
G. Walther Ewalt, ‘25, 12/27/2003
Louisville, University of
Lawrence J. Mulhall, ‘28, 10/13/2003
Mercer University
Roy A. Wood, ‘76, 1/9/2004
Millsaps College
Pat L. Gilliland, ‘57, 12/16/2003
W. Patrick McMullan, Jr., ‘45, 1/21/2004
James J. Ratliff, Jr., ‘47, 1/14/2004
New Mexico, University of
Wayne W. Rouse, ‘38, 8/29/2003
Northwestern State University
W. Julian Foy, ‘72, 11/23/2003
Oklahoma State University
Fred A. Gillum, ‘30, 10/2/2003
John W. McGee, ‘40, 7/7/2003
South, University of the
Arthur A. West, ‘48, 12/6/2003
Southern Methodist University
Charles E. Harkey, ‘48, 11/21/2003
Southern Mississippi, University of
William A. Wiltshire, ‘51, 9/30/2003
Southwest Missouri State University
Timothy Gansmann, ‘73, 11/22/2003
Tennessee, University of
John T. Bragg, Sr., ‘42, 1/31/2004
Thomas F. Walker, ‘27, 8/17/2003
Tennessee-Martin, University of
Stephen M. Strube, ‘84, 10/24/2003
Texas at Arlington, University of
Marvin R. Reynolds II, ‘88, 1/16/2004
Vanderbilt University
Jess A. Dowdy, ‘48, 10/7/2003
W. Lawrence Freeman, ‘30, 11/21/2003
Fletcher King, Jr., ‘24, 12/5/2003
Virginia, University of
Charles M. Moon, Jr., ‘44, 11/19/2003
William W. Walling, ‘47, 12/3/2003
Wake Forest University
E. Reed Gaskin, ‘43, 10/28/2003
Hubert M. Poteat III, ‘99, 12/16/2003
Washington University
Vernon W. Piper, ‘33, 11/20/2003
Western Carolina University
Robert C. Newton, Jr., ‘66, 11/21/2003
Westminster College
Joseph P. Mengwasser, ‘80, 8/29/2003
William and Mary, College of
W. Franklin Angle, ‘47, 7/10/2003
William Jewell College
Biron Bush, ‘37, 11/22/2003
John T. Porter, ‘42, 6/30/2003
Tax-deductible gifts in memory of a brother or friend of KA are accepted by the Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation. Once a gift is received, a card of acknowledgement is sent to the donor and, if possible, a card announcing the contribution is sent to the immediate family of the one remembered. Please contact the KAOEF at (540) 463-1865
