THOMPSON,
JACK CECIL, JR.,
born August 31, 1946 in Birmingham, Alabama, Jack passed away while
sleeping at his Pell City home on the morning of February 5, 2008 after
a long bout with multiple physical ailments. Jack, or "Skippy"
as he is known by his family, was the proud son of loving parents, Jack
Cecil Thompson, Sr. and Mary Frances Fox Thompson and spent the early
part of his life in the Woodlawn area. Even at an early age Jack had
an amazing knack for making friends and connecting with other people.
While at Woodlawn High School, where he graduated in 1964, he was president
of the Warblers Club, a student body and senior class officer, and lettered
in football. After high school Jack worked at the Coca Cola Company
while attending Jefferson State Junior College where he was elected
President of Civitans, a student body and graduating class officer,
and graduated with honors. Soon after, Jack played football for and
graduated from Auburn University in 1969 and began working at Snelling
& Snelling while attending two years of law school. The bulk of
his professional career was spent working with General Personnel as
an Employment Specialist. In later years he also worked with the Norris
Law Firm and Bellsouth. Jack was a faithful, and long time member of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and was called to serve
in many positions. His testimony, service, and sincerity will always
be remembered both by those who served with him, as well as by those
who were served by him. Among friends and family his wit and humor is
legendary. There's not many that have known Jack Thompson, Uncle Skippy,
or Papa Jack but that can't recall at least one funny story told by
him. Whether it was a story told about him rolling down a hill in a
garbage can or whether you listened to his local radio personae, "Willie
Matthews" on the Doug Layton and TC and John Ed Shows, one thing
was certain: Jack always left you smiling. He leaves behind the love
of his life, Carol Lee Thompson; along with his children: Stephen Eric
Thompson, Juli Monique Christensen, Brian Major Thompson, Jay Scott
Bennett, Matthew Paul Bennett, and Heather Freeman; his 13 grandchildren:
Mary Amber, Amanda, Becky, Breanna, Austin, Jamie, Cheyenne, Eric, Mindy,
Sarah, Kristin, Nicholas and Brock; his sisters: Jacqueline L. Tindle
and Patricia Patrick; his nieces and nephews, Claude, Claudia and Sabrina.
Viewing will be held Friday, February 8 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Kilgroe
Funeral Home in Pell City, 2219 2nd Avenue North. A second viewing will
be Saturday, February 9 from 10:00 to 10:55 a.m. at the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints building in Leeds, and the funeral services
will begin at 11:00 a.m., 8546 Rockhampton St., Leeds, AL 35094, 205-699-3183.
Kilgroe Funeral Home, Pell City, will direct the services. Published
in The
Birmingham News on
2/8/2008.
BLACK, JAMES THOMAS, JR. (BUDDY), age 91, passed away on December 8, 2007. He was born in Birmingham on April 10, 1916. He was raised in the Woodlawn area and graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1935. He attended the University of Alabama, Birmingham. He was a WWII Navy veteran with the rank of Ensign. He was preceded in death by his parents, Zula Hallman Black and James Thomas Black, Sr.; his wife of 47 years, Constance Samuel Black; his wife of 12 years, Marjorie Liner Dalton Black; granddaughter, Jennifer Black Johnson; and brother, Robert William Black. He is survived by his son, James Thomas Black III; great granddaughter, Hannah Preuss; brother, Clauselle S. Black; sister-in-law, Virginia L. Black; nieces, Ginger Black Cowley (Stephen), Robbie Black Roberts (Ronald), Jackie Black Mathews (Glen), Sam Black (Cheryl); extended family and numerous friends. Mr. Black was an active member of the former West Woodlawn Baptist Church where he was a Deacon and served on numerous church committees, building projects and was very involved in the music program. He was a talented vocalist/soloist and shared his "God given talent" to minister to others. He blessed many with his clear tenor voice not only in his church, but when he sang for weddings, funerals and other functions. In 1987, Buddy moved his membership to South Roebuck Baptist Church where he continued to sing for the Lord and was currently an active member. He was retired from Connors Steel as Plant Manager after 46 years of service. He was a Mason and a Shriner. Buddy took great pleasure in being an active member of The Warblers and was very proud to be their oldest member. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 10, 2007 at Ridout's Roebuck Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at South Roebuck Baptist Church, 501 Mountain Drive, with the Reverend Chris Crain officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery following the funeral. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the last church building project Buddy was involved with: Margaret, AL Mission c/o South Roebuck Baptist Church, 501 Mountain Drive, Birmingham, AL 35206. Published in The Birmingham News from 12/10/2007 - 12/11/2007.
MORRISON, GARY WELBA September 9, 1951-October 25, 2006 Gary passed away on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 in Baltimore, MD. He was born in Birmingham, AL, where he attended Robinson Grammar School and was a 1969 graduate of Woodlawn High School. During high school he was a member of the "Warblers" Club and was voted senior musician. Gary attended Jacksonville State University, Montevallo University, and graduated from Birmingham Southern College in 1977 with a BA in voice and music theory. He received a Masters of Voice and Opera Performance from the University of Texas in Austin in 1979. He returned to Birmingham where he taught voice in the Birmingham Southern Conservatory of Music and in the Shades Mountain Baptist Church Performing Arts Center. While back in Birmingham he performed in several operas before continuing his education at the Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, KY. He graduated with a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Church Music from the seminary in 1992. While in Seminary he served as Minister of Worship in Springdale Baptist Church and First Baptist of Prospect, where he was ordained. He also served at Bashford Manor Baptist Church in Louisville prior to accepting a position at Middle River Baptist in Baltimore, MD where he served until becoming ill. Gary grew up in Birmingham as a member of Ruhama Baptist Church and then Woodlawn Baptist, now Liberty Park Baptist where he was active in Bible study, music ministry programs and mission programs. He was one of the first Bible teachers for the Vietnamese ministry and assisted this ministry in organizing revivals and mentoring other Vietnamese leaders. Gary was preceded in death by his father, John B. Morrison. He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Linda Johnson Morrison and one son, Ian Micheil Morrison. Survivors also include his mother, Polly Covington Morrison Perry (Birmingham); stepfather, Bill Perry (Birmingham); his brother, Randy V. Morrison (Birmingham); sister-in-law, Alice Marie Morrison (Birmingham); nephew, Daniel Morrison (Birmingham) and an aunt, Pinkey Dicus of Atlanta, GA. Funeral services will be held at Liberty Park Baptist Church with Dr. Scott Guffin, Pastor of Liberty Park and Reverend Jeff Hartmen, Pastor of Perry Hall Baptist, Baltimore, MD officiating. The service will be held on Monday, October 30, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. with visitation at the church from 12:30-2:00 p.m. Burial will follow in the Forrest Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Ian M. Morrison, Daniel V. Morrison, Darrell Hartsell and members of the "Wabblers" Club. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Ian Morrison Scholarship Fund, the Liberty Park Baptist Church Building Fund, or the charity of your choice. Ridout's Roebuck Chapel directing, 205-833-7171. Published in The Birmingham News on 10/29/2006.
SAWYER, JAMES EDWIN "JIM" Born November 22, 1935 Survivors include his loving wife Sandra Waine whom he shared 42 years of love, laughter and their love of music and serving their Lord; daughter, Allison Cambre (Frankie); son, James Gregory Sawyer (Kristie), grandchildren, Sawyer and Neil Cambre, Lily, Eli and Ben Sawyer; sister-in-law, Laurie Curd; brother, Edward Fitzsimmons; special nephews, Jerry Edward Callahan (Faye), Wesley Curd (Shannon); and special niece, Candy Jernigan (Brian). Jim retired from U.S. Steel in 1997 and has been a beloved Choir Director for many years. He served as Choir Director of Tarrant First Methodist Church for 3 years, 67th St. Methodist Church for 5 years and retired from Wilson Chapel Methodist Church in 1999 where he served for 26 years. During these years Jim's ministry reached many people especially young people. His ministry included Chancel Choir, Hand Bells, Junior Choirs, Youth Choirs, producing and directing many Cantatas and taking the Youth Choirs on many Tours. Many choir members through Jim's inspiration and direction became soloist and six of them became choir directors including his beloved daughter Allison. Jim never met a stranger and always had a happy smile and hug for everyone. Even in retirement Jim could not be content to do nothing. He kept the books for his son Greg's business Earthworks. This was a joy for Jim and Greg credits his dad with much of his success. Jim's family was the joy of his life and he will be greatly missed. Family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations should be made to The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 14 Office Park Circle, Birmingham, AL 35223. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at 2 p.m. at Wilson Chapel United Methodist Church, 412 Cumberland Drive, Roebuck, AL. Burial will be in Jefferson Memorial Gardens East. Visitation will be held Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Jefferson Memorial Trussville directing.
Published in The Birmingham News in June 12, 2005.
Birmingham Festival Theatre co-founder Randy Marsh dies
News staff writer
Randy Marsh, an actor, director and playwright who co-founded Birmingham Festival Theatre and taught thousands of students at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, died Monday. He was 56.
Mr. Marsh had recently had two strokes after battling throat cancer, said John Northrop, executive director of the Alabama School of Fine Arts. Mr. Marsh worked at ASFA starting in 1974, first as an English teacher and then, since 1997, as director of curriculum and instruction.
"Randy ... embodied more than any other person in the school what the school was all about," Northrop said. "He was an artist, and he was an educator, and he combined those things with the kids.
"Every kid who graduated from the school for about 25 years went through Randy's English class," he added. "He was a beloved master teacher. If he were to teach Shakespeare, he did Shakespeare. That kind of presence in the classroom makes a huge impression."
A graduate of Woodlawn High School and Samford University, Mr. Marsh had a life-long passion in theater. He earned a master's in theater from the University of Alabama and spent his early career teaching drama at West End High School.
Mr. Marsh also volunteered his talent at Birmingham's Actors Studio and then, with Vic Fichtner and Carl Stewart, co-founded Birmingham Festival Theatre in 1972. He acted in or directed dozens of shows for area theaters, including BFT, Birmingham Children's Theatre (which recently produced one of his plays, "The Reluctant Dragon"), Independent Presbyterian Church and the Little Theatre Players, a troupe he co-founded in 2002.
"There are people passionate about the theater who don't know what they're doing, and there are people who know what they're doing and aren't that passionate about it," said Jack Mann, also a founder of Little Theatre Players. "Randy was one of the few people who was really good at both of those things."
Among the productions Mr. Marsh directed was "Last Hotel for Women," a play based on the novel by his sister, Vicki Covington. The siblings adapted the work together, and Mr. Marsh's daughter Kate was among the stars. Mr. Marsh himself played infamous public safety commissioner Bull Connor in the 1996 production.
Mr. Marsh met his wife, Haden, in a production of "The Little Foxes," and his three daughters - Kim, Gaines and Kate - grew up in the theater.
Teaching was another of Mr. Marsh's passions.
"He was admired and beloved by the staff and was a tremendous teacher coach," Northrop recalled. "He knew how to appeal to the better instincts of his colleagues and get them to do things that were in the best interest of the kids."
Mr. Marsh also knew how to talk, and his conversations became somewhat of an excused absence in ASFA's halls, Suzanne Mann said.
"A wonderful thing that I heard about him at the School of Fine Arts is that if a student came into a class late and said, `I'm sorry, Miss So-and-So, Randy caught me in the hall, and I was talking to him,' it was an excused tardy. He just never shut up."
Mr. Marsh continued to work at ASFA through Wednesday, the day before he suffered his first stroke. Three weeks ago, he accepted the first Life Achievement Award from the Birmingham Area Theatre Alliance.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at Johns-Ridout's Valley Chapel in Homewood. His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Independent Presbyterian Church.
The family suggests donations to the Randy Marsh Memorial Scholarship Fund at the ASFA Foundation.
E-mail: aharvey@bhamnews.com
Published in The Birmingham News on 3/15/2005.
Marsh embodied spirit of arts school
By DANIEL JACKSON
BIRMINGHAM POST-HERALD
No one embodied the spirit of the Alabama School of Fine Arts more than Randy Marsh, said John Northrop, the school's executive director.
Every graduating senior in the school's history experienced Marsh's passion for literature and theater, Northrop said. Marsh, 57, one of the four founding teachers at ASFA, stayed enthusiastic about his work through a battle with cancer that robbed the teacher and actor of his voice and eventually his life. He suffered two strokes last week and died Monday at UAB Hospital.
The Birmingham Area Theater Alliance, composed of about 20 local theaters, awarded Marsh its first ever lifetime achievement award on Feb. 13.
"He didn't just talk about Shakespeare. He did Shakespeare," Northrop said. "Randy was such a wonderful person, a great artist and educator. We all will miss him deeply."
Marsh, the director of curriculum and instruction at ASFA, graduated from Samford University in 1970, earned his master's degree at the University of Alabama and became one of ASFA's first teachers in 1974.
Initially, Marsh taught every English class at the school from sixth grade through 12th grade. Pat Taylor, the current director of student support services, was ASFA's first science teacher and worked closely with Marsh for three decades.
"We literally have grown up together, shared our lives, joys and tragic moments, and I really can't imagine a day here at ASFA without him — this is a hard day," Taylor said. "He loved good food, good wine and people, all people. He had a big heart."
About a year ago, Marsh had a laryngectomy, removing his voice box, Northrop said. He survived health problems during the Christmas holidays, but faculty and friends noticed he began to look weaker and thinner. Thursday he was getting ready to go to the doctor to get the results of a scan looking for possible cancer in his lungs when he had a stroke.
On Friday, he had a more severe stroke that robbed his brain of blood, Northrop said.
He is survived by his wife, Haden Marsh, daughters Kim Cornell, Gaines Marsh and Kate Marsh, and his grandson, Eliot Marsh. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Ridout's Chapel. His funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Independent Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Randy Marsh Memorial Scholarship Fund at ASFA Foundation, 1800 Eighth Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203.
Published in the Birmingham Post Herald on 3/15/2005
Published in The Birmingham News on 5/22/2004.
FERGUSON, C. RAYBURN, age 77, of Birmingham, died November 29, 2003. He retired from Jim Burke Buick as a tune-up mechanic after 35 years of service. He was a 50 year member and head Elder of Roebuck Seventh Day Adventist Church. Rayburn was known for his good nature and strong Christian principles. He had a beautiful Irish tenor voice and frequently sang at church and social events in the community. He was a graduate of Woodlawn High School and attended Howard College. He was active in Warblers Glee Club. Mr. Ferguson was a Veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during Asian Campaign. Mr. Ferguson was the great great nephew of John Inzer, the Civil War hero. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Geneva Carruba Ferguson; daughters, Claudia (Tony) Gilmer, Carla (Dean) Snider; son, Charles (Sharon) Ferguson; five grandchildren, Adam Ferguson, Carson Ferguson, Jason Snider, Kelli Snider and Heather Buck; two great grandchildren, Madison and Tanner Buck. Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, December 2, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. at Roebuck Seventh Day Adventist Church, with burial in Jefferson Memorial Gardens East. Dr. Charles Ferguson officiating. Visitation will be held Monday from 5-6 p.m. at the funeral home. Jefferson Memorial Trussville directing. Published in The Birmingham News on 12/1/2003.
NICHOLS, CHRISTOPHER GEORGE "SMILEY,"
age 61, passed away November 19, 2003, after a valiant four-year battle
with cancer. He and his family left the Birmingham area in 1969 and for
the last 14 years lived in Las Vegas, Nevada. He graduated from Woodlawn
High School in 1960 where he was a member of the Warbler's Club. He went
on to Auburn University where he played varsity baseball. He and a partner
established R&G Sales, a Manufacturers Representatives Company, in
1981. He was a member of the Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Contractors
Association, Southern Nevada Homebuilders Association, and the Plumbing
and Mechanical Contractors of Nevada. He was preceded in death by his
parents, Christopher Ellis and Naomi Schou Nichols. Survivors include
his high school sweetheart and wife of over 40 years, Dorothy "Dot"
Willcutt Nichols; sons, Christopher George Nichols, Jr. of Phoenix, Arizona,
and Kevin Lane Nichols of San Francisco, California; sister, Anna Lu Hemphill
of Birmingham; brothers, Larry Ellis (Faye) Nichols of Birmingham, and
Ronald Schou (Kay) Nichols of Springville; numerous nieces and nephews,
extended family, and a world of friends. Services were held November 22
in Las Vegas, Nevada. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations
be made to Odyssey Healthcare, Inc.'s "Harbor House," 4011-A
McLeod, Las Vegas, NV 89121.
Published in
The Birmingham News on 11/25/2003.
KING,
CECIL NEUHAUSER, 84, died July 17, 2003 in Rochester, NY. Born and
raised in Birmingham, AL, he was a graduate of Howard College (now Samford
University), and a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity; with additional
degrees from the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, and Auburn and Northwestern
Universities. He served in the Army Air Force in WWII as an aircraft maintenance
officer for the 509th Composite Air Group (Atomic Bomb Squadron) on Tinian
Island; and was a design engineer on heavy military tanks, as well. He
was an expert gray metal foundry man, working for both Chrysler and Ford.
He was a foundry consultant and plant manager in Rosario, Argentina and
Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico; and retired from E. M. Wood & Assoc. in
Atlanta, GA. He taught at Lawrence Institute of Technology. He was a devout
Christian and an active member of the Mountain Brook Baptist Church. He
taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and was a soloist for churches
in Michigan, Wisconsin and Alabama. He was also a long-time member of
the Warblers singing group. He taught English to Vietnamese, Cambodian
and Laotian refugees, and was a volunteer at the American Baptist Conference
Center in Green Lake, WI. Mr. King was pre-deceased by his wife of 61
years, Jappie Bryant King, in April 2003. He is survived by his daughter,
Jappie King Black (Richard) of Brockport, NY; his son, Cecil B. "Pete"
King (Terry) of Orlando, FL; sister-in-law, Eloise B. Crenshaw of Birmingham;
and nieces and nephews. No flowers, please. Remembrances may be sent to
Samford University or the Mountain Brook Baptist Church Mission budget.
A memorial service will be scheduled for August. Mr. King was a devoted
husband, a gentle, caring father, and a loyal friend. He was loved and
will be missed by all who ever met him.
Published in The Birmingham
News on 7/22/2003.
Amos Hudson
The Warblers Club recently lost its last original director, William Amos Hudson.
Amos loved The Warblers Club and was loved by The Warblers Club. The Warblers Club performed Soon Ah Will Be Done, as he had requested, at his memorial service on February 20, 2003.
The following article appeared in The Birmingham News.
Musical `fixture' Amos Hudson dies
02/19/03
MICHAEL HUEBNERNews staff writer
Amos Hudson, who directed music for 47 years at Highlands United Methodist Church in Birmingham, died last week at his home in the Glen Iris neighborhood. He was 78.
A conductor, singer and pianist, Mr. Hudson was born in Cordova and graduated from Birmingham-Southern College in 1947.
While at BSC, he formed the Cat Mountain Four, a group that parodied country and bluegrass music and achieved notoriety around the state. After receiving a master's in music education from Columbia University in 1950, he taught at Woodlawn High, where he was active in the choral group Warblers Club, and from 1955 to 1970 he taught music at Crestline Heights Elementary School.
At Highlands, he led performances of Handel's "Messiah" for 39 years and directed the Boar's Head Festival for 29 Christmases.
After retiring in 1999, he continued to perform for worship services and the day care center, and worked in the homeless program.
"He was a fixture here at the church and in the Southside community," said Reggie Holder, Highlands' Director of Ministries. "Everybody knew Amos, and he knew every child's name in day care. He greeted the homeless men and women who came to the church, and knew many of them by name."
A music scholarship for Birmingham-Southern students was established in Mr. Hudson's name in the mid-1970s. Its second recipient, Richard Phillips, sang in Mr. Hudson's choirs and succeeded him as director of music at Highlands after his retirement in 1999.
"Amos was a loving human being and a master teacher," Phillips said. "He was truly a cheerleader, and so enthusiastic about the music. He would stand in the back of the nave and root for the choir. After they sang, he would leave. There's no way I can be Amos Hudson, but I'm honored to follow him and uphold the tradition."
Mr. Hudson never married. Survivors include six nephews and two nieces. Visitation will be today from 4-6 p.m. at Johns-Ridout's Valley Chapel in Homewood. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Highlands United Methodist, followed by burial at the New Prospect Baptist Church cemetery in Jasper at 2 p.m.
The family requests memorials to the Homeless Fund at Highlands United Methodist Church or the Building Fund at New Prospect Baptist Church.