In Memoriam: Deacons We Lost in 2025

Rodney Rogers:

A cornerstone of the Demon Deacons' 1990s basketball renaissance and is a Distinguished Alumni Award honoree, Rodney Rogers ('94) passed away on November 21, 2025. Known as the "Durham Bull" during his prep career, Rogers brought that same power and relentlessness to Winston-Salem. Rogers made an immediate impact as a freshman, earning ACC Freshman of the Year honors in 1991 while leading the Demon Deacons to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1984. He followed with a First Team All-ACC selection in 1992, and in 1993—after guiding Wake Forest to the NCAA Sweet 16—he was named ACC Player of the Year and a First Team All-American. He remains one of only seven players in ACC history, and the only Demon Deacon, to earn both ACC Freshman of the Year and ACC Player of the Year honors. In 2008, a life-altering accident left Rogers paralyzed from the shoulders down, yet he remained a powerful and inspirational presence. In recognition of his impact, Rogers received one of Wake Forest University's highest honors as a 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. With that, President Susan R. Wente awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at that event. Rogers' No. 54 jersey hangs in the rafters of Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Kenneth "Butch" Henry:

Wake Forest University legend Kenneth "Butch" Henry — a trailblazer on and off the field and one of the first African American student-athletes in collegiate sports history in the South — passed away at the age of 79. Henry became the first African American student to attend Wake Forest on an athletic scholarship. Originally recruited as a quarterback, he transitioned to wide receiver and quickly became one of the team's leading pass catchers. He enrolled at Wake Forest in the fall of 1964 and spent four years in Winston-Salem, leading the Demon Deacons in receiving during both the 1965 and 1966 seasons. He excelled both on and off the field at Wake Forest, blazing a trail by becoming, along with teammates Bob Grant and Willie Smith, the first Black football players to desegregate a college football team in the South in the fall of 1964. Henry and Grant were recognized by Wake Forest University in 2021 with the creation of the Robert Grant & Kenneth "Butch" Henry Trailblazer Award. This signature honor was created to recognize the significance of the first Black football players at Wake Forest University and the historical role Wake Forest Athletics played in integrating Division I sports in the South.

Dr. Caryl Guth:

A true pioneer that left an indelible mark on the Wake Forest University community, Dr. Caryl Guth helped the university continue to be on the forefront of medicine while also being a steward of the Pro Humanitate spirit with countless efforts to advance women's athletics that paved the way for generations of Demon Deacon student-athletes. Guth died July 28, 2025, at the age of 89. Dr. Guth helped establish the Center for Integrative Medicine at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in 2003. Before that, the dedicated anesthesiologist worked in the Mills-Peninsula Hospital System in California for over 30 years. She also worked as an instructor at Radboud University (formerly the University of Nijmegen) in the Netherlands and as a fellow in anesthesiology at Queen Victoria Hospital in Sussex, England. She had been an instructor at Bowman Gray School of Medicine, a member of the board of science and policy advisors for the American Council on Science and Health and a holistic and integrative medicine physician. After more than 40 years dedicated to helping patients as an integrative medicine specialist and anesthesiologist, Dr. Guth received the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. The award celebrated her many years of experience in her professional network and noted her achievements, leadership qualities and the credentials and successes she has accrued in her field. The Peoria, Ill. native earned her bachelor's degree from Wake Forest in 1957 and her M.D. in 1962 before getting an internship with the University of Kansas Medical Center. She went on to earn a certification as a Diplomat of the American Board of Anesthesiology.

Jay Sigel:

Wake Forest University and the Winston-Salem community celebrate the life and legacy of Jay Sigel, a proud Demon Deacon and one of the most accomplished amateur golfers in the history of the sport. A native of Pennsylvania, Sigel came to Wake Forest in 1962 on the prestigious Arnold Palmer Scholarship. He played a key role in the rise of Wake's historic men's golf program, helping lead the Deacs to one of its first ACC Championships in 1963. During his collegiate career from 1962-65, Sigel earned All-American honors and quickly distinguished himself as one of the nation's elite amateur golfers. He captured the ACC individual title as a sophomore in 1963 and was named a second-team All-American in 1964. Following his graduation, Sigel's amateur career soared to extraordinary heights. He won back-to-back U.S. Amateur titles in 1982 and 1983 and captured three U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships. A cornerstone of American amateur golf, Sigel played in a record nine Walker Cup matches—twice serving as captain—and appeared in 33 matches overall, winning 18, losing just five, and halving 10. He remains the only golfer in history to win both the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Mid-Amateur in the same year, and one of just three players to win two USGA championships in a single year.

Henry Kerfoot:

Henry Kerfoot, a member of the Wake Forest men's golf team from 1952-56, passed away on Jan. 30, 2025. His competitive achievements in golf were remarkable. His early successes included winning the Washington Metropolitan Schoolboy Championship in 1952. A proud member of the Demon Deacon golf team from 1952 to 1956, he played alongside the legendary Arnold Palmer and contributed to an ACC Championship victory in 1955. Henry was in ROTC at Wake Forest and served after graduation at Fort Bliss, Texas. He played in the 1993 USGA Senior Open at Cherry Hills Golf Club, with his son Hank proudly caddying alongside him. He won the WGCC Club Championship five times over five different decades and the WGCC Senior Club Championship eight times. In later years, he accomplished the extraordinary feat of shooting his age more than 500 times. In recognition of his contributions and achievements, he was inducted into both the Arlington County and Washington & Lee High School Athletic Halls of Fame.

Ernie Nestor:

Ernie Nestor, a native of Philippi, West Virginia, was a long-time basketball assistant at Wake Forest, including an eight-year stint (1993-01) for head coach Dave Odom and a six-year stint (1979-85) under head coach Carl Tacy. He returned to the Demon Deacons in October 2018 for his third tenure on the basketball staff when he was named special assistant to then-head coach Danny Manning. Nestor had over 40 years of Division I coaching experience and had worked in every Power 5 conference over his career. He had 11 years of head coaching experience, leading George Mason from 1989-93 and Elon from 2004-09. He guided George Mason to the 1989 CAA championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance and was the 2006 Southern Conference Coach of the Year when he led Elon to the SoCon North Division title. In 1996, he also coached the USA's William Jones Cup squad in international competition. In addition to his two stints as an assistant coach at Wake Forest, Nestor also served on the staffs at James Madison, California, South Carolina, Penn State, Missouri and Navy during his five-decade career. He also spent one season working in the NBA as an advance scout with the New Jersey Nets. Before rejoining the Demon Deacons in 2018, Nestor was an assistant coach at Navy for five seasons from 2013-17 before announcing his retirement following the 2016-17 season. In 2014, Ernie Nestor was awarded a "Guardians of the Game" award for education by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

Louis J. Howard Jr.:

Louis J. Howard Jr., affectionately known as "Lefty Lou," passed away on August 12, 2025, at the age of 82. A Wilmington, N.C., legend, his baseball career was marked by excellence, including his time at Wake Forest. He turned down several major league offers to further his college career at Wake Forest, where he earned First Team All-ACC honors and an ACC title. After graduation, he played briefly with the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league organization but returned home to Wilmington to be closer to family. His passion for the game continued through a remarkable 29-year coaching career at Roland Grise Junior High and Hoggard High School, where he mentored hundreds of student-athletes. Under his leadership, Roland Grise achieved numerous conference titles, amassing an extraordinary record of 225 wins and only 25 losses. His contributions to athletics were honored with inductions into the UNCW Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.

Alley Hart:

Alley Hart competed for the Demon Deacons from 1959-61 at the guard spot, serving as a team captain on the team's 1961 Elite Eight team. His freshman season saw him average 20.5 points per game before helping the Deacs to their first-ever ACC regular season title as a junior in 1959-60. A year later, he posted 13.7 points per game on a nightly average as a senior to pace Wake Forest to the 1961 ACC Championship, playing alongside standouts Bill Packer and Len Chappell. Hart ultimately appeared in 75 games throughout his career as a Demon Deacon. An in-state native of Kinston, N.C., Hart was a three-sport athlete at Grainger High School, competing in basketball, football and baseball. On April 14, 1961, the city of Kinston proclaimed it "Alley Hart Day."

Douglass Bailey:

Douglass Bailey ('60) died peacefully on November 21, 2025. Bailey grew up in Clarksburg, WV. Following graduation from Washington Irving High School, legendary coach "Bones" McKinney scouted Doug and recruited him to play basketball at Wake Forest University. He is a graduate of Wake Forest University and Virginia Theological Seminary. Bailey served as an Assistant Professor of Urban Ministry in the Wake Forest School of Divinity. He retired in 2011.

Wilbert Faircloth:

Wilbert Faircloth ('64, JD '67, P '90, P '92, P '94) died peacefully and surrounded by his family on March 28, 2025. Born on August 8, 1942, in Raleigh, N.C., Faircloth grew up in Clinton, N.C. After graduating from Clinton High School, Faircloth attended Wake Forest University and played tight end for the Demon Deacons from 1962-63. Faircloth was also a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and graduated from Wake Forest in 1964. In 1967, Wilbert graduated from Wake Forest University Law School and returned to Clinton to serve as a third generation attorney in the law firm of Faircloth and Faircloth, where he worked until his death. He was a member of the North Carolina Bar Association for over fifty-seven years. After returning to Clinton, Wilbert served his community in many ways. He was a member and officer of the Clinton Rotary Club, and a member and award winner in the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce. He served on the bank board of BB&T Bank, and he was a lifelong member of Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church, where he served as a deacon, elder, Sunday School Superintendent, youth club volunteer, and pulpit committee member.

Newton Scott:

Newton Scott ('68) passed away in his home on September 12, 2025. Born in Fresno, Calif., Scott and his family settled in the Winston-Salem area, where he attended Northwest Forsyth High School. After graduating from Northwest Forsyth, Scott attended Wake Forest University, where he played basketball and ran track on a full athletic scholarship. Scott graduated from Wake Forest in 1968, before becoming a coach and teacher in the Forsyth County Schools after graduation. In 1970, he began working for Wachovia Bank and moved his family to Burlington, NC.

Jim Johnson:

Jim Johnson ('91), of Little Rock, Ark., died with family by his side on February 10, 2025, following a nine month battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Born in Augusta, Ga., Jim and his family moved to Charlotte, N.C. when he was 11. There he continued to play and excel at golf, winning many junior and amateur tournaments. He graduated from Charlotte Country Day School and led their golf team to four straight state championships during his high school years, winning the individual title his senior year. Jim received a golf scholarship to Wake Forest University where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and graduated with a BA in Business. After earning his MBA from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, Jim was excited to accept an investment banking position with Stephens Inc. He was with the firm for 28 years, serving the last 10 years as Chief Administrative Officer of Investment Banking and as Director of Stephens Europe Ltd.

Sallie Cross:

Sallie Cross ('74) passed away peacefully on May 17th 2025 surrounded by her devoted family. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1970. Cross continued her education at Wake Forest University where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, captained multiple athletic teams, including volleyball, and served as a Junior Advisor. She also obtained degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Business and School of Nursing.

Boyd Collier Sr.:

Boyd Franklin Collier Sr. ('61, GP '21) passed away on July 3, 2025. Boyd, in addition to being a Demon Deacon student-athlete, earned his bachelor's degree from Wake Forest University in 1961. Boyd also earned a law degree from the University of Richmond. He worked for many years at the law firm of Allen & Allen before spending his last 10 years practicing law with his son Boyd Jr. at the Law Office of Collier & Collier. While practicing law, Boyd also served for over 40 years as a substitute judge in Virginia's General District Court system, sitting on the bench in many different courts across the state. He served on the Virginia State Bar Council for many years. He was a very active member for a long time in the West Richmond Rotary Club. He served for many years on the Alumni Council at Wake Forest University.

Phil Harris:

Phil Harris ('59) passed away peacefully on November 17, 2025. He was educated in the city schools of Fayetteville, NC, graduating in 1955 from Fayetteville High School, where he was a three-sport athlete and student body president. He graduated from Wake Forest College in 1959, where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and also played X for the Demon Deacons. After graduation he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the US Army. Upon retirement from the Army, Phil spent the majority of his career working with his father-in-law George Vossler and his brother-in-law Lew Lepper in the tire business at CorderVossler Company. Later in his career Phil worked for North Carolina Natural Gas Company until his retirement.

Charles Parker:

Charles Parker ('61) passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on March 13, 2025, surrounded by his devoted family in New Bern, N.C. Born in Winston-Salem, N.C., Bud was the son of the Rev. Charles E. Parker and Elizabeth Cross Parker. His early years were spent in Franklin, N.C., before his family moved to New Bern, where he attended New Bern High School. A talented athlete, Bud was an All-State quarterback and later inducted into the New Bern High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He continued his passion for football at Wake Forest University, where he played as a scholarship athlete from 1957 to 1960. Following college, Bud dedicated himself to teaching and coaching, inspiring students and players at John Graham High School in Warrenton, N.C. During his tenure at the high school, he coached football, basketball, and baseball, remarkably leading all three teams to state finals in the same year. His love for the game led him to serve as Director of the Deacon Club Foundation at Wake Forest University. Later, Bud built a long and successful career, first co-owning and managing the Holiday Inn in Washington, N.C., before transitioning to insurance as the owner of Morris Insurance Agency for 19 years. He then continued his work with Robinson Insurance in New Bern for over 25 years. His commitment to his community extended beyond his career, he served on the Board of Directors for First South Bank for over 42 years and contributed his time and leadership to the Carolina East Medical Center Foundation.

James Hayes:

James Hayes ('48) passed away on June 25, 2025. Born in Rocky Point, N.C., James graduated from Wake Forest University with a BS in Chemistry in 1948. In addition to his athletic career as a student-athlete at Wake Forest, Hayes was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi. He also served in the US Army during World War II during his sophomore year of college, where he earned a Bronze Star. Jim served in the campaigns of the Rhineland and Central Europe in the 415th Infantry Regiment, 104 Division (Timberwolves) as a scout Intelligence and Reconnaissance platoon. After graduating from Wake Forest, James worked as an inspector for the USDA and then Brogdon Laboratories Orlando. He also worked for Safeway Stores Eastern Frozen Food Procurement Division, and retired in 1996 as CEO/General Manager of Winter Garden Citrus Cooperative.

Jim Kyle:

Wake Forest track and field alum James "Jim" Kyle ('70) passed away peacefully on November 1, 2025. Born and raised in Birmingham, AL, Jim attended Crestline Grammar and then the Birmingham University School where in high school he was part of a state champion track team and ran relays and high hurdles. He later graduated from Wake Forest University, where he also ran track, before attending Officer Candidate School and joining the Air Force. He fought in the Vietnam War and saw combat as a member of the Spectre Squadron and navigator on an AC-130 gunship. Jim was a successful commodity trader and wrote analysis for Barron's before he began his own financial management business.

Lee Anglin:

Reverend E. Lee Anglin ('56) passed away peacefully on February 15, 2025. Lee grew up in the Piedmont region of North Carolina before attending Wake Forest College. During his time at Wake Forest, Lee played third base for the Demon Deacon baseball team and was a member of the 1955 NCAA Championship team. After graduating from Wake Forest, he devoted his life to a ministry of growing and seeding churches, building communities and working for social justice. In 47 years of ministry, Rev. Anglin served churches in North Carolina, New York, Texas, Colorado, Ohio, Indiana and England. As a pastor, Lee marched with Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, actively fought for migrant worker rights in upstate New York, worked in hospice, and served as a police department chaplain.

Jim Lanier:

Colonel James (Jim) Newton Lanier ('61) passed away on July 17, 2025. After graduating from high school in Warsaw, N.C., Jim attended Wake Forest University where he was the center on the football team for three years. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army in 1961 and he and his wife Joanne, began their Army trek together. Jim's successful military career covered 22 years.

Wayne Jordan:

Wayne Jordan ('60, JD '63) passed away on March 25, 2025. A distinguished graduate, having graduated with honors in 1960 and from Wake Forest Law School with honors in 1963, Wayne was a cheerleader and a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity during his time at Wake Forest University. Wayne served six months active duty in the military and 5 1/2 years in the National Reserves. He began as an attorney in Laurinburg, and then enjoyed 38 years in the Trust Department of First Union National Bank (now Wells Fargo) based out of Raleigh, N.C. Wayne retired as VP of the Southern Pines branch and continued to manage a private foundation for many years in retirement.

Buck Jolly:

Walter "Buck" Jolly ('60) passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. After graduating Chadbourn High School, Buck attended Presbyterian College, where he played football and baseball. He later continued his football career at Wake Forest University, proudly serving as the team's Center/Linebacker and Co-Captain. After college, Buck began a long and impactful career in education, starting at Whiteville High School as a teacher and coach. He eventually settled in Elizabeth City, N,C,, where he became Head Football Coach and Assistant Principal at Elizabeth City High School and then moved into the role of Principal. He was awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest award for state service granted by the Office of the Governor. His dedication to students and his community spanned five decades, culminating in his role as principal of Weeksville Elementary School, where he was named Principal of the Year and retired after 50 years of inspiring leadership. He continued serving the education community as a board member of Elizabeth City Public Schools and Parks and Recreation, where he continued supporting multiple foundations, events, and facilities throughout Elizabeth City, N.C., and Pasquotank County.

John Patton:

John Patton ('61) passed away on May 1, 2025. He graduated from Kaiserslautern American High School in Kaiserslautern, West Germany in 1957, and Wake Forest University in 1961 with a B.S. in biology. After his career as a Demon Deacon student-athlete, he attended the University of Missouri, Columbia, earning his M.A. in zoology (1965) and Ph.D. in physiology (1969). Upon graduation, he accepted a direct commission as a Captain in the Medical Service Corps of the US Army Medical Department and was assigned as a research physiologist to the Arctic Medical Research Laboratory and, in 1972, to the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM). In 1976, he left active duty and accepted a research position with the Department of Interior. A year later, he returned to USARIEM where he spent the rest of his career, retiring in 2002 as Chief, Military Performance Division. In 1983, he served as an exchange scientist with the British Army in Farnborough, England. He also continued his military career in the US Army Reserves attaining the rank of Colonel and retiring in 1999 as Commander of the 323rd Medical Laboratory.

Dick Odom:

Richard "Dick" Odom ('59, MD '63) passed away peacefully at his home in San Francisco on May 4, 2025. Born and raised in Ahoskie, N.C., he graduated from high school with Academic Honors and All-State honors in football and basketball, before continuing to play basketball on scholarship at Wake Forest University from 1955-59. During his time with the Demon Deacons, Odom was named to the All-ACC Academic Men's Basketball Team. He went on to graduate from the Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University from 1959-63 on a six year R.J. Reynolds scholarship, and interned at the University of Florida in Gainesville from 1963-64. Odom later served as a battalion surgeon during the Vietnam War before a long tenure in the medical field.

Herb Pike:

Herbert "Herb" Pike ('67) passed away peacefully on July 2, 2025. Born and raised in Siler City, N.C., Herb attended Wake Forest University, competing on the baseball team in 1966 and 1967. Herb earned his bachelor's degree from Wake Forest a Master's degree from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, both in Physical Education. He taught and coached in North Carolina public schools for about 25 years before retiring and following his dream to earn his PGA Class A certification to become a PGA Teaching Pro.

Gayle Ramsey:

Gayle Ramsey ('60, P '91) died in his sleep at home on March 5, 2025. Gayle, a student-athlete at Wake Forest, graduated before serving in the United States Army as a lieutenant. He ended his service in 1964. Gayle later received a master's degree in history from UNC Chapel Hill before completing his law degree in 1968. He then returned to Brevard to join his father's legal firm Ramsey, Hill and Smart. Gayle ended his legal practice in 2023 after 50 years of service to the Transylvania community.

Mattie Reddick:

Mattie Green Reddick ('48, P '78) passed away peacefully of natural causes on March 26, 2025. Mattie grew up in Youngsville and later graduated as a student-athlete from Wake Forest College. After graduation, Mattie remained in Youngsville and had a career as an accounting clerk with the U.S. Marshals Service for 31 years.

Gene Boyce:

Gene Boyce ('54, JD '56, P '79, P '81, P '89, P '92 JD, GP '15, GP '19) passed away peacefully on October 28, 2025. At Wake Forest College, Gene studied history and mathematics while entering the law program during his senior year under the university's combined arts and law curriculum. He excelled academically while immersing himself in campus life as student body president, head cheerleader and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity treasurer. In 1954, he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa for his outstanding scholarship and character, and he went on to graduate at the top of his class from Wake Forest Law School. Following graduation and military service with the U.S. Army's Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG), Gene returned to Raleigh and joined the law firm Fletcher, Lake & Boyce. Over time, Gene A distinguished North Carolina trial lawyer, public servant, and Assistant Chief Counsel to the United States Senate Watergate Committee.

Paul Savage:

Paul Savage ('70) passed away on June 28, 2025. After graduating from Sycamore High School in 1966, Paul excelled as a student-athlete, winning a full football scholarship to Wake Forest.

Ed Garris:

Ed Garris ('90) died in Jacksonville, North Carolina on February 3, 2025. Ed graduated from Wake Forest University in 1990 and was a walk-on baseball player for the Deacons as a pitcher. He followed this with an MBA from East Carolina University and entered a lifelong career in banking

Gene Smith:

Eugene "Gene" Smith ('56) died at home on March 15, 2025. Gene attended school in Wilmington, where he graduated from New Hanover High School in 1949. Gene excelled as a baseball player, and played shortstop in high school, where he was an All-Star player for three years straight in the Cape Fear League, achieving an impressive .362 average in the 1948 season. Recognized as an excellent batter and infielder, Gene went on to play in semi-pro leagues and was recruited to play on minor league teams by the St. Louis Cardinals organization. His desire to attend college led to him attending Wake Forest University, where he excelled both in the classroom and on the baseball team as an outfielder. Gene enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he proudly served in the Signal Corps and was stationed in West Germany. He was discharged as a corporal in 1955 and was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Good Conduct Medal. After college, Gene began a long and distinguished career at Burlington Industries, serving as an executive in the company's Treasury Department where he managed many key business and finance relationships, with company travel frequently taking him to many cities on the east coast. He retired after 45 years with Burlington Industries and remained living in Alamance County.

Ernie Moore:

Ernest "Ernie" Moore ('56) passed away on Friday, February 21, 2025. Ernie served as the team manager during the Demon Deacons' run to the 1955 College World Series, the University's first national championship. A devoted Wake Forest fan, he honored his late wife by establishing the Gail Sawyer Moore Scholarship in her name in 1993.

Charlie Barham:

Charlie Barham ('52, JD '54, P '88, P '91 MA, P '92) died peacefully on July 22, 2025. After excelling in both academics and athletics at Ravenscroft School and Broughton High School, Charlie continued his athletic career playing both baseball and basketball at Wake Forest. Following school, he enlisted in the Navy, serving three years active duty in the Office of Naval Intelligence at the Pentagon, and an additional 22 years in the Naval Reserve, retiring with the rank of Captain. Upon his release from active duty, Charles returned to Raleigh in 1958 to work on staff with the NC Attorney General before joining Carolina Power & Light Company in 1966 as an Associate General Counsel. In 1974, he entered private practice with his uncle and dear friend, the late Clyde A. Douglass, II, during which time he was also General Counsel for Meredith College, General Counsel for the World Nuclear Fuel Market, and a member of the Board of Directors of Nuclear Mutual Limited and its successor companies (1973– 1995). Charles returned to Carolina Power & Light Company in 1981 to manage its Legal Department and serve successively as General Counsel, Chief Financial Officer and member of the Board of Directors before retiring in 1995 as Executive Vice President.

Jon Witherspoon:

Jonathan "Jon" Witherspoon ('64) passed away on October 6, 2025. Jon was a graduate of Wake Forest University, earning his bachelor's degree in physics and he received a master's in business administration from the University of North Carolina Greensboro.After his career as a student-athlete at Wake Forest, Jon served in the United States Army as an intelligence officer from 1965-1967, including a tour in Vietnam. He retired as the President and Publisher of the Winston-Salem Journal in 2007, completing 43 years of employment with the paper. Jon's career began as an obituary clerk and he held additional positions such as reporter, copy editor, human resources director and general manager. As a leader in the profession, he also served a term as the President of the N.C. Press Association.

Buck Geary:

James "Buck" Geary ('51) passed away peacefully on March 9, 2025. After graduating from Clendenin High School and enlisting in the U.S. Army to serve in World War II, he was recruited by Wake Forest College and then awarded a scholarship to play basketball. He was a starting point guard on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons basketball team and was recognized as one of the top basketball players in the Southern Conference. He graduated from Wake Forest in 1951, then taught and coached for a year at Edward Best High School in Louisburg, North Carolina. In 1955, he graduated from West Virginia University School of Law, later starting the Geary and Geary law firm with his wife in Petersburg, West Virginia. Buck excelled as a general practice attorney and became known for his proficiency as a litigation attorney and his skillful courtroom presence.

Sam Kelly:

Sam Kelly ('66) passed away peacefully on March 16th, 2025. Growing up, Sam helped manage the family farm and graduated from high school in Bedminster, PA. Sam was a member of the Wake Forest football team and graduated in 1966 with a BA in History. He enlisted and became a U.S. Marine Corps pilot. He was deployed in Vietnam and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Navy Commendation Medal with Valor, 40 Air Medals and multiple unit commendations for his distinguished service. After his time in the military, Sam returned to what he loved and stayed in the aviation industry, serving as Chief Pilot for Hughes Tool Co. He would later earn a master's degree in Aeronautical Science and teach courses in Human Factors in Aviation as an adjunct professor at Embry Riddle.

James Murphy:

James Murphy ('74) passed on August 2, 2025. A former standout football player at Monsignor Farrell High School, Sam earned an athletic scholarship to Wake Forest University and was a member of the 1971 ACC Championship team. After graduation, Sam played semi-professional football with the New York Rams before spending the rest of his career working in the shipping industry.

Ross Griffith:

Ross Griffith ('65, P' 91) passed away peacefully on July 4, 2025. A former student-athlete with the Demon Deacons, Ross graduated from Wake Forest in 1965 and soon thereafter began working as an admissions counselor in undergraduate admissions. He worked his way to assistant director and associate director over the next 11 years. He served as WFU's Director of Equal Opportunity from 1977–1984, supervising expanded recruitment, hiring of minority and women faculty, and staff at both the Reynolda and Bowman Gray campuses. He also worked to expand accessibility for disabled members of our community and visitors to campus. As Assistant Vice President for Administration and Planning, Ross directed facilities planning, including the design and construction of Worrell Professional Center for Law and Management and Benson University Center, while also serving as the Southeast Regional Representative of the Society of College and University Planning Board of Directors. Ross later served as Director of Institutional Research and Academic Administration from 1993 until his phased retirement in 2013. He was a leader in strategic planning and academic accreditation, serving as Wake Forest's long-standing Accreditation Liaison and president of the North Carolina Association for Institutional Research (NCAIR). He also contributed as Southeast regional representative on the board of the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP).

Pete Holm:

Peter Holm ('75) passed away on October 1, 2025. A former state champion for Carmel High School, Peter attended Wake Forest University, where he played both golf and basketball for the Demon Deacons. After graduating with a degree in politics in 1975, Peter attempted to play the professional golf circuit for a couple years post college before spending most of his career in sales & fundraising roles.

Dan White:

Dan White ('69) passed away on January 30, 2025. After graduating from Harding High School, Dan went on to play football at Wake Forest University. Following graduation, Dan worked at DuPont while also serving in the U.S. Army National Guard and Army Reserves. Later, he and his wife, Linda, moved to Dallas and started JMA Printing Company in 1976.

Ruffin Branham:

John Ruffin Branham ('69) passed away at home with his wife, Judy, by his side on June 13, 2025. Ruffin graduated from Needham Broughton High School in Raleigh in 1965 before attending Wake Forest University. During his time at Wake Forest, Ruffin was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, a member of the baseball team for four years, and played freshman basketball. Ruffin began a 45-year career in the insurance industry in 1969 ultimately serving in senior executive positions in underwriting, brokerage and consulting with several firms including Aetna Casualty & Surety, Johnson & Higgins, Palmer & Cay and Markel Corporation.

Mike Kelly:

Capt. Michael Bernard Kelly ('65) passed away peacefully on July 2, 2025. A graduate of Dobyns-Bennett High School, Michael obtained a football scholarship to Wake Forest University. Mike later served his country in Saigon from 1966-1968 with the United States Army in the 18th Military Police Brigade. He entered the military as Second Lieutenant and was exited as Captain earning the Bronze Star of Valor. Upon honorable discharge, Mike returned home to serve the Tri-Cities as a licensed insurance agent for 40 years.

Bruce Filer:

Bruce Filer ('61, P '88) died peacefully on November 4, 2025. He graduated from Savannah High School and then Wake Forest University, where he was a student-athlete and a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Bruce worked at Cyclone Fence before joining the Army where he did a stint as a Reconnaissance Platoon Leader. He joined Union Camp in 1965 and progressed from Sales Trainee to Sales Manager for the Jamestown, NC box plant. Bruce retired from Union Camp in 1995 after 30 years of service.

Kerry Major:

Kerry Major Jr. ('08) passed away on March 4, 2025. A former runner on the track team and a former football player, Kerry graduated from Wake Forest University in 2008 before becoming an accountant for White County in his home state of Georgia. During his time with the Deacs, Kerry reached the NCAA finals in the 4x100 meter relay in 2007.

Please notify Wake Forest Athletics (wfsports@wfu.edu) if our staff inadvertently left a beloved member of our community off this list.

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