In Memory | Lest We Forget

F. EARL STANTON ’55  

1932 – 2025

Earl Stanton died July 13. He earned his degree in engineering from Virginia Tech and was honored as a Distinguished Military Student. While in the Corps, he served in the Cadet Senate, Honor Court, and National Society of Scabbard and Blade, and was a member of regimental staff. Earl was president of the building construction fraternity and was included in the “Who’s Who Among College Students.” Upon graduation, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army and commanded the 507th Signal Company in Verdun, France. He joined the firm of C.E. Thurston & Sons, where he served for 37 years, rising to the office of senior vice president.    

 

DONALD ERNEST LOCKETT ’57   

1936 – 2025

Donald Lockett died May 23. He completed his degree in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech in 1957. He was a member of the regimental band, the Highty-Tighties, and active in student life, serving as a member of the Collegiate Orchestra, the Circle K Club, the Institute of Radio Engineers, the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, and the Gregory Guard. He was an electrical engineer with IBM for many years and received a patent as a co-inventor.

 

ROBERT “BOB” A. MANGUM ’58   

1935 – 2025

Retired U.S. Army Col. Bob Mangum died July 10. He completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering from Virginia Tech. Bob was a member of Hotel Company and played football for Virginia Tech. He served as an Army aviator and acquisition professional who completed multiple tours in Vietnam and Germany. After 24 years of military service, Bob worked for Hughes Helicopter—later McDonnell Douglas, and then Boeing. Bob was an active supporter of the Corps of Cadets and Virginia Tech Athletics.    

 

NORMAN GARY HOBBS ’62   

1940 – 2025

Gary Hobbs died Sept. 20. He earned his degree in chemical engineering from Virginia Tech in 1962 and was a member of Oscar Company, the weightlifting club, and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He was a multi-sport athlete throughout his life, beginning his career in football at the semi-pro level, eventually signing with the Detroit Lions in 1966. Gary received his master’s degree in petroleum engineering and geology from the University of Houston and later retired as General Manager in the Gulf of Mexico area for Enterprise Products.  

 

DOUGLAS “DOUG” C. JULIANO ’64  

1943 – 2025

Doug Juliano died Sept. 25. He completed his Bachelor of Science from Virginia Tech in 1964 and was a Distinguished Military Student. Doug was part of Echo Company and a member of the Association of the United States Army, and later served in the U.S. Army. Following his military service, Doug took over the family masonry business, and he was a passionate advocate for youth sports. He founded and coached the Long Branch Youth Soccer Association and served as the head coach for the Long Branch High School boys soccer team.  

 

JAMES EDWARD SMITH ’66   

1943 – 2025

Jim Smith died July 14. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science. In the Corps of Cadets, he was a member of November Company, served on the regimental staff, and commanded the color guard. Upon graduation, Jim commissioned in the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant and was later was employed by E. I. DuPont de Nemours for 38 years. He served as the president of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors, was a member of the Ut Prosim Society, and served on the Board of Directors and the Alumni Advisory Board to the Department of Chemistry, later receiving the Alumni Distinguished Service Award.

 

STEVEN R. JONES ’74   

1952 – 2025

  Steve Jones died July 4. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business management from Virginia Tech in 1974.  He was active in the Corps of Cadets, serving on the Executive Committee, Honor Court, and the photography staff.  Upon graduation, Steve received a commission in the U.S. Air Force and had assignments at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, and Lindsey Air Station in Wiesbaden, Germany. At Lindsey Air Station, Steve commanded the 1st Combat Communications Group. He concluded his military service in 1981, when he transitioned to the private sector, working at Greyhound Corporation and American Express.

 

LEST WE FORGET

Walter L. Crider ’44, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 7/7/2025 

John R. Hildebrand ’47, Salem, Virginia, 7/30/2025 

Latane D. Brugh ’50, Daleville, Virginia, 9/21/2025 

Wayne L. Golladay ’50, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, 7/01/2025 

James E. McMurrer ’51, Lake Forest Park, Washington, 10/2/2024 

Kelso S. Baker ’51, Beaver, Pennsylvania, 8/19/2025 

Arthur H. Kreienbaum ’51, Emporia, Virginia, 7/25/2025 

Mace T. Coleman ’52, Charlotte, North Carolina, 7/10/2025 

Robert Q. Williams ’52, Columbia, Missouri, 9/23/2025 

Wallace C. Lawrence ’54, Beaufort, North Carolina, 6/3/2025 

William M. Sessoms ’54, Williamsburg, Virginia, 6/15/2025 

George F. Coleman ’55, Lynchburg, Virginia, 5/31/2025 

Edward C. Turner ’55, Salem, Virginia, 8/21/2025

Hugh D. Ebert, Jr. ’56, Roanoke, Virginia, 10/27/2025 

Rosser L. Moody ’56, New York, New York, 8/17/2025 

Roger W. Simmons ’56, Wilmington, North Carolina, 9/11/2025 

Lewis J. Crews ’57, Glen Allen, Virginia, 7/1/2025 

R. Donald Divers ’57, Roanoke, Virginia, 8/22/2025 

Charles A. McManaway ’58, Boones Mill , Virginia, 9/3/2025 

James F. McDaniel ’58, Buckingham, Virginia, 6/9/2025 

Harry E. Brown ’58, Harrisonburg, Virginia, 6/21/2025  

Donald L. Argabright ’58, Winston Salem, North Carolina, 6/21/2025 

Reese J. Whitley ’59, Bedford, Virginia, 9/27/2025 

Robert G. Leonard ’59, Blacksburg, Virginia, 6/23/2025 

Richard D. Cake ’59, Norfolk, Virginia, 10/3/2025 

William D. Carson ’60, Culpeper, Virginia, 9/22/2025 

Daniel P. Buchanan ’60, Huntsville, Alabama, 7/19/2025 

Burton B. Hamersly ’60, Miami, Florida, 7/24/2025 

Royal S. Tucker ’60, North Chesterfield, Virginia, 8/12/2025 

John B. Obenchain ’60, Roanoke, Virginia, 6/25/2025 

Robert L. Curfman ’60, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 6/19/2025 

James B. Andrews ’61, Lynchburg, Virginia, 7/28/2025  

James T. Benn ’61, Portsmouth, Virginia, 7/21/2025 

James D. Davis ’61, Richmond, Virginia, 8/6/2025 

William F. Griffin ’61, Richmond, Virginia, 6/13/2025 

John D. Briddell ’62, Bloomington, Indiana, 9/16/2025 

Clinton A. Wade ’62, Schenectady, New York, 10/11/2025 

Rodney D. Van Meter ’62, Williamson, West Virginia, 6/19/2025 

Gary S. Cobb ’63, Oviedo, Florida, 7/26/2025  

Richard A. Mickles ’63, Seaford, Delaware, 7/10/2025 

Robert F. Buie ’64, San Diego, California, 6/25/2025 

Elwin I. Brawner ’65, Henrico, Virginia, 6/2/2025 

Ellis W. Lockwood ’65, San Ramon, California, 8/24/2025 

Randall L. Fultz ’65, Smithfield, Virginia, 10/1/2025 

Charles J. Reid ’65, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 8/1/2025  

William E. Cox ’66, Blacksburg, Virginia, 10/2/2025 

John E. Wenderoth ’67, Helena, Montana, 6/27/2025  

David H. Crabtree ’67, Newton, North Carolina, 6/6/2025

David A. Colby ’68, Henderson, North Carolina, 4/26/2025

George E. Hicks ’68, Wake Forest, North Carolina, 06/28/2013 

William C. Brown ’68, Collinsville, Virginia, 6/27/2025