Over the years we have lost a number of Eta Beta Brothers and/or Pledges and Kappa Sigma Nu brothers from our ranks due to illness, service to their country or from other causes. However, they have not been forgotten. Danny Wood listed them on the full roster spread sheet handed out in September 2008, at the first Snake Reunion on the morning of September 4th, 2008. They were also remembered during our 2009 and 2010 Snake Reunion gatherings. Beginning in 2011 we began remembering them at both the Brotherhood Annual Meeting and the Annual Banquet.
Immediately below you will find a list of those KSN and SN brothers who have passed away since our first reunion in 2008. However, further down this long page, after the Vietnam Wall information, is the complete listing of all KSN and SN brothers who have passed away, that we know about.
Following our 2008 Snake Reunion, we lost W. Ben Waters, Jr. on November 3, 2008, after a brief illness. Ben was a Kappa Sigma Nu brother, part of the Colony that became the First Charter of the Eta Beta Chapter of Sigma Nu at East Carolina.
After the 2009 Snake Reunion in May, we lost Volney LaVerne "Chris" Christie, who was HB 2, when Sigma Nu was first chartered at East Carolina. Chris had been unable to attend SR1 or SR2 because of health issues. However, we all know he was there in spirit.
It was January 2011 when we found out that we lost David Patrick Gryder on April 16, 2009. Pat had retired in 2003 after working for the Wake County School System for over 30 years.
During SR #1 Brother Danny Wood read aloud the names of all fallen brothers of record. For SR #2 and SR #3, Brother Jim Stout read out the names. Then during SR #4, Brother Jerry Williams read aloud the names at both the Annual Brotherhood Meeting and the Annual Banquet.
Recognizing all known brothers who have passed away is now a tradition at each Snake Reunion.
In early September 2009, we were sorry to learn that Larry N. Wynns, a Kappa Sigma Nu who was initiated as HB 27, passed away on September 2, 2009. The brothers of Kappa Sigma Nu and Sigma Nu, First Charter, Eta Beta Chapter, extend our condolences to his family. His name was added to the list of deceased members of the First Charter Legion of Honor when the list was read at SR3.
On November 11, 2009 we lost Dr. Wendall Keats Sparrow, HB 60. Keats suffered a heart attack. First Charter Brothers extend their condolences to his family. Their loss is our loss.
On December 11, 2010 we lost William "Bill" Saunders Love, III of Florence, South Carolina and learned of his passing on December 13, when Brothers Kelly Key and Danny Vismore notified members of the Snake Reunion High Council of his passing. Bill was a Kappa Sigma Nu.
On December 20, 2010 we learned that Marshall Troublefield, initiated as HB 92, had passed away on February 8, 2010. Marshall had battled lung cancer for two years. The High Council extended their deepest sympathy to Joan Troublefield and all of Marshall's family.
On August 14, 2011 we lost William Vance "Bill" Arnold, Jr. of Raleigh, NC and learned of his passing on August 16th. Bill was one of the Kappa Sigma Nu brothers who started the KSN Colony that became the Eta Beta Chapter of Sigma Nu at East Carolina. Legions knew his as the State's Director of Travel & Tourism and as Director of the State Film Office in the North Carolina Department of Commerce.
On August 16, 2011 we lost Voight Verne Pritchard, of Goldsboro, NC. Voight was one of the original 18 charter members of Kappa Sigma Nu that became the Eta Beta Chapter of Sigma Nu. He remained a big East Carolina fan and supporter. East Carolina athletics were a huge part of his life.
Six days before Snake Reunion 4 (SR-4) in Lexington, VA, at Sigma Nu National Headquarters, Robert Myron "Bobby" Tuttle or "Tut" as many called him, passed away at his home. Tut was also a Charter Member of the Snake Reunion High Council that began the Eta Beta Reunion process that should ultimately lead to formation of an Eta Beta Alumni Chapter (and hopefully) the eventual rechartering of Sigma Nu on the East Carolina campus.
On November 25, 2011, the day after Thanksgiving, we lost David B. "Peaches" Howard. The High Council was aware that "Peaches" had an illness but we all had hope that he would soon be improved. Instead, we lost our Eta Beta brother (HB 146) on Black Friday of 2011. May he rest in peace! Some of our brothers may also remember that we also lost Donnie Kintz on November 25, seven years earlier.
On January 26, 2012, Snake Reunion learned that Robert Arnold "Wolfman" Thompson, HB 40, passed away in August 2010. He was from Durham and came to ECU in 1957. He was an Eta Beta Legend. We have been advised that "Wolfman" had a heart condition and had been in declining health for a good while. He worked at American Tobacco Company in Durham and then with them in Reidsville.
Dr. Darrell W. Hurst, HB-39, professor of English and Humanities at Blue Ridge Community College, passed away on March 1, 2012. Dr. Hurst was a founding faculty member when the College opened it's doors in 1967 and his time at BRCC defined his professional life. He was born on April 13, 1938 and was a resident of Stratford Commons, Waynesboro, VA. The Eta Beta Snake Reunion was fortunate to have him join his Brothers of Sigma Nu at their 2011 reunion last September in Lexington, VA at Sigma Nu's National Headquarters.
On April 15, 2012, David A. Thompson, KSN and Durham native who lived Charlotte passed away at age 73. He was the Athletic Director at the Charlotte Latin School for 15 years and then went opened the Thompson & Associates Insurance Agency as a Jefferson-Pilot Agent. He retired in 2006.
Snake Reunion learned that John Samuel "Spain" Barwick (HB 253) passed away unexpectedly on October 7, 2012, of coronary complications at his home in Atlanta. He was a native of Edenton, NC. A member of Sigma Nu, he was also an international traveler who worked in financial services and was an avid member of the ECU Pirate Club.
Snake Reunion has learned that Tom Carson, KSN and native of Bethel, NC, passed away on December 7, 2012 at Vidant Medical Center (Pitt Memorial Hospital) in Greenville. He died of complications from pneumonia caused by COPD and was cremated by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. in Morehead City, where Tom was living at the time of his passing.
Brother Robert Paul Brittion, 56, of Greenville (HB 158) passed away on Friday, July 5, 2013. He was a native of Bertie County and graduated from East Carolina University in 1978 with a Batchelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Paul was also an avid Pirate Club member for more than 25 years.
James Kelly Kee, 78 and a native of Belmont, NC, passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2015. He attended Gardner Webb College before graduating from East Carolina University. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma Nu fraternity that became the Eta Beta Chapter of Sigma Nu at East Carolina.
Brother Ralph E. Stone passed away suddenly, yet peacefully, on September 5, 2015 in his Gainesville, VA home. Ralph was born November 2, 1942 in Washington, DC. Ralph was the only child of Elbert H. and Edith D. Stone and was he was HB 72 of the Eta Beta Chapter at ECC/ECU.
Robert Louis "Bolo" James, HB-16, passed away on September 7, 2015. He had celebrated his 77th birthday on September 4th. "Bolo" had been sick, we were told, at the 8th Annual Snake Reunion but we were unaware he had passed away. We later learned that he had been hospitalized just before his death because of a possible stroke.
Charles "Charley" Alexander White Jr., 81, KSN, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 24, 2016, surrounded by his children. Charlie was one of the original founders of Kappa Sigma Nu, that resulted in the founding of the Eta Beta Chapter of Sigma Nu at ECC/ECU. Charley was a native of Greenville/Pitt County.
Terry Steve Leonard, HB 98, died peacefully in the company of his family on Thursday, July 7, 2016. Funeral services were held at St. Theresa Church, South Lake Tahoe on August 5, 2016 Steve was born in Lexington, North Carolina and graduated as a Sigma Nu Brother with a Batchelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from East Carolina University in 1966.
William Richard Collier, HB 96, age 71, died in his home on July 14, 2016 in Virginia Beach, VA. He was a native of Burlington, North Carolina and graduated as a Sigma Nu Brother East Carolina University degree in Business. Richard was cremated and a memorial service was later held in his memory.
Millard Daniel Maloney, HB 88, passed away on October 26, 2016 and his family held a "Celebration of Life" in his memory on Saturday, November 5th in Raleigh. Millard and several brothers initiated the Sigma Nu Snake Reunions ten years before his passing and that effort will lead to the Eta Beta chapter officially returning to East Carolina University in early 2017. Millard didicated a significant part of his last ten years to that end.
William G. "Fat Man" Flowers, KSN, passed away on April 17, 2017 in Raleigh. He was a native of Kenly, NC and graduated High School at Edwards Military Institute. He then went to East Carolina College, now East Carolina University. He is survived by his wife Barbara of 58 years, two daughters, and four grandchildren. While at ECC/ECU, he learned to Shag Dance and continued to enjoy it.
Phillip Ellis Langdon, HB 66, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2018, in Clayton, NC. He was a native of Raleigh and pledged Sigma Nu at East Carolina in the fall of 1960. After graduating from ECU, Phil served in the North Carolina National Guard for six years. His career in the insurance industry begain in 1965 and he retired in 2010. A graveside service wass held at Raleigh Memorial Park on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 11:00 am, followed by a memorial service in the Chapel of the McLauren Funeral Home, in Clayton, NC, at 2:00 pm, where the family received friends one hour prior to the service.
Thomas Preston Baker, HB 118, pased away on Friday, August 17, 2018 in a boating accicent on the Pamlico River, in Bath, North Carolina. His beloved wife, Sarah "Susie" Jackson Baker, age 70, also passed away in the accident. Tom also served as treasurer of the Eta Beta Chapter while at East Carolina. A memorial service is scheduled for Monday, August 27, 2018. at 2 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Keswick, VA. A family only graveside service was held the following day in Richmond.
Glenn C. Woodard, Jr. a Kappa Sigma NU, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, at the age of 83. Glenn loved the Snake Reunions and had an outstanding career. He worked with HUD, the Federal Insurance Administration and held multiple positions with FEMA in Region IV. His memorial service was held in Oriental, NC on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at the Oriental Freewill Baptist Church. Glenn is survived by his wife, Renae, (who attended Snake Reunions with him) as well has his children and grandchildren.
Jesse "J. W."Manel, Jr., HB 107, passed away January 29, 2020, at UNC-Rockingham Health Care in Eden, NC at the age of 76. Born in Draper, NC, he was a graduate of Morehead High School, Class of 1962 and a graduate of East Carolina University. He retired from Cumulus Fibres. He is survived by his wife Paula Richardson Manuel and his brother Dale Manuel.
Larry D. Puckett, HB 59, of St. Clairsville, Ohio, died January 30, 2020, in Wheeling Hospital at the age of 79.. He was born August 28, 1940 in Fieldale, Virginia. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War. His career included being a civil engineer project manager for American Electric Power and a former pilot with Piedmont Airlines. He was burried at Olive Branch Cemetary in Harrisville, Ohio with Full Military Honors. Larry is survived by his wife, Darlene Moore Puckett four children, and seven grandchildren.
Todd Elliott Moore, Eta Beta 296, at age 54 passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at his home in Raleigh, NC on July 9, 2020. He was born in Durham, NC and grew up in Roanoke, VA. He was a graduate of East Carolina University. Todd was proud of his career with the State of North Carolina that included positions with the Department of Cultural Resources, NC State University and the Department of Administration. He is survived by his wife Ginny Moser, stepdaughter Greta Moser, mother Barbara Moore, sister Sharon Pullen and her husband Robert Pullen, nieces Jordan and Lydia Pullen, nephews David and John Pullen, and great-niece Iris Beach.
Alvin G. Bennett, HB 115, (also known as “Lightning,” passed away on August 27, 2020, at home with his family. Al graduated from Bassett High School in 1958 and then attended Hargrave Military Academy on an athletic scholarship. He graduated from East Carolina in 1965. After his teaching career he joined his father’s construction company, Bennett-Nichols Construction, became president and later formed Bennett Construction before retiring at 64 years old. He is survived by his wife Fran, two daughters, two grandsons and their siblings. Al loved Smith Mountain Lake and lived there in his later years. He was a founding member of the Blackwater Yacht Racing Club and raced sail boats for over 25 years. He took up golf at 67 and finally broke 90 after nine years of learning the game.
Eugene Early "Mac" McDonald, HB 345, of Eden NC, passed away on September 8, 2020. Born on July 11, 1970, he was 50 years of age and passed away in a manufacturing accident. Born in Greensboro, he is survived by his wife Sherry Lynn Johnson McCowell and his children, Jessa Rexroad of Eden, Jonathan Rexroad of Eden, and his sisters Julie McDowell Townsend, Betsy McDowell Coper and one grandchild, Nora Billings. He is also survived by his aunt, Betty de Brosse and his uncle, James Wiles. He was an avid lover of history, football, grilling and spending time with his friends and family.
Richard "Rick" Oliver, Jr. HB 112: Our first loss in 2021 was "Rick" Hale, Jr. who passed away on January 15, 2021 at the age of 76, surrounded by his family in his home in Orlando, Florida. Rick grew up in Greensboro, NC and pledged Sigma Nu when he went to what is now ECU. Rick met the love of his life, Linda Lenzi Hale, while impersonating Conway Twitty on a fishing trip in the Florida Keys. Rick and Linda raised two sons, Richard Oliver Hale IV, and Bradford Lenzi Hale. Rick, a Christian, also changed the lives of many students during his thirty years of teaching and coaching.
The Snake Reunion of the Eta Beta Chapter just learned on June 3, 2021 that Thomas Marvin Throckmorton, HB 37, passed away two years ago on June 7, 2019. Born in Clover, Virginia and spent his childhood working summers in tobacco fields: he graduated from Halifax County High School and became a member of the Eta Beta Chapter of Sigma Nu at East Carolina College/University. He was a natural born salesman and retired in 2004. Survivors include his wife Judy of Chevy Chase, MD, daughter Lisa Throckmorton of Vienna, VA, his son Jason Throckmorton (Kerry) of San Rafael, CA and three grandchildren that were his pride and joy: Jonah, Miles and Quinn Throckmorton, along with other relatives.
James Sherwood "Fritz" Hueston, Jr, age 81 passed away on September 26, 2021 at his home in Glen Mills, PA. Born January 4, 1940 in Chester, PA he was the son of the late James S. Hueston Sr. and the late Charlotte S. Schroeder Hueston. "Fritz" attended East Carolina University where he pledged Sigma Nu Fraternity. He also spent many summers at the Jersey Shore, served in the National Guard and after working in banking and sales for many years he retired several years ago. He is survived by his sons, Colin R. Hueston (Suzanne) of West Chester, PA, Chris Hueston (Maria) of Malvern, PA and daughter, Kerry Hechler (Bob) of Lincoln University, PA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Lindsay, Chris, Molly, Colin , Quinn and Jack. Interment services were private.
James Grant "Smokey" Gordon, passed away on October 17, 2021, at the age of 84, at his residence. Born in Gastonia, NC, he became a teacher, coach and principal his entire career. His parents were Ernest Carl Gordon and Nora Aldelaine (white) Gordon. After making a name for himself in football at Wingate College he then attended East Carolina College/University where he was a star football player and member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He later received a Master's Degree in School Administration from Western Carolina University. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman and the owner of Jim's Place, a marina on Wateree Creek. Surviving are his wife, Sara Jana Bowden Gordon of Pondtown and daughters Cissy Gordon Green, Eleanor Gordon Jarrell and brother, Eugene Raymond Gordon and grandchildren. A graveside service wa held on August 27, 2021 at Hampton Cemetery.
Robert John (Bob) Keiber, age 77. passed away on October 18,201. He was the son of Helen and Jack Keiber, born in Kearny, NJ. His love of art began at and early age and received his Arts BFA at East Carolina Unversity and finished with a Master's Degree in Communications from UNC, Chapel Hill. After graduation he worked in radio and became a professor at Shaw University, running the Radio Department. He also acted in the Raleigh Little Theatre. In NYC Robert landed a position heading the award winning Media Communication Department at Rockefeller University. After his acting career began he landed a recurring role as the original character "KIT" in ALL MY CHILDREN. He also became executive director of the Black Bear Film Festival and continued to paint, write books, screenplays, popular radio songs, act in films but his greatest gift to the world was inspiring wayward souls. Bob is survived by Sherry Keiber, his three sons, Christian, Cameron and Clayton (all following in their father's footstps as artists) and two grandchildren, Theodora and Declan.
Kelvin Thales Wood, Sr., 85, of Greensboro, NC, passed away on June 18, 2022. He was born in Durham, NC, to the late Herman and Mildred Wood on September 6, 1936. Kelvin attended Durham High School and East Carolina University, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Nu fraternity. In 1973, he married the love of his life, Mary Ann, who passed away on May 19, and they resided in Greensboro. He enjoyed a long career working as a senior tax appraiser for Forsyth County. Survivors include son Kelvin T. Wood, Jr.; son Jason; daughter Jessica Sasser; step-daughter Robin Beeler; grandchildren Bradley Wood, Elias Wood, Ashlyn Kramer (Adam), and Calum Beeler. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Winston. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, July 10 at 2 p.m. at First Christian Church, W. Market Street, Greensboro. Triad Cremation & Funeral Service is assisting the family.
William "Bill" Erskine Morgan of Powder Springs, GA, beloved husband and father passed away on July 17,2022. He was 64 years old and was born in Wilson, NC, the son of Janice and James Morgan, Sr., but grew up in Chapel Hill. NC. While attending East Carolina University he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity where he made lifelong friendships and met Lynne, his wife of 41 years. Bill was a natural athlete and loved football, baseball and golf and was a soccer coach for his two daughters. Bill also had a "giving spirit" and supported a number of non-profit organizations. He is survived by hiswife, Lynn and their twodaughters, Lauren (Morgan) Patrick and Mandy (Morgan) Howard and their spouses. The family received friends at a memorial service at Carmichael Funeral Home on Jult 23, 2022.
John Bernard "Barney" Barrett, 83, passed away at his home on August 20, 2022. He was born April 5, 1019 in Greenville, NC to the late Dr. John Milton Barrett and Florence Schwarts Barrett. After graduation from Greenville High School he attended the University of North Carolina and East Carolina University where he graduated with a Batchelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. He was on the varsity swim team at both universities and a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity at ECC. He had a varied and successful business career and was also a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. He is survived by his wife Carol Waring Barrett; daughter, Emily Barrett Bezner, and husband James; son, Michael and wife Lauren; five grandchildren and his sister, Katherine Barrett Philpot. He was preceeded in death by his son John Winstor Barnett. A Funeral Mass to celebrate Barney's life was held on Saturday, August 27 2022 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, followed by a reception. The Rite of Committal was scheduled later that day at Greenwood Cemetary in Greenville, NC.
Our known deceased brothers are remembered below by their Eta Beta Badge Number or Kappa Sigma Nu designation and by their name. This page is dedicated to the memory of our brothers who have gone before us. May each rest in peace as their spirits rest within those of us who knew them and called them "Brother."
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