Davidson College – In Memoriam

Robert Bradwell Rivers passed away on September 21, 2026, at Levine & Dickson Hospice House at Southminster in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was 85 years old.

     Robert was born in Wadesboro, North Carolina, on May 12, 1941, eldest child of John Robert Rivers and Valerie Woodward Rivers. He grew up in Chesterfield, SC before leaving home to attend Davidson College, where he joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity. He graduated in 1963 with a Finance degree.

     Robert proudly served in the Army, spending time at Fort Sill and Fort Bragg as well as South Korea DMZ. He was honorably discharged in 1969.

     He began his career in finance with Citizen and Southern National Bank (C&S) in Atlanta before moving to Baltimore, Maryland, working for Maryland National Bank. He later joined Chevy Chase Bank in the Washington, D.C area. Robert delayed his retirement to aid in the acquisition by CapitalOne, before retiring in 2009.

     Upon his retirement, Robert made the move to Sarasota, Florida where he quickly got involved in his new neighborhood, including writing the community newsletter. He spent 15 years in Sarasota and moved to Charlotte in 2024 to be closer to his daughter and her family. He was a resident of Matthews Glen, where he especially enjoyed the friendship and camaraderie of his Davidson 3rd floor neighbors.

     Outside of work, Robert loved to watch sports with the Washington (Redskins) Commanders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers being his favorite NFL teams. He enjoyed traveling and visited many European and South America countries. He had a sharp and curious mind and took great pleasure in keeping up with current events, monitoring his stock portfolio, and reading multiple newspapers each day.

     Robert also had an extraordinary ability to research just about anything. Whether it was a major decision, such as buying a car, or something as seemingly insignificant as choosing a computer keyboard, he wanted to understand every option before making a decision. His devotion to Consumer Reports became a running family joke—and a memorable part of who he was.

     Robert was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Michael Rivers. He is survived by his daughter Meredith and husband Todd Burkitt of Charlotte, NC; son David and wife Kate Rivers of Louisville, CO; son Matthew and wife Laura Rivers of Janesville, WI. He is also survived by nine adoring grandchildren, as well as his sister, Anne Rivers, and her children, Caroline Hart and Will Lilly; and a large extended Rivers family.

     A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 26, 2026 in the Rivers Cemetery in Chesterfield, SC. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in his honor.

     The family would like to express its deepest gratitude to the incredible staff at Via Health Partners and Levine & Dickson Hospice House at Southminster for the compassionate care they provided Robert during his final days. The family is especially grateful for the way they honored Robert’s medical directives and helped to ensure that his final days were lived with comfort, dignity, and respect.

Dr. David Royal Warden Jr., “Doc”, Army Colonel (Retired), passed away peacefully on September 17, 2026, at the George E. Wahlen Veterans Home in Ogden, Utah, following a difficult final struggle. He was surrounded by family. He was 88 years old.

The next morning, an extraordinary thunderstorm rolled across the valleys of the Wasatch Mountains and produced hail the size of Golfballs. They determined that it was an EF2 tornado that touched down just East of his house in Fruit Heights. Almost as if announcing that one of the great ones had left us.

David was born on January 6, 1938, in Bluefield, West Virginia, the fourth-born and fifth child of David Royal Warden and Hazal Ramage Warden. He was told that if his father had not died when he was four years old, he would have been “spoiled rotten” and never would have amounted to a thing. His father died suddenly in 1942 of what was determined to be a “heart attack,” leaving his mother to raise the children still at home. David’s older adopted brother was serving in the Air Force as a bomber pilot, flying missions over Germany during World War II. David, the youngest and baby brother of three older sisters, suddenly became the man of the house.

His mother had a profound influence on his life. She had received a classical education growing up in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, and instilled in David the ancient Greek ideal of a “man with a noble purpose”—to live to the highest pitch of human performance physically, morally, and intellectually. From as far back as he could remember, she encouraged him to develop all three.

David Royal Warden Jr. amounted to much.

As a young man, David excelled in nearly everything he attempted. He was valedictorian of Beaver High School, an outstanding Bible scholar, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. He participated in football, basketball, track, and baseball, eventually concentrating primarily on football. His senior year, he was team captain and was named All-County, All-State, and All-American. He played varsity basketball for three years and won first place in the shot put and discus in his county, placing second in the state.

He chose Davidson College in North Carolina from more than forty college and university football scholarship offers.

At Davidson, David played first-team football all four years, starting and playing in all but three games. He was named to the All-Southern Conference Scholastic Team for two years and served as team captain his senior year. He received the Armfield Blocking Trophy. He also competed on the varsity track team for three years and participated in varsity swimming and tennis. His senior year, he received the Tommy Peters Memorial Trophy, recognizing him as the best all-around athlete at Davidson College.

In 1960, David reflected on the influences that had shaped his life:

“Through the wise guidance and encouragement of my mother, my many teachers and coaches, and others, I have achieved some slight success physically, morally and intellectually.”

On March 26, 1960, David married his high school sweetheart, “Miss Bluefield,” Mary Lou McNabb, in Charlottesville, Virginia. On May 30, 1960, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army Reserves. He received an Army Senior Medical Student Scholarship and was accepted to the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia, graduating in 1964. During those years, David and Mary Lou welcomed their first two sons.

David and Mary Lou later made the monumental decision to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were eventually sealed to each other and children for eternity in the Oakland California Temple.

During the next several years, their growing family lived in Tacoma, Washington; Berkeley, California; Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Ewa Beach, Hawaii; and Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

David’s military training was extensive. Among his many schools and assignments, he completed the Army Medical Officer Training Course, Basic Airborne School, where he was the Honor Graduate, Ranger School, Airborne Jumpmaster School, RECONDO School at Fort Campbell, where he also was the Honor Graduate, and the Army Medical Officer Advanced Course. He also attended the United States Air Force School of Aviation Medicine and the U.S. Army School of Aviation Medicine at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

In 1965, as a Captain, Dr. Warden was appointed Division Surgeon for the 101st Airborne Division. He subsequently volunteered for deployment to Vietnam.

In June 1967, he was assigned as Battalion Surgeon with the 269th Aviation Battalion at Cu Chi, Vietnam. In December of that year, he was promoted to Major and assigned as Group Surgeon with the 12th Aviation Group at Long Binh.

During his service in Vietnam, Dr. Warden was awarded numerous military honors, including four Air Medals for acts of heroism and outstanding achievement while participating in aerial flight. He often spoke of the many hours he spent flying helicopters throughout Vietnam with his close friend, Wayne “Crash” Coe. He later joined the VHPA, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association.

David’s experiences in combat stayed with him for the rest of his life. He was eventually diagnosed with PTSD. Yet even through his own struggles, he found ways to serve others. He became a source of professional and personal support to other Vietnam veterans and their families.

He also spoke with great affection about meeting and becoming friends with George E. Wahlen, a Medal of Honor recipient, while serving in Vietnam.

As a relatively new member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, David took his church responsibilities very seriously. While in Vietnam, he was called to serve as First Counselor in the Vietnam Mission. His ability to fly throughout the country allowed him to visit and serve members of the Church in many locations. Through his service, he helped teach, baptize, and confirm 21 new members of the Church.

After his active-duty service, David, Mary Lou, and their five children moved to Fruit Heights, Utah, where he established his medical practice in Kaysville.

Their family continued to grow until they had eight children—seven sons and one daughter.

David loved his new community and served it wholeheartedly. He delivered thousands of babies and cared for generations of families. He sponsored Little League baseball teams and served for 21 years as the beloved team physician for Davis High School football.

In 1970, David joined the Utah Army National Guard. He served in a number of important positions, including Flight Surgeon for the 19th Special Forces. After being promoted to Colonel, he was appointed State Surgeon. He later transferred to the Army Reserves and retired from military service on January 3, 1997.

In all, COL Warden devoted 36 years to uniformed military service.

In 1999, David suffered a stroke that forced him to retire from medicine and sell his family practice. He often told people that having a stroke was one of the best things that had happened to him because, in his words, “it saved my life.” Retirement gave him more time to spend with his family and to travel. He especially loved visiting Florida and Hawaii.

David’s grandparents immigrated to the United States from Scotland and he was proud of his heritage. He participated in many Scottish festivals and Highland Games. The nurse asked him if he had any last words for his family and he said, “Tell them I’m a Scotsman”

Throughout his life, David was many things: athlete, physician, soldier, pilot, church leader, coach, mentor, community servant, husband, father, Pop Pop, and great-grandfather. But to his family, he was simply Dad and Pop Pop.

David Royal Warden Jr. was deeply loved and honored by his children and posterity. He will be remembered for countless reasons by countless people—the patients whose lives he touched, the soldiers and veterans he served beside and helped, the young athletes he encouraged, the families in his community, the members of his church, and most of all, by the family he loved so dearly.

He is survived by his eight children: David (Deidre), Jon (Deanna), Marion (Matt White), James (Lori), Rob (Kristen), Paul (Smadi), Joe (Sundi), and Ben (Megan); 30 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, extended family, and many friends who cherished his memory.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of the George E. Wahlen Veterans Home for the loving care they provided to our father and to our entire family.

David’s life was one of service—to his country, his church, his community, his patients, his fellow veterans, and his family.

The little boy whose father died when he was four years old was told that he might never amount to anything.

He proved otherwise.

David Royal Warden Jr. amounted to much.

Funeral Services

Funeral services will commence at 11:00 a.m. on Oct. 2nd at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 77 S. Orchard Drive, Fruit Heights, Utah.

Friends and family may visit from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday evening, Oct. 1st, at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 1941 N. Main Street, Farmington, Utah, or from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. on Oct. 2nd at the Fruit Heights church.

He will be buried at Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park, 17111 S. 1700 W., Bluffdale, Utah, just north of Camp Williams, on October 7th, at 10:00 a.m.

The Fruit Heights 2nd Ward will provide a Zoom stream of the funeral service.

The services will be streamed live through a link provided by the ward:  the link can be found here and down below under services.  https://zoom.us/j/95269873295?pwd=6Gcyfs2k4mDsHpcoCgqREvPLPVqjYy.1

Stephen “Steve” Eugene Shepard, 75, a longtime resident of Augusta, Georgia, died September 15, 2026.

Steve was born in Atlanta on January 24, 1951, to Samuel Stephens Shepard, Junior and Doris Everitt Shepard. He graduated from Druid Hills High School in 1969 and Davidson College in 1973, then earned his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1976. He moved to Augusta that year and began a legal career spanning nearly five decades. As a 50-year member of the Georgia Bar Association, he maintained a solo practice and served for many years as a named partner in multiple longstanding Augusta law firms.

His legal career also led to decades of public service as an elected city councilman and county commissioner, and it included serving as county attorney and a magistrate judge for Augusta-Richmond County. Whether representing clients, advising the city, or sitting on the bench, Steve believed deeply in the law and remained devoted to Augusta and its people.

He joined the Augusta Lions Club in 1979, later served as its president for several terms, and remained active for many years.

Steve lived with Parkinson’s disease for 25 years, facing its challenges with courage and perseverance. As one friend remembered, “He was my hero and faced tough challenges with grace.” Known for his generosity and ability to turn acquaintances into friends, Steve was always willing to help others.

Steve and Kathie Mauldin Shepard married in 1973 and shared more than five decades together. He loved spending time with Kathie, his three daughters, and his grandchildren.

He enjoyed golf, Georgia football, running, hiking, and traveling. He also loved creating traditions, including making s’mores for the neighborhood each Halloween and running the train around the Christmas tree. He enjoyed train trips across the US with both family and friends, golfing weekly, and traveling to Georgia football games both near and far. He was a faithful and enthusiastic member of the Pairs and Spares Sunday school class at Trinity on the Hill.

Steve is survived by his wife, Kathie; his daughters, Brooke Baker and her husband, Joel, Whitney Shepard, and Mallory Dutton and her husband, Chris; and his grandchildren, Grant, Jackson, and Ellie Baker and Daphne, Cameron, and Sally Stephens Dutton. He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family will receive friends Sunday, September 27, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Road, Augusta.

A celebration of Steve’s life will be held Monday, September 28, at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity on the Hill, 1330 Monte Sano Avenue, Augusta. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Pairs and Spares Sunday School Class, the Lions Club, and the Law Dawgs.

In honor of Steve and the schools he loved—Druid Hills High School, Davidson College, and the University of Georgia—guests are invited to wear red and black.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Steve’s memory to the The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Following a long and courageous battle with cancer, Julius Jennings “Jay” Wade III died peacefully, surrounded by family September 11, 2026. Jay was born January 29, 1957 in Charlotte to the late Sara Caldwell Hunter Wade and the late Julius Jennings “Jake” Wade, Jr.

Growing up in “old” Charlotte, most of Jay’s early years were consumed by his athletic desires. Like most Wades, he tried every sport with a ball and found his high school talents at Myers Park High lay in football, where he led the team as a stand-out middle linebacker, co-captain, most valuable defensive player, and all-county selectee. His love of sports called him to coach youth soccer, baseball, and basketball.

Jay graduated Davidson College in 1979, but his college buddies joked he never spent much time at Davidson while in school (especially weekends) because he was off dating Cary at East Carolina University. After they married, Jay and Cary settled down in Davidson, where Jay became a long-time fixture in the Davidson community and a dedicated alumni and supporter of Davidson College. Jay and Cary also owned and ran the local Davidson Soda Shop for many years.Jay began his career in Charlotte in 1979 with one of Charlotte’s leading property and casualty insurance agencies. In 1992, Jay founded JJ Wade & Associates Insurance Agency in downtown Davidson which he built into a thriving business with offices in Davidson, Wilmington, New Bern, and Raleigh. Jay sold his company to HUB International in 2024.Jay made friends easily and kept in touch with old friends like clockwork.

He was a man of few words, but more often than not, they were kind words. Jay often performed kindnesses for others without taking credit, and while he could sometimes be stubborn, that trait served him well as he stubbornly built a successful business in a competitive environment, stubbornly supported Davidson athletics no matter the score, and stubbornly fought cancer for five years without complaint. If you asked Jay how he was holding up during his treatments, he would say he was fine and ask about you or your family, not wanting to draw attention to himself. Jay felt most at home with Cary, wherever they were, but if home were an island, nothing could compete with Wrightsville Beach. He never missed a chance to be near that clear blue-green water. Jay will be remembered by those who knew him best by his smile, his laugh, and his kind nature.

Jay is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Cary Page Wade; his son, Julius Jennings “Jake” Wade, IV; his precious grandchildren Henry and Lennon; his sister, Amelia Ann Wade; his daughter, Abbey Wade; and his many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Jimmy.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Storyhill Church-490 S Main St, Davidson, NC 28036.

The family is grateful for the kind and loving care of The Levine & Dickson Hospice House-Huntersville and the medical professionals at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute in Concord, and in particular, Jay’s dedicated oncologist, Dr. Raghava Induru.

For all who knew him, Jay Patrick Rogers lived his life well. He loved his church, family and his God and lived life to the fullest. He went to live with God on September 10, 2026.

The youngest child of Arthur Larry and Agnes Cree Rogers, both musicians, he was born October 8, 1943 in Salisbury, NC. He gave his life to Christ as a youngster and was eager to study the Bible all his life.

In 1953 his family moved to Charlotte, where he attended Myers Park Elementary and High Schools, Class of 1961.

He loved music, playing clarinet and cello, and sports. A fine player on the football team, he was honored to be selected for the Shrine Bowl in 1961. He continued to play football at Davidson College, Class of 1965. Jay served in the U.S. Army for two years, the second of which he was deployed in Korea.

After his discharge, Jay entered the petroleum equipment sales industry. He became an independent sales representative, an authority on tank regulations, and a trusted advisor to business owners across North Carolina and Virginia. It was his great joy to travel daily through the scenic beauty of North Carolina, the Shenandoah Valley and Tidewater Virginia to work for the next 45 years.

Jay was a devoted church member all his life, serving as a teacher for youth and adults, an elder, and clerk of session. He sang tenor in church choirs for 35 years. His particular joy was singing with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra for 11 years. He loved and supported opera and symphonies in every town he lived in: Winston-Salem, Roanoke, Norfolk and Charlotte.

Jay married Ann McNeill Lankford of Elkin in 1974. She shared his passions for worship, theatre, music, travel and spectator sports. She survives, as do daughters Molly Elizabeth Campbell and Barbara Ann Rogers, both of Norfolk, Va.; grandchildren Isabel Barrett Campbell (Santa Cruz, CA) and James McNeill Campbell (Gastonia, NC).

Jay was a walking archive of family lore, a wise and trusted advisor to daughters, nieces, nephews and other friends. He brought joy and humor to every gathering with his wit and acting skills. Many a dinner was highlighted by his comical faces, imitations and recitations.

Jay saw each twist and turn of life as a new adventure. His attitude was courageous in illness. He was a Godly man, generous and forgiving. He loved his neighbors and knew how to be a friend. His retirement years were happy ones, full of golf, spectator sports, summers in the mountains, connecting with lifelong friends and making new ones.

Jay dearly loved his siblings, Dr. Larry A. Rogers and Carroll Whittle Zimmerman, both deceased, and their children. Surviving are his nieces and nephews Dr. Chip Rogers, PhD of Macon, GA; Dr. Louise Rogers MD, Carroll R. Walton and J. Duke Rogers, all of Charlotte; Betsy W. Hearl of West Palm Beach, FL; Kathy W. Beard of Waxhaw, NC, and their spouses and children.

A memorial service is planned for Monday, October 26, 2026 at 2 p.m. at Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The Davidson Trust of Davidson College, 209 Ridge Rd., Box 5000, Davidson, NC 28035 or the Walter Ball Music Endowment of Myers Park United Methodist Church.