Category: 1951

James David Deck, medical school professor, church leader, father, lover of music, world traveler, and family historian, passed away on April 2, 2026 in Charlottesville, VA. He was 95 years old.

Born November 6, 1930, David (who never used his given first name) grew up in East Point, Ga., the son of Lucius Linton Deck, an Army intelligence officer and a high school principal and teacher, and Rosalie Wootten Deck, a homemaker and choir director. As a youngster during the Depression and WWII, David enjoyed raising rabbits, delivering a newspaper route, reading voluminously, singing in the church choir, and listening to his grandmother’s family stories.

David graduated from East Point’s Russell High School and entered Davidson College in the fall of 1947 when he was 16 years old. He majored in biology, toured with the college chorus, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1951. After Davidson, he attended Princeton University on a Rockefeller Foundation scholarship and studied biology in the lab of Dr. Elmer G. Butler. His research at Princeton focused on the behavior of innervated cells associated with limb regeneration in amphibians. He received his PhD from Princeton in 1954 and was selected to the Sigma Xi scientific research honor society.

In the fall of 1954, Dr. Deck began a 46-year teaching career in the Department of Anatomy (later Cell Biology) at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. In late October of that year, Dr. Deck was encouraged by a former Davidson classmate to take a blind date, Pauline “Polly” Phelps of Abingdon, VA, to the UVa-UNC football game. One of the weekly letters that he wrote home to his parents establishes that he did not really want to go on this blind date, but it changed the course of his life. After a whirlwind romance and engagement, David and Polly were married in August 1955. For many years afterward, they attended the UVa-UNC football game in fond remembrance of their first date. They were married for 69 years before her death in August 2024.

David’s long association with the University of Virginia was briefly paused for one year in the mid-1960s while he attended Harvard University for a postdoctoral fellowship in cell biology with Dr. Betty Hay.

In his years at UVa, he taught anatomy and histology to over 6,000 first-year UVa medical school students. He also hauled scores of buckets of salamander eggs into his home’s basement and garage for his research projects, sometimes enlisting his children to collect these eggs from the creek near their house. He worked with and advised numbers of graduate students and also studied and published research with Mano Thubrikar and Stanton Nolan on structures of the aortic valve and heart tissues. At UVa, Dr. Deck received several Excellence in Teaching awards from the students and faculty and, in recognition of his scholastic work and service to the University, he was selected to become a member of UVa’s Raven Society.

David and Polly were members of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville for over 65 years. He found purposeful meaning through his involvement in the life of Westminster, participating in church life as a leader and guiding voice. He sang in the choir for over 60 years and served at every level of leadership, including several minister search committees. Along with other church leaders, David and Polly established the church’s Westminster Lectureship series in 2007, a seminar series addressing topics in contemporary theology.

Making music was one of the joys of David’s life. This began in youth church choirs and continued through his travels with the men’s chorus at Davidson College. He not only was a cornerstone of the tenor section of the Westminster Church choir, but he also sang in the then-nascent Charlottesville Oratorio Society. He served as President of the Oratorio Society in the late 1970s and was one of the founders of the Charlottesville Youth Orchestra (now the seven-county Youth Orchestras of Central Virginia) in 1978.

David’s friends and family remember his skills at word games (with his cryptic handwritten game notes), his amazing ability to fix anything mechanical, and his thoughtful and steady care of his friends and neighbors in times of crisis and illness.

His children fondly remember car trips ranging from weekend outings to month-long car camping adventures across the United States and Canada. He and Polly continued tent camping with friends into their 50s and 60s, and even decided to take a small tent and trunk of supplies to camp in Europe when their kids were in college.

David’s greatest joy was being a father. He and Polly worked tirelessly to ensure their children and grandchildren encountered the world with inquisitive minds and loving and empathetic hearts. For this, his children are boundlessly grateful.

J. David Deck is survived by sons, J. David Deck, Jr. (Patricia) of Richmond, Va. and Stewart L. Deck (Elizabeth) of Arlington, Mass.; and his daughter, Emily Deck Harrill of Columbia, S.C. He was preceded in death by his wife, Polly Deck; his daughter, Sarah Deck Stevens of Santa Fe, N.M.; his brother, Lucius Linton Deck, Jr.; and his parents.

He had eight grandchildren and two great-grandsons.

The family would particularly like to thank David’s caregivers, Joan and Diana Woodfolk, Wanda Jones, Tarah Washington, Pat Anderson, and Jackie Jackson. This remarkable group of women worked to ensure David and his family have been cared for with loving kindness in the two years since Polly’s death. For this exceptional care, David’s family is extremely thankful.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on August 15, 2026, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 190 Rugby Road, Charlottesville. Memorials may be made to Westminster Church’s Lectureship series, the Youth Orchestras of Central Virginia, or a charity of one’s choice.

Mr. Harry “Gould” Barrett III, 97, passed peacefully on Sunday, November 9, 2025 in the comfort of his home. Gould was born in Augusta, Georgia on August 4, 1928, to Mr. Harry Gould Barrett, Jr., and Cornelia White Barrett. He was a graduate of The Stony Brook School, C’ 1946, Long Island, NY, and of Davidson College, C’ 1951, where he joined the photographic society, worked on the Quips and Cranks Yearbook and the Davidsonian Newspaper, was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, and ultimately earned his BS in Economics.

Mr. Barrett served his country proudly with the United States Air Force, where he flew the F-86 Sabrejet – the first swept-wing fighter jet used by the USAF. He flew multiple aircraft in the Air Force, including the B-25. He was also an instructor pilot for the USAF. He was then an early developer of Holiday Inn motels and hotels in Augusta, GA and Jacksonville, FL and developed multiple apartment and condominium properties in Augusta and in Florida.

He is survived by his wife, Betsy Rollo Barrett, of North Augusta, SC, and their children, Mason Rollo Barrett (Mary), Kate Barrett Mayes as well as their five grandchildren – Barrett and Matt Mayes, and Linda, Jude and Aiden Barrett.

He is also survived by his sons from his first marriage (to the former Patricia Strong), Harry Gould Barrett IV, Robert Strong Barrett, Kirk Patrick Barrett, and John Carter Barrett (Jamie), a daughter, Cornelia Barrett LaRussa (Joe), eight more grandchildren – Robert, Mia, Yvette, Barrett (Adriano), Olivia (Myles), Anna, Eleanor and Cornelia, as well as one great-grandson.

He was predeceased by his parents, Cornelia and Gould Barrett, and his brother, William White Barrett, but is survived, happily, by his sister, Nina Barrett Inman, his brother-in-law, George Inman, and his sister-in-law, Jane Barrett, as well as many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

A memorial service was held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Magnolia Cemetery, Augusta, GA, where he now rests with the Tobin and Barrett families.

John Rufus Loftin passed away peacefully at home on October 24, 2025, at the age of 97. John was born on June 28, 1928, to Walter Jones and Rose Lee Allen Loftin in Thomasville, NC, as he said, “in time for breakfast.” After graduating from Thomasville High School, John enlisted in the Army to serve in World War II. Upon discharge, he attended Davidson College from 1947-1951, where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and the business manager of the school newspaper, The Davidsonian. He was a member of the Scabbard and Blade Military Honor Society, the Debate Team, and the Freshman Orientation Team. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

John began his lifelong career with McLean Trucking Company in September 1951, often recounting stories of his time in the training program that included six months over-the-road. He was the Terminal Manager in Danville, VA, until he was recalled to active duty for the Korean War. In September 1954, he returned to McLean Trucking Company for the remainder of his career.

John met Meta Williamson Pauling on a blind date, and they were married on September 16, 1961. As newlyweds, they moved to Chicago, Illinois, where their son, Jay, was born. John and Meta settled in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in July 1963. There they welcomed daughters, Margaret and Mary Anne, and raised their family in the home they lovingly built. As the Director of Purchasing, John worked loyally at McLean Trucking Company until December 1986.

In Winston-Salem, John was involved in a variety of civic activities. He held numerous positions at the United Way of Forsyth County, including Budget Committee Chairman, Treasurer, and later President. He was also a Board Member for the United Way of North Carolina. John was on the Executive Committee of The Boy Scouts of America Old Hickory Council and served as an advisor to Junior Achievement of Winston-Salem. He was formerly a member of Mount Tabor Methodist Church and then First Presbyterian Church.

John’s second career and second family were with Members Credit Union, formerly McLean Credit Union. He was first elected to the Board of Directors in January 1983. John faithfully served them during four decades, as Chairman from 1986-1989 and 1997-2007. He was Chairman of the Scholarship Committee of the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation. For his dedication, he was honored with The North Carolina Credit Union League’s Volunteer Person of the Year Award in 2000. He was again honored with the establishment of The John R. Loftin Scholarship, in 2007, for Members Credit Union members seeking to advance themselves with post-secondary education.

John’s second home was in South Carolina at Damon Gun Club; his father-in-law was one of the founding members and he was the oldest living member. He not only raised his children and grandchildren to embrace a love and respect for the outdoors, wildlife, and hunting, but also shared this love with countless other youth.

John was preceded in death by his parents and a younger brother, Joseph Allen Loftin. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 64 years, Meta; a son Jay (Joni), and daughters Margaret (Dan) and Mary Anne; ten grandchildren – Rachel (Ryan) Anderson; Cara Loftin; Walt Williams, Noah (Payton) Williams, Anna (Langston) Herb, Martha (Micheal) Skinner, and Cameron Williams; Harrison (Hope) White, Meta Kate (Jay) Dixon, and Hadley White. Four great grandchildren include Walker and Watson White, Marlee Anderson, and Georgia Williams. We will all cherish the memories and the lessons he taught us!

A celebration of John’s life will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 300 N Cherry St, Winston Salem, NC 27101 on Wednesday, October 29 at 11 AM with a reception immediately following in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider memorials to The John R. Loftin Scholarship at Members Credit Union or First Presbyterian Church.

John Donald Hobart, age 96, of Smithfield, North Carolina, passed away in peace at his home, with his family, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. He was a former dean and trustee at Johnston Community College, a counselor to countless students, a community leader, and a loving husband, father, and friend.

A native of Davidson, North Carolina, he was born in December 1928 to Frank Donald and Helen Tomlinson Hobart.

Following graduation from Davidson High School, he attended Davidson College, graduating in 1951 with a B.S. degree in business administration. After college he took his first job as a traffic manager for Southern Bell Telephone. He served stateside as a sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955, and in 1956, received a Master of Science degree in industrial psychology from North Carolina State University. While studying for his masters in Raleigh, he met the love of his life, Alice Frances “Frankie” Finch of Smithfield, who was living in Raleigh at the time. The two were married in Smithfield in 1957.

Following his studies at NC State, he was recruited by the American Enka Corporation to Morristown, Tennessee, where he oversaw supervisor training programs and communications for the company’s synthetic textiles manufacturing operations.

In 1960, he returned to North Carolina to become one of the first administrators in what is today the nation’s preeminent state community college system. He played key roles in the
establishment and growth of several of the state’s earliest and most successful community colleges, beginning with Durham Industrial Education Center in 1961, where he served as its assistant director and counselor coordinator.

After additional graduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in 1963 he was recruited to help found Rowan Industrial Education Center in Salisbury, serving as Dean of Student Affairs as the school grew into Rowan Technical Institute – the precursor of what is today Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. In 1967, he joined Rockingham Community College in Reidsville, and in 1969, moved his family to Smithfield to help establish Johnston Technical Institute, where he worked as Dean of Student of Affairs for the next 21 years.

He was a skilled administrator who derived the greatest satisfaction from counseling and guiding students, young and old, who were seeking to improve their circumstances through education and skills training. His patience, empathy, and genuine concern for the lives and success of others made a lasting impact on the many students who passed through the doors of the institutions he served.

Having helped found Johnston Technical Institute in an old high school in Four Oaks, he had the satisfaction of seeing it grow into today’s Johnston Community College and play a pivotal role in the county’s economic development and success. Following his retirement in 1990, he served two terms on the college’s Board of Trustees and funded several scholarships for students there, including one honoring his mother, a former teacher.

Throughout his life he was deeply involved in service to community and state. He was the founder and founding chair of the Johnston County Arts Council. He served as founding chair of the Johnston County Hospital Foundation, chair of the Johnston County Board of Social Services, president of the Friends of the Public Library of Johnston County, and president and longtime member of the Smithfield Rotary Club. He was president of the NC Vocational Guidance Association, chair of the State Community Colleges Student Services Personnel Association, and chair of the NC Museum of Natural History Advisory Commission. He and his wife Frankie established an annual award through the NC Community Foundation to recognize and honor outstanding community volunteers in the county.

He served actively as class secretary for the Davidson College Class of 1951 until well into his 90’s and sponsored an annual award for employees of the college’s physical plant to honor both their service and his father, who served as Davidson’s first Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds and designed the landscaping that distinguishes the college today.

For his service to North Carolina, in 2002 he was named by the Governor to the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. In 2004, he was honored as a Distinguished Citizen by the Greater Smithfield-Selma Chamber of Commerce. He was an Eagle Scout.

An active member of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, he served as senior warden in 1974 and was a member of the Brotherhood of Saint Andrew. For 24 years, and into his 90’s, he delivered Meals on Wheels to citizens of Johnston County.

He was a loving husband and father, an active, enthusiastic, and tireless worker and advocate, and the truest of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Edith Hobart Cashion of Davidson, NC. He is survived by his wife Frankie, their sons John Donald “Don” Hobart, Jr, (wife Kay Linn Miller Hobart) of Raleigh and Dr. Frank Adams Hobart (wife Dr. Sarah Elizabeth “Betsy” von Biberstein) of Wilmington, and their grandchildren Frank Adams Hobart III and William Finch Hobart.

His funeral will be held at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Smithfield at 11:00 am on Monday, May 12, 2025, followed by a brief graveside service and reception at the church’s Lawrence Hall. Parrish Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of John Hobart may be made to Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, 218 South Second Street, Smithfield, NC 27577, the Johnston County Arts Council, P.O. Box 2019, Smithfield, NC 27577, or the Johnston Community College Foundation, P.O. Box 2350, Smithfield, NC 27577.