Category: 1953

Alexander Gordon Stuart, Jr. ’53, retired vice president of the Hanover Shoe Co. and a former Bristolian, died June 1 in Texas. At Davidson, he was a member of the football team and Kappa Sigma fraternity. He later transferred to Emory & Henry College, where he also played football, graduating in 1953. He joined the U.S. Marine Corp, serving with distinction and rising to the rank of captain. He returned to Bristol and began a career in the shoe business with King Brothers Shoe Co. He later joined the M.T. Shaw Shoe Co. in Coldwater, Mich., to direct its sales program nationally. He moved to the Hanover Shoe Co. in 1977 and became president of Hanover’s Pennsylvania-Maryland company, making private label brand shoes for Brooks Brothers, Bass, L.L. Bean, and J.C. Penney, among many others. Upon retirement, he and his wife, Yvonne Louise, bought a home in Hot Springs, Va., where they became active in the community and the Hot Springs Presbyterian Church. He was an avid gardener, a student of history, and a devoted fan of both classical and bluegrass music. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary and Patricia. Survivors include his wife, Yvonne, a native Texan, North Ridge Drive, Hot Springs, Va. 24445; a son, Alex; daughters, Martha, Anna and Betty; eight grandchildren; his brother, Robert of Bristol; and his stepsons, Bradley and Nyal Witham of Houston.

William Tucker Blaine, Jr. ’53 died on April 25, 2007, after a valiant struggle with cancer. He attended Davidson for two years, was a graduate of the University of Houston, and earned his M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. After serving his country in the Korean War, he began working in his father’s business, Blaine & Co. Insurance Agency, where he later became managing partner. He finished his insurance career at Hilb, Rogal, and Hamilton Insurance Co. He was on the board of the Kiwanis Club of Houston, the board of the Holly Hall Retirement Center as treasurer, the board of the Awty School, Homes of St. Marks, and president of the English Speaking Union. Tucker served many years as an elder of the First Presbyterian Church before joining St. Philip Presbyterian Church. His pleasure was his farm, his passion was history and biblical study. Survivors include his wife, Marie Sharpe Blaine, 154 Glynn Way, Houston, Texas 77056; daughter, Sarah Blaine and goddaughters Elizabeth Schulze and Katherine Lucke and her family, husband David and daughters Ellie and Kay.

Stephen H. Mills, D.D.S., M.A. ’53 of Morganton, N.C., died January 2, 2007. After attending Davidson, he graduated from the University of Florida, the University of Maryland Dental School and also from Lenoir Rhyne College with a master’s in counseling. He had a private dental practice in West Palm Beach, Fla., and worked as a staff dentist at Broughton Hospital in Morganton, N.C. from 1978 to 1997. He published an article for General Dentistry

T. Frank Wallace ’53 of Shreveport, La., died December 16, 2006. He was director/owner of Wallace Advertising and Printing. At Davidson, he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. Survivors include his wife, Neva Nabors Wallace, 3718 Reily Ln, Shreveport, La. 71105.

Michael “Mike” Myers ’53 of Charlotte, who tirelessly promoted Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte for more than 20 years, died December 3, 2006. From 1953-57, he served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. He then worked in sales for Package Products/Engrah until 1974, when he joined Central Piedmont Community College as director of continuing education. He later became director of public information for special projects until his retirement in 1996. At Covenant Presbyterian Church, he was a Sunday school teacher, chaperone, and bus driver on youth trips, and an elder emeritus. He was a member of the General Assembly Council of the Presbyterian Church USA. Davidson honored him with the Alumni Service Award in 1978. He served as secretary for his class for thirty-six years. A decade after graduation, he began writing about his “classmate” Bill Edwards—a fictitious alumnus whose adventures continued for another 10 years. Edwards, a real estate tycoon, a father of triplets, an adventurer, even had a book drop dedicated to him at the college library before the hoax was up. Survivors include Mike’s wife of forty-eight years, Carolyn Myers, 3600 Cypress Club Dr. Apt 410-B, Charlotte, N.C. 28210; four children, Michael G. Myers, Jr., Charles Nelson Myers, Susie Sarkisian ’85 of Brockton, Mass, and Richard Henry Myers; five grandchildren, Evan Michael Myers, Anna Emerson Myers, Elizabeth Carolina Medaris Myers, Leah Rose Sarkisian, and Logan Michael Sarkisian; a brother, Henry Nelson Myers, Jr.