Stephen Edwin Rostan ’66

Dr. Stephen Edwin Rostan, a well-loved Moore County physician, died at his home on July 10, 2024. He was 79. Dr. Rostan joined Dr. John Haserick at Pinehurst Dermatology in 1976. He was proud and honored to have served the sandhills and surrounding communities as a dermatologist and dermatopathologist for 34 years. He felt fortunate to have been associated with Moore Memorial Hospital, serving many years as a member and chair of the hospital’s education committee, and once as chief of staff. Dr. Rostan graduated from Valdese High School where he was an outstanding athlete and student leader, serving as president of his Senior Class. He graduated from Davidson College where he was a Dana Scholar, president of Alpha Epsilon Delta (pre-med honorary society), and a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. Dr. Rostan graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and completed his internship and residency in dermatology at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX, where he was promoted to Major. He also served at Womack Army Hospital in Fort Bragg, NC. Dr. Rostan was active in the community and with his sons’ sports teams. He was a generous donor to charitable causes and a member of Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church. Steve loved Davidson College, especially Wildcats basketball. He became a very good tennis player and enjoyed a competitive game followed by a cold beer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stephen and Hattie Reynolds; and by his first wife and mother of their sons, Barbara Hay.

He is survived by his wife, Wendy Brown Rostan; sons, Robert S. Rostan (Elizabeth), Charlotte, NC, and Scott W. Rostan (Stephanie) Hoboken, NJ; sisters, June Rostan (Bob Ferguson and his sons, Robbie and Mike Ferguson) and Renee Rostan and her daughter, Holly Anderson; grandsons, Luke and Xavier Rostan of Hoboken, NJ; stepdaughters, Olivia Webb (Brett), Jenna Webb (Michael Todd) and Holly Webb; stepgrandchildren, Larkin Webb and Adeline Todd; and loyal friend, Pat Henderson.

The family thanks the nurses and caregivers of FirstHealth Hospice and Comfort Keepers for their wonderful care for Dr. Rostan after his health and mobility declined due to Parkinson’s.

According to Dr. Rostan’s wishes, burial will be in Valdese, NC. Friends and family are invited to the graveside service at the Waldensian Presbyterian Church Cemetery at 1141 Praley Street SW and to the visitation/reception following at Le Phare des Alpes hall at 301 Laurel Street SE. The graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

Friends, family, and patients of Dr. Rostan are invited to a celebration of life at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church, Southern Pines, NC, held at 11 a.m., on Friday, July 19, 2024 followed by a visitation/reception.

Memorials can be made to FirstHealth Hospice, 215 Campground Road, West End, NC 27376.

James Chalmers “Jim” Marrow, Jr. ’69

James Chalmers “Jim” Marrow, Jr., died peacefully at his home in Tarboro, North Carolina, on July 3, 2024, after a long illness. 

Born to Lucy Jane Gregory and James Chalmers Marrow on July 11, 1947, he graduated from The McCallie School in 1965, received his BA from Davidson College in 1969, and his J.D. from the University of North Carolina Law School in 1972. He then returned to Tarboro to practice law with Herbert Taylor, Creighton Brinson and Bill Aycock. Later he opened a private office in downtown Tarboro, where he continued to enjoy practicing law through his final days.

Jim met his wife, Mary Wilder “Molly” Owen while in law school, and they married on December 27, 1975. They welcomed two children, Helen Beckler in 1977, and Owen Chalmers in 1980. Equally welcomed and treasured have been their four grandchildren Johnny, George, Virginia and James. Called both GrandJim and Pop Pop, Jim relished every opportunity to spoil them and leave the regulations to their parents. 

Jim’s life was marked by his dedication to family, church and community, and a willingness to contribute to those around him. He was a lifelong member of Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church, serving in many capacities over the years, from elder to church committee member to behind-the-scenes contributor on church activities and projects. For more than forty years he served as the board appointed attorney for Tarboro Savings Bank. His long list of community service included work for the Edgecombe Charitable Foundation, the Edgecombe Memorial Library, the Furman Matthewson Trust, the Community Medicine Foundation, V.O.I.C.E., and the Edgecombe Community College Auditorium and Mobley Atrium. Jim enthusiastically supported Tarboro’s downtown businesses, restaurants and special activities, at one point becoming the owner of a pub on East Church Street he named The Underground, after London’s subway systems.

Jim’s interests were numerous and eclectic. He was a lifelong sports enthusiast,  especially for soccer, baseball, and sailing. After returning home he helped to start and for many years coached with Tarboro’s peewee soccer program, and he could be periodically spotted in regional baseball stadiums, where he kept close track of local athletes over the years as they grew up. He spent as much free time as possible at the cabin his parents built on the Pamlico River, whether sharing it with his family and friends or spending time alone on the porch. An avid sailor since childhood, at different points he also embraced kayaking, hiking, kite flying, bird watching, even bat watching, fine food, fine wine, and craft beers. He liked listening to the opera as well as bluegrass, vintage country and big band music; he regularly stayed up late watching old movies and even older TV shows, and his book choices ranged from poetry collections to Russian novels, criminal mysteries, and US military, Chinese and Edgecombe County history. Boredom was never a problem for Jim, whether his days were quiet or busy. Ever the optimist and known for his sense of humor and dry wit, he enjoyed his life to the fullest, a life that will be greatly missed both by his family and by the many people who shared it with him.

Jim is survived by his wife Molly, his daughter Helen Marrow (husband Michael Redd), his son Owen Marrow, his grandchildren, Johnny O’Briant and George, Virginia and James Redd, his brother Henry Marrow and his sister Harriet Marrow Neldon. 

A Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 3 PM at the Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church, 303 East St James Street, Tarboro , NC . Following the service the family will have a reception in the Burns Fellowship Hall greeting friends and family.

The family will be holding a private interment service.

The Marrow family would like to thank Sharon Dickens and her team at ECU Home Health & Hospice Services, and to share our deep gratitude for the many family members and friends who provided us with comfort and support and shared this journey with us.

In lieu of flowers, memorials honoring Jim’s memory may be made to either the Edgecombe Charitable Foundation, c/o North Carolina Community Foundation, 3737 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 460, Raleigh, NC  27612, also via https://www.nccommunityfoundation.org/affiliate/edgecombe-charitable-foundation or to Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church, 303 East Saint James Street, Tarboro, NC, 27886, also via https://www.howardmemorial.org/give. 

William “Bill” Alexander Kirkland, Jr. ’62

William “Bill” Alexander Kirkland, Jr., 83, passed away July 2, 2024. He was born in Durham, NC to the late William “Buck” Alexander and Helon Wilkerson Kirkland. In addition to his parents, Bill is pre-deceased by his son, Kirk Kirkland, and brother-in-law, Bob Carter.

Bill was educated at Calvert School (now Durham Academy), George Watts Elementary, and Carr Junior High. He was a member of Durham High School’s Class of 1958. He graduated from Davidson College with a B.A. in English in 1962.

Bill started his career as a reporter for the Durham Sun before moving to sports reporter for the Fayetteville Observor. He returned to Durham as city editor for the Durham Morning Herald. He then took a four year detour from newspapers to work in public relations for Broyhill Furniture Industries in Lenior, NC.

In 1979, he returned to newspapers and began a 22 year career with Worrell Newspapers. He spent his first year as associate publisher for the Lenoir News Topic. He moved from there to being publishers of the Southwest Times in Pulaski, VA; the Greensburg Daily News in Greensburg, IN; and the York County Coast Star in Kennebunk, ME. He concluded his career with Worrell at the Daily Progress in Charlottesville, VA while being named a Worrell general executive in 1979 and vice-president in 1986.

After retiring from Worrell Newspapers, he started Kirkland Newspapers, Inc. (KNI). He owned weekly newspapers in Wisconsin, Maine, and North Carolina. He started two weeklies in North Carolina.

Bill wrote Eddie Neville of the Durham Bulls – a book about his childhood hero and his hometown baseball team. While researching and writing his book, Bill connected with many former teammates of Eddie Neville. In 1993, Bill was instrumental in helping the Durham Bulls put together a reunion of former players.

Bill was a member of the Jaycees and Rotary. He served as United Way Chairman in Pulaski, VA and as Chairman of the Charlottesville and Albemarle County Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church.

Bill is survived by his wife, Ann Carter Kirkland; daughter Elizabeth Kirkland Sickles (Robert); grandchildren: Alexandra, Kari (Phillip Bader), and Michael Sickles; Coley, Mimi, and Kate Kirkland; cousins: Linda Nelson Davis, Susan Nelson Dox (Allan), Cathy Nelson Raddatz; brother-in-law Bill Carter ( Jo Lene) and sister-in-law Cindy Carter; and niece Jo Carter (James Dees).

Cecilia Johnson, Sharon Turrentine, and Chastiny Reid were Bill’s caregivers in his final years battling Alzheimer’s Disease. Their professionalism, empathy, and patience, helped ease Bill’s life. They also provided much needed support to his immediate family.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, July 11th at 2pm at Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Emily Wilkes officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church, 927 W. Trinity Avenue, Durham, NC 27701; Kirkland Family Scholarship, Davidson College, 209 Ridge Road, P.O. Box 5000, Davidson, NC 28035.

The family is being assisted by Clements Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc. in Durham. Online Condolences may be sent to www.clementsfuneralservice.com

Journalists have traditionally used -30- to indicate the end of an article. Bill Kirkland was proud of his newspaper career – and he could write. Oh, how he could write.

-30-

William Rowan Barron II ’64

Dr. William Rowan Barron II, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, minister, and friend, entered the Church Triumphant on June 16, 2024, completing a life of rich blessing and purpose. The second son of N. Gonzales and Ruby Hutton Barron, he was born in Columbia, South Carolina, on November 18, 1942, while his father served overseas as a Chaplain in World War II. Bill became Head of Staff at Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church in 1981, after serving as Assistant Minister at First Presbyterian Church in Sanford, Florida, and Minister at St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church in Titusville, Florida, and First Presbyterian Church in Marianna, Florida. He retired in 2008, and was named Pastor Emeritus at Sequoyah Hills in 2009.

A child of the manse, he called three states and five places home. His beloved father (“Da”) was his signature role model and a primary influence in Bill’s call to ministry. Bill was an Eagle Scout, President of the Student Council, and delegate to Alabama Boys State. He had a lifelong love of sports and games, fed in part by the challenge, camaraderie, and competition, whether playing, coaching, or watching.
In high school he wrote a weekly column for the local paper called “Sportingly Yours,” which always ended with a life lesson. As a young minister, he became involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; a connection that influenced his son’s becoming a coach. Through the years according to one who watched him on the softball field, at the billiards or ping-pong tables, and on the golf course, he was a “natural athlete with world class hand-eye coordination and brilliant strategy.” A lifelong borderline fanatic Georgia fan, he also relished watching the Vols and Braves. Probably his favorite spectator sports showcased his children and grandchildren.

He graduated from Davidson College (Class of 1964), and received his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Columbia Theological Seminary, where he later served on the Board of Trustees. The Presbyterian Church was in his DNA.

So was storytelling. He guided his children and congregations by example and story, believing as Henri Nouwen did that story “…creates space. We can dwell in a story, walk around, find our own place.” His sermons created space for people, including himself, to “find their own place.”

His practical, relatable message always linked Scripture and the real world, and his theology was consistent: we are saved by grace. Bill’s heart for ministry was equal parts preacher and pastor. He thrived on relationships—with individuals, congregations, the larger denomination, other denominations, and other religions.

After retiring in 2008, he served a congregation in crisis as interim, shepherding members whose families who had been in that church for generations. He also organized and led an interdenominational program called “Ministry of the Laity,” bringing people together for eight weeks of study in the fall and the spring. He later worked with Muslim leaders to bring Muslims and Christians together in a series of community events where speakers from both faiths told their stories and engaged in open dialogue, always around a shared meal.

Bill loved travel, especially when it included his children and later his grandchildren. In the summer of 1982, Bill exchanged pulpits and homes with a minister in Scotland. Before that immersion experience, the entire family spent several weeks traveling in Europe. That seed no doubt later inspired his children’s international study and work-related travel. His children have now instilled that spirit in their children.
Bill’s yen for exotic destinations backfired when he bought into Telly Savalis’s convincing late-night television endorsement of a “fun for the whole family” cruise to the Bahamas. The series of disasters did, however, become everyone’s favorite vacation story and gets better and better with each reenactment.

Bill met Eleanor Warr, the love of his life, on a blind date his senior year at Davidson College. They married three years later. Their love story spanned sixty years, four generations, and four pastorates. For their 50th anniversary, he pulled off the ultimate surprise; and when Eleanor turned around in the church of her childhood where they were married and saw a sanctuary filled with people she loved, she said, “This must be what heaven looks like.”

Bill was creative, funny, and smart. He loved to sing along with Elvis, lead pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and tell stories to children. He thrived on an audience and cherished one-on-one conversations. He was at home with the privileged and underprivileged, with prisoners, the devout, and the atheist. He lived with clarity, authenticity, and love.

Bill is survived by.his wife Eleanor Barron, his son Richard Barron (Maureen), his daughter Meg Christian (John), and his son Walt Barron (Katy); grandchildren Gill and Kate Christian, Lane, Rae, and Billy Barron, and Ruby and Dot Barron; sisters Lucie Eggleston (Bob) and Sally LaBadie; and sister-in-law Sibylle Barron; and many nieces and nephews. .

He was pre-deceased by his parents Ruby Hutton Barron and N. Gonzales Barron and brother Dr. F. Hutton Barron.

The Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be at 2:00 pm Saturday, June 22nd, in the sanctuary of Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church. A reception will follow in Barron Hall.

Memorials may be made to Tennessee Memory Disorders Foundation, 1400 Dowell Springs Blvd., Suite 340, Knoxville, TN 37909. (tmdf.org) or Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church.

Jesse Bernard Sims, Jr. ’69

Lt. Cmdr (Ret) Jesse Bernard Sims, Jr., 79, of Chattanooga passed away after a valiant battle with cancer.

He was born in Denver, Colorado to the late Jesse Bernard Sims, Sr. and Geraldine “Donnie” Sims on March 14, 1945. He was a graduate of McCallie School, Class of 1963. He lettered in several sports while at McCallie and still holds the record along with Abner Oldham for the fastest mile. Upon graduation he moved to North Carolina where he graduated from Davidson College with a degree in Literature. Jesse also went to the University of Tennessee Knoxville where he worked towards his Masters degree in Early Childhood Education. Jesse was a proud veteran of the USMC and the Naval Reserves. He achieved the rank of Lt. Commander and retired after 20 years of service in the Naval Reserves.

Jesse was a true Southern gentleman. He never met a stranger. When he and his wife were dining in a restaurant in Washington D.C., his wife excused herself to go to the powder room and, on her return, the entertainer had joined them for dinner.

He loved information. He wanted to know about everything. One of his sons stated, “my dad is a walking encyclopedia; unfortunately, he is a talking one too”. He hated technology: no computer, email or Facebook for him. Oh, but Google, he loved it as it was his information central, which led to obtaining a cell phone and an iPad.

Jesse did love to tell stories one of his favorites was how a bunch of his McCallie classmates took a raft trip down the Tennessee River to go to New Orleans. Unfortunately, they had to abandon the raft and return home before reaching New Orleans. This however did not stop his love for travel. His travels led him to a long and enduring friendship with an Englishman who could not believe he was speaking with an American who could quote a Latin poem

Jesse loved theatre, music, and all of the arts but dancing was his favorite. Jesse would jump up in any location and start buck dancing. This led to a friend dubbing him the “Dancing Fool.”

Jesse loved his church. He was a Bible scholar, a Lay Leader at his church First Centenary UMC. He also taught Sunday School there and volunteered as a tutor in the Centenary Program. He loved children and animals.

Jesse loved helping people the Hospice social worker used to live in his neighborhood picking up trash as he walked his dogs.

Jesse truly let his light shine in the world. The night he passed away, a fire fly with his light blinking flew around the room.

He will be missed by his wife, family and many wonderful friends who have supported him through his battle with cancer.

He was preceded in death by his aforementioned parents.

Left behind to cherish Jesse’s memory are his wife of 34 years, Cyndee Sims, his sons, Andrew and Daniel Sims, his brothers, Paul (Suzanne) Sims and Donald Sims, a sister, Maxine (Dan) McNutt, brother-in-law, Charlie McGuire, several nieces and nephews, his fur-babies, Maximus, Piper and Garnet and many dear friends.

A Celebration of Jesse’s life will be held on Friday June 7, 2024 at 11:00 am at First Centenary United Methodist Church with Dr. Will Lauderback and Pastor Barry Kidwell officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 9:30 am. Jesse will be laid to rest on Monday June 10, 2024 at 10:30 am in the Chattanooga National Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Jesse’s memory can be made to The Centenary and/or to The Mustard Tree in care of First Centenary UMC.