Category: 1971

William V. Youkey ’71 died September 13 in Birmingham, Ala., after a courageous battle against Gillain-Barre Syndrome. A graduate of Davidson College and Central Michigan University, he retired from the U.S. Army as a Lt. Col. with 21 years of active service. He was employed with DRS-Test and Energy Management Inc. for the last thirteen years. He was an active volunteer in the community, providing hours of service to churches, to The Ark, a local animal shelter, and to the South Hampton Nursing Home. Through the years, he supported the First Presbyterian Church of Huntsville, the Big Cove Presbyterian Church, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville. He had many interests and hobbies including golf, racquetball, music, writing, and Alabama football, but the most important thing to him was spending time with family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Carol Youkey, 2970 Hampton Cove Way, Owens Cross Roads, Ala. 35763-9330; sons, Dec Youkey (Leslie) and Steven Youkey; daughter, Stafford Youkey; grandson, Declan Youkey; mother and stepfather, Dorothy and Robert Gruen; sister, Marti Hawkins; niece, Jennifer Whyte; and nephew, Chad Hawkins.

David Woodman Wells ’71, of South Orange, N.J., passed away on July 13 surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle with Hodgkin’s disease, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. David was born on Oct. 2, 1949, to Albert N. Wells and Margaret Kelly Wells in Louisville, Ky., and grew up in Laurinburg and Sunset Beach. He graduated from Davidson with a degree in German. He attended Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Va., where he received a doctor of ministry in 1977. His first pastorate was in Jackson, Ky., at the Guerrant Memorial Church. In 1979 he and his family moved to Spencer, W.Va., where, in addition to serving as pastor of the Spencer Presbyterian Church, David traveled and provided support for pastors in remote rural areas in the Greenbrier Presbytery. David then became pastor of the First Federated Church of Bayonne, N.J., and attended the Blanton Peale Graduate Institute where he received a degree in pastoral psychotherapy. David practiced at the Grace Counseling Center in Madison, N.J., and subsequently developed a private practice in Montclair, N.J. At the same time, he was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Hamburg, N.J. David is survived by his beloved wife, Katherine Esposito, 318 Meeker St., South Orange, NJ 07079; his children, Elijah Wells (Dana) and Anna Wells Hodges (Richard); his stepchildren, Ben Esposito (Tina) and Molly Crossin; his father, Albert N. Wells; and brother, John Wells (Carol). He was the adored grandfather of Isabella Esposito, and favorite uncle of 21 nieces and nephews. David loved sailing, music, dancing, travel, people, and laughter. He was loved and will be missed by all.

Paul Christopher Garrigus ’71 of Charlotte died December 1, 2006 at his home. A Charlotte area resident since 1967, Paul was a school teacher and had taught chemistry at West Charlotte High and coached football at Quail Hollow Junior High. He had been employed for thirty years with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools before joining the teaching staff at Central Cabarrus High School. He was also a member of NCAE. At Davidson, he was a member of Signa Nu fraternity. Survivors include his mother, Alta G. Garrigus of Charlotte; brother, Bill Garrigus and wife Brenda, 2380 Saw Rode, China Grove, N.C. 28026; nephews, Roger and Tony Romeo; nieces, Carrie Gentry and husband Garrett, Jessica Davis; grand nephews, Parker Gentry and Matt Cook; grand nieces, Chloe Gentry, Christa Cook and Maddison Cook. There are no services planned. Contributions in Paul’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale St, Memphis, Tenn., 38100.

William Henry Hawkins ’71, 56, of Bartow, Fla., passed away June 19, 2005.

Dr. John Bolinger ’71, a Chattanooga psychiatrist, died May 29, 2005, while hiking Mount LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He was known for his infectious laugh, gourmet cooking, and his enthusiastic support of University of Tennessee football. In addition to his private practice, he held teaching appointments at McCallie School, Baylor School, and other area high school as well as the University of Tennessee–Chattanooga. He was a member of Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church. He is survived by his father, John C. Bolinger, Jr., 801 Vanosdale Rd., Knoxville, Tenn. 37909; a sister, Janet Harrington of Los Angeles, Calif., a brother, Robert of San Diego, Calif.; and a nephew and three nieces.