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James Murdock Vann ’50

James Murdock Vann, of Highlands Ranch, CO, forever joined his wife, Lee Stanton Vann in God’s Grace, on Saturday August 24, 2024, Jim began life in Badin, North Carolina, raised there and Hot Springs, Arkansas by mother, Florence Hughes Vann (Nonnie) and father, James Murdock Vann Sr. (Da).

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Lee, parents, sister, Jane (Sis), and son, Michael.

Jim attended Davidson College where he starred in track and field, throwing the discus. Later in life Jim continued tossing the discus in the Senior Games. After Davidson, Jim spent close to 30 years carving out an exemplary career with ALCOA. His time in sales with ALCOA was interrupted by an induction into the Army, where he taught bridge construction to cadets at West Point.

While managing an ALCOA plant in Vancouver Washington, Jim was introduced, by a family friend, to Lee Stanton. They were married in Oregon. Jim and Lee later moved to Perth, Australia where he headed ALCOA’s Mining and Operations, then to Fort Wayne, Indiana as President of an ALCOA subsidiary, Rea Magnet Wire Company.

In 1986, Jim along with 3 partners/friends purchased Rea Magnet Wire Company from ALCOA.

Jim and Lee also resided in Charlotte, NC and Highlands Ranch, CO.

Jim is survived by daughters Stephanie (Doug) Moen Castle Pines, CO, Sherry (Mike) Connolly Fort Wayne IN, Debbie Gilreath Wake Forest, NC, and son Jim (Dana) Vann Lafayette, IN. Also survived by 8 grandchildren Amanda, Whitney, Brody, Shane, Brian, Andrew, Jaimie, and Jimmy. And 13 great-grandchildren.

Jim lived a long productive and charitable life, touching, brightening, and enriching countless lives and organizations along his way. His memory and accomplishments survive, and he will be forever missed. Private burial to be held at a later date. The family requests memorial gifts, in the memory of James Vann and his life-long charitable works, be designated to research at Mayo Clinic.

Memorials can be made online at www.mayoclinic.org/development<https://www.mayoclinic.org/giving-to-mayo-clinic> or mailed to Department of Development, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905.

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Stewart Wright Caughman ’70

Dr. Stewart Wright Caughman, known as Wright, passed away peacefully at home in Atlanta on August 22, 2024, after being diagnosed in May with a rare and aggressive form of thyroid cancer.

Born April 28, 1948 in Columbia, South Carolina to James Bankston Caughman and Elizabeth Jennings Caughman, Wright was the fifth of six children.  He graduated Phi Beta Kappa with an English degree from Davidson College in 1970, and began his career as a high school teacher at his alma mater, Dreher High School in Columbia.  It was there that he met his devoted wife of nearly 51 years, fellow teacher Alison Youngs, beginning the most pivotal and beneficial partnership of his life.  Wright embarked on a medical career shortly thereafter, receiving his MD from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1979, and completing his residency at Harvard Medical School, where he served as chief resident in dermatology. After seven years in the dermatology branch of the National Cancer Institute at NIH, he joined Emory University’s dermatology faculty in 1990.

Wright’s contributions to Emory spanned over three decades.  He was widely considered one of the University’s most distinguished, admired, and beloved leaders, presiding most notably as executive vice president for health affairs, CEO of the Woodruff Health Sciences Center, and chair of the Emory Healthcare Board of Directors from 2010 to 2015. Known affectionately as Dr. C among colleagues and students, Wright maintained a clinical practice throughout his career, last seeing dermatology patients in April.  He cherished a close and devoted network of colleagues around the world, and was a member of the American Dermatological Association, the Dermatology Foundation, the American Academy of Dermatology, and the Society for Investigative Dermatology, where he served in multiple leadership positions.

Wright never forgot his years as an English major at Davidson, and remained a devoted believer in the power of a liberal arts education.  Endlessly curious about questions large and small, he relished opportunities to partner with professors within Emory’s College of Arts and Sciences. For several years he was a guest faculty member for an Italian Studies course devoted to thinking critically about the world through the lenses of science and the humanities. He was regarded as an outstanding clinician, a talented investigator, a champion of all fields of inquiry, and a devoted mentor, widely admired professionally for his humility, graciousness, sincerity, and warmth.

Passionate about music of all kinds, Wright served on the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at the Woodruff Arts Center. As a member at Ansley Golf Club, his generosity extended to the golf course, where he was known to award putts within an ever expanding “circle of friendship.” Wright was a talented nature photographer and committed world traveler, and built lasting memories with Alison on trips throughout Europe, as well as to Japan, New Zealand, Alaska, Morocco, Tanzania, the Upper Amazon, and, most recently, the Galapagos this past spring.  He also looked forward every year to an annual gathering with the extended Caughman clan on the South Carolina coast, which was a spiritual home for him throughout his life.

In addition to his parents, Wright was predeceased by his brother, Jack Caughman, his sister, Lee Piepenbring, and his granddaughter, Elizabeth Dunphy. He is survived by his wife Alison Caughman of Atlanta, as well as his daughter Shirah (Robert) Dunphy of Brooklyn, NY, sons Stewart (Whitfield) Caughman and Chris (Deborah) Caughman of Atlanta, sister Madeleine Ritchie of Pawleys Island, SC, sister Carlisle (Joe) Harvard of Durham, NC, brother Marvin (Rita) Caughman of Columbia, SC, and six adoring grandchildren who knew him only as Boppa.

A memorial service honoring Wright’s amazing life will be held September 7 at 11 am at Covenant Presbyterian Church (2461 Peachtree Road, Atlanta), where he was an active member of the congregation for 34 years. Those wishing to honor his life and memory may wish to make a donation to the Emory University Department of Dermatology, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, or the Children’s Brain Tumor Project.

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Thelma Cornelia Davidson Adair, Trustee Emerita

Thelma Cornelia Davidson Adair, a remarkable woman, educator, leader of the Presbyterian church, and tireless advocate for human rights, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2024, just shy of 104.

An indelible figure in the life, culture, and spirit of Harlem, often called the “Mother of Harlem” Thelma founded Mount Morris Presbyterian Church in 1943 alongside her husband, the Reverend Arthur Eugene Adair. Together, they shaped the spiritual and social landscape of their community, becoming key figures in the Civil Rights Movement. They also worked to establish the first children’s day care centers, and later Head Start programs, throughout Harlem, still existing to this day. Their wisdom, service, and compassion inspired generations.

Thelma was a true force within the Presbyterian Church, serving as the first African American woman moderator of the General Assembly for the United Presbyterian Church in 1976. She also served in the Peace Corps, creating and coordinating training programs around the world.

Thelma’s dedication to public service was an inspiration to all those who worked alongside her – yet her loved ones will remember her as the matriarch and foundation of a family rooted in love. Thelma constantly expressed deep pride in witnessing seven generations of her surviving family, and was the true embodiment of a life fulfilled.

A memorial service is planned for this fall at Riverside Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in “Memorial of Thelma Adair” to the Peace Corps, an organization close to Thelma’s heart – https://www.peacecorps.gov/donate/

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Donald L. Kimmel Jr.

Donald L. Kimmel Jr., beloved biology professor who inspired generations of students at Davidson College, died peacefully at home on August 20, 2024, with Meg, his devoted wife of 41 years, by his side and surrounded by loving family and friends.

The oldest of three boys, Don was born in Swedesboro, New Jersey, on April 15, 1935, to Jessie Elizabeth Brown and Donald Loraine Kimmel. As a child, Don grew up in Ann Arbor, New Orleans, Waco, and finally back in South Jersey, following the teaching career of his father.

Like his teacher mother, Don graduated from Swarthmore College. After receiving his MD from Temple University and PhD from Johns Hopkins University, he began his teaching career at Brown. In 1971, Davidson recruited him to head its Biology Department, where he taught for nearly 30 years, educating hundreds of future healthcare professionals. His joy of teaching was evident in the way he embraced the larger stories and context around subjects such as spider cognition; “Biology for Poets” for non-science majors; embryology; and other intensive pre-med courses. He famously taught genetics in the character and garb of Gregor Mendel. His innovative childbirth seminar explored the biology and experience of pregnancy and birth across cultures.

Donald L. Kimmel Jr.

In 1997, grateful alumni awarded Don with Davidson’s highest teaching honor, the Hunter-Hamilton Love of Teaching Award. After retirement from Davidson in 2000, he taught with University of Virginia’s Semester at Sea. When Meg’s work took them to Maine, he taught at Bates, falling in love with the people and the land and even the weather.

Don was deeply and joyfully domestic. He married June Miller in 1960 and began his life as a father with their four children. In 1983, he married Margaret (Meg) Boykin, adding her two young children to the fold. Together they blended families and welcomed another son in 1986. This combination—and many kin by choice—created a wide, diverse, and lively extended family. For more than half a century, he led the family in building sandcastles, eating crabs, and counting pelicans at their annual Sunset Beach reunion.

Don was open and interested in others, often falling into conversations with strangers, keeping servers at his table for too long just to get to know them, visiting the kitchen to thank the chef, and lingering, happy to hear others’ stories. Don also sat easily in the spirit of his Quaker upbringing, appreciating the silence where it came.

Don was active in his community, including with community theater and Habitat for Humanity. He always had a book going. He followed the Red Sox and many other sports, and enjoyed movies, documentaries, and re-runs of silly comedies. He loved music, with a penchant for opera, Christmas carols, and all manner of vocal performance. He would eat everything, sometimes from his neighbor’s plate or little past an expiration date. He loved fine food, drink, and travel, and was the consummate host.

Don’s family extends thanks to the compassionate staff of Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, and especially to his nurse, Beth, and aide, Latwanya.

Don is survived by his wife, Meg; children, Stephen (Carla Kimmel), Charity (Robert Malkemes), Christopher, Benjamin (Lori Nofziger), Wilson Kello, Robin Kello, and Jesse Kimmel; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild, a legion of nieces and nephews, and many who think of him as a father; brothers, Charles (Reida) and Richard (Susan).

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can go to Hospice of Cabarrus County or the Davidson College Kimmel Scholarship (choose Other and write in “Kimmel Scholarship”). The family can be reached at Post Office Box 1974, Davidson, North Carolina 28036.

The family plans to celebrate Don’s full and loving life on October 19th at 3 pm at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church.

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Gunnar Magnus ’68

Journalist Gunnar Magnus died on 18 August after a long illness, aged 79. In Aftenposten, he will be remembered as the cultured and caring colleague who knew so much – and with whom it was always easy to laugh and have fun.