Faculty Obituaries
Faculty Obituaries
Meredith "Jean" Bacus
86, of Greenwood, passed away in her sleep on June 26, 2014. Jean was born on June 27, 1927 in San Francisco to Earl L. Wilson and Eunice May Johnson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dean D. Bacus. Jean was a graduate of Indiana and Purdue Universities. She taught home economics at Emmerich Manual High School in Indianapolis for twenty five years and two years in Alliance, Ohio. Jean was a member of the Paragon Christian Church. She is survived by her daughter, Sara Ann Balzer and son-in-law, Francis X. Balzer, and their three children, Jenny, Emma and David. After retiring Jean wrote and published family histories of her Johnson and Wilson families. Honoring her wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service. Her interment will be next to her husband in Friendship Park Cemetery, in Paragon, Indiana.
Leror Zail "Dee" Compton
Leroy Zail "Dee" Compton 83, died Thursday, July 12, 2007. Leroy was born on February 15, 1924 to Ralph and Gladys (Maze) Compton in Urichsville, Ohio. "Dee" graduated from Franklin Township High School in 1942 and went to Butler University where he earned his Bachclor's Degree in Education in 1948. He earned his Master's degree in Physical Education from Indiana University in 1952. While at Butler, he participated in football, basketball and baseball and was a varsity letterman in basketball. He was also a member of the "B" Men's Club and Phi Delta Theta. He married Virginia Ann Coxen of Indianapolis in 1948. They moved to Ontario when he signed with the Pittsburg Pirates to play minor league baseball with the Kingston Ponies. In 1947, he and Virginia returned to Indiana and he began his career as a teacher and coach. For 17 years he was a teacher and coach in the following Indiana High Schools: 1947-1949 Moral Township High School, 1949-1956 Bluffton High School, 1956-1961 Shelbyville High School and 1961-1964 Indianapolis Manual High School. During that time, he taught Physical Education, Health and Safety, General Science, Biology, English and United States History and coached basketball, baseball and football. In 1964, the family relocated to Oak Park, Illinois where he continued his career in education and athletics as the Chairman of Boys' Physical Education Department and Director of Athletics at Oak Park and River Forest High Schools. While at Oak Park and River Forest High School, he directed the world's largest indoor High School track meet. In 1970 he took a position at Proviso West and Proviso East High School in Hillside and Maywood, Illinois where he worked in the capacity of athletic director. He returned to Indiana in 1976 when he accepted the position of Supervisor of Athletics and Physical Education with Indianapolis Public Schools until he retired in 1985. After his retirement, he remained active in high school athletics and in community service. He was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1994 and served as president from 1998-1999. He served as president of the Franklin Township Historical Society, treasurer of the Acton Cemetery Association, historian for the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and served on the board of directors for the Ruster Foundation, and was a long time member of the Acton United Methodist Church. He received many awards for his contribution to high school athletics in the capacity of Athletic Director from both the states of Indiana and Illinois; in addition to his induction to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the National Council of Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Presidential Hall of Fame in 1999. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Gladys Compton. He is survived by - his wife, Virginia; sons, James (Laurie), Ted, and Charles (Sheila); daughters Anita (Jeff) Hubley and Nancy Compton; grandchil dren, Wesley Compton, Laura Compton, Carin (Tony) Bro gan, Andrew and. Anna Hubley; and one great grand child, Alex Brogan. Visitation will be Sunday, July 15, 2007 from 3-8 p.m. at Little and Sons Funeral Home, Stop 11 Chapel with funeral service at Acton United Methodist Church, Monday July 16, at Noon with calling at 11 a.m.
Published in the The Indianapolis Star on July 14, 2007
Robert T Gallamore
Published in the The Indianapolis Star on Sept. 23, 2006
Indianapolis - Dr. R. Ray Hawkins, 88, of Indianapolis, recently of Carmel, IN died on June 18, 2019. He was born in Terre Haute, Indiana on April 15, 1931 to Harold and Violet Hawkins. Ray is survived by his wife of 58 years, Suzanne (Barclay), his two sons: James Hawkins (Christine) and John Hawkins (Christy) and eight grandchildren who will miss grandpa dearly: Will, Shannon, Rachel, Katherine (Jim) and Jack, Elizabeth, Joseph, and Michael (John).
Ray served his country as an Airman in the United States Air Force. Stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, Ray rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant working in the Statistical Services Division and was honorably discharged in 1959 to further pursue his post-secondary education.
Ray held a doctoral degree in Psychology from Indiana University as well as degrees and certificates from Indiana State University, Butler University, and Purdue University. Prior to earning his Ph.D., Ray was a dedicated teacher and department head at Manual High School in Indianapolis where he met his beloved wife. After earning his Master's degree in education, he became an adjunct professor in the School of Business at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis and directed the Counseling and Placement Center. In 1979, Ray left the world of education to join Eli Lilly and Company as a staff psychologist. During his 20-year career with Eli Lilly, he served as Senior Personnel Advisor to the executive staff, practiced psychology in the Lilly Employee Health Service Centers and ultimately served as the Director of Psychological Services. He retired in 1999.
Dr. Hawkins also lent his skills and outgoing personality to the Indiana Pacers as a staff doctor for 17 years, providing sports psychology and family counseling to the players and coaches and personality assessments for potential draft picks. He spent time working with the Indianapolis Colts in a similar capacity.
After he retired, Dr. Hawkins was very active in his community. He served on the Indiana State Board of Examiners in Psychology and served on the boards of the Indiana Historical Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana, Jameson Camp, and Goodwill Industries. Ray was an active member in the Indianapolis Literary Club, the University Club, the Columbia Club, Downtown Kiwanis, the Economic Club of Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Athletic Club, and the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce.
Ray was a Pacers and Colts season ticket holder and an ardent sports fan. He was a devoted member of Second Presbyterian Church, and he shared his knowledge and talents generously. Ray never met a stranger and was miraculously prepared to share a lecture about any topic or helpful advice at a moment's notice. Throughout his working years and retirement, Ray enjoyed gardening, reading, spending time on the beach in Siesta Key, FL and being surrounded by his family.
Visitation will be held on Monday, June 24th beginning at 11:00 am at Flanner Buchanan - Carmel, 325 East Carmel Drive. A celebration of Ray's life will follow the visitation at 1:00 pm. There will be a graveside service immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana or the Indiana Historical Society.
Published in the The Indianapolis Star on June 21, 2019
From Vic Jacobs...
Dr. Hawkins went out of his way to help me gain confidence when I was going back and forth between my parents. I went to his office as an assistant rather than going to study hall. I was him on turnabout day. I am sorry to hear of his passing. He was truly a great guy!