WEB SITE CREATED
BY SCOTT PARKS
Obituaries
Marcus A. Davis,
a resident of Daleville, Ala., died Thursday, July 28, 2005, at the Medical Center in Enterprise, Ala. He was 78. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 1 at the Ward Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Mike Deese officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery.
Adrian Zabala Sr.
Florida Times-Union on 1/6/2002. 1/4/02 11:21:54 AM Pacific Standard Time
Funeral services for Adrian Zabala, Sr., 85, who died Friday, January 4, 2002, will be held Monday at 2 p.m. from the graveside in Evergreen Cemetery (Gate #2) with Father Ron Camarda officiating. Mr. Zabala was a native of San Antonio de Los Banos, Cuba and was a longtime resident of Jacksonville, FL. He played professional baseball in the early 1940s in Jacksonville for the Tars, later to pitch for the New York Giants. In 1956 he returned to Jacksonville to play and coach the Jacksonville Braves. He had retired in 1981, after 20 years with St. Regis Paper Mill.
Cal Ripken, Sr.,
former manager and coach of the Baltimore Orioles, father of Orioles baseball star Cal Ripken, Jr., died today (03/25/99) from lung cancer. He was 63.Ripken died this afternoon at Johns Hopkins Oncology Center with his family by his bedside. He is survived by his wife, Violet, and four children and their families: daughter Eileen, sons Cal, Jr., Fred, and Bill and six grandchildren. Cal Ripken, Sr. was a player, scout, coach, and manager with the Orioles organization for 36 years. He was dismissed as the Orioles coach after the 1992 season. In 1987, Ripken, Sr. became the first father ever to manage two sons simultaneously in major league history. Cal, Jr. was building his major league record of consecutive games that ultimately extended to 2,632 games. Bill Ripken was the Orioles' second baseman during this time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Boys and Girls Club of Harford County, Maryland Special Olympics, or to the Ripken Museum. In the memory of Cal, Sr., the family plans to establish a foundation dedicated to teaching our youth the game of baseball.
Pete Hammer,
My father, Pete Hammer, passed away Feb. 8, 2004, at his home in Wetumpka, Al. He was 80 years old. He was born June 24, 1923, in Buffalo, New York. Pete talked about baseball everyday of his life. He adored hie friend, Neal Cobb. When I called Neal to tell him of my father's passing, it truly upset Mr. Cobb. Neal and my father were friends for many years. They both loved baseball. My father loved any sports, and I can say he was a sport himself. He was a lot of fun when I was very young. His passing was from heart failure. I miss him more than I can say. Thank you, Barbara Hammer Gunter.
Martin Hathcock
Hathcock, 84, a resident of Tallassee, Alabama, passed away April 9, 2007. He was born June 24, 1922. Hathcock was a veteran who served in
World War II in the Army Medical Corps. He was the last surviving member of the Tallassee Indians baseball teams that played in the Alabama-Florida League and the Georgia-Alabama Leagues. He was a shortstop for the 1946 and 1948 teams, batting .275 in 1946 and .212 in 1948. He retired from Mount Vernon Mills, where he worked for 43 years.
LIPSON, Adele Bloch (Sis) Lipson,
age 80, moved on to the next celebration on Sunday, May 15, 2005, surrounded by her friends and family, in Tampa, Florida. Born on February 18, 1925, in Selma, Alabama, she tasted life as a connoisseur extraordinaire. She lived in Pensacola for many years as Mrs. Jerome Bear before marrying Dr. Harry A. Lipson and moving to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and then Tampa. She was a long-time supporter of the American Heart Association, the Redbud Garden Club in Pensacola, the Sunset Park Garden Club in Tampa, and was a charter member, along with her husband Harry, of the Disney Dining Experience. Known throughout the region as an Honorary Food Ambassador for several local chef associations, she was well known for her enjoyment and appreciation of fine wines, gourmet foods and lovely couture. Sis was an avid collector of exotic cookbooks, and loved to entertain with a flamboyant flair for dining that will be long remembered by her family and friends. She is survived by her husband Harry, daughters Martha Bear of Tampa and Jeannie Bear of Scottsdale, Arizona, daughter Carolyn Lipson-Walker of Bloomington, Indiana, son Harry III of Arlington, Massachusetts, honorary daughter Josephine Forde, caregivers Debbie Tucker and Brenda Robinson, canine companion Hope, and many friends. Adele Bloch Lipson was the daughter of Maurice Bloch, owner of the Selma Cloverleafs and the namesake of Bloch Park in Selma. While in her twenties, Adele was the secretary for Cloverleafs team.
Gaylord L. “Mike” Lemish
Born July 27, 1926 Ft. Wayne, Ind.
Died Oct. 19, 2003 Ft. Worth, Tx.
Age 77. Inducted into Northeastern Indiana Hall of Fame 1983 A favorite of the Ft. Worth Cats. Please check out the Ft. Worth Cats website. All the above info. Is what was printed in the Moultrie Observer on Wed. Oct. 22, 2004. It’s a sad day in baseball with the loss of Mr. Lemish. Mr. Lemish was a fan favorite when he played for Moultrie. 1946 & 1947
Wendell Tarleton
By J.E. GESHWILE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitutionr
Wendell Tarleton played varsity football at the old Fulton High School and at the University of Georgia, but he truly sparkled on a baseball diamond. Years later, he would spend season after season as a volunteer coach passing on to aspiring baseball players what he had learned at bat and in the field. His best years as a player were with the Bulldogs in the mid-1950s. In 1955 he was UGA's most valuable player for leading his team in batting average, .455, and the Southeastern Conference in stolen bases. For his impressive numbers, he was named an all-SEC first-team outfielder. He played four years under UGA's famed football coach Wally Butts, too, beginning as a ballcarrier and playing his final season as a defensive back. The funeral for Mr. Tarleton, 68, of Conyers is 2 p.m. today at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Conyers. He died Tuesday of prostate cancer at Newton General Hospital. Horis A. Ward, Rockdale Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Tarleton tried his hand briefly at pro baseball, playing one season with the Panama City (Fla.) Flyers, a Milwaukee Braves farm club. However, after he was traded to the San Francisco Giants in the off-season, he decided he'd rather stay and raise a family in Georgia than relocate to the West Coast, said his wife, Val Tarleton. He took a job on the assembly line at the General Motors plant in Doraville and worked his way into supervisory positions, she said. After 28 years, he retired as reliability engineer. All the while, he kept his hand in amateur baseball, volunteering as an instructor in summer leagues and at Rockdale and Heritage high schools. Retired Heritage baseball coach Danny Blue of Monticello said Mr. Tarleton was an asset to the program. "Wendell was a good baseball man and helped our boys especially with hitting and outfield play. "In the summer of 1991, he and I also coached a team of 15- and 16-year-olds to a state championship in their division of the American Amateur Baseball Congress. Our kids defeated a team from Gainesville for the state title and went on to finish second in the Southeast region to a team from Mississippi. Survivors include four daughters, Mindy Walden and Dee Sheldon, both of Covington, and Jody Tarleton and Kea Tarleton, both of Conyers; three sons, Wendell Tarleton Jr. of Covington and Scott Tarleton and Tory Tarleton, both of Conyers; two sisters, Erma Buchanan of Kennesaw and Jean Campbell of Conyers; a brother, Jack Tarleton of Covington; and 14 grandchildren.
Bo Belinsky
c The Associated Press
LAS VEGAS (Nov. 24) -- Former major league pitcher Bo Belinsky, known as much for his colorful personality as his baseball career, has died of an apparent heart attack at his home in Las Vegas. He died Friday at 64. The left-hander pitched a nine-strikeout, four-walk no-hitter as a rookie for the Los Angeles Angels against the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium in 1962, the first major league no-hitter on the West Coast. But Belinsky gained as much notoriety for dating movie stars such as Mamie Van Doren, Ann-Margret, Tina Louise, Juliet Prowse and Connie Stevens. Selected out of the Baltimore Orioles' system by the Angels in 1961 expansion draft, Belinsky won his first three decisions. On May 5, 1962, the 25-year-old Belinsky had a live, riding fastball, a hard curve and baffling screwball, according to Bob "Buck'' Rodgers, who caught the no-hitter. Rodgers, who later managed the Milwaukee Brewers, Montreal Expos and Angels, said Belinsky had overpowering stuff on the night of the no-hitter. "He could challenge anybody with that fastball,'' Rodgers, who managed the Milwaukee Brewers, Montreal Expos and Angels. "He got the screwball over early, but the fastball set up everything. "Even on the last out, it was a 3-1 fastball to Dave Nicholson and Bo threw him a fastball right down Broadway. He fouled out to third. When Bo was on, he had that electric kind of stuff.'' Shortly after the no-hitter, Belinsky became part of the Hollywood scene, developing a reputation as a pool-hustling, heavy-drinking playboy. Belinsky had a much-publicized romance with Van Doren. "We've had a love affair that's continued a long time,'' Van Doren told The Associated Press on Saturday. "I lost someone that was a very special part of my life. This is very sad for me. "Our life was a circus. We were engaged on April Fools Day and broke the engagement on Halloween. It just broke my heart, and his, too. It was a wild ride, but a lot of fun.'' Belinsky finished 10-11 his rookie season, his finest in the majors. Belinsky was 28-51 with 476 strikeouts and an ERA of 4.10 in an eight-year career that included stints with the Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds. "You know, I've probably gotten more mileage winning 28 games in the majors than most guys who've won 200,'' Belinsky told the Las Vegas Review-Journal last summer before the minor league Las Vegas 51s hosted "Bo Belinsky Night.'' After retiring from baseball in 1970, Belinsky married and divorced Playboy Playmate centerfold Jo Collins. He also married and divorced paper heiress Janie Weyerhaeuser, with whom he had twin daughters. Belinsky, who had bladder cancer, worked in customer relations for the Findlay Automotive Group for nearly 10 years. He was sober for the final 25 years of his life, was a born-again Christian and was active in his church, the Trinity Life Center. Belinsky loved to rhapsodize about the old times, but developed a deep religious belief, which former Angels teammate Dean Chance said allowed him to accept his fate. "Bo was a one-of-a-kind guy and there won't be another one like him,'' Chance, a Cy Young winner and close friend of Belinsky told the Review-Journal. "He was full of cancer, his heart was bad and his hip was hurting him terribly at the end. "He had slipped and fallen, and it was really tough on him. But he had made his peace with the Lord and he is probably better off today than he was last week. He's not suffering terribly any more.'' Belinsky was born in New York in 1936 and began hanging out in New Jersey pool halls at the age of 14. Belinsky was estranged from his daughters for more than 20 years. Funeral arrangements are pending, according to Davis Funeral Home in Las Vegas.
George B Wehmeyer
George Wehmeyer, who played for the 1951 Tallahassee Citizens, passed away last month on the 28th of October 2003 from cancer. Wehmeyer was buried on the 29th of October.
- George J Wehmeyer JR
Marion "Bill" Adair
June 18, 2002 at 4:20:18 PDT
ASSOCIATED PRESS BAY MINETTE, Ala.- Bill Adair, who managed the Chicago White Sox for 10 games in 1970 and was Hank Aaron's first minor league manager, died Monday. He was 89. Adair was the third base coach for the White Sox in 1970 when he filled in as manager for 10 games between Don Gutteridge and Chuck Tanner. His record was 4-6. In 1952, Adair played second base and served as manager of the Milwaukee Braves' farm team in Eau Claire, Wis. One of his players was Aaron. "I learned an awful lot from him as a young kid," Aaron said Monday night. "He gave me the foundation I needed to start out." That summer, despite starting late in the season and playing only 87 games, Aaron batted .336 with nine home runs and was selected the league's MVP. Aaron, who went on to become baseball's career home run leader, said Adair was well-respected in the Braves organization and supported integration in its early days in baseball. Adair continued to coach for the Braves in Milwaukee and shortly after they moved to Atlanta. Adair also served as manager of the Panama City (Fla.) Fliers in the defunct Alabama-Florida League and won the pennant in 1955.
Art Shockley
Arthur L. Shockley Jr, 66, died Friday, March 15, 2002 at his home in Tyaskin. He was born in Salisbury to the late Arthur Lee Shockley. Mr. Shockley worked as a civil engineer in soil conservation and surveying for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. After graduating from Snow Hill High School, he was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1963, where he played professional baseball for two years. He was the co-founder of the Snow Hill Little League Baseball. He also managed Colt and Pony leagues for several years. He played league softball until his health forced him to quite just a couple years ago. In 1965 he was inducted into the Eastern Shore Baseball Hall Of Fame. Art was also a charter member of the Eastern Shore Baseball Foundation, Inc. He was recipient of a national award for Volunteer Of The Year for the Department of Parks and Recreation and a former member of the Snow Hill Volunteer Fire Department where he was an instructor for the EMT and CPR classes. He served as a scoutmaster and was president of the Delmar Kiwanis. Art was an elder at the Fruitland Christian Church in Fruitland.
Ross "Rosey" Glihousen
(from an obit sent by Lloyd R Gilhousen of Pasadena dated 12/24/97). Ross "Rosie" Gilhousen, 84, whose baseball career spanned more than 60 years as a player and scout, died Saturday at the Rancho Mirage Health Care Center. Gilhousen, whose got his start in professional baseball in 1931 as a player, went on to scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals and California Angels, signing the likes of George Brett, Andy Messersmith and Steve Busby. He lived in Rancho Mirage for the past 22 years. "We've seen everything happen," said Gilhousen's widow, Gertrude. "I wasn't at the signing (of George Brett, but) oh mercy, yes (it was a big deal.) "He signed over 100 baseball players who have played in the major leagues. He had quite an outstanding career in scouting operations in baseball." Gilhousen began scouting for the Pirates after a rotator-cuff injury ended his playing career. He then became one of Gene Autry's original employees when the Los Angeles Angels franchise was formed. He later moved on to Kansas City, but ended his career with the Angels after Autry asked him back on a special assignment that lasted from 1989 to 1992. Albie Pearson, who went on to become the 1958 American League Rookie of the Year with the Washington Senators, met Gilhousen for the first time when he was a 17-year-old. He remembered Gilhousen as a light-hearted man who loved working with young athletes. "He tired to sign me when he was scouting for the Pirates," Pearson said. "He was a referee in a football game in 1952. I was running back a punt and I got hit in a big pileup. He was pulling guys off and saying, 'Get off him. I want to sign him.' He as making a joke." - Courtesy Gilhousen Family Association, © 2004Dick Meckley
Mr. Richard G. Meckley
was born April 27, 1919 in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. He was raised with an older brother and sister [Claude and Anna Mae]..He attended Hershey High School at nearby Hershey, Pa.. Mr. Meckley answered the call and went into the army during World War II serving in the Philippines. He also served in the Korean War. He met Eunice White, a 2nd Lieutenant Army Nurse, at Camp Stewart, Ga. After a brief time of service at Ft. Benning, Ga. , they made their home in Dothan, Alabama in 1949.. He worked at Fort Rucker as a civilian comptroller for five years.. He then started his sports journey working with Mr. Jess Swicegood at WDIG radio, hosting Dothan's first call in radio show in the mid 50's. Mr. Meckley was the voice of the Dothan Cardinals Minor League Baseball team at Wiregrass Stadium, where son Shannon served as the bat boy. In the late 50's he refereed high school football and basketball throughout the Wiregrass area. In the 60's his unique voice could be heard over the P.A. system calling play by play for local sporting events at Rip Hewes Stadium.. In addition, he was the voice of Dothan High football and basketball over the radio, and he loved playing the song "Sweet Georgia Brown" over the speakers as the Dothan High basketball team entered the court..He also hosted a baseball show on Channel 4 T.V. He painted a beautiful picture as he called Dixie Youth Baseball on the radio. "Hi everybody, this is Dick Meckley high above the 18th green bringing you The Future Masters Golf Tournament." He was only on a 6 foot high scaffolding, but you felt so close on radio to a tournament he loved.. In the 60's he also introduced the little mascot footballs and basketballs thrown out at games. In 1970 he joined the PGA TOUR working for Golf Radio Network and was offered a job by WABC TV NEW YORK to work on tour.. In Sept of 1971 he joined AA and remained sober for 29 years [ a great accomplishment]. Mr. Meckley moved to Jacksonville, Florida in the early 70's where he met his 2nd wife, Ginny. He served as National Account Mgr. for AAA Cooper Transportation from 1976 to 1983.. In 1980 he became 1 of 30 founding members of the TPC at SAWGRASS..In 1983 upon the recommendation of close friend Pete Davison , Mr. Meckley was hired by Roger Cleveland as the 1st Tour Rep for Cleveland Golf on the PGA TOUR.. He made the wedge No 1 on tour, and the players nicknamed him ' Lo Tec Meck ' for his love of persimmon woods.. He served Cleveland until 1993 and then worked as Tour Rep for Hogan and Wood Bros. Mr. Meckley had many friends on the PGA TOUR and held a special affection for the PGA TOUR Bible Study.. He retired from the PGA TOUR in 1996.
George Arthur Horkan Jr.
MOULTRIE George Arthur Horkan Jr., 78, of Moultrie died Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005, at Colquitt Regional Medical Center.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 4, at First Presbyterian Church of Moultrie with the Rev. Hugh Ward officiating. Interment will be in Westview Cemetery. Born March 9, 1926 in Colquitt County, Mr. Horkan was the son of the late George Arthur Horkan Sr., and the late Martha Olliff Horkan. He served as Senior Judge in the Superior Courts of Georgia and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving on the USS Atlanta during World War II. Mr. Horkan was chairman of the Board of Deacons and an Elder at Moultrie First Presbyterian Church and a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He was a life-long resident of Moultrie and graduated from Moultrie High School in 1943. He received an A.B. degree from Mercer University in Macon in 1950 and a J.D. degree, cum laude, from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1952. He also served on the University of Georgia Honor Court and as a student editor of the Georgia Bar Journal in 1952. He practiced law in Moultrie from 1952 to 1969 after being admitted to practice law in the Georgia and Federal Courts in 1952. He also served as District Attorney of the Southern Judicial Circuit of Georgia from 1969 to 1972. He served as Moultrie Municipal Court Judge from 1957 to 1969 and as Superior Court Judge with the Southern Judicial Circuit of Georgia from 1972 to 1994. He also served as Chief Judge of the Circuit from 1979 to 1994 and as Senior Judge of the Superior Courts of Georgia since 1995. He was president of the Moultrie Bar Association and served as a member of the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission from 1977 to 1981, the Georgia Criminal Justice Council from 1975 to 1976, the Judicial Council of Georgia in 1982, as Administrative Judge for the Second Judicial Circuit of Georgia and was a member of the Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia since 1972. In addition to his judicial work, Mr. Horkan served as Moultrie Kiwanis Club President in 1963, an adult advisor for the Moultrie Youth Center, president of the Elementary School PTA, president of the semi-pro Dixie Baseball League, director of the Georgia-Florida Professional Baseball League, president of the Moultrie Touchdown Club, director of Sunset Country Club and director of the Moultrie YMCA.
Ronald James Lacey
January 12, 1936 - October 15, 2006
Memorial services for Ronald James Lacey, 70, will be held Oct. 20, 2006, at 10 a.m. at the Colyer Funeral Home Chapel in Torrington, with Pastor Glen Bugher officiating. Ronald died on Oct. 15, 2006, at Goshen Community Care Center. Arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home, and friends are invited to send condolences to the family at www.colyerfuneralhome.com. He was born Ronald James Lacey, the son of Fred and Helen (Cronin) Lacey on Jan. 12, 1936, in Monterey, Calif. When he was 6, the family moved to Spreckles, Calif., where he received his high school education and degree in 1954. During his high school years he played minor league baseball for the Milwaukee Braves. After baseball retirement, Ronald worked in the Bay area as a design engineer for the Stauffer Chemical Company for 15 years. In 1968, he married Charlie Neilsen and the couple made California their home for many years. They moved to Casper in 1992 and lived there for three years before moving to Alaska in 1995 to work for Northern Engineering. However in 1999, Ronald retired and the couple moved back to Wyoming where they made Torrington their home. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and an occasional golf game now and then. Ronald was a member of the Torrington Elks and Moose lodge. He is survived by his wife, Charlie Lacey, two sons Scott and Karen Lacey of Torrington, and Mike and Dianna of California; two daughters, Kim Lacey and Lori Lacey of California, and 10 grandchildren. Ronald was preceded in death by his parents and a brother.
William Mayes Dobbins
Wm. Mayes Dobbins -MT. VERNON - Wm. Mayes Dobbins, age 78, of 611 East dobbins Street, Mt,. Vernon, died Friday, November 7, at his residence after an extended illness. He was a native of Cobb County, living in Macon and Savanna for several years and moving to Mt. Vernon in 1951 as Teacher/Coach at Mt. Vernon-Ailey High School. He was a US Veteran of World War II serving in the European Theater. He was 1946 graduate of Lanier high School in Macon, earning his B.A. from Mercer University in Macon, his Master Degree from Peabody College in NashvilleTennesee, and a degree in Administration from Georgia Southern College in Statesboro. He was a Montgomery County High School Coach ,leading two girls teams to State Championships in 1961 and 1971. In 1978 retired as Principal of Montegomery County High School. From, 1950 to 1954, he played semi-pro baseball with Georgia-Alabama League, the Florida State league and the Georgia State league. In 1977, he was inducted into the Mercer University Athletic Hall of Fame. He was a member or the Montegomery County Board of Education, member of the Mount Vernon Post of the VFW, the Vidalia Moose Club, the Rocky Creek Golf Club and was a lifetime member of the Georgia High School Athletic Association. He was a member and Elder the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, where he formerly served as a Sunday School Superintendent, Teacher, Secretary and Treasurer. Published in The Macon Telegraph on 11/9/2003.
William "Chick" Earle
William "Chick" Earle of Andalusia died Saturday, September 9, 2006 in a Montgomery hospital. Funeral services will be Tuesday, September 12 at 2 p.m. from the First Baptist Church of Andalusia with minister Herb Carlisle officiating. Interment will follow at Andalusia Memorial Cemetery. Visitation was held Tuesday at Foreman Funeral Home and will be held at the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Pallbearers will be, Vernell Craig, Sammy Brown, Marshall Bentley, Earl McBryde, Danny Hall, Lucky Cope and Jimmy Wilson. Honorary pallbearers will be former players of Little League and Andalusia High School baseball teams that "Chick" coached. He is survived by his nephew, Charles S. Earle of Largo, Fla.; his nieces, Betty Majors of St Petersburg, Fla., and Charlotte Bauer of Seminole Fla.; his cousins, Ruby Southwell of Andalusia, Diane Williams of Montgomery and Salter Austin Jr. of Orlando, Fla. "Chick", as he was known, came to Andalusia in the late 1940's, after serving in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, to play baseball for the Class D Old Alabama Florida League. He was a team member of the Andalusia Arrows. He went on to play semi-pro ball in the Conecuh River League with the Goshen Eagles. While playing baseball, "Chick" broke his leg. When he healed and came back to play, he ran with a bit of a hobble and his teammates started saying he ran like a "one legged chicken". Thus started his lifelong nickname of "Chick". After his baseball playing days were over, "Chick" started coaching Little League Baseball in Andalusia in 1954. He coached for 42 years and coached his last game with as much enthusiasm and love of the sport as he had for his first game. "Chick" also served as assistant baseball coach for many years for the Andalusia High School baseball team. In 1984, "Chick" was honored for his dedication to the game and his dedication to Andalusia's youth by having the Little League field at Johnson Park named "Chick" Earle Field in his honor. He was 82.
Robert W. Bettin
69, of Oshkosh, passed away at home on Tuesday, December 21, 2004, following a determined battle with cancer. He was born in Oshkosh on February 15, 1935, a son of the late Harry and Esther (Nimmer) Bettin. Bob was a Class B baseball player expecting to be moved up to the Baltimore Orioles when he was drafted by the US Army in 1957. He played baseball and football while he was in the service, traveling worldwide and winning a world baseball championship. Bob was an avid Cubs fan. He worked for Initial Security at Oshkosh Truck after his retirement from a 40-year career as a mail carrier in Neenah. He was a life-long member of Emmanuel United Church of Christ, served on the church council and taught Sunday School. Vanis Werdin accepted his marriage proposal and they were joined in matrimony on May 3, 1987 at the Candlelight Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas by the Rev. Hart. They shared life and love these past 17˝ years, traveling extensively and together they enjoyed the arts.
Pat Dobson
11/23/06
SAN FRANCISCO -- Pat Dobson, 64, one of four Baltimore Orioles pitchers to win 20 games in 1971, died in a San Diego area hospital on Wednesday night. The cause of death was not immediately known. Dobson had an 11-year Major League career and had served with the San Francisco Giants the past nine seasons as an advance scout and special assistant to general manager Brian Sabean. The right-handed Dobson was 20-8 with a 2.90 ERA for the Orioles in 1971 and combined with Dave McNally (21-5), Mike Cuellar (20-9) and Jim Palmer (20-10) to guide Baltimore to a 101-victory season and the American League pennant. The 1920 Chicago White Sox are the only other club in Major League history with four 20-game winners. Dobson further excelled in 1971 by sporting a 12-game winning streak and a 23-inning scoreless stretch. He climaxed that campaign by throwing a 2-0 no-hitter against the Yomiuri Giants in an exhibition game in Tokyo. Dobson was 122-129 lifetime with a 3.54 ERA in 414 games (279 starts) for Detroit, San Diego, Baltimore, Atlanta, the New York Yankees and Cleveland from 1967-77. He helped guide the Tigers to the 1968 world championship, while his 1971 Orioles club lost to the Pirates in the World Series. He was an All-Star with the Orioles in 1972, though he finished 16-18, but with a 2.65 ERA. "He had a great curveball," Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, Dobson's teammate with the Orioles, told the Associated Press. "He was a real gamer, a real competitor. He didn't give in to anybody." Orioles executive vice president for baseball operations Mike Flanagan issued the following statement after learning of Dobson's passing: "The sudden death of Pat Dobson deeply saddens me and the entire Orioles organization. Pat had his best seasons as a player in an Orioles uniform and will be fondly remembered by Orioles fans. "I got to know Dobber well when he returned to our organization as pitching coach in 1996 and will never forget the fun times we had, talking baseball and telling stories, before and after games." Dobson joined the Giants organization in 1997 after serving as Orioles pitching coach in 1996. Dobson also was a pitching coach for Milwaukee (1982-84), San Diego (1988-90) and Kansas City (1991). He served as the Colorado Rockies' first advance scout from 1993 to 1995. Dobson also spent five years as a Minor League pitching instructor. He managed the Fort Myers Sun Sox in the Senior League in 1989-90.
Harry "Jack" Clifton
Stan Houston the Grandson-in-law of Harry "Jack" Clifton, informed me that Jack passed away on Tuesday evening, Jan 9, 2007, at his home in Blakely, Ga. He was 88 years old. Stan says, " We all new him as "Daddy Jack" and he was a great man, father, grandfather and great grandfather to all of us". Jack truly loved baseball and always regretted that he didn't give the major leagues a try. He still holds the record at the University of Georgia for the most wins as a pitcher. He was also a tailback at UGA. I was fortunate to have talked to Jack over the phone a number of times and in August of 2003, I spent an afternoon with him. I went to Blakely to interview Jack, and I was sure what kind guy I find him to be. From what I read about Clifton, I half expected a hard-nosed, gruff man, but I couldn't have been more wrong: Jack was a warm, interesting, friendly guy that I liked immediately. He was modest about his baseball skills and even more modest about his accomplishments in the business world after his playing days were over. I know the death of Ottis Johnson in 1951 haunted him to some degree. He had to shoulder the burden of the unfortunate accident for 56 years. Some newspaper accounts might lead a person to believe that Jack Clifton was a headhunter. I found that image to be a total fabrication. He was a bright, talented, good soul who deserves to be honoured for his skills and his courage. Jack, I will truly miss you.
Clifton and Scott Parks in 2003
E.A. "Moose" Hope
E. A. (Moose) Hope, 85, of Enterprise, Ala., passed away Saturday, July 7, 2007, at Medical Center Enterprise.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 10, at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church with Dr. G. Lance Hogan and the Rev. Fox Fleming officiating. Burial will follow in the Enterprise City Cemetery with Searcy Funeral Home directing. Hope will be taken to the church one hour before service time. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, Monday, July 9, from 6 until 8 p.m. Hope was preceded in death by his parents, Dave and Alta Hope; and a sister, Beulah. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Jenelle Hope; two sons and a daughter-in-law, David and Debbie Hope and Bill Hope, all of Enterprise, Ala.; four grandchildren, Billy (Nikki) Hope, Enterprise, Ala., Justin Hope, Enterprise, Ala., Adam (Beth) Fulton, Chattanooga, Tenn., Mandi Stephenson, Troy, Ala.; two great-grandchildren.
Serving as pallbearers will be Jackie Robinette, Hal Carrington, Max Watkins, Buck Hanson, Richard Pipkin and Ricky Snellgrove.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Jack Thomas, Dr. John Lester, Billy Murdock and Richard Fleming.
Published in the Enterprise Ledger on 7/10/2007.