William Rhodes Dick, age 82, passed on Tuesday, October 27, 2020.

He was born in Hartford, Connecticut on April 5, 1938 to Paul and Phoebe (Rhodes) Dick.

William is survived by his children, Phillip Joseph Dick of Mississippi and Elizabeth (Joseph) Shewell of Youngstown, Ohio.

William was very active in local community bands and he enjoyed researching family genealogy.  He was known as “the popcorn man” at local car shows and events and for his portrayal of Santa Claus.  William was artistic and that talent was evident in his carvings of lilac wood which he made into various crosses and animals to sell at local craft fairs.

Besides his parents, William was also preceded in death by his sister, Emmy Lou Chaples.

Paschal Memorial Funeral Home of 181 North Church St. Jeffersonville,GA announces the Graveside Service for Mr. Christian Perry, 28, of Atlanta, GA who passed away Thursday Oct. 22, 2020.

Graveside services will be held Saturday Oct. 31, 2020 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church cemetery 8202 GA Hwy 96 Jeffersonville, GA at 11:00 a.m.

Public viewing will be held Friday at Rucker & Shelton Funeral Home, 2199 Candler Rd. Decatur, GA 30032 from 1:00-6:00 p.m.

Public viewing will also be held Saturday at The Graveside Services.

Due to COVID-19, masks are required for viewing and service.

Professional services are entrusted to Paschal Memorial Funeral Home of Jeffersonville, GA.

Preston Andrew Spencer, 35, of Tyler, was born on July 20, 1985 to Tony and Vicki Spencer in Henderson, Texas. He attended Carlilse schools and graduated in 2003, ranked third in his class, and was voted as Mr. CHS and Prom King. He then attended Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas where he was a member of the Apache Band, Wind Ensemble, and Tuba/Euphonium Choir. He was instrumental in the recolonization of the Zeta Xi chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at TJC. After completing his Associate of Music degree, he transferred to Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He was a member of the Spirit of Northwestern (SON) band, Tuba/Euphonium studio, and the Theta Nu chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. He received a Bachelor of Music and as a band director touched the lives of many.

He passed away on October 17, 2020 in Tyler and was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Clyde and Margaret Spencer of New London, Texas; his maternal grandparents, Jimmy and Joyce Foster of Henderson, Texas; and his grandmother-in-law, Ruth Craigo of Pineville, Louisiana. He is survived by his loving wife and soulmate, Amanda Spencer of Tyler, Texas; parents, Tony and Vicki Spencer of Leesville, Louisiana; sister, Paige Cryer and husband Jeremy and children Faith Cryer, Breanna Mooney, Caitlyn Mooney, Jeremy Cryer II, and Evangeline Cryer; and great-nephew, Kailen Burgess. Also surviving are in-laws, Mel and Lisa Sarvis and son Blake of Pineville, Louisiana; a host of uncles, aunts and cousins, Chris and Stephanie Comstock and son Gabriel of Tyler, Texas; and a plethora of brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity.

The celebration of life service for Preston will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 10:30 am at New Covenant Church in Tyler with Pastor Roger Sims Jr. officiating under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home.

Honorary pallbearers are the Alpha Line of the Zeta Xi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at Tyler Junior College: Shannon Charvis, Joshua Craddock, Mark Dorsey, Giquan Garrett, Matthew Maldonado, Steven Mullens, Marc Nicholson, Jake Penrod, Tyler Prock, CT Ricks, Will Ross, and Jamey Whitley.

James R. Wallace, 78, passed away September 17, 2020 at Mercy Hospital of Folsom. James was born in Van Nuys, Calif., September 13, 1942. He married Judith Henry, November 23, 1968. They later divorced. He was a devoted father of two sons.

James graduated from Tehachapi H.S. in 1960 and attended Bakersfield College, where he was a member of the Bakersfield College Marching Band. He graduated from Sacramento State University in 1964 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. He was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. He served two years in the U.S. Army, including eleven months in Viet Nam. In 1968 he settled in Sacramento, Calif. and began a 30+ year career with Wells Fargo Bank. He was a member of Rotary Club.

He retired in 2001 and traveled throughout the United States and abroad. He was a photographer with the Purdue Marching Band, traveling with them during football season. He relocated to West Lafayette, Indiana, but kept ties with his home in Sacramento.

James is survived by sons, Brian Wallace, of Sacramento and Jeffrey Wallace, of Hood River, Oregon and sister Judy Wiggins, of Bakersfield, Calif., daughter in law, Anna Butterfield and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his adopted daughter, Tiffany Anne Wallace.

A service will be held at Tahoe Taverns in Tahoe City, at noon on October 24, 2020.

George Ed Sparks, 70, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) at James Madison University and a resident of Harrisonburg, Virginia, passed away on Sunday, September 13, 2020 at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia.

George was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on June 17, 1950 to Florence Byrd and George Washington Sparks. He received his undergraduate degree from Henderson State University in Arkansas, his master’s degree from the University of Michigan, and his doctoral degree in conducting from Louisiana State University. George was a talented clarinet player, music teacher, and conductor whose high standards of musicianship inspired fellow musicians, students, and colleagues alike.

Prior to joining JMU as dean of the CVPA, George served as Director of Bands (1995-2005) and as the inaugural director of the School of the Arts (2005-2008) at Florida Atlantic University. He was also the founding musical director and conductor of the FAU Wind Symphony of Florida.

During his tenure at JMU (2008-2020), George oversaw the construction of the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts and CVPA facility expansions and upgrades, established an Arts Learning Community and residence hall for on-campus arts students, initiated a Cultural Connections guest artist series, and strengthened a network of opportunities for arts students by facilitating connections between the CVPA and local, state, national, and international arts and arts education organizations. He was a dedicated, inspiring and selfless administrator, educator and arts advocate who worked tirelessly to ensure that students benefited from the CVPA’s focus on the arts’ value to human creativity, the human spirit, and the community.

George is survived by his wife, Sheryl Gifford. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, students, and all who knew him.

A celebration of George’s life is scheduled for 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church. Please note: due to COVID restrictions, attendance at the church is limited to family and guests by invitation only.

Mr. Russell Boone, MVSC Band Director, attended the public schools of St. Louis, Missouri, playing in both the band and the orchestra in high school. He graduated Cum Laude from Lincoln University of Missouri and received a master’s degree from the University of Missouri. He has also done some work at St. Louis University and the University of Illinois. For a number of years, he was Drum Major, Music Arranger, and Drill Instructor of the American Legion Post 77 Drum and Bugle Corps of St. Louis, Missouri. This group has been in many times state champions and has represented the state in the National Championship. At the Chicago Convention in 1939, he won the trophy as best drum major in the National Parade. During World War II, he served in the Navy as a musician. In addition to playing duties, he was Drum major and Drill Instructor for the Negro Bands assembled and trained at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Before coming to MVSC, Mr. Boone was Band Director and Music Instructor at the Douglas Junior Senior High School in Columbia, Missouri, where his band won top honors in state and out-of-state festivals and engaged in an extensive exchange concert program with other high schools. He is was member of the Mississippi Teachers Association, Phi Delta Kappa, College Band Directors’ National Association, and served for two years as Chairman of the Columbia Fine Arts Teachers Association. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated.

Under the leadership of Mr. Russell Boone, the Mississippi Valley State College Band changed the total thinking philosophy of what school bands should present within the total performance package. Breaking new grounds in contemporary concepts in band innovation under Mr. Boone’s leadership, the program was the first to break away from the traditional marching band cliché to the Drum Corp Style in 1961, by introducing “atmospheric ornamentation” and drill designs within the field show presentations. The halftime shows ran the gamut of standard marches, Show & Broadway musicals, classical excerpts, and popular tunes. Other accolades and accomplishments include the following:

• New Uniforms, New Instruments, & New Music in his first year.
• Lead Band of the Mississippi State Fair Parade
• Hosted “First Annual Band Day District Festival” 1962 & 1963
• 500 Festival Parade – Indianapolis, Indiana May 28, 1962
• Implementation of the College Swing Band
• named band the “101 Piece” Marching Band 1963
• Southeast Regional Concert Tours – 1962, 1963, 1964
• 500 Festival Parade – Indianapolis, Indiana, 1964
• Tournament of Roses Parade – Pasadena, California January 1, 1965 (First HBCU to be invited)
• Main Street USA Parade at Disneyland, January 2, 1965
• He named the band the “MVC133” 1965 (Showing growth in membership)
• Tournament of Roses Parade – Pasadena, California January 1, 1968 (First HBCU to be invited twice)
• President Richard M. Nixon Inaugural Parade – Washington, D.C. January 1969 (2nd HBCU Band to Perform)

With his love for music and service, he led seventeen bandsmen 4 women and their assistant band director T.W. Tyler, along with their Music Department Chairman, F.P. Abraham and University President, Dr. James Herbert White, chartered the first HBCU chapter in Mississippi. Joining the ranks of other chapters of Kappa Kappa Psi in Mississippi, including the Epsilon Chapter of Mississippi State University, Beta Beta Chapter of the University of Mississippi, and Gamma Chi Chapter of University of Southern Mississippi, the Mississippi Vocational College (Mississippi Valley State University), received the charter of Delta Pi Chapter on May 5, 1962. Delta Pi, along with Tau Beta Sigma – Gamma Eta Chapter were the FIRST Fraternity and Sorority on the Mississippi Valley State University Campus at the time of the charter. Mr. Boone served as Director of Bands from 1960-1972. He later served as Chairman of the Fine Arts Department from 1972-7981 and from 1984-1987. In October 2019, Mr. Boone was honored by the Delta Pi Alumni Association with the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Silver Baton Award from the Kappa Kappa Psi National Office. Mr. Russell Boone died peacefully at his home in St. Louis, Missouri on September 10, 2020 at the age of 99.

Alfred George James Wright was born in London, England on June 23rd, 1916, to Alfred Francis Wright and Elizabeth Tilley Chapman Wright. After he finished the first grade his family immigrated to America on the Mauretania and settled in Pontiac, Michigan. The family stayed with Al’s Uncle, George Wright, for six weeks before buying a small house. His father started working for the Pontiac Motor Company as a tool and machinist while his mother was a professional seamstress. The local band director, Dale Harris, who was also the founder of the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA), visited Al’s parents and recruited him to play okay Horn in the high school band. After graduation from Pontiac High School, Dr. Wright earned a full music scholarship to the University of Miami in Florida where he earned both a bachelor’s degree (1937) and a master’s degree (1947). He taught band and orchestra at Miami Senior High School from 1938-1954, where Dr. Wright led the program to national prominence. The Miami Senior High Band performed at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago in 1951.

In 1954, Al Wright was named Director of Bands at Purdue University, a position he held until his retirement in 1981. Upon retirement, he was named Director of Bands Emeritus. While at Purdue, Dr. Wright was credited with introducing a “show band” style to Purdue University with intricate drill formations, picture shows, and a flashy high step style of marching. During his time at Purdue, Dr. Wright added positions to the marching band including the Golden Girl, the Girl in Black, the Silver Twins, the Flag Corps, and the Golduster Dance Team. It was Wright who also started the stirring patriotic tradition of I Am An American. He brought guest conductors to Purdue including Arthur Fiedler from the Boston Pops, Henry Fillmore, Edwin Franko Goldman, Karl King, Ferde Grofe, Sir Vivian Dunn, and Paul LaValle. Dr. Wright’s Purdue Bands traveled around the world including performances in Colombia, Venezuela, Japan, Canada, Holland, and other destinations in Europe. Under Wright’s leadership, members of Purdue’s marching band also appeared in four separate productions at Radio City Music Hall for a total of 664 performances. In 1971, Dr. Wright started the Purdue orchestra program. He is credited with literally putting the Purdue Band program on the map.

Al Wright was considered a pioneer in the band profession, having served as President of numerous professional organizations. In 1961, he founded the National Band Association (NBA), serving as its founding president, secretary-treasurer, and Honorary Life President. He was eventually inducted into the the NBA Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors at Troy University. He served as the President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board of the John Philip Sousa Foundation and founded the United States Collegiate Wind Bands. He was inducted into the prestigious American Bandmasters Association in 1949, served as ABA President in 1981, and Honorary Life President until his death. He held memberships in the Big Ten Band Directors Association, the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), the Music Educator’s National Association (MENC), and was a 4-year member of the Jury for World Music Festivals in Kerkrade, Holland. Dr. Wright also served as President of the Florida Bandmasters Association, the Florida Orchestra Association, and the Florida Music Educators Association. He was also inducted into the Florida Bandmasters Hall of Fame and the University of Miami Band Hall of Fame.

Numerous organizations honored Al Wright with honorary memberships including Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Beta Mu, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He was elected to the Academy of Winds and Percussive Arts and received the Star of the Order of Merit from the Sousa Foundation. Kappa Kappa Psi presented him with their Distinguished Service Medal and in 1982, Purdue University awarded him the Distinguished Alumnus Award. In addition, he was the recipient of an honorary LLD degree from Troy University. In 2016, both Al and Gladys Stone Wright were awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the Midwest Clinic. Both Al and Gladys were also awarded Lifetime Achievement Award by the international band fraternity, Phi Beta Mu and ASBDA.

Wright served as guest conductor, lecturer, and adjudicator in most of the 50 states, in five Canadian provinces, Japan, Europe, and England. He is listed in Marquis’ Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World. In 2003, Dr. Wright was honored by Purdue Band Alumni when a bust of his likeness was placed outside the Purdue Bands entrance at the Elliott Hall of Music. The Purdue Bands & Orchestras department chair position bears his name. The largest rehearsal hall in the new Purdue Bands & Orchestras facility will be named for Al G. Wright.

In 1938, Al Wright married Marie Farmer. Their daughters and families include: daughter Adele Marie Wright, married to George Ronald Needham; grandson Scott Needham, wife, Anne-Marie Szabo and great granddaughter, Melanie Needham; grandson, David Needham, wife, Kimberly Routh, and great granddaughters Delaney and Kaitlyn Needham; granddaughter, Jennifer Needham Graf, husband Shawn, and great grandsons Jordan and Peyton Graf. Daughter, Cynthia Elaine Wright, married to the late Lawrence Edward Williams; grandson, Charles Williams, wife, Melody Shanks, and great grandchildren, Kiley Shanks and Calvin Williams; granddaughter, Laura Williams, husband, Chris Saucedo and great grandchildren, Nick and Mia Saucedo.

Al married Gladys Stone Wright in 1953. They were married for 67 years. Al and Gladys traveled the world together and she was the love of his life. She survives. Gladys Wright’s family includes a brother Murvel Stone Jr. and a sister Carole Stone Willavage, 13 nephews and nieces and over 25 great nephews and nieces.

A service will be held at Slayter Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Purdue University on Friday, September 11, at 2:30pm for family and invited guests. Due to issues related to COVID-19, masks will be required. The service will also be virtually broadcast. Details concerning the virtual service will be available at www.purdue.edu/bands. Burial will follow at the Spring Vale Cemetery in Lafayette. Gladys Wright asks that friends consider donations to Purdue Bands & Orchestras (giving.purdue.edu/bands) in memory of Dr. Wright to support the Hagle Hall building project. A “Celebration of Life” will be held in the coming months to honor Dr. Wright. You may sign the guest book and leave memories at www.soller-baker.com

John Walter Kissack Sr., 91, of Gering, Nebraska passed away August 29, at home with his loving wife holding his hand, daughter Diana also at his side. John was born to Elmer and Marie (Pfeffer) Kissack in Flint, Michigan, on August 6, 1929. John’s family moved to Scottsbluff when he was 15. John graduated from Scottsbluff High School as salutatorian in 1947.

He survived the blizzard of 1949, after spending three days stranded in a vehicle when returning to college after Christmas break. At CU-Boulder, John was a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Alpha Iota chapter (Honorary Band Fraternity), and Alpha Kappa Psi, Gamma Zeta chapter (Business Fraternity). He played in the marching band and jazz band. He graduated with a BS in Business Administration in 1951.

John enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1951. He received an Honorable Discharge for medical reasons.

John began working in his father’s business, Kissack Company, Office Outfitters, winning top seller for the region many times. He worked for 52 years.

John married Marjorie (Monasmith) of Lincoln, NE on August 27, 1955 in Boulder, CO. They had five children. They had just celebrated their 65^th wedding anniversary. They met on a blind date and thought they were meant to be together, as they shared the same birthday.

John earned his private pilot license in 1970. He owned two planes in his years as a pilot. He served on the State Aeronautical Commission for 8 years. John took a position as Director of Motor Vehicles, under Governor, Jim Exon, from 1970-1972. The family lived in Lincoln, NE during those years.

John loved music and could play many instruments. He played with Gering Summer Band, WNCC college band, he sang with Sugar Valley Singers and Christ the King Catholic Church Choir. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, earning 4^th Degree Knight status. He was a 26-year member of the Lions Club in Scottsbluff, inducted at age 21. He was an Eagle Scout. Recently, he was a volunteer in the jail ministry through his church.

He was a life-long Democrat. He was an alternate to the DNC in Miami Beach, Florida in 1972.

He was a voracious reader of history, an avid swimmer, and admired Scotts Bluff National Monument and Chimney Rock. He loved people, doing crossword puzzles, and spending time with family.

John was preceded in death by his parents and son, John Kissack II.

He is survived by his brother Richard Kissack (Connie) of Clinton, IA, his wife Marjorie, daughters: Susan Hartmann (Tom) of Bellevue, NE, Kathy Emick (Tim) of Eaton, CO, Barb Jesse of Laramie, WY, Diana Dally of Gering, 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren

A Rosary is being held at Christ the King Catholic Church in Gering on September 3, at 6:00 p.m. and a Memorial Service Friday, September 4 at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Fr. Michael McDonald will officiate. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery near his parents and son.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be made to the family at 1805 Q Street Gering, NE 69341, or for masses for him at Christ the King Catholic Church of Gering.

Desmond K. Jones transitioned to be with the Lord on 08/27/2020 after bravely battling complications with Covid 19. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Remeeka; his heart, daughter Genesis; his parents and siblings.  Desmond was a long time member of Kappa Kappa Psi and leaves behind a host of loving memories with family and friends from his birth place, Troy Alabama. A celebration of life will be held at Emerald Coast Funeral Home on Friday, September 4, 2020.  The viewing will be held at 1:00 P.M. with the service starting at 2:00 P.M.  Burial will take place at Beal Memorial Cemetery immediately following the service.  A reception will be held from 3:30 P.M. – 5:30 P.M. at Emerald Coast Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in his name to the Go Fund Me Account (https://gf.me/u/ytdgkh) to provide ongoing support to his wife and child. Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed and viewed online at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com

A private Memorial service for Omar Villalobos Cavazos, 61, of Clayton, LA will be held at a later date under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home.
Mr. Cavazos was born on Saturday, August 23, 1958 in Raymondville, TX the son of Adelita Villalobos and Reyes Maldonado Cavazos and passed away Friday, July 31, 2020 in Natchez, MS.

He was a lifelong educator and band director teaching at Huntington School in Ferriday, LA, Block High School in Jonesville, LA, and with the Natchez-Adams School District until the time of his death. Having moved to Natchez from Texas in 1967, Mr. Cavazos attended Natchez public schools throughout most of his youth and graduated from South Natchez-Adams High School in 1977. Mr. Cavazos also graduated from Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, LA on May 9, 1981 earning a BME Degree in Secondary Music Education for Band and Orchestra. Mr. Cavazos also attended Graduate School at Alcorn State University in Lorman, MS and attended educational conferences in Chicago, IL, San Antonio, TX, and at USM in Hattiesburg.
As a senior at South Natchez-Adams High School, Mr. Cavazos was elected as a member of the All-American Band Hall of Fame from Purdue University in Indiana and received the Blue Ribbon Award and Gold Key Award for his art work from the Mississippi Junior Scholastic Art Competition in Jackson, MS leading to his art work being displayed for competition at the National Junior Scholastic Art Competition in New York City, N.Y. His artwork was also featured as the cover page of the school literary magazine, “The Compendium”. His artwork also won several awards in the local Pilot Club Art Show.

Mr. Cavazos served as class officer for the Northeast Louisiana University Bands (The Sound of Today) for two years and president on his final year. He was a member and treasurer of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Professional Music Fraternity, member and secretary of Kappa Kappa Psi Professional Band Fraternity, member of the Mississippi Band Masters Association, past president of the S.W.MS. Band Directors Association, Louisiana Band Masters Association, Louisiana Music Educators Association, Texas Band Masters Association, Music Educators National Conference, The International Trumpet Guild, The National Band Association, MENC, The Humane Society of the United States, Plan USA Foster Parent in Nicaragua, The National Federation of Interscholastic Music Association, The Historic Natchez Concert Winds and Percussion, and an original member of the Natchez “Star Dusters” Big Band Orchestra. Mr. Cavazos also performed with the Monroe Little Theatre, the Natchez Little Theatre, and performed for American Presidential Candidate Ronald Reagan, and American Presidential Candidate George Bush, Sr. and was selected “Who’s Who Among American High School Teachers” while teaching at Block High School in Jonesville, La.

Mr. Cavazos was a member of the National Educators Association, NCLR (National Council of LA RAZA, Washington, DC), NAACP, MHA (MS Hispanic Association), MAE (MS Association of Educators), Advisory Board member of Southwest Mississippi Electric Power Association, past owner/Sponsor of Video X-Press and the girls softball team in Start, LA along with Movie Magic and the girls softball team in Rayville, LA. He was an avid supporter of the Natchez Humane Society, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and the Natchez Children’s Home.

Mr. Cavazos was preceded in Death by his father, Reyes Maldonado Cavazos, Mother, Adelita Villalobos Cavazos, and niece, Liza Diana Nichols.

He is survived by his sisters, Irene Nelson and her husband Mark of Clayton, LA, Diana Williams and her husband Cleve of Vidalia, LA, nieces Marcie Nelson of Quitman, La, Stephanie Thibadeaux and her husband Michael of Bossier City, LA, Nephew Tyler Crosby of Vidalia, LA, great nieces Brooke Sims and Shelby Nugent, and great nephew Colin Thibadeaux

Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Anthony L. Morris, Fred Marsalis, Lorenzo Stampley, Frank C. Heard, Jr., Clarence K. Gibson, Officer William Mitchell, IV, and David I. Beach. Darryl Nugent, Michael Rodriguez, Oscar Rodriguez, Jamie Hernandez, Gary G. Hernandez, David Villalobos, Hector Villalobos, Robert Guerrero, Raul Garza, II, Travis Burrow, Roy Garcia, Curt Smith, Larry Buckley, Dale Young, Michael Benoit, the Morgantown School family and the members of the Natchez-Adams School District Band Department.

The family requests memorials to be made to the Natchez Humane Society, the Natchez Children’s Home, or the American Red Cross.

Professional Organizations, Affiliations & Honors:

International/National Professional Organizations/Affiliations

• ITA – The International Trumpet Guild
• NBA – The National Band Association
• MENC – Music Educators National Conference: The National Association for Music Education
• NFIMA – National Federation of Interscholastic Music Association
• VFW – Veterans of Foreign Wars (Financial Supporter)
• Past Treasurer: Kappa Kappa Psi Professional Band Fraternity
• Past Secretary: Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Professional Music Fraternity
• The American Red Cross (Volunteer and Financial Supporter)
• The Humane Society of the United States
• Plan, USA – International Forster Parent
• The Smithsonian Institution
• NEA – National Education Association, Gaithersburg, MD
• ACLU – American Civil Liberties Union, New York City, New York
• NCLR – National Council of LA RAZA: National Organization making a difference for Hispanic Americans, Washington DC
• NAACP – National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Baltimore, MD
• GPP – Gallup Poll Panel Advisory Group, Omaha, Nebraska
• Regional/State Professional Organizations/Affiliations
• MHSAA – The Mississippi High School Activities Association
• MBA – The Mississippi Bandmasters Association
• LBA – The Louisiana Bandmasters Association
• LMEA – The Louisiana Music Educators Association
• TBA – The Texas Bandmasters Association
• TMEA – The Texas Music Educators Association
• Past President: SWMBDA – The Southwest Mississippi Band Directors Association
• Advisory Board: SWMEPA – Southwest Mississippi Electric Power Association
• Mississippi State Troopers Association (Financial Supporter)
• The Salvation Army (Financial Supporter)
• Past President: University of Louisiana Bands, Monroe, LA
• Monroe Little Theatre Orchestra, Monroe, LA
• Owner/Sponsor: Video X-Press Girls Softball Team, Start, LA
• Owner/Sponsor: Movie Magic Girls Softball Team, Rayville, LA
• State of Louisiana Certified Foster Parent
• The “Stardusters” Big Band Orchestra – Natchez Charter Member
• Natchez Little Theatre Musician
• Historic Natchez Concert Winds and Percussion
• Natchez Humane Society
• Natchez Children’s Home: Visitation Volunteer, Financial supporter
• MHA – Mississippi Hispanic Association, Jackson, MS
• NAACP – Region V
• MEA – Mississippi Association of Educators, Jackson, MS
• ACAE – Adams County Association of Educators

Workshops/Clinics/ Continuing Education

• The Midwest Clinic – Chicago, IL
• All-South Honor Band Clinic – University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
• TMEA Clinic – San Antonio, TX
• LMEA Clinic – Baton Rouge, LA
• MBA Clinic – Biloxi, MS
• SWMBDA Clinic – Southwest Mississippi Community College, Summit, MS
• Co-Lin Band Clinic – Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Wesson, MS
• Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration
• Alcorn State University, Graduate Studies

Honors

• All-American Band Hall of Fame Inductee, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
• Scholastic Art Award – Gold Key & Blue Ribbon Award Recipient for State of Mississippi
• Gold Key Scholastic Art Award – National Competition, New York City, New York
• Musical Arts League of Natchez Scholarship Recipient
• Who’s Who Among America’s High School Teachers
• Performed for Presidential Candidate Ronald Reagan
• Performed for Presidential Candidate George Herbert Walker Bush, Sr.
• Other dignitaries performed for:
  • US Senator Trent Lott
  • U.S. Senator Thad Cochran
  • U.S. Representative Chip Pickering
  • National Park Service Director Ms. Fran Mainella, Washington, DC
  • Mississippi Senator Bob Dearing
  • Several past and present regional/local city mayors and dignitaries

To leave an online condolence for the family please visit www.youngsfh.com.