Dr. Frederick Charles Tillis, Galveston native, musician, composer, performer, poet, arts advocate and administrator, director emeritus of the University of Massachusetts Fine Arts Center (FAC) and co-founder and director emeritus of its Jazz in July program – died at age 90 on Sunday, May 3, 2020 from complications due to hip replacement surgery after a fall.

Dr. Tillis was a proud son of Galveston, born January 5, 1930. His mother was Zelma Bernice Gardner and his stepfather was General Gardner. He was a graduate of the public Galveston schools including Central High School, the first high school created for African Americans in the state of Texas during segregation. His musical talents were recognized at a very early age by his mother and by his music teacher and mentor Mr. Fleming Smizer Huff. Mr. Huff played the trumpet and that inspired Dr. Tillis to learn the instrument. He performed in the high school band and with his mother’s permission, began to play jazz trumpet and eventually saxophone professionally at the age of 12 in local Galveston establishments such as Hotel Galvez. She knew Dr. Tillis would maintain his excellent academic record while encouraging him to gain experience as a performer. As most of the adult musicians were drafted in service during World War II, an opportunity was created and he came to be known on the circuit as Baby Tillis. He inherited his love of music from his mother who played piano.

While at Central, he became lifelong friends with the late Izola Ethel Fedford Collins. As the renowned Galveston historian, Ms. Collins championed Dr. Tillis for his impressive talents and legacy and she frequently performed his music. His family was very devoted to the Reedy Chapel Church and served as long time members and philanthropists of the congregation. Collins was the musician at Reedy and they had that love of music and faith in common.

Dr. Tillis enrolled at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas when he was only 16, beginning his teaching career while earning his bachelor’s degree. He was an honored member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity organization. Immediately upon graduating from Wiley in 1949 at the age of 19, he returned to teach at the college, embarking upon a long career in music education. Dr. Tillis received his master’s degree from the University of Iowa under Dr. Philip Bezanson in 1952. After a four-year stint in the United States Air Force, where he conducted the Air Force band, he then resumed teaching at Wiley and North Texas State before returning to the University of Iowa to receive his Ph.D. From 1964 to 1970, Dr. Tillis taught at Grambling University and Kentucky State University respectively. As a young professor, he played the clarinet, the viola, and the piano in addition to the trumpet and saxophone. He also continued directing marching bands and orchestras. He was recruited by Dr. Bezanson to teach full time at UMass Amherst in 1970.

While at UMass, Dr. Tillis founded numerous programs and courses of study that greatly enriched the cultural life of the campus and the surrounding community. In 1978, he was appointed the director of the Fine Arts Center and helped start some of the university’s most successful arts initiatives. He represented the UMass Music Department and the university as a cultural ambassador, performing locally, nationally and internationally to over 30 countries with students, alumni and faculty.

Dr. Tillis had served as University of Massachusetts music department faculty, associate provost, associate chancellor for equal opportunity and diversity and the Fine Arts Center director for nearly 20 years. His passion and commitment for the arts and arts education extended well beyond each university community where he taught, touching and enriching lives throughout the world.

A performer and composer of unusual breadth, Dr. Tillis’ work profoundly shaped the cultural and musical life of UMass Amherst, the Western Massachusetts communities, and far beyond. His work spans the jazz, European, and African-American spiritual traditions, and encompasses an expansive range of world cultural references with dynamic melodic and harmonic textures. His more than 100 compositions include works for piano and voice, orchestra and chorus, solo and chamber music. He authored the textbook entitled Jazz Theory and Improvisation and authored 15 books of poetry.

A recipient of numerous honors and awards, Dr. Tillis was an influential educator, helping to establish the jazz studies programs at both the University of Fort Hare, South Africa and the Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, and serving on several cultural boards including the International Association of Jazz Educators and the Massachusetts Council on the Arts, and review committees at the National Endowment for the Arts.

Upon his retirement from UMass in 1997, Dr. Tillis was awarded the honorific title emeritus director of the Fine Arts Center. Even in retirement, he remained active and connected by performing, composing music, lecturing, and writing poetry. The W.E.B. Du Bois Library maintains the Frederick Tillis papers, which document his extraordinary career. For more information about his esteemed career, visit www.composers.com/frederick-tillis.

Dr. Tillis is pre-deceased by his parents, Zelma Bernice Gardner and General Gardner; his wife and partner of 66 years, Edna Louise; and is survived by his daughters Patricia and Pamela; son-in-law Paul Hammacott; nieces Edna Louise Richards, Janet Levingston-Williams Lawrence, and Glendra Gunishaw-Johnson; nephew Marshall Gunishaw III; longtime family friends Helen and James Smith, and several great nieces and nephews. Dr. Tillis was laid to rest at Wildwood Cemetery on Friday, May 8, 2020 in a private family service. A memorial page has been established online at www.fineartscenter.com/Tillis where people can visit to leave remembrances. The Tillis Family so warmly thanks all of Dr. Tillis’ legions of friends, colleagues, students, and admirers. We feel your outpouring of love and thank you so dearly for your kindnesses.

John McRae Wolfe (76) of Tampa, passed away peacefully April 26, 2020. He was a lifelong resident of Tampa. John was preceded in death by his parents Arthur Charles Wolfe and Elizabeth McRae Wolfe, and his grandmother Maude McRae. He was the beloved husband of Pat Rosendahl Wolfe for 47 years; and father of John McRae II, Brian (Katy); his three adored grandchildren, Maggie, Emmy, and James. He leaves behind his brother Lester (Vicki); brothers-in-law Melvin (Madonna) Geithmann and Joe (Roxanne) Geithmann; and many favorite nieces and nephews. All the family and friends knew that Uncle John or Mr. Wolfe or Papa was good for a ride to the ice cream or the slurpee store. And of course they were not to tell the “Boss” (Pat) that they were getting a treat. He was a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church for the past 50 years where he taught Sunday school, was Sr. Warden on the Vestry, and served where needed. In 2004, he became an Ordained Deacon in the Episcopal Church and served at St Mary’s Episcopal Church until he retired from service. He was and still known affectionately as Deacon Wolfe by students, parents, and friends. He attended Gorrie Elementary, Wilson Jr High, H.B. Plant High ‘61, and graduated from University of Tampa with a BS in Economics and on a full music scholarship. He later received his M.B.A. from the University of South Florida where he met his poopsie Pat. John loved tuba playing in the German Band at HB Plant, All State, and was first chair at UT being a proud member of the Music Society Kappa Kappa Psi. He greatly enjoyed Friday morning Cuban espresso in West Tampa with his former band members and also at a Friday lunch group at the American Legion 138. John smiled and joked with friends at breakfast, lunch, or ice cream, especially at the former The Old Meeting House. Another favorite activity was early morning gym workouts with his exercise group. John was very active in organizations and was a member or served on several boards over the years, among them, the Sword and Shield at UT, Berkeley, Faith Café, Tampa East Sertoma Club, Board of Fellows and Trustees at UT; Economic Club of Tampa; Davis Island Civic Association, Tampa Sister Cities, and F.W.&P.C.O Region XII. He was also a member of Leadership Tampa, Tampa Yacht & Country Club, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, and the University Club. During his business career, he started several businesses within the construction and building industry. His last firm was a manufacturers’ rep for the SE, and he was well thought of for his network and knowledge of industrial and commercial paint coatings, pavers, and terrazzo flooring. Many customers became lifelong friends. John loved elephants and thus named his business Pachyderm. We will never forget him either. A private family memorial service will be held. A celebration of his life will be held during the summer yet to be determined. Memorial gifts should be sent to St. Andrew’s Foundation, 509 E. Twiggs St, 33602 or University of Tampa Athletics Sword & Shield Club, 401 W Kennedy, 33606-1490. Many thanks to the staff at Bayshore Pointe for their compassionate care these last few months.

Dr. Olin Glenn Smith, a retired NASA engineer with a long and distinguished career, passed away at his home in Clear Lake, Texas on April 24th. He was 85. Glenn, as he was known to friends and family, was surrounded by those closest to his failing heart, his wife of 61 years Sue by his side, and his four children. It could not have been a more peaceful and dignified launch to the heavens for this lifelong curious engineer and rocket scientist.

Glenn was born July 15, 1934 in Cridersville, Ohio. Growing up at the end of the depression, he embodied diligence and fortitude from an early age and always had a grateful, positive outlook on life. He took pride in the simple pleasures of the pre WW2 era in a small town: big band music, unreliable cars, free Saturday night movies at the drive-in where he worked one summer as an usher, among many local jobs he held, including caddy at nearby Shawnee Country Club. He would remark how lucky he was to live his version of the American dream, ending up a part of history as he helped guide NASA from the Apollo launches through to the International Space Station. The key to success was a grounded work ethic, self discipline and humility– he would offer, if asked.

Glenn was a class of 1952 graduate of Cridersville High School, elected senior class president. He graduated from Ohio Northern University in 1956 with a High Distinction and top of his class in the College of Engineering. He would later be honored by ONU in 2013 with the Distinguished Alumni Award. He was a member of Sigma Xi (scientific honorary), Alpha Sigma Phi (social), Tau Beta Pi (national engineering honorary), and Kappa Kappa Psi (college band honorary). His education continued, earning in 1963 a MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. Just two years later Glenn defended his PhD thesis on the topic of heat transfer in nuclear reactors.

From 1956-1967, he was employed by Westinghouse Electric as a design engineer for electric power generators for aircraft and the space program and was a heat transfer specialist at the Atomic Power Labs in Pittsburgh. In 1967, Dr. Smith moved his young and growing family to Houston and the promise of the NASA Johnson Space Center, to be part of our nation’s journey to the moon and beyond. He would spend 27 years on numerous projects, thriving in the team atmosphere at NASA. He always gave credit to the group effort, never focusing on his own accomplishments. As a project engineer and manager, Glenn worked on the Apollo, Skylab, Space Shuttle and Space Station projects. After the Apollo moon missions, he was the study manager of a NASA in-house effort to identify costs, schedules and recommendations for various uses of Apollo launch ready systems, including Skylab II, the Apollo-Soyuz mission, artificial gravity tests, manipulator development, solar power satellite demos and museum pieces. He was the project lead for a team of astronauts, scientists and engineers tasked with designing controls for the Apollo telescope mount in Skylab, and he led the development of the earth resources instruments for the Skylab program. Glenn was manager of a NASA applications program for developing practical applications of satellite Earth resources data, managing approximately 450 contracts with university researchers and other users. He next was deputy manager of systems engineering for the Space Shuttle program. He was co-designer of the proposed flyback booster to improve shuttle safety and reduce cost. And so we could confer upon him the title ‘rocket scientist’, he was a rocket engine specialist in the Shuttle Systems Engineering Office at the Johnson Space Center, specializing in the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) built by Rocketdyne. He concluded his career at NASA as manager of science and applications experiments for the International Space Station. While with NASA, Glenn lectured to the European Space Agency on systems engineering and was the winner of 25 outstanding or superior performance awards, and gave testimony to various congressional committees regarding the safety and cost of space launch systems.

After retiring from NASA, he continued to consult on space launch systems, write articles for Space News and contribute his knowledge to Space Center Houston’s educational efforts. He remained active in the space community and in touch with colleagues Chris Kraft, and Bob Thompson for many years. Last summer in July 2019, Glenn was honored by his hometown in Ohio during the weeklong 50th Anniversary of the Lunar Landing, where he was a featured guest at the Cridersville Firemen’s Jamboree, rode in two parades, and spoke to a packed house at the Community Center on his experiences at NASA and friendship with fellow Ohioan Neil Armstrong. With family and childhood friends in attendance, he celebrated his 85th birthday and was honored by the Cridersville Historical Society with an exhibit of his life’s works and contributions to the space program. The festive week culminated with Glenn attending the ‘First on the Moon’ gala at the Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio, where he was previously inducted into the Wapakoneta School District Hall of Fame, along with Neil in 2002.

Beyond his accomplishments in engineering, Glenn also was the consummate amateur athlete. A three sport athlete (basketball, baseball, golf), while at Ohio Northern University he was a standout all American Basketball player, holding many scoring and rebounding records to this day. He spent a semester as a pitcher in the minor leagues for the Philadelphia Phillies while maintaining top grades. In 1997 he was inducted into the ONU Athletic Hall of Fame. Often at family gatherings, he would challenge all to pick up games on the driveway hoop and intense ping pong matches. Glenn was also a fitness buff, running the Houston marathon in 1984 and working out daily until two months before his passing, In retirement, Glenn would turn to his love of golf, playing almost daily at Bay Oaks Country Club, where he won the Traditions Tournament in 2002. From rounds with Gene Sarazen in Florida, to a trip to Scotland where he played what he considered the most beautiful and historic links, Royal Dornoch, he would avidly keep tour-like statistics of each round so he could analyze his game as only an engineer could. Indeed he was an early adapter of the controversial anchored long putter stroke. In addition to his passion for golf, Glenn was a licensed commercial pilot, who flew around friends and family in an early model Piper Cherokee Cub for years, buzzing friends’ homesteads in a pass-by of acrobatic showmanship, and taking weekend jaunts to West Texas’ Big Bend. One of his most memorable tales, was flying Armand Yramategui, then Curator of the Burke Baker Planetarium, down to Eastern Mexico in the late ’60s to climb ruins of the Mayan pyramid at Palenque in the dark of night to view the heavens. Having cheated death at least once before during a skydiving mishap, Glenn was involved in another venture gone awry a decade ago, when a rocket propulsion system he had been advising on, as part of the Space X competition, exploded in a Bay Area warehouse field damaging much of his hearing and making the local news.

Glenn spent the last decade shouting “Come on, Sue!” as the two of them would embark on many travel adventures abroad including Germany, Italy, Egypt, Ireland. The final years of his life together with Sue, revolved around their many grand and great grandchildren and gatherings at their home, always the hub of family holidays and special occasions for their brood of 30+. Despite his hearing loss and intrepid nature, a no more intelligent or caring patriarch could offer such a full life to his family to the very end. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sue, their four children and spouses, 14 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. To honor Glenn’s life, a beautiful, intimate service was held for immediate family at Crowder Funeral Home in Clear Lake on April 30th, led by Rev. Katrina Pennington, Senior Associate Pastor at Clear Lake Presbyterian Church, where Glenn was a member for more than four decades.

Elliott “Ely” O’Shea Ashley was born July 29, 1969, in McComb, MS, to the late Deacon Ellis Ashley, Jr., and Evangelist Carolyn R. Williamson Ashley.

He attended Otkens Elementary, Higgins Middle School, Denman Jr. High School, and McComb High School. He also attended Alcorn State University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. He was a member of the Sounds of Dynamite Marching Band. He was the section leader of the Mighty T.O.P. Drum Section and Founding Father of the Iota Beta chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. He later earned his Masters of Education Degree at Alabama State University. Finally, he attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he received an Educational Specialist Degree.

He became an educator and counselor for the Birmingham School System. Because of his love and concern for students, he wrote Bully Brakers. His book was used to combat bullying in school systems across the United States. In recognition of outstanding achievement, Elliott was chosen as School Counselor of the year 2019, for Birmingham City Schools. Elliott was a drummer’s drummer. He didn’t just play the drums but studied drumming every day. This gift made room for him to have a solo performance in an Alabama Power commercial, to play with Jazz great, Cleve Eaton, and provided many more opportunities. He was a minister of music at First Baptist Church of Ensley in Birmingham. As a child, he was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist church in McComb, MS. Elliott accepted Jesus Christ at an early age.

He leaves to treasure his memories: two sons, Elisha and Andrew Ashley of Birmingham, AL; a brother, minister André B. Ashley (Alethia) of Duluth, GA; sister, Shanda Ashley Banks (Prentiss III) of McComb, MS; a loving, caring, and fully devoted girlfriend, Kelly Embry of Birmingham, AL; and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Alison Lynn Lambdin, 43 of Washington, PA, formerly of Oak Hill passed away Friday April 3rd, 2020.  She was born October 12, 1976 in Logan, WV, the daughter of William J. Lambdin and the late Susan E. Learmonth Lambdin.

Dennis Joel Zeisler died surrounded by his family in his home on March 30th, 2020 in Norfolk, VA due to Pancreatic Cancer. He was 73.

Dennis was recently retired from Old Dominion University, where he served for 39 years as Director of Bands, Professor of clarinet and saxophone, and Chair of the Department of Music. Early in his musical career, he distinguished himself as solo clarinetist of the famed Michigan Symphony Band under William D. Revelli. He was solo clarinetist with the Detroit Concert Band under the direction of Leonard B. Smith, and a clarinet soloist with the United States Military Academy Band at West Point. He was founder and conductor of the Virginia Wind Symphony, a professional ensemble comprised primarily of music educators from throughout the area of Southeastern Virginia. Dennis worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the Midwest Clinic. His dedication and vision served as a model for all.

Dennis Zeisler was the 77^th President of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. Among his many honors, the Orpheus Award from Phi Mu Alpha for “significant and lasting contributions to the cause of music in America” and the Distinguished Service to Music Medal from Kappa Kappa Psi provide a fitting tribute to a man who will leave a profound and unforgettable mark upon the world of music.

Dennis is survived by his spouse of 33 years, Carol (Corcoran) Zeisler and their two children; Sarah (Adam) Wisiniewski of Norfolk, VA; and Jeffery Zeisler of Washington D.C. He is also survived by his first wife, Kathleen (Perrin) Betts of South Boardman, Michigan and their two children; Nathaniel (Cristen) Zeisler of Los Angeles, CA; and Jennifer Zeisler of Los Angeles, CA; his sister Janice (Paul) Zucker of Falls Church, VA, three grandchildren, Brooke, Perrin and Aubree; twelve nieces and nephews; his step-mother Charlotte (Wert) Zeisler of Canandaigua, NY; and his mother-in-law, Alexandra (Kisla) Corcoran of Arlington Heights, IL. He is preceded in death by his mother Frances (Fleischman) Zeisler and father Kasriel Zeisler.

Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions on travel and gatherings funeral services will not be held. Instead, we will celebrate Dennis at the first Virginia Wind Symphony concert in the fall when we will toast to him and celebrate his dedication to music, teaching and family.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Dennis J. Zeisler scholarship fund to provide financial support for instrumental music majors at Old Dominion University. . To give, simply click the link below, select “scholarships” and type “Dennis Zeisler” in the scholarship name box. https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=1c0e01

Sunday March 29, 2020, at the age of 21, Michael Alexander Valdez was taken home to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Michael was born on October 6, 1998, in New Braunfels, Texas. He was the only son to Reynaldo Valdez Jr and Sarah Durham Valdez.  He was the absolute light of their lives.   Michael spent his whole life in New Braunfels.  He participated in most sports programs as well as the Boy Scouts where he became an Eagle Scout.  He loved participating in basketball, football, and Music.  Michael was a member of the NBHS marching band and played the tuba. After graduating high school with the Class of 2017, he went on to UTSA to join their music program.  Michael’s plan was to graduate, teach, and write music.

He leaves behind His adoring parents, one grandparent, Rosa Ramirez Valdez, loving aunts and uncles, Janie Valdez Gonzalez and Daniel Gonzalez, Reta Durham and John P. Hernandez and many extended family members.  He was preceded in death by grandparents; Reynaldo Valdez Sr., and Hal John and Georgia Lorraine Durham.

Unfortunately for Michael’s family and friends, he was taken away at an unusual time in our history, and they are unable to gather at this time to celebrate his life and their memories.  There will be a private family service on April 3rd at Sunset Memorial Funeral home at 4pm.  As soon as this time period is over and we are allowed to gather, a Celebration of life is being planned.  More information to come as to when the celebration of life will occur.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Texas Children’s Hospital “A Way To Give” www.texaschildrens.org for cancer research.