In Memoriam

Lucille “Lucy” Marie La Pointe DeWitt passed away Oct. 9. DeWitt was born Oct. 8, 1925, in Killingly, Connecticut. As a girl, she lived in Charlotte, Michigan, with the Colizzi family, where she cared for the children and worked as a soda jerk at the family’s candy store.

After high school, she moved to New York to pursue a career in acting and modeling. She also worked as a secretary in the Empire State Building. In 1948, she married Richard “Rich” DeWitt. The couple later moved to Waxahachie, Texas, where the DeWitt brothers started the DeWitt Turkey Hatchery. In 1957, they moved to Nacogdoches to help Rich’s brothers run the hatcheries. Rich and Lucy started their KFC franchise in 1964 in Nacogdoches and Lufkin and later expanded it to 68 additional locations in Texas.

Involved in her community, she was instrumental in the founding of the Nacogdoches County Republican Women, serving as president in 1990. She also was a founding member of the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Pink Ladies. DeWitt volunteered at the Treatment Center, serving as board president from 1994-96. She also served on the board of the Samaritan Center, and she was a Charter Life Member of the Nacogdoches Expo Center.

DeWitt was a leader in her children’s Scout troops, and she volunteered with her church, The Youth Center and several school PTA boards. She sponsored the Nacogdoches Crime Stoppers and donated to the restoration of Millard’s Crossing, the Old University Building and other local historical sites. DeWitt and her husband contributed to the establishment of the Richard and Lucille DeWitt School of Nursing at SFA.

In 2006, she was inducted into the Stephen F. Austin Society, and in 2008, she was selected Woman of the Year by the American Association of University Women. An outdoor enthusiast, she enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing. DeWitt was a world traveler and liked exploring other cultures. Rich preceded her in death. She is survived by five children.

James E. “Buddy” Terry passed away Sept. 26 in Boerne, Texas. Terry was born in Nacogdoches on March 7, 1931. He attended Longview High School, where he excelled academically and athletically.

Following high school, he received a scholarship to Panola College, which later led to an SFA football scholarship. At SFA, his play on the football field earned him AP Little-All American Honors, and he received the first Ralph Todd Memorial Award in 1952 as Outstanding Athlete of the Year. The Detroit Lions drafted him in 1953, and in 1980, he was elected into the SFA Hall of Fame.

Terry received his bachelor’s degree from SFA in 1953 and then spent two years in the U.S. Army at Fort Bliss.

Afterward, he took a job with Humble Oil, which later merged with Exxon, and he worked his way up from truck driver to district marketing manager. During his 31-year career, he also served as president. He married Barbara Anne Lowry in 1956. The couple was married 51 years until Barbara’s death in 2007.

Terry enjoyed golf and philanthropy. He generously contributed to Panola College, SFA and other causes. Terry received SFA’s Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2005. His most-treasured moments were spent in the company of his three grandsons.

Dr. Walter V. “Mike” Robertson, SFA professor emeritus of biology and 1982-83 Regents Professor, passed away July 29. Robertson was born on April 6, 1931, in Malakoff, Texas.

He graduated from Malakoff High School in 1948 and attended SFA, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1951. From September 1952 to August 1954, Robertson served in the U.S. Army, 24th Infantry, 24th Reconnaissance Company, in Japan and Korea.

He was selected to attend noncommissioned officer’s school, where he finished first in his class and attained the rank of sergeant. He was heavily decorated for his wartime service with honors, including the Korean Service Medal with Bronze Star, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.

Upon his return from Korea, he attended SFA for additional coursework in preparation for graduate school and met and married Kathryn Sue Lemmerhirt.

Robertson received his Master of Science in wildlife management from Texas A&M University in May 1959 followed by his doctoral degree in vertebrate biology in 1964. He then began his 35-year career teaching biology and guiding students into fields that include teaching, medical and dental, wildlife and fisheries management, and other biology-related professions. Robertson is survived by his wife and five children.