In Memoriam

Robert “Bob” Allen of Houston, a 1971 graduate of SFA, passed away Oct. 20. Allen worked for 38 years at KTRK Channel 13 in Houston as a sports anchor and director. He also worked for KHOU Channel 11 for two years, serving as sports director.

Allen was the nightly pipeline to the Oilers, Astros, Rockets and other professional, college, and high school teams for hundreds of thousands of viewers on Houston’s most-watched newscasts.

He covered the glory days of the Houston Oilers when Earl Campbell was a player. He was on the air to detail the games and highlights of the Houston Astros during Nolan Ryan’s era and the Houston Rockets' two championships.

While chronicling some of the most memorable moments in Houston sports history, he also became a friend and benefactor to dozens of young people through his work with the Sunshine Kids and Special Olympics, organizations that help people confronting challenges.

Jackie Nelson Cannon of Troup passed away Oct. 16. Cannon received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from SFA in 1960 and 1964, respectively. He played football for the Lumberjacks for four years.

After graduation, Cannon coached at Shelbyville High School and retired in 2002 as a public school administrator. He served on the SFA Alumni Association board of directors, serving as board president from 1996-2000, and he was honored with the SFA Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2004.

Dr. Jarrell Craven Grout, former SFA professor, passed away Nov. 12. Grout moved to Nacogdoches in 1972 and served as chair of the Department of Computer Science for seven years. He remained a professor of computer science until his retirement in 2003.

While an SFA faculty member, Grout authored two college textbooks and numerous scholarly articles. In 2000, he received the College of Business Service Award.

Nacogdoches businessman and SFA scholarship donor A.L. Mangham passed away Nov. 22. Mangham was born in Nacogdoches County Dec. 17, 1922, and grew up in Appleby. He served in the Navy and Marines both in enlisted and officer positions. After 24 years in the military, he retired and pursued civic opportunities in banking and numerous leadership positions, which included serving as Nacogdoches mayor and on the SFASU Foundation board of trustees.

Dr. C. Richard Voigtel, a 1953 and 1958 graduate of SFA and former faculty and staff member, passed away Oct. 10. Voigtel had a long career in the field of education, including teaching in elementary and high schools and high school counseling. From 1965-96, he served SFA in the areas of admissions, placement and financial aid, grants and research, the Alumni Association, development, affirmative action, and disability services. He moved into the academic area where he taught in the Department of Counseling and Special Educational Programs, becoming department chair in 1988. He retired as professor emeritus of human services.

Voigtel was active on many boards, including the Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau, Samaritan Counseling Center and Nacogdoches ISD.

Dr. Leon Young, who served SFA for more than 40 years with the distinction of a leader and educator, passed away Dec. 2. Young, also known as “Dr. Red Dirt” or “Chief ” to his family and friends, came to Nacogdoches in 1975 and began teaching soil science and agronomy courses and supervising the Soil Testing Lab at SFA.

During the next 41 years, Young taught more than 2,500 agriculture students in his soil science course. He also served as director of the SFA Soil, Plant and Water Analysis Laboratory from 1984-97 and chair of the Department of Agriculture.

Young assisted in the development of SFA Gardens and, as a professor, directed thesis research and writing for more than 30 master’s degree students. He was awarded the title Regents Professor in 2008 and named the Nacogdoches County Agriculture Educator of the Year in 2012.