Hayes F.
Stripling ’46
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Big Spring, TX
Stripling served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946 and later retired after operating Stripling Supply Company, Inc., a wholesale grocery business, for 29 years. He owns Stripling Land Company, Inc., South Mountain Water Company, Inc., and Land Sales and Investments, Inc. He is an active participant in the Traveling Aggies program and has been a Co-Class Agent for the Class of ’46.
Betty and T.J.
Chapman ’47
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Austin, TX
J. (T.J.) Chapman ‘47 entered Texas A&M College in January 1943 prior to serving in the U.S. Navy where he received a commission from the USNR Midshipmen's School at Columbia University as ensign and served as a gunnery officer aboard the USS Vicksburg. After WWII, he returned to A&M and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture. He served as president of the Texas Association of Life Underwriters in 1964. He founded the Boon Chapman Company in 1961, and served as its president until his retirement in 2004.
I became an Aggie fan at age 14 listening to John Kimbrough and the rest of the 1939 National Champions team play Tulane in the Sugar Bowl. I was also influenced by a high school teacher, an Aggie, who was my role model. Being a farm boy I expected to have a career in the field of agriculture. Also, the Selective Service Act had just been put into effect and military service in the future seemed likely. If so, I wanted to be an officer. In addition to being a fan, A&M offered both of these possibilities so I never considered any other college.
Richard H.
Harrison, III, M.D. ’47
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Harrison received a bachelor’s degree in Zoology in 1948 and a Doctorate of Medicine from Baylor College of Medicine. He entered private practice in Bryan in 1956 and fulfilled visiting professorships at the medical schools of the University of Cairo and the University of Kentucky and has authored 95 publications and papers. He was a Clinical Professor of Surgery for Texas A&M’s College of Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. His strong support of Texas A&M includes many scholarship endowments including a President’s Endowed Scholarship and a Sul Ross Scholarship for A&M’s Corp of Cadets.
Delitha and Robert E.
Lane ’48
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Covington, LA
Robert Lane graduated with a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering. He began his professional career with Exxon Company, working at several different locations in Louisiana and Texas and retired after 38 years. Lane is a registered civil engineer in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Carl M.
Morris ’48
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Houston, TX
Carl Morris retired after 36 years in the petroleum industry. He started as an oilfield roughneck with the Ohio Oil Company, spent 23 years with Marathon Oil Company and held a half dozen supervisory positions. Morris was named Drilling Manager for Marathon’s U.S. operations in 1978.
Bettye and John D.
Roper ’48
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Pearland, TX
John Roper is a retired Brigadier General in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He also retired from a managerial position in the Industrial Chemical Division of Ethyl Corporation. Roper received his B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M and a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Houston.
Bettye Roper attended Texas A&M graduate school and retired as a Remedial Reading Supervisor for the Pasadena ISD after working as an elementary school teacher.
Alton M.
Withers ’48
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Alton Withers is retired Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer with Spiegel, Inc. He is a member of the Advisory Board for the Texas A&M Center for Retailing since 1992. This endowment is established by Spiegel, Inc. in honor of his many years of service.
Rosalie and Clifton J.
Bolner ’49
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San Antonio, TX
Getting his start as a partner in Bolner’s Grocery and Meat Market when he graduated from Texas A&M, Clifton Bolner is now President and CEO of Bolner’s Fiesta Products, Inc., which imports ninety raw/natural spices from sixty countries, processes them and markets them under the Fiesta Brand. The former Aggie Band executive officer and his wife have endowed major scholarships at Texas A&M University and Our Lady of The Lake University, and have been recognized for their continuing support of numerous church and community endeavors.
R. Tom
Bruce ’49
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Denton, TX
R. Tom Bruce is a semi-retired CPA. He earned his accounting degree at Texas A&M and Sam Houston State and completed his course work toward an MBA at Texas A&M. Bruce had accounting experience with Arthur Anderson & Co. and various energy and real estate interests and was Financial Officer of SHWC , Inc., an Architect, Engineer & Planner firm.
Jo Ann and William G.
Caughlin ’49
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College Station, TX
William Caughlin is a self employed Geophysical Consultant since 1989. During his time as a U.S. Air Force Captain, he served as Electronics Officer in the Strategic Air Command. During his career he was the Senior Staff Geophysicist for Shell Oil and Vice President Exploration for Mosbacher Energy Company.
Elaine and J. W.
Cotton, Jr. ’49
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J.W. Cotton earned a B.S. degree in Petroleum Engineering and Geology. Throughout his 29 year career with the Air Force, Cotton was an officer pilot, navigator, and held various unit and staff jobs. He received the Silver Star, Purple Heart, USAF Commendation Medal, and various other honors.
Mr. and Mrs. Mermod C.
Jaccard, Jr. ’49
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Houston, TX
Mermod Jaccard, Jr. was a partner and principal in CTJ & D, Architects. He returned to Texas A&M to earn his Bachelor of Architecture degree after earlier attending A&M and the University of Houston. Jaccard completed the Armor Officer Advanced Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and the Officer Course at Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Arch K.
Jacobson ’49
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Comfort, TX
Arch Jacobson served as the President of the Jacobson-Berger Capital Group, Inc. Previously, he was the Chairman of the Union Pacific Realty Company and President of Prudential Development Company and Mercantile Realty Services Company. Jacobson also served in the U.S. and Africa as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and earned an Advance Management Certificate from Princeton University.
Thomas W.
Lyles ’49
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Tyler, TX
Thomas Lyles was a practicing dermatologist since 1960. He earned a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree from Texas A&M and then received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Lyles served as president of the Galveston A&M Club in 1953 and his five children attended Texas A&M.
Charles A.
Mattei, Jr. ’49
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The Woodlands, TX
Charles Mattei served as President and Chairman of Cit Con Oil Company and Vice President of Citgo Petroleum Corporation since 1985. Prior to joining Cit Con and Citgo he worked 36 years for Gulf Oil Corporation, where he served as Vice President. Mattei has also served as president of the Beaumont and Tulsa A&M Clubs, is on the board of the 12th Man Foundation and is a Class Agent.
Billie and Jinkins
Moore ’49
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Houston, TX
In Memory of Thomas J. Moore
Jinkins Moore '49 graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science degree in animal husbandry and agricultural education. Moore served in the Army during the Korean War. He began his career in veterinary supply distribution retiring in 1979. Moore is an active member of the Houston A&M Club and enjoys participating in the weekly club luncheons.
My wife and I wanted to make a worthwhile contribution in memory of our son, Thomas J. (Tom, T.J.) Moore '82. Since Texas A&M was always a great part of his life, we had no problem choosing the Endowed Diamond Century Club. We want to help others achieve their educational goals and become members of the alumni of Texas A&M University. The Aggie spirit and traditions will be with them a lifetime.
James D.
Pitcock, Jr. ’49
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Houston, TX
Pitcock graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. He was co-founder, partner, president and CEO of Williams Brothers Construction, a company he built from a startup to one of the nation’s largest highway construction firms. In 1976 Pitcock was appointed by President Gerald R. Ford to the National Transportation Policy Study Commission, and served as national president of Associated General Contractors of America in 1984. He has been honored as a Distinguished Graduate of Texas A&M’s Department of Civil Engineering and as an Outstanding Alumnus of the Dwight Look College of Engineering.
Keith R.
Slaughter ’49
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After a successful 31 years with Mobil Corporation, Keith Slaughter retired in 1984 as Project Manager for Offshore Platforms. Most of his career was in the Project Division of Mobil’s Corporate Engineering Department, working on major capital projects, both domestic and foreign. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M.
Dale and W. Hiram
Smith, Jr. ’49
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De Leon, TX
Hiram Smith served as owner of W.H. Smith Department Store and W.H. Smith Fruit Farm. He was president of the Texas Fruit growers, the DeLeon Chamber of Commerce and the DeLeon School Board of Trustees. Hiram earned his MBA from the University of Texas and Dale holds a degree from Texas State College for Women.
Webster R.
Stone ’49
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Billings, MT
Since 1986, Webster Stone has been a worldwide geophysical consultant. Previously, he earned a Purple Heart with one star while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. During his 32-year career with Humble Oil/Esso Exploration Inc., he received a patent on a seismic recording technique and directed geophysical operations in the U.S., the Far East, Europe and Africa.
Clifford A.
Taylor, Jr. ’49
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Dallas, TX
Clifford Taylor served as Corporate President of the Clifford Taylor Company, Inc. and Trustee and Business Manager of the Ella C. McFadden Charitable Trust. He also served as an Advisory Director of the Texas A&M University Development Foundation, Chairman of the Texas A&M Liberal Arts Development Council and Director of The Aggie Club.
Mildred and Willy F.
Bohlmann, Jr. ’50
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Schulenburg, TX
Willy F. Bohlmann, Jr. ’50 graduated from Texas A&M University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering. While at A&M, he was President of the American Society of Civil Engineers and was a Ross Volunteer. In 1992 he retired as President of Esso China, Ltd. after serving 41 years with Exxon affiliate companies. Willy also had a successful dual career with the U.S. Army Reserve. He retired with the rank of colonel in 1980. He has been
awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award, the Department of Civil Engineering’s Distinguished Graduate Award,
and was recognized in the Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor.
From the time I set foot on campus in May 1945, it was the strong esprit de corps that made an impact. The “spirit” gave me a feeling of camaraderie among class members and fellow students. Being an Aggie opened doors to other Aggies in a worldwide network. It is a good feeling to be a part of the world’s largest fraternity.
- Willy Bohlmann, Jr. '50
Bill W.
Clayton ’50
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Clayton received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics in 1950. His leadership as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives was instrumental in the development and passage of school finance legislation, a highway funding bill, sunset legislation, reorganization of state water agencies, and the Briscoe-Clayton anti-crime package. In 1979, he became the first person to be elected to a third consecutive term as Speaker of the House.
Archie D.
Cook ’50
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Lake Jackson, TX
Archie D. Cook retired from Dow Chemical Company after more than 30 years of service in 1985. He managed Ethylene, Borzene and Butediene plants in Freeport and directed construction of other petrochemical complexes. Cook served in a dive bomber squadron with the U.S. Navy during World War II.