William B. A. Culp Sr. D’42 died Feb. 22, 2005, in Charlotte, N.C. He served the Western North Carolina Conference as a United Methodist pastor for 40 years and recalled playing on the intramural basketball team with football players who played in the Rose Bowl. Three children and four grandchildren survive him.

John M. Cline T’43, D’46 died March 18, 2005, in Raleigh, N.C. A United Methodist pastor, he served with distinction in the North Carolina Conference. He is survived by his wife, Alice Stewart Cline; two children, Linda C. Steadman T’77 and John M. Cline Jr. T’79; and three grandsons.

Ray F. Swink D’47 died Feb. 15, 2005, in Charlotte, N.C. He served as a pastor and administrator in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church for 42 years prior to his retirement in 1989 and he provided particular leadership in the work of retirement communities. He is survived by his wife, Mary Andrews Swink, a daughter and two grandchildren.

John H. Christy Jr. T’51, D’54 died Jan. 13, 2005, in Waynesville, N.C. He was a distinguished minister in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church and a mentor and friend to pastors. He is survived by his wife, Joan Crowder Christy; daughter Karen C. Kurtz and her husband Michael D. Kurtz D’84; three sons and daughters-in-law, J. Paul Christy D’89 and his wife, Jamye Cartner Christy D’89, Mark H. Christy D’90 and LuAnn, and David H. Christy D’91 and Pamela; and six grandchildren. His brother-in-law, Richard J. Crowder T’52, D’55 and niece Ashley Crowder Stanley T’77, D’80 are also pastors.

Daniel D. Rhodes G’51 died Jan. 31, 2005, in Davidson, N.C. He was professor emeritus and longtime professor of religion and philosophy at Davidson College where he also pioneered the interdisciplinary humanities program. An ordained Presbyterian minister, he served on major denominational boards and wrote devotional and curriculum resources. He was also an activist for affordable housing. He is survived by his wife, Ethel Truscott Rhodes, three daughters and three grandchildren.

J. William Garrison D’52 died Feb. 18, 2005, in Brasilia, Brazil. He was a United Methodist missionary in Brazil since 1954, was named an honorary citizen of Brasilia and was beloved for his work and witness there. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Garrison, and five children.

Michael R. Howard Sr. T’52, D’56 died Feb. 4, 2005, in Charlotte, N.C. He was a United Methodist minister who served in the Western North Carolina Conference, and he was a counselor from 1976 until his retirement in 1995 with the state employment security commission. His lifelong avocation was theatre. Two daughters, a son, a stepson, and five grandchildren survive him.

Thomas W. Madren D’57 died Jan. 24, 2005, in Lexington, N.C. A pastor for 52 years in the United Church of Christ, he served parishes in Virginia and North Carolina. He is survived by his wife, Patsy Madren.

William B. Day Jr. D’60 died Jan. 24, 2005, in Manassas, Va. He was a United Methodist minister in the Virginia Conference. He is survived by his wife, Margie Elliott Day, and a daughter.

James A. Tingle D’73 died Oct. 29, 2004, in Hartsel, Colo. He was a realtor and businessman, active in community, library and water conservation leadership. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Whatley Tingle, two sons and two grandchildren.

Raegan V. May D’92 died Jan. 20, 2005, in Chapel Hill, N.C. A United Methodist minister in the North Carolina Conference, he was the founding pastor of Christ Church in Southern Village where he was serving at the time of his death. His wife, Lee Yeager May, and three daughters survive him.

Ebern E. Allen D’94 died March 10, 2005, in Durham, N.C. He was a United Methodist pastor in the North Carolina Conference serving at Phillips Chapel, Haw River, for the past 14 years. He is survived by his wife, Kay Rogerson Allen, two daughters and five grandchildren.

Others in the Divinty School Family:

Donn Michael Farris, who served for more than four decades as Duke Divinity School’s librarian, died on March 5. Also a member of the faculty, Farris served from 1950 through 1992. He estimated that he had bought about 250,000 books for the library during his career, building the core of the collection. A memorial service was held on March 9 in York Chapel. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Lockheart Farris, two children, and three grandchildren.