Class Notes

Stephen Treacy (’71) won the 2024 New Yorker Indie Critics Award for his screenplay “Winter Bird.” He also received awards for Best Fantasy Script and Best Original Writer at Dublin Indie Screen Festival.

Maj. Ryan Wolfe (’05) commanded C Co, 2-104th Medevac during Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, Syria and Jordan (2020-2021). As a UH-60L Aeromedical Evacuation Pilot, he amassed over 100 combat flight hours and his unit successfully completed over 200 life saving missions throughout the deployment. He was awarded the Air Medal for his actions. This was his third Middle East deployment. He resides in Williamstown, West Virginia, with his wife, Brandi, and sons, Eli and Owen.

Dr. George Arnold (’63, ’65) professor emeritus of journalism, won the Spur Award from the Western Writers of America. The award is for his novel, “The Heart Beneath the Badge,” for Best Western Romance Novel. The award, presented in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is considered one of the most prestigious in American literature and is one of the several international first-place awards Arnold has won since he began writing fiction in 2012.

 

Colin Oakley (’13) and Taylor Oakley (’14) announce the birth of their first child, Marshall Oakley, on Oct. 4, 2023.

Michael McCracken (’75) announce the birth of his first grandchild, Theodore James Bacon, who was born on Nov. 20, 2022, to his daughter and son-in-law, Emily and Aaron Bacon.

 

Dr. Kim Capehart (’97) was promoted to associate dean for academic affairs and advanced education at The Dental College of Georgia.

Robert Miller (’83) serves as president of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association.

Malinda Thornton (’96, ’99) was hired by Marshall’s Autism Training Center at Marshall University as the director of campus-based services for the College Program for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Peter M. Wallace (’76) has retired after 22 years as president, producer, and host of the long running “Day1” radio and podcast program based in Atlanta. In February, he began serving as vicar of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Aiea, Hawaii, near Pearl Harbor. His latest book of meditations, “A Generous Beckoning,” was published last year by Forward Movement.

Bionka Patterson (’11) accepted a new role on May 8, 2023, as laboratory evening and night shift unit supervisor of Charleston Area Medical Center – General Division.

William E. Bane (’85) completed the examination and became a certified fraud examiner from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Josh Spence (’07) was named chief information officer with Alpha Technologies.

Maj. Gen. Albin G. Wheeler (’58) passed away on June 10, 2024. He was born to Harvey and Hattie Wheeler in Huntington, West Virginia, on March 16, 1935.

His father, Harvey, held dinner table conversations and would introduce topics to his sons and take the opposite view in order to debate and hone their skills on dealing with issues.

He graduated from Huntington East High School and enrolled in Marshall College. He worked his way through college and joined the West Virginia National Guard as a private. While at Marshall, Albin served as student senate president, chief justice of supreme court, member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and five years in ROTC. He was named twice to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. He lobbied for Marshall to become a university at the state capitol. His education includes a bachelor’s, an MBA, and graduate course work at Harvard Business School.

He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Marshall and a Distinguished Alumnus from Marshall.
Proctor and Gamble hired him knowing that he had a two-year ROTC commitment. After graduation he married his longtime girlfriend, Beatrice Thomas, of Huntington, in 1958 and she became his biggest ally and advocate. After two years he saw an opportunity to contribute to the nation and remain in the U.S. Army. In January 1959, he reported to Fort Lee, Virginia. He was detailed to an armored division at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and assigned as an executive officer and then to company commander. In 1962, he volunteered to go to Vietnam working with Vietnamese high command. The family moved to Bangkok, Thailand, where he worked with the Royal Thai Army and went with them to Vietnam. He transferred back to Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, then to Hawaii as special assistant to Admiral John S. McCain Jr., Commander and Chief of the Pacific. He commanded 25th Supply and Transportation Battalion then attended Pepperdine University for MBA in Hawaii and left for Carlisle, Pennsylvania and the Army War College. After a tour at the Pentagon, he went to Fort Riley, Kansas to command the 1st Infantry Division Support Command. He was assigned to Munich, Germany, and Army/Air Force Exchange in Europe, North Africa and Middle East. After commanding the 7th CORPS Support Command, he returned to Washington and was President of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces for four years. His last assignment was to the World Wide Army/Air Force Exchange Service in Dallas, Texas.

After retirement in 1993, he worked as executive director in the Washington law firm of Arent, Fox, Kittner, Plotkin and Kahn. He was selected for Who’s Who in America and a member of the Quartermaster Hall of Fame and was actively involved as a founder and board director of the Society of Yeager Scholars at Marshall University.

Awards include Defense and Army Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Legion of Merit with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters.

James O. Ramey (’62) passed in San Diego, California, on May 26, 2024. Preceded in death by his wife Marilyn (Wagner) Ramey and survived by sons Steven and Garry Ramey, grandchildren Shane and Megan Ramey, all also of San Diego.

“Little Jimmy” was born in Huntington, West Virginia, on March 11, 1931. Growing up in a Navy family, James lived in West Virginia, California and Ohio. He attended Mercersburg Academy following high school and joined the Air Force in 1950.

He had many adventures in the Air Force including being stationed in Thule, Greenland, to monitor Soviet Union air threats early in the Cold War. James was an American Legion lifetime member.

He returned to Huntington after the service and attended Marshall College (now Marshall University) on the G.I. bill. James joined the TKE Fraternity where he made great lifelong friends, some of which he kept in contact with up until his passing.

James moved to San Francisco with friends in 1963 where he would meet his future wife. He married Marilyn in 1965 and they lived in San Francisco, New York and Sarasota, Florida, before settling in San Diego in 1969 to be closer to family and enjoy nicer weather. James worked for the County of San Diego from the early ’70s until retiring.

He enjoyed camping with his family including annual trips to Lake Powell, made from the mid-’70s through the 2010s. James and Marilyn were longtime Chargers fans with season tickets for over 40 years. They traveled to Miami to see the Chargers play in Super Bowl XXIX. James was an avid reader. James liked dogs and they had a number of great dog companions over the years.

After retiring from the County, he and Marilyn purchased a Lazy Daze motorhome and had many wonderful adventures with the Lazy Daze Caravan Club for 20 years before Marilyn’s passing.

During his retirement he took an interest in genealogy and did extensive research on his family tree. This sometimes led him to contact newfound relatives or reach out to relatives with whom he had lost touch.

James led an adventurous life, had an amazing memory, and enjoyed telling stories about those adventures. James kept his sense of humor throughout his life. He will be missed by many.

Martha Lee Danielson (’72) passed away April 13, 2024, at the Pavilion at Penney Retirement Community in Penney Farms, Florida. She was surrounded by friends and family every hour in her last days.

Marty was born June 25, 1933, in Weymouth, Massachusetts, to Edward H. and Lillian M. Crane. She had two brothers, Edward E. Crane and Fred H. Crane. Marty was involved with the Girl Scouts program, enjoyed reading and cooking, as well as babysitting. A teacher from the outset, she taught her brothers reading, writing, and arithmetic when they were 4 and 5.

Marty graduated from Abington High School in 1951. She was involved with the student council, yearbook, and debate team. She attended one year at Framingham Teachers College and then went on to Gordon College in Boston and graduated with a bachelor’s in early elementary education in 1955.

While in Boston, Marty met her future husband, Gordon at the Sears & Roebuck in 1953, where they both held part-time jobs. They were married in her home church on June 9, 1955. The two recently celebrated their upcoming 69th wedding anniversary. In 1969, they moved to Westerville, Ohio, and three years later adopted their daughter, Molly. Marty was blessed with two grandsons, Weston and Everett, whom she loved dearly.

Marty first taught in Rowley, Massachusetts and in her summertime off helped lead youth groups in Worcester, Massachusetts, and Vacation Bible School in Maine and New Hampshire. In addition to her love of teaching, Marty was active in various church groups from Massachusetts to Florida, as they moved for Gordon’s pastoral duties. She taught in Sunbury, Ohio, and then worked as a graduate assistant at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, and completed a master’s degree in special learning disabilities. Following her time at Marshall, she taught at three area schools in Vienna, West Virginia. A supportive Mother to Molly, from band and piano practices to cheerleading practices and dance rehearsals, she laid the foundation for academic success.

Her favorite pastime after retiring and moving to Jensen Beach, Florida, was looking for shells on the beach. Marty and Gordon lived there nine years before moving to Penney Retirement Community (PRC) in 2008. She was fortunate to take many trips with Gordon, including Alaska, Nicaragua, British Columbia, Egypt and Europe over the years. They visited Oregon nearly every year, with their last trip in August 2022. Countless spring breaks and fall trips were spent either on the Oregon or Florida Coast with the Slack Family, stacking memories high with her beloved grandsons. She was involved with countless groups at PRC, including serving meals at Penmor Place, Clown Ministry, managing and decorating the coffee shop, Penney Buddy Committee, member of the hospice team, 90th birthday celebration committee, and tai chi.

Mannie R. Griffith (’53) died at Martinsburg Health Care Facility on Feb. 3, 2024. He received his Bachelor’s of Science from Marshall College and his Master’s of Science in 1954. He served in the military for 36 years and retired with the rank of Brigadier General. He later became the director of emergency services for the State of West Virginia during the tenures of Govs. Rockefeller and Moore. Griffith also served as a board member of the Salvation Army in Martinsburg for several years.

Elizabeth Anne Staley (’05) died on Nov. 30, 2022, after a three year battle with a glioblastoma of the brain. Liz was 40 years old. She was a resident of New Market, Maryland. She was born on June 6, 1982, to Jim Staley and Mary “Peachy” Barney Staley. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her sister, Catherine Staley and husband David Robinson. Liz grew up in Scrabble, West Virginia, on the family farm. She was a 4-H member and all star. She graduated from Hedgesville High School in the class of 2000. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English education from Marshall University in 2005.

Liz taught language arts at Farmwell Middle School and English at Tuscarora High School in Loudoun County, Virginia. While at Tuscarora she taught yearbook production, helping her students earn many national awards for their publications. This led to a new career with Herff Jones Yearbooks as a sales representative for Northern Virginia. This was her love filled with travel, teaching teachers and creative accomplishments. She was an avid reader, football fan and photographer. Her favorite days were spent at the beach, especially Key West in the company of her best friends. Their devotion to Liz during her long illness sustained her and gave her something to anticipate with their frequent visits. A celebration of life was held on December 11, 2022.

Jennifer Wheeler (’07) married Ben Newhouse on Oct. 28, 2022. Wheeler is the director of development at the Huntington Museum of Art.