Gordon Neville (’55

Gordon Neville (’55) gives Darlington’s Baccalaureate Address in 2007.

Leaving a legacy

When he arrived on campus in 1951, Gordon Neville (’55) had no idea what lay ahead for him by the Lakeside. But what began as a four-year boarding experience for a missionary kid from Pernambuco, Brazil, now represents nearly half of a century of service and devotion to Darlington and hundreds of lives changed by his humor, kindness, and wisdom.

As a student, he was involved with many extracurricular activities, but soccer was the one that he would continue at Davidson College. He returned to the Lakeside in 1962 to begin his 44-year career. First hired as a middle grades math and Bible teacher, he served in a number of roles during his tenure, including soccer and football coach, business manager, Upper School math and geography teacher, dean of students, resident dean of Wilcox Hall, summer school principal, and associate headmaster. His last role was director of the J. Daniel Hanks Sr. (’27) Heritage Society, where he enjoyed connecting with alumni.

“Gordon believed in Darlington’s mission and loved its students,” said trustee Whit Whitaker (’77, LD ’15). “His wry sense of humor both reflected and pierced his formality, and reflected always a love and enjoyment of others and a delight in the sometimes crazy world around him. In his lifelong commitment to Darlington and its students, he had few equals.”

According to legend, Gordon’s most significant decision during his first few years at Darlington was to take a break from grading papers one evening for a walk around campus. On this stroll, he met Betsy, the lovely younger sister of a colleague’s wife. He offered a tour of the campus, she suggested dinner, and, as they say, the rest is history.

Gordon and Betsy married Aug. 23, 1969, and raised their children, Mary Elizabeth (Neville) Martin (’90), William Neville (’92), and Leverett Neville (’95), as a deeply connected family in the Darlington Community. Known for their hospitality and warmth, the couple opened their home to new and veteran faculty and staff members for dinner, and often hosted baby showers and engagement parties. Betsy would have faculty children over to the house to bake and loved taking friends’ dogs for walks around campus.

Affectionately known by students as “Sneaky G,” the ninja, or simply “coach,” Gordon is unequivocally remembered as a catcher of rule-breakers and true southern gentleman. Not entirely a disciplinarian, he had a great sense of humor and would often play an iconic “eye trick” over dinner, making those around the table laugh.

“He was a man who, until now in heaven, would never know the extent of the lives he impacted,” said Danny Orthwein (’06, LD ’12). “His sheer presence demanded and called forth the best in any student who was blessed enough to know him or unfortunate enough to be reprimanded by him (for the better).”

Kevin Ivester (’87), middle grades math teacher and dear friend of Gordon’s son, William, says the elder Neville treated everyone with respect and always served with humility.

“I remember eating lunch with Mr. Neville in the dining hall my first year as a teacher,” Ivester said. “A female teacher walked up to the table. Mr. Neville stood up, walked over to the open chair, pulled out the seat for his female colleague and said, ‘Please, have a seat and join us.’ I saw Mr. Neville do this many, many times during my years at Darlington. Why did that simple act make an impression on me as a young, 20-something teacher? Maybe because there are so many people who spend their time talking about how one should act, but it is a rare man whose actions are louder than words. He was showing me, as a young man, how to show respect for others.”

This gentlemanly nature was modeled for all, but for his wife, Betsy, first and foremost. In the many times Gordon was honored at Darlington, he was known to bring attention to her loving support.

Gordon retired from Darlington in 2006, and the couple moved to a family home that was built nearly a century ago in Montreat, N.C. Even in retirement, he stayed connected, reaching out to check in and loyally supporting the school through The Darlington Fund and as a proud member of the Heritage Society. He also returned to campus to give the Baccalaureate Address in 2007 and for his class reunions.

“I will always remember something that Mr. Neville told our soccer team in the locker room before the final game of our high school careers,” said Ivester. “He did not speak about strategy or what would be necessary to win. Instead, he told us, ‘Think of the friendships you have made by kicking a ball through a blade of grass.’ It has remained emblazoned in my mind for all these years.”

continued on p. 36

Betsy and Gordon Neville (’55)

Gordon passed away Oct. 5, 2020, just five months after his beloved Betsy. Their Darlington legacy will continue to live on through the Neville Family Fund, which was established after his retirement with earnings awarded as tuition assistance to qualified students in need; the Neville Soccer Fields; and the boys’ dorm, Neville House.

In the winter of 2021, the Neville children established a new award in honor of their parents to recognize faculty and staff members, including facilities and food service, who have served the school for 25 years or more. The Betsy and Gordon Neville Faculty Award is now given in the spirit of the Nevilles, whose years of service reflect the profound dedication, loyalty, and love that they had for Darlington and its people.

“We established this award to honor the employees who have chosen to dedicate a huge chunk of their lives to Darlington, just as our parents did,” said Mary Elizabeth. “Darlington was family to my parents, and they got as much out of their time there as what they invested. The employees honored with this award have also put down roots and have given their time and energy to Darlington, and this should be celebrated. Their service is a testament to Darlington; it’s not just a career but a life.”

Kevin Ivester (’87), William Neville (’92), Leverett Neville (’95), Mary Elizabeth (Neville) Martin (’90) and Sam Moss (’63) at the Brown Faculty Appreciation Dinner in May. Ivester and Moss were among the inaugural recipients of The Betsy and Gordon Neville Faculty Award, honoring faculty and staff who have served the school for 25 years or more.

Life Trustee Spotlights

John Hunter of New York City died May 10, 2020. A Darlington student from Rome, he served as vice president of the Honor Council and was a member of the Jabberwokk yearbook staff as well as the football, soccer, and track teams. Hunter went on to earn his B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech and a Navy commission, serving on two naval destroyers and earning the Secretary of the Navy Commendation for Achievement Award. He returned to Rome and married his wife, Betsy, before earning his MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School. He would go on to found the international conference and seminar company EXNET and have two children, retiring when his company sold in 2007. An active Darlington alumnus, Hunter served on the Board of Trustees, as Class Agent, on the Second Century Campaign Cabinet, and was a member of both the J.J. Darlington Society and the J. Daniel Hanks (’27) Sr. Heritage Society. He was named a Life Trustee in 2017.

Jerry Hubbard of Rome died Nov. 16, 2020. Born in Gastonia, N.C., he went on to earn a football scholarship to Duke University, where he studied accounting and met his wife, Patsy. After a period of service in the U.S. Army, the couple moved to New York, where he was an accountant for Arthur Anderson. He went on to earn his MBA from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, before returning to Arthur Anderson in Atlanta. The Hubbards moved to Rome in 1965 and shortly thereafter he joined business partner Bill Carroll in founding Marglen Industries Inc. The Hubbards sent three children to Darlington. In 2000, in memory of their daughter, Amanda (’78), they established the school’s Amanda Hubbard de Costerd (’78) Scholarship. He also served on the Board of Trustees, as treasurer of the Board of Trustees, on the Design for Darlington Campaign Committee, was a member of the J. Daniel Hanks Jr. (’27) Heritage Society, and was named a Life Trustee in 1999.

1941 1942

Doc Ayers died Dec. 19, 2020

1953

William Gignilliat died April 14, 2020

1954 1944

Robert Etheridge died Dec. 23, 2020

1945 1946 1948

Luther Carter died Sept. 26, 2020

Otis Milner died Jan. 17, 2020

1955 1957

Cecil Rhodes died March 20, 2021

1958 1951 1952 1953

Jack Atha died Sept. 6, 2020

Robert Davis died Aug. 2, 2020 Mike Luxenberg died July 26, 2020

1959 1961

Tennent Neville died May 9, 2021

1963

John Scoggins died Dec. 15, 2020

Henry Moses died Dec. 13, 2019

Tommy Thompson died Jan. 29, 2021

1967T 1968

Raine Taylor died Oct. 13, 2020 Gordon Neville died Oct. 4, 2020

1964

Robert Franklin died Sept. 7, 2020

1965T

Dean Covington died Nov. 29, 2020

1966T

Jack Vardaman died Sept. 23, 2020

1966

Gary York died April 16, 2021

Charles Lindsay died Dec. 24, 2020 Pat (Jones) Gore died Aug. 7, 2020 Emily (Hogg) Barba died Jan. 7, 2021

Tom Hyatt died April 23, 2021

1969 1970T 1970 1972T 1973

Nancie (Wright) McManus died Sept. 23, 2020

Sam Banks died Dec. 21, 2020

Andy Mears died Oct. 28, 2020 Linda (Harris) Hine died May 10, 2021

1990 1998 2006 2021

Bob Jones died Feb. 16, 2021 Sloan Bashinsky died Dec. 5, 2020

Ryan Clark died Jan. 31, 2021

Tyler Studstill died Feb. 4, 2021 Not Pictured – 1944: Allen Brookins-Brown died Oct. 23, 2020 1967: Stuart Huston died Dec. 23, 2020 Memorials published in this issue reflect those who passed away between July 31, 2020, and June 24, 2021. Additional memorials reported to the Advancement Office during the past year can be found at www.darlingtonschool.org. Alumni and former faculty who passed away after June 24, 2021, will be included in the next issue.

Mike Bryant died Dec. 29, 2020 Lyn (Cunningham) Mackersie died June 15, 2021

Dallas Battle died March 5, 2021

Harold Arnold died Dec. 12, 2020

Robert Jones died Dec. 16, 2020

Stewart Richardson died Feb. 1, 2021 Terry Bradshaw died Jan. 18, 2021

1967

Lou Harris died Jan. 10, 2021

1975

Janie Brackett died Aug. 23, 2020

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