CHAPTER ETERNAL
Fratres Usque Ad Aram Fideles
Dr. C. Blaine Carpenter Beta Chi–West Virginia Wesleyan ’63 (1943–2020): Dr. Carpenter was a graduate of Lindsay Wilson Jr. College, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Marshall University, and the University of Cincinnati, where he earned a Ph.D. in biology. As a biology professor, he first taught at Bethany College in West Virginia, and later at Clayton State College in Georgia. He became an early advocate for Distance Learning and ultimately served as the Director of Educational Services at Georgia Public Broadcasting TV in Atlanta. He was a member of the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society. Carpenter was Faculty Advisor to the Beta Chi chapter when he was appointed the Commander of the William Sprigg Hamilton Province in 1972. He served in that role until he was elected to the Executive Council in 1973 and served until 1977. He was also member of the Hamilton Court of Honor. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Kathleen (Budzak).
Gordon H. “Stumpy” Harris, Esq.
Gordon Saussy “Batman” Varnedoe
Beta Zeta–Florida 1957
Emory–Epsilon 1957; Gamma–Georgia
(1938–2021): Stumpy’s reputation as a skilled attorney and litigator was nationally known. Specializing in eminent domain cases, he ultimately argued, and won, before the United States Supreme Court. He was a dedicated KA and proud “Bull Gator” supporting both the KAOEF and University of Florida, especially the Athletic Department. He served as William B. Crawford Province Commander (1993–1997) and as a member of the KAOEF Board of Trustees during 1998– 2000, 2002–2004, and 2010–2016. He was the KAOEF Leadership Lecturer in 1998. As a Trustee, he advised the Order and the KAOEF in 2013–2014 during efforts to sell the then headquarters at the former Rockbridge County Jail and adjacent properties in Lexington under threat of taking by eminent domain from the county. That sale, of course, paved the way for the Foundation to purchase Mulberry Hill. He hosted many Executive Council meetings at his vacation home in Cocoa Beach, Florida. He was a member of the Crawford Court of Honor and a recipient of the Knight Commander’s Accolade, a member of the Loyal Order, Forever KA, the Crimson & Gold Society, and the 1865 Trust. He is survived by his wife, Ruthie, and his children, Rutledge, Sarah, and Bruce Harris (Beta Zeta–Florida ’87).
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(1938–2021): Affectionately known as “Batman,” he was born in Savannah, Georgia, he was initiated at Emory University, before transferring to and graduating from UGA. There he served as Number I. He served as Hardeman Province Commander (2004–2006) and was a longtime member of the Georgia Coastal Empire Alumni Chapter. He was inducted into the Hardeman Province Court of Honor in 1994, and in 2003, he received the Knight Commander’s Accolade. He is survived by his wife Catharine and daughter Elise.
As of publication time, the Order was aware of the passing of former first lady of KA, Linda Hill Dreyer, late wife of 39th Knight Commander William E. Dreyer (Alpha Delta– William Jewell ’57), 31st Knight Commander Jack R. Taylor (Beta Iota–Drury ’50), and William A. “Bill” Wood (Alpha–Washington & Lee ’03), grandson of our Chief Founder James Ward Wood. Their obituaries will be published in the next edition.
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