In Memoriam

’50 Thomas LeClair “Clair” Allen, DVM, 90, of Greenville, Miss., died Nov. 20, 2018. Following graduation from Auburn in 1950, Allen practiced in Memphis, Tenn., for two years before moving to Greenville, where he spent his career in veterinary medical practice. He served as past president of Greenville Rotary Club, having 55 years of perfect attendance. He was a member and past president of the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association, and was chosen as Veterinarian of the Year in Mississippi in 1994. He was an honor roll member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, a member of the American Animal Hospital Association since 1955, and he served on the Advisory Committee of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University. He is survived by two daughters; one son; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and extended family.

‘51 Harry Stanley McAbee, DVM, 93, of Orlando, Fla., died Nov. 1, 2018. He enlisted in the Marines at the age of 17 and served his country in World War II. Following his service, he attended Auburn University and studied veterinary medicine. Following gradu-ation, he and his bride, Jacqueline, moved to Orlando where they opened McAbee Veterinary Hospital, and he practiced his love for animals for nearly 40 years. He was a founding member of the Rotary Club of Orange County East-Winter Park and recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow and a founding member of the Veterinary Emergency Clinic of Central Florida. He enjoyed playing golf, tennis, tending to his grape-vines, watching his Auburn Tigers play, and spending time with family. He is survived by five children; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

’58 W.L. Chapman, Jr., DVM, 89, of Athens, Ga., died Oct. 7, 2018. A Tennessee native, Chapman earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee, then served in the U.S. Army Ordinance Corps 1950-1952 as a military intelligence specialist. He was a member of Omega Tau Sigma fraternity at Auburn. After graduation and marriage in 1958, Chapman had a private veterinary practice for five years in Chattanooga. He sold his practice in 1962 to begin graduate studies, first at Colorado State University, where he received his Master of Science degree in radiology, and later a Ph.D. in pathology and radiology from the University of Wisconsin. He returned to the University of Georgia, where he’d previously served before seeking advanced degrees. He rose from the ranks of assistant professor to head, Department of Medicine and Surgery, and later, professor, Department of Pathology. He retired in 1993. He is survived by his wife, Betty Ann; two daughters; and one granddaughter.

’58 David Kelley, DVM, 84, of Franklin, Tenn., died Sept. 24, 2018. A native of Rockford, Alabama, he practiced veterinary medicine in Memphis, Tenn., for 40 years. He is survived by his wife, Wilma; one daughter and two grandchildren.

’59 George W. Grimes, DVM, 83, of Louisville, Ky., died Oct. 16, 2018. After graduating cum laude from Auburn and earning his DVM, he moved to Louisville to open a small animal clinic where he practiced for 50 years, retiring in 2014. He served as past president of the Jefferson County Veterinary Medical Associ-ation. He loved music, learning to play the organ and piano; a weekly golf game; and fishing with family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; three sons; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

’60 William L. Adams, DVM, 83, of Mt. Vernon, Ky., died Oct. 10, 2018. After graduating from the University of Kentucky, he earned his DVM from Auburn. He served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force, and upon honorable discharge, he returned first to Somerset and then to Mt. Vernon to continue his service to others. He became known for providing compassionate and excellent care for animals and was affectionately called “Doc” or “Doc Adams” by those who knew and loved him. He and his late wife, Lillian, established the Adams Veterinary Clinic on the family farm that has been in his family for multiple generations. “Doc” provided veterinary medical care for more than 50 years and was well known for his dedicated service to the profession of veterinary medicine. Adams is survived by extended family.

’69 Richard F. Hill, DVM, of Wetumpka, Ala., died Nov. 25, 2018. Hill received an undergraduate degree in 1965 before the DVM from Auburn. He served in the U.S. Air Force for two years and six years in the reserves. He practiced veterinary medicine for one year in Oneonta, Ala., and for 34 years at the Animal Health Center in Crestview, Fla. He served on the Board of Directors of the Alabama Treasure Forest Association. He is survived by his wife, Pamela; two sons; three grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and extended family.

’73 Kenneth Gerald Strong, DVM, 69, of Forest, Miss., died Oct. 10, 2018. A Mississippi native, he graduated from Mississippi State University before receiving his DVM from Auburn, where he was a member of Omega Tau Sigma veterinary fraternity. He was a practicing veterinarian in Jackson, Miss., for three years before moving to Cleveland, where he owned and practiced medicine at Animal Medical Clinic for 11 years. He was employed by the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service for 27 years, as a veterinary inspector in Forest, Miss., at McCarty, Lady Forest Farms and Tyson. He is survived by his wife, Pat; two daughters; two grandsons; and extended family.

’77 David Joseph Stricker, Sr., DVM, 67, of Amelia, Ohio, died Dec. 25, 2018. An undergraduate of the University of Kentucky, Stricker worked at Highland Heights Veterinary Hospital and Grady Animal Hospital in Dayton, Ky., after he earned the DVM. In 1980, he opened Clermont Animal Hospital in Batavia, Ohio. He had a deep passion for veterinary medicine and grew his practice into a thriving clinic, caring for small and exotic animals of more than 20,000 families throughout the region. In 2003, his daughter, Julia (Stricker) Esposito, DVM, joined his practice, and together they designed their new clinic, which opened in 2016. It has since been named the Best of the East by Cincy Magazine. Survivors include his children, four daughters and a son, and 10 grandchildren. The Batavia Community Center and Park will commemorate their new dog park in honor of Dr. Stricker.