Christopher Park Ross ’72 died May 14, 2018, in Durham. A graduate of Duke University, he received master's degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill and Old Dominion University, and taught at Norfolk Academy, Hampton Roads Academy and Vance-Granville Community College. He was an avid collector of books, and many of his books were donated to Durham Academy. He is survived by a brother, David Lee Ross ’70 of Durham, and a sister, Marion Ross Godfrey ’64 of Beaverton, Oregon.
Martha Erwin Uzzle ’51 died May 26, 2018, in Durham. She attended Duke University and devoted her life to helping others, having served as president of the Junior League of Durham, chair of the Debutante Ball Society and being counted among the six founders of Caring House. Her encyclopedic knowledge of Hope Valley was a great resource for researchers working on Hope Valley's National Register nomination, and she delighted in having the neighborhood listed by the National Register of Historic Places. She is survived by a son, Dan Uzzle III.
Harry Gooder died May 31, 2018, in Chapel Hill. He served on the Durham Academy Board of Trustees and was chair of the board in 1972–1973. He received his Ph.D. at Leeds University, England, and was a professor of microbiology and immunology at UNC-Chapel Hill, serving as chairman of the faculty 1988–1991. He received the Jefferson Award in 1994 and was a member of the Order of the Golden Fleece. He is survived by his wife, Sally Couch Vilas; and children Caroline M. Gooder ’76, Catherine Vilas Stanford, Mary Coker Vilas ’74 and John Couch Vilas.
Amelia Archer Farrior Thompson died June 5, 2018, in Burlington at the age of 99. A graduate of Peace College and Winthrop College, she taught school for 33 years, teaching kindergarten at Durham Academy for 24 years and serving as director of the Preschool for the last 10 years of her career. She served on the organizing committee of Women in Action for the Prevention of Violence in Durham. In 1989, she was presented the Governor's Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. A member of First Presbyterian Church in both Durham and Burlington, she served as a deacon at the age of 90. She is survived by a son, James F. Thompson ’70 of Durham, and a daughter, Mary Thompson Skinner ’72 of Arapahoe.
Daniel Whitlock Banner died July 24, 2018, in Mason, Ohio. A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, he taught math at Durham Academy from 1983 to 2000, coached baseball and served as coordinator of community service when Durham Academy began hosting the Special Olympics Spring Games. He later worked with social services for 14 years. He is survived by his wife, Mary Holmes Banner of Wilmington, Ohio; a son, James Banner ’01 of Orlando, Florida; and a daughter, Elisabeth Banner ’07 of Greensboro.
- DA News
- Magazine Winter 2019