Obituaries

William C. "Bill" Cummins who began his career in education as an instructor for Arkansas City Junior College in 1941, was honored recently by Butler County Community College in El Dorado, Kan., when the college named its newest residence hall, Cummins Hall. Cummins was a coach, teacher, and the first dean of students at Butler. He was a big BCCC supporter and was part of the Grizzly Booster Club. He died Dec. 31, 2000. The new residence hall houses 130 students. Cummins, an Arkansas City native, was named academic dean of then Butler County Junior College in 1965. He became the college’s first dean of students in 1971. He spent the next 16 years working with students in this role until retiring in 1987.

Jack B. Hockenbury Sr. (Class of 1961) died July 29 at his home in Arkansas City. He was 62. He graduated from Arkansas City High School in 1956, and after graduating from Cowley in 1961, he went on to Pittsburg State University, graduating in 1965. He served in the U.S. Army with the military police stationed in Georgia and Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. A native of Arkansas City, Jack and his wife, Betty, whom he married on Dec. 18, 1959, made their home in Oklahoma City for 18 years. Jack had worked for the Santa Fe Railroad for several years. In Oklahoma City, he worked for the New York Life Insurance Co. and later served as vice president of the United Casualty Insurance Co. In 1977, the Hockenburys moved back to Arkansas City, where he owned and operated Jack’s Apco until 1988. He began working for General Electric’s Engine Aircraft Maintenance Services at Strother Field in 1986 and retired from there in May 2001.

Sharon Joann Huffstutter (Class of 1969) died Nov. 30, 2000, at her home in Derby. She was 51. Sharon graduated from Arkansas City High School in 1967. In 1973, she was employed and trained by Trans World Airlines as a flight attendant. Later, she was promoted to in-flight service manager and was transferred to New York City, flying primarily international routes. She was a member of the Derby Presbyterian Church and was a life member of the Spencer Ralston Post 1254 V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary.

Katherine C. Milton (Class of 1979) died June 19, 2001, in Peabody. She was 64. She graduated from Winfield High School in 1955 and attended Southwestern College. She received a certificate in cosmetology from Cowley in 1979. On May 31, 1968, she married Amos L. Milton in Miami, Okla. He preceded her in death in 1990. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church.

Gregory L. Patton (Class of 1995) died July 4, 1999. He had lived in Wichita.

Article written Fall 2001