For more than 50 years in South Texas Kappa Men have been achieving in all fields of human endeavor in South Eastern Texas.
Chauncey L. Martin was born on February 24, 1923 in Alto, Texas. He graduated from Dunbar High School in Lufkin, Texas. Later, he served his country in the United States Army. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Army, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Prairie View A & M University. He taught in Elgin, Texas and Beaumont, Texas before beginning a successful career with the United States Postal Service. After retiring from the postal service, Chauncey served as a substitute teacher. He was a faithful member of St. James Methodist Church in Beaumont, Texas. As a member of St. James, he was a Sunday School Teacher, member of the Male Chorus and Sanctuary Choir and trustee board. He was also a board member of SAFE Credit Union. Chauncey was initiated into the Port Arthur Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. in 1953. He was an active member of the Port Arthur Alumni Chapter when he died on December 18, 2007.
Born in Galveston, Texas to the late Mabel and Willie Sennette, Sr., “Willie C”, as he affectionately called, was an outstanding student at Central High School and Huston-Tillotson College. At Huston-Tillotson he was one of the most talented students in the music department. In addition to his stellar academic career, he excelled as a gifted musician. Everybody knew, “The saxophone was his first love.”
He pledged Gamma Lambda Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi on January 19, 1953 at Huston-Tillotson College. He served as Polemarch of that chapter. Sennette’s commitment to Kappa was a pure reflection of love, fraternal fidelity and mutual respect, primary ingredients upon which Kappa Alpha Psi was founded.
Educational Background 1952 graduate of Dunbar High School, Livingston, Texas where he lettered in football, basketball, and track. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Prairie A & M University. While at Prairie View, participated in football, basketball, and track; 1954-1955, a two-time All American in football; 1955 captain of football and track teams; 1955-56, all-academic/athletic team, second leading rushing in Prairie View’s history.
William Curtis Cambric Goolsbye was born October 9, 1931 in Beaumont, Texas. He attended the public schools in Beaumont and was a 1948 graduate of Hebert High School. After graduation, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Samuel Houston College in Austin, Texas. Also, during his matriculation, he was initiated into the Gamma Lambda Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. in 1950 along with Hurley Granger. He later earned the Master of Arts Degree from Prairie View A & M University in Prairie View, Texas. Later, he joined the United States Air Force where was honorably discharged after four years of service. He extended his service time for an additional four years as a reservist.
Glenn A. Darden was born September 5, 1945 in Chester, Texas. He graduated from Chester High School in 1964. He attended and graduated from Prairie View A & M University in Prairie View, Texas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Education. He also earned a Master of Science degree from Prairie View after continuing his education. Glenn taught at Hebert High School from 1969 until 1979. He continued his professional career by working 17 years for Mobil Oil where he retired as an Electrical Supervisor. He was initiated into the Port Arthur Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. in 1972. He later served the Beaumont Alumni Chapter as Vice Polemarch and Dean of Pledgees. He is a faithful member of the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Beaumont, Texas. He is married to Nettie and they have three children: Mark, Kimberly and Glenda.
Hurley Paul Granger was born in Beaumont, Texas on January 9, 1931. He attended the public schools in Beaumont and was a 1947 graduate of Hebert High School at the age of 15. Because of his young age he had to work a year before enrolling in college. In 1948 he entered Samuel Huston College in Austin, Texas. While matriculating, he majored in English and was initiated into the Gamma Lambda Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. along with William Goolsbye in 1950. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1952. Later, he served his country in the United States Army from 1952 through 1954 before receiving an honorable discharge. His professional teaching career covered 35 years of service at Hebert High School in Beaumont, Texas. During his 35 year teaching career, he served as senior class sponsor, school annual producer and coach of the boy’s tennis team that won 2 state championships. Outside the classroom, he participated in the Beaumont Community Players and worked at Big Thicket National Park. He was a founding member of the Brothers Club in Beaumont, Texas. Hurley was a young, bright student that matured into a wise man. His words of wisdom include sayings like, “For every hope that you entertain, you have a task you must perform. For every good you wish to preserve, you will have to sacrifice your comfort and ease. There’s nothing for nothing any longer” and “Never regret. If it’s good, it’s wonderful. If it’s bad, it’s experience.”
Samuel Miles Peterson was born on August 4, 1932 in Brady, Texas. He graduated from Dunbar High School in Brady, Texas. After graduating, he attended Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. During his matriculation, he was initiated into the Beta Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., May 2, 1953. He interrupted his college education by serving his country in the United States Army from 1953 until 1955. After serving his country, he returned to TSU where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1958. Later, he earned a Master of Arts degree from Prairie View A & M University in Prairie View, Texas. Sam taught in the Beaumont Independent School District for 31 years. During that time he taught mostly at Hebert High School before finally teaching at the Westbrook High School 9th Grade Campus. Before he retired, he was awarded Teacher of the Year from Hebert High School. He participated in the Texas State Teacher’s Association (TSTA). He is a life member of the National Education Association and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.He is a former delegate to TSTA and Southwestern Province Board Member. Sam is a faithful member of Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church in Beaumont, Texas. He was the first Polemarch of the Beaumont Alumni Chapter. He served in that capacity from 1973 until 1978.
Elmo R. Willard, III was born on September 14, 1930 in Beaumont, Texas. He attended the public schools in Beaumont. He graduated from Charlton-Pollard High School in 1947. After graduating he enrolled at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. During his matriculation at Fisk University, he was initiated into the Alpha Delta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He like being one of the “Kappas” , enjoying the social life and playing intramural basketball for Alpha Delta. He majored in economics and business administration but was of two minds about his future. On one hand he talked about returning to join his father in the mortuary business; on the other, he dreamed of going to law school At Fisk, he met and fell in love with Patricia Green whom he married on Valentine’s Day 1951, just a few months before he graduated with a Bachelor of Art Degree. He started law school at Howard University in Washington, D.C. in September 1951. After graduating from law school, Elmo moved his wife and son to Beaumont, Texas. In 1955, he and Theodore Johns, Sr. formed Johns & Willard, a partnership with offices on Washington Boulevard. At the same time, he managed Willard & Willard, the family’s mortuary business on Forsythe Street.
Walter Lee Scourton was born October 20, 1915 in Texas. Walter attended Texas College. During his matriculation at Texas College, he was initiated into the Beta Beta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., on May 15, 1937. He graduated with a degree in Education. He was a charter member of the Austin Alumni Chapter in February 12, 1949. He was the Keeper of Records and Exchequer of Southwestern Province (1953-1955) under Dr. Oba B. White. On September 20, 1952 he married his love, Lillie, in San Marcos, Texas. To that union one child was born – Pamela Scourton. He was a faithful member of St. Mark Episcopal Church in Beaumont, Texas. He died June 11, 1976 in Houston, Texas. He taught school in Beaumont several years before he died.
Perry F. Coleman, Jr. was born on July 15, 1927 in Manning, Texas. He attended high school in Beaumont, Texas. After he graduated from high school, he served his country in the United States Army from February 13, 1946 until December 16, 1948. While serving his country, he earned the Victory Ribbon in World War II. After serving his country, he attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. During his matriculation at Fisk, he was initiated into the Alpha Delta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. in 1952. He worked as a self-employed barber most of his professional career. Perry died October 17, 1996 in Beaumont, Texas.
James White was born on September 18, 1935 in Sweetwater, Texas. He graduated from Phyllis Wheatley High School in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating from high school, he attended Prairie View A & M University in Prairie View, Texas. During his matriculation, he played on the 1958 football team which won the Black College National Football Championship by defeating Florida A & M University 26 to 8 in Miami, Florida. He was All-SWAC End in 1958. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1960. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Prairie View. He also did advance graduate studies at Prairie View and Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.
John Calvin Franklin was born on April 17, 1933 in Orange, Texas. He attended the public schools in Orange, Texas. After graduating from high school, he attended Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. During his matriculation, he was initiated into the Alpha Chi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. on May 17, 1952. John worked for the United States Postal Service in Orange, Texas until an illness forced him to retire early. He was married to Helen Franklin and they had one daughter, Phaedra Franklin. He died December 10, 1992 in Orange, Texas.
National Awards * 1997 Paul W. Caine Award National Alumni Chapter of the Year * 1995 Paul W. Caine Award National Alumni Chapter of the Year Regional Awards * 1997 Southwestern Province Alumni Chapter of the Year * 1996 Southwestern Province Alumni Chapter of the Year * 1995 Southwestern Province Alumni Chapter of the Year *1994 Southwestern Province Alumni Chapter of the Year *1994 Morris Fix Jeff Award Best Alumni Scrapbook
Past Provincial Officers Southwestern Province Vice-Polemarch SWP Administrative Assistant (SETX) Judge Ransom Jones (1986-88) Karl J. Holmes (2011- 2022)
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