Family Relation

Congratulations to ATO brother Richard Hainkel on becoming a first-time grandfather to close out 2011! Richard’s daughter Aubrey gave birth to Isla Blue Anders (7.5 lbs) on Saturday, December 31, 2011! Aubrey and her husband Grant welcomed their daughter into this world at 5:19 p.m. Richard and his wife Lori can be reached at (512) 423-0026.

Fellow ATOs…

Well… The news finally arrived. We all knew this email would be coming someday, but always wanted it to arrive much later than sooner. We have lost our Brother Bill Philleaux, the first president of our beloved Dons Social Club, and one of the primary factors in getting the club established at Sam Houston. His wife, Ann, has described the last few hours in her email below. Having learned of what Bill was going through, and the pain that he was enduring, as crude as it may sound, he is probably better off and will no longer have to deal with all those pains, for he is in the hands of the good Lord.

Obviously plans for his services have not been announced, but as soon as I learn of them I will pass them along.

Love & respect to one and all,

A W

Brothers,

As many of you know, Brother Mike Davis’ father, Norman Davis, passed away recently. Brother Joe Smith conducted the service and I am assured he did a wonderful job, as always. Alpha Tau Omega sent flowers to the service in support of Mike, Cynthia and their family. Following is the text of a thank you note from Mike:

Roy,

Zeta Mu ATO Little Sister from the early 1980’s, Shannon Mitchel, lost her brother Chuck to liver disease earlier this week (January 30, 2011). Many of us from that era knew Shannon, but, a lot of us have lost touch with her, other brothers and little sisters over the years. If you are on Facebook, Shannon can be reached at facebook.com/shannon.mitchel.

A.W Randle posts the following: Fellow Dons & ATOs….. A bit of sad news to report this evening. Charlie Hodges’ brother, Pat Hodges (who was an ATO), passed away about 7:47 PM on Saturday, January 29. Pat and Charlie lived next door to each other down in Sandia, Texas (which is close to Corpus). Charlie had told me earlier that Pat would be buried there in the Sandia area.

Ronald Caldwell

January 7, 1947 - November 24, 2010

Ronald Hudgins Caldwell, age 63, of Richmond and formerly of Wharton, died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010 in Houston.

He was born on Jan. 7, 1947 the son of Merrill Hudgins Caldwell and the late John Caldwell.

Mr. Caldwell was reared in the Hungerford area and graduated from Wharton High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Sam Houston State College.

Ronnie Caldwell, another of the Zeta Mu brotherhood has passed on to the Chapter Eternal. My dad passed away just a year ago and I am reminded of the issues to which attention requires. While flowers and plants enhance the service, they become another chore for the family. I gather from Kuch that Ronnie’s widow, Barbara, would be honored to have donations made to assist our newest Brothers with their college expenses. If you are inclined to make a donation in lieu of flowers, please mail your tax deductible contribution made out to SHSU-ATO Scholarship Fund (% Rick Hanna; PO Box 25; Huntsville, TX 77342) with a remark as to whom the memorial is being made. The University will send a letter to the family recognizing the gift. Last week I carried over $2,000 in memorials for Orin Covell and Steve Robinson

Orin Covell is the example to follow

by Denise Adams. FromThe Fort Bend Herald Thursday, November 11, 2010

A city can be characterized by bricks, buildings and roads. A community, on the other hand, is a reflection of the people who live there, those who create a sense of family.

Fort Bend County lost one of its most beloved pillars of the community with the passing of Orin Covell. Orin’s list of accomplishments are enviable — numerous booster clubs, MUD boards and civic boards.

At his wake, the line to greet Orin’s family stretched outside the funeral home and down the driveway. Many of us waited over an hour in line to hug Becky, and everyone from mayors to judges to business executives to college buddies came to pay their respects at both the wake and the funeral.

I remember Orin as the smiling guy in the starched white shirt and impeccable silver hair who’d start to tell me a story and, 30 minutes later, get to the end. But what a marvelous ride Orin took us on when he told his stories.

A Funeral Mass for Orin N. Covell, 64, of Richmond, Texas will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, November 5, 2010 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Richmond where Fr. Howard Drabek will officiate the services. Interment will follow at Morton Cemetery in Richmond.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, November 4, 2010;at Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Chapel in Rosenberg.

Orin was born February 12, 1946 in Rosenberg to Milton Orin and Falba May (Buchholz) Covell. He served 6 years in the U.S. Army Reserve with the 463rd Engineer Detachment (Fire Fighters) and attained the rank of Sgt/E5 as a crew chief. Orin served as Mascot of the Richmond Fire Department in 1952 and has been an active volunteer member for over 30 years.

I am in shock this morning, word is just getting out that Orin Covell passed away last night perhaps to a stroke or heart attack.

Below is the information that I have received,

Love & Respect,

Rico