Pi Kappa Alpha - University of Texas

5 www.texaspike.com James R. Moffett Sr. '57 entered Chapter Eternal on January 8, 2021, at 82 at Seton Memorial Hospital in Austin, Texas, from complications from COVID-19. Jim Bob is survived by his wife, Laurée Zachariah Moffett, and their four children and six grandchildren. He received a football and academic scholarship from the University of Texas at Austin and graduated in 1961 with an award for excellence in geology. Aer college, Jim Bob continued his close relationship with renowned coach and mentor Darrell Royal until Darrell's death in 2012. Jim Bob received the UT Distinguished Alumni award in 1981 and remained one of the school's most notable supporters. He began his oil exploration career as a bottom- rung roustabout in the rough-and-tumble Louisiana oil fields by lugging pipe, unclogging pumps and digging ditches. By 1969, he formed an exploration company with two partners, W. K. McWilliams Jr. and B.M. Rankin Jr. ey took the first two-three letters of each of their last names and called it the McMoRan Oil & Gas Co. In 1981, with Jim Bob as chairman and CEO, McMoRan Oil & Gas merged with Freeport Minerals Co. to form Freeport- McMoRan Inc., a Fortune 500 company. At the time, it was one of the largest mergers in Wall Street history. In 1988, under Jim Bob's leadership, Freeport-McMoRan discovered the Grasberg mine in Indonesia, which is considered one of the largest copper and gold mines in the world. Jim Bob also sat on several nonprofit boards over the years. Neill Walsdorf Sr. '57 peacefully entered Chapter Eternal on July 22, 2020, at 83. He and his high school sweetheart, Beverly, celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on July 8, 2020. ey had three children, Neill, Jr.. "Gobie" '79 and Jimmy "Bear" '82 , five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Neill was an avid sailor, tennis player, chef, wine enthusiast, philanthropist and, most of all, a musician. His clarinet went everywhere he went. He was part of the Band Aid Jazz Band, which played charitable events for more than 40 years. In 1972, he took over his family business upon the death of his father. Neill served as president and CEO of Mission Pharmacal Company and remained active in the business until his death. He was a member of the Argyle, Club Giraud, Horseshoe Bay Yacht Club, Chaine des Rotisseurs, the University of Texas Pharmacy Advisory Board, the University of Texas Nursing Advisory Board and a founding member of Lake Canyon Yacht Club. Elmer "Buddy" Nelson Jr. '59 entered Chapter Eternal on December 3, 2020, at 84 following a three-year battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He had a long and successful career as a jewelry and watch salesman for Omega watches from the 1960s to the 1980s and then for SB&T Imports in Houston through the early 2000s. Buddy was also a Freemason, member of the Lions Club in Conroe, Texas, and an active member in his church. He enjoyed working at his ranch, hunting, and spending time with family and friends. Buddy leaves behind three daughters and five grandchildren. Stan McLelland '64 entered Chapter Eternal on November 12, 2020, at 75 aer a long battle with dementia. Along with his lifelong commitment to Pi Kappa Alpha at UT, Stan was admitted into the prestigious Friar Society and graduated with a multi-disciplinary Plan II Honors Degree in 1967. During this time, he met the up-and-coming state representative Barbara Jordan, sparking a lifelong friendship. Stan attended the University of Texas Law School, where he was voted Outstanding Mid- Law Student by the faculty. In 1970, Stan was recruited by the distinguished Houston law firm Baker Botts. His work there would lead to a successful private practice in Austin. In 1982, he joined Valero Energy in San Antonio where he worked for 16 years, first as an executive and later as general counsel and vice president. Probably the greatest honor and adventure of his life was when he was appointed by President Bill Clinton to become the United States Ambassador to Jamaica. He fell in love with the island and its people and worked tirelessly to improve trade relations with the U.S. In Jamaica, he is best known for liing a 25-year ban on the importation of the ackee fruit, a move that was a huge benefit to the local farmers and economy. Stan was also an avid golfer and runner, playing on several prestigious golf courses and competing in many well- known marathons. Mark Lesher '65 entered Chapter Eternal on January 30, 2021, due to complications from COVID-19. He served as Beta Mu's chapter president when he was a UT undergraduate. Mark graduated with a pharmacy degree in 1969 and a law degree in 1972. He began his law career as an assistant district attorney in Bowie County in 1973 and went into private practice in 1975. His practice focused on medical malpractice, personal injury and criminal defense cases. Mark achieved several multi-million-dollar settlements, as well as 10 not guilty verdicts for clients. He also co-founded a medical device manufacturing business that developed and sold a state-of-the- art auto injector. Mark practiced law in Texarkana for 20 years before moving to Red River County in 1996 and opening a second law office in Clarksville. ere, he met Rhonda Long, and they were married in 2003 at their ranch. Mark and Rhonda had three children and five grandchildren, including Mark's son Clayton Lesher '97. Randy Woodard '68 and Kent Woodard '69 were related to Mark by marriage. ey enjoyed traveling to Central America, particularly Costa Rica. In 2009, they moved to Titus County and he opened a third law office in Mt. Pleasant. Mark was an avid reader and consumer of news and actively participated in politics at the local, state, and national levels. He was a baseball enthusiast and attended Whitey Ford's Fantasy Camp. His hand- eye coordination was excellent, and he enjoyed hunting and golf. Mark also seemingly knew how to play any kind of game and handily beat others at dominoes, cards, dice or ping pong. Jordan Pike '16 entered Chapter Eternal on November 5, 2020, at 25. He was a protective brother, witty instigator and a gied student. Jordan could juggle, loved Eminem and his idol was Michael Jordan. He was someone that everyone wanted to be around because he was always happy, friendly and would go to the greatest extents to make anyone laugh. Jordan is survived by his parents, sisters, grandparents and cousins. CHAPTER ETERNAL

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