Delta Kappa Epsilon - University of Alabama

4 Delta Kappa Epsilon ALUMNI NEWS Oliver Delchamps Jr. '54 Psi for Life O liver H. Delchamps Jr. '54 was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, before he pledged DKE in 1950. More than half a century later, Ollie is still happy to see that being a DKE means the same thing today as it meant when he became a member. At age 82, he shares that getting old isn't for sissies, but he still loves to reminisce on his college memories and wants to see Psi Chapter traditions continue far into the future. There were seventeen brothers in the Ollie's pledge class which he shared was much larger than the rest of the fraternities at the University of Alabama. While he never lived in the chapter house, Ollie ate breakfast and lunch there every day. One of his favorite memories was one night when a brother decided he wanted to go to the Masters Golf Tournament. Being the only brother with a car, Ollie stepped up to the challenge and a group of men drove to Augusta, Georgia. When asked if getting tickets was as hard to get back then as they are today, he smiled and said they just sort of snuck in. After serving in the air force, Ollie joined his father's business Delchamps Inc. and worked his way up to Chairman and CEO. His expertise and drive guided the 66 retail chain of grocery stores to annual sales of $500 million dollars, and gave employment to more than 3,600 people. He also gave time and money to many organizations serving the Mobile community, served on the board of trustees of the University of Alabama for more than 20 years, and acted as president of America's Junior Miss Scholarship Fund. He was especially instrumental in his support of the Boy Scouts of America and Mobile United Way. In 1987 Ollie became President of the National Chamber of Commerce and befriended Ronald Reagan who once came to the house to visit in Mobile. Ollie's son John remembers a friend trying to cut through the yard on the way home and being tackled by the secret service in the bushes. Ollie was also a personal friend of President George W. Bush as well as Bear Bryant. He remembers sharing more than one drink with the Bear in airport cocktail lounges on the way home from football games. Ollie was married to Otilia Amelia "Tilly" Delchamps just shy of 60 years. They attended the University of Alabama together where Tilly was a Kappa Kappa Gamma. They raised three children, Oliver III, Karen and John and today have seven grandchildren. In fact all four of Oliver's grandsons are DKEs. Keeping DKE with him his entire career, Oliver exemplifies most equal proportions the gentleman, the philanthropist, the successful businessman and the jolly good-fellow. When asked what sort of advice he would give to today's incoming DKE freshman he wanted us to remind them that "It's never over." If ever in Fairhope take a moment and visit Ollie at The Brennity 50 Spring Run Road, Fairhope, AL 36532 In the spring of 2014 I took a road trip from Birmingham to Fairhope to visit with and interview Oliver Delchamps Jr (Ollie) for the Sighs of Psi. While in Mobile I had a chance to drink beer with pledge brothers Johnny Delchamps, Orville Smith and Scotty Bowman. We met at MaGhee's where Johnny and I drank a six of Budweiser while Orville and Scotty split a six of O'Doul's. Time marches on. Johnny reminded us that at one point in 1979, he faced his father Ollie and said: "Listen here you ol man when I get out of here you better put me in the produce department cause these _ _ _ _ _ _'s have made a vegetable out of me." Mr. Delchamps has been a hero of mine since he allowed me to live in his house the summer of my junior year at Alabama while his family moved over the bay. Having my own summer mansion was not bad for a kid from Birmingham. I changed my name to Delchamps for the summer and it was much easier to get a date as well as entertain in my new crib. In Mr. Delchamps' study there were dozens of plaques and awards as well as pictures taken with the most significant leaders of his time. The interview took place in an assisted living facility in Fairhope. Ollie's good friend Peter Hamilton came over and along with "Johnny D" Delchamps and Black Chaffe we spent more than an hour reminiscing about DKE in the 50s. It was obviously a good time to be in college and in the best fraternity on campus. Ollie always had a charm about him and it's still there in force today. His distinctly southern voice and charismatic smile are unforgettable. ~ Lee Hurley '82 Save the Date Annual Crawfish Bowl - March 6 and 7 The crawfish boil is a favorite rush party for many actives because the weather is warming back up for it. Talbot Richey's father cooked the crawfish and will return this year to do it again.

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