Enjoy a review of some of our faculty members
Biology Department Football & Basketball Coach Fletcher M. Arritt Jr. was born in Fayetteville, W.Va., over 80 years ago. He left us to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, after a long battle with Alzheimer's. Fletcher's love for Christ was demonstrated by serving at his church (Fork Union Baptist), his community, and his work. Throughout his life he was active in sports, most avidly basketball and running. He enjoyed fishing on the James and listening to the trains. He taught biology and coached at Fork Union Military Academy for 46 years. He was well-known as the head coach of the post graduate basketball team at FUMA, and started the basketball summer camp with his wife, which continues. He has been recognized by his school and the state of Virginia as well as nationally. In 2018, his home court at FUMA was dedicated to him. Those who knew him well, knew he did not believe in trophies. His desire for people, not limited to those he coached or taught, was to inspire them to improve, learn and grow as reflected in the motto "Body, Mind, Spirit." He was old school, the straight arrow, and loyal to a fault. He enjoyed the continued contact of many friends, family, coaches, and players throughout the years. We will end as he always ended his conversations, "God Bless." If desired, donations may be made in Fletcher's name to the Fletcher Arritt Scholarship Fund at FUMA or to Fork Union Baptist Church. | d. 06/16/2021 |
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 Physics/Chemistry Department Richard D. Faix, 91, departed this life on October 16, 2021, surrounded by his wife and daughter. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was raised in Milford, Delaware. After attending Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia, he served three years in the Air Force, including a tour in Korea. After working for several years at Sears, Roebuck & Co. in Richmond, he went to Fork Union Military Academy where he taught physics and chemistry for 36 years. He played several instruments and played with the Second-Wind Band in Charlottesville, Virginia for many years. Besides being a talented musician, he was an artist and built many clocks as a hobby. If desired, donations be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 754 Bremo Bluff Road, Bremo Bluff, VA 23022 or Fork Union Military Academy, Fork Union, Virginia in Cpt Faix's name. | d. 10/16/2021 |
Mathematics Department Jack E. Feathers, 88, of Farmville, Va., formerly of Fork Union, Va., died on Friday, June 10, 2022, following a lengthy illness. He was born on April 25, 1934, in Altoona, Pa., the son of Chester and Hazel (Ritchey) Feathers. Jack was a graduate of The Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades in Media, Pa., and received graduate degrees from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the University of Virginia. Jack served in the U.S. Army as a surveying instructor in the Corps of Engineers at Fort Belvoir. His lifetime work was as a mathematics instructor and coach at Fork Union Military Academy, where he then served as the assistant academic dean and the director of summer school at the Academy prior to his retirement. Active in community activities, Jack was a Lifetime Member of both the Fluvanna Volunteer Rescue Squad and the Fluvanna Fire Department. As a Virginia State Fire Instructor, he taught General Firemanship courses and the Emergency Medical Technician course to both residents of Fluvanna County and to cadets at the Academy. Jack had been trained as a brickmason at Williamson and was rightly proud of the many masonry projects he contributed to in his Fork Union community. He served as a deacon at the Fork Union Baptist Church and sang in the church choir. Upon his move to Farmville five years ago, Jack joined Heritage Baptist Church, where he also sang in the choir. Memorials may be made in Jack's memory to the Williamson College of the Trades, | d. 06/10/2022 |
Religion and Latin Department The Reverend James Charles "Jim" Jetton, 89, of Scottsville, peacefully went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, at his home. He was born on October 18, 1930, in Lincoln County, North Carolina. Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Dorothy Jean "Dot" Jetton. In his younger years, Jim worked alongside of his father as a Gasoline Pump Mechanic at JC Jetton Mechanical. He was a graduate of Mars Hill College and furthered his studies at Wake Forest College. While at Mars Hill, Jim responded to God's calling to serve as a Southern Baptist Minister. For over 60 years, he dedicated his life to leading others from all walks of life to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Away from the church, Jim taught Latin and Bible at Fork Union Military Academy for a number of years. He served on the Scottsville Town Council as well as serving on the Board of Directors of the Scottsville Cemetery Association. He enjoyed adding to his flower garden, talking about politics, and visits with family and friends. His greatest joy came in caring for his best friend and wife, Dot until her passing in February of 2020. | d. 09/02/2020 |
Academic Dean James W. "Jay" Pendergrass, Jr., 90, of Fork Union, VA., passed away on January 30, 2017, following a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Hilda Plyler Pendergrass;. Jay was born in Great Falls, South Carolina. He was a graduate of Furman University and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Jay began his professional career at Fork Union Military Academy following his college graduation in 1948. He was a teacher, and then Junior School Headmaster before becoming Academic Dean in the Upper School, a position he held for 23 years. He retired in 1990 after 42 years at FUMA and enjoyed serving in the community alongside his wife with Meals on Wheels, Fluvanna Christian Service Society, Fluvanna Historical Society and at Fork Union Baptist Church. He and Hilda traveled extensively in retirement and explored an ever-widening range of interests sparked by their backgrounds in education. In addition to his immediate family, his memory will be cherished by his extended family and many friends who will remember his kindness, gentle spirit, and his beautiful bass voice in church & community chorus groups. | d. 01/30/2017 |
English Department A Man Of Many Talents Robert “Bobby” Kirkwood Spencer was born in 1935 and is the son of Kirkwood A. Spencer and Louise P. (Pitts) Spencer. Bobby was raised in Scottsville and is a 1953 graduate of Scottsville High School. Bobby attended the University of Richmond and earned his degree in English. Then he attended Wake Forest University and earned a master’s degree in divinity. Bobby began a 31-year career at Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia where he taught English as well as psychology, sociology, and religious studies. He has lived a life full of many interests in which he excels including co-founder of Scottsville Museum, former Mayor of Scottsville, and gifted magician. To learn more about Bobby Spencer's history and life in Scottsville, visit: Robert Kirkwood Spencer. | d. 05/28/2020 |
President, Fork Union Military Academy James Caldwell Wicker, Jr., 85, of Richmond, died Friday, March 6, 2015, at his home surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife of 49 plus years, Theresa Moates Wicker. Mr. Wicker graduated from Fork Union Military Academy, attended University of Richmond and served in the U.S. Army at Fort Knox, Ky., attaining the rank of First Lieutenant. He returned to Richmond and graduated from T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond. Immediately after finishing law school, he worked as an adjuster in the claims department at Travelers Insurance Company, followed by private practice of law, before serving 25 years in the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney for the City of Richmond as an Assistant, Deputy and Chief Deputy Commonwealth Attorney. He was the Washington Redskins number one fan and an avid sports fan. He was a longtime member of ACAC, where he enjoyed working out and playing tennis. The family wished to express appreciation to Dr. Nicholas Tulou for his care and kindness during Jim's lengthy illness. Contributions may be made to Fork Union Military Academy, P.O. Box 278, Fork Union, Va. 23055. or VCU's Parkinson's & Movement Disorders Center. | d. 03/06/2015 |
