TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
I created it by accident, actually trying to jump sideways but turning too far once but getting more height than I expected. So I tried it again, and again and thought, 'hey, I should keep this.'" Sports Illustrated magazine described the Barky Roll "like a man slipping over a bar of soap." From 1959-1963, Barksdale served his country in the U.S. Armed Forces, including stationed in South Korea as a morse code operator. In 1963, the Skillsbank Program of the National Urban League selected Barksdale as one of ten program participants to become the first black salesmen to work in major corporations throughout the country. He joined Colgate Palmolive Company as a sales representative in the Philadelphia area, where he was promoted to area sales manager within the New York metropolitan area in 1967. In 1972, he joined A. H. Robins Pharmaceutical Company as the Northeast Regional Sales Manager responsible for the sales force covering Maine to Virginia. In 1986, he became the Corporate Sales Manager for Optyl Eyewear where he remained until retirement. In retirement, Barksdale focused on supporting his alma mater as a national fundraiser of the Morgan State University's M Club, raising over $131,000 in eight years. In 1974, Morgan State University inducted him
Theresa Walker and nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.
Ammon G. Barksdale, Sr. 1934-2020 Collegiate Track & Field Athlete, Sales Executive, U.S. Army
Victor C. Brown Sr., DVM 1954–2021 South Florida Veterinarian
Ammon "Bob" Barksdale, Sr. (Alpha Iota 1956) entered the Chapter Invisible on November
Brother Victor C. Brown, Sr.
14, 2020, at 86. Ammon George Robert Barksdale was born and
(Alpha Xi 1974), a charter member of the Theta Eta of Kappa Alpha Psi, entered the Chapter Invisible on March 10, 2021 at age
raised in Norristown, PA. He attended Norristown High School, where he was a Drama Club member, varsity football, basketball, and track and field teams. He was selected to the All-American High School Track team for high jump during his junior and senior years. He set a Pennsylvania state record jumping a height of 6'4", the second-highest in the country. In 1953, Ammon entered historic Morgan State University on an athletic scholarship. During his freshman year, he was on the football, basketball, and track teams, earning three varsity letters in one year. Track and Field, specifically the High Jump, was Barksdale's specialty, and he was one of the best collegiate high jumpers in the world. Barksdale represented the United States in international track and field competitions in the United States and abroad. At one time during his career, he held every major track record on the East Coast including the Melrose Games, New York Athletic Club Meets, Penn Relay Games and the Mid-Atlantic Championships where he jumped 6-11 ¾ utilizing his "barky roll" style of jumping making Ammon the first person in the world to jump over the bar backwards. He appeared destined for the Olympics until a hamstring injury ended that pursuit. Barksdale recalling in high jumping style in 2007, "At that time, most people high jumped using one of two methods. The straddle, where you approach facing the bar, or western style, where you jump sideways. In my move, the 'Barky Roll,' you approach the bar backwards.
66. Victor Cornell Brown was born in 1954 in Jacksonville, FL to Elmer Randolph Brown and Mary Jane. Brown graduated from William M. Raines Senior High School in 1972 where he was chosen as one of the “foremost young scientific minds of the nation” in the 31 st Westinghouse Talent Search and earned a first-place prize. His project was titled: “PH Changes During Peptic Digestion”. He was also a member of the “It’s Academic Team” and was recognized by receiving the “Harvard Book Award” as an outstanding junior. He was in the National Honor Society, the Foreign Language Club and voted most ambitious in his yearbook. Brown earned a scholarship from Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL and graduated with a B.S. degree in 1977. In 1983, Brown earned a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine from the University of Florida in Gainesville. Brown moved to Naples in 1984 where he began working for the Humane Society prior to establishing his own practice in 1986. He ran Brown Veterinary Clinic in Naples, FL for more than a quarter century. Brown was an accomplished veterinarian who served the Golden Gate community for over 35 years. In addition to his successful practice, he gave back to his field by mentoring fellow veterinarians and by providing externship opportunities for veterinary students. For many years,
with its Athletic Hall of Fame. He was a member of the Junior
Chamber of Commerce; commissioner of Boy Scouts; Co-sponsor of the 22nd District Human Relations Council; Member of the Health and Welfare Council of Philadelphia; and the Frontiers International. He was also an active member of Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church. Brother Ammon Barksdale, Sr. is survived by his wife June of 55 years; son Ammon (Lisa) Jr. (New Brunswick (NJ) Alumni 1993), Talayia (George) Rooks, and Millicent (Alexis) Holcomb; eight grandchildren Desiree, Taylor, Morgan, Maison, George, Bryce, Shelby, and Aedan. He is also survived by his sister
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