TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Bruce Wharton 1955–2020 Financial Executive, Coach
By Aaron Williams
B ruce Edgar "Bingo" Wharton entered the Chapter Invisible on July 27, 2020, in Salisbury, MD at age 65. The fifth of seven sons, Wharton was born on May 8, 1955, to the late Luther W. Wharton and Savilla (née Watts) Wharton in Accomack, VA. As a child, he at- tended school in the Accomack (VA) Public School System. He attended the formerly segregated Mary N. Smith High School before integrating Onan- cock High School where he graduated in 1973. Wharton attended Kittrell College in Kittrell, NC, before attending Barber-Scotia College in Concord, NC, where he earned a B.S. degree in busi- ness administration in 1977. While in college, Wharton joined the Fraternity as a 1976 initiate of the Barber-Scotia Col- lege Chapter, the Zeta Sigma of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc, where he led the chapter as polemarch. Wharton started his professional career at SHORE UP! Inc. in 1979. He worked as the Career Information Media Tech, Fiscal Assistant, and Fiscal Manager before ascending to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He adminis- tered a budget of over $13 million until the time of his death. His 41 years of service and contributions were invalu- able. As CFO, he helped increase the agency's revenue-always, ensuring that they adhered to state and federal guide- lines which was the driving force behind innovative ideas that made SHORE UP a thriving Community Action Agency. In 2015, Wharton was recognized by the Maryland Community Action Partner- ship with the Legacy/Lifetime Achieve- ment Award for a lifetime of dedication to community action, for demonstrating
a passion for helping the community and building a solid foundation to empow- erment. He was also a small business owner and previously served as the head basketball coach at James M. Bennett High School, winning the 2A State Championship. In 2003, he was named the Daily Times 2003 Coach of the Year and Bayside Conference Co-Coach of the Year. Active in the community, Wharton coached in the Salvation Army Basket- ball League and received several awards from the Wicomico County Depart- ment of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism for his activities with area youth. Also, he served on the Board of Directors of Maple Shade Youth and Family Services, Inc., the Wicomico County Recreation Commission, and the Wicomico County Public Schools Minority Teacher Re- cruitment Committee. He was actively involved in the Wicomico Chapter of the N.A.A.C.P. and was a Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity member, Inc. He was also a member of the St. James AME Zion Church in Salisbury, MD. A Life Member of the Fraternity, Wharton became affiliated with the Cape Charles-Accomac (VA) Alumni Chapter before joining the Salisbury (MD) Alumni Chapter. He held nu- merous leadership positions, including the keeper of exchequer and polemarch for four nonconsecutive terms. In 1990, under his leadership, Wharton orga- nized the chapter's Kappa Guide-Right Basketball League, which celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 2020. Through his continuous service, the league success- fully impacted Salisbury and provided hundreds of area youth with the oppor- tunity to enhance their basketball skills
and develop social skills. While training for leadership, those youth successfully interacted and attained their educational goals while advancing to high school, collegiate, and professional teams. He was also a vital part of the major chapter fundraiser's success- the Kappa Kruise, which provided scholarships to local youth. During the Kruise, he distributed the infamous "Nupe Juice" to the broth- ers and guests. Wharton was active at the province level, where he served as Alumni Op- erating Assistant and Eastern Province Region 1 Alumni Board Member. He was recognized for his dedication and service with the Eastern Province Lead- ership Award and the Eastern Province Polemarch Leadership Award. Brother Bruce "Bingo" Wharton is survived by his wife Maria Morris; children, Brutina (Rob) Marshall, Torrez Wise (Laterra) Wise, and Leigha Morris; grandchildren, Jordyn Marshall, Elijah Wise, Akira Wise, Dylan Wise, and Len- dell Wise; brothers, Charles "Bobby," Fletcher, Larry, Wayne (Cheryl), and Ronald (Tonya); and a host of relatives, friends, and colleagues. He was pre- ceded in death by his parents, brother, Dorsey Wharton; maternal and paternal grandparents; and aunt, Lois Savage.
THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2021 | 213
VIRTUAL 85 TH GRAND CHAPTER MEETING
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease