TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
ber of the Springfield community, he received many awards and accolades for community service. He also held several positions, including Chaplain, within the Central Masonic Lodge #3 F & AM, PHA, Menelik Consistory #49, AASR, NJ, PHA (Grand Inspec- tor General). He was also an active member of the Springfield (IL) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., leading the chapter as polemarch. He was also very involved within his church, including serving as a Deacon. He also oversaw the Illinois State Board of Education Summer Food Service Program at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church. Brother Melvin Jordan was preceded in death by his parents and three broth- ers, Peter Bruce Jordan, Edward Jordan, Jr. and Leroy Jordan (Gamma Upsilon 1961). He is survived by his wife, the former Martha D. Adams; two sons, Odarian D. Jordan (Epsilon Omicron 2010) and Quentin L. Jordan; two sis- ters, Margaret Griffin and Linda Jordan; and several in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins. William S. King 1935-2021 Aerospace Professional, Mathmetician
aerospace engineering and was rec- ognized nationally as an expert in the field of fluid mechanics. He worked at Rockwell International (Rocketdyne Division), Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, CA, and the Rand Corpora- tion. King was an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He also worked part-time in the Mathematics Depart- ments at Santa Monica Community College and Los Angeles City College. He taught math, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer at U.C.L.A. and California State University at Northridge. He was a member of Holman United Methodist Church, where he remained an active member of the Holman United Methodist Men group. He was a member of the Los Angeles (CA) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and a member of Sigma Xi, the scientific research honor society. Brother William King is survived by his wife of 62 years, the former Velma D. Mc Gowan; daughter Vanessa; son William and granddaughters Lucia Vanessa and Suzanne Kristine.
many prestigious awards and honors, including Air Force Achievement Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and Defense Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters. After leaving the Air Force, Means was a vice presi- dent of DISA and Defense Agencies at Perspecta. He was of great character, comfort- able talking to anyone and making people laugh. He also embodied a high level of intensity and an undeniable work ethic. He is much loved, highly ad- mired, and will be missed and cherished forever. Affectionately called Maine, Brother Joseph Means, Jr. is survived by mother Cassie Means, loving wife of 34 years Roslyn Means, his four daughters Rachel, Dr. Olivia, Dr. Sarah, and Eliza- beth Means, siblings Margaret (Albert) Smith, Ethel Means, Elizabeth Carter, Ronald (Jackie) Means, his Mother- in-Law Shirley Brunswick, nieces and nephews, other extended family, and close friends.
Ezekiel S. Owens, Jr. 1930-2021 Memphis, TN Educator
Col. Joseph Means, Jr., Ret. 1959-2020 Executive, U.S. Air Force
Ezekiel S. Ow- ens, Jr. (Beta Mu 1955) entered the Chapter Invisible on February 19, 2021, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, TN, at age 91. A native
William “Bill” S. King (Gamma
Joseph Means
Alpha 1955) entered the
Jr. (Beta Zeta 1979) entered the Chapter Invisible on September 10, 2020, in his home at age 60. He was born in Montgomery, AL
Chapter Invisible in his home with his wife, son, and daughter-in-law by his side on
Memphian, Owens was born Janu- ary 21, 1930, to Ezekiel Sr. and Edna Owens. He graduated from Manassas High School in 1948. He continued his education at LeMoyne College (now LeMoyne-Owen College), where he graduated cum laude with a B.A. in edu- cation. He earned a master's degree in history from the Memphis State Univer- sity (now University of Memphis). For almost 40 years, Owens was con- sidered a fixture of the Memphis City Schools as an important personal and
April 19th, 1955, after a long fight with laryngeal cancer. William Stanley King was born in Monroe, LA, on June 16th, 1935, to Jessie Lee Wilson and John R. King. He earned a B.S. degree in me- chanical engineering from the Univer- sity of California at Berkeley. King later earned a M.S. degree in mathematics/ physics and a Ph.D. in applied math- ematics/physics and Engineering from U.C.L.A. He spent more than 40 years in
on September 24, 1959, to Cassie and the late Joseph Means Sr. He graduated from Alabama State University with a B.S. in computer and information science. He later earned an M.B.A. degree from Golden Gate University and an M.S. degree from the Air War College in International Studies He was a retired Colonel of the United States Air Force, with 29 years of distinguished service. He received
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