| Graduation Year | Class of 1936 |
| Date of Passing | Dec 05, 1977 |
| About | My father actually didn't graduate. He stopped just a hair short of it, no doubt because of his untreated bipolar disorder. This is information on my dad from my mother's (Bettye Marie Sawyer, who also attended John Marshall) memory album she gave me shortly before she died: American Legion Post 200, which Roy, III formed, became the largest American Legion Post (all World War II Veterans) in the nation. Roy served as its Commander. He was very active in helping to sell war bonds by bringing top entertainment to Richmond, including the Kay Kyser Band, Paul Whiteman Band, and the Gobetrotters Basketball Team. (Daughter's note: I know, also, that Dad was the opening act (singing) for talk show host Michael Douglas when he brought him there also.) Roy also put through, for an eligible returning veteran, the first government/veteran's home loan in the U.S. Prior to this, Roy served with the First Armored Division in Africa. He witnessed the famous incident in which General Patton berated a soldier (and slapped him) and sent him back into combat. Later, he went in on the Siciliam invastion with the Signal Corp. After coming back through 14 government hospitals, Roy was given an honorable discharge. Roy's father, Beverley Roy Dudley, Jr., of Richmond formed the American War Dads and was very active in many civic organizations as well. In fact, he had previously run for Mayor of Richmond, losing by only a few votes. You can read about Bettye and Roy's first meeting at John Marshall High School in Bettye's In Memory Of blurb. Unfortunately, dad later became alcoholic. I put all of Mom's memories into a book I published called Lost But Not Forgotten: My Mother's Life by Jean Johnson. It tells of her life growing up in a tourist home (one fo the first) on Chamberlayne Avenue, and, unfortunately, of her troubled marriage and redefining herself when she retired to Florida - in her own words with only a little intro by me. If anybody knew my dad or mom, please contact me on Mom's alumni page. |
