In Memoriam | August 2022
Charles C. Burton, Jr. | BSAc ’48 | 1923-2022 | Burton, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, passed on July 18. Although Burton was born in Georgia, he moved to Florida shortly thereafter and spent most of his life in the Sunshine State. He served in the US Army during World War II and afterwards went onto study at UF, graduating with a degree in accounting. Burton enjoyed a long and successful career in the banking industry, serving as President and Director of Lauderdale Beach Bank and, later, Sun Bank of Wilton Manors. He was a loving father, raising two children, Robert and Susan, with his wife, Mildred. In his free time, Burton sang in his church’s choir and was known for his quick wit and cheery disposition.
George W. Jackson | BSBA ’51 | 1926-2022 | Jackson, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed on August 2. A lifelong resident in his home city, Jackson kept fond memories of his growing up years in Jacksonville, often recalling stories of his youth to family and friends. He served in World War II as an infantryman in the famed 82nd Airborne Division and afterwards attended UF to earn a degree in business administration. Beginning with a career in sales with the General Motors AC division, Jackson moved onto a long career in operations management, first at Anchor Hocking Glass Company and then at Castleton Beverage Corporation. He retired from Castleton as Production manager in ’92 to enjoy his various pastimes, which included gardening, coin collecting, and cheering on the Florida Gators. Jackson will be missed as a loving husband, father, and grandfather.
Joseph “Joe” A. Ferri, Jr. | BSBA ‘57 | 1931-2022 | Ferri, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, passed on July 22. Ferri graduated with an associate’s degree at Bryant College before joining the US Army to serve in the Korean War. Upon his return, he furthered his education at UF to complete a degree in business administration. After graduation, Ferri moved back to Rhode Island to marry his wife, Jessica, and settle into a career as a Sales Manager at Consolidated Freightways. He was also an active member at his local Rotary Club, serving as its President for a time, and participated in several Regional Traffic Clubs. Ferri loved playing golf with his friends, spending time with his two children, and playing blackjack at Foxwood Casino.
Robert T. Brockman | BSBA ’63 | 1941-2022 | Brockman, of Houston, Texas, passed on August 5. Born in Florida, Brockman used his skills as a self-taught software entrepreneur to go far. Brockman graduated from UF with a degree in business administration and went onto found Reynolds & Reynolds, a software company that boasted more than 5,000 employees and was worth more than $5 billion. He also developed a system that helped car dealers run their operations virtually.
David V. Cragg | BSAc ’64 | 1939-2022 | Cragg, of Rochester, New York, passed on July 10. While growing up in Rochester, Cragg worked to help support his single mother and younger sister until high school, when he was awarded a scholarship to attend Mount Hermon boarding school in Massachusetts. Upon graduation, Cragg enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Germany as a finance officer. After Cragg was discharged, he travelled to his family’s new home in Florida in a new VW Beetle he had shipped from Germany, courtesy of the Army. Now settled in Florida, Cragg earned a degree in accounting at UF and moved into a varied business career, working with several businesses including Haskins & Sells premier accounting firm, a mobile home business and Major Realty in Orlando, where he enjoyed the position of CFO. Cragg, however, had an entrepreneurial spirit and left Major Realty to become an independent developer. He developed many communities in Brevard County, Florida, including the Indian Harbor Beach Club, the Radisson Hotel, Hidden Cove, Lighthouse Cove and many more. Cragg was known by his family and friends for his many silly quirks and corny jokes.
Ellen M. Harris | BSAc ’73 | 1950-2022 | Harris, of Saint Petersburg, Florida, passed on August 2. Harris lived in multiple states, including Illinois, New York, and California, but called Florida “home” and completed all her education in the Sunshine State. She graduated with honors from both Seminole High School and St. Petersburg College before earning a degree in accounting from UF. Harris worked as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and retired as a managing partner of Harris Tax and Accounting. In her free time, Harris enjoyed running marathons and triathlons, travelling, and sewing. She also adored her two dogs, Pebbles and Buster. Much beloved by her family, Harris’s relatives remarked that she had a quiet wisdom and was the source of their family’s togetherness.
Laurence A. DePlaza | BSBA ’83; JD ’86 | 2021 | DePlaza, of Plano, Texas, passed on November 28. DePlaza graduated from UF with a degree in business administration.
Steven B. Schnall | BSAc ’89 | 1967-2022 | Schnall, of New York, New York, passed on August 2. He was known as an avid businessman and inspiring entrepreneur, starting up businesses ever since he was in middle school. From selling cinnamon sticks to becoming CEO of his own bank, Schanll accomplished many impressive business feats. After graduating from UF with an accounting degree, he moved onto New York to launch multiple businesses, including a mortgage brokerage, luxury residential development projects and Quontic bank, an online bank that boasted multiple digital banking products. In addition to his entrepreneurial achievements, Schnall spent time with his wife and two sons, one of whom is a current student at UF. Read more about Schnall’s life and accomplishments in this Warrington Newsroom story.
John C. King | BSBA ’91 | 1966-2022 | King, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, passed on July 8. He graduated from UF with a degree in finance and went onto work for Capital One for 30 years. King was a major sports enthusiast, cheering on the Florida Gators and playing golf in his free time. He cared deeply for the people in his life, prioritizing his relationships with family and friends, and was devoted to helping unhoused people.
