Category: Obituaries

Robert “Bob” Lawrence Wiggins, Sr., retired systems manager for the Division Of Administrative Programming Services, passed away on November 4, 2025.

Wiggins began his Clemson career on September 11, 1967, and retired on September 30, 1993, totaling 26 years of service with the University.

During his time at Clemson, he computerized the circulation system of the Clemson University Libraries.

A memorial service will be held at University Lutheran Church of Clemson on Sunday, November 23, at 2 p.m.

Robert Lawrence Wiggins’s obituary is available online.

William Doyce Graham, Jr., Professor Emeritus of Plant and Environmental Sciences, passed away on November 2, 2025.

Graham was hired on October 1, 1966, and he retired on June 20, 2003, totaling nearly 37 years of service. He then served in the Emeritus College for 19 years from 2005 to 2024.

In a testament to his contributions, Clemson University released the “Graham” oat in 2012, and the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station released “Doyce,” a type of hulless winter barley, in 2003.

He received his bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Texas Tech before earning master’s and doctoral degrees from Purdue University.

A memorial service will be held at Clemson United Methodist Church on Wednesday, November 26 at 2 p.m.

William Doyce Graham’s obituary is available online.

Samuel Bruce Martin Jr., Professor Emeritus of Plant Pathology, passed away on October 15, 2025.

Martin was hired on September 1, 1987, and he retired on July 1, 2018, totaling nearly 31 years of service. He joined the Emeritus College on May 29, 2018.

Martin earned the Alumni Distinguished Cooperative Extension Public Service Award in 2010 for his work educating the South Carolina public about the management of diseases in turfgrass and was recently inducted into the Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame.

He received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Hendrix College in Arkansas, a master’s in plant pathology from the University of Arkansas and a Ph.D. in plant pathology from North Carolina State University.

Friends and family will celebrate his life with a family-led memorial service on Saturday, November 15, 2025.

Samuel Bruce Martin’s obituary is available online.

John (Jack) Kanet, Burlington Professor Emeritus of Management, passed away on October 13, 2025.

Kanet began his Clemson career on December 21, 1986, retiring on December 20, 2022, totaling nearly 16 years of service with the University. He joined the Emeritus College on March 3, 2014.

Kanet earned a bachelor’s degree from Lehigh University and a doctorate from Penn State University.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Jack Kanet’s obituary is available online.

Jacob Babayan, 26, passed away on Oct. 13, 2025. He was a general engineering major from Greer, South Carolina. Babayan was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and member of the Student Veterans Association.

“We were saddened to learn of Jacob’s passing,” says Vice President for Student Affairs Doug Hallenbeck. “He was a valuable contributor to the student experience as a transfer and a beloved student assistant in the Office of Military and Veteran Engagement. He will be deeply missed by students, faculty and staff. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is providing grief counseling to students. Any student who wants to speak to a counselor should contact CAPS at 864-656-2451. After-hours counseling is available by calling 864-656-2451 and selecting option 2 from the menu.

Counseling services are also available to faculty and staff through ComPsych, the University’s Employee Assistance Program provider, at 866-365-0813.

The family will receive friends and loved ones on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 10 a.m., with the funeral service beginning at 11 a.m. at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 8508 Pelham Road, Greenville, S.C. A burial will full military honors will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Greenville.

Jacob Babayan’s obituary is available online.

Clemson University Obituaries
Obituaries for active employees, retirees and current students are issued by Inside Clemson once we are able to confirm the information. Since faculty and staff live and work throughout the state, we depend on university departments, colleagues or friends to notify us of the deaths of active employees and retirees.

June Rampy Ponder, retired applications analyst, passed away on October 3, 2025.

Ponder was hired as an applications analyst for the Division of Administrative Programming Services on June 22, 1982, and retired on June 21, 2002. In addition to employment from 1977-1982 and further work for the Information Systems Department from 2003 to 2005, Ponder totaled more than 26 years of service with the University.

Ponder earned an MBA from Clemson University.

Visitation will be held at Sandifer Funeral Home in Westminster, SC, at 1-2 p.m., Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at Sandifer Funeral Home, followed by a memorial service in the chapel at 2:30 p.m. Burial will follow at Stephens Memorial Gardens in Toccoa, Ga.

June Rampy Ponder’s obituary is available online.

John Patrick “Pat” Crowther, retired engineer/associate engineer for University Facilities, passed away on September 27, 2025.

Crowther began his Clemson career on July 22, 1977, and retired on December 31, 1997, totaling 21 years of permanent service. He returned to work in temporary positions until August 2024.

Crowther managed a multitude of construction projects, including the South Upper Deck Expansion of Memorial Stadium, both indoor and outdoor track and field facilities, academic facilities, and student housing complexes. He considered his involvement with the construction of the Scroll of Honor adjacent to Memorial Stadium, including his interaction with members of the Clemson Corps, as one of his most rewarding and memorable projects.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at St. Andrew Catholic Church on October 6, 2025 at 2 p.m., followed by a reception.

Pat Crowther’s obituary is available online.

Shelby Jean Dickerson Sheriff, retired office manager for Materials Science and Engineering, passed away on September 23, 2025.

Sheriff began her Clemson career on May 20, 1991, and retired on February 1, 2016, totaling more than 27 years of service with the University. She returned to work in October 2016 in temporary or affiliate positions.

Shelby Jean Dickerson Sheriff’s obituary is available online.

C Kenyon “Ken” Revis-Wagner, Clemson University Alumni Master Teacher and Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences, passed away on September 4, 2025.

Revis-Wagner began his Clemson career on August 15, 1977, and retired on July 1, 2008, totaling more than 30 years of service. He earned the 1990-91 Alumni Master Teacher award and served as pre-med advisor in addition to his role as professor.

Revis-Wagner graduated from Emory University with a degree in Ecology in 1965 and earned master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Georgia.

An online obituary and service information will be shared when available.

Elisa Kay Sparks, Associate Professor Emerita of English, passed away on August 16, 2025.

Sparks retired in 2013 after 35 years of service with Clemson University. Further state employment service and memorial information will be shared when available.

Friends and colleagues shared tributes in memory of Elisa Kay Sparks on the “Blogging Woolf” blog.