A memorial gift is a meaningful way to convey sympathy and provide an enduring tribute to someone significant in your life.
Your gift to the University of the Ozarks made in memory of this special person ensures a legacy that extends far into the future. Many of our Alumni have created scholarship funds that will continue to assist our students with their academic endeavors and live life fully.
Lonnie Qualls ‘55
Date of Death: 2/23/2023
Scholarship: Ozarks Annual Fund in memory of Lonnie Qualls ‘55
Lonnie was born in Clarksville, Arkansas. He graduated from College of the Ozarks in 1955. Lonnie was a stand-out athlete at Ozarks, excelling in baseball, basketball and football. He coached numerous sports, including football, baseball and tennis, at Ozarks from 1962 until his retirement in 1995. Lonnie was inducted into the Ozarks Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2005, The Ozarks baseball field was named the Lonnie R. Qualls Field in his honor.
Ronald King Laster ‘64
Date of Death: 12/28/2022
Scholarship: Ronald King Laster Scholarship Award
As a native from Harmony, Ron happily returned to Clarksville following his retirement. For over 20 years, Ron enjoyed providing assistance to a current student born in Johnson County or graduating from a Johnson County high school. Ron was known for his sense of humor, his generosity, and his kindness.
Donald Stecks ‘51
Date of Death: 8/19/2022
Scholarship: Ozarks Annual Fund in memory of Donald Stecks ‘51
As a lifelong resident of Arkansas, Don earned a degree in pharmacy. While on campus, he met the love of his life, Maxine Dean Stecks. Don owned and operated Tanglewood Drug Store before retirement in 1993. Don always put his family first. He was a man of honor, who lived his life helping others.
Maxine Dean Stecks ‘52
Date of Death: 11/28/2022
Scholarship: Ozarks Annual Fund in memory of Maxine Dean Stecks ‘52
From Malden, MO, Maxine met Don while they were both students at the College of the Ozarks (now University of the Ozarks). Maxine worked alongside Don in the Tanglewood Drug Store as the gift buyer for their business. After retirement in 1993, Maxine and Don traveled the world together. Maxine lived her life by always loving her family and friends with her quiet inner peace and strength.
Katie Lien Burton ‘05
Date of Death: 11/13/2021
Scholarship: Ozarks Annual Fund in memory of Katie Lien Burton ‘05
From Salt Lake City, UT, Katie came to Ozarks as a soccer player and earned a degree in sociology. Katie would return to campus several times to participate in the annual alumni soccer games. She went on to earn a master’s degree in special education and was a special education teacher in Topeka and Shawnee Mission, Kansas.
Theodore “Taz” Beard, IV ‘15
Date of Death: 3/13/2015
Scholarship: Theodore ‘Taz’ Beard IV Scholarship Endowment
Taz attended Ozarks and was set to graduate in May of 2015, however passed away prior to his graduation date. Because he had earned credits needed to complete his degree before passing, he was recognized for this achievement and graduated posthumously. He was an active student on campus with many talents in art, athletics and academia. His kindness touched many on campus and has continued to impact members of the Ozarks family.
Jake Tull ‘10
Date of Death: 5/19/2009
Scholarship: Jake Tull Memorial Endowed Scholarship
From Little Rock, Arkansas, Jake was a world traveler who dreamed of studying snakes in the Australian Outback as a career. Following a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro and an African safari, Jake fell ill May 2009 and was not able to recover from a series of cardiac arrest. Tull early on showed signs of a cosmopolitan and animal-oriented future. Jake was bighearted and loved his family and friends.
