Dr. Jeffery Lawrence August

Forever in Our Hearts, Dr. Jeffery Lawrence August, PhD

Dr. Jeffery Lawrence August was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 17, 1964, and is the son of Gloria and Robert Gerard Sr. After beginning his primary school career, he attended Our Lady of Assumption, where he was introduced to the Catholic denomination of Christianity. At an early age, he was initially baptized in New Orleans but later rededicated his life as an adult at City Church West in San Antonio, TX. He also attended the first class of West Brook High School and graduated in the class of 1983. He continued to further his education at Wayland Baptist University (Bachelor's), Community College of the Air Force (Associate's), National Graduate School (Master's), and Cambridge University (PhD). 

He entered the United States Air Force in San Antonio, TX, at Lackland Air Force Base. During his time in the military, he received several awards, decorations and ranks from 1986-2010. He retired as a Senior Master Sergeant. His last assignment was as the Manager of Air Force Corrections, Headquarters, and Air Force Security Forces Center. His time there was spent working on the Return-to-Duty Program and the Air Force Remotivation Program. He also executed Force Protection Initiatives, researched and developed the initial concept for flexible conformal body armor to fit female body forms, and he also worked with civilian industry to successfully develop a Portable Armored Wall system for Marine Central Command in Afghanistan, which allowed for rapid development for troops. Post retirement, he continued to provide contract work for the Air Force within the security force department.

Brother Jeffery L. August was also a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He was initiated into the Fraternity through the Psi Alpha Chapter in San Antonio, TX, on April 1, 2017. The Spring 17 line’s name was 17 Souls of High Aspirations. Brother August shared his time, talent, and treasure by participating in various mandated programs, committees, events, and activities. Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift are the four cardinal principles of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Throughout his life, Brother August utilized these principles to guide him in the various honorable undertakings that he pursued.

Dr. August further dedicated his time to giving back to the youth by developing the JLA Bridge Builder’s Foundation, which is a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The foundation’s primary aim is to provide college scholarships to deserving high school seniors who are active participants in the program, and who seek to attend any of the nation’s two- and four-year colleges and universities. The foundation has also been diligently committed to fostering athletic enrichment within underserved communities in San Antonio and its surrounding areas. Through mentorship, skill development, and access to profound resources, the goal has been to empower students to excel both in the classroom (with a focus on comprehensive STEM education) and in the field, ensuring a holistic approach to educational and personal growth. The secondary focus on athletic involvement is vital in fostering discipline, teamwork, and academic achievement. The foundation has had over 90% of students in the program earn recruitment opportunities at prestigious two and four-year colleges. Jeffery spent many years with these young men and continuously stayed personally connected to their families, resulting in strong personal relationships.

In addition to his mentorship work, Dr. August is the author of the soon-to-be-released book entitled “The Color of Winning”, which tells the compelling story of the 1982 West Brook High School football team, the first integrated team in Beaumont, TX, to win a state championship. His book will recapture the celebration of unity, perseverance, and the enduring power of coming together to create change. 

He was engaged to Schlonda Shilow on November 27, 2025. Jeffery enjoyed playing dominoes and card games with family and friends, fishing with his god-children, attending Spurs and Saints games with his fiancée and mentees, and enjoying seafood boils with his daughters. He also frequently attended church and traveled to visit family members and support them at events. He was very involved with his high school graduating class, their various activities, and the people with whom he formed close familial bonds. And the brotherhood that he had amongst the brothers of Omega Psi Phi was unimaginable. In all these moments, he was sure to photograph each and every precious memory.

He is survived by his parents, Gloria and Robert Gerard Sr:, daughters, Ki’Anna August and Aniya August, along with his fiancée, Schlonda Shilow; sisters, Shawna White (Jim), Patricia Young (Leroy), Tonya Martin (John), Vanessa Shropshire-Petit, and Dr. Julane Shropshire; brothers, Robert Gerard Jr. (Lalena), Thomas Gerard (Michelle), Sean Gerard (Elida), Cyrus Morgan, Alphonse Shropshire, and Lonnie Shropshire Jr.; godchildren, Julian White, Genesis Prosper, and Aleah Bradford; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Dr. August passed away on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at his home.

He is preceded in death by Lonnie Shropshire Sr. (biological father), Mary Provost (aunt/godmother), and other aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A Community Remembers Dr. Jeffery August’s Lasting Impact - written by Gordon Benjamin

Dr. Jeffery August Remembered for Lifelong Service, Mentorship, and Community Impact

The passing of Dr. Jeffery August last week brought a profound sense of loss to his family, his community, his fraternity, and the countless young men whose lives he touched through mentorship. Dr. August was originally from New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. August graduated from Beaumont’s Westbrook High School, where he was a member of the football team that won the 1982 Texas High School Football State Championship. He was a retired Air Force veteran with 24 years of service, and his final duty station was Lackland Air Force Base. There, he served in the Security Forces Battle Lab, Modulation and Simulation Division, and later as the Director of Air Force Corrections.

 Dr. August earned a Doctorate of Business Administration from Cambridge College in Boston, a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Education from Wayland Baptist University, and a Master of Science in Quality Systems Management from National Graduate School, where he graduated with honors. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Psi Alpha Chapter, having been initiated in the spring of 2017.

 Journey of Mentorship

Dr. August began his mentoring journey in 2017, working with young men at multiple locations, including Sam Houston High School, Young Men’s Leadership Academy, and Davis Middle School. He continued his commitment to mentoring by becoming a Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters. In recognition of his ongoing work, the mentoring program was honored by the Cherice Cochran Foundation in 2017, by the San Antonio Independent School District in 2018, and by Davis Middle School in 2019. The weekly mentoring program also received multiple letters of appreciation from these schools each year.

 Guided by his vision for mentoring's growth, Dr. August established his 501(c)(3) foundation, the JL August Bridge Builders Foundation, on December 22, 2023. The foundation was a community-based program that developed and equipped youth in low-income areas with the skills needed to navigate and overcome today’s social and economic challenges. The program offered a weekly curriculum that included college enrichment sessions, etiquette training, public speaking presentations, academic improvement, positive in-school behaviors, goal setting, college tours, and opportunities to build meaningful relationships within their community.

The JL August Bridge Builders Foundation was dedicated to empowering young men to excel in middle school and high school while laying a strong foundation for college success. Its mission was “to develop every youth with the necessary tools to reach higher education goals and to become productive members of their community.”

 The Remarkable Ability to Build Strong Relationships

In speaking with one of the supporting veteran mentors, it was shared that Dr. August had a remarkable ability to build strong rapport and lasting relationships with both parents and mentees. He was known for his willingness to go beyond traditional approaches, including making home visits to support families and the young men he mentored. He also assisted mentees with applying for scholarships and with applying for and gaining admission to the military and the Merchant Marines.

 In totality, Dr. August devoted a significant amount of his time to mentoring, lighting pathways to success for numerous young men during one of the most critical and formative stages of life—adolescence. For this commitment and the lasting impact of his life’s work, he and his legacy will be well-remembered and sorely missed.

Read the full article with photos here at the link below:

A Community Remembers Dr. Jeffery August’s Lasting Impact - saobserver https://share.google/HDR9O9cO5CNmilkNX

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