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Wendell G. Rayburn Sr., Ed.D

1929 - 2016

Wendell Rayburn Obituary

Wendell G. Rayburn Sr., Ed.D, age 87, veteran U.S. Army, Korea, died in his sleep December 27, 2016 at his home in Oak Park. Dr. Rayburn was vice president, secretary-treasurer and senior associate of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) in Washington, DC, from 1996-2006. In retirement, he remained a director of the AASCU Pension Center for Professional Development. Dr. Rayburn held successful presidencies at Savannah State College (1980-1988) in Savannah, Ga., and Lincoln University (1988-1996) in Jefferson City, Mo. At Savannah State College, he oversaw the implementation of the Georgia Board of Regents' mandatory desegregation plan. A former academic dean at the University of Louisville, he also held senior level positions at the University of Detroit. He served as a facilitator and faculty member of AASCU New Presidents and Experienced Presidents academies. A former science teacher and administrator for the Detroit Public Schools, he had a special understanding of teacher education and program development for minority and disadvantaged students. He was a Presidential appointee, Board of International Food and Agriculture Development (BIFAD), Board of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and chair, Missouri Council on Public Higher Education, the first to serve two consecutive terms. In 1993, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award, Wayne State University Alumni Association. He was a board member of the Rotary Club of Oak Park and River Forest and former President of the Jefferson City, MO and Savannah, GA Rotary Clubs. In Oak Park he served as a board member of the Hemmingway Foundation. He was the beloved husband of Gloria A. Rayburn; loving father of Mark (Eland Tooley) Williams, Rhonda Rayburn and Wendell G. (Terrie) Rayburn Jr.; cherished "G-pa" of Taylor, Carter and Sydney Rayburn and Nia Nau; dear brother of Lynette Payne and Charles (Martha) Rayburn; fond uncle, cousin and friend of many. Dr. Rayburn was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and mentor to many. He will be remembered as a warm, kind and loving man. Visitation Saturday, 9:30 a.m. until time of Requiem Eucharist 11 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Church 924 Lake St., Oak Park. Interment Concordia Cemetery, Forest Park, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Rotary Foundation (Rotary.org) are appreciated. Funeral info: 708-383-3191 or drechslerbrownwilliams.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chicago Tribune on Dec. 29, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Wendell Rayburn

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Gayla Conners

May 9, 2019

Thinking of Dr. Rayburn fondly...

Suzette Sorrells

December 12, 2017

My dear uncle is deeply missed.

George O'Neill

February 9, 2017

Gloria,
Dave Whiteis just called me and told me of Wendell's passing. I have so many fond memories of him (and of you, too). In fact, Carole and I were recently on a cruise, and I told our dinner companions a story about Wendell. He was one of the good guys. I'm certain I don't have to tell you that, do I? We'll say a prayer for you and your family.

Love,

George and Carole O'Neill

Pat Edwards

February 7, 2017

Gloria, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My condolences to you and your family.

Cleve McDaniel

January 14, 2017

I just found out about and am deeply saddened to hear of Wendell's passing. I considered him both a great friend and a mentor. I will miss him very much. I offer my heartfelt condolences to Gloria, Mark, Rhonda, Wendell, Jr. and the entire family.

Claudia Triplett DeBose

January 3, 2017

Mrs. Rayburn, Rhonda, Terrie and family, we offer our sincere condolences. We are pleased to make a contribution in Mr. Rayburn's memory to Rotary in honor of his many years of dedicated service in education and the community at large. We will keep you in our prayers and ask God to bring you peace in the days and months ahead. Sincerely and Sisterly Claudia T. DeBose, Marie White Seabrooks and Claude Triplett.

Charles E. Glasper

December 29, 2016

Thanks for your time at Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO. I will forever be grateful.

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Memorial Events
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To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

CLOSED-Drechsler Brown & Williams Funeral Home

203 S. Marion St., Oak Park, IL 60302

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