Dr. Troy Story

Dr. Troy Lee Story, Jr. was born in Montgomery, Alabama, on November 11, 1940, to Troy Lee Story, Sr., who worked at Maxwell Air Force Base, and Rosa Story, a primary school teacher. Rosa was Troy's first teacher and sadly, she passed away when he was only nine years old. His mother, Margaret Story, was also an educator and, along with his father, instilled in him and his sister, Lillie Jule (Dyson), the importance of education. Lillie Jule later fondly recalled that when Troy was born, she wanted to send him back and give him to the mailman!
He spent most of his life on a college campus. He attended kindergarten, elementary school, junior high, and senior high school all on the campus of Alabama State Teachers College for Negroes (now Alabama State University). During his junior and senior years, he lived across the street from this college and the College President, Dr. H. C. Trenholm, and next door to the College Dean Charles Johnson Dunn, a Morehouse Man. During his senior year, when he was trying to decide on a college, Dean Dunn told him that if he went to Morehouse College, he would be "alright." So, he went to Morehouse College!
When he arrived on campus, all freshmen were required to take a reading exam. Fortunately, he passed this exam, in fact, he was number three and was placed in a special group of 24 students who were called the "Flying 24." He knew he wanted to major in either mathematics or physics, but he did not have to make a choice about math since all freshmen began with College Algebra. The only physics department in the Atlanta University Center was at Clark College, but since he wanted his classes from Morehouse College and wanted to take a science course, he decided to try chemistry.
He graduated from Morehouse College in 1962 and was a Fall 1959 initiate of the Alpha Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He went on to pursue graduate studies at the University of California (UC), Berkeley. During this time, he also began his journey as a father, welcoming two daughters, Alysa Marie and Sherise Lee, from his first marriage. Even as he embraced the responsibilities of parenthood, his academic and professional pursuits continued to flourish.
At the time, Dr. Henry C. McBay was the only full-time professor in chemistry, with one part-time professor, Dr. Kimuel Huggins (Chemistry Chair at Atlanta University, who supervised McBay's MS in Chemistry). Math had two full-time teachers: Claude B. Dansby (College Algebra, four semesters of Calculus and Analytic Geometry, Differential Equations) and the young Harriet Walton (Advanced College Algebra). He followed the chemistry and math sequence for majors for 3.5 years; by then, he decided to major in chemistry. Then, just as Dean Dunn "sent" him to Morehouse College, Dr. McBay "sent" him to UC Berkeley. He did not know it at the time, but later he learned that Dr. McBay was responsible for sending 45 students on to obtain advanced degrees. Dr. McBay was very dedicated and energetic and a technical genius, and Dr. Story is forever grateful for his teachings.
Due to the scientific and mathematical training of Dr. McBay and Claude B. Dansby, and the inspirational force of Morehouse College President Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, he was well-prepared for the challenges of graduate school. After a year of classes at UC Berkeley's physical chemistry-oriented department, the chemistry chair "sent" him to the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory to choose a research advisor. Earlier that year, he heard a lecture by Dr. Kenneth Street on molecular beam spectroscopy. He was fascinated by his research, which involved a beam of molecules moving in a vacuum through a maze formed by constant electric and
oscillating electromagnetic fields. He decided on this line of research and joined Dr. Street's research group at the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory.
He did not realize at the time that he was the first Black graduate student at the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory and the only Black student out of about 300 graduate students; the students were distributed in elementary particle physics and chemical physics. There were two Lawrence Radiation Laboratories in California, one at Berkeley and one at Livermore; these labs had some of the same Associate Directors, with the Director of each lab included in the set of Associates. It was about two or three years before he knew that Dr. Street, in addition to being the Deputy Director of the Berkeley Lab, was also an Associate Director at the Livermore Lab and one of the five men who designed the Livermore Lab, including three physicists and one computer expert. Of the five, he was the only military officer, a decorated fighter pilot and co-discoverer of the periodic table of elements Californium and Berkelium. Dr. Story was 27 when he graduated with a PhD in Chemistry from UC Berkeley.
After graduating, he worked for a year at the UC Space Sciences Lab. Then, just as Dean Dunn "sent" him to Morehouse College and Dr. McBay "sent" him to UC Berkeley, Dr. Street "sent" him to the Physics Institute at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden. He was invited there by the Institute Director, Dr. Ingvar Lindgren, who was Chair of the five-member committee that made the final decision for the Nobel Prize in Physics. While there, he took a course in differential geometry at the Institute for Theoretical Physics; only two people were in the class. In some sense, this course "saved his life" because it eliminated a lot of confusion. After returning home, he spent some time tuning his mathematical technique with Professor Charles Conley, a mathematician at the University of Wisconsin, who introduced him to the work of mathematician, Dr. Valdimir Arnold.
Over the years, in terms of his technical writings, he made the transition from using his empirical perception to using the interaction between empirical and theoretical perception. He devoted his research interests toward applications of differential geometry and its main tool, exterior calculus, to dynamic systems in chemistry, physics, and economics. His experimental and theoretical research has produced five technical books and publications that include a solution to the Navier-Stokes equation using exterior calculus.
Dr. Story brought his intellectual brilliance into the classroom, dedicating six years to Howard University and an extraordinary 39 years to Morehouse College, where he served as Chair of the Department of Chemistry for 16 years. As an educator and mentor, he inspired generations of Black scholars to pursue careers in science and medicine, opening doors and creating pathways for students to thrive in academia and beyond. His legacy lives on in the success of his mentees and the continued impact of his work.
He could say to the late Dean Dunn that he went to Morehouse College and was "alright."
Beyond his academic prestige, Dr. Story was a deeply humble and loving man. Known for his quiet wit, unwavering devotion to family, he had a calm presence grounding all who knew him. He looked forward to family vacations as a chance to explore new destinations and experience different cultures together. He enjoyed jazz music and found its rhythms calming and inspiring. Golf was one of his favorite pastimes, and he especially cherished playing with the late Charles E. Bryant, Jr., a fellow Morehouse Man, as the game offered a perfect blend of challenge and relaxation. He enthusiastically embraced new and active adventures while traveling with family. He had a deep passion for sports and appreciated great plays and standout moments, particularly in basketball, tennis, golf, and football. He also had a particular fondness for Thai and Malaysian cuisine.
Family was very important to him. A steadfast supporter of his family's endeavors, he championed his children's and grandchildren's pursuits in art, business, and science with unwavering guidance and encouragement. His family circle expanded joyfully with son-in-law Clayton Beale Jr. and three grandchildren who brought him immense joy. He had a great sense of humor and a distinct laugh that could instantly brighten a room. He made it a priority to ensure everyone in the family was cared for, showing up for every milestone and celebration. Through global travel, he exposed his loved ones to diverse cultures and customs, teaching them how to adapt and thrive wherever they went.
His 48-year marriage to Jacqueline Story, a fellow scientist, was a testament to love, commitment, and shared purpose. They met at Howard University and later moved to Atlanta, GA, where Dr. Story returned to give back to the place that shaped him, Morehouse College. Together, they had a daughter, Alice Story, and built a life full of meaningful friendships and joyful gatherings, often celebrating birthdays, ringing in the New Year at annual parties, and attending the cherished Morehouse College "A Candle in the Dark" Gala. Their partnership was a true reflection of unity, support, and enduring love.
As an avid family man, he took great pride in Alysa Story, MFA and Alice Story, PhD attending Spelman College, and Sherise Beale, MBA attending the University of Virginia with all three later earning advanced degrees. He was especially proud that his grandchildren also became college graduates.
He is survived by his beloved wife Jacqueline Story; three daughters, Alysa Story, Sherise Beale and son-in-law Clayton Beale Jr., and Dr. Alice Story; his sister, Lillie Jule Dyson; and three grandchildren: Brandon, Cameron, and Lauryn Beale and a host of dear family friends and relatives.
He will be remembered not only as a scientific mind of rare caliber, brilliant scholar, and inspiring educator, but also as a beloved husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, colleague, mentor, and friend. Dr. Story leaves behind a legacy of scholarship, service, and a life well-lived. His influence will continue to endure in the minds of his former students, the pages of his work, and the hearts of those who love him.
In loving memory of Dr. Troy L. Story, the Story family invites donations to the Morehouse College Chemistry Department, where Dr. Story was both a dedicated student and professor for 39 years.
To make a donation, please click the donate to charity link below.
Gift Details
Under "Designation", select "Search for Designation", under "Designation Search", type "Chemistry Department General Fund Inquiry with Distinction", and select
Choose "This gift is a tribute (to)"
Enter:
• First Name: Dr. Troy
• Last Name: Story
Select "In memory of" and follow the remaining prompts to complete your tribute. Thank you!