John Fulgham Jr.

John R. Fulgham Jr. DALLAS - John Rawles Fulgham Jr., born July 29, 1927, died Feb. 22, 2008, from complications after heart surgery. Born in the town of Windsor, County of Isle of Wight, Commonwealth of Virginia, he enjoyed a short but notable career as a U.S. Marine Corps officer and had an outstanding banking and business career in Dallas. He attended elementary and high school in Windsor, Va., received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and immediately committed himself to service in the U.S. Marine Corps, 1950 - 1953, attaining the rank of captain. He later earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Southern Methodist University. While a student at VMI, he won the heart of Betty Berger of Dallas, who was attending nearby Mary Baldwin College. They were happily married while he was stationed as a young marine officer at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and they had celebrated 57 years of trust, family and joy together. During the first 28 years, 1954 - 1982, he began as a trainee at First National Bank in Dallas, rose to become the bank's president and co-chief executive officer, and later became president of its holding company. From 1982 until December 1998, he served as senior advisor of the Investment Banking Division of Merrill Lynch & Co. He is survived by his loving wife, Betty Berger Fulgham. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, John R. Fulgham III; and brother, Eldon Charles Fulgham. His three remaining children include Emily Ann Fulgham McCullough of Alexandria, La., Virginia Fulgham Askew of Dallas and Janie Rawles Fulgham Bell of Dallas. Other survivors include 12 grandchildren, Betty Brown McCullough Gootee of Alexandria, La., Leland G. McCullough IV also of Alexandria, Hallye Sue Fulgham, John R. Fulgham IV and Samantha Fulgham of Tyler, Rawles Garrison Askew, Anna Marie Askew Soderberg of Denver, Colo., Janie Rawles Askew, Benjamin Clayton Bell III, Rawles Fulgham Bell, William Graham Bell, Betty Fulgham Bell of Dallas; a sister, Ann Fulgham Wilroy of Ahoskie, N.C.; a brother, Dr. William M. Fulgham of Suffolk; a daughter-in-law, Wendy Hightower Fulgham Walker of Tyler; three sons-in-law, Leland G. McCullough III, of Alexandria, La., Ronald G. Askew of Dallas and Benjamin C. Bell Jr. of Dallas; a sister-in-law, Sharon Summers Fulgham of Dallas; a sister-in-law, Nancy Fulgham of Suffolk; two grandsons-in-law, Dave Soderberg of Denver, and J.J. Gootee of Alexandria; and numerous nephews and nieces. Memorial services are scheduled for 4 p.m. today in Highland Park Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Ron Scates and Nelson Bell presiding. The family suggests that those who may wish to contribute memorials consider directing them to the Children's Medical Center of Dallas, 2777 Stemmons Freeway, Suite 1025, Dallas, TX 75207 or the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, 400 South Zang Blvd., Suite 700, PMB 77, Dallas, TX 75208.