Ashley Traylor
Editor-in-Chief
atraylor@murraystate.edu
The Murray State community is mourning the sudden loss of two employees on May 1.
Raymond Conklin, professor emeritus of trombone, 71, died at St. Thomas Hospital. Custodian Michael Whitlow, 65, died at Vanderbilt Medical Center from injuries sustained in a car accident.
Raymond Conklin
Mark Arant, provost and vice president of academic affairs, sent an email to faculty and staff informing them of Conklin’s death.
“Ray was an important colleague, friend and mentor to many music department faculty, staff and students,” Arant said. “Our thoughts and sympathies go out to his family, students and colleagues during this difficult time.”
Dennis Johnson, director of bands and orchestras, said he and his colleagues are saddened by the sudden death of Conklin. Johnson said he had a great relationship with him and was “always proud to call him friend.”
“He was a tireless worker and recruiter whose students always progressed at a remarkable pace,” Johnson said. “His family meant everything to him and they were very devoted to each other.”
John Fannin, assistant director of bands, also described Conklin as one of the best people he has known.
He said Conklin went above and beyond for his students and he was a strong leader in the music department for 45 years.
“Ray was a great advocate for students and colleagues,” Fannin said. “Ray was known throughout the world as one of the best brass teachers. He was a tireless champion of the needs of the music department.”
Michael Whitlow
Whitlow was heading to his home in Mayfield on Tuesday around 1 a.m. when sheriff’s deputies said he hit a tractor trailer.
It happened on Highway 121 North in Graves County. Deputies said he did not see the tractor trailer that was backing into a driveway.
“Michael worked for the University for close to 12 years and served as a Building Services Technician for Facilities Management,” Jackie Dudley, vice president of finance and administrative services, said. “We are deeply saddened by his loss and extend our condolences to his family, friends and coworkers.”
Whitlow’s car went off into a ditch and Whitlow was trapped inside until he was removed by Mayfield Fire and EMS.
Initially, he was transported to Jackson Purchase Medical Center. Deputies said Whitlow died during the flight to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
Murray State President Bob Davies sent an email to the campus community on May 3.
“As a community, we mourn the loss of our dear friends and colleagues,” Davies wrote in the email. “I am grateful that I had the opportunity to know each of them and I know that they had a tremendous impact on many others with whom they interacted with daily on our campus.”
The visitation for Whitlow will be Friday, May 4 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Byrn Funeral Home located at 1020 Paris Rd. in Mayfield, Kentucky.
Visitation for Conklin will be Saturday, May 5 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 6 at 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Murray. The funeral will follow on May 6.