Archive for the ‘Florida’ Category

Jim McClean (’72)

Jim McLean, a proud University of Houston alumnus recently released a new book, The Houston Dynasty: Tales from College Golf’s Greatest Team.

The book is a behind-the-scenes look at the University of Houston’s legendary men’s golf program during its dominant run from 1968 to 1973 under Coach Dave Williams. Jim shares firsthand stories of the intense competition within the team—where dozens of elite players competed for just a handful of spots—along with insights into college life, NCAA rivalries, and the players who went on to become professional champions. It’s a compelling and entertaining look at what made Houston one of the greatest programs in college golf history.

Nadia Isabel Abelhad (’12)

Cardiologist Nadia Isabel Abelhad, MD, FACC Joins Holy Cross Medical Group

Fort Lauderdale, Florida (November 14, 2025) – Cardiologist Nadia Isabel Abelhad, MD, FACC has joined Holy Cross Medical Group, a multi-specialty physician-employed group of more than 180 physicians providing services throughout Broward County.

Dr. Abelhad is a leading cardiologist specializing in preventive cardiology, advanced cardiac imaging and women’s cardiovascular health. Her focus areas include cardiometabolic health, lipid optimization, plaque prevention, cardio-obstetrics, pre-eclampsia, cardio-oncology, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), valvular disease, coronary artery disease and heart failure.

Prior to joining Holy Cross Health, Dr. Abelhad was with the Cardiovascular Institute of San Diego. She earned her Bachelor of Science in biology from University of Houston and medical degree from McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. Following her residency at Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world, she pursued advanced fellowship training in cardiology at Ochsner Medical Center, a nationally recognized heart transplant center in New Orleans.

Board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine for cardiovascular disease and internal medicine, National Board of Echocardiography and American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, Dr. Abelhad is also a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. She is a published researcher and sought-after speaker who actively advocates for women’s heart health and early, proactive screening initiatives. She has also served in leadership roles within local cardiology chapters, ensuring that her practice reflects the most modern, responsible and evidence-based standards of care.

Dr. Abelhad values the opportunity to create personalized cardiovascular health plans that go beyond prescriptions by emphasizing nutrition, fitness, sleep quality and stress management. She is deeply committed to raising awareness of unrecognized heart disease and to building meaningful, lifelong connections with patients to help them achieve optimal long-term health and quality of life.

Dr. Abelhad’s office is located in the Holy Cross Medical Group Cardiology Office at 4725 N. Federal Highway, Suite 401 in Fort Lauderdale. To schedule an appointment, call 954-772-2136 or visit holy-cross.com/provider/nadia-isabel-abelhad-md for more information. Follow her on Instagram at@nadiaabelhadmd for cardiovascular health tips and insights.

ABOUT HOLY CROSS HEALTH

A member of Trinity Health, Fort Lauderdale-based Holy Cross Hospital, dba Holy Cross Health, is a full-service, not-for-profit, Catholic, teaching hospital operating in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy. Holy Cross has been recognized for six Types of Care in U.S. News and World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Hospital rankings, was named among the 2024 America’s Best-In-State Hospitals by Newsweek and selected as a Forbes America’s Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals in 2025. Holy Cross has also been designated as a High Performer by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for LGBTQ+ health care access. Through strategic collaborations and a commitment to being a person-centered, transforming, healing presence, the 557-bed hospital offers progressive inpatient, outpatient and community outreach services and clinical research trials to serve as the community’s trusted health partner for life. Holy Cross Health also includes Holy Cross HealthPlex outpatient facility, urgent care centers and more than 40 Holy Cross Medical Group physician practices. To learn more about Holy Cross Health, visit holy-cross.com. Connect with Holy Cross Health on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Arthur Dayle Hancock, Jr. (Ph.D. ’81)

Arthur Dayle Hancock, Jr., retired physics professor, passed away on July 2, 2025, at the age of 74. Dayle is well remembered by those who worked beside him for his enthusiasm for physics and his love of teaching. He inspired generations of undergraduates. Dayle received degrees in Physics from Oklahoma City University, Columbia University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Houston.

He started as a HEP (high energy physicist), moved into being a MEP (medium energy physicist), and wound down his career as a “teach” over a career that spanned five decades. Dayle was a master of analysis and simulation software, the art of cooking, history, and music, as well as being at home tinkering with Linux systems and computer hardware. He worked on experiments at the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility (LAMPF), the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS) at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), CEBAF (now Jefferson National Laboratories or JLAB), and other particle physics laboratories in the U.S. He also worked on experiments at CERN in Geneva, was a professor and teaching instructor, and was a master of herding graduate students and cats.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Donna, his daughters Tracy Genevieve and Laura Miranda, grandson Joshua and foster-grandson Liam. He is survived by beloved siblings Tim Hancock, Vick Guinn, niece Tanessa Furfey, husband Matt, and children Gracie and Matthew, and his nephew Zach Garriott and son Kasen, and many other beloved relatives. The family will hold intimate memorials in Williamsburg, Virginia, and Norman, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to support William & Mary through a gift to the Professor Dayle Hancock Undergraduate Research in Physics Endowment. Checks should be made payable to the William & Mary Foundation and mailed to, Foundation Services LLC, Gift Administration, P.O. Box 1693, Boone, IA 50950-0693. Checks should also include Professor Dayle Hancock Undergraduate Research in Physics Endowment in the in the note section.

Sonali Patel Danak (’04)

James Moore Announces Promotion of University of Houston Alumnus Sonali Danak

Gainesville, FL (Jan. 28, 2025) – James Moore & Company is pleased to announce the promotion of Sonali Danak, CPA (formerly Sonali Patel), effective Jan. 1.

Sonali has been promoted to Tax Manager at our Tallahassee office. She began her James Moore career in 2023 and received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance (2004, under the name Sonali Patel) from the University of Houston.

James Moore, founded in 1964, is a business consulting and advisory firm with offices in Daytona Beach, DeLand, Gainesville, Ocala and Tallahassee, Florida. The firm provides tax, assurance, outsourced accounting, technology solutions, human resources, business advisory, data analytics, and wealth management services nationwide.

Thomas Edwin Jarriel (’56)

Thomas Edwin Jarriel, age 89, passed on October 24, 2024. He was born on December 29, 1934 in LaGrange GA. Tom grew up in Georgia and Louisiana, and graduated from Byrd High School in Shreveport, LA in 1952. He played varsity tennis at University of Houston graduating with a BA in Journalism. Tom met the love of his life, Joan Ellen Borgeson in Shreveport. Tom and Joan were wed in a small ceremony and spent their early days as an Army couple at Ft Monmouth, NJ, later living in Georgia, Potomac, MD, Edgewater, MD, and Ft Pierce, FL.
Tom is survived by Joan, his wife of 67 years and three sons: Mike (Marilyn), Stephen (Lisa) and Jeffrey (Catherine). Tom and Joan are proud grandparents to Jenna (Matt), Ryan (Holly), Tess (Craig), Bailey (Ben), Matthew, Kaylin, and Marina, and their great grandchild Luke. As the youngest of six children, Tom was preceded in death by his parents William Lester Jarriel and Ruth Ella Knight, his siblings Jeri, Evelyn, Bill, Bob, and Dorothy. His family gatherings wouldn’t be complete without Joan’s brothers Don (Marianne) and Bob (Beth).
Tom began his career in radio at KPRC Houston. He transitioned to television news, working as a reporter for ABC News from 1964 to 2002. He was the White House correspondent for ABC during the administrations of U.S. Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. In 1979, Tom joined the network’s newsmagazine 20/20 as an investigative correspondent. He traveled across the US and the world assembling documentaries on subjects such as the defects in the American criminal justice system, wasteful spending by the United States Department of Defense, and transportation accidents. He received a number of Emmy Awards for his work. He often provided ABC News Brief updates and served as substitute anchor on World News Tonight. He retired from broadcasting in 2002.
Tom and Joan were passionate about their dogs including collies, a Scotty, several Golden Retrievers and finally their beloved Portuguese Water dog, Skipper, who gave them a focus and many opportunities for walks into their later years.
Tom was renowned for his ability to have a dialog with anyone, always loving to tell a story (perhaps a tall tale). With his extensive travel, he had quite a variety of experiences to draw upon. He enjoyed tennis, boating, fishing, and golf. One of his fondest summer activities was hosting crab feasts on the dock at his summer retreat on Turkey Point.
He will truly be missed!
Family and friends are invited to gather to celebrate Tom’s life on Thursday, October 31 from 11 am to 1 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Human Society of Treasure Coast, Treasure Coast Food Bank, Doctors Without Borders.

W. Bryan Talley (’62)

W. Bryan Talley, Ed.D. of Nokomis, Florida (native of Houston, Texas) passed away on June 13, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. Born in 1939, he graduated from the University of Houston, Sam Houston State, and Northwestern State University of Louisiana.

He taught for 30 years, had 4 degrees, and was a certified school counselor through the Texas Education Agency. Bryan enjoyed 19th-century and Texas history. He wrote his doctoral thesis about the struggle Texas endured after the 1836 Battle for Independence.

He enjoyed Corvettes and old cars and won many awards for his cars, including the coveted Bloomington Gold Award. He also received Top Flight Honors on two Corvettes as well. He was an outstanding softball player. He played in Houston beginning at age 31 and played well into his 70’s. He took special pride in being named MVP several times in local Texas Tournaments. He made All-Tournament in the Texas State Championships, Victory Class D in 1985. He was named an All-Tournament in two All-American (ASA) World Series Senior Softball Tournaments as well. He often talked of hitting 3 home runs in 1982. He also spoke of when he BENT a bat after hitting a homer in Arizona! He was a “feared hitter” and enjoyed playing year after year. He was even recruited by a Florida team and moved to Miami for 3 years, in which he played across states from Florida, Maryland, and Georgia. A touching experience while counseling a young man in Miami inspired him to move back to Houston to a Vice Principal job and he devoted the last of his career to teaching and helping kids. Noted for his many quotes, he gave talks on history and life and was voted Teacher of the Fall Semester by the students at Springwood High School in his final year. He took his teaching seriously.

He was not involved in many civic or fraternal activities, though he was active in the Houston Heights area where he grew up throughout his life.

He was an Agnostic. He loathed the hypocrisy of the church and believed too many leaders in the educational field to be unconcerned with students. He gave his time and effort to his students, playing ball, and his love of sports cars, especially early Corvettes. To him, the ‘58 – ‘60 and the ‘63 -’67 Corvettes were works of design art. His great loves were his 2 big standard poodles, Rinty (RinTinTin) and Dutchess. He was a western film buff and remembered Wild Bill Elliott as a favorite. He was loved very much by his family and friends, who will miss him a great deal until we all meet again; Happy Trails.

In lieu of flowers and cards, please support the ASPCA online or your local animal rescue; funds and supplies are in great need. Bryan Talley will be laid to rest with his family in a graveside service at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston, Texas, on Saturday, July 27, at 2 PM. Family and friends will gather at the Barbeque Inn afterward at 4 PM to celebrate his life.

Alice (’65) and Charles (’65) Sicola

Charles and Alice met in October 1964 in the “Old Cougar Den”. They were married in October 1965. The attached photo was taken on the bench where “they did some courting on campus”. Well, 57 years later they still do their best to get back to Houston for Homecoming. The 2022 Homecoming Game was windy and a bit chilly but Alice and Charles enjoyed watching the COOGS win! Charles and Alice are proud UH Alumni Association Life Members and love their alma mater.

Rudolph Zepeda, Jr. (’66)

Served with the USAF in Southeast Asia with the rank of Captain in 1969.. Received an MBA from the Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management in 1972 and an MS from Nova Southeastern University in 1991. Began International Banking career with First City National of Houston in 1973 and moved to Miami in 1981 to manage a foreign bank. Retired after 23 years with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta as Senior Foreign Technical Assistance Advisor and Directing Examiner. Currently Commander of American Legion Post 31 in South Miami, Florida.

Bonnie Labdi (PharmD ’02)

UH alum Bonnie Labdi started a new position as the Clinical Director of Oncology at Agilum Healthcare Intelligence, an analytics company based out of Deerfield Beach, Florida.

Bonnie has 19 years of experience in clinical pharmacy practice, providing evidence-based care to oncology patients in a wide variety of healthcare settings. As a member of Agilum’s Clinical Solutions team, Bonnie utilizes her knowledge and experience in developing, promoting, and providing pharmacy and analytic consulting services to clients, who are then able to provide the highest level of care for their patients at the lowest possible cost.

Prior to joining Agilum, Bonnie maintained a clinical practice at Memorial Hermann Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. While at Hermann, she held an academic appointment as a clinical assistant professor at the University of Texas McGovern Medical School. Bonnie previously practiced at other healthcare facilities in the Houston area, including the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Bonnie has written several articles for peer-reviewed journals, authored textbook chapters, and presented research at national and international medical conferences. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology, and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, among others, and has held various leadership positions within these organizations.

Bonnie received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Houston College of Pharmacy. She completed both her pharmacy practice residency and her specialty practice residency in hematology/oncology from Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple, Texas. Bonnie is certified by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties in oncology and maintains her license to practice pharmacy in her home state of Texas.

Billy G. Box (’73)

Billy Garland Box October 2, 1942 April 21, 2021Billy Garland Box, 78, a resident of Cape Coral, FL since 2008, formerly of Ecuador, passed away Wednesday, April 21, 2021 in Cape Coral. He was born October 2, 1942 in Houston, TX to Allen P. and Reba J. Shelton Box, now deceased. Billy was of the Baptist faith and a Veteran of the United States Navy. He grew up in Houston where he attended university of Houston and got an accounting degree. He passed the CPA exam and worked for several oil companies as CFO. He enjoyed traveling the world. He loved boating and fishing and the beach. He is survived by one sister, Jackie Lewis; wife, Irma Box; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as his beloved pet, Pooch. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Delana Godwin, and brother, Allen Box Jr Committal Services with Military Honors will be held 11:30 AM Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34241Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.