Anthony Sadberry, Foundation Trustee, Former Board Member and National Officer, Dies
Anthony J. "Tony" Sadberry, a Phi Theta Kappa Foundation Trustee, former
member of the Board of Directors and a former National Officer, died October
28 in Texas. An attorney for more than 30 years, he was serving as executive
director of the Texas Lottery Commission at the time of his death.
"Phi
Theta Kappa has lost a great leader, a dedicated supporter and a close friend,"
said Phi Theta Kappa Executive Director Rod Risley. "Tony was a loyal supporter
of Phi Theta Kappa long before the alumni programs were created. We called
on him on many occasions, and he always responded."
Sadberry
was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas,
in 1969. Later that year he became the first African-American member to
be elected a Phi Theta Kappa National Officer.
His invitation
to membership in Phi Theta Kappa made "the American Dream a possibility
for me," Sadberry said in an interview many years later. "Suddenly I was
part of a whole group of people who believed that the only limitations were
those you set for yourself."
He was alumni representative on
the Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors from 1990-1996, and appointed a Foundation
Trustee in 2007.
Sadberry spoke at Phi Theta Kappa's 1986 Honors
Institute, and also was a frequent speaker at Texas Region events. He was
master of ceremonies for A Celebraton of Leadership, the program
honoring Phi Theta Kappa's first Executive Director, Margaret Mosal,
upon her retirement, and recognizing Risley, her successor as Executive
Director.
A graduate of the University of Texas and Georgetown
University Law School, Sadberry had also served on the state Attorney General's
staff.
"Texas lost a genuine leader today," Texas Gov. Rick
Perry said. "At every juncture of his life, in school, in his law practice
and with the lottery, Anthony seemed to end up in positions of leadership."
Sadberry
is survived by his daughter Andrea Joi Sadberry-Flood, his son-in-law
Jonathan Flood and granddaughter Mercedez.
Funeral services
were held November 1 in Caldwell, Texas. Persons may sign and view the online
guestbook at the Strickland
Funeral Home website.
Memorials to Anthony Sadberry
may be made to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation, 1625 Eastover Drive, Jackson,
MS 39211. Donations to the Foundation in Sadberry's memory made also be
made
online.
