JIM G. ASHBURNE
Jim G. Ashburne died at home
on June 20, 1996, age 84, with strength in his handshake
despite his long illness and confinement. He was Professor
Emeritus of Accounting, having retired August 31, 1976, after
serving on the faculty from the time he received his Ph.D.
degree in accounting at The University of Texas in 1953.
He was born on April 30, 1912,
in Bonham, Texas, to Isaac Seaborn Ashburn and Pearle Ashburn.
His father was a circuit-riding Methodist minister (by horseback
at first) in the North Texas Conference. The presiding elder
in his father's Methodist church was Jim Gober, hence he
was named at birth Gober Graham Ashburn. In 1942, after the
Bonham courthouse burned, Jim changed his birth certificate
and took the name we all knew, Jim Gober Ashburne (with his
mother's blessing, adding the "e" to Ashburn for
distinction).
He earned a B.A. degree in
English from North Texas State Teachers College (now University
of North Texas) in 1930 and an M.A. degree in English from
Southern Methodist University in 1932. His honors and awards
included the W.H. Bruce Scholarship society, Kappa Delta
Pi, Pi Omega Pi, Beta Gamma Sigma, Beta Alpha Psi, Delta
Sigma Pi, and Delta Pi Epsilon. This education led him to
teach English in Texas high schools in Royce City (1932-1933),
San Antonio Edison (1933-1935), and Dallas Crozier Tech (1935-1943)
where he served as assistant principal in 1946-1947. During
this time he enrolled in extra accounting courses at Southern
Methodist University. He also organized theatrical stage
plays in the schools and communities. On July 25, 1936, he
married Jean Tipton.
Jim joined the U.S. Army in
1943 and served in England, France, and Germany, being discharged
with the rank of master sergeant. He earned theater ribbons
and two bronze service stars for post office and personnel
work.
Thereafter, he taught accounting
courses at Oklahoma A & M (now Oklahoma State University)
until 1949. While teaching in Oklahoma, he fell into the
company of Glenn A. Welsch, and they applied to The University
of Texas Ph.D. program at the same time, arriving in Austin
in 1949. He taught UT courses and earned the Ph.D. degree
in 1953, thence continued on this faculty as Assistant Professor,
Associate Professor (1955), Professor (1964), and Professor
Emeritus (1976). He took leaves to be a visiting professor
at the University of Hawaii in 1966 and the University of
Arizona in 1971. He became a Texas CPA in 1953. He was admitted
to the UT graduate faculty in 1959.
Jim taught at least twelve
different courses while he was active on the faculty, including
courses in intermediate financial accounting, advanced financial
accounting, managerial accounting, controllership, research
seminar, accounting systems, and writing communications.
His outstanding doctoral students included William Shenkir,
James Wooley, Rex Cruse, J. T. Ball, Charles Titus, Samir
Fahmy, and W. Baker Flowers. He counseled many graduate and
undergraduate students, served as faculty adviser to the
Beta Alpha Psi professional accounting fraternity and the
Beta Gamma Sigma chapter, and served on numerous department,
college, and University committees, including extended service,
continuation and probation, English and writing, student
evaluation, curriculum, Ph.D. admissions, honors plan, budget
council, graduate studies, and commencement. He worked on
the plan for a five-year accounting program 20 years before
it came to fruition at U.T. Outside the University, Jim served
on the American Accounting Association Committee on Doctoral
Programs and on the American Institute of CPAs Committee
on Relations with Universities, and he was the President
of the Austin chapter of the National Association of Accountants.
He was the editor of the Texas Society of CPAs' journal, The
Texas CPA, for several years.
Jim attended the Methodist
church but joined Jean and Joan as Episcopalians when he
was confirmed at All Saints Episcopal Church, Austin in 1953.
Then-rector, and later Bishop of the Diocese of Texas, Scott
Field Bailey asked Jim to serve on the vestry and help with
the church accounting. He became the "accounting warden" and
treasurer and a close associate of Scott Field Bailey during
the 1950s. He served with the Sunday morning breakfast committee
with such Austin stalwarts as Rooster Andrews, Richard Lucas,
Bill Gammon, and Voyd Bennett. He was a member of the All
Saints Episcopal Church vestry in 1964. He had many friends
in the Austin community.
He was a member of a faculty
of giants who during the 1950s and 1960s continued to build
the award-winning national reputation of the U.T. Department
of Accounting. He was predeceased by illustrious professors
emeriti John Arch White, George H. Newlove, C. Aubrey Smith,
and Raynard Sommerfeld. He is survived by equally illustrious
professors emeriti Glenn A. Welsch, Charles T. Zlatkovich,
and Charles H. Griffin. Jim's contributions covered a wide
range of activities. He was most pleased with his time as
adviser to the Beta Alpha Psi accounting honorary fraternity.
His research, writing, and consulting was directed toward
the oil industry, and he worked summers to gain experience
with Merchants Fast Motor Lines, Columbia-Southern Chemical
Corporation, and Sun Oil Company. He was listed in Who's
Who in the Southwest and Who's Who in American Education.
In 1970, chair of the department
C. T. Zlatkovich wrote of Jim: "He is noted for the
earnest, painstaking, and patient manner in which he works
with students. He is particularly effective in working with
students on research projects, theses, and dissertations.
His integrity is beyond reproach."
Jim G. Ashburne was survived
by his wife Jean (one month short of their 60th anniversary),
his daughter Joan and son-in-law Dale Dennis and their daughter
Jennifer Pearl Dennis, and by his sister Mary Ward Ashburn
Leberman and her son and daughter. He was predeceased by
his brother John Moore Ashburn. A well-attended memorial
service was held August 3, 1996, at All Saints Episcopal
Church, Austin.
<signed>
______________________________
Larry R. Faulkner, President
The University of Texas at Austin
<signed>
______________________________
John R. Durbin, Secretary
The General Faculty
This Memorial Resolution was
prepared by a special committee consisting of Professors
Jack C. Robertson (Chair), Charles H. Griffin, Kermit D.
Larson, and John J. Willingham.
