Homer R. Pankey

Homer Richwell Pankey, Ed.D. of Thomasville, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2025.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 62 years, Patricia Griffith Pankey; his two sons, Mark Griffith Pankey (Amy Gray) and David Allen Pankey (Kimberly Overholser); his grandchildren, Gage Mason Pankey, Talan Michael Pankey, and Tristan Brooke Pankey; and his step-grandchildren, Grayson Rhodes Montgomery and Miles Monroe Safriet. He is also survived by his sister, Harriet Pankey Kimes (Thomas). He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer N. Pankey and Jane Staples Pankey, as well as two of his sisters, Norma Jean and Helen and both of his brothers, Garnett and Beverly (Bev).

Born on November 3, 1936, in Martinsburg, West Virginia, Dr. Pankey served in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1954 to 1958, stationed at Anacostia Naval Air Base in Washington, D.C.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Shepherd College (now Shepherd University) in 1958. While at Shepherd, he was a member of the school’s first intercollegiate swim team, setting four state records in backstroke and winning four gold medals. He went on to earn his Master’s degree in 1961 and his Doctor of Education degree in 1967, both from West Virginia University. At the time, he was the youngest person to receive a doctoral degree from WVU. His dissertation on economic education was one of only three such studies cited in the Journal of Social Education.

Dr. Pankey’s career in education spanned more than four decades. He began as a principal and teacher at a two-room elementary school in 1958 at Mt. Garfield Elementary School in Morgan County, West Virginia. He later became an assistant professor at Frostburg State University, where he founded and directed a reading clinic and a summer reading camp.

From 1965 to 1992, he served at California University of Pennsylvania in various leadership roles, including associate professor, full professor, associate dean, dean of graduate studies and research, and ultimately Senior Vice President for Economic Development and External Relations.

During a one-year sabbatical in 1989-1990, he was invited by the French Ministry of Education to be a visiting professor at the University of Paris VIII (part of the Sorbonne) and the Ecole Nationale de Commerce in Paris.

In 1990, Dr. Pankey addressed the Russian Congress at the Kremlin, speaking on the values of the free enterprise system. In 1994, in recognition of his contributions to economic development in Russia, he was awarded the Russian Educators’ Medal in a special ceremony conducted by Colonel Venumen Zavuloff on behalf of the Russian government.

Throughout his career, Dr. Pankey pursued postdoctoral studies at the University of Pittsburgh, the College of William & Mary, and Harvard University.

In 1992, he was appointed the tenth president of Thomas College in Thomasville, Georgia. Under his leadership, the institution achieved university status in 2000. When he retired in 2001, Thomas University was recognized as the fastest-growing private university in Georgia.

That same year, he was honored to participate in the Oxford University Roundtable in Oxford, England–an exclusive gathering of just 40 leaders from around the world in education, politics, business, and science.

Dr. Pankey was deeply involved in the Thomasville community. He served as president of the Rotary Club of Thomasville and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also an executive board member of the Thomasville Chamber of Commerce from 1992 to 2001 and was actively involved with the Archbold Hospital Foundation, Glen Arven Country Club, Thomasville Historical Society, Thomasville Cultural Center, Landmarks, Inc., The Entertainment Foundation, and Ducks Unlimited.

Having lived in Thomasville longer than anywhere else, he considered it his true home and felt deeply blessed to be part of the community.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, from 5 PM to 7 PM at Allen & Allen Funeral Home, 110 W Hansell St. Thomasville, GA 31792. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 11 AM at First Presbyterian Church, 225 E. Jackson St., Thomasville, GA 31792. Private burial service will be held in Martinsburg, WV.

Memorial donations may be made to the Dr. & Mrs. Homer R. Pankey Institutional Endowment at Thomas University, University Advancement, 1501 Millpond Rd., Thomasville, GA 31792.