The Selma Times-Journal

Arthur Bain Gleason Jr. died at his home Saturday, Aug. 12, 2006. A native Floridian, born Oct. 22, 1935, Mr. Gleason was educated in the Miami public schools, graduating from Miami Beach High School. He attended the University of Florida on a golf scholarship and became an outstanding golfer, serving on two winning SEC championship teams and winning two Southern Inter-collegiate Championships there.

At the university he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity and served as its president.

After receiving his undergraduate degree in 1957, he married Rosemary Henry of Selma and began a career with Henry Brick Company that spanned forty-eight years, serving as vice president in charge of sales, then president, culminating in his retirement in 2005.

Widely known and respected in the brick manufacturing industry, he served many years on the board of the regional brick association, also serving a term as president.

He also served on the board of the National Brick Association.

Very involved in the life of his adopted community,

Gleason served the United Way as campaign chairman, president and director.

He served as a director for the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and The Salvation Army.

Through his company he supported the work of the Selma-Dallas County Public Library and the Sturdivant Museum Association.

Active in the Selma Country Club,

Gleason served two years as president of its Board of Directors.

He was a member of the Selma German Club, the Cotillion Club and the Knights of Revelry.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church.

The son of a PGA Professional, Gleason developed a passion for golf at an early age.

Avidly pursuing that passion all his life, Gleason held many titles with a long list of wins in Alabama and other states, including the Alabama Golf Association State Amateur Championship in 1959. He captured the Tuscaloosa and Gadsden Invitationals that same year.

From 1966 through 1980 he won the Selma Country Club Invitational five times.

He captured 10 Selma Country Club Championships from 1963 through 1991.

In 1995 he won the Alabama Senior Golf Association State Championship.

In 1996 and 1998 his team won the AGA Senior Four Ball Championship.

His most enduring legacy to his beloved sport is his involvement with the Alabama Golf Association Junior Program.

Serving the AGA as a director since 1981 and as president in 1991, Gleason chaired the junior program for more than twenty years, sharing his inimitable enthusiasm and tutelage with young golfers.

As a result of his commitment to junior golf in Alabama, the AGA Board renamed its State Junior Championship Trophy in his honor in 1999.

The Arthur Bain Gleason Memorial Trophy is now awarded annually to the AGA State Junior champion.