Richard Jan LeCroy

Richard Jan LeCroy (September 1, 1931 - October 10, 2013)

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Jan LeCroy, former chancellor of the Dallas County Community College District and president of the Dallas Citizens Council, died peacefully at his home Thursday at the age of 82. Although he had battled cancer for a time, LeCroy remained active until recently. He was perhaps best known nationally for helping to build the movement that challenged what were then known as junior colleges to become more responsive to the community.

As board chair of the American Association of Community Colleges in 1986-87, LeCroy launched and then served on the commission whose findings prompted large numbers of junior college districts to modify their missions and to be renamed community colleges.

He was also the president of the Dallas Citizens Council for more than a decade, retiring in 1999. Among his achievements during this period, LeCroy and the Council helped to diversify the DCC to include more women and minorities in its membership.

But it was for his accomplishments in community college education that LeCroy will be most remembered. In May, he was named Director Emeritus of Dallas County Community College District Foundation. Also, in 2003 he received the national leadership award from the American Association of Community Colleges.

Earlier in his career, LeCroy was recognized twice by the University of Texas - in 1988 when he was chosen as one of the country's transformational leaders in the field of community colleges, and in 1982 when he was honored as an Outstanding Administrator.

He served as president of the Association of Texas Colleges and Universities in 1984-85 and later was a member of the Education Commission of the States. In 1985, the American Association of Women in Community Colleges recognized him for his outstanding support of women.

A legacy that LeCroy was especially proud of is the scholarship program established in his name in 1989 by an endowment from Mike A. Myers. Since then, more than 200 LeCroy scholars have participated, each of them receiving grants to cover two years tuition and the costs of textbooks. LeCroy and Myers were mentors to these students, hosting dinners at their homes.

Another significant innovation was the R. Jan LeCroy Center for Educational Telecommunications created in 1972 and widely credited for its early role in promoting online learning. It was named for LeCroy because of his leadership in the use of distance learning in education. Housed at Richland College, this center has enrolled more than 230,000 students since its inception. Its Dallas Telecourses division is one of the country's largest producers of college-credit online classes.

Richard Jan LeCroy was born in Ft. Worth in 1930. His father's construction work required that the family relocate from time to time, introducing Jan to new environments. Later he fondly recalled his high school years when his parents' busy work schedules gave him the time and freedom to make decisions on his own, which he believed helped him to develop his leadership skills. After graduating from high school in Hot Springs, Arkansas, he attended West Point for four years.

LeCroy served as an infantry officer and then left the military to work for Reynolds Metal. A friend recommended that to help determine his career path, LeCroy take an aptitude test. The results showed clearly that he wanted to be an educator. Shortly after, he enrolled in the University of Texas and in 1966 earned his Ph. D. in community college education.

LeCroy worked three years in the Tarrant County Junior College District before coming to the Dallas County Community College District in 1969 to become president of Eastfield College. Two years later he became vice chancellor of the growing district and in 1981 he was made chancellor, succeeding Bill J. Priest.

Aside from his efforts in education, LeCroy was a trustee of the U. S. Military Academy Association of Graduates for a period spanning three decades. A mule rider during college years, he became a model for the mule rider statue in the town of Highland Falls near the academy. He was president of the Dallas Rotary Club in 1984-85, General Chairman of the 1984 Dallas United Way campaign, and chairman of the board for the 1986 Goals for Dallas Commission.

In retirement, LeCroy remained busy by managing the Armes Family Ranch near Stephenville and serving on the boards of Southwest Securities and Conseco funds. He and his wife Nancy, who were married in 1990, traveled extensively during LeCroy's later years. He and Nancy were active members of First Presbyterian Church.

Immediate survivors include his wife Nancy Armes LeCroy, former wife Jane LeCroy, son Paul LeCroy, daughters Karen Krupinski and Marie Blackman; granddaughters Candace Hines and Jennifer Lavelle and their husbands Clinton Hines and Kevin Lavelle; grandsons Zachary Krupinski and Janson LeCroy; great-grandson Brock Hines; brothers-in-law David and Paul Armes, sisters-in-law Shirley and Duanea Armes; nieces Sarah Thompson and Ashley Cox.
The family plans a private ceremony this week and will also schedule a public memorial service, to be announced later. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the LeCroy Scholars Fund of the Dallas County Community College District Foundation.