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News Article

University Mourns Death of Dr. Ovid L. Bayless, Professor Emeritus

04/19/2017

JONESBORO – Arkansas State University mourns the death of Dr. Ovid L. Bayless, emeritus professor of speech communication, and former chair of the Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts, who died today (April 19). 

Bayless, who came to Arkansas State in 1974 after serving as a faculty member at the Air Force Academy, retired in 1998 after 23 years of service.

In addition to his work in the Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts, Bayless served as the longtime public address announcer for A-State women’s basketball, and as the press box announcer for A-State football.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. in the Emerson Funeral Home chapel.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

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Dr. Ovid L. Bayless