Document Type
Finding Aid
Publication Date
8-17-2026
Inclusive Dates--Span
1897-2001
Inclusive Dates--Bulk
1897-2001
Scope and Content Note
This collection consists of a picture of Dr. Frederick Eby, as well as his obituary and a commemorative statement written by Orval Filbeck. Also included are various slips of papers and Frederick Eby's "Notes on Some Arguments for the Existence of God." Seven books, some by Frederick Eby, were originally housed in the collection but have been removed and processed accordingly.
Biographical Note
James Orval Filbeck was born July 30, 1912, near Springfield, Mo. He graduated from high school there in 1929. He attended Southwest Missouri State University and Freed-Hardeman College before receiving his bachelor's degree in mathematics and master's degree in education from East Texas State University in 1937 and 1938. He received his doctorate from the University of Texas in 1944. He married Edith Marie Barnes in Terrell on June 14, 1938 and after her death in 1993 he married Imogene Siburt on June 17, 2000.
He was a longtime professor of education at Abilene Christian University. In his 37 years of teaching at ACU, Filbeck taught more than 14,000 students. He served as chairman of the Department of Education, director of student teacher certification and director of summer session for the university.
Filbeck prepared four institutional reports for the Texas Education Agency and served on five Texas education evaluation teams, twice as chairman. He prepared three institutional reports for the National Council for the Accreditation for Teacher Education and served on 14 NCATE evaluation teams, 11 times as chairman. He was listed in the 1971 edition of "Outstanding Educators in America."
He served as past president of the Taylor County chapter of the Texas State Teachers Association, Abilene Mental Health Association and the Abilene Boys Ranch. He also was an active member of the Abilene Rotary Club, and he was honored in 2002 on his 90th birthday for 50 years of perfect attendance to Rotary meetings.
After retirement, he helped establish the Abilene Clean and Proud program for the City of Abilene. He was well known for organizing teams of volunteers to clean up trash and mow rights-of-ways along Judge Ely Boulevard.
In 1996 he received the Alumni Faculty/Staff Award for exemplary and sustained service to students and alumni. In 1997 he was inducted into the ACU Sports Hall of Fame. An avid ACU athletic booster, he was the seventh person to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for special contributions to ACU sports.
He and his family were members of University Church of Christ in Abilene where he taught a men’s Bible class for 27 years and also served as an elder.
Donor Note
Filbeck family
Arrangement
This collection is arranged by material type.
Content List
[first folder] finding aid
Folder 1: Picture and Obituary of Dr. Frederick Eby
Folder 2: Miscellaneous slips of paper and "Notes on Some Arguments about the Existence of God"
Subjects
Churches of Christ--Texas, Churches of Christ--Texas (Abilene)
Language
ENGLISH
Extent of Collection
2 folders
Manuscript Number
Center for Restoration Studies Manuscripts #132
Physical Location
Center for Restoration Studies
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], [file or folder name], James Orval Filbeck Papers, 1897-2001. Center for Restoration Studies MS #132. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.
Use Restrictions
Open to researchers. Contact Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives to make an appointment.
Processing Status
Processed
Finding Aid created by
Audrey Schaffner, Ron Longwell, Mac Ice, Amanda Dietz
Subjects--Personal Names
Eby, Frederick, 1874-1968
Comments
Please contact us with questions about our holdings or to schedule a research visit.