By Laura Clark

The man whose name adorns the indoor tennis center and the faculty center is gone, but his contribution to UK will remain.

Hilary J. Boone Jr., 91, died at his home in Lexington on June 18.

A Springfield, Ky., native, Boone came to UK as a student, became captain of the tennis team and graduated in 1941 with an economics degree. Even after graduation, the university remained close to his heart.

In 1984, Boone provided the financing for a faculty center, now the Hilary J. Boone Center faculty club located on Rose Street across from the Chemistry-Physics Building. Another of Boone’s contributions led to the establishment of the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Center on South Campus.

Even though his name will forever be associated with these buildings, Boone cared for the entire university, said Terry Mobley, vice president for institutional advancement and former chief development officer for 27 years.

“He was interested in the total university and its quality of education,” Mobley said.

Mobley, who worked with Boone as a contributor for 30 years, said he collected art and supported UK’s Art Museum, as well as stayed involved with the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging and the Markey Cancer Center.

Boone, described by Mobley as reserved and soft-spoken, was anything but when it came to giving to UK.

“He was a rather quiet … gentleman,” Mobley said. “Over the years though, it was obvious he had a great love for the university.”

After graduation, Boone served in World War II in the Army Air Corps. Survivors include three children, Alyce Boone Hoskins, Elizabeth Van Meter Boone and Samuel Alexander Boone; and seven grandchildren.