Page 18 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2017- Online Magazine

6980

Carroll Bert Lockett

lost some of that.”
In 1956 the young man came to
Lubbock to attend Texas Tech. By
the time he had to declare a major,
Education was the obvious choice.
“I always loved school. And I
thought I could teach children to
love it as much as I did.”
Carroll graduated from Tech in
1960. He landed a teaching job in
Lubbock, but only taught for 18
days before he was drafted. He
served his country in the U.S. Army,
first at Ft. Hood, then in Germany
as a border guard during the Berlin
ccasionally, a person’s life can be summed Crisis. He returned to West Texas
up in a word. When Christopher Reeves’ in 1962, and taught at P.F. Brown Elementary for three
Oname comes up, the word Superman years. During this time, he met a pretty young Home
might be suggested. The word simplicity Economics teacher named Carolyn. She was teaching
describes Mother Teresa. But this is the story of a in Plains, but mutual friends were determined to
man whose life can be summed up by a number. introduce them. After meeting at a Sunday lunch in
6980. the home of their friends, and later bumping into
Carroll Bert Lockett was born in Brownwood, each other on the Tech campus where they were both
Texas in 1937 to Zola and Bert Lockett. He was pursuing Master’s degrees, a romance ensued. They
raised in the little town of Mullin until the 3rd were married in May 1965.
grade. Bert, the farmer changed careers and Carroll taught at several elementary schools
moved his wife and young son to Odessa and including Overton, North Ave. U Elementary (later
shortly after to Whiteface to work in the oil renamed Mahon), Hunt and Kay Carter. He became
field. Carroll describes his childhood and youth a head teacher, then assistant principal and finally
as “Wonderful! There was never a time when principal, as LISD recognized not only his ability to
I didn’t know I was loved.” Bert and Zola had teach, but also to lead. In 1975 he became principal
been married almost 20 years before their son of the brand new Nat Williams Elementary where he
was born, and Carroll speaks in glowing terms served for 17 years. He loved his job, but mostly he
of their love and support. Little did they know loved people - the teachers he oversaw, the parents
what an impact the fruit of their happy home with whom he connected, and especially the young
would make on the world. ones in his charge. Mr. Lockett says, “I’ve always
“I thought Whiteface, Texas was the best place loved kids, and I believe they need a fun experience
in the universe.” Carroll has fond memories at school, that they should feel loved and welcomed.”
of attending nearly every church service, ball Every morning, he would greet them with a big smile
game, picnic and event in the town between 1949 and an even bigger promise: “Everybody you meet
and 1956. “Mom and Dad were very hospitable today is going to love you!” or “This is going to be the
people. We didn’t have TV early on. But our best day of your life!”
entertainment was getting together with friends Carroll and Carolyn raised three boys, Leighton,
and neighbors to play games or just visit. We’ve Christopher and Landry, who have blessed them