Page 70 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2017- Online Magazine
P. 70
Clarence Priestly
Thank You,
Mr. Priestly
by Jane Bromley
interviews and jogging He had married Ruth Smart in
memories in the home she 1952 and was ready to get on
and Clarence built over 50 with life. He commuted to his
years ago. first teaching job in Shallowater
for six years in a 1949 Ford. The
From modest beginnings, G.I. Bill enabled him to complete
young Clarence grew to be his Masters in Education at
one of Lubbock’s favorite the University of Colorado in
sons. His early Lubbock Boulder and take a variety of
memories revolve around other courses at New Mexico
a 110-pound mama who State University and Texas Tech.
was “really tough” on her Ruth also earned her Masters at
two boys, and his father Tech and worked at Wheatley,
who owned a popular Bozeman, and Haynes as well
BBQ restaurant - “Jim’s”. as serving as Homeschool
Clarence graduated from Coordinator for Lubbock
Dunbar High School and Independent School District
from Sam Huston College (LISD).
in Austin with a degree
in Education. But in 1951, Clarence transferred to Ella Isles
n the spring of 1974, I was a the US was engaged in in 1959 where he eventually
young elementary education the Korean Conflict and Uncle became principal. In 1968 he
Imajor. Texas Tech had just Sam called him up. He was sent moved to Bozeman and led that
started field-based training for to Fort Sill, OK and assigned faculty for 18 years. Ruth said
students in the department. I was to the 595 Battalion, Artillery there was little turnover; most of
assigned to Bozeman Elementary 1 cannoneers. Except for one his staff knew what a blessing it
and introduced to the tall, month of Chemical, Biological, was to serve under a man of such
friendly principal Mr. Clarence and Radiological (CBR) training stature.
Priestly. in San Antonio, he served his
whole two years at Fort Sill. Every organization wanted
It has been over 40 years, but I Clarence Priestly. Every
still remember the quiet authority committee solicited his help.
that Mr. Priestly exercised over He belonged to Phi Delta
that school. Everyone loved Kappa, NEA, Omega Psi Phi.
and respected the man, because He has served on the boards
they knew he loved them. I was of United Way, MHMR,
barely out of my teens, but that and the Well Baby Clinic.
impressed me. Fast forward to He was the first person of
June 22, 2017. I was invited to color to direct HeadStart
a home near Dunbar Middle and was a charter member
School. Kara Leslie, pastor of of the Hub City Kiwanis.
Mount Vernon UMC, had asked He has served on every
us to interview three of her committee at his church
parishioners who were veterans. He recalls the experience as and ushered for 45 years.
What a delightful surprise to pretty unpleasant, but “I had He and Ruth were Friends of
realize that one of them was my a lot of patience and a family the Library for 60 years. He was
first education role model, Mr. that supported me.” After being honored by his church and many
Priestly. His wife Ruth went honorably discharged in 1953, of these organizations over the
back and forth facilitating the Clarence Priestly came home. years for his contributions and
70 Lubbock Senior Link
