Page 42 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2018- Online Magazine

floors each week. The doctor later told him college and its first 576 students launched In 2004, Nathan’s wife, Freda, passed away,
that he would often hide nickels or dimes to successfully was quite an experience. but he maintained his home and continued
see if Nathan swept thoroughly! He soon became the Academic Dean, to drive. He would meet his friends at the
establishing the curriculum for the first “coffee shop” each day. He often made the
After graduation from Levelland High programs, writing the first college catalog comment, “I’ve learned more at the coffee
School in 1937, he attended Southwestern and helping set policies for faculty rank and shop than I learned in 4 years of college!” In
State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma. tenure. 2006, Nathan moved into an assisted living
He was elected class president more than facility, Hickory Place, in Levelland, where
once because of his leadership abilities and he thrives. He has continued to love
great personality - loving life and the people life and people and make the best
he met along the way. of each day.
He had no phone or car and would often
hitchhike from Weatherford to Levelland to In May 2018, when Nathan turned
see his family during the holidays. 100, his children honored him with
the birthday party of the century.
Over 400 of his family, friends,
former colleagues and students
kept “pouring in the door” to wish
Nathan a “Happy 100th Birthday”.
A band, consisting of former SPC
music instructors, many of whom
Nathan had hired, entertained
throughout the evening. His
son, Jerry, played guitar with the
Early in the 70s, students began asking group. The party ended with the band
Nathan for a room to practice their musical accompanying Nathan singing “Goodnight
instruments. Country music was sweeping Irene”. He added a verse to the song, which
the nation at that time, so Nathan asked ended in much laughter and applause. It
the college dean to offer a course in guitar. was a wonderful celebration of Nathan
When 75 students showed up, he got the Tubb’s life!
“green light” to introduce the music program
that soon attracted hundreds of students Today, Nathan still welcomes old and new
from around the nation and world. In 1975, friends to stop by for a visit. He always has a
through Tubb’s vision, SPC launched an smile on his face and a witty sense of humor
associate degree in country music (later to share with others.
expanding to commercial music).
In 1940, after receiving his bachelor’s degree,
he married the love of his life, Freda England For nearly five decades, South Plains
of Carter, Oklahoma. They raised three College was touched, influenced and
children - Terry, Libby, and Jerry. Also in directed by the life and work of Nathan
1940, Nathan and Freda were employed as Tubb. He has long been involved in
teachers at the Pep School. Nathan earned helping students pursue their dreams
$80 a month with an additional $20 a month through education. He retired from SPC
for driving a school bus. He served in the in 1981 as Academic Vice President,
U. S. Army from 1945-46, spending most culminating a 41- year career in public
of his time in a New England office as an education. He is in the SPC Athletic
army recruiter. When he returned home, Hall of Fame and served on the Board
he was hired at Whiteface, Texas as a coach, of Regents from 1988-1996. In 2011,
principal and superintendent. He would Nathan and his family were honored by
often walk to school like he was marching the naming of a new women’s dormitory
in his platoon. He earned his master’s - Tubb Hall. He continued to show his
degree from Texas Tech while in Whiteface. support of the college in a multitude of
He made many friends as an educator in ways and through his presence at college
Pep and Whiteface and has many fond events and functions. In 1986, he was
memories. It was very evident that he was named the first Silver-Haired Legislator
well-respected and loved by the number of of West Texas, and his picture is hanging
colleagues, former students and friends who in the Capitol in Austin. Over the years,
attended his 90th and 100th birthday parties. Nathan was also active in the Methodist
In 1958, Nathan moved the family to Church, Kiwanis Club, Season Golfers and
Levelland to become the first Registrar Meals on Wheels for the Hockley County
for South Plains College. Getting the new Senior Citizens.

42 Lubbock Senior Link