Page 70 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2023 - Online Magazine
P. 70
The
Extra-ordinary
rostads
Paul & Judy
by Jane Bromley
ccording to former NFL After graduation, 18-year-old It was during those college years
coach Jimmy Johnson, Paul chose to come to Texas Tech, that the U.S. became involved in
A“The difference between sight unseen. His friend's father Vietnam. Paul saw an opportunity
ordinary and extraordinary is that convinced the boys that Tech to do something extra. He joined
little extra.” Judy and Paul Rostad would be a good place to continue ROTC and was commissioned as
insist they are just ordinary folks, their education. Paul earned a a second Lieutenant. He served
but it doesn’t take long to realize BA in marketing in 1968, but not on active duty from 1971 to 1973
they have that little something before enjoying everything the and spent 28 years in the Reserves,
“extra.” university had to offer. He joined achieving the rank of Lt. Col.
a social fraternity and a service In 1975. Paul earned a masters
Their childhoods were rather fraternity and enjoyed all the in Guidance and Counseling
typical. Paul grew up in Dallas activities that went along with and went to work for the Texas
where his dad, Clarence, a WWII those organizations. Athletic Rehab Commission—helping
veteran, worked for Chevrolet for events were especially exciting for handicapped adults return to
over 40 years. Paul, an only child, the enthusiastic Red Raider. employment. From ‘76 to ‘83, he
graduated from Bryan Adams invested himself in assisting that
High School in 1963. Meanwhile, Judy's mom Amye was a 1938 community. When Judy’s dad
across the state, Judy grew up in graduate of Tech, so TTU was retired from Childress Hardware
Idalou, the only child of Richard an obvious choice for her. She, in 1983, Paul stepped in. He was
and Amye Jay. Richard was also too, took full advantage of her just the “extra” the historic store
a WWII veteran and a coach, and undergraduate years and thrived needed. Paul went on to manage it
Amye was a Home Economics while continuing her education. for 28 years.
teacher. When Richard returned Judy earned her BS in Home
home from his service, he went Economics Education in 1968. After graduating from Tech, Judy
to work for Mr. Childress, who was hired by Pioneer Natural Gas
owned the hardware store in Paul and Judy met on a blind date Co. to do home demonstrations,
downtown Lubbock. In 1955, at a Texas Tech basketball game. until the army took them to
Richard bought the historic store. From the beginning, the two El Paso. When they returned,
Like Paul, Judy had a pleasant shared a passion for Red Raider Judy worked for LISD’s DEBT
childhood, and she graduated athletics, and their school spirit (Developmental Education—
from Idalou High School in 1964. has never waned. Birth-Two)—Early Childhood
Intervention program, assisting
70 Lubbock Senior Link
