Austin High School Class of 1962
Stephen F. Austin High School, Austin, Texas
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In recalling our days at Austin High in our fortieth reunion directory, the one item that was most
frequently mentioned was the faculty. We had exceptional teachers who affected our lives. Do you
have news of our teachers? If so, please share it with us.
On Friday, April 28, 2006, the Austin High
School band hall was named in honor of
LaFalco (Corkey) Robinson. The ceremony
took place in the band hall at 9:00 a.m. with
former drum majors Scott Erwin, Kent Rider,
and Rick Jackson addressing the group and
presenting Mr. Robinson with commemorative
gifts. In his remarks, Scott related how he, Jerry
Taylor, and Newton Hightower persuaded Mr.
Robinson to move with them from O.Henry
Junior High School to Austin High, rather than
moving to the new Lanier High School. The rest
is legend as he stayed at AHS and influenced
thousands of young musicians. The class of
'62 was well represented at the presentation as
evidenced by these pictures of the event.
We extend our sympathy to the families of these faculty members who have died.
Louise Jarrell, counselor at O. Henry Junior High School, died May 12, 2004.
Anthony A. Macaluso passed away September 15, 2004. His obituary in the Austin American
Statesman stated, "There are no words to express the sense of pride, privilege and joy that he
would take in his career as an educator and tennis coach. For 28 years at S.F. Austin High
School, "Mr. Mac" as his students would call him, took no end in delight in helping to try and
answer the questions from young minds and to think about "cause and effect," not just
memorizing facts and figures. He also felt strongly that it was part of a teacher's commission to
encourage students to strive to be at their best at all times and to never put limits on their hopes
and dreams. Even years after retiring from teaching it would delight him to see former students
and remember the good old days with the Maroon and White."
Coach Travis R. Raven passed away May 11, 2004. An Austin native, he was all-state fullback
his junior year at Austin High. He received many playing and coaching awards, including High
School Coach of the Year in 1969. We extend sympathy to all of his family and especially to
Travis Jr. who is our classmate.
rev 05/10/2017
Milton O'Dell died May 4, 2007, at the age of 93. He was a teacher and golf coach at AHS for
18 years, with a record of two state championship teams, two individual state champions, and
two state runner-ups.
Band Hall Named for Corkey Robinson
The Class of '61 has reported on its Web site that Maurice Price died January 15, 2012, at the
age of 92. We have not been able to find an obituary to confirm this.
Marguerite Jarrell taught art at Austin High from 1956 to 1965. During that time, she
encouraged many students, including our own Pat Brown, to explore their creativity in the realm
of art. Her students consistently won awards for their work. Ms. Jarrell was very proud of her
students and continued to follow their careers after high school. At Dedication Day, May 20,
2012, Ms. Jarrell was awarded Honored Faculty status. Her legacy continues through the
Marguerite Jarrell Scholarship awarded each year to talented and deserving art students at
Austin High,.
Many of us were fortunate to have Shirley Wendlandt as a teacher who taught us not only biology
but also how to outline! Mrs. Wendlant is retired and lives in the Hill Country near Goldwaithe.
Pat Tolbert, wife of Coach Jim Tolbert, was born August 10, 1914, and passed away October
21, 2012 in Dallas. Coach Tolbert died in 1998. They were married 61 years and are survived by
son Jim Tolbert, daughter Nancy Tolbert Bee, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Roland Johnson was featured in the winter 2013 edition of Buckner Today, the magazine about
retirement living in the Buckner community. Mr. Johnson lives at Greenridge, the independent living
community at Buckner Villas in Austin. The article states that Mr. Johnson played several instruments
as a young person, but noticed no one played the bass violin, so he tried it. He was so good that his
high school band teacher wouldn't let him play anything else. After completing college and playing in
the Aggieland Orchestra, Mr. Johnson moved to Harper to teach. After service in the army, he moved
to Austin and resumed his teaching career. Over the years, he continued playing the bass violin,
playing in numerous bands and orchestras in the Austin area. He still plays the first bass violin that he
purchased in the 1940s. For the last twenty years, he has been a faithful participant of The Silver
Strings, volunteering in many retirement communities. On a recent family cruise from St. Petersburg to
Moscow, he was invited to play with a group of local musicians. His grandson commented that music
translates into every language.
At Austin High's Dedication Day on May 3, 2013, Mr. Johnson was inducted into the Austin High Hall of
Honor as an Honored Faculty Member. Congratulations!

Jack Hadsell, who taught many of us driver's education, died
October 14, 2013, after a long battle with cancer. Mr. Hadsell served
in World War II in the Army Air Corps where he was a recipient of the
Purple Heart award. He taught 30 years with the Austin School
District. After retiring, he was an active volunteer, earning the "Five
Who Care" and "Recognize Good Legend" awards. He was also
inducted into the Austin High Hall of Honor. He is survived by his wife
of 66 years, Janelle, as well as his two daughters, Becky and Sheila.
The Austin American Statesman reported the death of former AHS faculty member Ronald
Beauford on February 18, 2017. Mr. Beauford was a very dedicated and beloved educator in
the Austin ISD starting his career as a biology teacher and then Dean of Boys at Austin High. He
went on to be Assistant Principal and then Principal at Murchison Jr. High until 1972. He was
Principal of LBJ High School from 1972-1981, when he was made Principal of Anderson High
School where he brought the first International Baccalaureate Program to AISD. His last two years
before retirement were spent as Director of Technology for Austin ISD, bringing the school district
into the computer era.