Patricia Ann "Pat" Taylor Besse

January 06, 1944 - December 24, 2020

Pat walked in front of me at Graduation.

Memorials can be left at......

https://www.broussards1889.com/index.php/memorials/item/pat-besse?category_id=4#comment-43944

On Christmas Eve, 2020, Peggy Gallier, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away at the age of 76. She had serious health conditions these last few years and was unable to completely recover from having Covid-19 and pneumonia. 

Peggy was born on October 19, 1944 in Charlotte, South Carolina. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1962. She spent 20 years as an administrative assistant, before transitioning to a home maker for the remainder of her life. 

On January 1st, 1982 she married the love of her life, Jack Gallier, and they raised their children together. Jack and Peggy were married for 40 wonderful years. She was a member of Vidor church of Christ. Peggy had a passion for her family. She loved to be around her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She loved to spend time traveling with Jack, especially the many trips to Disney World and several cruises. They tried to travel everywhere they could in their 5th wheel travel trailer. If she was not traveling, you could find her working on her plans for the next big trip.  Peggy enjoyed cooking, Coca Cola, shopping at the Canton Flea Market, and her beloved puppies. 

Her visitation will be Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm and the funeral service will begin at 3:00 pm with burial to follow at Restlawn Memorial Park. Peggy was survived by her husband Jack D. Gallier of Vidor, TX, sister Connie and her husband Dale Duvall of Livonia, LA, daughters Staci and her husband Doug Burkett of Vidor, TX, Natalie and her husband Keven Quebodeaux of Beaumont, TX, sons Troy and his wife Heather Gallier of Vidor, TX, Tad and his wife Martha Licatino, 9 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Peggy and Jack loved each other deeply and she will be greatly missed by family and friends.

I think I have figured it out.  Her husband's father died 2 days earlier.  She attended some of our Reunions.  You can leave condolences at 

https://www.memorialofvidor.com/obituaries/Peggy-Ann-Gallier?obId=19411422#/celebrationWall

Fred Akers, Texas coach who flirted with glory, dies at 82

Fred Akers followed a coaching giant at Texas and came agonizingly close to glory himself with two undefeated seasons before his national title hopes ended in the Cotton Bowl.

He coached the Longhorns' first Heisman Trophy winner, Earl Campbell, and won like few others at Texas, amassing an 86-31-2 record in 10 seasons. But a Cotton Bowl rout in 1977 and a muffed punt six years later on the same field cost Akers and Texas a football national championship the Longhorns wouldn’t win until 2005.

Akers died Monday surrounded by family at his home in Horseshoe Bay from complications of dementia, his daughter Lesli told The Associated Press. He was 82.

Akers was an assistant on Darrell Royal’s staff when the Longhorns adopted the wishbone — an innovative scheme featuring three running backs — and won an undisputed national championship in 1969. Texas followed with an undefeated regular season in 1970. Akers then left Texas to become the head coach at Wyoming for two seasons before returning to Austin after Royal retired in 1976.

He wasn’t everyone’s first choice.

Akers was long cast as an outsider by some within the Texas program because he wasn’t anointed by Royal to be his successor. Royal favored defensive coordinator Mike Campbell, but a search committee led by former Gov. Allen Shivers picked Akers, and the divide split Texas fans for years.

Royal and Akers came from poor families in neighboring states — Royal from Oklahoma, Akers from Arkansas. Akers got his first football when he was 4 years old from his father, who found it in a crumbling Air Force barracks that was being torn down. But for all the similarities in their backgrounds, their coaching styles were vastly different.

Where Royal had a folksy personality that produced enough witty one-liners to fill books, Akers was strictly buttoned-down and all business. He insisted on wearing a jacket and tie for office interviews, and brought in West Coast sports psychologists to speak to his team. He even produced three videos discussing “New Age Leadership.”

“He was always buttoned up, put together. It was about respect. He respected his position and how he represented the state, the university, the people and the players," Lesli Akers said.

And Akers won big, for a while, by disrupting some of what Royal had built but had become stale. Other teams, notably Oklahoma, had adopted the wishbone and were beating Texas regularly with it. Changing the offense to feature the rugged Campbell in the I-formation was a smashing success.

Campbell won the Heisman Trophy in 1977 before heading off to a Hall of Fame pro career. Texas was No. 1 heading into the Cotton Bowl against Notre Dame when Akers’ brother and nephew were killed a car crash in Arkansas a week before the game. Texas lost 38-10.

Texas went 10-1-1 in 1981 and finished No. 2 in the country before making another run at the national title in 1983. A muffed punt late in the fourth quarter against Georgia in the Cotton Bowl allowed the Bulldogs to pull out a 10-9 win. Had No. 2 Texas won that game, it likely would have finished No. 1 after Miami upset top-ranked Nebraska later that night.

Texas was No. 1 in 1984 before Akers decided to kick a late field goal to tie Oklahoma rather than play for the win in driving rain. The Longhorns finished 7-4-1 and Akers was fired two seasons later.

Despite a 2-7 record in bowl games, Akers won two Southwest Conference championships and his 86 victories rank third in school history behind Royal (167) and Mack Brown (158). After his firing at Texas, Akers spent four seasons at Purdue. He left college coaching after four straight losing seasons with the Boilermakers.

“He loved his players. He loved the University of Texas, and the University of Arkansas where he played,” Lesli Akers said. “He loved them to the end.” 

In a break from format here I will inject my thoughts in this segment.

I recall vividly in January 1962, upon returning from the Xmas Break, going to my Homeroom and seeing a new face.  Fred Akers.  Can't recall who was in this Homeroom with me but I remember Larry Quinn was. I do remember this....

The following article is by Mr. LC Murrell, Sports Editor of the Port Arthur News.  He alone mentioned Fred Akers as spending time at TJ.  I sent him a message, describing the above scenario, he graciously replied and thanked me as he wasn't sure of the exact year Akers was here..

Former UT head coach Fred Akers, one-time assistant at Thomas Jefferson, dies

By I.C. Murrell

Fred Akers, a one-time assistant coach at Port Arthur’s Thomas Jefferson High School who went on to national success by building a national championship contender at the University of Texas as head coach, has died.  He was 82.

Texas’ athletic department announced Akers’ passing Monday night.

“It’s a very sad day with the news of the passing of one of our Longhorn Legends in Coach Akers,” current Longhorns head coach Tom Herman said. “In the opportunities I had to spend time with Coach, he was always so warm and gracious. The many, many great players he had at Texas have always shared such fond memories, too. He had tremendous success here and was a highly respected, all-time great in our coaching fraternity and beyond. On behalf of the Texas Football program, we send our sincere condolences to his family, friends, the numerous Longhorns he coached and worked with, as well as the many people whose lives he impacted.”

Akers, who was born in Blytheville, Arkansas, began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Arkansas after concluding his playing career with the Razorbacks in 1959.

He went on to join the staff at Jefferson before becoming head coach at Edinburg High and Lubbock High, posting a combined 26-12-1 record.

Darrell Royal hired Akers as an assistant at Texas for the 1966 season, and Akers served as running backs, defensive backs and offensive co-coordinator over nine seasons. Wyoming named Akers head coach in 1975, and he turned around the Cowboys from a 2-9 team in his first year there to an 8-4 club that reached the Fiesta Bowl.

Akers then took on the challenge of succeeding three-time national champion Royal at Texas and compiled an 86-31-2 record (60-19-1 in the Southwest Conference) from 1977-86, earned three 10-win seasons and won two Southwest Conference championships (1977, 1983). Akers ranks third all-time in victories at the university, behind Royal and 2005 national champ Mack Brown.

One of his ties was a 15-15 tussle against Oklahoma in the 1984 Red River Rivalry game, knocking the Longhorns out of the No. 1 ranking. 

“Sally and I are deeply saddened to learn of Fred Akers’ passing,” said Brown, now head coach at North Carolina. “He was so kind to me. He was a great man, a wonderful football coach, and an excellent representative for the University of Texas. Our condolences go out to his wife, Diane, and all of his family and friends.”

Akers put the Longhorns in contention for the national title in both Southwest Conference title seasons with unbeaten records. They lost the Cotton Bowl on both occasions, however, first to a Notre Dame team led in part by quarterback Joe Montana, 38-10, and then to Georgia, 10-9, six years later. The 1977 Notre Dame team, which also featured a sophomore linebacker from Port Arthur Lincoln named Bobby Leopold, was named national champion.

The 1977 Longhorns featured a running back named Earl Campbell, who won the Heisman Trophy that season. Campbell then starred with the Houston Oilers under former Nederland and Port Neches-Groves head coach Bum Phillips.

Akers also mentored two Lombardi Award winners, Kenneth Sims and Tony Degrate, one Outland Trophy winner in Brad Shearer and 48 All-Southwest Conference players.

Akers served as Purdue head coach from 1987-90, but failed to notch a winning record before retiring to Austin. His career record was 108-75-3.

He is a member of the University of Texas Athletics Hall of Honor, Texas Sports Hall of Fame and Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame.

He was Past President of the East Texas Funeral Director’s Association and served on the Texas Funeral Director’s Association Board for 2 years. Steve was awarded Funeral Director of the Year and the Ed C. Smith Lifetime Achievement Award by the East Texas Funeral Director’s Association. Steve was also awarded a fifty year pin from the Texas Funeral Director’s Association for his many years of service to his profession. He was also very involved in the community and was past president of the Gilmer Rotary Club where he was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow recipient. Steve also served on the East Texas Yamboree Board for several years. He was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Gilmer, where he was active in the Workers Sunday School class. Steve was dedicated to his family, his profession and his community, always willing to help and to serve. His legacy will live on through the loving family he leaves behind.

Steve is survived by his wife Karen Murray; son, Troy Murray and wife Jimi; daughter, Lynn Murray; three grandchildren, Kade Murray, Katelyn Perryman and Brettlee Murray.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Bethesda Lodge #142 A.F. and A.M., 217 W. Harrison St, Gilmer, Texas 75644 or to The Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, Florida 33607.

Condolences can be left at...........

 https://www.croleyfh.net/obituaries/Stephen-Lee-Murray?obId=18981732#/celebrationWall

Ronald Kilbourne New

March 8, 1944 - August 29, 2020

Ronny was predeceased by his mother Audrey Mae Jost, stepfather Harry J. Jost, father Robert Lanahan Neu, grandfather Joe Matus, grandmother Erma Matus and Aunt Jo Ann Matus Landry.

Ronny is survived by his wife of 55 years Patricia Ann New of Kerrville, sons Michael Shane New and wife Ekaterina of Kerrville and Dr. Ronald Brent New and wife Sharon of San Antonio. He is also survived by his brother Jay Jost and wife Kathy. His grandsons are HN Barrett Seth Blackledge New of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Michael Ethan New of San Antonio; Charles Walker New of Prescott, Arizona; Garrett Kendall New and Philip Kilbourne New of San Antonio; and his Schnauzer Tyler.

Ronny was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ, served as an elder for 5 years, and taught children’s bible school. He remained faithful throughout his life and was devoted to his wife, family and friends.

Ronny loved his church family, his golfing buddies, and hunting in the mountains of Colorado and the Hill Country of Texas.

A memorial service will be held at the Church of Christ at 1900 Loop 534, Kerrville, TX on September 2, 2020 at 2pm. Masks are required.

Comments:  This is incredibly sad for me, I just want to cry.  Hadn't heard from him or saw him in years.  But about 6 weeks ago he sent me a great email, wanting me to do a spread on his cousin, "Cotton" Mills, TJ Graduate killed in the military.  Naturally I would be glad to do it.  He had some news clippings on him, he wanted to send them to me.  I received them in late July. I had no way of knowing he was in that bad of shape.

I am so sad that I won't get it up in time for him to see.  He was a friend in high school, and a distant friend since.

R.I.P. Old Friend.

Hi Wayne,
I was just looking through old photos on our website (1962). I’m wondering if this is still your current email address? If so, I was also wondering if you would be interested in photos of my 2nd cousin Cotton Mills as well as an article written by the sports writer (at that time) Dick Oliver. Cotton was the other half of the duo w/ Frank Eidom although he was a year ahead of Eidom (graduated in 1949-50). He then went on to play at SMU, when Doak Walker was there. He was a naval pilot and was killed in his jet as it crashed  due to a malfunction of the landing gear. He was 23 years old.  If you receive this and are interested, just let me know.  Btw, you have really done a great job over the years collecting and assembling all the photo of the passed. Thank you - I know it’s hard work.

Regards, Ronny New

This told me he was thinking about the Class of '62 and was going to the webpage.  He had to know his time was short, I only wish I had known.  Here is the last email I received from him shortly after I received the news clippings of his cousin.  

So there you have it.  Another Classmate gone but not forgotten.  Thinking of friends, PA, and the Class of '62 up to the end.

Many tributes at:  http://www.levingstonfuneralhome.com/obituary/Nancy-Lee-McClain/Port-Arthur-Texas/1872841

I saw this earlier and was thinking of how to do a proper memorial on Ms. McClain.  Personally I didn't know her but I'm sure most girls, like in our class, did.  After reading all the tributes to her on the Levingston website, I came up with this format.  Most of these are from the TJ Annuals, her first year in 1958.  She also used some photos more than one year, like the first two.  I thought I had taken her pic at a reunion and after some searching, I found her and Coach Hebert at the Class '68 Reunion, I believe their 45th.  A person's life is a series of photos.

If you know some of the gals from the other classes, direct them to here as I'm sure they would enjoy the photos.

Timothy was born on December 21, 1943 to George and Frances Logan in Port Arthur, TX. He was married on October 8, 1966 to Beth Rowland. He received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Houston in 1973 and earned his Texas Professional Engineer’s license in 1974. He worked for HL&P for 22 years, and one of his key projects was the South Texas Project Nuclear plant. After that he worked on various civil engineering projects as a contractor, retired to pursue interests which included music, square dancing, sailing, carpentry, woodworking, model trains, camping, traveling and local theater – acting and building sets. He had a great time celebrating his 50^th wedding anniversary on a Caribbean Cruise with his entire family. Current residence is Navasota, TX in a 100+ year old house. He was a member of the Navasota United Methodist Church and the Two Rivers Historical Society.

Preceded in death: parents; George and Frances Logan, brother, Jonathan “Mike” Logan, brother in law – John Richards Rowland, nephew – John Richards Rowland II.

He is survived by wife Beth Logan, children, Kelly and Hector Arvizo, Richmond, TX, Kathleen and Austin Campbell, Surfside, TX, Kristine and Michael Taube, Katy, TX. Grandchildren, Joshua and Jillian Arvizo, Brianna Arvizo, Dylan Campbell, Zoey Campbell, Landon Wood. Nieces and Nephews; Kerri Rowland, Nicolas Rowland, Andrea Shackelford, Adam Chumley, Heather Rowland, Allen Hada.

We will all miss him, his fantastic advice, and his corny dad jokes.

‘Shirley’, we’ll never know how deep the well is.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.

Express condolences at CallawayJones.com

Lew Smith

May 27, 1944 – February 16, 2020

He was born on May 27, 1944 to his parents, Buford Lewis Smith and Mildred Maurine Newton Smith in Port Arthur, Texas.  Lewis was raised in Port Arthur and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1962.  He attended and graduated from Lamar University in Beaumont.  Lewis served in the U. S. Army during the Vietnam War.  He worked as a credit manager for Kerr-McGee Refining (Formerly Gulf Refining) for many years.

Lewis is preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his sisters, Marilyn Roecker of Magnolia, Claudine Patteson and her husband, Harland of Nederland, Maureen Dartez and her husband, Gene of Baton Rouge, LA., his brother, William Munson of Beaumont along with numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 from 5:00 PM till 8:00 PM at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home in Groves. Service to honor Lewis’s life will be at 10:00 AM Wednesday, February 19, 2020 in the Thompson Memorial Chapel at Clayton Thompson. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Condolences can be left at ......

https://www.claytonthompson.com/obituary/lewis-smith

Comments:

Adam Warren Henry, Jr.

November 15, 1943 - January 14, 2020

The Flag that is draped over the coffin is folded a certain way a certain amount of times, for a reason.  Each fold signifies something important.  Then finally the Presentation of the Flag to the next of kin, so very solemn.  The words are spoken low so it's not easy to hear them but they go something like this......  

U.S. Marine Corps: "On behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service to Country and Corps."

The first three photos are scans of his funeral brochure.  I am only presenting a few photos here so if any relative wants to see the rest of them, I would be glad to send them to you.  Finally, the Class of 1962 was well represented by proud members of the class.  The last great photo is most of us in attendance, a couple classmates didn't get into the photo, including yours truly.