Hall of Honor

Born on Galveston Island, Tommie D. Boudreaux is a retired Galveston Independent School District administrator and a graduate of 1960 at Central High School. She has served on Galveston Historical Foundation's Board of Directors and is a founding member and past chair of the Foundation's African American Heritage Committee (est. 2001). 
During the annual Juneteenth celebrations, Mrs. Boudreaux is the Foundation’s representative and guiding force in sharing Galveston’s Juneteenth story, granting countless interviews with local, state, national, and even foreign press. In addition, she serves on the Old Central Cultural Center’s board of directors. 
She’s a Golden Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she’s the Galveston chapter historian and chairperson of their Heritage and Archives committee. She also volunteers with the City of Galveston and Galveston Park Board, which is dedicated to sharing Galveston’s Black history. She’s also a Coastal Community Federal Credit Union board of directors member. 
Her published works include co-authoring books: African Americans of Galveston, Lost Restaurants of Galveston's African American Community, and Galveston's Juneteenth Story: And Still We Rise..., as well as multiple local newspaper commentaries. 

Fay Helen Smith Williams graduated from Central High School in 1950. She attended Texas Southern University, where she and Barbara Jordan (the first African American Congresswoman to come from the South to the House of Representatives) served on the TSU debate team that tied Harvard University in a debate. 
Williams received her Juris Doctorate in 1971 and dedicated her life to the betterment of her fellow citizens as a family law attorney. She committed to fighting for the rights of women, minorities, and disenfranchised and mentally ill individuals. 
Williams was such a stellar champion of diversity and inclusion in Indianapolis and Central Indiana that she was selected to serve on the National All-American City Committee and did so for over 10 years. 
Fay Williams is a great source of knowledge. She has extended it to her hometown of Galveston, traveling home every winter to work with and enlighten the Galveston Historical Foundation, the Old Central Cultural Center, the Rosenberg Library, the Nia Cultural Center, the United Way, and the League of Women Voters. Her organizational skills and expertise continue to benefit the Galveston community. Fay Williams is a dynamo who serves both of her communities.

Irwin “Buddy” Herz graduated from Ball High School in 1957. He furthered his education at Rice University, obtained his BA in 1961, and then attended the University of Texas School of Law, where he got his Juris Doctorate in 1964. 
Buddy represents various nonprofits, financial institutions, and private business entities. He advises his clients on corporate formation and restructuring, fundraising, corporate governance, and fiduciary administration.

Over Buddy’s significant career, he has guided his clients through myriad transactions and corporate events. From representing nonprofits and charitable foundations in the procurement of large-scale funding to representing the purchaser of a national bank and overseeing its transformation into a bank holding company, he is a trusted corporate advisor to numerous organizations. In addition, for over four decades, he has served as a director of the largest life insurance company incorporated in Texas (American National Insurance Co.) and several subsidiaries.
A retired Captain in the United States Army Reserve, Buddy is civic and community-minded. He has dedicated significant portions of his professional career to the University of Texas, Texas A&M, the City of Galveston, and numerous agencies. He also chairs the Economic Development Corporation.
In addition to his many hats, Thomson Reuters recognized him as a Super Lawyer (2004-2009) in Texas Monthly, and he’s served on countless boards such as The Moody Foundation, the Galveston Housing Authority, the University of Texas Medical Branch Development Board, the City of Galveston Finance Committee, the Member
Board of Visitors of Texas A&M at Galveston, and the
Galveston Economic Development Corporation.

George Douglas Lee, who unfortunately died in 2019, graduated from Ball High School in 1969. After high school, he obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Sam Houston University, which focused on fine art with a specialty in commercial and graphic design.

His lifelong interest in art began in the second grade, when he placed second in a school drawing contest about The Alamo. At Ball, his teachers introduced him to oils, acrylics, and watercolors, encouraging his creative pursuits.

During his college years, Lee became the lead singer of a rock ‘n roll band and toured the country while completing his art degree. Lee was one of the fortunate few to land a job in the arts as Brown & Root's graphic department manager. As software changed the world, Lee moved into audiovisuals and video. On leaving Brown & Root, he began a career as an independent advertising consultant, continuing his art, illustration, music, and theatre pursuits. Moving back to his hometown, he went full circle in renewing his work in fine art. He was the owner and resident artist at G. Lee Gallery.

He worked in oil, acrylic, watercolor, and occasionally sculpture (including a Hurricane Ike tree sculpture). He wrote and illustrated four children's books, still in publication, based on his children's musicals. Two books of his art and lyrics, "Drinkin' Margaritas With the Lord" and "Klaatu's Carousel," have been published posthumously. Over the years, Lee has shown his art in Galveston and the greater Houston area and received several awards. He was also a member of the National Society of Artists.

In addition to his adventures in art, George was a performing songwriter (with 11 albums available for download), published and produced playwright, actor, public speaker, radio host, and avid gardener. He was inducted into the Texas Playwright Hall of Fame. His plays, published by Lazy Bee Scripts, continue to be produced worldwide. He was also featured as an on-camera commentator in the Smithsonian and History Channel's "America's Deadliest Disaster", a documentary about the Galveston 1900 Storm.

In addition to being a sought-after emcee for many nonprofit events, Lee was recognized as "Best Actor" in Islander Magazine's Best of Galveston 2010 and " Favorite Radio Personality" in Out Smart Readers' Choice Awards 2011 and 2012.

John W. Kelso graduated from Ball High School in 1974 and the University of Houston in 1978, where he obtained a degree in construction.

After graduation, John worked for his uncle’s construction company and later started his own businesses: JW Kelso Company in 1979, Texas Gulf Construction Company in 1986, and Kelso Concrete in 2002.

Kelso is the Sealy and Smith Foundation president and serves on the Moody Bank Board of Directors, the Propeller Club, and the Rosenberg Library board. His past involvement includes the 50 Club, the Salvation Army, and the Galveston Boat Club.

Kelso and his wife, Maggie, have four children, John, Scott, Luke, and Joanie, two stepsons, Zach and Field Williams, five daughters-in-law, and eight grandchildren.

Casey Hampton is a 1996 graduate of Ball High School. He was a three-sport athlete who excelled in football for the Tors as a four-year varsity football player. His football expertise propelled him to a football scholarship to the University of Texas, where he was a four-year starter, earning him First-team All-Big 12, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, and First-team All-American.

These honors encouraged the Pittsburgh Steelers to draft him in the first round with the 19th pick. Hampton had a 12-year career with the Steelers, where he’s a two-time Super Bowl Champion, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team, Steelers Hall of Honor, and the Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Hampton is enshrined in the Pittsburgh Steelers' stadium Circle of Honor. He is Galveston's first Super Bowl champion and currently the only two-time winner. Casey Hampton is also the honoree of Galveston's first and second Super Bowl parades.
Hampton's love for Galveston is as big as his accolades. He has been a constant but quiet giver. He gave the initial football youth camps. Hurricane Ike destroyed most of the football equipment and uniforms, but Hampton gave the team new uniforms. Casey Hampton is a national representative for the Galveston Independent School District.

Kimble Anders is a 1985 Ball High School graduate who was a two-sport athlete who excelled in football as a defensive back and tailback in his senior year. He earned All-District, All-Region, All-State, and All-USA honors as he helped lead the Tornadoes to the Quarterfinals.

His football talent earned him a scholarship to the University of Houston. Anders earned All-Southwest Conference honors for the Cougars as a dynamic fullback who helped Andre Ware, of Dickinson, win the Heisman Trophy. Kimble Anders played his first NFL season as a Pittsburgh Steeler and then played for 10 years for the Kansas City Chiefs. As a Chief, he was a three-time Pro Bowl recipient. During his NFL career, Kimble Anders averaged 4.6 yards per carry and 14 yards per catch. Anders is enshrined in the Kansas City Chiefs Ring of Honor and Hall of Fame.
He was a successful high school coach and director of his foundation, "Running Back Giving Back." He still found time to annually contribute to the Galveston community through his initial football camps and the joint venture Galveston's NFL Celebrity Weekend, which featured professional athletes playing basketball and football games.

Anders returned to Galveston Ball as the head football coach and athletic director and reinvigorated the program to a district football ranking and a second-round playoff run. He initiated the annual "Poetry and Painting with the Pros" program.

Kimble Anders is as humble as they come. He is a hero who has set the bar for other Galveston athletes to follow and help the community.

Frank Giusti Sr. was a first-generation American, born on Galveston Island to Italian immigrant parents. Graduating from Ball High School in 1947, Frank served as the premier youth baseball coach for Galveston Island public schools for over 60 years.

Frank lived a life of service through baseball. Out of high school, he was drafted to play minor league baseball, playing for multiple organizations over his career. During his time in the minor leagues, Frank was again drafted, this time to our country's military. He went on to become a sergeant in the HQ Company 224th Infantry in Korea. During his service, he participated in the 224th Camp Haugen Army Special Baseball Team to assist in entertaining the troops.

After the end of the Korean War, Frank returned to Galveston, where he vowed to give back to the people who had given so much to him. His love for coaching shone through here, as he devoted himself to building up the young men of his community.

Much of his time was spent volunteering to coach the different youth leagues of Galveston. He spent many years coaching the Island's Little League, Pony/Colt League, American Legion, and Thoroughbred League. In 1972, he coached the Island's Pony/Colt League team to the Sandy Koufax World Series, placing third. He took O'Connell junior varsity and high school teams to the Texas State Championship numerous times, winning three. Frank volunteered as an assistant coach with Ball High School, where he helped the team win district. After his time at Ball High School, he coached at Galveston College again as an assistant.

Frank helped bring up some of the most successful ball players in Galveston's long history. Many of the players he coached went on to play in college, with some going on to play professionally. He coached alongside some of the great coaches of Galveston baseball, including Coach Gary Key, Coach Paul Garanovic, and former Mayor Roger “Bo” Quiroga. All three coaches believed that Coach Juice, as he was lovingly known, was one of the greatest men that they had the pleasure to coach alongside of.

Frank never took a penny during his coaching career. Even when payment was offered to him, he believed that God gave him the gift to coach and that he should use that gift to serve his community. He loved the kids of Galveston, and they loved him. Frank coached until he was 84 years old and continued to give back to the community until his passing in April 2022.

Today, Frank's baseball legacy is remembered through his namesake being featured on the Island's Pony/Colt League field and the nearby Frank Giusti Drive.

A fifth-generation BOI, Barbara Sanderson is a 1978 graduate of Ball High School. She served as drum major during her senior year at Ball and always held on to the motto of “Once a Tor, Always a Tor!”

Sanderson began her career with the City of Galveston in June 1991 as an office assistant. Over 30 years and several promotions later, she’s now the Executive Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Outreach, where she’s responsible for overseeing not only public parks and recreation opportunities in Galveston, but also public information and community outreach on behalf of the city, the Grants and Housing Department, and working with a team on permitting over 60 special events annually. She also plays a role in emergency management operations.

As an active participant in the Galveston community, Sanderson is a member of the Galveston Rotary Club, Galveston Kiwanis Club, and Better Parks for Galveston. She serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Galveston Island Humane Society and Galveston Island Oktoberfest. She also served on the Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS) Executive Board and as the TRAPS Institute and Expo Chair for 2016, 2020, and 2024. In her capacity at the city, she’s heavily involved as a staff liaison in the Families, Children, and Youth Board, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, the Tree Committee, and the Cultural Arts Commission.

Throughout her career, she’s been privileged to receive several awards including the “Texas Recreation and Park Society East Region Director of the Year,” “Community Hero,” “Distinguished Roots Award,” “Martin Luther King Jr. Service Award,” named “Woman of the Year” by the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce. She was also named “Woman of the Year” for Kiwanis.

She hopes that others will be inspired to lead, serve, volunteer, and give back to their community in any way they can. She believes that everyone can make a difference, no matter how small, and that there’s always power in purpose.

Robin Twymon was born on Galveston Island and is a 1981 graduate of Ball High School, and a 1985 graduate of Grambling State University where he was a member of the famous Grambling Tiger Marching Band and where he earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry. Since obtaining his bachelor's degree, he’s earned several master’s degrees in environmental biology, and developmental psychology with a PhD in counseling education and supervision with post-doctorate research in forensic mental health counseling.

Robin has been an educator for 24 years and counting. He has also served his community as a Master Level Firefighter with the city of Galveston, embodying his commitment to public service. In addition, Twymon extends his expertise as a therapist at the South Texas Counseling and Mentoring Agency, where he helps individuals navigate their mental health journeys.

Beyond his professional achievements, Robin finds profound fulfillment in his roles as a father to his son, Joshua, and as Papa to his beloved princess, Addyson.

William A. “Bill” Harris Jr. is a 1964 graduate of Central High School. His father and mother, William A. “Peter” Harris, and Iris “Peggy” Wallace Harris also graduated from Central High School. Bill obtained his bachelor's degree in marketing and organizational behavior from the University of Colorado in 1971. In 1974, he earned his master’s degree in the same field, and in the same year, he became an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado Graduate School of Business.

Harris’s astute research and expertise in marketing, copyrighting, patent law, and contract analysis of the modern-day web, including Facebook, and the cashless businesses that we enjoy today. Harris honed his skills and expanded his repertoire by attending the University of Southern California’s School of Public Administration Management; MIT New Product Development; Wharton School Management; Tektronix Inc.; Citibank System Development Lifecycle Training; Mars Electronics International, and many others.

In 1991, Harris established Marketron Inc. in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. While working for Mars Electronic International, Harris spent 80 percent of his time in the European Union, Russia, and the Asia Pacific Rim. In addition to his educational achievements, Harris also was a standout football player where in 1965 he earned Big-8 Sophomore Back of the year and 2nd-Team Look All-American. In 1968, Harris was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons as a running back and a kick returner. He was traded to the Minnesota Vikings and played in Super Bowl IV where he became the first GISD athlete to play in a Super Bowl. Currently, Harris is lecturing globally and assisting young people.

Josette is a Galveston native, who graduated from Ball High School in 1986. She received her associate degree in nursing from Galveston College in 1998 and worked in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at UTMB. She later earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from UTMB and her master's in nursing leadership and management and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees from Walden University.

Among her many achievements, Dr. Armendariz-Batiste guided UTMB’s Neurosciences Critical Care Unit to recognition by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses as a Silver-level Beacon Awardee for Excellence in 2019. She also helped lead UTMB on its journey to accreditation by Det Norske Veritas as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. Josette was instrumental in the opening of Jennie Sealy Hospital in 2016, including the safe transportation of patients from the existing facility to the new hospital. She also helped lead UTMB to AACN Magnet Recognition in 2012 and 2017.

Altogether, Josette had over 25 years of service at UTMB, ultimately earning the title of Vice President of Patient Care Services and System Chief Nurse Executive in 2020. Dr. Armendariz-Batiste was a recipient of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) Circle of Excellence Award in 2016 and was a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and the American Organization of Nurse Executives as well as the DAISY Nurse Leadership Award.

Josette unfortunately passed away on April 9, 2023, and is survived by her husband, Joseph Batiste, children, Megan Mallory and Joseph Batiste, siblings, extended family, and friends.

Howard was a student at Ball High School, who upon serving in the U.S. Navy, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for distinguished gallantry and valor above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Growler during her Fourth War Patrol in the Southwest Pacific from Jan. 10 to Feb. 7, 1943.
Boldly striking at the enemy despite continuous hostile air and antisubmarine patrols, Comdr. Gilmore sank one Japanese freighter and damaged another by torpedo fire, successfully evading severe depth charges following each attack. In the darkness of night on Feb. 7, 1943, an enemy gunboat closed range and prepared to ram the Growler. Comdr. Gilmore daringly maneuvered to avoid the crash and rammed the attacker instead, ripping into her port side at 11 knots and bursting wide her plates.
In the terrific fire of the sinking gunboat's heavy machine guns, Comdr. Gilmore calmly gave the order to clear the bridge, and refusing safety for himself, remained on deck while his men preceded him below. He was struck down by the fusillade of bullets and having done his utmost against the enemy, in his final living moments, Comdr. Gilmore gave his last order to the officer on the deck to "Take her down." The Growler dived; seriously damaged but under control, she was brought safely to port by her well-trained crew inspired by the courageous fighting spirit of their dead captain.

Lori is a 1996 graduate of Ball High School. She joined the U.S. Army in August of 1996. She’s been stationed at Fort Brag in North Carolina, Fort Riley in Kansas, Landstuhl Germany, and many other bases throughout her military career. She also served one tour in Iraq.
She obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in adult education while attending the Sgt. Major Academy at Fort Bliss in El Paso. During her time there she was allowed to teach at the academy and then work in the administration department. 
She is currently a Command Sgt. Major and her final three years in the Army will be spent in Rock Island, Illinois. Not many women find success in the military, but Lori found hers.

Gregory Samford is a 1975 graduate of Ball High School. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1980, and his master’s in education in 1982 at Stephen F. Austin State University. He retired in 2016 after working 34 years at the University of Texas Medical Branch. He’s been a volleyball official since 1992, and still counting, and was a softball umpire for the American Softball Association from 2001 to 2022. He’s also a timekeeper for the boys’ basketball teams at Ball High School.

He's served on many boards and committees including the Texas Baptist Encampment; Galveston Island Meals on Wheels; GISD Education Foundation; Texas/Oklahoma District Kiwanis; First Baptist Church in Galveston; and the Galveston Historical Foundation. As a community servant, he’s been delivering Meals on Wheels since 1987 to the present day; is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Galveston since 1985 where he’s delivered Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets since 1986 and currently serves as the coordinator of those efforts; has donated 46-plus gallons of blood to the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center… and counting; served as a camp counselor at church; and was a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor, too.

Mr. Samford is what you call a dedicated and committed community servant, who doesn’t do it for show, but for his love of mankind.

Izola Fedford Collins was born on Galveston Island Oct. 26,1929, the third generation of her family to live on the island since 1865. She graduated from Central High School, the oldest high school for African Americans in Texas, as salutatorian of the 1944 class, at age 14. A music major, Collins received her undergraduate degree at Prairie View University and obtained her master’s degree in 1953 from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. 
In 1952, she married Roy L. Collins Jr., also a native of Galveston. Over the next several years she worked in Hitchcock and Galveston as a band director and choral director. During this time, she and her husband Roy raised their three children, June, Roy III, and Cheryl.
Collins retired from Galveston ISD in 1984 after 30 years as band director and choir director.  Following her early retirement, Collins made a successful run for the GISD School Board and served on it for nine years, the last as president. She served on a variety of other boards (St. Mary’s Hospital Board, Old Central Cultural Center Board, Galveston Musical Club, City of Galveston Arts Commission, et al) over the next 30-plus years and also honed her skills as an author, writing four books, Island of Color: Where Juneteenth Started (the history of African Americans in Galveston from 1865-2000), Divine Light Never Goes Away, I Know That’s Right and Pip, Squeak and Zoom (children’s book).  She was a lifelong member of Reedy Chapel A.M.E. Church, Delta Sigma Theta sorority, et al and won many awards including Galveston’s Steel Oleander award in 2006.  
In the last year or so of her life, she fulfilled a lifelong dream of composing an orchestral piece, Galveston Survives, and she conducted its debut by the Galveston Symphony Orchestra in September of 2016.  Collins was also the founder and director of the Galveston Heritage Chorale, from 1992 through a Chorale performance she conducted in a program only two days before she passed, June 12, 2017.

John Bertolino Sr. is a 1982 graduate of Ball High School and has been serving the community in a law enforcement capacity as he began working for the Galveston Police Department at 19 when he wasn’t even old enough to buy ammunition for his firearm! He served at the island police department on patrol for 29 years before retiring. 
However, retirement didn’t last long because one week later he began working for the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office where he’s been for the past 11 years, and he just hit his 40th year in law enforcement in 2024.
In addition to serving the community in law enforcement, he’s been an active member and is the current president (since 2008) of the Lighthouse Charity Team, which is a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization that provides volunteers and cooking equipment for causes that benefit the Galveston County area during disasters and community-building efforts.
Bertolino has put countless amounts of hours and time into his community and is always striving to help others.

Carlos Pena is a 1971 graduate of Ball High School. He’s served his Galveston community in numerous ways throughout his adult life through leadership positions with the Galveston Historical Foundation, Rotary, Sisters of Charity/Christus, UTMB Advisory Committees, and city boards/commissions.  He currently serves on the board of directors of Texas First Bank.
Additionally, he served his church, being elected Vice President of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the highest elected non-ordained position in the United States for Lutherans, and serving on the general assembly of the World Council of Churches.  
Through these positions, he has traveled the world and met political and church leaders, who’ve impacted change in areas affected by malaria, famine, and social strife, all while continuing to run a successful business, Kleen Supply, in Galveston.  
He continues to give his time and resources to community organizations such as LULAC, the Ball High School Tornettes, and GISD athletics.

Whitney Paul is a 1972 graduate of Ball High School. He established himself as the first in several arenas as a representative for the "Golden Tornadoes." Whitney was a three-sport athlete playing football, basketball and track and field. His most notable individual accomplishments in high school were in track and field under the coaching of the legendary Kermit Courville. That track and field training would serve Whitney Paul well in his college and professional football careers.   
Paul was trained to run the 100, 200, 400, 800, and mile events, as well as the long jump and high jump. But sibling rivalry persuaded Whiney Paul to pursue the discus throw as his older brother Harold Paul had gotten awards in discus competitions.  In 1971, Whitney Paul won the U.I.L. state discuss throw, becoming the first in Ball High to do so. In 1972, Whitney Paul returned to defend his championship record throw. His 1972 throw surpassed his 1971 throw to again claim the U.I.L. record. That record stood for 26 years. In 1972 Whitney Paul was the first in the beginning of the Kermit Courville track and field legacy at Ball High School.  Other state records came after 1974 but no other records stood over 26 years.  
The track training and conditioning transferred into football as Whitney was an all-district football player. Whitney Paul accepted a track and football scholarship to the University of Colorado in Boulder. Whitney became one of the first from Ball to attend CU on a football scholarship as his classmate Thomas Hilton was also awarded in 1972. Note that Paul and Hilton were the first from Ball to be awarded CU football scholarships. The initial recipients were William A. Harris Jr. in 1964 and Eric B. Harris in 1966, both from Central but all from Galveston public schools.
After arriving at CU and running indoor and outdoor track, track coach Don Meyers noticed Whitney Paul as a talented track athlete after he set a freshman Big 8 shotput record along with his outstanding running numbers. With Paul's extensive track and field background, coach Meyers was preparing to train Whitney Paul for the 1976 Olympic decathlon and Pentathlon. Football coach Eddie Crowder informed Paul that his priority had to be football, or his scholarship could be in jeopardy. Paul conformed to the football directive and then focused on football. Regardless, Whitney Paul was the first Ball graduate recruited for the Olympic decathlon and pentathlon.  Whitney Paul continued in CU football and in 1975 was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs. Paul played six years for the Chiefs and was traded to the New Orleans Saints where he played for four years. Paul was traded back to Kansas City where he played one more year. Whitney Paul played 11 years in the NFL and is the first Ball High grad to have an NFL playing career over 10 years.
Whitney Paul has been inducted into the University of Colorado Legacy Hall of Honor and is the first of Ball High to do so. Whitney Paul established a lot of positive firsts for GISD and Ball High School and deserves to be inducted into the 2023 Hall of Honor class.

Gary Wilson was a 1969 graduate of Ball High School. Coach Wilson as he was affectionately called, not only attended Galveston public schools but taught in the Galveston Independent School District before his sudden passing in 2012.
He was in the first combined Ball High class that integrated Central Middle School students into Ball High in 1965. He was awarded a college football scholarship where he graduated with a teaching degree. He taught and coached sports at Central Middle School and coached on several occasions at Ball High when needed. After almost 30 years at Central, he passed away in his sleep after watching his oldest son play college football in Louisiana. 
Gary was loved by all the students and athletes. He was creative in his coaching and made special needs kids managers for his football and basketball teams. He opened the gym during all the breaks, so kids had something to do so they had activities to keep them out of trouble. He hosted numerous tournaments and always had a hospitality room for visiting coaches and referees, so they felt Galveston's hospitality. At his celebration of life services over 1,000 people attended. He has been severely missed by GISD teachers, students, coaches, and athletes.

Charley Ferguson was a 1957 of Central High School. He’s the first NFL star in a long list of NFL players to come out of Galveston public schools. Affectionately known as “Chocky Red” because of his red hair and freckles in his youth, Ferguson was a three-sport athlete, and he was coached by Ray T. Sheppard (football), Ed Mitchell (track), and Wilbur Byrd (basketball). Ferguson was all-district in football and track and made all-district and all-state in basketball as a member of the 1956 State championship runner-up team. The coaches, as well as Ferguson, are enshrined in the Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Association Hall of Fame. 
Ferguson is a 1961 graduate of Tennessee State University where he was a standout football player, and in the fall of 1961, he was hired by the Cleveland Browns and played in 12 games. In 1962, he played for the Minnesota Vikings where he and Fran Tarkenton set a Vikings record for longest reception from scrimmage when Ferguson caught an 89-yard pass. That record stood for 46 years until 2008. In 1963, Ferguson played for the Buffalo Bills until 1969. He was in playoff games from 1963-66 and won the AFL Championships in 1964 and 1965. He represented the Bills in the 1965 AFL-NFL All-Star game in Houston. Ferguson has the distinction of being the only player to have played Cookie Gilchrist, Conrad Dobler, and O.J. Simpson as members of the Buffalo Bills.
Charley Ferguson was an inspiration to his Galveston community. He encouraged many to do good in school and compete 100 percent academically and athletically. His counseling resonated especially with his younger brother Frederick "Peanut" Ferguson in Central High School, as he was the second baseman on the 1962 State Championship Baseball team and a half-back on the 1963 State Championship Football team. 
Upon retirement, Charley Ferguson made his home in Western New York and was among the most active Bills alumni in that area. Ferguson helped the Bills Alumni Foundation raise millions in his post-playing career and has received several awards and accolades, including the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Distinguished Service Award for contributions to the team and community on and off the field.

Charles Fred Alexander Jr. is a 1975 graduate of Ball High School who excelled in track and field and football and was coached by Kermit Courville in both sports. He was born July 28, 1957, in Galveston to Central High graduates Doris Winters Milburn and the football athlete Charles Alexander.
Alexander played football from 1975 to 1978 at Louisiana State University. He became the starting running back in 1977 and 1978. During his college career, he ultimately became known as "Alexander the Great" as he set nine SEC records, tied another, and set 27 LSU records. Alexander was a two-year consensus All-American and All-SEC honoree, including earning the 1977 SEC Most Valuable Player by the Nashville Banner. His 1,686 rushing yards total and 153.3 yards per game stood as LSU single-season records for 38 years until the 2015 season when, both were surpassed by Leonard Fournette.
In 1977, against Oregon, Alexander scored four touchdowns and set a school record by rushing 237 yards and was named United Press International Back of the Week. In the 1977 Sun Bowl, against Stanford, Alexander set two Sun Bowl records carrying 31 times for 197 yards and received Offensive Player of the Game honors.  He was named to the 75th Anniversary All-Sun Bowl Team. Alexander played his last game as a Tiger in the Liberty Bowl in which he rushed for 133 yards on 24 carries. Alexander finished his LSU career with 4,035 rushing yards which were over 1,500 yards more than the Tigers' previous career rushing yards leader.
In 1979, the Cincinnati Bengals selected Charles Alexander with the 12th pick of the first round and thereby became the lowest pick of a GISD athlete. Alexander played seven years for the Bengals. He spent most of his professional career backing up Pro Bowl Pete Johnson and splitting carries with former and only modern-era two-time Heisman trophy winner Archie Griffin. Alexander played a prominent role during the Bengals' run in the 1981 playoffs. In their divisional round win against the Buffalo Bills, Alexander rushed for 72 yards and scored two touchdowns. Alexander is the first Bengals player to score multiple touchdowns from scrimmage in a single postseason game. Alexander rushed for 22 yards and caught three passes for 25 yards in the Bengals' win over the San Diego Chargers in the infamous "Freezer Bowl."  In Super Bowl XVI, Alexander carried five times for 17 yards while catching two passes for three yards in the Bengals' loss to the 49ers.
Charles Alexander finished his NFL career with 2,645 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns while adding 105 receptions for 1,130 yards and two touchdowns. After retiring from the NFL, Alexander went into the Oil and Gas business. In 2011, with input from his stepfather Clary Milburn of Galveston's famous Clary's Restaurant, Charles Alexander founded "Charlie 4 Strong Seasoning, Inc." which markets "C'mon Man Cajun seasoning and fish fry."  
In 1989, Charles Alexander was inducted into the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame, and in 2012, Charles Alexander was inducted into the Collège Football Hall of Fame.

Barbara Krantz Crews graduated from Ball High School in 1965, and from the University of Arizona with a degree in psychology in 1969. In 1970, she enrolled at California State University, San Jose, and graduated in 1972 with a Masters in Sociology. After teaching at the University of Southwestern Louisiana and community colleges in Northern California, she returned to Tucson where she taught full-time at Pima College for two years.
Barbara returned to Galveston in 1978, along with her husband Frank, where they moved into a historic home on the East End of the island. She then went to work at the College of the Mainland for the next 18 years. 
Crews became involved in city government when her neighborhood was in transition and the city planning department began developing a “neighborhood” plan. She became involved with the plan as it addressed her neighborhood issues which included too many abandoned cars on the street, too many stray dogs, and too great housing density. As the plan took shape and was approved by the city council, she was appointed to the planning commission and historic review board. 
After serving for a few years on the city council, she ran for and won a seat on the city council where she served for six years. As a council member, she introduced the practice of interviewing candidates for the various boards and committees to which the city council appoints members, and that practice continues today. She then ran for mayor and served in the position for six years. She was the first woman elected as mayor of Galveston.
During her tenure as mayor, the city accomplished a lot. Galveston was awarded the U.S. Conference of Mayors City Livability First Place Award in 1995 for its work to decrease gang violence on the island, which at the time was at an all-time high. Also, during her tenure, she appointed the city’s first recycling committee, which started recycling efforts, and she worked with several non-governmental organizations to initiate the Communities in Schools organization. She was the first mayor to form a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Board with members who were students at Ball High School where she met monthly with the group to hear the issues they cared about and to listen to their concerns about Galveston.
Crews is enjoying retirement in Arizona and visits Galveston as often as she can.

Coach Brooks is a 1962 graduate of Central High School and served over 41 years as an educator in the Galveston Independent School District.

Mentored by his high school coaches Ed Mitchell Sr. and Ray T. Sheppard, Brooks started as a teacher at Ball High then became Dean of Students at Central Middle School and then went back to Ball as an assistant principal.

His tenure at GISD is one that’s revered and one of the longest periods of service to the children of Galveston in the district’s history.

According to his nominator, David O’Neal, Brook’s blunt truthfulness along with his smile and his sense of humor has been the mainstay of his effectiveness among decades of educational service.

To name a few of his athletic accomplishments: 

• He’s touted as the only Galveston public high school athlete to earn All-District and All-State honors in four sports in the same school year in football, basketball, track, and baseball when Central won the 1962 State Championship in baseball.

• He earned a football scholarship to Wiley College where he graduated and is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
  
  Now an avid golfer and tennis enthusiast, Brooks has served the community of Galveston and Galveston County for the past 63 years. Kudos for a job well done!

Albert Choate graduated from Ball High in 1963. Albert made the All-District first team in football and was named MVP in District 24-4A for baseball. And at the age of 16, he pitched two perfect games back-to-back and had his picture in the New York Times!

He earned a baseball scholarship to Sam Houston State University where he still holds records as a pitcher during 1964-65 and he also pitched in two College World Series. In 1965.

He was named an All-American Pitcher during his sophomore year at Sam Houston. He was selected fifth in the Major League Baseball first round by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1966 and had a 18-11 record as a professional.

After his professional career ended due to injury, he returned to school where he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1969. He’d later come back to Ball High where he coached the baseball team from 1970-79. His teams won or tied for eight district championships in those nine years and fell one game short of state in 1971. He retired at Ball after 32 years and spent an additional 12 years mentoring new teachers.

He also was inducted into the Sam Houston State Hall of Fame in 1996.

In addition to his outstanding athletic career, Albert has made a huge impact on the entire island community with his years of dedication and service to several organizations such as the Pony-Colt Baseball League; Noon Kiwanis; Galveston Parks and Recreation Board; Island Rotary Club, and more.

He’s also held political office for the last 22 years and is currently serving as Navigation Commissioner for the Galveston County Navigation District.

Ray Dohn Dillion graduated in 1948 from Central High School. Mr. Dillon played football and excelled as a defensive back and running back, helping the Bearcats win a state championship.

Mr. Dillon went off to Prairie View A&M University where he was affectionately known as “Tank” due to his toughness to be taken down. He was the first three-time All-American honoree in the history of Panther football. In addition to his prowess on the gridiron, he also was a standout track athlete and ultimately earned enshrinement into the Prairie View A&M Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.

Following his collegiate days, Dillon made history as the first Black man from Galveston to be selected in an NFL draft, as he was chosen by the Detroit Lions in 1952. Dillon went on to also play in the Canadian Football League, where he won a Grey Cup championship as a member of the Hamilton (Ontario) Tiger-Cats.

Upon conclusion of his playing days, Dillon dedicated his life to giving back and serving the youth, becoming a recreation director for the City of Galveston at Wright Cuney Center, and coaching at his alma mater, Central High School, something he always desired to do. Mr. Dillon was a defensive backs coach at Central High until the school was integrated with Ball High in 1968. At Ball he coached football alongside Kermit Courville and taught swimming to many students.

Ed Mitchell Sr. graduated in 1939 from Central High School. He played on the 1938 Regional State Championship Team as the Unified State Championship Team wasn’t sanctioned until 1942. He coached football and track at Central High School for over 22 years, and coached the last Galveston Texas Public Schools high school state championship when the Central Bearcats won the football championship in 1963.

Additionally, the 1968 Ball High School football team was the first highly ranked team. But that team was the remnants of the 1967 team of Mitchell where they were two games from playing in the state championship of 1967.

The coaching tree of Ed Mitchell is extensive as he coached:  Kermit Courville, Ben Mays, Edgar Collins, Charles Ferguson, Ben Marshall, Joel Smith, Ed Mitchell Jr., Charles Brooks, Spurgeon Wynn, William "Bill" Harris, Gerald Pope, Lonnie Fomby, Jerry Waddles, Reggie Matthews, Milton Morgan, Eric Harris, Ed Fisher, Philip O'Neal, Larry Smiley, Ron Holmes, Mike Holmes, Doug Matthews, Ken Pope & others.

And to note: His students went on to excel academically and athletically at their various colleges and universities including integrating some.

His coaching legacy continues as many students coached and/or played from the youth league through the college level, with several becoming professional.

Mike Evans was a 2011 graduate of Ball High School, who would later attend Texas A&M University to play football which has catapulted him into becoming one of the best receivers in the NFL today with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A Super Bowl Champion, Mikey as he’s affectionately called, is a proud Galvestonian and not only gives back with his money and time to his hometown, but also in Tampa Bay through his Mike Evans Foundation founded in 2017, which he runs along with his wife, Ashli.

Mikey is a three-time NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee, which just goes to show his giving heart toward those less fortunate. He also provides thousands of dollars annually through scholarships.  He even helped with funeral expenses after the passing of one of his classmates.

In addition, through their foundation, they work with women who have been victims of domestic violence to help them get back on their feet and live their best lives.

In college, Mikey received freshman All-Southeastern Conference honors, was a first-team All-SEC selection during his sophomore season and also was selected to the 2013 AP All-American First Team.

He was drafted by Tampa Bay at No. 7 in 2014 and became the first rookie since Randy Moss to have three consecutive games of over 100 yards and at least one touchdown; youngest player in NFL history to have more than 200 yards in one game; and finished his rookie season with 68 receptions for 1,051 yards and 12 touchdowns. He’s the first receiver in NFL history to catch over 1,000 yards in each of his first eight years.  

Jessie McGuire Dent  graduated from Central High School in 1909 as valedictorian of her class. She went off to Howard University where she was one of the 22 founding members of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority during her senior year.

After obtaining her degree in English and Latin, McGuire Dent returned to Galveston to teach at Central, where she later became the Dean of Girls. Active in her community in a myriad of ways, McGuire Dent lent her voice to civic issues and accepted leadership roles to assist the underserved through a wide array of organizations, too many to name.

It was through her activism that McGuire Dent sued the Board of Trustees of the Galveston Public Schools in 1943 demanding equal pay for African American teachers, deans, secretaries, and principals. McGuire Dent’s ruling, issued in Galveston on June 15, 1943, ruled for the plaintiff, and instructed the Galveston school district to equalize pay for African American teachers, deans, secretaries, and principals over a period of three years.

She died on March 12, 1948, but has left a legacy that deserves to be shared to the masses. To that end, in 1999, the city of Galveston’s recreation center at Menard Park was named after her and her father, Robert McGuire, who owned the land that the city acquired around 1914, in their honor.

The Texas Historical Commission approved a State Historic Subject Marker honoring Jessie McGuire Dent on February 3, 2021. The marker was sponsored by the Galveston Historical Foundation and will be placed at the McGuire Dent Recreation Center.

Dr. Ralph Horace Scull was a 1914 graduate of Central High School. Born in Galveston, Oct. 5, 1897, to Ralph Albert and Florence Scull, his father Ralph Albert Scull had been emancipated from slavery as a child, moving with his parents to Galveston in 1865.

Dr. Scull was the uncle of island trailblazer and legend, Izola Fedford Collins, and Florence Fedford Henderson who both studied and taught in Galveston public schools.

After graduating from Central, he attended Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio until World War I when he joined the Army and rose to the rank of First Lieutenant. After WWI, he returned to Wilberforce where he was a track star among other activities and graduated in 1922. He later graduated from Rush Medical School and studied dermatology at the University of Chicago, where he later also taught.

Dr. Scull began his medical practice in Chicago and was the second Black dermatologist in U.S. history. He was featured in the 1941-1944 edition of Who’s Who in Colored America and was an entrepreneur who invested in many promising inventions including motor cars with engines in the rear.

He received many honors but cherished the Central High School Outstanding Alumnus Award in Galveston at the Central High graduating ceremonies in the City Auditorium in 1943.

Dr. Scull passed away Dec. 15, 1959, at the age of 63 in Chicago.

Clyde Owen Jackson was a 1945 graduate of Central High School and a 1949 graduate of Tuskegee University. Jackson. He also had an extensive history in the military, excelled in journalism and music. He studied music under composer William Levi Dawson, Ceramic Art under sculptor Isaac Hathaway (creator of the Booker T. Washington half dollar) and creative writing under famed author Albert Murray.

On September 5, 1952, he became Second Lieutenant after graduating from Infantry Officer Candidate School in Ft. Benning Georgia. In 1953-54

Jackson was noted for journalism in Japan and Korea. In 1955 the National Newspaper Publishers Association awarded him for newspaper writing.  In 1971, EBONY Magazine featured Jackson as a versatile journalist as he had served as editor of Omaha Guide, the Arkansas State Press and the Texas Informer Group of Newspapers.                              

Rosenberg Library cites him as "one of twelve African American Galveston Pioneers of the Twentieth Century." On three different occasions, the mayors of Houston and Galveston declared "Clyde Owen Jackson Day."  The Galveston Police Department has awarded him.  Jackson is also cited in the Texas Museum in Austin.

In 2009, Jackson was nominated the CNN Hero of the Year. His accomplishments are cited in the congressional records.

Jackson is a noted author of several books and hundreds of articles that promote education and intervention to improve the community.  Jackson served as Adjunct Professor of Fine Arts at Texas Southern University and on the faculty of North Harris County College and Houston Community College. 

Simultaneously, Jackson excelled in Fine Arts and Music.  He was founder and conductor of the 63rd Infantry Regime Chorus, the Texas Southern University Men's Glee Club, the Houston Post Office Chorale and choirs at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church of Houston, Choral Director & Interim Artistic Director of Houston Ebony Opera Guild, guest conductor of joint venue with Wheeler Church & Community Music Center of Houston & Houston Symphony Orchestra, and Interim Director of Tuskegee University Choir.

He also was the first African American Postmaster of Galveston in 1978.

Sterling Patrick Sr. graduated from Central High School in 1948. He graduated from Prairie View A&M University with his bachelors and master’s degrees and served in the U.S. Army as a 2^nd Lieutenant.

A proud BOI, Patrick served the children of Galveston for 33 years in various capacities in the Galveston Independent School District. He served as assistant principal at Central and Lovenberg middle schools, as a principal at Austin Middle School, and retired as an executive director, of which he was the first African American to hold the position in administration for the district under the leadership of Jim Pickett.

He served in many capacities such as the first and only African American to be appointed to Galveston County Draft Board No. 49. He was the President of Galveston City Classroom Teachers Association, was the only African American to serve as Team Leader in GISD for the National Teacher Corp.

He also was very instrumental in the following organizations:  Phi Delta Kappa, Texas Association of Elementary and Secondary Principals, Board of Directors for the United Way, and Citizen Advisory Committee for the citizens of Galveston.

Throughout the years, he received a plethora of accolades such as Administrator of the Year, Community Service Award from the Top Ladies of Distinction, and was voted to the Central High Centennial Hall of Fame in 1985. He was a lifelong member of the Historic Avenue L Missionary Baptist Church where he always supported the Youth.  He spent his life serving the youth of Galveston in so many capacities making sure that all students experienced every opportunity possible in becoming successful and productive citizens. 

He believed in making sure all students reached their fullest potential.

Although he dreamed of becoming a doctor, Patrick said getting into education was the best decision he ever made. He was truly a Galveston ISD hero.

Dr. Dudley W. Woodard graduated in 1899 from Central High School. He was the second African American to be awarded a PhD in Mathematics in U.S. history from the University of Pennsylvania and was the first African American to establish a Master of Science program in Mathematics at an HBCU, which was Howard University.

Woodard is the author of the first mathematics papers by an African American to be published in a top-class mathematics journal. In 1929, the prestigious journal FUNDAMENTAL MATHEMATICS published his "On two-dimensional analysis Situs with special reference to the Jordan Curve Theorem."  In 1937, his paper "The characterization of the closed N-cell" was published in the equally prestigious journal TRANSACTIONS of the AMERICAN MATHEMATCS SOCIETY. 

In many ways, Woodard was the highest achieving African American of his day. The University of Pennsylvania claim him among its most distinguished alumni.

The Galveston Central High School alumni claim him among its most distinguished alumni and honored him in the 1950 Bearcat Yearbook.

Dr. Donny Cleary is a 1964 graduate of Ball High School. Following graduation from Ball High School, he completed his undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University and was accepted to the prestigious School of Veterinary Medicine.

Following his graduation from vet school, he returned to Galveston and established a practice that provided his clients the best of veterinary care with expertise, compassion, and often without consideration of ability to pay.

He and his wife Carlene retired to Iola, TX and are active in civic and charitable organizations in Brazos County as well as Galveston County. He is dedicated to making his hometown a better place to live for all of its citizens.

Norman “Bubba” Miller is a 1958 graduate of Ball High School. He also graduated from the University of North Texas in 1962. He’s currently the CEO and Chairman of the Board of Interstate Batteries, which is the No. 1 replacement battery in North America. For the past 61 years, he has moved through the ranks of Interstate, from his father’s Tennessee distributorship to the National Field Sales team at Dallas corporate headquarters, and on to where he is today. He’s also a board member for Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas Seminary Foundation, and the Overseas Council. He’s co-founder of the Great American Race, which is America’s premier vintage car event. Through this endeavor the company teamed up with Joe Gibbs Racing in 1992 and won the 1993 Daytona 500, the 2000 Winston Cup Championship, the 2015 Sprint Cup Championship, 2019 Monster Energy Cup Championship, and the 2022 Xfinity Series Championship. According to his extensive bio, Bubba Miller is a man who’s after God’s own heart. He changed his life around in 1974 after admitting to becoming an alcoholic in his early years and, through God’s saving grace, he found the Lord and has led a life leading others to salvation. His faith walk has led him to be the successful businessman he is today. Miller and his wife, Anne, have been married for 60 years and have two children and five grandchildren.

Dr. James Courtney was a 1964 graduate of Central High School. Dr. Courtney was the first African American to receive an undergraduate degree from Texas A&M, and in 1970 he was also the first African American to receive a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from A&M.

After graduation, he went into private practice in Compton, California. He later joined the USDA's Meat and Poultry Inspection program as Inspector in Charge. He later became Food Service and Inspection Service circuit supervisor in Kansas City, assistant area supervisor in Albany, NY, and Baton Rouge, LA, and area supervisor in Jefferson City, Mo. In 1997, he was named district manager for the newly created district of Dallas.

Emmett Frances McCoy was a 1939 graduate of Ball High School. He died at the age of 88 in San Marcos on Jan. 7, 2012. His family moved to Galveston when he was four years old, the same year Frank McCoy, his father, founded McCoy Roofing Company in 1927.  Emmett was active in Boy Scouts growing up and was an Eagle Scout.  He was also a member of ROTC at Ball High School. 

After graduation, he attended and graduated from New York Trade School.  Working in the shipyards in Orange, Texas at the beginning of WWII, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in April of 1943.  He served in an Engineer Aviation Battalion in the Pacific Theater, and he was discharged with the rank of Sergeant in January of 1946. 

Emmett founded McCoy Supply Co. in the 50s, which later became the present-day McCoy’s Building Supply.  At the time of Emmett’s retirement in 1997, McCoy’s had grown to over 90 locations with sales exceeding $400 million.  He was a pioneer in the cash and carry building materials market, and today McCoy’s is one of the largest family-owned businesses in the industry.

Other business enterprises that Emmett was involved in during his career included Balcones Bank, which grew from one location to four during the family’s ownership, and McCoy Land & Cattle Co., which he expanded into a large cow-calf operation in far West Texas.

Emmett was always very generous to the community, and once retired, Emmett and his wife Miriam focused on philanthropy in a bigger way than ever before.  Their gift to the Emmett & Miriam McCoy College of Business is the single largest gift received by Texas State University to date.

Col. Rudolph “Buddy” Kobarg Jr. was a 1965 graduate of Ball High School. Kobarg served his country for 30 years as a decorated officer for the United States Air Force, with tours in Vietnam and elsewhere abroad. 

He was also a devoted husband and father. Throughout his travels, he never lost his love of the Island or of being on or near the water. 

Kobarg entered the Air Force in 1970 as a graduate of Officer Training School.  During his time in the Air Force, he served as an electronic warfare officer, instructor, flight instructor, crew commander, squadron commander, support group commander and base commander.  He was a future concepts officer and warfare branch chief for the Strategic Air Command and the chief of the Inspection Division of the Air Education and Training Command in his last assignment.

After his retirement, Buddy led the civilian operation for Laughlin AFB in Del Rio, TX, supervising the 500+ civilian staff that supplemented the military personnel at the flight training base.

Kobarg was promoted to his final rank of Colonel on March 1, 1992.  He earned a Master Navigator Rating, with over 4,300 flight hours. His awards and decorations at the time of his retirement included the Distinguished Flying Cross; Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters; Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters; and the Aire Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster.    

He earned a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management from the University of Texas at Austin in 1969 and received a master’s degree in Management from National University in Sacramento, CA.  Kobarg was a graduate of Squadron Office School, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College. 

Kobarg passed away in January 2018 where his funeral was well-attended by family, friends, and colleagues from all stages of his life.

Sgt. William A. Hernandez, who graduated from Ball High in 1968 was nominated by Salvadore “Buddy” Farina who stated in his nomination letter that Hernandez paid the ultimate sacrifice, which was his life, for the love of his country.

He stated that several members of the Class of ’68 went to the service because our country was at war; and unfortunately, 75 Galveston County men didn’t return. Hernandez was one of them and left behind was his wife who was pregnant with his son, who never had the privilege of knowing what a good person his father was.

To that end, Farina, along with members of the Vietnam Veterans of America Galveston County Chapter No. 685 honor Hernandez, and those other 74 young men who paid the ultimate sacrifice, each Memorial Day at Jack Brooks Park.

A quote from Farina: “I’m thankful to have known William and have had the honor of meeting the son and grandson he never knew. His name is where it should be, in our Ball High School Hall of Honor and I thank the committee for choosing him for this worthy honor.”

Lt. Justin Green Mills was a 1935 graduate of Ball High School. Mills, of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, was presented the Silver Star for his actions against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area on November 3, 1942. Although his platoon suffered heavy casualties, he succeeded in capturing and holding his objective.

His heroic devotion to duty, maintained at great risk in the face of grave danger, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. After this heroic fete, he was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant. Mills died on Nov. 20 during the “Battle of Tarawa.” He was reportedly buried in Division Cemetery on Betio Island - a temporary location chosen by his fellow Marines, the survivors of the battle, until the Fallen could be recovered and returned to their families. In 2014 his remains were found, and he’s now buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

For his service and sacrifice, his parents accepted his awards and decorations, including:

- Purple Heart

- Combat Action Ribbon

- World War II Victory Medal

- American Campaign Medal

- Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation

- Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Medal

- Marine Corp Expeditionary Medal, and

- Gold Star Lapel Button.

William Fitzhugh graduated from Ball High in 1932. He then went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas. He then entered the service in November of 1940 and graduated from Advanced Flying School in Stockton, California, as Pilot and commissioned as Second Lieutenant in July 1941. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross and Chinese Army, Navy, Air Corps Medal, Class A, 1^st Grade. He also co-piloted the second aircraft to launch from the USS Hornet on the Doolittle Raid over Tokyo in April 1942. Fitzhugh remained in the Air Force Reserve until August 4, 1955. He died on August 31, 1981, and was buried at the Mobile Memorial Gardens in Mobile, Alabama.

His Distinguished Flying Cross Citation reads:

For extraordinary achievement while participating in a highly destructive raid on the Japanese mainland on April 18, 1942. First Lieutenant Fitzhugh volunteered for this mission knowing full well that the chances of survival were extremely remote and executed his part in it with great skill and daring. This achievement reflects high credit on First Lieutenant Fitzhugh and the military service.