Birth Date: 1932-11-09

Obituary:
William Charles Akins was born in Austin, Texas on November 9, 1932 to Elmer and Mattie Lee Akins.

He was a lifelong resident of east Austin, attending Blackshear Elementary, Kealing Jr. High and the Original L.C. Anderson High School located on Pennsylvania Street. After graduating from Anderson in 1950, Charles pursued higher education at Huston-Tillotson College (now University), majoring in history and minoring in English. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1954, and later received a master's degree from Prairie View A&M University and his Administrative Certification from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State). In 1982, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from his college alma mater, Huston-Tillotson University.

Charles began his career as an educator in 1956 at Booker T. Washington High School in Marlin, Texas, where he taught history, civics and economics. In 1959, he started teaching in Austin at L.C. Anderson High School located at 900 Thompson St. and was selected as Teacher of the Year in 1962, just three years after he started working at Anderson.
In 1964, Austin ISD decided to integrate the schools. Ready to meet the challenge, Charles was transferred to Johnston High School (now Eastside Memorial) as the first cross-over teacher in the district. At Johnston, he taught social studies and sponsored the Boys Service Club. He was promoted to Dean of Boys in 1968.

He returned to Anderson as assistant principal in 1969, two years before the district decided to close the school in 1971 as a result of a court desegregation order. He then served at Lanier High School as an assistant principal. In 1973, the school district wanted to make further in-roads toward integration and decided to build a new high school in northwest Austin. Charles was selected as principal of L.C. Anderson High School, located at 8403 Mesa Drive.

Charles felt being principal at Anderson was a tremendous challenge, as well as a significant opportunity. He always pushed for inclusion and wanted to make sure that students could participate in any activity of their choice. During his nine-year tenure as principal, the school excelled in academics and in other areas such as performing arts.
Charles was promoted to assistant superintendent and later to Associate Superintendent for Community Relations in 1994. When he retired in 2000, he had served a total of 44 years in the field of education.

In recognition of his significant contributions to the profession, the Austin ISD school board voted in 1998 to name the district's newest high school in his honor. The new school, W. Charles Akins High School, opened its doors in August 2000.

After retirement, Charles remained connected to the education field, serving on the board of directors for Region 13 Education Service Center, Westminster Manor, Stillwell Retirement Home for Teachers, UIL Waiver Board and the UIL Foundation.

Although known for his pioneering efforts in education, he was also a trailblazer in the media, becoming the first African-American sportscaster on television in Austin at KLRU.

Charles had a strong faith in God, which was nurtured by both of his parents. He held many positions at Wesley United Methodist Church, including church announcing clerk, church steward, lay speaker, Sunday School superintendent, district lay leader, and delegate to the General and Jurisdictional Conferences for the United Methodist Church.

A family man, he loved to take his family on cross-county trips driving to California to visit his relatives, and to historical places such as Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York.

Charles embodied the meaning of servant leadership and was dutiful to many in the community: charter member and former president of the Capital City Lions Club, former chapter president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, bond issues committees for Austin ISD and Travis County, football official for all high school divisions, Texas Relays, Carver Museum Ambassadors, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and Huston-Tillotson University Alumni.

He received numerous awards during his lifetime, including Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award; Heman Marion Sweatt Legacy Award; Legacy Changer Award; and Tower of Light Community Service Award from Huston-Tillotson University. Most recently, he was recognized for 60 years of service to Huston-Tillotson, and also received a Lifetime Membership in the United Methodist Men.

He leaves to mourn his loss, his wife Estella R. Akins; daughters Dianne Akins Iglehart and Joyce Akins; grandson Justin Charles Iglehart; granddaughter Rena Olivia Iglehart; granddaughter-in-law Dr. Elena Iglehart; a host of cousins and other relatives across the state and country; numerous friends; neighbors; and the Austin education community.

Birth Date: 1956-01-07

Graduation year: 1974

Deceased Date: 2017-12-10

Obituary:
John “The Stick” H. Arroyo passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on December 10, 2017, in Bryant, Arkansas, at the age of 61.
John was born in McAllen, Texas on January 6, 1956 to Johnny and Henrietta Martinez. Johnny and Henrietta had three children, Josie, John, & Olga. Johnny passed when John was two years old. His mother married Atilano Arroyo, the man John would know as Dad most of his life, in 1962. Atilano and Henrietta had two more children, Sandra and Robert John’s mother passed in 1967 when John was 10 years old. John’s Dad, Atilano, married Olga Garza in 1967 and she became Mom to John and his 4 siblings. Atilano and Olga had two more children, JR and Jaime. John and his biological siblings were adopted by Atilano and Olga Arroyo in 1974. The Arroyo sibling clan of 7 was official; Josie, John, Olga, Sandra, Robert, JR, Jaime.
John went to elementary school at T.A. Brown for 1st through 3rd grades. He then went to Brentwood Elementary for 4th – 6th grades. After that he went to Lamar Jr. High, then to McCallum High School graduating in 1974. He had a passion for football and BASEBALL during his younger years. He played at the North Austin Lions Club and at University Hills Optimist Club. He continued his passion for baseball by playing in several softball leagues during his adult life; hence earning the name – “The Stick” – which he was so proud of.
After high school John continued his education at DeVry University in Dallas. Following graduation from DeVry he began working for DM&H in Irving, Texas in 1976. Also in July of 1976 his best friend and first son, John J. Arroyo, was born. John met Debbie Hairston at DM&H in 1982. They worked together for a year realizing it they were a “good fit” for each other and decided to move in together with J.J. and Brandie (Debbie / now John’s daughter). Life in Irving was good, but John’s heart was always in Austin. He talked Debbie into moving to Austin in 1985. John began working for Austin Business Machines when they moved back. John and Debbie made their union official by marrying in Austin in October 1986. Josh Arroyo was born in July 1987. A few years later John & Debbie made their family complete when Ariane arrived in April 1995.
In the summer of 1995 John & Debbie moved to Arkansas, to be close to Debbie’s family. John began working for Arkansas Copier when they moved and remained there for the past 22 years.
John left Austin being a true, die-hard, I only bleed burnt orange Longhorn fan. He was surrounded by Razorbacks for many years and stood his Longhorn ground; raised his boys to do so also. Slowly but surely those Razorbacks got in his blood and he started cheering them on also. He continued to cheer on his favorite Longhorns with the “Hook ‘Em Horns” but every once in a while you would catch him slip and do that darn “Woooo Pig Soooeee”. His other team was the Cowboys. Nothing would get in between him and his Cowboys football time. His greatest Cowboy memory was being able to go to a game last year with his sons, brother and nephew.
Another one of John’s passions was playing GOLF; to hear John say it . . . . He was the King of the Golf Course! He was a gentleman’s gentleman when it came to etiquette on the course. He enjoyed playing with family, old friends, new friends, anyone; as long as he was playing; ready to play for that “money shot” if anyone was ever interested.
In recent years John has been able to re-connect with his elementary, Jr High, and high school friends though Facebook. This brought him great pleasure to go down memory lane and relive precious days of old.

John leaves behind his greatest legacy, his family. His family was his life in which he revolved around. His wife, Debbie, his children John J. Arroyo, Josh Arroyo and wife Fallon, and Ariane Arroyo; grandchildren Elijah and Lennon. He also leaves behind his siblings; Josie Martinez, Olga Henson and husband Roy, Sandra Escobar, Robert Arroyo and wife Tina, and Atilano Arroyo, Jr. There are also numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins that were blessed to have shared his amazing life.
John was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Brandie. When Brandie passed she took a bit of John with her. We all know that Bran was the first person to greet John when he crossed over. Also preceeding John in death are his biological parents, Johnny Martinez, Henrietta Arroyo; his adopitive parents Atilano Arroyo and Olga Arroyo; and his youngest brother, Jaime Arroyo.

A celebration of life will be held at Dial and Dudley Funeral Home on Friday, December 15, 2017 at 10:00 AM.

A gathering of friends and family will be held at Josh and Fallon’s home afterwards

Birth Date: 1956-06-30

Graduation year: 1974

Deceased Date: 1978-02-07

Obituary:
In a strange twist of fate, I am entering this information on Cathy's 68th birthday, June 30th. She graduated from McCallum in 1974 and married our classmate, Mick Porter.

She is buried at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery off of Hancock Drive.

She is survived by her husband, Mick Porter; son, Austin Porter; daughter, Chelsea Porter; brother, James Lewis Stone, Jr.; mother, Gloria Stone; and a host of other relatives.

Birth Date: 1956-04-16

Graduation year: 1974

Deceased Date: 2005-02-18

Obituary:
Jimmy George Atkins, 48, a longtime resident of Austin, passed away on Friday, February 18, 2005. Born April 16, 1956 in Fort Stockton, Texas, Jimmy and his family moved to Austin in 1967. Jimmy graduated from L.C. Anderson High School in 1974, then went on to Sam Houston State University majoring in Criminal Justice, graduating Summa cum Laude. Jimmy attended The University of Texas School of Law and graduated with Honors in 1979.

Survivors include his three children, Michael Ryan Atkins, Lisa Michele Atkins and Kimberly Nicole Atkins; his mother, Sue Loyd; sister, Gail Atkins Hamilton and her daughter, Jessica Renee Hamilton; brother, Richard D. Atkins and his wife, Pam and nephew, Jason Atkins Ashley. He was a devoted father and he will be dearly missed by his family and all who knew him.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 26th at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. A gathering of family and friends will follow at Westminster Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 3208 Exposition Blvd. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made in Jimmy’s memory to SAFEPLACE, P.O. Box 19454, Austin, Texas 78760. Memorials and guestbook online at wcfish.com

Birth Date: 1956-05-11

Graduation year: 1974

Deceased Date: 2018-09-28

Obituary:
Thomas Bruce Baker, M.D. passed away on September 28, 2018 in Amarillo, Texas. He was born in Austin, Texas to Claude William Baker Jr. and Virginia Mae Christian on May 11, 1956. He was raised and graduated high school in Austin, Texas. Dr. Baker graduated from University Of Texas Medical Branch At Galveston in 1981 and was a pulmonologist in Amarillo, practicing for 32 years. Dr. Baker married Patricia Ruth Johnstone in Temple, Texas on August 17, 1983 and together they raised three children, Ronnie, Christi and William. They were members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Amarillo.

Dr. Baker is preceded in death by his father. Left to cherish his memory includes, his wife of 35 years, Patricia Baker; his sons, Ronnie Baker of Austin, TX and William Baker of Houston, TX; a daughter, Christi Baker and her husband Scott Craft of Amarillo, TX; his mother, Virginia Baker of Dale, TX; brother, Bryan Baker of Spicewood, TX and a granddaughter, Lilian Ruth Craft.

Dr. Baker was laid to rest at Jeffrey Cemetery. The committal service was Friday, October 5, 2018 at 11am officiated by Pastor Brian Hesse. Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie Baker, William Baker, Bryan Baker and Scott Craft.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Amarillo, Texas.

Graduation year: 1974

Deceased Date: 1974-03-31

Obituary:
Austin, Tx - An 18-year-old Austin youth was injured and his passenger killed Sunday when their car crashed into a tree on Texas 71 east of Austin.

Killed was Stephen George Bilberry, a high school pupil. The driver, 18, of Georgetown, was reported in fair condition in an Austin hospital.

The 2 a.m. accident occurred about a mile west of the Oak Hill community.

Birth Date: 1956-10-05

Graduation year: 1974

Deceased Date: 2024-04-28

Obituary:
Kevin Burnette at long last met his Lord on Sunday, April 28th. He was ready--even if his earthly family was not.

Born Kevin Francis to the late Bobby and Wanda Burnette, on October 5, 1956, he dropped the ‘Francis’ as soon as he was able. What he did not drop was his enduring support of the Longhorns and the Houston Astros. More importantly, and more importantly to him, he never wavered in his love and support for the two earthly blessings he most enjoyed: his daughters Constance Callen (Callie) Burnette and Dr. Anna Grace Burnette.

As so well put by his friend, Congressman Pete Sessions, Kevin was a veteran of public service and congressional politics for over five decades, leaving an enduring impact on the State of Texas and his peers. His good humor and inquisitive mind meant he never lost his belief in the vision of a better United States or a stronger Texas.

Kevin was preceded in death by his brother, Bobby. Kevin is survived by his daughters and his loving wife and constant supporter of 36 years, Patricia, as well as his aunt Susan, sister Kelly, brothers-in-laws Richard, Kevin, Hugh, and Mark, sisters-in-law Lori, Reneé, and Kathleen, and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews most of whom are traveling to Austin to lay this special man to rest.

Services are scheduled for 1 pm on Wednesday, May 8th, at St. Francis Anglican Church, 3401 Oak Creek Dr., Austin.

Deceased Date: 2019-01-19

Obituary:
Don L. "Coach" Caldwell, of Austin, Texas, transitioned peacefully to his heavenly home on January 10, 2019. He believed in education and loved coaching as he worked with the students at McCallum High School. Don loved his family and was especially fond of his granddaughter. Services will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2019, at 12:00 noon, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, located at 1800 East 11th Street, Austin, Texas. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 18, 2019, at King-Tears Mortuary, located at 1300 East 12th Street, Austin, Texas.

Deceased Date: 2001-07-30

Obituary:
Mrs. Julia Puryear Carrell, 79 of San Antonio, Texas died Monday, July 30, 2001, at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. Born in Dumas, she was a daughter of the late Oscar and Lois Puryear.

She was preceded in death by her first and second husbands, Jesse Carrell and Jack Jennings: one son, Sherman Carrell; and one brother, Lynn Puryear.

Survivors include one son, John Carrell of San Antonio; two brothers, Glynn Puryear and William Puryear, both of Dumas; two daughters-in-law, Kim Carrell of San Antonio and Beth Carrell of Odessa, Texas; three grandchildren, and niece Carrell Grigsby of Austin.

Until recently she lived in Hot Springs Village after retiring as a teacher at McCallum and Anderson High Schools in Austin, Texas. She moved to San Antonio to be near her son and his family.

Graduation year: 1974

Deceased Date: 1972-04-27

Obituary:
Craig Chipman, a sophomore at McCallum High School, was with four friends wading in Bull Creek along Lakewood Drive, west of Ranch Road 2222, when he was killed.

Chipman's four companions told officers they were wading in the creek about 2:45 PM Friday when three young men appeared across the creek bed and told them to leave. Words were exchanged and one of the three reportedly fired a rifle.

Craig was struck in the chest. The three men escaped into the brush along the creek.

He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph E. Chipman of 7008 Daugherty St. Funeral services were held at Weed-Corley Funeral Home. Burial was in Capital Memorial Park.