A special thank you to Kaye LaGrone, class of 1964, for your excellence in providing this list of AHS Alumni.

Alumni Passings 2017

Class of 1953: Billy James “Bill” Cannaday died 20171231.
Class of 1957: Sergei Kabantschuk died 20171228.
Class of 1942: David Glenn Cooke, Jr. died 20171227.
Class of 1970: Gloria Ann (Candelas) Guzman died 20171225.
Class of 1948: Florence Harper (Street) Sanders died 20171222.
Class of 1952: Donald Lewis “Don” Bandy died 20171220.
Class of 1943: Fred Clark Chandler, Jr. died 20171218.
Class of 1947: Josie Ellen Champion died 20171213.
Class of 1964: Johnnie Donald “John” Nelson died 20171207.

Class of 1938: Sue Harper “Gamma” (Kone) Drake died 20171126.
Class of 1958: Patsy (Wilhelm) Barrett died 20171126.
Class of 1951: Carl Simon “Top” Rundberg died 20171124.
Class of 1943: James Arthur Sanders died 20171123.
Class of 1941: Elora Jane (Watt) Smith died 20171122.
Class of 1945: Evelyn Elise (Plumb) Kidd died 20171118.
Class of 1953: Martha Jane (Graef) Scott died 20171114.
Class of 1943: Eliseo Flores Ortega died 20171111.
Class of 1951: Einer Cordz Juul died 20171111
Class of 1950: Clara Jean “CJ” (Gresham) Sherrill died 20171109.
Class of 1940: U. S. Army (Ret.) Major Clifford “Cliff” Kies died 20171107.

Class of 1962: Margaret Sue “Peg” (Brown) Bradley died 20171025.
Class of 1946: Peggy Jean (Mullis) Ritch died 20171024.
Class of 1984: RuthAnn Brown died 20171021.
Class of 1954: Gwendolyn Yvonne (Fohn) Till died on 20171021, her 81st BD.
Class of 1948: Jean (Evans) Bunge died 20171021.
Class of 1959: Charlotte Elaine (White) Riney died 20171020.
Class of 1964: Richard G. Slaughter died 20171015.
Class of 1944: Walter John Krizov died 20171007.

Class of 1946: Raymond Lee Whitaker died 20170927.
Class of 1958: Timothy Henderson Ritter died 20170926.
Class of 1964: Hans E. “Rusty” Turley, Jr. died 20170924.
Class of 1948: John Clint Burks died 20170923.
Class of 1944: Barbara “Babs” (McAnally) Winn died 20170921.
Class of 1939: Dr. Frank M. Covert, III died 20170919.
Class of 1953: Valjean (Bryson) Dyer died 20170918.
Class of 1961: Frances Annette (Ussery) Foradory died 20170917.
Class of 1980: Jana L. Byrd died 20170915.
Class of 1934: Barbara Hope (Pillow) DeBusk died 20170910.
Class of 1945: Doris Isobel (Culpepper) Frierson died 20170909.
Class of 1953: Edwards Barham “BB” Bratton died 20170902.

Class of 1948: Katherine (Prather) Novak died 20170830.
Class of 1942: Ruthie Mae (Gathright) Presnal died 20170826.
Class of 1944: James Powers Exum died 20170825.
Class of 1939: Helen Sue (Montgomery) Osborn died 20170822.
Class of 1975: Anthony Sanchez died 20170811.
Class of 1959: Mary (Olvera) Castañon died 20170809.
Class of 1967: Don Baylor died 20170807.
Class of 1940: Jay W. Barnes, Jr. died 20170807.
Class of 1943: Arthur A. “Art” Casiraghi died 20170806.
Class of 1956: Judy Bob (Clark) Zaleski died 20170803.

Class of 1958: Carol (Farmer) McCorkle died 20170731.
Class of 2011: Anthony Quinn Ortiz, Jr. died 20170731.
Class of 1945: Vida Lucille (Mitchell) Bouldin died 20170727.
Class of 1949: Venton L. Doughtie, Jr. [AHS1949] died 20170719.
Class of 1946: Mary (DeLoney) Ogden died 20170717.
Class of 1954: James Conner Pribble died 20170716.
Class of 1977: Louise (Wilkerson) Brollier died 20170711.
Class of 1965: Mary Pat (Herring) Drummond died 20170709.
Class of 1940: Joe Mullins Randerson died on 20170708.
Class of 1942: Clara “Imogene” (Hermanson) Thompson died 20170708.
Class of 1951: Emma Lorraine (Pittsford) Frazer died 20170704.

Class of 1948: Robert L. “Bob” Burke died 20170626.
Class of 1948: Peggy Clare (Lindsay) Struhall died 20170625
Class of 1949: Sharon (Matthews) Tieman died 20170614.
Class of 1936: Isabelle (Smith) Blomdahl died 20170613.
Class of 1951: Arthur F. “Art” Cunningham died 20170613.
Class of 1968: Patton Greene Lochridge died 20170601.

Class of 1951: Joe Gene Bailey died 20170518.
Class of 1977: Dudley James “Jimmy” Simmons died 20170518.
Class of 1956: Mrs. Michael (Covey) Kittredge died 20170517.
Class of 1942: Roy Howard Miller died 20170517.
Class of 1976: Mark Fowler, Sr. died 20170512.
Class of 1948: Loyd D. Hampton died 20170510.
Class of 1961: Cynthia (Owens) McCullough died 20170506
Class of 1958: Carol Coffman Ferguson died 20170518
Class of 1947: Amparo Jaime died 20170507

Class of 1950: Louise Parmele “Lu” Johnson died 20170424.
Class of 1968: Bonnie (McFarland) Wiseman died 20170424.
Class of 1942: Jane A. (Nelson) Shive died 20170423.
Class of 1940: Patricia Jane (Harris) Hunt died 20170416.
Class of 1943: Albert Harris “Al” “Buddy” Lundstedt died 20170413.
Class of 1945: Marilyn Louise (Nauert) Almond died 20170409.
Class of 1942: Ann (Stayton) Heiligenthal Lewis died 20170407.
Class of 1961: James E. “Jim” Short died 20170407.
Class of 1980: Jon Roth Pfluger died 20170403.
Class of 1949: Margie Amy (Clinger) Ferris died 20170402.

Class of 1947: Peggy Elaine (Wilkerson) Crow died 20170324.
Class of 1962: John Paul “J. P.” Stallworth died 20170330.
Class of 1937: George Edward Strandtmann died 20170320.
Class of 1953: Eugene Charles “Gene” Urban died 20170317.
Class of 1938: Florence (Benson) Wilkerson died 20170311.
Class of 1949: Joan Lynn (Porter) Smith died 20170310.

Class of 1948: Ishmael Herrera Soto died 20170227.
Class of 1953: Carol June (Foust) died 20170227.
Class of 1949: Dorothy Ann (Whitehead) Hobbs died 20170225.
Class of 1957: Don R. McCullough died 20170217.
Class of 1950: Richard A. Moya died 20170216.
Class of 1944: Dorothy Ruth “Dita” Moore Nash died 20170215.
Class of 1940: Louise (McCall) Sherman died 20170214.
Class of 1944: Rudolph Lewis “RL” Struhall, Jr. (b. 19270310) died 20170210.
Class of 1939: Vivian (Erwin) Todd died 20170205.
Class of 1944: Louis Mecey died 20170204.
Class of 1959: Neal Avery Watt died 20170203.
Class of 1959: Neal A. Watt died 20170203
Class of 1945: Stella Jean (Oates) Lowrey died 20170202.

Class of 1961: Jane Marie (Tisdale) Lewis Wright died 20170130.
Class of 1944: William Maurice “Bill” Eklund died 20170126.
Class of 1941: Joy (Westbrook) Cook died 20170125.
Class of 1945: Rudolph E. “Rudy” Svadlenak died 20170121.
Class of 1939: Dorothy Mary (Kirschner) Burnup died 20170120.
Class of 1950: Betty Jo (Allman) Kampa died/20170115.
Class of 1996: Michael Joseph Legendre [AHS1996] died 20170115
Class of 1947: Marjorie Ellen (Green) Farrer died 20170102.
Class of 1936: Catherine (Overstreet) Corbitt died 20170101.
Class of 1940: Carolyn McKay “Carrie” (Berry) Yaryan died 20170101.
Class of 1949: Effanel “Nell” (Stovall) Miller died 20170101.

AHS Alumni Anna Fay Teer Peterson, age 105, passed away recently. She was a member of the class of 1929 and Anne, her daughter, is a member of the class of 1958. Upon reading her obituary I discovered an incredible fact: Mrs. Peterson was a sponsor AHS Red Jackets of AND designed the original Red Jacket uniform – the military style that I wore in the ’70’s. The maroon wool jacket, white skirt and white marching shoes and socks I remember so well. The leader of the Red Jackets during my tenure was Austin architect Emily Little who ran a tight ship! I would love to post your story about the Red Jacket in honor of Mrs. Peterson. Julie Sayers

Read obituary here

Stephen F. Austin High School celebrated its 42nd Anniversary of moving to the current campus this year. A few years ago, a very dedicated group of parents, future AHS parents and alumni created the Austin High School Facilities Fund (AHSFF.) This capital fundraising campaign raised almost $60,000 in the past couple of years to fund critical needed facilities improvements throughout the school. This year, we are seeking to raise the extra dollars needed to further improve facilities to enhance athletics, fine arts and other extracurricular programs at Austin High School.

Recognizing the major connection between a stronger extracurricular program and stronger academics, we are asking you to help drive this project to completion of our current goals.

We have broken down our immediate needs into a few categories:

Athletics ($80,000) – Expansion and remodeling of the weight room.
Fine Arts Facilities ($76,000) – Critical needs for the Preas (Black Box) Theatre, Band Hall and the Performing Arts Center stage.
Hall of Honor ($50,000) – Creation of a new wall for Hall of Honorees situated in a much more visible location in the center of the school building. Continue reading “AHS Facilities Fund” »

Congratulations to the Excellence Committee on their inaugural Evening of Excellence benefitting Stephen F. Austin High School.  The honoree on Friday night was Steve Saunders a local attorney who did not attend AHS, but supported the school through his efforts and gifts.  He has two children who did graduate from AHS, Kate and Ian.  This honor was well deserved.

Thank you to the Evening of Excellence Committee:

Robin Levatino, Summer Youngblood, Elizabeth Kalbacher, Jana Howden, Joni Guerrero, Ashley Putman, Jenny Holland, Lea Ann Durand, Hannah Neill, Mary Jane Monsivais, and Ashley Unbehagen.

The Evening of Excellence will be an occasion to celebrate, honor and support SFA through the annual giving campaign of the Academic Excellence Fund.  For more information contact Summer Youngblood.

Last year’s Dedication Day was a tremendous success. The talent of our school population was reflected in the student body and by our honorees. We also honored veteran alumni with a “Well Done” medal for their service to the country.

You may visit the Hall of Honor, located adjacent to the Jacquelyn McGee Performing Arts Center and the Band Hall, at any time. The Brian Schenk Archives, based in the Library, are also available to you at any time. We maintain a class ring collection, the third largest in the nation; a Comet yearbook
collection; a collection of books by Austin High authors, faculty, and alumni; and the Archives,
containing a wide variety of memorabilia from
Austin High’s past.

We encourage your donations to any of the collections. Keep your eyes open in antique shops which carry old yearbooks or other Austin High memorabilia. Bring the items on Dedication Day or on any school day to the Library. Please include your
name and address with your donation.

Download Donation form: Dedication Day Newsletter 2017

2016 Distinguished Alumni:
Carlos Valdez ‘47
United States Navy, Local Philanthropist

Dr. Arthur Frankel ‘65
Hematologist and Oncologist, Cancer Researcher

2016 Honored Faculty:
Leyla Cohlmia
Chemistry Teacher 1977-2013

2016 Well Done Medal Recipients:
Hunter Archibald ‘02
Stewart Geise ‘99
Elliott Weeks ‘03

Surplus Comets, Mr. Maroo lapel pins, Mr. Maroo earrings, and Mr. Maroo necklace pendants are always on sale. Contact Mrs. Debra Windham for more information.

Loyal Forever,
Debra Windham and Esther Joucken
Hall of Honor Advisors

We mourn the passing of AHS alumni over the past year.

Thank you to Kaye LaGrone, class of 1964, who researches and provides this report

Class of 1945: Harold Denton Loftis, CW4 (Ret) died 20161230.
Class of 1947: Thomas Wesley White died 20161227.
Class of 1982: Glenn “George” Capps died 20161225.
Class of 1958: Sharon Gayle Noble Hammer died 20161217.
Class of 1948: Will David Davis, Sr. died 20161212.
Class of 1948: Octavio Tripp Garza died 20161201.

Class of 1941: Walter E. White, Jr. died 20161129.
Class of 1945: Robert B. “Bob” Blackstone, Jr. died 20161127.
Class of 1960: Terrance Joe “Terry” Lundell died 20161122.
Class of 1941: Bess Emily (Achilles) Allred died 20161121.
Class of 1948: Earl Webb Mayfield died 20161119.
Class of 1940: Hume Cofer (given name George Hume Cofer) died 20161113.
Class of 1977: Bret Banister died 20161111.
Class of 1938: Billy Howard Amstead died 20161110.
Class of 1950: Ruby Nell (Youngblood) Wright died 20161106.
Class of 1963: Randolph George “Randy” Mueller died 20161101.

Class of 1949: Dorthy Ann (Fritts) Albright died 20161028.
Class of 1947: Celesta F. (Holt) Cullen died 20161028.
Classof 1963: Barbara Ann Dublin (Alexander) 20161023.
Class of 1946: Mervyn Earl “Merv” Krause died 20161012.
Class of 1942: Lucile “Cile” (Dorsett) Chamberlain died 20161011.
Class of 1941: Zilla LaVerne (Luce) Larson-Crow died 20161007.
Class of 1989: Michael James “Mike” Coolidge died 20161024.
Class of 1938: Bettie (Quinn) Porter died 20161014.
Class of 1942: Frances LGean “Gean” Richardson died 20161007.

Class of 1948: Janelle “Jan” (Buford) Bohls died 20161006.
Class of 1947: James W. Parker died 20160924.
Class of 1959: James Lewis Cooper died 20160921.
Class of 1963: Kent M. Rider died 20160921.
Class of 1941: Jessie B. (Abney) Shelby died 20160919.
Class of 1945: Thomas Bowman Black died 20160918.
Class of 1948: Harry L. Bengtson, Jr. died 20160917.
Class of 1941: Martha Virginia (Hale) Piza died 20160915.
Class of 1953: Joe Angelo Lopez, Sr. died 20160915.
Class of 1944: RoseMarie “Rosie” (Stenson) Jones died 20160911.
Class of 1953: Carl Milton Wallace died 20160908.
Class of 1963: Joyce Ritchie Garner died 20160907.
Class of 1951: Doris (Pillans) Carlson Baker died 20160906.
Class of 1949: Joe Collis Miles, Sr. died 20160902.
Class of 1953: Lemuel “Lem” Scarbrough, Jr. died 20160901.

Class of 1944: Glen B. Quick died 20160828.
Class of 1958: Albert S. Hernandez died 20160826.
Class of 1957: Otto M. Friedrich, Jr. died 20160816.
Class of 1973: Hampden Gregory “Hampie” Han died 20160813.
Class of 1956: Joyce (Gourley) Howell died 20160809.
Class of 1948: Horace Samuel “Sonny” Wallace, Jr. died 20160806.
Class of 1947: Margaret Ann (Sanderford) Underwood died 20160730.
Class of 1977: David Eric Speer died 20160728.
Class of 1953: Robert Littlefield Buford, Jr. died 20160728.
Class of 1976: Horace Saldana, Jr. died 20160725.
Class of 1946: Jeanette (Burkhardt) Wright died 20160725.
Class of 1950: Frances Jane (Beaty) Sasser died 20160720.
Class of 1947: Noel Norman Farrer died 20160717.
Class of 1951: Jesse Liston “JL” Smith died 20160714.
Class of 1946: Frances (Bones) Batla died 20160714.
Class of 1949: William Howard “Billy” Cox died.
Class of 1954: Charlene Margaret (Anderson) Sefcik died 20160711.
Class of 1952: Estelle (Dooley) Fancher died 20160703.
Class of 1948: Jesse Thomas “Tom” Rice died 20160629.

Class of 1954: Raul Rios Mendez died 20160629.

Class of 1956: Eugenia (Mahone) Harrell died 20160626
Class of 1957: Dolores (Resendez) Carlin died 20160625.
Class of 1951: Carol (Rains) Murchison died 20160623.
Class of 1944: Bill Holland Paschall died 20160623.
Class of 1943: Lucile “Lucy”(Sutton) Baumgardner died 20160620.
Class of 1949: Ollie Mae (Sampier) Gebert died 20160609.
Class of 1965: Robert Harrell “Bobby” Seaholm died 20160604.
Class of 1960: Sutton Gibbs Page died 20160603.

Class of 1944: James Walton “J. W.” Davis, Jr. died 20160530
Class of 1940: Golda Jean (Gellman) Schmidt died 20160530.
Class of 1963: Bruce Mark Matthews died 20160528.
Class of 1946: Howard Franklin Payton died 20160524.
Class of 1957: Judith (Jones) Holden died 20160522.
Class of 1938: Bette (Schutze) McLean died 20160520

Class of 1970: Ivan Leshikar died 20160518.
Class of 1952: Nevellyn Louise (Davis) Pruitt died 20160517.
Class of 1959: Harold L. Page, Jr. died 20160511/AA-S on 0515.
Class of 1946: Gwendolyn Olive (Elwell) Westervelt died 20160510.
Class of 1949: Betty Jean (Crowder) Dodson died 20160512.
Class of 1945: Bernice “Bunce” (Symank) Kissman died 20160508.

Class of 1965: Robin Hunt died 20160428.
Class of 1974: Vivian Anne Ping died 20160420.
Class of 1956: Mary Ilene (Rees) Guthrie died 20160416.
Class of 1931: Francis (Pfaefflin) Harris died 20160404.
Class of 1948: Laura Mae (Cullen) Baker died 20160402.

Class of 1931: Janet (Wofford) Ingram died 20160329.
Class of 1947: Betty Ann (Bradfield) Cummins died 20160321.
Class of 1964: David Montgomery “Joe” Ashmore died 20160322.
Class of 1964: Doris Marie (Mims) Neal died 20160321.
Class of 1952: David Connell Parker died 20160318.
Class of 1952: Arval Wendell Bohn died 20160317.
Class of 1959: Stella (Guerrero) Rivera died 20160312.
Class of 1964: William Holland “Bill” Page died 20160309.
Class of 1943: Stanley Malcolm Berkman died 20160308.

Class of 1957: Barbara (Thompson) Evans died 20160308.
Class of 1950: Henrietta Castro Gourley died 20160308.
Class of 1956: Nicholas “Nick” Huntzis died 20160307.
Class of 1939: Helen Marjorie (Robisher) Swanson died 20160131.
Class of 1957: Jarvis Haverland died 20160125.
Class of 1950: Russell Alan Smith died 20160125.
Class of 1943: Gladys Olivia (Carlson) Hirst died 20160122.
Class of 1971: Ellen Roberta Bradley died 20160121
Class of 1943: Victor Edgar Ray died 20160117.
Class of 1943: Billie Ruth (Blackburn) Wisian died 20160117
Class of 1963: Randolph George “Randy” Mueller died 20160116.
Class of 1964: Ann Dale (Bauhof) Nachlinger died 20160113.
Class of 1940: George Ellison Morgan died 20160113.
Class of 1971: Rebecca (Clay) Bryant died 20160110.
Class of 1985: Carlos Martinez died 20160109.
Class of 1980: Kirk L. Williams died 20160104.

Mark your calendars!!

AHS Ladies Fall Luncheon date has been Changed

Tuesday, November 28, 2017
11:30 to 1:30 Continue reading “Ladies Fall Luncheon Date Change” »

Kristi and Michelle Reeve would like to invite you to the Celebration of Life for their mother, Angie Reeve, on Saturday, September 17th. Please see the attached for details.  Please feel free to forward to anyone you may feel would be interested in attending.
Should you have any questions, please contact Kristi Reeve at: 512.560.4949
or via e-mail at: kristimreeve@gmail.com

Join Us to Celebrate the Life of Angie Reeve

Saturday, September 17, 2016 • 2:00 pm

Austin High School Performing Arts Center

Reception to follow in the Austin High Library

You are cordially invited to attend Dedication Day at Stephen F. Austin High School Friday, April 22, 2016. The program starts at 8 am with registration on the 2nd floor in front of the east elevators. Tours of the archival exhibit on the 2nd floor and the Hall of Honor are available. At 8:45 the Official Installation Ceremonies will begin in the Library with the Grand Assembly starting at 10:30 in the Roosevelt C. Nivens Gymnasium.

Honorees for 2015-2016 include:
Distinguished Alumni:
Carlos Valdez ‘47: US Navy 1948-1970
Dr. Arthur Frankel ‘65: Hematologist and Oncologist

Honored Faculty:
Leyla Cohlmia, Chemistry Teacher 1977-2013

RSVP to Debra Windham or mail reservation request to:

Debra Windham c/o AHS Hall of Honor
1715 West Cesar Chavez
Austin, TX 78703

Hall of honor Contributor Levels:
Subscriber – up to $49.00
Sponsor – $50.00-$99.00
Founder – $100.00-$249.00
Memorial – $250.00 or more (for Memorial Donors a 2×4″ metal plate inscribed as you desire, will be placed at the entrance to the Hall of Honor.) Please email for more information

Last year’s Dedication Day was a tremendous success. The talent of our school population was reflected in the student body and by our honorees. We also honored veteran alumni with a “Well Done” medal for their service to the country.

You may visit the Hall of Honor, located adjacent to the Jacquelyn McGee Performing Arts Center and the Band Hall at any time. The Brian Schenk Archives, based in the Library are also available to you at any tie. We maintain a class ring collection – the third largest in the nation; a Comet yearbook collection; a collection of books by Austin High authors, faculty, and alumni; and the Archives, containing a wide variety of memorabilia from Austin High’s past.

We encourage your donations to any of the collections. peek your eyes open in antique shops which carry old yearbooks or other Austin High memorabilia. Bring the items on Dedication Day or on any school day to the Library. Please include your name and address with your donation.

Surplus Comets, Mr Maroo lapel pins, Mr. Maroo earrings, and Mr. Maroo necklace pendants are always on sale. Contact Mrs. Debra Windham for more information.

Loyal Forever,

Esther Joucken and Debra Windham
Hall of Honor Advisors