How many you remember Dr. Rex Lowe? (1922-2010) He is one of the reasons the schools in Sonora were so good.
We lived next door to the Lowe family. His wife Edith taught elementary school. I don’t know if I had her for a teacher, but I would like to think I did.
My brother and I earned the nickname of Ringtail Tooters from Dr. Lowe. We were into everything possible. Some were good and some were not so good.
As time moved forward, I became a journalist in San Angelo. I was assigned to cover the San Angelo School Board meeting one evening.
I found my place in the audience after signing the guest book. Just before the meeting started and the crowd found their seats, a man on the dais picked up the guest book. It must have made interesting reading because the man suddenly raised his eyebrows and looked over the crowd. Then he spoke.
“Is there a Mister Gene Turney in the room. Please raise your hand!”
I obediently raised my hand.
“Please come forward. We need to talk.”
I thought to myself that I might have trouble doing my job.
When I reached the dais and the man, he had a shocked look on his face.
“I know you don’t recognize me. I am Rex Lowe, your next-door neighbor in Sonora, and I was the elementary school principal when you were there.”
My face must have registered a surprise.
“You and your brother were both Ringtail Tooters back then. I have followed you along here in San Angelo, and I am pleased with your work. I wanted you to know that. But I also wanted to make sure our meeting did not get out of control. Can you help me with that?”
Needless to say, I was stunned. Not only was my old neighbor running the San Angelo School District, but he also kept track of me in San Angelo. I assured him I would mind my behavior to the best, and if anybody else got out of line I would take care of them also.
Dr. Lowe laughed and I took my seat. As the meetings rolled on, I became impressed with Dr. Lowe’s stewardship of the school district.
There is more to this story that will come in a later post.
short stories 