I've been doing some research on Sugar Land High School football in the 1950s, and I've learned quite a lot about W.E. White, Superintended of SLISD back then. He was a take-charge type of guy, so he stepped on people's toes fairly often. Nonetheless, he had a beneficial influence on SLISD.
As you'll see, the Earnests came to Sugar Land because of their association with Mr. White back in Pearsall.
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(grave site in Cleveland, Texas)
Mr. Walton E. White
Superintendent, Sugar Land I.S. D.
(1950 - 1956)
Collective memories from the four (4) Earnest kids
Jo Grace (Jo), Judy, Billy, & Carolyn
Walton E. White loved sports, having an innate knowledge of all different sports. He was a wonderful football coach and was instrumental in the success of the Sugar Land Gator football team. He had an ability to watch a game, size up the problems, and know what to do. He also recognized talent and was able to nurture it.
Mr. White encouraged Kenneth Hall, who played in the band, to try out for football. Kenneth would play ball; at half-time he would perform with the band, then finish playing the 2nd half.
Mr. White was raised, we think, in East Texas. After high school he entered the Navy during World War II and was assigned to a battleship. By the time he left the service his dark hair had turned snow white. It made him appear older than he was.
In the late 40’s, Edward and Mildred Earnest worked at Caterina I.S.D. (Dimmet County), which had a small student enrollment. There were only three employees in the high school. Mr. Earnest was superintendent, principal, teacher, coach, janitor, football, basketball and track coach. Mrs. Earnest, in addition to teaching, was the girl’s coach. Miss Pierce, a teacher who lived at Pierce Ranch near the edge of town, was the school's third employee. All eleven boys, who comprised the entire high school, were on the football team. In 1948 Caterina High won the 6-Man District Championship. Mr. White must have worked in an adjoining school district because he met Mr. Earnest at a tract meet where their team’s competed against each other. Both men loved sports and became good and fast friends.
Later, Mr. White became superintendent of Pearsall I.S.D (Frio County) and Mr. Earnest joined him as principal. They made a great team. Even though they lived on different streets, their houses backed up to each other’s back door. Mr. Earnest and Blondie, the owner of the local theater, would referee the football and basketball games. Once the entire town watched the Harlem Globetrotters play the Pearsall basketball team.
Around 1950 Mr. White accepted the position as superintendent of Sugar Land I.S.D. In 1952 the position of high school principal became available. He called Mr. Earnest, who made the long trip, much to the surprise of his wife. One of the incentives was the salary: $500.00 a month, which was the most money he had made in his life. After the Earnest family moved into their company home on 6th street, Mr. White encouraged Mrs. Earnest to accept a teaching position which was vacant. She had four children, ages 11 – 4, and she wanted time off. Mr. White persuaded her to take the position, and she agreed “as a favor.” Once she started working, she never stopped until she retired.
The White’s lived in the first brick house next to the old hospital on 3rd street, now called Lakeview, across from the old Sugar Land gym. His wife, Clifford, was a 4th grade teacher. She and Mrs. Earnest became good friends. The White’s were never able to have children.
In the summer of 1956 the Board of Education was having a meeting in the library. Mr. White started feeling sick and just as he stood up, he passed out. Before he could hit the floor, Mr. Earnest caught him. He had a massive heart attack. Dr. DeBakey was a young cardiologist in Houston, just starting his practice. He operated on Mr. White, but the operation, unfortunately, was unsuccessful. Mr. Earnest took it very, very hard.
The Board of Education offered Mr. Earnest the position of superintendent, but he turned it down. He remembered Mr. Edward Mercer from his college days at San Marcos State Teacher’s College. Mr. Mercer accepted the position as superintendent.
Mrs. White began working at Deer Park I.S. D. She met a wealthy rancher, married and moved to northwest Texas. She later died in a nursing home.
