Biography of Russell W. Duggins

There are so many things that come into ones life that makes one understand
how precious human life really is.  The lessons that we learned in school
were to help us live our life after we left the comfort and the love of our
mom and dad and the warmth of the friendships that we made as we attended
each class.  Friends from the upper classes and lower classes, that in their
very own special way became a part of us.  We may not remember the faces and
names may paint only a hazy picture of those you once knew.  However,
friendships have a way of growing deep into ones heart as we live the life
that we chose for ourselves.

I can remember my years before I moved to Texas with my family.  I went to
elementary school in Kirkwood, Missouri, but started school in a one-room
schoolhouse outside of St. Louis.  One teacher taught all classes, first
through twelve, and there wasn't a cafeteria for lunch. At  times, even with
a foot of snow on the ground, I went to school with a short sleeve shirt on.
  No, it's not called stupidity, it's called being used to the climate. 
And, yes, there is a place that has ALL four seasons.

My family moved to Texas in 1957, if my memory serves me right.  Some times
I am not sure what year, day or month it is, or even the time.  Some one
told me that I have PTA, that's Part Time Alzheimer's.  They also say that
it comes with age.  Sure hope none of you have it.  Well, I need to get back
to my story, if I can remember where I am.

Spent my time at E. W. Cullen Junior High on Scott.  Lived out in the
country so I wasn't able to participate in any after school activities.  In
a way I guess I wasn't suppose to be involved in sports during school.  And
really, the only sport that I enjoyed was Basketball.  Being less than five
feet, I couldn't qualify for the team.  And being without "wheels" at the
time, that really put a dampener on a lot of things.

During summer vacations, my friendship with Jerry Steinocher continued.  We
spent many, many hours on a tractor cutting and bailing hay.  We would go
with his mom and dad dancing on Saturday nights.  Even rarely, we still have
contact with each other.

From Cullen I proceeded to Jesse H. Jones Senior High via school bus. 
Caught the bus at Fuqua and Scott streets in the small town called Minnitex,
just a little south of Houston on Chocolate Bayou and Alameda Genoa.  A lot
of my classmates from Cullen graduated to Jesse H. Jones and we all started
a new chapter in our lives.  For the most part, it was a time of finding out
who we were and making the decisions that would govern which way our lives
would go.

As you know, the only thing that appears in our Year Book along with my
picture is my name.  Even though the Track Coach asked me to join the team,
the lack of "wheels" did not allow me the privilege of joining those boys
who represented our school at the track and field events that were
scheduled.  Yet, I don't regret any time that I spent at Jones.  I was, in
my own way, able to participate in a lot of the after school events, as a
spectator.  I was what is known now as the "twelfth" man in football.  Every
team needs those who come to support them by watching and routing for them
from the stands, win, lose or draw.  So I didn't lose out on anything except
maybe the closeness that develops between teammates as they learn and grow
together and find out that there is NO "I" in team.  All through Jones, I
met people who had some of the same interests as I did.  My first wife was
from Jones.  Class of '64, I believe.

After Graduation, I worked for Sears on Main for one Christmas.  Worked out
in the Garden Center selling Christmas Trees and decorations.  This in
itself was a learning experience, meeting people and learning how to handle
money.  Was hired for the Christmas rush but ended up working there up to
the summer.  Then went to work at Stalhman Lumber out on South Main.  Worked
in the Paint and Hardware Department for a little while, worked at an
engraving shop, and then found a job in the Display Department at Montgomery
Wards on South Park.  Finally got my first set of "wheels", a 1954 Ford
Fairlane with four doors with the help of my older sister.  My two brothers
and I were like the Three Musketeers, where one was there you found the
other two.

April 19, 1964 I became a member of the United States Navy.  Spent three
months in San Diego, California in Basic Training and transferred to
Jacksonville, Florida to receive training in my chosen field as an Aviation
Electrician.  The next twenty years I moved every three years.  My first
Duty Station was VT 29 at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas.  My Squadron flew the
TC 117D and T 29 D aircraft.  We trained navigators, then back to
Jacksonville for more training as an Aviation Electrician.  Then to the west
coast for my first assignment to a sea-going squadron, VA 56 out of Naval
Air Station, Lemoore, California.  From that point on, it was
Texas-California-Texas-California-Texas where I retired on May 1, 1984. 
During these years I gained three sons and two daughters and lost one child
to a miscarriage.  Then lost my first wife.  My feeling is that she couldn't
handle the separations and having to be both mother and father.  We divorced
in 1976.  With five other military families, I organized the "Bird Farm CB
Club" called the "Bird Farm CB'ers".  It was there and on the "air" I met my
second wife and two "neat" boys, who is still with me.  Her dad was Canadian
Coast Guard, and her first husband died on active duty in the Philippines so
the separations were easier for her to take.

Spent another seven years working for contractors at NAS Chase Field in
Beeville, Texas where I was selected "Civilian of the Quarter".  Was head
umpire for the Beeville Little League for seven years and when the base
closed, I retrained as an Emergency Medical Technician.  Helped to
reorganize the Skidmore Volunteer Fire Department Emergency Medical Service,
was honored with being selected "Fireman of the Year for 1987" and "EMS
Person of the Year for 1993".

At the present time I am driving a school bus for the Skidmore-Tynan ISD and
am a Charter Member of the Skidmore-Tynan Lions Club, which we organized in
1990.  I am serving the Lions by being the Lion's Tale editor and Lions
World Services for the Blind Representative from my District, which includes
Galveston, Pearland, Missouri City, all the way to Woodsboro to
Hallettsville and areas in between.  Am happy with what I am doing and
loving my nine grandchildren who live in the Alvin area.

I have seen things that make friendships so very important.  Thanks to all
of the Classmates of '62 for being there.  Each of you helped to make me who
I am today.  A person who cares for others as you have throughout the years.