La Feria High School Reunion (1940-1969) Held October 11-13 at South Padre Island

by Roger Daniel, La Feria High Class of 1965

Lion pride and the La Feria High School spirit never die. About 400 La Feria alum and spouses made the journey to South Padre Island October 11th and 12th to celebrate and honor the LFHS graduating classes of 1940 through 1969. Originally, the Multi-Class Reunion was started by Philip Oliver, Class of 1956 several years ago. This was the second multi-class reunion organized by La Feria grads Kathryn Mitchell Gamble, class of 1959, and Irene Zuniga, class of 1963. With the assistance of 27 class representatives, grads from all over the United States came together for what has become a significant and cherished tri-annual event for hundreds of La Feria exes.

The weekend kicked off Friday night with the classes meeting in smaller groups at restaurants on the island. For some it was the first time to join classmates or to be back on South Padre. For everyone, it was a great time to reunite, reminisce, and joke about the special memories that come to mind whenever classmates and friends get together after many years.

As an example of how strong the pull of Lion pride is, Dore Spencer Judd from the class of 1967, made the more than 2,400 mile trip from Scappoose, OR to attend. There were two special teachers in attendance, Cecil Dukes who taught Industrial Arts and Gene Bates, former football coach in the 50’s. Mr. Dukes was recognized as the oldest teacher attending at 98 years old. After the banquet he flashed some of the humor that made him one of the most loved and memorable teachers at LFHS. Tommy Horlen, class of ’67, asked Mr. Dukes if he remembered when Tommy would come over to his house and eat hamburgers. Mr. Dukes looked at Tommy and said, “It looks like you ate the whole cow!”

Also there celebrating with classmates and colleagues was Joseph “Butch” Wenke. He went from first grade to graduation at La Feria. After college he returned to work for the La Feria ISD for more than three decades as a coach, teacher, principal, and his last job, superintendent of the La Feria Independent School District.

Class of 1963 alum Tommy Sloane emceed the Saturday banquet. His amusing recall of the lighter side of high school in the 60s, plus the crazy antics of some of the students better known for their humorous rather than studious side, rocked the hall with laughter.

The event included a special tribute to the class of 1961 graduate, Jim Hudson, who passed away June 2013. He was a National Honors Society member and a standout athlete at La Feria. His senior year he was offered scholarships at UCLA to play basketball for legendary coach John Wooten, and a football scholarship to the University of Texas to play football under the legendary coach Darrell Royal. Jim chose Texas and became a member of two national championship teams at Texas, and a member of the 1969 Super Bowl III champion New York Jets. He was inducted into the University of Texas Men’s Hall of Honor in 2012. The annual Jim Hudson Relays at La Feria is named in his honor.

Besides being instrumental in putting the reunion together, Irene Zuniga also created a wonderful video presentation of memories and highlights of every class in attendance. There was laughter and applause at the old photos dating back to the 40’s, along with sighs and tears in remembrance of those who are no longer here, but were part of many wonderful recollections made in the halls of La Feria High School.

It was another memorable reunion and as everyone said good-bye you could hear them saying “See you in three years.”

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