WOODVILLE – Ky Griffin honored the late Fred Sullivan in the opening of the Kirby High School reunion, the theme of which was “Hats Off to the USA 1776 & KHS 1976,” at the Woodville First Baptist Church’s Family Life Center, Saturday afternoon, May 3.
Packed to brim, about 300 attendees sat down to patriotically decorated tables with flags and two top hats, one gold for the school and the other for Uncle Sam with stars and stripes.
Throughout the program, Ky referenced the eagle, the school’s mascot with a model eagle on the host table. Griffin connected the eagle to both the heritage of our republic back in 1776 and to how 2026 was the 250th anniversary of the USA as well as the 50th anniversary of the Class of 1976.
The Kirby HS Eagle is passed on in a direct unbroken lineage to WISD’s Eagle, from the Eagle Summit to the Woodville Eagles football, Lady Eagle volleyball team, even to its logo, website, and main email addresses—the Kirby HS Eagle still flies high today.
When Ky was tasked to MC, he consulted Sullivan. Fred told Ky he needed to do three things: start at 12, thank the ladies in the kitchen, and end at 2 p.m.
Sullivan had been the emcee of the reunion event for years, and was an amateur historian of Tyler County and Woodville. He passed in January, leaving behind a legacy of love for Woodville and passing his beloved Sullivan’s Hardware to his family, a hometown treasure of helpful staff and quaint treasures. The degree to which Sullivan loved KHS and our community, and how much he himself was loved, cannot be adequately expressed.
As is their custom, the Class of ’76 got their first invite on their 50th year from graduation, and they filled several tables front and center.
Griffin affectionately introduced “Headmaster” Sharon Brown who has worked tirelessly to coordinate this reunion, taking over from Mary Alice Nagypal several years ago. Brown’s team has been aided by a host of class agents, one for each year, and several agents host individual class gatherings the night before.
Brown has been the beloved principal of the local Tyler County Christian Academy for over 40 years, the school teaching Pre-K through fifth grade, formerly the St. Paul’s Episcopal School. It would be hard to imagine if any other class in the country has this level of loyalty spanning decades.
Thankful that our early U.S. congress rejected Ben Franklin’s turkey and chose the eagle as our national bird, Griffin noted that at a certain “mature” time in the eagle’s life its hair turned white, like one of his Kirby HS classmates, to a few chuckles. And for another attempt at humor, like the “bald eagle,” he said, naming a classmate to a few more chuckles.
Brown welcomed all to the 29th reunion, recalling “the classrooms, the hallways, the campus spirit, and the traditions. Every class has memories for all of us.” She was quick to note how the Class of ’76 “held the unique distinction of graduating during this country’s bicentennial year.”
Brown asked the Class of ’66, then ’56 to stand, that is, the classes who had graduated 60 and 70 years ago. Where else in the USA was such a heritage being celebrated?
Brown introduced Helen (Sheffield) Tyson from the Class of ’47, the most senior member of this beloved reunion, 96 years young, still bright and lively as ever. She was flanked by her son, Todd and daughter-in-law, Wendy, along with her daughter Melissa.
Helen was the Dogwood Queen in 1946, the “highlight of my life,” she said, noting that 1946 was the first year for the return of the Dogwood Festival after WWII—80 years ago!
Helen fondly remembers her favorite subject, English, and her teacher, Julia Bell Cruz. She went to State Teacher’s College, which became Sam Houston University, and married Herbert in 1949. She remained a housewife as Herbert pursued his career as a CPA and an attorney.
Griffin was sincere and even magnetic in the privilege of leading once again this tribute to the heritage of their precious school. Jokes aside, he illustrated from the science of eagles their traits that this school fostered, that helped them become the greatest generation.
Class of ’76 was represented by Major General James K. “Red” Brown (ret.), who took the platform with a warning from Griffin—2 p.m.—with a friendly jab at the accomplishments and ability of an army general to command the time.
Pure Texan—from his roots in Eagle country KHS, Brown received his first commission after ROTC from Texas A&M and progressed up the ranks for the rest of his 39 years in the Army, to captain in ’85, major in ’92, colonel in ’03, brigadier general in ’08, and major general in 2012.
When in uniform, Gen. Brown is a striking figure with a chest of medals, including combat in Iraq and Bosnia, and command of thousands of soldiers in several theaters.
In Lindale, Texas, he has held several positions, presided over the school board, and held board directorships in the Lindale Chamber of Commerce, Boys and Girls Club, Wounded Warriors of East Texas, and the list goes on and on. He is the managing owner of Texas Water Systems, an independent water utility company located in Tyler, Texas.
When proudly touting the heritage of his class and of those present, one can feel his sincerity and his strength.
Gen. Brown noted that of his class of 92 graduates 19 were “no longer with us,” and that as usual they would have a memorial to those who have gone on before them. Today, he said, less than 1 percent volunteer for military service, yet his class of 92 had over 10 percent volunteering for military service, with 7 having over 20 years in service.
He recalled that “One Flew Over the Cookoo’s Nest” won the Academy Award, followed by “Jaws,” with “teachers still afraid of the water” from “Jaws.” The number one song for C.B. radio was “Convoy,” and “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” by Elton John was topping the charts.
Sadly, in ’76, the Pittsburg Stealers defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the Super Bowl.
Gen. Brown saluted the passing of two beloved teachers, Sergio Ramos and Ethel Jackson, noting how much Ramos had become an institution himself, having continued to teach for decades and coach tennis for WISD.
He noted how KHS in ’76 was elevated by the UIL from 3A to 4A. Then with a grin, he noted, “my unscientific research indicates that during our two-year run of varsity football we celebrate the worst football record … of any team in the history of Kirby High School.” He went on to explain that to much laughter by those in the front tables and beyond.
Ky thanked all the eagles present, spreading the wings of his analogy to help foster the mutual loyalty of all present, a splendidly nostalgic gathering.
I happened to sit by my good friends, Sue and Richard Shaw. Interestingly enough and so apropos to Ky’s analogy, Sue was a KHS graduate of the Class ’65, and Richard a graduate of the Class of ’65 of Louisiana Polytechnic. Sue has been the ’65 class agent for years, and she proudly recalls that their class sponsored and erected the life-size KHS Eagle statue that now graces the Eagle Stadium near the gate for all to see. At sundown, the KHS Eagle takes a most nostalgic photo of the great school’s legacy still alive through WISD.
Ky and Sharon Brown thanked Gina Greaff for being the DJ, facilitating their comradery with period tunes during the fellowship that started at 10 am, the National Anthem, and throughout lunch, and for the KHS School Song. Greaff is also the owner of Beyond Limits Travel, ready to serve your vacation needs.
Ky and Brown thanked Linda Johnson and her School Food Service Association team that supplied a sumptuous chicken breast, cheesy garlic potatoes, fancy green beans, and peach cobbler. All the proceeds from their service go to scholarships for WISD students, and so far over the decades they have given nearly $100,000 to WISD students.
This reunion of Eagles relished their heritage that lives on and flies through WISD as a memorial to the goodness of semi-rural American values and the heritage of our great country.
In closing, Ky led all in their class song, “Hail Kirby High School, hats off to you. Ever you’ll find us loyal and true.”
