Farwell High School - Roundup Yearbook (Farwell, TX)

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1 si I s His generous smile . . . a little bit of teasing . . . gray striped overalls . . . a felt hat . . . kind words if we skinned our knee . . . his grand.fatherly presence . . . getting our ball od the roof ....... Memories could go on and on as we remember our favorite custodian.

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The Roundup of 1973 Farwell High School Farwell, Texas Editor: David Gamer Assistant Editor: Gerald Cohlke Advisor: Lucille F ranse

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AMOS E. TATUM: A GREAT MAN Let's just say he graduated. He was my friend and I was in his first graduation class at F.H.S. He had many students before and after that. Some- times, however, like most of more than 600 F.H.S. students I like to think maybe I was his favorite although he often told me I was not. He said, You were not contrary enough. The real challenge and thrill is to help the diiiicult kid. And this in all his greatness was where he excelled: in reaching and counseling the confused, in his own subtle way guiding the potential dropout towards a meaningful goal. He possessed the rare ability to comprehend the adolescent mind. His genuine concem and proven honesty made this counsel meaningful. His simple tmst and faith in individual ability encouraged a desire for success, if only for fear of disappointing him. If he had a favorite, which I doubt, it is unlikely anyone knew except him. Shortly after his arrival as F.H.S. principal 1956, the Harlem Clobetrotters played nearby. The star of that era was a player named Tatum with the nickname Goose. Some of the kids saw the game. The teenage brain, being what it is, was set in motion. It was a short step from Amos to A-moose and then The Moose, was bom. a At first it was spoken only behind the Ag barn or in the back of the football bus. Soon he was aware of his new nickname, but his reaction surprised us. In fact it was not a reaction but an acceptance and while this diminished some of our prankish pleasure it greatly endeared him to us. In truth he rather took to the name. fln later months we some- times sensed that he accentuated this usual lumbering gait and slow deliberate motions to more nearly emulate that giant animal.J The physical description of a moose and the moose elicit in my mind some striking similarities: a large animal, the largest animal of the deer family native to the United States, the male member of the species has enormous palmate antlers. Palmate?? Like palm leaf or an outstretched hand with the fingers extended. As I read this it seemed to be exactly how I see and remember The Moose . Always available and with an extended welcome and helpful hand for his pupils. Eighteen months ago it seemed his work was at an end. He said he didn't understand why, because he felt he had a lot more to do and many more to help. Fortunately, he regained strength and was able to do many things he wanted. He influenced more students. His contributions had in the past been chiefly toward students, but in these past months he has helped many adults of this community develop new insights into the meaning of life. His uncompleted work was, I believe, to continue to give unselfishly of himself until he gave all which he has now done. So I say to his family, you are sad in his loss, but know that when you see us-any whose life he touched-you see a part of him. If you see imperfection in us, be patient as he was-forgive as he did, knowing that maybe we just needed a bigger piece of The Moose. Lan'yCooper,M.D. OXUTQJLLQ- if -ogg, ggiywyjjfgw- 3