First, a couple of message/updates from classmates, some memories of days as a midtermer, and then the obituary for Warner Fassnidge.
From Elliot Bilhartz: If interested I am still doing well. In good shape for my age. Keep active doing yard work and taking up new activity when new interests catch my attention. One item of interest is how many names you note I don’t recall because of our large class. Sadly just about all I ran with have
passed on.
From Nancy Jones Simpson: We are in Missouri City–adjoining Houston and Sugarland. We built our home about 17 years ago–small enough for two and a beautiful view. We are blessed with reasonable health considering the accumulated years.
Midtermers: I was a mid-termer. For those who don’t recall, way back when, schools started a new term in January for those with birthdays after Labor Day. Reading Warner Fassnidge’s obituary (appearing below) caused me to think back to my earliest days at Jeff as a midtermer.
Because of overcrowding at Horace Mann Junior School, ninth graders transferred to Jeff in September 1954 and became the first ninth grade class. I went to Mark Twain., but T. Guy Rogers, offered the opportunity to move to Jeff early. So, on a January afternoon, a very scared, soon-to-to-be fourteen-year-old sneaked into the front doors and saw a line and went to stand in it. The line was moving very slowly, and some kind students questioned me and suggested that I was not in line for the office. Suspecting trickery from them, I stuck it out and about an hour later, at the head of the line, I found that I was in line to report lost or damaged textbooks and that the office was indeed around the corner just where I had been advised that it was.
Barbara Anderson, the secretary, summoned Mr. Rogers, who commented that he thought I had changed my mind (it was just after four PM by then.) He said, “Let’s put him in a good advisory.” After a minute’s thought, he said, “Put him in Mrs. Doolittle’s.” Thus I was enrolled at Jeff.
For the first time in many years, I pulled out the 1951 Monticello and looked at the tenth-grade midtermers from Mark Twain (40 pictured) and the ninth graders from Horace Mann (47 pictured), plus Edward Davis and me.
Warner Fassnidge was one of the first to befriend both Edward Davis and me. (Edward transferred from Page Junior School.) Warner’s family was one of the first whom I knew with a television set, and on many evenings, I was there with Warner watching wrestling—one of the few early entertainments on TV. We did not stay close but that first year was great fun for us naifs.
As a midtermer, we were presented with three graduation options: a. graduate in January b. “post” an extra semester and graduate in May with the class a half year behind c. Go to summer school and take two credits to earn enough to finish a half year early with the class a half term ahead.
Fourteen from my starting class of 58 scooted ahead to finish with the class of 1954. I don’t know how may “posted” and finished with the class of 1955, because some names in that group photo ring no bells at all.
From the 48 Mark Twain 10th grade midtermers who joined Jeff in January ’54, 23 posted and graduated in June. Connie Mays was one who left in January and has commented on various occasions that she wished she had posted..
One person not pictured with the ninth graders was Brad Hosmer. Does anyone remember Brad and have any information about him? I recall spending phone time with Brad figuring out homework answers for Miss George’s world history class. What I recall is that Brad’s dad was in the Air Force and he moved away early. He may have transferred in from elsewhere. I did a Google search for Brad and found a Lieutenant General Bradley Hosmer, born in San Antonio in October 1936. He was in the first graduating class of the US Air Force Academy and was later its Superintendent. And he was a Rhodes Scholar along the way. I strongly suspect this is the Brad Hosmer from our class. Memories, anyone?
Time to move on. Maybe next time, I will list those midtermers by name, and tell of my first and only bullying experience. Now, on to Warner.
Warner F. Fassnidge
December 26, 1936—October 2, 2022
Warner Frederick Fassnidge was born December 26, 1936 in San Antonio, Texas and raised in the beautiful Woodlawn Lake area north of downtown.
He graduated with honors from Thomas Jefferson High School 1954. Earned degrees at Trinity University San Antonio and The University of Texas at Austin, School of Law.
He enjoyed his career as an Attorney in Real Estate Law with the City of San Antonio and as Professor of Business and Real Estate Law at UTSA.
Dad was always an active supporter of his community. A member of Coker United Methodist Church & Alamo Heights United Methodist Church Chancel Choirs, a Bexar County Master Gardener, Stephen’s Ministry, Jefferson HS and Trinity University alumni programs and ROTC.
His real passion was teaching at the University of Texas at San Antonio and cheering for his Texas Longhorns Football! He proudly served as an officer in the US Army.
Warner was a lifelong San Antonian and loved Texas!
Devoted to his Daughters & Grandsons’ lives!
He is survived by Wife Joann Webster Fassnidge. Joann’s son Brian Webster, daughter Sarah Carter and their families.
His beloved daughter Heather L. Miller and husband Richard A. Miller, Grandsons Grayson, Chase, Logan, Colman & Barrett Miller.
Daughter Hayley Ann Fassnidge and husband Kevin D. Miller.
Warner is preceded in death by his parents Geraldine Stone Fassnidge and Milton Marvin Fassnidge and.sister Beverlie Fassnidge O’Dell.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alamo Heights United Methodist Church Choir and Music department.
Memorial Service
5:00pm Tuesday, October 11, 2022. at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, 825 E. Basse Rd, San Antonio, Texas 78209
Internment will be 3:00pm Thursday, October 13, at Sunset Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas 78218
jeffclassof54 