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Legendary educator, statesman passes |
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Tuesday, 22 December 2009 |
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By Laura Young
Managing Editor He tried to join the U.S. Navy in 1942 when he was 15 years old. He was told to come back in a few years - and he did. At age 17, with his dad's permission, he enlisted in the Navy on Aug. 22, 1944 and was discharged in 1946.
That's how Joe Paul Hemphill lived his life - always a little ahead of the game.
Hemphill passed away Dec. 21 at the age of 83 after living a full life with God, family, education and politics as well as his friends and colleagues being most important to him.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Bob Lee Kidd Civic Center in Poteau.
Among those who knew him best is Dr. Joe White, former Carl Albert State College president.
"Joe Paul was a lifelong friend and a great contributor to the development of Carl Albert State College," White stated. "He greeted me with open arms in 1975 when I first came to the college. He then began telling me about the problems at the college from the previous five to six months and how difficult it was to hang on and build a college."
"We shared dreams with each other and knew we had to do two things," White continued. "We had to have growth before we could receive increased budget considerations from the State Board of Regents and we had to put a smile on people's faces."
Together the two men set out on a mission to build the college.
"One day Joe Paul came over to my office from one of the two buildings we had on campus at that time and told me he had a call from a man in Oklahoma City who was head of foreign students," White remembered. "These foreign students were looking for colleges to attend. He said he could help us get international students. We had talked about growing and this was our way to begin that process."
White continued, "We didn't know where we were going to put them and we thought we might have 20 or so students. After I gave Joe Paul the go ahead to work on the program we ended up with 188 students."
The college began to grow and the numbers started looking better to the State Regents.
"We had made our mark and our classes were full," White said. "Many of the students took the science and mathematics classes and we built on that component."
When it came time for the annual budget conference White said he and Hemphill knew they had to put a smile on the faces of the Regents.
"Just before we got in the van to head to Oklahoma City for our budget conference Joe Paul ran back to his office and hauled out a huge box filled with Wilma's muscadine jelly," White recalled. "He passed out that jelly to the Regents and the staff and we sweetened them up."
White said Hemphill carried a box of jelly up with them every year after that and the CASC budget began to grow.
"We continued to grow and prosper because Joe Paul joined with me and by the time he retired in 1988 we had things moving in the right direction," White stated. "Our Scholars program had developed as well as our athletic department and the student body as a whole. Joe Paul played a tremendous role in all of that."
"In the early 1990s when we renovated that first building and named it after Joe Paul, he said there was nothing we had done at the college that meant more to him than having his name on that building," White said.
Hemphill is remembered as being a very happy man.
"Never in my life did I ever see Joe Paul down. He always had a smile on his face and was always trying to help," White said. "He always had the students in his heart. If there was ever any ingredient we needed to get CASC moving it was Joe Paul. His legacy is very strong."
Hemphill served as high school principal at Howe Public Schools from 1990 until 1994. The 1993-94 yearbook was dedicated to him.
Oklahoma Senator Kenneth Corn attended high school during Hemphill's tenure.
"Joe Paul was one of the greatest men I have ever known," stated Corn. "He was much more than a civic leader and educator. He cared about people in a way most people don't. He was my high school principal and was chairman of my campaigns over the years. He genuinely cared for the students that came through Howe High School and Carl Albert State College as if they were his own. He wanted each and every one of them to be successful and did all he could to make sure of that. He was a great friend and mentor."
Howe Elementary teacher Vickie Jirash remembers Hemphill.
"Joe Paul was 'Mr. Joe' to many students," Jirash said. "He was my friend first and foremost, never failing to give me a bear hug. He and Wilma sat through my cancer surgery with my sons giving support and love at a time they needed it. His impact on education and the lives of students he touched will forever be felt. He was long time fan of basketball, as both a player and coach. When his son, Dennis coached, he was the loudest voice in the gym, giving support and encouragement. His students knew his gruff exterior as a principal was needed at times, but they also knew underneath that gruff exterior was a big teddy bear. I was so pleased my sons were students at Howe Public School during his leadership. He will never be forgotten."
Howe Superintendent Scott Parks stated, "He was a phenomenal leader in all aspects of his life, especially in the area of education. Joe Paul was always a strong supporter of the Howe community as well as the school while serving as high school principal and after his retirement. He and his family have always been very supportive of the school and the direction we have been going. The district couldn't ask for a better friend. I appreciate the guidance he gave me over the years as a friend and as an administrator. He will be missed."
State Superintendent of Schools Sandy Garrett served on the State Board of Regents for Higher Education with Hemphill.
"I have lost a good friend, colleague and mentor," Garrett said. "We served together on the State Board of Regents for Higher Education and I always appreciated his counsel. He gave a lot of time and effort to that position and was very committed to fulfilling his duties as a Regent. He was lots of fun to work with, as well. He will be missed by many."
"As we mourn the passing of Joe Paul Hemphill we know that we have lost a friend, a life long educator, and a true advocate for students throughout the state of Oklahoma," stated Glenn Johnson of the Oklahoma Board of Regents. "Both in his role as a school administrator and as a Regent for the Regional University System of Oklahoma, Joe Paul Hemphill understood the transformational value of education and worked during his lifetime to provide educational opportunities to many, many students. He will be missed."
Poteau businessman and longtime friend Bill J. Barber commented on Hemphill's passing.
"Joe Paul was a dear friend for over 50 years. I knew him when he was superintendent at Monroe and Howe Schools and served on the CASC Board of Regents when Joe Paul was Vice President at the college. He was a supporter of the community and had school acceptance throughout the county. He was a very active political stronghold in the state and was a great Christian man."
Hemphill was highly involved in politics and made many friends across the state.
"Joe Paul was a stalwart in Democratic politics and very involved in our campaigns," stated former Oklahoma Governor David Walters. "He handled the region down there for us. He was a delight and I enjoyed his friendship. He was gentle as a bear yet very firm and embodied the values that are important to everyone. He always tried to make this better through public policy. He will be missed."
Oklahoma Banking Commissioner Mick Thompson remembers Hemphill.
"I was so sorry to hear about the passing of Joe Paul," Thompson said. "He was a leader not only in the Poteau community but in the state as well. I would classify him as a true statesman. He always cared about what was best for his community, Carl Albert State College and all of southeast Oklahoma. He was truly a goodwill ambassador for the state."
Poteau Mayor Jeff Shockley served on the City Council with Hemphill.
"When I served with him everything was always lighthearted, even in times of disagreement. He was certainly who you could disagree with and still be friends," Shockley said. "In his later years I would go out to the house to talk with him about city issues and politics in general. He always kept things in perspective. He was one of the few people who thought out of the box. Our thoughts are with Wilma and the family."
Hemphill's list of accomplishments, memberships and awards is quite extensive. They include:
Member of Southside Baptist Church in Poteau
Served 19 years on the Board of Directors of KI BOIS Community Action Foundation
Served 10 years on KEDDO (Kiamichi Economic Development District of Oklahoma) Board of Directors.
Served 20 years as a member of the Oklahoma Education Association
Served 10 years on Higher Education Alumni Council
Member Howe Masonic Lodge - Master Mason
32nd Degree Mason - McAlester Consistory
Served 37 years as member of Poteau Chamber of Commerce. During that time he served on the Board of Directors, served as Board President and was Executive Director for two years.
Received Poteau Chamber of Commerce President's Award in 1983.
Named 1984 Poteau Man of the Year.
First building at CASC was named Hemphill Hall after his retirement in 1988 following 20 years of service to the college.
While as CASC he served as a teacher, first Dean, Athletic Director, Vice President for Student Affairs and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Served 20 years as member of Poteau Rotary Club. Served on Board of Directors and President. Received the Paul Harris Fellow Award in 1987.
Served 22 years as Poteau City Councilman.
Served as Chairman of the LeFlore County Democrat Party from 1965 until 1967.
Served as campaign chairman in LeFlore County for Governor Raymond Gary, Governor David Hall and Governor David Walters.
Served 10 years as board member of Poteau Summer Youth program
Managed Poteau Summer Youth Program for two years
Member LeFlore County Historical Society
Served 20 years as chairman of the LeFlore County Heart Fund Drive.
Served 20 years as Poteau Community Chest Board Chairman
Inducted into Oklahoma Girls Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1992
Received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1998
Received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Carl Albert State College in 2000
Received Alumni Award from Monroe School in 2002
Appointed by Governor David Walters to a nine year term on the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges in 1991
Received Poteau Daily News Lifetime Contribution Award 2003
Received CASC Development Foundation Board of Trustees Award
Also listed among his accomplishments was having his picture taken with First Lady Hillary Clinton with she and President Bill Clinton visited with the Murrah Building bombing victim families on April 4, 1996.
Although he lived and served in Poteau, Monroe was always home to Hemphill. Longtime friend J. B. Riggs had this to say.
"I've known Joe Paul for nearly forever. We grew up together. A lot of people know that Joe Paul tried to get in the Navy before he was of age and they sent him back. When he was of age, he joined the Navy. When he got out he came home to teach at Monroe School, where he taught for years. Joe Paul started out as a strict disciplinarian and mellowed out through years. He was the most generous person. About nine years ago, someone suggested we write a book about Monroe. He and I started the book. He was instrumental in that and he always stuck up for his community. We love the whole family. His wife is the most lovable lady you'll ever know. We got along well together and I cry when I think about this loss."
As will many.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 23 December 2009 )
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