Athens Review, Athens, Texas

Local News

Related Photos

  • Bill Pirtle looks at his notes as he prepares to tell the Athens Rotary Club about his father, Orval Pirtle. The elder Pirtle was the first president of Henderson County Junior College. Rich Flowers/Athens Review

    2-10 Rotary speaker.jpg

Discussion

February 11, 2012

Pirtle discusses his father with Rotarians

Rich Flowers Associated Press

Bill Pirtle told the Athens Rotary Club  Thursday that his father was not God, but to a boy growing up in Athens, there were similarities.

Orval Pirtle was the first president of Henderson County Junior College, now known as Trinity Valley Community College. He held the position until 1972.

Today, the Orval Pirtle Scholarship Program helps its recipient with a $500 allocation. The funding for the scholarship is divided between the Rotary Club and TVCC.

“I’ve spent my lifetime hearing ‘Oh, you’re Orval’s son,’” Bill Pirtle said. “‘If you’re as good as he is, you’re great.”’

In the 1940’s, Orval Pirtle and other local businessmen desired to start a local junior college to serve the citizens of Henderson County.  He was concerned with not only the students of Athens, but the ones in the rural areas of the county as well. Bill Pirtle was in school at Cross Roads at the time.

“He called me out of class one day,” Bill Pirtle said. “He asked, ‘What would you think about moving to Athens?”’

Orval Pirtle told his son about the beginnings of the junior college, and the possibility that the family might relocate.

“We would live better, staying right here in Cross Roads,” Orval Pirtle said. “I’d make more money, and have less responsibility. But, I think it’s a good thing. What would you advise me to do.”

Bill responded by saying, “You’re the head of our family. What you do, I do.”

Though the college took much of his time for the next 25 years, Orval Pirtle didn’t neglect his home life.

“He never brought work home,” Bill Pirtle said. “He put it aside, and spent time with his family.”

When Orval Pirtle finally retired as the head of the college, he told his successor that he would never go into the president’s office unless asked.

“They all thought he would be right over there trying to run the place, because he loved it, and had a very dominent personally,” Bill Pirtle said. “But he didn’t. He never criticized the people who were there running it.”

Bill Pirtle said his dad’s dedication to Rotary was exhibited by his 35 years of perfect attendance at the club’s meetings.

“The Rotary Club meant a great deal to him, and to the family,” Bill Pirtle said.

Bill Pirtle has been in the Church Directory business since 1996. Before that, he was in media marketing.

Text Only
Local News
  • Mia Orosco wins.jpg 19-year-old wins in competition against best fiddlers

    Mia Orosco wasn’t born with a fiddle in her hand playing a breakdown, but to the crowd at the Athens Old Fiddler’s Reunion it seemed as easy for her as drawing a breath.
    Orosco turned 19 on Wednesday, taking her out of the youth division to compete against the best. She’s only been using her violin in the fiddlin’ style for about five years.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • Parking lot altercation leads to arrest

    Athens police, acting on a 911 call, drove up on a an altercation at 505 S. Palestine St. at the Save-a-Dollar parking lot just after 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

    May 25, 2012

  • One arrested, two released after cocaine discovery

    It probably wasn't the best place to hang out — the Henderson County Judicial Center parking lot on West Corsicana Street — not with a quanity of cocaine inside the console of the car.

    May 25, 2012

  • Primary voting Tuesday

    Ready, set, vote.
    The polls open Tuesday at 7 a.m. in the Democratic and Republican Primaries. Henderson County candidates run the gamut from first-timers to long-time incumbents.
    Some county voters will be traveling to new polling places for this round of balloting, after the much-debated redistricting process.

    May 25, 2012

  • Henderson County communities participate in Click It or Ticket

    It's not a good weekend to get out on the state highways without buckling up.
    In fact, that's probably true every weekend.
    But the 11th annual Click It or Ticket Seat Belt Mobilization Campaign is under way, now through June 3, 2012.

    May 25, 2012

  • martha & mary pic.jpg ‘Martha and Mary’

    The Henderson County Performing Arts Center, in conjunction with Elite Barrel Racing, announces the World Premiere of local Playwright R.G. Haynie’s newest play, “Martha and Mary,” on May 31  at 7:30 p.m., with additional shows on June 2, June 7, June 8 and June 9  at 7:30 p.m., with matinees at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 3 and Sunday, June 10  at the theatre complex, located at 400 Gibson Road in Athens.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • DSC_0043.JPG Slide Show- Old Fiddlers Reunion The Fiddlers Reunion is in full swing around the Athens Courthouse. Final winners and street dance Friday night. Photos by Kathi Nailling

    May 25, 2012

  • Fiddler's1.JPG Fiddlers firing up

    You can get on out of that bed now, and get yourselves down to the courthouse square.
    The fiddlers are firing up, and they'll be going until the clock strikes 12 with the street dance, as the 81st Annual Old Fiddlers Reunion gets into high gear.

    May 24, 2012 2 Photos

  • Rachaelle Browning.jpg Valedictorian & Salutatorian

    The Athens High School Valedictorian of 2012 is Rachaelle Browning. She is the daughter of Wes and Jan Browning. Rachaelle will be attending the University of Texas at Austin in the fall of 2012 and plans to major in Aerospace Engineering.
    Rachaelle has participated in various extracurricular activities throughout high school in preparation for a career in engineering.

    May 24, 2012 2 Photos

  • At the start.JPG 3rd annual Hornet Fun Run continues through today

    Fourth graders participated Thursday in the 3rd Annual Hornet Fun Run at the Cain Center.  Above is the beginning, when the children would run one mile.  At left, Isaac Garcia is shown taking overall first place.  Second place honors for boys went to Armondo Garcia, and Third place Case Friedrich.  Girls first place was Taylor Stiles, second place Veronica Campa and third place honors went to Semia Brazier. See those that placed, both boys and girls, on Page 14. The fifth grade will run today.

    May 24, 2012 4 Photos