MR. LEW MORRISON

Beloved, friend, teacher, mentor, sadly passed away this year from cancer. Mr. Morrison was my Economics teacher.  I loved Mr. Morrison as a teacher.  He was very down-to-earth and laid-back and wasn't afraid to speak his mind.  He understood that we were kids just struggling through our teenage years amd he was always there for us, as a friend and mentor.  He made learning fun.  I still remember that he was the one who showed me about the stock market.  I knew nothing about it before--how it worked or anything.  To this day, ten years later, I still remember much of what he taught me.  I can't say that about too many of my teachers specifically (though I can say that about some who stick out in my mind).  He was so encouraging and had a great sense of humor.  I am just so upset to learn of his death.  I wish I had known of it when it happened...I would have gone to his funeral.  He will always be remembered by me and I'm sure by countless others.  May he rest in God's loving arms.                Submitted by Carrie '94

MR. HAROLD K. TELLER

He was my sophomore biology teacher (1978) When I was in elementary school, his wife taught at SBJ (he was in the Navy).  Every Friday, he'd come to the school and play his guitar and sing.  He became a teacher himself after retiring.  Mr. Teller was always available if you needed someone to talk to , whether it was school or what was going on in your life.  A wonderful teacher...a wonderful friend.                                                     Submitted by Sue Fertig

MRS. BARBARA GARDEN HOLT

Died May 8, 1997 after a long illness.  She taught in Clay County from 1959 to 1975.

MR. THOMAS HOLT

Died May 4, 1998.  He was with the Duval and Clay school systems for 34 years teaching  Physics, Chemistry and Anatomy.

Both the Holts had retired and spent their last years together at home.                                 Sumitted by Kathy Brannon

While I did not have either of the Holts during school, I got to know Tom Holt when we both belonged to an organization that put on a yearly gaming convention here in Jax.  He was well-liked and his Diplomacy games were very popular, not to mention a calm voice of reason on the committee.                                                            Sumitted by Robby Watson Gorman '71

I had Mrs. Holt for 7th grade English.  Although she came across as very strict, she had a great sense of humor.  I remember each morning, the girls would have to kneel down on the floor to make sure that our skirts touched the ground.  If they didn't, we had to make arrangements from home to get one that did.

I had Mr. HOLT for 10th grade Biology.  I learned so much in his class...he had a way of teaching that made you want to learn.  The dissection labs were always a blast.

I had the greatest respect for these 2 wonderful teachers.                  Submitted by Kathy Ellmaker '73

MR. JAMES MCDONALD

Died September 1998 from cancer.  He taught for 29 years and was a minister for 23 years. I had him for humanities our senior year and always got in trouble in his class.

MR. NAMON MORRIS

Bachelor of Science, Sociology Florida A & M University He taught Psychology and World History I was fortunate enough to have Mr. Morris for Psychology.  He was a compelling teacher and dealt with real issues in a real world.  It was obvious he overcame many adversities in his life.  This includes  missing a hand and part of the arm, but he never once acted like he missed it.  He inspired me then, and still does whenever I think of him.  He spoke gently but easily, freely and confidently and is a great part of OPHS history.                              Submitted by Richard Adams

Mr. Danny Hawkins

Mr. Hawkins was a gym teacher who taught at OPHS in the early 1970's.  He passed away about 3 years ago.  He died from a Heart Attack.  He left behind his 2 children Kevin and Kimberly and ex-wife Linda Deese Hawkins.                                             Submitted by Sherri Deese

Mrs. Pam Leenhouts

We lost a former OPHS teacher on August 13, 2001.  She was an ESOL (English as a Second Language Teacher).  She has a daughter who graduated from OPHS in 1999.  She was a wonderful friend and teacher to all those students who came to our country and couldn't speak the language--she helped them in so many ways and they will truly miss her.                                             Submitted by Betzy Nelson

Mr. DeMasi died a couple of years ago.  He was a close friend and I wanted to let everyone know of his death.  He taught Biology and was there when I went from 1981 to 1985 but I am unsure of the dates that he taught at OPHS.  He died of respiratory problems following open heart surgery.                              Submitted by Cindy (Rose) Gourley

FRANK DEMASI

I had Mrs. Leenhouts for 9th grade Spanish class.  remember her as a very fair, funny person.  You just had to love a teacher that is confident enough in her teaching methods to allow students to sit on the floor for class because they don't like the desk!  There was nothing that we couldn't ask her.  She'd use whatever was going on in our lives to try to get the lesson across.   I'm so sorry to know that she's no longer with us.  I still don't know what she wrote in Spanish in my yearbook!                            Submitted by Lisa Gassman

Mr. McDonald knew that I had a lot of trouble at home my senior year.  We had studied McBeth for 9 weeks, and we had to do an assignment on LOVE that would be a quarter of our grade.  My Mother and I got into a big argument and I was kicked out of the house.  The office brought my assignment to his classroom.  He immediately looked at me.  To be in his class was an honor because you knew he was tough.  I got an A, so I think maybe he wasn't so tough.  Just wanted us to learn.  There are not many people you think of that you respect.  He is definitely one of them!                              Submitted by Julie Lauderbaugh

This page was last updated on: June 25, 2005

TEACHERS

CHARLES FRED HOLMES

Mr. Holmes, 91, of Ozark, died March 6, 2003 at his home following an extended illness.  He was a native of Dothan, Alabama.  He received a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Cincinnati.  He was the Athletic Director at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC for 10 years, then moved to Dale County where he was the Principal at Midland City School, then moved to Crystal River, FL  where he served as principal, and he was the first principal of ORANGE PARK HIGH SCHOOL.  He was in charge of Adult Education for Clay County Schools until his retirement.  He returned to the Post Oak Community where he was engaged in cattle and farming operations. The first leader of OPHS, we have many memories of his discipline and his friendship, his love of sports and his leadership.  A truly good man.                              Submitted by Tommy

Mrs. Hawkins was a typing and shorthand teacher.  She passed away on January 10, 1998.                                             Submitted by Theresa Ann (Danson) Hynes

JUANITA HANSON

MARION "GLENN" FORDHAM

January 22, 1944 - May 16, 2005 Glenn Fordham passed away from an aneurysm.  He was a science teacher at Orange Park High School.  He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam era.  He was a dedicated teacher of 29 years in Duval, Clay and St. John's Counties.  He was a past Deacon of Victory Christian Center in Orange Park, past Music Minister of First Coast Community Church of Middleburg, and most recently belonged to New Life Christian Fellowship of Jacksonville.  He leaves a loving wife of 27 years, Helen; 5 children; 11 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; his mother, 2 brothers, 2 sister, 3 nephews; 1 niece, and pet poodle Obadiah "Obe".  He was a longtime family friend.                                                                                                 Submitted by Kim Drake Halstead '85