H. Grady Spruce High School 1966

Old Seagoville Road
Dallas, Texas

Photo submitted by Jean Wilcox West
Source: 1966 H. Grady Spruce Annual

H. GRADY SPRUCE 1966

The year started with great excitement, we had a brand new school: three stories, fully air-conditioned and great facilities.

 On the opening day, we all gathered in the square of the school, Mr. Fite and others gave great speeches and we were introduced to the "I Care" motto....we soon learned it meant simply to have pride in ourselves and in our school; it also meant an honor system, no hallway monitors, police or other guardians to make sure we did what was only right. We learned our school song, met our mascot, and we became the "Spruce Apaches". Our hearts burst with pride:)

We only filled the first floor that first year, and since the rest of the area schools didn't have air-conditioning, we couldn't use ours...it was open windows and Texas heat until the cool weather arrived.

There is much to be added, as the information is added, the links will become active.  If you have materials you would like to share, please contact me.

This section will be dedicated to H. Grady Spruce High School and its predecessor, Rylie High School.  H. Grady Spruce High School is located in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas.

H. Grady Spruce opened in 1963, when Rylie High School was changed to a Junior High, the first graduating class was in the spring of 1964.  My brother, Phillip Ray Lyon, was in the first graduating class.  My aunt, Barbara Ann (Lyon) Nowlin, graduated in 1965, and I, Jo (Lyon) Autrey, graduated in 1966, the first three-year class.  My sister, Betty Dorrise (Lyon) Mitchell graduated from Spruce in 1972.  Several of my husband's siblings also graduated from Spruce, Molly and Judy Autrey, as well as James Harold Autrey, one of our classmates. 

James Autrey joined the Army shortly after he graduated and married his high school sweetheart, LaVern Mitchell.  He was killed in Vietnam and is laid  to rest in Grove Hill Cemetery in Dallas.  James and I shared several classes, especially English.

If you are a graduate of H. Grady Spruce, 1964-1966, please go to http://www.classmates.com and register. 
While there,  look up the Reunion Contact, Ruthie Griffin Stiefer. You can also contact Pat Murphy or Brenda Lasater . If other Reunion Committee members would like to be listed here, please contact me.

There is also a web site on MyFamily for H. Grady Spruce, 1966.  Membership is by invitation only.  If you are interested in joining, please contact us.  This is a great place to share current news and find other classmates, even perhaps renewing  friendships. If you have any problems accessing this site, contact Jean Wilcox West

If you have anything you would like to share on H. Grady Spruce or Rylie High School, please contact me.