Homecoming Honorees 2007

Homecoming Museum Honorees

By ELIZABETH WITHROW - Special to The News

Homecoming for 2007 is to be September 28 and 29

The Mexia Public Schools Museum is honoring three outstanding men who have accomplished much in their lifetime: Frederick Moseley, born in Mexia, attended Douglass Elementary School and graduated from Dunbar High School in 1940; Robert L. Maddox, honored posthumously, was director of the Mexia Bands from 1939-1945; John James Haynie, outstanding trumpeter, studied under Mr. Maddox, while attending Mexia High School. He graduated in 1942.

Frederick Moseley

Following graduation from Dunbar High School, Frederick Moseley entered Prairie View A&M University. In 1943 he was called into the U.S. army and served his country as a survey and instrument man with the 578th artillery (8 in.Howitzer). He returned to Prairie View in February 1946 to continue his education. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science in 1947. During this time he met his wife-to be Gladys Dow from Bivens, Texas and they were married August 1, 1948. In May, 1953 he received his MS Degree in School Administration and Economics. He acquired additional graduate credit in several universities. He worked as a Vocational Agriculture in Tyler Jr. College, in Fairfield, Wortham, and in Waco He served as Principal at R. L. Smith Elementary School and Sul Ross Junior High School in Waco. He retired from the Waco Schools after 37 years of dedicated service.

Robert L. Maddox

After graduation from Baylor University in 1928, Robert L. Maddox’s first job was in Ranger. Here he met and married Margaret Parker, a teacher of French and Spanish in Ranger High School and Ranger Junior College. His next job was in Cisco, then he came to Mexia. In Cisco Mr. Maddox worked with a young trumpet prodigy, John James Haynie. He promised the Haynies that if they would allow John James to come to Mexia and live with the Maddox family, he would see that he had the best training possible. So John James Haynie came to Mexia and attended Mexia High School.

Mr. Maddox taught in Mexia from 1939-1945. He said that his move to Mexia was a major step-up in his musical career Not only did his salary increase from $1800 to $3000 but for the first time he had no other teaching assignment other then the Mexia bands. J.K. Hughes, an independent oil operator, took an interest in the band, paying expenses to the Dallas State Fair where the band marched, paid expenses to band contests and he bought the band new uniforms. When World War II broke out, rationing of tires and gasoline stopped those trips to Dallas and band contests. Mr. Maddox was a Captain in the Texas Defense Guard and he organized the entire high school into a Military Drill Corp.

Mr. Maddox left Mexia for the boom town, Odessa. He won 12 Sweepstakes out of 15 that he was the band master at Odessa High School. When Odessa grew so much that they had 3 high schools and 7 junior highs, he became a Supervisor of the Bands. Honors were heaped on him even to having a building named after him.

John James Haynie

John James graduated from Mexia High School in 1942. He attended Texas Tech for one semester before being drafted into the army. He became a member of the 76th Infantry Division Band and, before going overseas, he played solos before audiences of thousands at War Bond concerts He served in the European Theater of Operations and participated in the Battle of the Bulge.

After World War II ended, John Haynie resumed his studies at Texas Tech and appeared at guest soloist with the TT Band many times. In the fall of 1947 he transferred to the University of Illinois. There he met his bride-to-be Marilyn Hindsley. He graduated with highest honors and completed his Master’s Degree the following year.

He joined the faculty at NTSC during the summer of 1950. John Haynie began his career at North Texas as a temporary instructor. A natural teacher, he moved up to Assistant Professor, Associate, and in 1968 became a full Professor. His 40 years at UNT may be described as: 1950-60 - performance, recruiting and learning what and how to teach. 1960-70 - performance, teaching, recording; 1970-80 - the political and administrative game; 1980-85 - complete faculty member; 1985-90 - modified service (retired).

John Haynie along with Dr. Alexander Finlay, radiologist, presented the trumpet world with ‘A Videoflourographic Presentation of the Physiological Phenomena Influencing Trumpet Performance”. His crowning achievement in his book, “Inside John Haynie’s Studio: A Master Teacher’s Lessons on Trumpet and Life” and there is a building at NTU named J.J. Haynie Band Hall. - Yet there was always time for John’s passions—fishing, hunting and golf.

There is a notebook being made for each of the honorees, sketching their accomplishments and including accolades from people who knew them best. We want to include your remembrances. We will include them whenever you send them to the museum, care of Elizabeth Withrow at ewithrow@sbcglobal.net or 403 Bowie St., Mexia, Texas 76667.