Ralph Harris Poteet

Ralph Harris Poteet, PH.D Former superintendent of Mesquite Independent School District and namesake for Dr. Ralph H. Poteet High School went to be with the Lord on September 23, 2012. Dr. Poteetis survived by his loving wife Anne of 65 years, his daughter Carol Anne and son-in-law Steve Tipton, and three grandsons, Casey, Jake and Zach Tipton. Dr. Poteetwas a longtime resident of Mesquite, Texas. Hewas born July 12, 1926 in Desdemona, Texas to Sybil Harris and William Thomas Poteet . He was married to Anne Thomas of Georgetown, Texas in 1947 and they had one daughter, Carol Anne. Ralph H. Poteetwas a veteran of World War II.His church affiliation was Church of Christ andhe was a deacon from 1970 to 1987 and an Elder from 1991. He attended Stephenville High School; Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas; graduate work was at the Universityof Texas in Austin; Ph.D. from East Teas State University (now Texas A&M, Commerce); also attended University of Texas at Arlington. His professional career was extensive; teacher, coach, principal in Bartlett, Texas from 1949-55; teacher, coach, Athletic Director, Mesquite High School business Manager in Mesquite ISD (1955-1960).He was appointed Assistant Superintendent in 1961 and Superintendent in 1964 and served in this capacity until 1986.In 1973 he was Adjunct Professor " Graduate School " East Texas State University (now Texas A&M Commerce). Dr. Ralph H. Poteet High School opened in 1986 with 1500 students in Mesquite, Texas Dr Poteetwas a member of many professional organizations:American Association of School Administrators; Council of Education Facility Planners; East Texas School Study Council; National Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; National Council on Schoolhouse Construction; Association of Texas Educators; Phi Delta Kappa; Southwestern Sociological Association; Texas Association for Educational Data Systems; Texas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; Texas Association of School Administrators;Whos Who in American Education; Whos Who in the Southwest; Personalities of the South; Life Membership ofTexas Parent Teachers Association; Life Membership of National Parent Teacher Association; The Red Red Rose; Director of University Interscholastic League; Mesquite Retired School Employees. Special recognitions: 1971- Outstanding Alumni Award " Southwestern University; 1974- State of Texas Outstanding School Board Award; 1975 " President , Dallas County Administrators Association; 1977 Outstanding Leadership Award- Pi Delta Kappa; 1977 " Texas School Business Administrators Award; 1984 " Regional Winner " Texas Superintendent of the Year; 1985 " Mesquite citizen of the Year; 1985 " National School Development Council " National Leadership Award; 1985 Administrator of the Year " University of North Texas; 1986 " Distinguished Leadership Award " East Texas State University; 1988 " Mesquite Citizen of the Year. Community Services: Director, Mesquite Chamber of Commerce; Mesquite Lions Club; North Texas Council of Governments; East Texas Chamber of Commerce; Mesquite Industrial Committee; Chairman, Mesquite Beautification Commission; Member, Mesquite Schools Bond Steering Committee; Director, Mesquite First Western Bank; Chairman, Mesquite Centennial Commission; Director, East Texas State University Foundation; Member, Dallas Central Appraisal District; Director, Mesquite Memorial Hospital; Volunteer, Christian Care Center. Articles Published: 1965- American City Magazine " Park-School Facilities Do Double Duty (won National Award); 1966 Nations Schools - School and City Savedby Shared Playground Cost ; 1970 East Texas School Study Council Newsletter - Money-Go-Round ; 1973 " Catalyst Magazine - Instructional Television " A Teachers Best Friend? ; 1990 " Dallas Morning News " Editorial Whats Right With the Schools . After Retirement in 1986 Dr. Ralph H. Poteet served: ten years Keep Mesquite Beautiful , three years as Chairman of Board of Directors and three years as Vice Chairman.Keep Mesquite Beautiful " received a $250,000 award from the State of Texas; Two years as Co-Chairman of Board for Kids Quest Playground . Helped recruit 1000 volunteers and raised $100,00 to construct Kids Quest Playground; three months as foreman Dallas CountyGrand Jury - Heard several hundred cases; six years on Board of Dallas County Appraisal District; Elected positions representing Dallas Suburban Cities; ten years on Board of Directors for Christian Care Center. Memorial Services will be held for Dr. Poteet at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at Dr. Ralph H. Poteet High School in Mesquite, Texas.Family will receive friends at New Hope Funeral Home on Tuesday evening , September 25, 2012 , 6:00 - 8:00 PM.. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Dr Ralph H. Poteet Scholarship Fund, via Mesquite ISD Education Foundatio @ https://www.mesquitefoundation.org/donate.html