Alva Review-Courier -

(Editor’s Note: The following is a tribute to longtime educator Lee Haley of Alva whose funeral was held recently.)

He was a teacher who cared for his students and their success. A case in point: when I was in sixth grade at the Washington Elementary School in Alva, Mr. Haley was my sixth-grade teacher. He began noticing that I was losing my vision and could not read the blackboard. He allowed me to move closer to the board.

After a while, l was unable to read. Mr. Haley became concerned. He permitted my friend Rita Arndt to sit with me and read the board for me. After a while, my vision grew more and more dim. Mr. Haley contacted Superintendent Harold Shirley seeing that something had to be done. He was given permission to search for the Oklahoma School for the Blind.

After much time, Mr. Haley did locate the school in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He made contact with them and requested that someone contact my mother and I. They did. I attended the school from eighth grade through high school.

I returned to Alva and attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University. After graduation, I moved to Little Rock, Arkansas. I worked for the Arkansas Enterprises for the Blind for eight years. After that, I became employed at the Arkansas Governor's Office for 37 years. Because of Mr. Haley's interest and concern, I have had a successful career.

My husband Adren and I have stayed in contact with Lee and Mary. Each time we went to Alva, we visited with them. They were always friendly and pleased to visit with both of us. I deeply appreciate everything he did for me. I want to send my love and respect to his wife Mary and the family.