My dad's youngest brother, George Henry Springer, was born June 5, 1923 in Midlothian, Ellis County, Texas. He was the sixth of seven children and the fourth son of George Aubrey and Minnie May (Ramer) Springer. George's life was greatly influenced by music and his military career in World War II.
George Henry went to public school in Midlothian and was in the Midlothian High School Band. While he was in the 10th grade, he wrote a wonderful poem about teachers. He had a deep respect for teachers and it had a great influence on his career path.
In the 1940 census, George Henry is listed as 16 years old, a Junior in high school and employed as a musician in the "Intfantry Band". He graduated in 1941 and lettered in football, and was the Vice-President of the Science Club, in addition to being in the band. George Henry's family also made a lot of music as mentioned in the post about his younger sister, Modena.
Just a few months after George Henry graduated from high school, the unthinkable happened and the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, in the US Territory of Hawaii, bringing the United States into World War II. George Henry registered for the military Draft on July 2, 1942 in Dallas, where he was living at the time. He joined the United States Navy and was a pilot aboard the aircraft carrier, Monterrey in the Torpedo and Bombing Squadron VT-34, flying missions over Japan in 1945.
While he was in the Navy, George Henry married the love of his life, Johnnie Ruth Boatman on October 23, 1944 in Dallas, Texas.
After the war, George Henry returned to college and graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1955 with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education, while being a member of Phi Mu Alpha national music Fraternity, and the President of the Mustang Band. Immediately after graduating, he began his music teaching career in the Highland Park School District, including John Armstrong and John Bradfield Schools.
In his "spare time", George Henry wrote the music for a hymn, "Companion", words by Leo McVey. This hymn was published in 1962 by the Stamps Quartet Music Company, Inc. in a hymnal, "Happy Day" on page 91.
In 1963, he became band director at St. Marks school. Later, he attended Kansas State Teachers College (now known as Emporia State University) in Kansas, where he earned his Master of Music degree. His master's thesis was the rough draft for his two books, "Maintenance and Repair of Band Instruments for Band Directors and Instrumentalists", published in 1970 and 1976.
From his obituary, we read
After George Henry's death on February 6, 1993, Ruth, his widow, established the "George H. Springer Endowed Music Education Scholarship" at the University of North Texas College of Music. Here is the description of the fund: "Senior level student Purpose: To honor the life and service of Mr. Springer to his family, his colleagues, his country and his devotion to music and to Music Education by recognizing outstanding students majoring in Music Education during the senior year of study." https://musiced.music.unt.edu/named-scholarships.
Here is a newspaper article telling about Ruth establishing this scholarship:
My life has been greatly enriched by the beauty of music, and by knowing this amazing musician, band director, teacher, and my uncle, George Henry Springer!
'Til Next Time!
#52Ancestors
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| George Henry is the baby in Minnie's lap. Appears to be about late 1923. |
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| George Henry is the little boy in the front on the left |
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| George Henry is the youngest child. |
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| George Henry and Modena about 1934 |
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| George Henry, his parents and siblings about 1938. |
Just a few months after George Henry graduated from high school, the unthinkable happened and the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, in the US Territory of Hawaii, bringing the United States into World War II. George Henry registered for the military Draft on July 2, 1942 in Dallas, where he was living at the time. He joined the United States Navy and was a pilot aboard the aircraft carrier, Monterrey in the Torpedo and Bombing Squadron VT-34, flying missions over Japan in 1945.
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| George and Ruth on their wedding day |
After the war, George Henry returned to college and graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1955 with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education, while being a member of Phi Mu Alpha national music Fraternity, and the President of the Mustang Band. Immediately after graduating, he began his music teaching career in the Highland Park School District, including John Armstrong and John Bradfield Schools.
In his "spare time", George Henry wrote the music for a hymn, "Companion", words by Leo McVey. This hymn was published in 1962 by the Stamps Quartet Music Company, Inc. in a hymnal, "Happy Day" on page 91.
In 1963, he became band director at St. Marks school. Later, he attended Kansas State Teachers College (now known as Emporia State University) in Kansas, where he earned his Master of Music degree. His master's thesis was the rough draft for his two books, "Maintenance and Repair of Band Instruments for Band Directors and Instrumentalists", published in 1970 and 1976.
From his obituary, we read
"He was a band director for 13 years in Highland Park, Dallas, Brownsboro and Palestine. Mr. Springer served six years as Associate director of Pagentry for the Cotton Bowl, five years as Associate Director of Pagentry at the State Fair of Texas and seven years as university repair technician, high school band clinician and contest adjudicator in Dallas. He performed in his high school band, the 144th Infantry Band, Texas Defense Guard Band, American Legion Band, and the SMU and Emporia State bands. He was affiliated with the National Association of Musical Repair Technicians; was an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi, a national band fraternity; and a life member of Phi Mu Alpha, a national music fraternity. He also belonged to the Music Educators Conference, Texas Musical Educators Association, National Education Association, Texas State Teachers Association, Texas Classroom Teachers Association and Texas Band Masters Association."
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Here is a photo of George and Ruth in 1989 at our annual family reunion.
After George Henry's death on February 6, 1993, Ruth, his widow, established the "George H. Springer Endowed Music Education Scholarship" at the University of North Texas College of Music. Here is the description of the fund: "Senior level student Purpose: To honor the life and service of Mr. Springer to his family, his colleagues, his country and his devotion to music and to Music Education by recognizing outstanding students majoring in Music Education during the senior year of study." https://musiced.music.unt.edu/named-scholarships.
Here is a newspaper article telling about Ruth establishing this scholarship:
Uncle George gave me a copy of the 1970 edition of his instrument maintenance book. He wrote this inside the front cover.
My life has been greatly enriched by the beauty of music, and by knowing this amazing musician, band director, teacher, and my uncle, George Henry Springer!
'Til Next Time!
#52Ancestors
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