Harmon Jerome McAllister

Harmon Jerome McAllister. , Born in Quitman, son of Hugh McAllister (1876-1964) and June Kendrick (1878-1914), Harmon Jerome (H.J.) McAllister dedicated his life to serving this community as an educational leader in various roles. After graduating from Mineola High School, McAllister attended North Texas State Teachers College, completing a degree in Business Administration in 1933. Three years later, McAllister came to Bay City High School as a Business Administration teacher. He met and married a fellow teacher, Mary Belle Richeson (1916-2010). In 1941, he was named Principal. McAllister served for five years before transitioning to the school district in the newly created position of Business Manager. During his tenure, Bay City and Hilliard High Schools were built. McAllister left the school district in 1949 but served as a member of the school board and held other civic leadership positions. He returned as Superintendent of Bay City Schools from 1960 until his unexpected death in 1963 due to complications from surgery. , In June 1963, the H.J. McAllister Memorial Student Loan Fund was established by his pupils and friends to assist students completing their higher education. The next year, the H.J. McAllister Baseball Field was dedicated in his honor. After integration, it was determined that a new junior high school would need to be built to accommodate student growth. In 1967, the school board unanimously voted to name the new school H.J. McAllister Junior High School. The school opened in the fall of 1969. Despite the school's closing and razing several decades later, the legacy of H.J. McAllisters service continues to inspire community residents.