April 2022

Prowlers red hot heading into postseason

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Fort Stockton is showing signs that they are performing at their best at a time when it matters the most. The Prowlers softball team will enter their bi-district playoff series with Riverside starting on Friday, April 29 on a three-game win streak after defeating Alpine in an away playoff warmup game on April 25.
Fort Stockton’s Yadira Hernandez is embraced by her teammates after her home run to end the Prowlers victory against Pecos on April 19 at home. Hernandez was 1-of-4 at the plate against Alpine on April 25 and finished the season with a .368 batting average. Photo by Nathan Heuer

Velasquez’s grand slam ignites rally

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Two weeks ago, the Fort Stockton baseball team was tied for fifth place in District 2-4A with a 2-5 district record and were needing to win at least two of their final three games to qualify for the postseason.
Fort Stockton’s Isaiah Velasquez connects with a pitch during the Panthers’ 10-5 win against Pecos on April 19 at home. Velasquez has recorded 12 RBIs in 25 at-bats this season. Photo by Nathan Heuer

Panthers track team etch name in record books

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With the first Area championship in school history on the line, the Fort Stockton boys 1,600-meter relay team rose to the challenge. The Panthers entered the final event of their respective area meet in Andrews on April 21 in third place behind the Mustangs and Riverside by less than four points each.
The Panthers track team poses atop the podium at Andrews High School after winning an area championship. Photo by Nathan Heuer

Terry Gayle (Thorn) Lowther

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Terry Gayle (Thorn) Lowther was born May 12, 1939, in Junction, Texas, to Walter and Katherine Thorn. She graduated from Christoval High School in Christoval, Texas, in 1957. After graduation she met R. A. Lowther, Jr., and the two were married in Sanderson, Texas, on Dec. 21, 1957. Our Gee was an incredibly sweet soul. She was a friend to all, and constantly reminded that she had never met a stranger. Anyone who crossed paths with her, even for a moment, were able to feel the love and genuine kindness she had in her heart. The impression she left on each person who knew her will never be forgotten. When she knew her time on this Earth was ending, she rejoiced in knowing she would be reunited with all of those she loved who went before her - her husband; her parents; her parents-in-law Robert Sr. and Ethel (Friedl) Lowther; brotherin-law Frank Donald Lowther; and her sister Petreta Cooke; as well as aunts and uncles, and a number of cousins and friends who she considered family. Among all the joys she had in her life, her biggest was her family. She and her husband were blessed to celebrate 54 years of marriage before he passed away in 2011. Their relationship was one she cherished, and one that produced many great memories of which she fondly reminisced in the years following his passing.
Terry Gayle (Thorn) Lowther

Fort Bliss soldiers take staff ride to Fort Stockton

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Last week the historic fort grounds in the city hosted live reenactments and “The 1873 Fort Stockton Mutiny,” a tour and history lesson regarding the court-martial of the 21 buffalo soldiers in 1873 led by Allen Mack - founder of The Living History Foundation.
A group of 21 soldiers stationed at Fort Bliss attended a full day event held at the historic fort grounds last Thursday, April 14. The event was a group effort between the Historic Society, Annie Riggs Museum and Historic Fort Stockton. Photo courtesy of Sandy Young

LOOKING BACK

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Photos are from the Fort Stockton Pioneer archives at the Pioneer’s office located at 210 N. Nelson St..
April 1982 issue: Six Fort Stockton High School senior students will be representing the State of Texas at the First Annual United States Academic Decathlon in Los Angeles, Calif. April 14-16. They include (front row, l-r) Ana Melendez, Rosie Gonzales and Lucy Salcido ,and (back row, l-r) Judy Hart one of the sponsors who will accompany the students. Scott Mills, Jody Mehan and Ellis Parker.