Pine Tree posthumously honors alumnus

Pine Tree Independent School District alumni honored one of their own and announced an endowment fundraiser at a homecoming luncheon Friday.

About 175 alumni attended the luncheon, which was also the first community event held in the Pine Tree High School's multipurpose gymnasium building, organizers said.

The Pine Tree Education Foundation and Alumni Association honored the Rev. Dick Stagner, the late pastor of New Beginnings Baptist Church. Stagner, 56, died in March after complications arose during a surgery to remove his appendix.

Ronnie Morrison, the first president of the alumni association, said he nominated Stagner for the honor because he had a long history of contributions to the school district and the community, including creating a summer camp program through his church and chairing athletic tournaments. Morrison said Stagner performed a large amount of work behind the scenes, and Stagner knew the needs of his community.

"He's been a leader all his life," Morrison said.

Stagner's wife and two sons attended the luncheon. The family fought back tears as they spoke of his work as a pastor and his stories of school.

"He never did anything for awards," said Blake Stagner, Dick's son. "Everything he did was for God. He never took credit."

Organizers also announced the beginning of a fundraiser with the goal of raising $2 million for a permanent endowment. Ron Hutchison, vice president of the education foundation, said donors have committed about $100,000 to the endowment, and the fundraiser will be a five-year project. The endowment will fund education-related grants to the district, he said.

Anyone interested in donating to the fund can contact the education foundation at (903) 295-5021.

Earlier in the day, district officials celebrated the completion of the final project from the 2004 bond election with a ribbon cutting at the district's new primary campus. The campus opened for students in August.