Plumbing 
Charley Robinson
Staff writer
John Walts semi-retired 10 years ago but now is officially calling it quits, after 34 years in public school education.
The Utopia Independent School District superintendent is expected to walk away from the position he has held since 2003 at the end of May. The district has already named the lone finalist to fill the position vacated by Walts.
“The last 15 years have been very gratifying,” said Walts. “My wife and I love it here, and we have 10 acres and built a house and expect to stay here.”
Walts never dreamed of becoming an administrator. “I wanted to be an Ag teacher,” he said. “I grew up on a farm, and when I enrolled at Southwest Texas in San Marcos my goal was to become an Ag teacher.”
“I had been inspired by my high school Ag teacher, James Bevel,” noted Walts. “After three years at SWTSU I transferred to Stephen F.Austin and completed my degree.”
Walts’ first teaching job was at Dell City, Texas, and after a year he moved to Goldwaithe and was shop teacher at the Boys Ranch State School.
Then he was out of education for nine years, buying a Mack truck and hauling logs for six of those years.
His wife, the former Lana Beth Hibdon of La Pryor, went back to teaching after being a stay-at-home mom, and Walts decided that’s what he wanted to do.
“We also wanted to be closer to home so we decided Utopia would be just about the right place. So, I called to see if they had any teaching vacancies and they just happened to need an Ag teacher. I told them my wife was a first grade teacher and did they have anything for her.
“Well, it worked out perfectly because the departing Ag teacher’s wife was also the first grade teacher. So I talked with the superintendent, Thomas Richey, and he remembered me from La Pryor as I had worked in the summers with his brother, Malcolm.
“That’s how we wound up in Utopia the first time. As it turned out Mr. Richey retired after my first year in Utopia and John McFadin assumed the superintendent position.
“Actually it was McFadin that coaxed me into administration. He approached me about taking the principal position and I turned him down the first time. But he was persistent and when he presented the opportunity the second time, I accepted, started taking courses to get certified, and have been in administration ever since.”
After a four year stint as principal in Utopia, Walts headed west. “I saw a job listing for a middle school principal in the Reagan County ISD and the salary was $55,000, which was $20,000 more than I was making. So we were off to Big Lake.”
“I was middle school (6-8) principal for three years and the superintendent position came open and I decided to apply and lo and behold, I got the job.”
Walts was superintendent at Big Lake for four years then took the superintendency at Panhandle ISD, north of Amarillo.
“We stayed there four years and everything was great, but it just wasn’t home.”
He became Utopia ISD superintendent in 2003 and retired in 2008. “The board was gracious enough to rehire me and allow me to work half-time and that has lasted for 10 years.”
Walts was the valedictorian of the 1970 La Pryor High School graduating class. Lana Beth, his wife was valedictorian of the 1969 La Pryor High School class.
“We arrived in La Pryor in 1965,” explained Walts. I was in the eighth grade so I spent my high school years there.”
Walts played football, basketball and ran track. He won state in the shot put at Austin in 1970, his senior year.
“There were five of us from La Pryor that qualified for regional my senior year and we were on the way to Brenham for the regional meet and traveled through San Marcos. My high school coach, Jack Rutledge, took us by the coach’s office at Southwest Texas State and introduced me to the coaches. He told them they should take a look at me.
“After school I went for a tryout and was offered a half scholarship, which I accepted. Coach (Bill) Miller indicated he would put me on full scholarship the second semester.
“That didn’t happen so I told him I would have to drop out and go to work but he came up with a full scholarship and I stayed.
“I started by sophomore year but it wasn’t fun. Coach Rutledge was a better coach than any of those at SWTSU.
“So, after my junior year I left SWTSU. I was set on being an Ag teacher so I started looking for a school with a good program. Cody Elrod and I journeyed to A&M but we couldn’t find anyone that would visit with us.
“I finally wound up at Stephen F. Austin and their program was more forestry than what I was seeking but nevertheless I obtained my degree from there.”
Walts is leaving the district in good graces. “The district is in pretty good shape and I just feel like it is time for me to fully retire.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my career, everywhere I have been, and especially here in Utopia.
“Lana Beth retired three years ago so it is time for me to follow suit.”
The couple have two sons, John Allen, who is 41, and Cody, 39.
When asked how he plans to spend his time in retirement Walts pointed out that he has a hobby, making knives.
“I started making knives in 1990 and it just kind of grew from there. This 2,000th knife handle is made from giraffe bone. If you want something special I can probably make it.”
Walts will be working with the newly elected superintendent to ensure a smooth transition. “Jessi Milam is the lone finalist,” said Walts. “She has been principal for the past three years and she is very qualified and will do a great job.”
John Walts
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