By Marilyn Miller
Carleton H. Prothro sits on the couch in the den of his house on Drake Drive. About 15 feet away, just outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, birds riotously go after food that has recently been put out for them, while a lone squirrel positions himself below to feast on the cast-offs.
Carleton has been out of the hospital for a couple of weeks, having overcome a bout of double pneumonia. His wife, Lois, and his son, Lance, float quietly in and out of the room, deciding on and consolidating what will move with the Minden couple to their new home in Mooresville, North Carolina on Feb. 12, 2024. They stop every now and then to answer a question. And right now, the longtime educator is pondering.
“I guess what I am most proud of in my professional life is that so many of my former students are now my friends,” said Prothro. “I mean my dentist is a former student, my doctor is a former student, my lawyer is a former student…” And he proudly calls these people, and many, many more who were students, his friends.
Where did it all begin? Back in 1954, when Prothro graduated from the University of Arkansas, he was commissioned a first lieutenant. After completing flight school, he became an Army aviator, and was stationed at Ft. Benning near Columbus, GA. He flew home to Shreveport from Ft. Benning one weekend because he had a blind date – with Lois. That obviously worked out well, since they are still married 66 years later.
Knowing that their relationship was getting serious, the couple began making plans. Carleton’s active duty enlistment period (four years) was coming up, so he requested a “desirable” stationing. He learned that the Army was going to send him to helicopter school, and then…to South Korea. Instead of “re-upping,” he joined the U. S. Army Reserves. After 23 years with the Reserves, and four with the Army, Prothro retired from the Army in 2006 at the rank of colonel.
Meanwhile, Carleton’s sister, the late Mrs. Emily Van Horn, put a bug in her brother’s ear that the Civics and junior English teacher at Minden High School was retiring. “That was in 1958-59,” he recalled. “W.W. Williams was the principal, Kirtley Miles was assistant principal, there was a really great staff…” He took the job and continued to teach Civics and English for two years. Then he was transferred into World Geography (his degree). During the 1960s and ‘70s, he taught Civics, World Geography, Economics and American Government.
In 1964, Prothro received a grant to enroll at the University of Alabama to earn his master’s degree in counseling. At Alabama, while taking a course in “counseling athletes,” students were arranged in a circle introducing themselves and telling where they were from. When Carleton said “Minden,” a gentleman by the name of Bear Bryant looked up at him and asked, “Do you have any more Crows or Becks around that area,” referring to premiere football players John David Crow (Heisman winner) from Springhill and Ken Beck (NFL defensive end) from Minden.
Upon finishing, he returned to Webster Parish and became an itinerant counselor. However, when Cleve Strong became principal of Minden High School, he requested and was assigned Prothro as counselor. He was promoted to assistant principal, and served in that position for one year before becoming test director in Federal Programming for Title I. He remained in Federal Programming until he retired in the early 90s after 35 years in the system.
It was during this time that he also earned his “Plus 30” from Louisiana Tech University. Although he attended Arkansas, Alabama and Louisiana universities, “He’s a Razorback,” Lois said, during one rest-stop in the den.
One of his former students, Dr. Richard Campbell had the honor of presenting Minden’s “Man of the Year” Award to Carleton in 2017. “For over 40 years, he has contributed to the education of local schools from classroom to guidance to administration,” Campbell said. “As a social studies instructor at Minden High School, he made learning enjoyable…he had an uncanny ability to relate closely with his students while retaining their respect.”
Carleton and Lois married in 1957, and they have two sons, Carleton H. Prothro (Becky) from Mooresville, NC and Lance B. Prothro (Stephanie) from Nevada; two grandchildren, Hunt Prothro (Ivy) and Whitney Fain (Stephen); and three great grandchildren, Anderson, Parker and Riley Ann Fain.
Community has been a large part of Carleton’s life. He and Lois are members of St. John’s Episcopal Church, where he served on the Vestry, was a Junior Warden multiple times, a Reader and an Usher. He is a longtime member and director of the Minden Lions Club, is past commander of Wiley-Pevy American Legion Post #74 and is a director emeritus of the Dorcheat Historical Association & Museum. He is past president of the Louisiana Association of School Administrators of Federally-Assisted Programs (LASAFAP) and served on the Board of the Louisiana Association of School Executives. And Kirtley Miles, football player and later coach at Minden High (48 years), talked Carleton into filming all the football games at MHS on 16mm film.
“Colonel” Prothro’s best memories of teaching revolve around the goodness and intelligence of his students. “Teaching was fun, and I enjoyed it so much, but I don’t think it is like that anymore,” said the man who always has a joke to tell. “My advice to young people today is to STOP if you are approached by the police. Be NICE…don’t be so confrontational. And learn to COMPROMISE! Look at politics, I don’t think the word ‘compromise’ exists anymore.”
For Prothro it boils down to the Bible. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
About leaving? “We’ve received so many calls and cards. We don’t want to leave, but we are both in our nineties! Lois and I love our church and we hate to leave all our friends…” Those friends and the community will have a chance to say goodbye to Carleton and Lois Prothro on Sunday, Feb. 11 beginning at noon at St. John’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall. Refreshments and birthday cake will be served.
Yes, Carleton turns 92 on Sunday, Feb. 11. And on Feb. 12, the couple will leave Minden for Mooresville, NC to begin a new chapter in their life. Bring them a card and tell them you love them on Sunday, Feb. 11. Please no gifts, after all, THEY ARE MOVING!!
Upcoming Events….
Carleton and Lois Prothro will be honored during a “Farewell” Party on Sunday, Feb. 11 at noon in the St. John’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall. The community is invited to wish the couple safe travels, and to wish Carleton a Happy 92nd Birthday!! Refreshments and cake will be served.
