Jerry Hassell
Jerry Glenn Hassell continued on his spiritual journey and reunited with his Lord and Savior May 1, 2007, leaving peacefully from his Austin home, loving wife and daughters by his side, as was his wish. Jerry Hassell was born December 7, 1928 in Oklahoma City, OK attending the Oklahoma School for the Deaf for several years, before transferring to the Texas School for the Deaf at age 10, where he began his lifetime connection with TSD.
After graduating at the top of his class, he attended Gallaudet University, receiving his Bachelors of Science Degree in 1951. Returning to Austin with new wife Dovie to bid farewell to friends at TSD on his way to a job opportunity at the California School for the Deaf, he was convinced to stay at TSD and accepted a teaching position. This decision led to his subsequent 30 year teaching career at TSD, where he taught numerous subjects including History, English, Drafting and Math and early on, volunteered with extra-curricular school activities such as Boy Scouts and Drama. He often cited Deaf Studies as his favorite class to teach young deaf students, garnishing much pride in his own Deaf heritage and embracing the cause to empower deaf students to expect equal access and opportunity throughout their lives.
He received his Masters of Educational Psychology from the University of Texas in 1959, attending classes without sign language interpreter services, which were non-existent at the time. His later connection with the University of Texas was during the 1970s, where he taught sign language, becoming the first deaf instructor to be employed by UT. Many professionals in the field of deafness point to Hassell, their first sign language teacher, as their inspiration for continuing in the field today.
Always an activist for causes placing disabled persons on equal footing in the world regardless of disability, Hassell became one of the leading forces behind much legislation passed during the 1970s’ and 80s’ disability movement. His efforts include passage of legislation resulting in: equal access to telecommunications, leading to establishment of relay services in the state; recognition of ASL as an accredited language, now taught in High Schools and Colleges across the state; establishment of Interpreter Training Programs as post-secondary training; a bill establishing the Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf; a bill removing restrictions for deaf persons from driving school buses, opening communication for students and offering more equal employment opportunities for deaf staff at TSD; a bill allowing deaf individuals to be considered as viable jury candidates in courts across the state. These few examples from a host of others shines light on his ability to demon
strate to a larger society that deaf individuals can participate fully in society in many ways, when given equal access.
Always active in local and statewide Deaf organizations, Hassell held positions of leadership in the TSD Alumni Assn., served the Texas Assn. of the Deaf for numerous terms as President, was a member of the Texas Commission for the Deaf, served on the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities Committee, was instrumental in establishment of the BEI State Interpreter Certification program, held every office for the Texas Baptist Conference of the Deaf and was an active member and officer for the Austin Assn. of the Deaf for many years.
A very skilled editor (in his early years in the days before computers, he worked summers as proof-reader for the Austin American Statesman and the Houston Chronicle), he also contributed his talent to publications such as TSD’s LoneStar, The Deaf Texan, and TSDAA’s Flashback, continuing to submit articles as recently as this year. He also managed to have copywrited a Christmas Carol he wrote years ago, seeing the finished product just weeks before his death, obviously never tiring of projects.
Notable of his many awards and recognitions include the Natl. Assn. of the Deaf “Yellow Rose” Service Award, first recipient of the Tx Society of Interpreters f/t Deaf “Bob Alcorn” Award and recipient of the prestigious “Justin Dart Memorial” Award from CTD, to name a few of the 30 plus awards recognizing him as a true advocate and agent of change.
These awards are now displayed in the “Jerry Hassell Reading Room,” at TSD Middle School, which honors his lifetime of teaching. Hassell was proud to have been invited to Washington D.C. to witness the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act by then President George Bush. Hassell was also very proud of his Native American ancestry and Co-founded the Intertribal Deaf Council, which later bestowed on him recognition as honorary Elder. His many activities in no way diminished his love for his family and his God. An involved and loving family man and a long time member of Congress Ave. Baptist Church, he celebrated both his 50th wedding anniversary and retiring from 50 years of teaching Sunday School in 2004. He was a mainstay in both daughters lives, attending their school functions or serving “chauffer duty” during their teen years.
Both Jerry and Dovie always opened their home to the girls many friends, the Hassell household being the place where all the neighborhood kids “hung out.” Hassell is survived by his wife Dovie, Daughter and son-in-law Sandra and Rodney Nunnelee, daughter Sharon Hassell, granddaughter Juliana Nunnelee, sisters-in-law Gladys McGaugh and Joyce McBroom, both of Sulphur, OK. Beloved husband, devoted father, dedicated teacher, faithful servant, advocate, spokesperson and beloved friend, he will always be remembered for many years to come.
The family wishes to thank the caring Doctors and staff of Capital Dialysis, Girling Hospice of Austin, dear friends Kathryn Caldcleugh and Anita Dalla, Sandy Kimble and Marilyn Nixon for their immeasurable help, love and support these past several years, and the many near and dear friends who cherish Jerry Hassell. In the words of Claire Bugen, TSD Ex. Dir., “his warm and kind heart were evident in every role…rarely has a more genteel man graced our lives.
Memorial Services to be held at Congress Ave Baptist Church in Austin, Saturday, May 5th at 2:00 p.m. with reception following at the Texas School for the Deaf, Revs Mike Rinker and Larry Barnett officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Texas School for the Deaf Foundation (contact TSD) or Faith Baptist Chapel of the Deaf (contact Congress Ave Bapt Church) in his honor.. http://www.mem.com
Published in the Austin American-Statesman on 5/4/2007.
To read article online and sign up guestbook:
http://www.legacy.com/statesman/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=87744700
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