ST. AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL PURPLE KNIGHTS
CLASS OF 1965
Lawrence (Larry) Reed III spent four years in the Air Force as a medical corpsman and later earned a Master’s Degree at the University of Wisconsin. He helped develop emergency disaster and recovery programs following the 9-11 attack on the Twin Towers in New York and the Three Mile Island nuclear power accident. Larry retired as Deputy Administrator of Wisconsin's Emergency Management, and served 30 years as a volunteer firefighter-EMT in Monona, Wisconsin where he now lives. He and his wife Mary Anne are the parents of two children.
Wendell Knox graduated from Harvard and began climbing several corporate ladders. He became a board member at several banks, investment firms, and at Hanover Insurance Group, in addition to his post as president of a massive consulting firm with international clients. While at St. Aug, Wendell was a sports columnist for the school newspaper, worked on voter registration drives, and won the state math exam medal as a senior. He remains an ardent Purple Knight supporter .
Errol Duronslet graduated from the College of Pharmacy at Xavier University then spent more than forty years in the pharmaceutical industry in Cleveland, Ohio. He was certified in medication therapy management and vaccine management before retiring in 2017. At St. Aug Errol's nickname was "Spider" and he was a member of the Marching 100. He enjoys movies, music, and following Ohio State football. He hopes to relocate back to New Orleans in the near future.
John H. Wilson III is now retired after nearly fifty years of government administrative service. After graduating from LSU, John eventually became executive director of the New Orleans City Planning Commission. He was later named director of Support Services for Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans heading a staff of 135 with oversight of a $350-million capital improvement program. John is a member of the Carnival krewe "Bunch Club", and now resides in Covington, La.
Louis M. Atkins began as a postal clerk then rose through the ranks to become the first African-American to be elected President of the National Association of Postal Supervisors. His duties included lobbying Congress, negotiating salaries, and improving postal operations. At St. Aug he taught CCD classes to 3rd and 4th graders. After four decades of service, Louis and his wife Bonita of 47 years retired in Baton Rouge, La. He enjoys watching sports and time with his grandson.
Wendell Knox
Dr. Edgar Mitchell Dapremont Jr. is an ophthalmologist and a retired US Air Force Colonel. He retired in 2015 from a successful private practice of 33 years in Gulfport, Mississippi. Edgar was valedictorian (First Honors) at St. Aug and his nickname was "Dap". He is currently chief ophthalmologist for the V-A Hospital in Biloxi, Mississippi and an assistant professor at Tulane University. Edgar is married, enjoys biking, reading, and spoiling his grandkids.
Louis Meyi retired effective 2012 after a 40-plus year career in the Federal Civil Service. He worked for several agencies in Chicago and Boston with a final stop at the Agriculture Department as Regional Civil Rights Director. At St. Aug Louis was a member of the Marching 100 and a community service club. He and his wife Laura of 45 years live in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Louis enjoys music, the ocean and seashore, and especially his two kids and four grandkids.
Danny Bakewell is the former owner of New Orleans radio station WBOK and currently the owner/publisher of the Los Angeles Sentinel newspaper. He is a successful real estate developer and a well-known civil rights activist in Southern California. Danny played football at St. Aug and was nicknamed the "white whale". He is married and lives in the greater Los Angeles area. Danny enjoys visiting his hometown of New Orleans and listening to R&B hits from the 60's and 70's.
Gregory Joseph Gaines is a life-long resident of New Orleans, La. He was a U-S postal employee for 41 years working as a letter carrier, postal inspector, postal police officer, and finally as a USPS tort claims coordinator for 17 years. Greg is now a licensed general contractor, property manager, and was named "Contractor of the Year" in 1996. At St. Aug he was known as "Big Greg" and played football. He is divorced and enjoys motorcycling. Greg passed away in June 2024.
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Jerome D. Craig retired in 2014 after a 46 year career in the telecommunications industry. Jerome held national and international management positions with several firms completing his career as Chief Engineer-Voice Services for the Fairfax County Government. At St. Aug he played tuba in the Marching 100 and his nickname was "Jerry". He and his wife Darryle of 39 years have one son and live in Reston, Virginia. Jerome enjoys fencing, visiting the Caribbean, and playing tennis.
Furnell Chatman broke the media race barrier in New Orleans and worked more than 40 years as a TV news reporter and anchor. Furnell spent most of his career with NBC based in Los Angeles, and has won Emmys, Golden Mikes, and a lifetime achievement award from Minorities in Broadcasting. At St. Aug he was captain of the Marching 100 and "Class Speaker" at graduation. Furnell and his wife Gail retired to the Big Easy, where he redesigns and updates this website.
Darrel Saizan has been active in New Orleans city government for decades, once serving as Director of the Department of Economic Development and Chief of Staff under Mayor Sidney Bartholomew. He also serves on several municipal boards. Darrel is now an active consultant on project management and transportation planning including work on the current Armstrong Airport expansion project. Darrel and his wife Shaun of 30 years have two daughters and he loves family time.
Emile Guy Lombard Sr. retired after 35 years in the industrial gas and chemical industry. Emile and his colleagues at Air Products and Chemicals manufactured the hydrogen used in NASA's space shuttle. He was nicknamed the "Blue Goose" while at St. Aug. Emile and his wife of 50 years live in New Orleans, have five kids and sixteen grandkids. Emile's favorite pastime is dancing.
Bobby Major Jr. is president of Major Services Inc. which is a computer consulting firm established more than two decades ago. He and his wife live in New Orleans and support numerous civic and charity events. Bobby played football at St. Aug and his nickname was "Robert". He is still working and relishes the challenges of his business but finds time to enjoy hunting and water sports.
Rawn Davis retired after serving as Projects Manager at Xavier University for more than 23 years. He now hopes to enjoy life with his grandkids and without all the pressures and responsibilities of the university's ever-expanding footprint. At St. Aug his nickname was "Gump" and he was a member of the glee club. Rawn and his family still call New Orleans home. He enjoys family time and picnicking along the lakefront.
Larry Higgins retired after an extensive and rewarding career in education. He completed his professional work within the Los Angeles Unified School District as a high school principal. Larry was president of the Senior High Principals Association, and he received a distinguished service award from the Council of Black Administrators. He and his wife Pamela now live in Los Angeles. Larry enjoys mentoring his grandson, reading, going to the gym, and woodworking.
Wayne Baquet is a well-known restauranteur and caterer whose dishes have delighted patrons for decades. He owned and operated the ever-popular Lil' Dizzy's Cafe just outside the French Quarter, but now he only does catering because of the Covid-19 pandemic. At St. Aug Wayne was a member of the Glee Club. He has been married for 51 years, and is now officially retired.
Rhaoul Guillaume Sr. is an accomplished civil engineer with projects throughout Louisiana. After graduating from Xavier and Marquette Universities, he worked on construction of the Superdome in New Orleans. In 1981 Rhaoul launched his own engineering firm known as GO-TECH Inc., and in 2016 he received a lifetime achievement award from the American Society of Civil Engineers. He was a member and captain of St. Aug's Marching 100. Rhaoul is married and lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Wayne Benjamin was among the first African-Americans to reach an administrative level position with the New Orleans Times Picayune newspaper and retired as its executive purchasing agent. Wayne now enjoys volunteering with a number of civic, cultural and non-profit agencies. He received a service award in 2016 from the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. At St. Aug, Wayne was a member of the Glee Club. He is divorced and still resides in New Orleans
Gregory McKendall is a successful businessman and educator. He honed his skills in air-conditioning while in the Air Force and is now the owner of McKendall Air-Conditioning Service. Greg teaches his trade to aspiring entrepreneurs as a master educator at New Orleans Pipe Trades and was given an academic award by the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society. He paid his tuition at St. Aug by working after school. Greg has run two marathons and enjoys traveling and trade conventions.
Michael Jules Glapion retired after a 46 year career in the insurance industry. He founded his own insurance company in Minneapolis, Minnesota principally serving commercial clients. Michael was named minority contractor of the year in 1994. He sold his agency in 2002, retired to New Orleans, then launched his own insurance consulting service. Michael enjoyed BBQ grilling, gardening, and live Blues music.
Mike passed in 2021.
Richard A. Winder Sr. now operates his own realty firm in Monroe, Louisiana. But for 43 years he had an extensive career in social work including Counseling Director at Xavier University and Juvenile Center Superintendent in New Orleans. Richard also served as director of an NFL foundation to help inspire leadership among youth. While at St. Aug he taught CCD classes at an elementary school. Richard is an avid Saints fan, enjoys hunting, travel, and family time.
Michael Gordon was one of the top customer service managers in the medical supplies industry. After graduating from St. Aug he spent four years in the Air Force, got his degree from the University of New Orleans, and for several decades was a manager at Dade Behring/Siemens Healthcare. Michael retired in 2018. He now lives in Gonzalez, La., loves family life, and is heavily involved in church volunteer projects.
Harry S. Tervalon Jr. served in the criminal justice system in New Orleans for 45 years as a police officer, assistant D-A, special IAD agent, Civil Service hearing examiner, and Chief of the Conflict Division in the Public Defenders office. At St. Aug Harry was on the student council, the debate club, and was nicknamed "The Russian". He is now retired and enjoys traveling with his wife Bethany, reading, and dining out in New Orleans or wherever he travels.
Ronald Quintal is a life-long resident of New Orleans who retired as a regional manager after a 40-year career with the United States Postal Service. He and his wife Adrienne (Darensbourg) are the proud parents of three children. At St. Aug, Ron was a star baseball pitcher for the Purple Knights. He pitched a perfect game and a no-hitter. During his retirement years, Ron loves fishing and visiting area casinos to help reduce casino profits.
