Longtime Educator Paul Wharton Dies At 94

A teacher inspired Paul Wharton to pursue his dream of becoming an educator.

Wharton became convinced it would be a rewarding career while he was in Miss Blandford's English class in his native Springfield, Ky. And he pursued that career for more than a half-century, starting in a one-room Kentucky schoolhouse in 1934 and moving on to the top ranks of Hillsborough County schools, where he led generations of educators before retiring in 1985.

"You can learn something from everybody, and you should never forget that," he told The Tampa Tribune just before his retirement.

Wharton, for whom New Tampa's Wharton High School is named, died Tuesday morning in Tampa. He was 94.

The impact of Wharton's hands-on mentoring style still can be seen in many of today's teachers and administrators. They share his philosophy that decisions always start with what is best for students, said Earl J. Lennard, the district's former superintendent.

"More than anything else, he influenced leaders to grow and become better," he said.

Wharton's son-in-law said that as recently as three months ago, educators were still looking to Wharton for advice on school issues. "He had an incredible insight into what made things work well," said Steve Michelini of Tampa.

Wharton, the youngest of 10 children, moved to Tampa in 1946 to organize veterans programs at Brewster Vocational High School. He served as Brewster's principal from 1951 to 1959 before opening Robinson High in 1959. He was Plant High's principal from 1961 to 1967, then joined the district administration.

Wharton, who was the school district's assistant superintendent of administration and operations, was most proud of the 1997 opening of his namesake high school. He served as commencement speaker at its first graduation and continued to visit for special events such as the school's 10th anniversary in 2007. He would send handwritten notes congratulating students on their accomplishments in sports and other activities.

"Mr. Wharton was very humbled. He took it extraordinarily seriously as a memorial to not only himself but for his generation of educators," Lennard said.

At the time of his retirement, Wharton said he felt it was critical no one forget what it is like to be a student and to remember what a difference a little inspiration can make.

"If I had to give a piece of advice before I left," he told the Tribune, "I guess it would be to tell teachers that the most important thing they can do is to remember how you felt when you were a student and always recognize that students are people, too."

PAUL WHARTON

Wharton is survived by two daughters, Paulette Clark and Mary Schroeder; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

His wife of more than 60 years, Lillian, died in December.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Blount & Curry Funeral Home, 605 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa. A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Tampa's First Presbyterian Church, 412 E. Zack St.