Local Centenarian helps SMA celebrate 100th day of school

Just 11 days after celebrating his 100th birthday, San Marcos resident Chester “Leroy” Moddrell paid a visit to San Marcos Academy to help Lower School students celebrate their 100th day of school Jan. 31.

Moddrell, who resides at Regent Care Center in San Marcos, told the kindergarten through fifth graders what it was like to be a century old and answered questions the students had written in advance. He also brought with him a scrapbook full of photos and memorabilia to share.

“I never thought I’d live to be 100,” Moddrell said, adding, “I didn’t try to.”

World War II veteran Leroy Moddrell, who turned 100 on Jan. 20, enjoys his visit to the SMA Lower School. Photo by Don Anders

While he said he would not want to be young again, he admitted that one of the difficult parts about getting old is saying goodbye to loved ones. “You lose a lot of friends and relatives over the years,” he said.

A veteran of World War II, Moddrell said he retired from the Air Force in 1982 and had the opportunity to live in many parts of the world, with Germany being his favorite.

“When I was a child, I knew I wanted to be an aviator,” Moddrell said. “In the war, I did air-sea rescue missions, finding people lost in the ocean.” He said one of the first planes he remembers flying in was a PT-19.

Connie Bagley and her granddaughter, Adeline Smith, dressed as 100-year-old twins for the San Marcos Academy celebration. Photo by Bear Bryant

Asked about his favorite hobbies, Moddrell said he likes hunting and fishing and has a brand new fishing rod waiting to be used. But, mostly, he admitted, “I watch TV and sleep because I always feel tired.”

Moddell’s visit to the Academy brought an end to the Lower School’s 100th day celebration, during which the students and teachers dressed like centenarians. Early in the day, they hobbled on parade through the hallways of the Middle School, the Upper School and the administrative wing to show off their creative costumes.

During a parade through the Upper School hallway, fourth graders Blaine Montgomery and Danielle Davis do their best to shuffle along. Photo by Bear Bryant

The Lower School teachers and staff pulled off quite a transformation, as well, completing their look with walkers, canes, oxygen tanks, fanny packs and plenty of grey hair.

Receiving prizes for the best dressed students were Cienna Rodriguez, Elijah Herrera, Adeline Smith, Ty Kelley, Danielle Davis, Bennett Covington, Ella Gomez, Jackson Ford and overall winner Thomas Whitley.