From John Emerich Superintendent of Schools for Crockett ISD
Congratulations to the 2023 Ring of Honor inductees.
Crockett ISD is pleased to recognize the accomplishments of these graduates and appreciates the reflection they provide to others, in our community and abroad, of what it means to be a Bulldog.
Our board, administrators, teachers and staff treasure the opportunity to instill these characteristics into the lives of the young people in our schools. The living message our inductees provide to our current and future students is a powerful extension of that effort and is deeply appreciated and worthy of this honor.
Again, congratulations and best wishes as you continue to reflect your role as a Crockett Bulldog!
Julius Jerome Brown is a husband, father, son and proud graduate of Crockett High School, located in his small, but loving hometown of Crockett, Texas.
While attending Crockett High School, Julius was a multi-sport athlete, excelling in baseball, basketball and football. After graduating from high school in 1998, Julius went on to have a very successful career as a respected student athlete at Blinn College and later Grambling State University, where he graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.
After college, Julius continued his love for the game and played in a variety of professional football leagues, before deciding to hang up his cleats to marry the love of his life and begin a family.
Just as his father and others in the Crockett community spent time nurturing his love for football, he, too, has unselfishly poured into young people who share the same dream by serving as a parent-coach with his son’s little league football team.
In addition to his service as a parent-coach, Julius takes great pride in his daily fatherhood duties, such as helping with homework and attending his children’s school events and other extracurricular activities.
For the last 17 years, Julius has been employed with BNSF Railway, where he serves as a tenured Signal Maintainer. Though Julius’s job takes him away from his family for days at a time, he takes special care to cook meals for his family each week before heading out to work to ensure his wife can spend less time worrying about dinner and more time on the care and educational needs of their three school-age children.
Julius’ most enjoyable moments are those precious times spent with his wife of 13 years, Genetta, their four children Julius Christian, Keegan, Kadyn and Kylei, and his loving family and friends. Julius and his family currently reside in Humble, Texas and are faithful members of The Lighthouse Church, under the leadership of Pastor Keion Henderson.
Kristy Moten Chavis is a 1998 Crockett High School Honor Graduate who was born in Houston, Texas and raised in Crockett by her mother and grandparents.
She participated in cheerleading, band, volleyball, basketball and track.
She attended Sam Houston State University, Lamar and Prairie View A&M University.
Kristy has spent the last 20 years of her life working with secondary students and families to ensure their future success. From teaching to counseling to serving as an assistant principal and summer school principal, she has served as a leader on both the middle and high school levels in CyFair ISD. She currently serves as the Director of Guidance and Counseling in Spring Branch ISD.
Kristy is married to Kevin Chavis and has two sons and two dogs, and they reside in Cypress, Texas. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. She attributes her success to God, family, friends and being raised in a small town.
Demond Denman comes from a long legacy of student athletes at Crockett High School. He is the youngest of 13 who played multiple sports at Crockett High. He is a proud member of the graduating class of 1993.
Denman was on the 1990 State Finals Football Team, 1991 AllState Offense and Defense, 1992 All-State Offense and Defense, 1993 Basketball District MVP and All-State and 1993 All-Area Baseball.
Denman earned a baseball scholarship to Dallas Baptist University, where he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds baseball organization.
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Years later, he married Brachelle Robbins, also a Crockett graduate, and they have three children, Brooke, Dillon and Kameron.
Denman started his coaching career in Crockett and eventually landed in Centerville, where the football team has been to the state semi-finals four times. As head baseball coach, he has compiled over 200 wins and recently went to the state regional finals.
Denman credits any bit of success that he has had to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and to the tireless dedication of his parents, W.C. and Walter Denman.
John Vernon Garner was born in Crockett into a family of high achievers and educators who have been continuously part of Crockett I.S.D. for 71 years.
He is a 1970 graduate of Crockett High School, who was involved in numerous school activities. He played football, basketball and tennis, and was a band member throughout his school years. In high school, he served as class officer for two years and was on the stu-
dent council for two years. class.
He was president of the CHS Student Council his senior year. He was named Best All-Around Boy and graduated salutatorian of his
John continued his education at Sam Houston State University, while being a member of the Bearkat Band and the Army ROTC. He graduated from SHSU in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in Math-
ematics and Computer Science.
During his senior year, he married his high school sweetheart, Deborah McKay, in 1973. They are looking forward to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this December.
In 1979, John graduated from the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery and returned to his hometown of Crockett to begin his General Dentistry practice which he continues to this day.
Since returning to Crockett, Dr. Garner has been active in civic, community and church activities. He has served as coach of Crockett Merchant’s Little League and Crockett Little Dribblers teams. He is past president of the Crockett Little League, the Houston County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, and the Tomorrow Fund.
He has been an avid fan and supporter of all Crockett school activities. He most recently served on the Crockett ISD School Board for 12 years and is its immediate past president.
Throughout life, God and family have been the primary focus of John’s life. He has served his Lord and the Grace Street Church of Christ as a deacon for 15 years and now as an elder for 14 years.
He and Debbie are the proud parents of two sons and a daughter - who are all CHS graduates. They, along with their spouses, received college degrees. They have blessed the Garners with two granddaughters and three grandsons.
Introducing Brandon Warfield, a true trailblazer in football. His unyielding passion and relentless dedication, have helped him achieve remarkable milestones throughout his career. Warfield’s pioneering work has not only redefined the sport but has also inspired countless individuals to pursue their dreams fearlessly.
From humble beginnings, to this monumental honor, Brandon Warfield has remained a beacon of innovation and excellence. His groundbreaking contributions to the sport have left an indelible mark on peers and admirers alike, earning him the utmost respect. The oldest son of the late Carolyn Warfield and Trampus Riley, Brandon was raised in the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church community. His family has a legacy of generations helping to establish a community built around faith.
As a visionary leader, Warfield has mentored and nurtured talent, fostering a new generation of changemakers. He has donated immense time and resources to numerous kids and school programs throughout the year including the Houston County Crusaders football team, all the while offering support to children who participate in school activities. His unwavering commitment to inclusivity and diversity has paved the way for a more equitable future.
While being a first-generation college student, he earned an associate’s degree in general studies and received a full-ride scholarship to the University of Utah, earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology.
Today’s induction into the Ring of Honor is a testament to his extraordinary impact and enduring legacy. May his accomplishments continue to inspire generations to come as they join the ranks of the most distinguished and influential figures that have passed through Crockett High School.
His Career Highlights include:
Graduate of Crockett High School Class of 2000
Two-time All-District Offensive Team, All-Regional, and All-State Running Back
1998 State Finalist Boys Basketball State Team
2000 Southwestern Bell Senior All-Star Game Participant
2000 Angelina College Coca-Cola Classic All-Star Select
2000 Angelina College Coca-Cola Classic All-Star Slam-Dunk Champion
Graduate of Kilgore Jr. College Class of 2002
2001 Undefeated season 12-0
2001 Southwest Junior College Conference Champions
2000-2001 All-Conference Offensive Team
2001 SWJC Conference Most Valuable Player
2001 SWJC Conference Leading Rusher
2001 SWJC Conference Offensive Player of the Year
2002 University of Utah Offensive Player of the Year
2002 All-Mountain West Conference Team
2003 All-Mountain West Conference Team
2002-2003 All-Mountain West Conference Player of the Week for four consecutive weeks.
2003 Liberty Bowl Most Valuable Player (Memphis, TN)
2003 Liberty Bowl Offensive Player of the Game (Memphis, TN)
2004 Las Vegas Senior Bowl All-Star Team (Las Vegas, NV)
2004 Las Vegas Senior Bowl Offensive Player of the Game (Las Vegas, NV)
2004-2005 Signed Free Agent with the Baltimore Ravens (Baltimore, MD)
2014 Inductee into the NJCAA Hall of Fame (Kilgore College 2001 Football Team)
Pictured above is the 1917 edition of the Crockett High School football team. The gear was supplied by the individual players. Traveling expenses were usually borne by the coaches, who were “downtown” coaches. The first faculty member ever designated as coach was Everett T. Dawson, principal, during the 1923-24 school year. Mr. Nisbett was the assistant coach that year. Also, during the 1923 season, the school purchased the first equipment ever bought by the school. That equipment consisted of a dozen blue jerseys with white bands on the sleeves. Of course, a number of the players of the 1917 pictured are now deceased. Shown in the front row (L-R) are Dozier Austin, Webster Langston, S.W. (Chappy) Craddock and Tom Brown; middle, L-R, Lacy Hooks, William Henry Baker, Guy Hale, Henry Adams, Willie Austin, Harvey McCarty and Frank Wootters; standing L-R, Wayne McConnell, coach, Pat McConnell, Mayes Hale, William Henry Beazley, Mack McConnell and John A. Cook, coach. crOckeTT
SchOOL DiSTricT
One TOwn -
One SchOOl - One Family
The hallowed halls of this great and humble institution were named after Dr. Ralph J. Bunche. He was born in Detroit, Michigan and died on Dec. 9, 1971. Dr. Bunche worked his way through the University of California at Los Angeles and graduated in 1927. He received a Ph.D from Harvard University in 1934.
Dr. Bunche won the Spinarn Medal in 1949 and was United Nations undersecretary general for special political affairs from 1955-1970.
Dr. Bunche had the honor of becoming the first African American to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for successful mediation of the 1948 armistice between Israel and Arab states. He served in the U.S. State Department prior to joining the United Nations, and he also directed the United Nations peacekeeping efforts in the Suez in 1956, the Congo in 1960 and Cyrus in 1964.
Julius Jerome Brown
Demond Denman Dr. John Garner
Brandon Warfield
Kristy Moten Chavis