Dr. Bernard L. Fulton

Fulton, Dr. Bernard L. dearly loved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, educator, mentor and friend died peacefully at home surrounded by his beloved family, June 14, 2009. He was in his 100th year and was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Helen Smith Fulton who passed away in 2007. He was the father of Georgie Green, Molly Seeligson, William and John; father-in-law to John Green, John Seeligson, Nancy Fulton, and MaryBeth Fulton; grandfather to 7: Jamie Willard; Georgina Pruetz; Michael Bernard Seeligson; Rachael McMorrow; Joanna Helen, Maggie and Melissa Fulton; great-grandfaather to: Tatum and Mattie Willard, Sarah and Molly Pruetz, and Isla and Emilia McMorrow. He is also survived by nieces and nephews and a host of many friends and a large extended family. All of Bernard's children and four of his grandchildren are graduates of Greenhill School. One great-grandchild is a member of Greenhill's class of 2014. Dr. Fulton, the founder of Greenhill School and for whom The Fulton School was named, was a pioneer in education, a mentor to many, a leader who inspired others to achieve. He had a tenacious spirit, a penchant for storytelling, a love of country, respect for mankind, and a dedication to move education to a higher level. Even in the last weeks of life, Dr. Fulton met with educators and students to encourage their quests in education and life. Thousands of members of his Greenhill family and friends are aware of how deeply his work enriched their lives. Dr. Fulton's life is an inspiration and his legacies are many. He was born in Boone County, West Virginia, March 19, 1910, the son of William W. Fulton and Mary Beatrice Price Fulton. Bernard helped his mother raise his 3 younger siblings after his father passed away when he was 8. During the Great Depression, Bernard worked at the coal mines of West Virginia and later became a principal/teacher in a two-room schoolhouse in the mountains of Appalachia, the beginning of what would become Dr. Fulton's auspicious career in education. Bernard declined football scholarships to Notre Dame, West Point and Princeton as family responsibility and loyalty led him to play for nearby Morris Harvey College, now the University of Charleston. His athletic skill led him to Dallas where he played for Peacock Military Academy and was part of Troop E of the 112th US Cavalry. Dr. Fulton earned both a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Arts in Education, Administration and History from SMU where he was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus in 1976. In 1973, he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Mary Hardin Baylor University. Dr. Fulton was honored by Texas Governor Bill Clements who proclaimed October 20, 1990 Bernard Fulton Day in recognition of his "dedication to the education of the young people of Dallas, in Texas and the nation." Dr. Fulton's work in Dallas began in the late 1930s at Texas Country Day School, now St. Marks, where he served as Assistant Headmaster, Military Commandant, teacher, and coach for 13 years. In 1950, with his wife Helen and several of their friends and fellow educators, Bernard founded Greenhill School, now one of the preeminent independent college preparatory schools in the United States. He served as Headmaster of Greenhill from 1950 to1976, led Lakehill Preparatory School as Headmaster from 1976-1978 and from 1979 to 1985 was a site visitor for the U.S. Department of Education's Exemplary School Program, a program to find and acknowledge the best schools in the nation. Dr. Fulton was a member of the Headmasters' Association and the Country Day School Headmasters' Association of the United States. He served as President of the Independent School Association of the Southwest. Dr. Fulton's civic activities included being president of the North Texas chapter of the United Nations, working in that capacity with Eleanor Roosevelt. He was a member of Rotary International, a Regional Commissioner for the Boy Scouts of America, and was a member of the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce and Board President of the Addison Independent School District from 1940-1950. Dr. Fulton served on the Boards for many schools including The Clear Spring School in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, The Fulton School in Heath, Texas, the Dallas Creative Learning Center, Southwest Academy, Canterbury School, Shelton School and Winston School. He was an educational consultant to many others, including The daVinci School. Bernard was a founding member of University Park United Methodist Church where he served as a member of the Board of Stewards. Bernard enjoyed attending Morgan horse shows with his family, participating in sports, breeding and showing dogs, and overseeing construction projects. Most of all, he loved his family, friends, and fellow educators. He believed in the worth of every individual and did everything he could to help further their aspirations. He was a true pioneer and visionary who reached for the stars through adversity. His legacy is alive in his family members, the schools he built, the schools he encouraged and the people he inspired. We will miss you greatly, Bernard. We love you. Special appreciation from the family goes to Mirian Martel, Dennis Bonilla and Justina and Marlin Valero, his devoted caregivers. Visitation: Friday, June 19 from 5 to 8 PM at Sparkman Hillcrest. Services: Saturday, June 20 at 10 AM at University Park United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: The Fulton Family Financial Aid Fund at Greenhill School or The Fulton School in Heath, Texas.