Joe Antonio Airola

JOE ANTONIO AIROLA passed away on January 13th, 2007, at his home in New Waverly, Texas at the age of 78 following a battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bautista and Theresa Airola, and sister Margaret. Airola leaves behind a career in public education that spans almost half a century. Born in Fairbanks, Texas on July 13, 1928, Airola grew up as the son of Italian immigrants on his family's farm northwest of Houston. After graduating from Cypress-Fairbanks High School in 1946, he attended Sam Houston College. Due to the wartime shortage of teachers, Airola returned home and began his teaching career at the age of 19 in Cypress-Fairbanks, and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Houston. Soon he moved to Memorial Drive Elementary in Spring Branch ISD where he became its principle at the age of 23. During his 21-year career at the Spring Branch Schools, Airola advanced from principal to assistant superintendent of instruction. He spent one year as interim superintendent before leaving the district in 1971. At the time he left, the district was widely recognized as one of the top-performing public school districts in the country. After working for the Region IV education service center for two years and receiving his doctorate degree, Airola took a position as Vice President and dean of instruction for the newly organized North Harris County Community College (now known as North Harris Montgomery Community College). With no facility, no money, and no students, Bill Thorne, the school's president, and Airola laid the groundwork for an institution which would make higher education more accessible for thousands of area residents. Enrolment began in the fall of 1975 with 699 night students Following Thorne's retirement in 1982, Airola was named president of North Harris County Community College. In 1984, as growth required the college to expand to multiple campuses, Airola was appointed Chancellor. While serving as Chancellor, Airola served on numerous boards and community organizations including rotary and the local chambers of commerce. Airola retired in 1991, having seen the college expand to three campuses and a total of more than 16,000 students. Upon retirement, Airola served as visiting professor at the University of Houston, Interim President of Galveston College and consultant to the Westhill University in Mexico City. Mostly, though, retirement meant spending time doing the things he loved; farming, traveling, church activities, and spending time with his grandchildren. Throughout his career, Airola was bestowed many honors, but he claimed it his greatest honor to be a friend, neighbor, mentor, husband, father and grandfather. It was in those roles that he thrived and which brought him such joy. He will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched. He is survived by his wife Jannette Airola; daughter, Cathy Airola of Kingwood; sons and daughters in law, Mark and Cathy Airola of Houston and Jim and Jill Airola of Carmel, CA; grandchildren, Anthony, Dominic, Michael, Gianna and Ben. He is also survived by his two sisters, Annie Hagler and Mary Smith; brother, John Airola. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 14, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Earthman Resthaven, 13102 North Freeway, Houston, 77060. A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Huntsville, Texas. on Monday, January 15 at 1:00 p.m., followed by a reception. There will also be a graveside service at Earthman Resthaven at 4:00 p.m. the same day. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Airola Scholarship Fund at North Harris Montgomery Community College; 5000 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, TX, 777381-4399.