October 19, 2016 - On Tuesday, October 18th, a large crowd at the Shelby County Museum was privileged to hear an enlightening account by Honorable Judge Benny C. Boles of his years playing football for Center and Sam Houston State. Boles graduated from Center High School in 1952, graduated from Sam Houston State College in 1956 with a degree in Business Administration. Upon his graduation, he entered the military as 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry where he served for 3 years. While living in California, Boles continued his education at Cal Poly by obtaining a teaching certificate. Boles then returned to his home town of Center and was the head baseball coach, also teaching elementary, high school, and served in an administrative position totaling 7 years.
During this time, he received his Master Degree from Stephen F. Austin. At the age of 30, Judge Boles entered Law School at the University of Houston and received his Law Degree June 1969 at the age of 33. Boles practice law in League City for two years returning to Center. June of 1972 he opened a law office. In 1980, Judge Boles ran for District Judge for 123rd District Court which consisted of Shelby and Panola counties. This began a career that span 14 years winning 4 terms. Judge Boles retired from office midway through the 4th term on January 1, 1995. For the next 15 years, Judge Boles became a visiting judge holding court in Houston/Dallas for 12 of those years.
Judge Boles asked the group, “How did a country boy who lived out on 699 cross the railroad tracks and who lived in a dog trot house came to wear a football uniform?” He stated his achievements in life were the results of a plan, God’s plan. He credited his ability to follow the plan to his loving mother, father, and good teachers who saw something in him. Boles shared how he grew up with the strong influence of his working mother and father, Paul and Rosie Lee who owned a café first located across from the post office and later the Booty Ross café in East Center.
When WWII broke out, many of the men joined the service but those left went to Houston, Orange or Port Arthur to work in the shipyards. Many of these positions were filled by women as there were few men around to do the jobs. Boles stated his family moved to the Houston area so his dad could work in the shipyards. Boles had a very hard time in a larger school system and he was bullied by other students. His mother realized he wasn’t going to make it in the Houston school system and moved him and his sister back to Center.
Boles credited his 2nd grade teacher, Miss Iva Nell Conway, in helping a shy troubled boy get interested in school again. He stated that if it hadn’t been for good teachers he would never have gotten into a football uniform. Boles stated he probably only weighed about 100 pounds as a junior and only played a few plays. In his senior year, weighing in at 120 pounds, he was co-captain of the Roughrider team. Many thought he was too small to play but his coach, R.E. Malone, assured him he would play his senior year. He started off as quarterback but was moved to running back when the quarterback was injured.
His outstanding performance his senior year resulted in his getting a full athletic scholarship to Sam Houston. At Sam Houston, he won many football awards. He lettered in 1952, 1953, 1954, and 1955. He was NAIA All-America 1955 and All-Lone Star Conference in 1954 and 1955. Boles was a member of the 1955 Lone Star Conference championship team and he ranked 11th in Bearkat career rushing in 1978 with 273 carries for 1,792 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was inducted in to the Sam Houston Hall of Fame in 1978. Today, he still ranks in the top 15 at number 14 in rushing yards and touchdowns.
Two of his favorite scriptures are Psalms 139:13-16 and Jeremiah 29:11. This was the plan God had for him, and this enabled him to get the education he needed to succeed in life. He just followed God's game plan.
The Shelby County Museum is located at the corner of Pecan Street and Thomas Street and is open Monday - Friday from 1pm until 4pm. The museum is currently displaying Shelby County Sports memorabilia. Come and take a walk down memory lane. You might just learn something about someone you know!
