Mr. John Bass
Who is John C. Bass?
John Carrolle Bass, Ill was born to Cleophus Palmer and John C. Bass, Jr. on August 11, 1937 in Gillette, Arkansas. Even though he was born in Arkansas, he spent his formative years in Seattle, Washington.
While living in the state of Washington, Mr. Bass graduated from Garfield High School and earned advanced degrees from Wenatchee Junior College and Eastern Washington State College. Following the Bass family's move to Las Vegas, he earned a master's degree from University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
As a Clark County School District employee, Mr. Bass served students and families for approximately 32 years as a Teacher, Title I Controller, and Principal (Paul E. Culley, Twin Lakes, Bertha Ronzone, and Cynthia Cunningham Elementary Schools). In his capacity as an effective educator and youth advocate, Mr. Bass worked tirelessly with programs and organizations that were youth oriented. He was a major supporter of the Education Success through Partnership Program. The main focus of the group was to work with students who lived in low-income public housing. Additionally, John was the president and scholarship chairperson of the Las Vegas Alliance of Black School Educators. In this position, he was able to plan and implement Multicultural Conferences and participate in the B-Con Youth Recognition Programs. These two activities were used as venues to provide scholarships for deserving students. He was also a Court Appointed Student Advocate. Not long after becoming a school district employee, Mr. Bass, along with fellow teachers, designed and implemented the first after-school program for students who lived in West Las Vegas. John taught the kids how to play flag football. They became very good players! As a result of their successes, invitations to participate in the "All-Flag-Football" tournaments were often extended. Transportation was not readily available. Consequently, Mr. Bass and Mr. Bill Evans transported the students in their private cars every year that they attended. Another endeavor that John was passionate about was the "29 Palms Invitational Basketball Tournament". He officiated at these tournaments for 36 years.
Mr. Bass was especially touched by the troubled young people that he encountered. In many cases, he found it necessary to supply them with whatever they needed to succeed. Whether it was food, clothes, school supplies, job training, musical instruments, sports equipment/uniforms, or college tuition, Mr. Bass made sure that they got what was essential.
As an avid sports fan, he played handball three or four times a week, fished in Durango, Colorado every June, rode his Sea Doo at Lake Mead, and watched his favorite sports teams on television. Music also delighted him! He had an extensive record, cassette, and CD collection, and was a member of three choirs. Finally, John loved to travel. Cruises and Mexico's beaches were high on his itinerary.
John was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, student activist, and friend. He succumbed to cancer on September 2, 1999.
Mr. Bass Educational Background
Mr. Bass was born in Gillette, Arkansas which is an extremely deprived rural area, located in the south eastern part of the state. He began school at the age of eight. Upon completing the third grade, John, his mother, and his three brother moved to Seattle, Washington, where he enrolled as a Seattle Public School District elementary students as an eleven year old fourth grader. He continued his education and fortunately graduated from Garfield High School at the age of nineteen. Please note - John's beginning school experiences were sporadic because they occurred when our country was fully engulfed in World War II and his family was in transition.
After graduating from high school, Mr. Bass entered Washington State College with an athletic scholarship. He did not do very well academically while there. Unfortunately, it was necessary for him to transfer to Wenatchee Junior College the second year of his college career. As a student he faced his obstacles, remained constant to his resolve to conquer his problems, and improved his grade point average to B+ (3.00).
Upon completion of his studies at Wenatchee Junior College, Mr. Bass enrolled at Eastern Washington State College. He flourished there! He was able to perpetuate his A-B grade point average and earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education, with a minor in Elementary Education. Concurrently, Mr. Bass believed that in order to get a decent job, he would have to proceed with his educational pursuits. With determination and encouragement, Mr. Bass began his post graduate studies at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, earning a Master of Arts degree in elementary Education.
Mr. Bass believed that continuing and thriving to improve himself would be the keys to his life's successes, and that nothing took the place of hard work and perseverance. Because Mr. Bass pursued his education, he was able to become an employee of Clark County School District. During the course of his thirty three year career, he held the positions of: Teacher - grades three through six; Title 1 Controller, Office of Compensatory Education: and Elementary School Principal.
Mr. Bass always kept his eyes on the C.A.P!
