By by Adam Prestridge
Adversity was something Archie Trawick did not shy away from.
The former Escambia County superintendent of education and principal made that evident by his “tough-as-nails” approach to administration, while serving in the system for 22 years, and leading Atmore High School through integration and the school board through proration.
Trawick's contributions to the county were recalled Sunday as family, friends and colleagues gathered to pay their final respects to the longtime educator, who died unexpectedly Jan. 1 at the age of 72.
Buck Powell, who also served as superintendent of Escambia County, taught and coached under Trawick. He said that he was “saddened” when he learned of Trawick's passing.
Trawick hired Powell as head football coach in 1976.
Those who worked with and were friends of Trawick remembered him Friday as a disciplinarian.
Former Rachel Patterson Elementary School teacher Charlotte Boyle said although she never taught under Trawick, she became friends with him over the years.
Curtis Ray Parker took over as superintendent following Trawick's retirement in 1993. He remembered Trawick's firm approach. “He was tough as nails,” Parker said. “He had his opinions and his way of doing things. He came during a pretty bad time with proration, but Archie did a good job of weathering the rough times. He was a very good school person.”
Jim Staff, served on the school board for 12 years, said he remembered Trawick as a sharp principal and assistant superintendent.
Trawick began his teaching career at Robertsdale High School teaching 10th, 11th, and 12th grade English. He continued teaching at RHS for seven years before taking a position teaching English at Forest Hill High School in West Palm Beach, Fla. Following a two-year stint, Trawick became the assistant principal at Dothan High School where he served for five years.
In 1971, Trawick became the principal at Atmore High School from where he served until 1979. He retired in 1993 after serving as superintendent for five years.
According to Trawick's son, J.D., his father had been enjoying retirement at home in Perdido.
Trawick will be laid to rest today in Perdido Baptist Cemetery.