“Prior preparation prevents poor performance,” a quote commonly
associated with Louie Vesser. However, no amount of prior preparation
could have prepared us for the passing of such an incredible person. On
May 5 Vesser fell at his home, breaking his hip. After numerous
complications, the man loved by the students, faculty, and community was
lost to us on July 19, 2005. An end of an era was the result of his passing.
Thirteen years ago a man with a robust personality, unsurpassed wit, and
incomporable leadership abilities began his “reign” at Jefferson County
High School. He entered with a roar of enthusiasm that was never
squelched, and he made not only JCHS, but Jefferson County as well, a
better place. The man was Louie Vesser - the problem solver, the fund
raiser, the student’s advocate, the advisor, the care taker, the
humorist, the humanitarian, the optimist, the disciplinarian, the
husband, the father, the Christian, and even at one point the bus driver
and sponsor of the cheerleaders! Although Louie Vesser would never
agree that he was regarded as “royalty”, that would be disputed by those
who were entertained by his hilarious rendition of the real “King”,
Elvis! In the 21st century the buzz word was muti-tasking, and in the
dictionary beside that definition should be the picture of Louie
Vesser. Vesser’s typical day began with prayer and ended with the
same, but in between he would typically bring food to the secretaries,
host a breakfast for community leaders, plan a club meeting, raise money
for an organization, counsel students, schedule guest speakers, meet
with numerous teachers, call his wife to say "I love you", conduct an
after school meeting, and then attend an athletic function!
Louie Vesser was instrumental in the development and implementation of
such programs as the block schedule system, LINK, Youth Leadership,
Patriots Events Council, Homecoming, Prom, FCA, Honors Day, Senior
Celebration, Project Graduation, the Senior Play, Graduation, Night of
the Patriots, and numerous other functions. Night of the Patriots was a
creation of Vesser’s in his 1st year at JCHS to demonstrate the multi
talents of the student body. Years later the show was moved to be
multi-faceted by acknowledging outstanding alumnus, Tennessee Patriots
and honoring the veterans. Vesser was instrumental in changing Jefferson
County’s Hwy 92 to the Veteran’s Memorial Hwy. in commemoration of all
who had so valiantly served their country. Vesser often stated how proud
he was to be an American when he saw the many veterans at Night of the
Patriots stand with tears in their eyes as they stood for the playing of
their armed forces song. One of his greatest accomplishments was in
2000 when he arranged for a group of Jefferson County students known as
the Tennessee Stars to travel to Australia to perform for the
pre-Olympic games in Sidney. Vesser provided numerous fund raising
opportunities so that any student who had been chosen for the cast would
able to afford the trip to Down Under. Vesser not only joined the group
at the airport to bid them farewell but had written each cast member an
individual note of encouragement and praise. To every project he brought
new and creative ideas which made a difference in so many lives.
Louie Vesser left a legancy that is unsurpassed. Although he only
“reigned” at JCHS for 13 years, he accomplished more in that time than
most of us will in our entire lives. From his humorous antidotes and
wealth of knowledge to the kissing of a pig for the student body pep
rally, he was infamous at JCHS. One of Mr. Vesser’s favorite mottos was,
“It only takes a little more to be first class” and without a doubt,
Louie Vesser was not only first class, but in a class of his own. The
“King” may be gone from JCHS, but without a doubt he is organizing the
choirs, singing his gospel songs and smiling down from the heavens
above (And if there is any fund raising and publicity needed, he has
probably already been appointed head angel ). Louie Vesser is missed and
loved, but not forgotten. The spirit of the “King” continues to walk
through the hallowed halls of Jefferson County High School. Let’s hope
he is smiling at what he sees.
