From Mr. Chris Billingsley…

Former DHS principal, Silas “Red” Prosser, who led Decatur High during the turbulent years of school integration, died in his home in Macon, GA. on Friday (His obit was in Saturday’s AJC). He had quite a career in public education, as a teacher, coach, and finally finishing as principal of DHS. I believe he retired in 1977.

What I remember the most about Mr. Prosser was that he gave me my first job as a teacher but fired me at the end of the year. He called it a “reduction in staff” but basically I was told that I could resign or get fired. The next year, I was called back to serve as a long-term sub and was eventually offered a contract, but for years, I held a grudge against Mr. Prosser. How could he fire such an outstanding first year teacher? I only saw him one more time after that, at a reunion for retired educators. He didn’t remember me but we had a pleasant conversation about coaching. I wish now that I had told him how influential he was to my development as a teacher and coach. He fired me because I was a lousy teacher. I should have received the “1976-77 Clueless First Year Teacher” award! Had I had the chance, I would have told him that I was a child in 1976 but he helped me realize that I needed to put up my childhood ways. He forced me to grow up quickly or find another career. Now that I think about it, it may have been the most valuable lesson I ever learned from an administrator. Thanks Mr. Prosser. God Speed.

Here’s the link to Mr. Prosser’s obituary in the AJC.