BRENTWOOD — An educator for nearly 65 years, it’s pretty clear that Jack Ferrill loves school.

It also seems staff and students love him right back.

He recently had his 89th birthday — yes, 89! — and co-workers at Independence High surprised him with a celebration.

Held at the Brentwood campus, fellow teacher Linda Ostermeier said “He is loved and respected by all. (The event) was wonderful. He was surprised and happy. There was a huge cake and we presented him a group staff photo.”

Susan Laird, an English teacher at HIS, came up with the party idea.

“Mr. Ferrill has been part of my life forever,” Laird said. “He was my father’s football coach in 1951, and over the years coached many friends and relatives. He taught P.E. while I was a Liberty High student, and has been a role model to me as a teacher.

“I admire his ability to greet each student as a valued individual, always approaching each encounter with a positive attitude. He truly is a master teacher, and an inspiration.”

Ferrill grew up in Stockton, where he was a star athlete. After serving as a Marine in World War II, he attended the University of Pacific.

An inductee into the Liberty School District Hall of Fame, Ferrill began his career in 1951 at Liberty High, where he was head football coach from 1962-76, a P.E. instructor and eventually principal in 1986. A 5th-degree black belt in judo, he is also the president of the LUSD Athletic Hall of Fame.

“His list of accomplishments is vast,” Laird said.

Guy Rognlien, director of community education at IHS, has known Ferrill since the mid-1980s when Rognlien was a Liberty student and Ferrill was the head administrator.

In 2006, the two reconnected when Rognlien became an administrator with the LUHSD.

“He is the epitome of what it means to teach,” Rognlien said. “Our staff and students are in awe of the dedication, commitment and ‘history’ of Mr. Ferrill.”

After 39 years with the district, Ferrill retired in 1990, and now works part-time at HIS as a physical education teacher.

“Jack is just an amazing man, who loves working with students. (It’s been) 64 years and don’t think he’ll ever quit,” Ostermeier said.

Reach Trine Gallegos at TrineG@att.net