My name is Ernest (Ernie)Lively. I was a couselor there when the ranch was known as Prude Ranch for Exceptional children. I lived there from September 1974 to May 1977. Some of the people I worked with were Paula Powell, Mary (last name unknown),Timmy Jobe, Andy Glasscock, John Blanco, Scott Johnson, Larry Flores, Don Johnson (aka:caveman),Danny Woods and others. A couple of the ranch hands were Dan Valentine and Warren Lee. My first year there a man by the name of Tam Adams (retired Air force)was the officer in charge and after him was Oscar Medley.However during the summer of 1976 I worked there as a counselor for the summer camp kids and of all the special people who worked there that summer I remember most of all Beth Rocap. While there I was also attending Sul Ross University and was struggling financially. Thanks to the generosity of John Robert Prude Sr who hired me I was able to complete my education at SRSU. I was so saddened to hear of his passing in 2010. I will always remember the Prudes with fondness. Others I recall are Manny and Carol Benavides, the Wards and of course Big Spurs. Prude Ranch will always accupy a special place in my heart. As for me I have been retired for about 2 & 1/2 years. I was an investigator for the Immigration & Naturalization Service and for the last nine years (before retirement)with the Department of Homeland Security.
