María Julieta Farias Staggs was born to Francisco F. Farias and María Julieta de la Garza Farias in July 1925. "Julie" graduated with honors from Martin High School in 1942. She studied Education and Spanish at what is now Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. Julie taught school in D'Hanis, Texas one year and returned to Laredo to teach at Martin High School, and then Bruni School. She met Frank Staggs in August of 1952, and they were married May 28 the following year. They moved to Greely, Colorado that summer and returned to teaching in Frank's hometown of Mirando City. She taught third grade while grade while awaiting the birth of Frank, Jr. who was born February 1953. That summer, the Staggs returned to Colorado where Frank completed his Masters in School Administration.
Laredo became their permanent home that fall and Julie began a 30+ year teaching career at the new M.S. Ryan Elementary where she made many lifelong friends doing what she enjoyed most- teaching. In August 1957, they welcomed another son, Raúl. Soon after in 1963, they moved into their new home by Ryan and M.B. Lamar Junior High School, where Frank still lives. The home was constructed from materials from old Farias home in downtown Laredo. in 1987, Julie was selected to portray Martha Washington as part of Laredo's Washington's Birthday Celebration. Frank was her "George. Julie was beset by Alzheimer's in 2003 and passed away October 1, 2015. To say she was a wonderful person isn't enough. Frank often says her only fault was in choosing him as her husband. She is missed by all.
Born in July 1927 in Laredo to Frank W. and Gertrude Frizzell Staggs, Frank Maurice has never been known for sitting still. His career spans teaching, insurance, coaching, ranching, refereeing and even bus driving.
The family lived in a small oil town south of Mirando City called Petroleum which died out about 1929 when they moved back to Mirando where Frank received most of his “schoolin’. During the 1930’s Depression the family moved several times around Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas; often to new schools two to three times a year. In fact, during fifth grade, Frank attended four different schools. The moves were the result of generosity of Mr. O.W. Killam, who employed Frank W., and kept all Killam crews working in spite of the Depression.
The Staggs always returned to Mirando City, and Frank graduated from Mirando High School along with his close friend Hern Charles. Frank studied at Texas A&M University for a short time before enlisting in the United States Armed Services. His assignment was to the U.S. Army Hospital Mercy, which sailed across the Pacific Theatre of operations. After finishing his extended tour of duty in 1947, he continued his education at Texas A&I University-Kingsville, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science. During his senior year, he became licensed to sell life insurance, doing so part-time for many years while teaching. Also, while in college, he taught at San Benito for one year. As happened often in his life, he returned home to Mirando City. At the high school he taught English and History; coached boys' football, basketball, and track, and girls' basketball and track. Driving the school bus was also one of his many duties.
His life changed in August of 1951 at a Laredo café in the Heights when on a business trip he was introduced to Julie Farias. They married one year later. Soon after, they moved to Laredo and he taught English and Speech at M.B. Lamar Junior High School. FIve years later, he was appointed Assistant Principal there. When Milton Elementary opened, he became its first principal and returned to Lamar as its principal in 1969. During that time, he began ranching with Julie's uncle, Dr. Raúl de la Garza, at the family ranch near Oilton . Then Central Office came calling and in 1972 he was named Director of Special programs. Eight years later, Frank retired from education and pursued a career in the insurance business. Staggs and Leonard Insurance, which focused on life and group medical insurance, came to be when he entered into partnership with Ed Leonard. The partnership dissolved 19 years later when Mr. Leonard passed away and ranching became Frank's principle business.
Mr. Staggs credits his success to luck. "I've always been lucky- good parents, married a wonderful girl, and had two good boys. A good life. I am lucky. But the harder I worked the luckier I got ! As my grandma Betty Frizzell used to say, ' The Lord has a hand on your shoulder, boy!' I say Amen."
Mr. Frank Staggs, Sr., passed away peacefully at home at the age of 95 on December 20, 2022.
