Bevil Jarrell was a longtime Humble educator whose influence spanned a generation. An Humble native, he graduated from Charles Bender High School and was a veteran of World War II.

After the war, Jarrell attended Southwest Texas State University before returning home to educate in the Humble Independent School District.

The idea to name the bridge after Jarrell was suggested a month after his death in 2003 at an Humble City Council meeting, since he had lived on the San Jacinto River and was an avid fisherman.

Organizers of the ceremony and dedication said Jarrell was a beloved coach, teacher and mentor during his time in Humble.

“His way of teaching was to give you iconic sayings to remember figures in history,” John Wayne Wisenbaker said. “That’s the kind of teacher he was.”

Photo: A hand-drawn, framed picture of Bevil Jarrell on display at the ceremony dedicating the San Jacinto bridge in his name. The picture was drawn by Gary Tuttle.