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People for the most part love to hear of the person who started out in the “underdog “role and rose to the top in spite of the grim obstacles which they experienced. Such is the story of Frank Morales.

He grew up in a time when Mexican people lived with rejection and where they were not allowed to participate. He refused to accept this treatment and was despised by the Anglo community for not backing down.  He in some instances forced his way into places where he had been told he wasn’t allowed.

This happened in Kansas City, Kansas.  He not only survived his environment, but has lived the life of success for many years. A book will soon be out – on how he did it.  He also, left Kansas City in 1957 and now lives in San Juan Capistrano, California.

He recalls that his family lived on 26th Street in the Argentine District “Across the street from the VFW Hall, which used to be a Methodist Mission in the old days.”  The family lost their home in the flood of ’51.  The following will be part of his book:

 I went to Clara Barton elementary, which was strictly for the Mexican kids. It was built in 1923 as a result of the segregation policies of those days. The school and city fathers did not want the Mexicans mingling with their kids.
We were allowed to join the Anglo students in the 7th grade at Argentine High which housed kids from 7th to 12th grades.

Due to the racist environment, most of the teachers and Anglo students didn't welcome us with open arms. I actually had seven fights the first day in that school.

They came at me from all directions that day and Mr. J.C. Harmon the principle almost threw me out of school until he found out that I was only defending myself. I was determined to stay in school anyway, but had to defend myself on many occasions.

My younger brother and sister couldn't put up with it and eventually quit, stating "if they don't want us here, then we're not going to stay.”

Most likely, the worst thing that happened to me the first day of school was my first class. The English teacher closed the classroom door after the bell rang......looked right at me and said out loud......  He then described the mean and degrading words directed to him – by his 7th grade teacher.

However, it got better for me due to my determination to win them over. Eventually, I think I won because when I graduated, I did it with Honors.....I received two banners......one for being the best all-around athlete (mainly in track and football as an All-City; All-League, and All-state football player (offence and defense) and track.....winning honors as a runner and Javelin thrower at the K.U. relays my senior year.

I also received the highest honors as the best all-around musician to graduate from Argentine....I played tenor saxophone, clarinet, and flute. Then, to boot, I was named to the National Honor Society role.

Not too bad for a kid who was almost thrown out of school the first day in the 7th grade.

All in all I still did well and still come back most years to my high school reunion and still play with, what is considered the oldest High School Reunion band in the country.

I left Kansas City in 1957 and moved to Los Angeles with Firestone Tire and Rubber Company as a member of the management team and spent thirty years with several Fortune 500 corporations.

My last twelve years in the corporate world I served as the Director of Computer Operations on the West Coast for another Fortune Corp. and, at the same time became quite an entrepreneur, owning several business' and also became an owner of many real estate rental properties and commercial properties that I lease to well known fast food restaurants.

I own properties both in the U.S. and Mexico ( I speak near-perfect Spanish, and also travel most of the world with my Lovely wife Barbara ( who was from the west-side on the Missouri side), doing business seminars on the  free enterprise system and creation of wealth, and enjoying life. We have five children.....The oldest son is Charles Andrew, who is a PhD. in Psychology and an author. Our oldest daughter is also an entrepreneur and represents the Dale Carnegie Institute, and is my business partner. Our others are also business go-getters and doing well.

Also I have three beautiful granddaughters. The oldest is the senior tennis coach at a California University; the other two are still in college and doing well. As you also know, I am a published author. My life story is now available.
The title of the book is "Fields to Freedom......The links of life". You can go to 'Fieldstofreedom.com" and get a preview. The book will be sold on Amazon.com. The Spanish version will be released later. As you will see that my pen name is 'Frank Morales' but my real name is Fernando.......my first boss at Firestone at 20th and Grand in K.C. Mo. didn't like Fernando, so gave me the name Frank... and it simply stuck........But my name is still "Fernando D. Morales".....or "NANO", as my family and most of my friends still call me.
 
In a symbolic gesture, he attempted to purchase the Park Theater on Strong Avenue – then no one in that theater would ever again tell people where to sit, based on their race:
 
In years past we had to sit in the Mexican section when we went to the Park Theater (the "Show"). Because I had a score to settle, in 1991 I went back to Argentine to buy the theater building for cash. As it turned out, the owners and I did not come to an agreement. Blackie was with me, as well as a camera crew. It was no longer a theater, it was a cabinet shop. I didn't need, nor want a theater building, it was just symbolic, to be able to afford to buy a theater building where I could sweep it early in the mornings, but for many years, were not allowed.....but later allowed to enter, but had to sit in the Mexican section.
 
We could not sit at the counter at the Katz drugstore on 25th and Metropolitan. It was 1950 when we were allowed.
 
I wanted to go into uniform for world war 11, but was too young, so, through the help of Mr. Joe Amayo some of us joined the Kansas State Guard. I was only 14, but lied about my age......told them I was sixteen. Served for a couple years, and when the war was over, the State Guard was dissolved and we all transferred into the Kansas National Guard.

I served for 13 years, first in an infantry division and when they formed the 42 Army band, I transferred into it and became the first Drum Major, Leading many Military parades in town and throughout Kansas. I also, played in the 42nd dance band. I played saxophone, clarinet and flute. Many of the parades where I lead the marching band as the Drum Major were in Argentine on certain military holidays.

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 Remorse and Redemption

At 14, I got into trouble and wound up in jail in Olathe for Grand Larceny. We had no money in our home so three of us decided to take control of our "earning capabilities: and did a stupid thing. After that little experience, I called some of 'guy's together and formed the Golden Knights Boys Club. My reason for forming it was to keep our younger brothers from doing dumb things like what I had just gone through. I was the "Charter President" having drawn up our 'Organization Papers", and served an additional two terms as President.The purpose of the club was two-fold.....to form a club where we could keep the young boys busy in sports......and to assist our Mexican parents in becoming citizens.As it turned out it became strictly sports.....basketball.The club is now defunct, but it lasted, off and on for over fifty years. Some of my buddies who were at the first "organization meeting" were Leo Ayala;Louie Castro;Al Reyes;Matt Reyes;Mugs Galindo, and we had our first meetings at "Chief's Pool Hall", then also Met at the Methodist Church on 26th street near Clara Barton school.
 
Self Motivation Pays Off

I formed my first musical combo in the 8th grade and later led my own groups for many years in beer joints and also nice clubs, both in Kansas and on the Missouri side.

I studied with Mr Bob Luyban, who was my first sax and clarinet teacher, who started his Luyban music store many years ago, and is still very popular to musicians on Main street down by the Plaza district.....It's operated by his daughter.."Shug", whom I still visit when I'm in town, mainly when I get back to my Argentine High School reunion, We still have about 10 or 12 "OLD" timers who went to Argentine who "entertain" the graduates. As I hear, we are the Oldest High School reunion band still playing.
 
My book, just being released, will tell most of my story. The title is "From Fields to Freedom......The Links of Life"". You can go to Fieldstofreedom.com and get a summary.

Frank Morales is still very interested in the business world and human growth. He and his daughter recently participated in an intense 3-day seminar called “The Millionair Mind.”  One could say that Kansas City”s loss is Los Angeles’s gain.  I look forward to meeting Mr. Morales in person; some day in the near future.

Note: A open house will be held Friday Nov. 20th from 6:30 – 8:30 PM at the Srawberry Hill Museum.  Local residents Teresa Pacheco and Tom Valverde have volunteered to create a “Hispanic Culture” addition.  The public is welcome.  The museum is located at  720 N. 4th – Street - Telephone (913) 371-3264.

Rudy Padilla Is a columnist for the Kansan and can be contacted at opkansas@swbell.net