John R. Sadberry III, the retired director of high schools with the Oklahoma City Public School System who led as principal several of the state’s premium schools, died on Nov. 5.He was 91 years-old.
Mr. Sadberry also held another key executive position with the public school district before he was promoted to become director of high schools. He was director of secondary personnel.
Prior to assuming those two administrative positions, Mr. Sadberry was principal of Booker T. Washington High in El Reno, Douglass High in Lawton, and John F. Kennedy Junior High and Douglass High in Oklahoma City.
Mr. Sadberry, a member of the congregation since 1964, served for an extended period as a deacon at the Tabernacle Baptist Church.
John Riley Sadberry III was born on Jan. 18, 1917, in Burleson County, Texas, to Charlie and Hallie Sadberry.
Mr. Sadberry graduated as valedictorian of his high school class, and graduated with academic distinction from Prairie View State College with a bachelor of science degree in industrial education.
He received a master of arts degree from the University of Denver, and did additional graduate studies at the University of Oklahoma.
Having enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1945, Mr. Sadberry rose in rank to become a sergeant major, and served in the Philippines until 1946, when he received an honorable discharge.
Mr. Sadberry was a 33rd degree Mason, and was a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
He is survived by his wife, Novella Williams Sadberry.
In addition, Mr. Sadberry is survived by a daughter, Joyce Sadberry Otis (a retired resource teacher in San Diego, Calif., who now lives in Oklahoma City).
Also, he is survived by two sons, Dr. John R. Sadberry IV (an internal medicine physician of San Diego) and Herbert Hagler Jr. (a retired music teacher of Lawton).
Other survivors are five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Nov. 12 at Tabernacle Baptist. Rev. John L. Mayshack Sr. officiated.
Interment was held at Arlington Memory Gardens. Temple & Sons Funeral Directors handled the arrangements.
