Longtime educator Anthony Nunes quietly fades away after 53-year career

On June 15, the quiet but likable Nunes, who turns 80 in August, submitted his letter of resignation, surprising just about everyone but himself. Actually it will be 53 and ½ years on the job without missing a day. He was hired in January of 1962.

The dean of educators in Lemoore is no doubt the longest-serving teacher in the history of Lemoore High School. But even he says teaching was not his first choice. His family initially wanted him to attend law school. Well, a few classes in law changed his mind. “I did a turn around and then I went into teaching,” said Nunes.

Nunes admits the first few years were a struggle for him. “At first I didn’t know what I was doing,” he said. “The first 10 years were learning years.”

He credits LHS teachers like Gertrude Gundacker (an LHS teaching legend in her own right) for instilling in him the love of teaching. Gundacker too had a long career at LHS. The District even named its Alternative Education Site after her.

“Probably the person who had the biggest impact on me was Gertrude Gundacker,” said Nunes. Not only did Nunes work alongside Gundacker for many but she was his teacher as well.

Nunes is a 1952 Lemoore High graduate. He attended Fresno State and graduated in 1957 with a degree in Social Sciences. After a 2-year stint in the Army, Nunes returned to Lemoore where he substituted for a while, did some home schooling, trying to learn the ropes. He began teaching full time in 1962 and the rest is history.

In his retirement, Nunes plans to tend to his farm and hopes the drought ends soon so his beloved grapes can begin growing again. Despite the dry weather he does have a few vines that seem to have prospered.

He also spends a great deal of time at St. Peter’s Catholic Church where he has become a fixture since the ‘60s. He currently is what is referred to by church-goers as the “Master of Ceremonies.” He’s responsible for the organization of various events at the church.

Above all he enjoyed his 53 years of interaction with the students of Lemoore. “I just enjoyed it all,” he said. I learned so much from the students. That was the reason I kept coming back. I was so very fortunate.”

And so were the students of Lemoore High School – for the past 53 years.