As the fry cook at Newman Smith High School, Albert Gilbreath, 73, will be remembered not only for his great tasting french fries, but also as the only member of the kitchen staff to wear a chef's hat.

In addition, his eight-year legacy with the school district, which ended with his March retirement, marked the end of an era, since Gilbreath was the only male among the 170 employees in the school district's student nutrition department.

Gilbreath said it was the best job he ever had, "but all good things have t come to an end sooner or later."

While the personnel in the food services department hoped it could have been later rather than sooner, they wish him well.

Alma Sanderson, director of the student nutrition department, said they were lucky to have had Gilbreath's services over the years, "Because he was a dedicated, hard worker who had fun with his job."

Gilbreath has been a chef since 1934. Afer World War II, where as a sergeant he cooked in the mess hall, Gilbreath opened his own restaurant in Farmers Branch.

"Good Eats" was the name of it, and Gilbreath's family owned and operated the restaurant for 22 years until he "lain just got too worn out."

He worked for the city of Farmers Branch for nine years before deciding to return to the kitchen - he fuinally did so in 1982 at Newman Smith.

He has been a member of the Farmers Branch community for 43 years, but will soon be leaving to live near his son who is a pastor in Kansas.

Gilbreath and his wife, Karon, have four grandchildren in Kansas, so it's likely his cooking days arn't over.

"I'm sure I'll do my part," Gilbreath said, "But I'll miss all the people I've worked with - I'll never forget them."

March 1990