Comments on: Tate High Mourns Loss Of Longtime Teacher Michael Varner

By: Julien Boyance

Julien Boyance — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 23:34:40 +0000

I transferred to Tate from Escambia High. I lived in what was then called the 90 & 9 Boy’s Ranch. Mr. Varner made sure I assimilated into my school and was one of the reasons I graduated.

By: Greg McGahan

Greg McGahan — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:18:05 +0000

Mr. Varner was one of, if not the kindest teacher I have ever known. I enjoyed his class in 1983 and I remember that it seemed that everyone liked him .
A great man and a great teacher. What a legacy to leave your children and loved ones.

By: Heather Hildman c/o '93

Heather Hildman c/o '93 — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:04:52 +0000

I was privileged to have him as a teacher at Tate and PJC. He will be missed. RIP.

By: Angie Powell Monachino

Angie Powell Monachino — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:00:33 +0000

I had Mr. Varner for Biology at Tate. All the comments I have been reading about him, are so true. He was the nicest teacher I ever had. He inspired you to learn and do well. He made each student feel valuable. That was the reason I joined the Exchange Club of which he was sponsor – you just gravitate to a teacher like that. I graduated in 1980, and I have forgotten many teachers, but Mr. Varner is one I will never forget.

By: Terri Nall Parish

Terri Nall Parish — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 11:39:04 +0000

I know two special little boys will be greeting him at the gates with Jesus. I know I will see him again soon too. What a special, dearly loved man. He surely will be missed down here in this blink of time on Earth. What a wealthy man he was. Rich in love for his fellow man.

By: Rachael

Rachael — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 07:11:21 +0000

I had Mr. Varner in tenth grade for biology and again in eleventh grade for biology and botany on a higher level. He was always willing to help out in any way he could. I remember one we had a project we had to do on animals. I and my lab partner Lydia chose to do ours on bats. We had yo make a board game based upon bats and their abilities. I know it’s weird but I still have the board sitting in my room. It’s huge and clunky and takes up slot of space but it carries many good memories with it. Another one of our projects was extracting banana DNA which at the time I thought he was joking. I had no idea bananas had DNA but sure enough they do and we did it. I still have a little tube of the stringy stuff sitting on my shelf. I have so many wonderful memories from high school that involve this amazing man. I know I’m not the only one, he will be missed by a great deal of people, of that I am certain. Rest in peace Mr. Varner. We miss you

By: Josh Mason C/O 1997

Josh Mason C/O 1997 — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 04:23:45 +0000

Tate High School enjoys a rich history and many legacies; none, I’d argue, as significant as the contributions of Mr. Varner. Inexplicably, he has changed countless lives in our area. To the Varner Family: thank you for sharing with tens of thousands of people, Mike Varner. He was a kind and honorable man who effected positive change in a way the many can only dream. May God give you all peace, knowing the immeasurable contributions of this uniquely talented and compassionate man.

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 03:27:35 +0000

I also had Mr Varner for Biology. However, my Mom had to take me out of his class and put me elsewhere. ) Yes, I was one of the “many” that had a mad crush on him.. He offered to help me b/f my Mom changed my class and even afterwards, but I had never met anyone like him before and I didn’t understand that kind of compassion. I wish a million times that I’d made different choices. But I still find myself fortunate just having known him and knowing that he cared.
I would like to make a difference in one persons life before my time is over. Mr Varner has made a difference in the lives of countless people. I am sure his family are proud and I am positive that our Lord in Heaven is as well. Rest in Peace, Sir and keep singing your happy songs. Prayers to the Varner family and friends, may the Lord ease your pain in the days ahead. God Bless each one of you~

By: Tonya Shiffner Peele

Tonya Shiffner Peele — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 22:13:06 +0000

So Sorry To Hear Bout The Loss Of Mr.Varner…I Had Him As A Teacher When I Attended Tate.He Was Such A Good Man And Teacher…He Loved Each And Everyone Of His Students.He Always Took Out The Time To Help U If U Needed It.U Will Be Greatly Missed By Each And Everyone.His Family R In My Thoughts And Prayers…Rip Mr.Varner Gone But Not Forgotten…

By: Steven Charles Ausberto Hahn

Steven Charles Ausberto Hahn — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 16:08:39 +0000

I cant beleive that this is true, Mr. V was the nicest, most caring teacher i have ever had. He beleived in everyone as if they were destined for greatness. His willingness to give everything he had into teaching was insperational. This man understood that you need patience, kindness, and honesty to make students actually strive to do better in his class, to want to improve on their weak points and excell on their strong ones. Him being exceptional guitarist is the best memory i have of him, I remember i was going through tough times and he sang us cats in the cradle in class one day “one of my all time favorite songs” and it just made me realize that even when im at rock bottom there is always a future but we are not always quite sure what it is. This man was and will always be remembred to me as the Greatest teacher and mentor i have ever met. R.I.P Mr. Varner i know your looking down at us and i know your in peace wish us luck and guide us through our struggles, as you did when you were still with us.