This survey has been on my mind for some time, long before I decided to move back to Karnes City after retiring. The persons below are the first to be interviewed. The same six questions were asked of all interviewed to make this a true survey format.

They are:

Justin moved back to Falls City, his hometown, and asked if he could be included in the survey. He moved back in 1990 after having been away for 30 years. He was in the Navy four of those years. He returned occasionally, but valued his subscription to the Karnes Citation, the county newspaper at the time, to help keep him informed of what was going on in his hometown. He came back because of a family homestead that he wanted to keep up for his children and grandchildren.

Some of his adjustments include getting used to the evidence of small town mentality that occurs from time to time. Having pursued his education up to and including a master’s degree, he sometimes feels rejection when he offers new ideas and perspectives to some city organizations. One of his special feelings about living in Karnes County has been the caliber of our county judges. Justin says he has admired many of them, especially current Judge Alger H. Kendall, Jr.

Moving back in 1982 after an eight-year absence, Don and Sherry Sommer said they’ve always had a heart for Karnes City and Kenedy (where Sherry grew up) and they were glad for the opportunity to return.

They had really never lost their ties here with parents and friends, visits and reunions.

When Don was offered a job to work with Sherry’s Dad, they jumped at the chance.

Don wanted to be close by to help his parents since he was the youngest son, but Sherry pointed out that the blessing was to have the help of the parents during the growing up years of their children.

Some adjustments for Sherry have been finding stores closed early, having to go to larger cities for doctors, etc. while Don says he didn’t find any difficulty with adjustments.

They both agreed that the "specialness" of raising their children in a small town atmosphere and having many of the friends they had when they grew up have truly made their move an easy one. There truly is no place like home for Don and Sherry.

Billy Sexton moved back to the Karnes City area in 1996 after being away for 36 years.

He purchased property near the city and feels like he is back home, having reacquainted with many of his old friends.

He was able to come back occasionally from Houston, where he lived for most of his years away, for reunions, friends, and family visits. When asked why he moved back, he said, "I lived in Houston -- need I say more?"

And for him, any adjustments that he has had to make since his return, he says are of small concern.

Billy, indeed, believes the specialness of Karnes City is in the people.

Bob and Betty moved back to Karnes City in 1971 having been in San Antonio, then Houston and the Houston area since 1960. Bob worked as a link technician at NASA while going to law school and started his law practice in the Houston/Webster area.

"We were away from our hometown for 11 years. We did, however, visit quite often with family, friends, and for reunions."

Bob said, "Our return was precipitated sadly by my brother Billy’s serious illness. But we were happy to return.

"Some of the adjustments included our children getting used to a different school," Betty said, "and they were missing their friends where we had been."

"The adjustment to smaller stores or having to drive back to the big city to shop, see a doctor, etc., were adjustment factors, but small ones considering being back where our parents, friends, and former classmates live."

"Yes, there very certainly is something special about Karnes City," they both agreed. "The friendliness, camaraderie, and even security in knowing you have friends you can count on, are wonderful parts of small-town life."

"You can go home again," They said.