102-year-old WWII veteran visits Compton school where he once worked as a teacher

COMPTON, Calif. (KABC) -- At 102 years old, Leon Anstead, a Navy World War II veteran, is taking a ride down memory lane.

Years ago, Anstead was a teacher at Willowbrook Middle School in Compton where he taught physical education and industrial arts to 9th graders. Now, Willowbrook Middle School has become Compton Academy of Technology and Innovation or C-Tech.

"It's like almost full circle with meeting someone who was so heavily involved within the school and in tech and teaching the new technologies of that day to now, we have students who are here learning the new technologies of our day," said Principal Lakeisha White.

Anstead was 18 when he left to serve his country. He served in the Navy until 1945 when he was discharged. When he arrived back home, he decided to become a teacher and engineer. He first taught at Pepperdine University then he went on to teach in Compton for five years.

"He's most proud about that, showing kids how to repair small appliances, build things, fix things, so they can carry the trade on," said John Straub, Anstead's neighbor and caregiver.

Now, 80 years later, Anstead is awestruck by the magnitude of his old stomping grounds and that it's still uplifting students.

"I start to realize how big the school is, how far it's reaching," said Anstead.

"I think it was a good experience for him to see that the legacy of the school is continuing, even though it may be changing," said White. "As the times are changing, the space is still here, and it's still here to educate the students of this city."