Born in Moody, McLennan County, on October 24, 1900, L.C. (Luke) McKamie earned degrees from Southwestern University, the University of Texas at Austin, and Baylor University. He and his wife, Beulah (Boots), came to Abbott in 1926, where he served as superintendent and she taught school. During his 20 years as superintendent, Abbott schools attained accreditation and excelled in sports activities. He was instrumental in the building of a gymnasium named McKamie Hall, a beloved building that hosted sporting events and other activities from 1936 until it burned in 1998. McKamie also served as superintendent of Hill County Public Schools and later of Gatesville. When he died on February 5, 1999, he had served as an educator for more than 50 years.