Austin, Texas – In a heartwarming twist of fate, 74-year-old James Harper of Austin, Texas, was reunited with his high school class ring, lost 56 years ago during a fishing trip in 1969. The remarkable discovery has brought joy and nostalgia to Harper and his family, closing a chapter on a long-forgotten keepsake.
Harper, a 1967 graduate of Austin High School, vividly remembers the day he lost the ring. “I was out fishing at Lake Travis with some buddies,” he recalled. “I slipped on a rock, and the ring flew off my finger into the water. I thought it was gone forever.” Despite searching the shallow waters, the ring—a gold band engraved with his initials and the school’s emblem—seemed lost to the lake’s depths.
Fast forward to early 2025, when local scuba diver and amateur treasure hunter Emily Ruiz made an astonishing find. While exploring Lake Travis for lost artifacts, Ruiz spotted a glint in the sediment. “I thought it was just another bottle cap at first,” Ruiz said. “But when I brushed away the dirt, I saw it was a class ring, perfectly preserved.” The ring’s distinct engravings, including Harper’s initials “J.H.” and the year “1967,” were still legible.
Ruiz, determined to return the ring to its owner, posted photos on local Austin community groups and X, hoping to track down the rightful owner. Her post quickly gained traction, and within days, Harper’s daughter, Sarah, saw the images. “I couldn’t believe it,” Sarah said. “I called my dad right away, and he was speechless. That ring meant so much to him.”
The reunion took place at a local coffee shop on August 28, 2025, where Ruiz handed the ring back to an emotional Harper. “It’s like getting a piece of my youth back,” Harper said, slipping the ring onto his finger. “It still fits!” The moment was bittersweet, as Harper reflected on the memories tied to the ring—prom nights, football games, and the pride of his high school years.
Ruiz, who has recovered other lost items in the past, called this her most rewarding find yet. “Seeing Mr. Harper’s face light up made it all worthwhile,” she said. The story has since gone viral on X, with users sharing their own tales of lost-and-found treasures, celebrating the unlikely reunion.
Harper plans to pass the ring down to his grandson, who will attend Austin High School next year. “This ring has a story now,” he said with a smile. “It’s more than just a piece of jewelry—it’s a piece of history.”