Class Of 1944 Has Reunion Here Classmates, wives, husbands, teachers and friends were treated to a buffet supper as they gathered in the Dinsmore School for the Second Reunion of the Class of 1944 held June 19 and 20, 1987. The Cafetorium was converted into a typical West Texas cafe complete with red checkered table cloths and western decor. Prairie skirts, jeans and bandanas were much in evidence adding authenticity to the setting. • .When the dust settled, 112 had signed in for the gala affair. Special guests were members of the Classes of 1943 and 1945 and former teachers. Most of the time was spent visiting, looking at pictures, and reading correspondence from classmates and teachers. A somber note was added with an impressive memorial service under the direction of Reverend Joe T. Strange. Kathrin Tice Ward lighted a candle in memory of each deceased class member as each name was called by Doris Chesher Adams. A poem from the Helen Steiner Rice Collection was read by Frances Richardson Curfman. Mary Ruth Howarton sang Amazing Grace followed by prayer by Rev. Strange. A moment of contemplation was noted as Marye Bentley played Mansion on the Hill on the accordion. The service concluded with the group singing How Great Thou Art led by Wayne Byrd and Orville Talley. During the business meeting the date for the next reunion was set for the second week-end in June 1989. Marye Bentley extended greetings from former teachers, Thurmond Tugboat Jones, Mrs. Catherine Knox Thomas; and classmates Cloyd Adams and Clifton Yates. Following the banquet catered by Joes Food Store, Orville Talley, Master of Ceremonies, recalled the era and events experienced by all who were present. He reiterated the dedication from the program To One of the Best, Warmest, Sincere, Civic Minded, Patriotic Classes ever to walk through the halls of ElectraHigh School. Mr. Talley then introduced as our teachers Miss Olive Carter, Mrs. Josephine Cogdell, and Mrs. Mildred Huguelet. Henry Culpepper and Mrs. Berniece Shamburger of Graham attended during earlier activities. Elmer Kelly was presented a Texas clock for traveling the longest distance. A gift of appreciation was presented to Kathrin Ward for her dedicated efforts on behalf of the class for the past three years. Members of the 1987 Reunion Committee were recognized. The group was then treated to a special slide show of pictures of classmates taken of the 30s and 40s compiled by Billy Bob Dickey and Eudena Harris and narrated by J.N. Brown. The evening closed in nostalgia with Orville Talley and Friends, Jerry Hadley, George and Pam Duke and Irwin Burkhart playing country and western mixed with tunes from the Forties. Joining the group was Claud Ballard, husband of Arveta Darland on the sax. Those attending from Class of 1944 were: Doris Chesher Adams, Holliday; Claud and Arveta Darland Ballard, Tulsa, Ok.; Clifford and Evelyn Barnett, Snyder, Tx.; Clifton and Jean Barnett, Bridgeport, Tx.; Donald and Luanne Beebe, Oklahoma City, Ok.; Melvin and Josephine Chesher Bieghle, Skellytown, Tx., J.N. Brown, Kingsville, Tx.; Wayne Laverne and Alice Joy Garner, Orville and Nevada Talley and Joe T. and Janice Strange, Vernon, Tx.; Harold and Marilyn Miller Catlitt, Hawkins, Tx.; Rita Chaffee Cogdell, Iowa Park, Tx.; Burton and Helen Leach Crews, Sherman, Tx.; Neil and Ruth Davis, Bill Dickey, Ralph Knight, Willie and June Alexander Little and Sid and Gaytha Lorenz, Wichita Falls, Tx.; Richard and Billie Ruth Dunham, Grandfield, Ok.; Ralph and Martha Cole Durham and John and Dean McLaughlin, Fort Worth, Tx.; Robert Bruce Forbes, Houston, Tx.; Floyd and Mildred Hicks Hollis, Snyder, Tx.; Eula Belle Johns Homme, Richardson, Tx.; Elmer and Gloria Kelly and Mother, Sylmar, Ca.; Hoyt Leach, Gainesville, Tx.; Jean and B. Elinor Hudson Richardson, Corpus Christi, Tx.; Clyde and Dot Thompson, Bartlesville, Ok.; Bill and Bernice Vestal, Amarillio, Tx.; Jimmy and Pat Wolf, Borger, Tx.; Marye Enloe Bentley.Frances Richardson Curfman, Betty Kidwell Fowler, Eudena Harris Lewis, Marcus and Kathrin Tice Ward and Jerry and Faye Whitecotton, Electra, Tx. Registering Class of 1943 were: Steve and Laura Brownlee, Garland, Tx.; Howard and Janey Darland and Herbert Flusche, Wichita Falls, Tx.; Weldon and Peggy Kimbrough Hunter, Kermit, Tx., Howard Orr and daughter, Barbara, Graham, Tx.; F.L. and Deanie Parker, Fritch, Tx.; Elizabeth Cummins Sams, Ft. Worth, Tx.; O.L. Bentley, Juanita Leach Britt, W.R. and Gladys Byrd Carter; D.O. Buddy and Florence Mengwasser Dulaney, Willard Fowler and Billy Ray Wight, Electra, Tx. Class of 1945: Nina Jane Eakin Beavers, Marlow, OK.; Kenneth and Lucille Chambers, Grand Prairie, Tx.; Bonnie Proffitt Culver, Wichita Falls, Tx.; Tommy and Janice Hill, Garland, Patsy Swanson Krute, Houston, Tx.; D.R. and Helen Jean Swanson Eakin, Emma Jane Flippen and Jimmy Bryant Wright, Electra, Tx. Teachers: Mrs. Bernice Shamburger, Graham, Tx.; Henry Culpepper, Miss Olive Carter, Mrs. Josephine Cogdell and Mrs. Mildred Huguelet, Electra, Tx. Also attending were Doris Kelly Brown, Sylmar, Ca.; Arthur Jug and Dorothy Profitt Vestal, Odessa, Tx.; Joan Robinson, Iowa Park, Tx.; and Beatrice Brown, Mrs. Jack Chaffee, Norma Begeman, Armon and Dorothy Neff, Etheridge and Mary Ruth Howarton, Georgia Jereleen Norwood, and Linda Price, Electra, Tx. A special thank you with sincere appreciation for making the reunion a real success is extended to Superintendent Don Windham for the use of the school, to Electra State Bank and Olney Savings for our give aways; to Wayne and Joy Byrd for the programs, to Kathrin Ward for the class directories; to To Report Information un Missing Persons Contact i t l i » * MP»»rmtNT OF FUiLIC *AF€TV iOX 41W. AWT*. TtXA» 7»m.«1Q Joes Catering Service for excellent food and service; to Pauls Market and Gene Marsh for special considerations, to Jim Hefley, Dolan and Chris Finch for decorations, to John McLaughlin for our special little man, Ernie; to Janice Strange who handled registration; to the members of the Reunion Committee for their support and efforts these many months and to all who attended this years
Posted on: Tue, 15 Apr 2014 20:09:20 +0000
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