G

F

S

A

O

C

T

-

D

E

C

2

0

1

5

N

E

W

S

L

E

T

T

E

R

Gladewater Former Students’ Association A TEXAS NOT-FOR-PROFIT DEDICATED TO GHS ALUMNI

P.O. Box 1425, Gladewater, TX 75647 Phone/Fax: 903-845-2631 Email: ghsalums@suddenlinkmail.com

www.gladewaterformerstudents.com

Class of 1965 Celebrates 50th at the All-School Reunion

The 2015 All School Reunion is now a memory. But those of us who were there are basking in the memories of the

great time we all had.

From the time old classmates began arriving, it was non-stop hugging and remembering our days at GHS. The Class

of 1965 had the Former Students’ Building decorated with everything from prom dresses to a lighted up goal post -

not discounting the old High School and football field. It was just spectacular. From the moment you walked in, you

were 18 again and back in your senior year at GHS.

It was a time of reconnecting and reminiscing. The gray hair disappeared and you were just a kid again. Most

conversations began with "Do you remember....?" and the building was filled with laughter throughout the day and

night.

When we arrived for the evening "party", it was more laughter, hugging, and remembering. There were some there

that had not been there in the afternoon and we had to play "catch up" with the stories, but they were just as funny

the second time.

Kudos go out to the Class of 1965 for the planning and hard work they put into the 2015 All School Reunion. It was a

great success and anyone who missed it, missed a great one. Now the Spirit Stick has been passed to the Class of

1966 and we can hardly wait to see what's in store for next year – the 2016 All School Reunion.

But as with all reunions, the sad part came at the end of the night with the last hugs and, "See you next September."

~article submitted by GFSA Board Member Barbara Brooking Henderson ‘62

VETERANS DAY, NOVEMBER 11: A day to honor all American veterans for

supporting and defending the constitution and protecting our freedom!

Numerous Gladewater Former Students have answered the call

to serve our country and to defend and protect the freedoms we

enjoy today. The photo on the left is of a SBD from the USS

Yorktown CV-10, over Wake Island piloted by Lieut. Ridge

Radney of bombing squadron VB-5, 5 October or 6 October,

1943. (Photographed by LT Charles Kerlee of the Naval Aviation

Photographic Unit commanded by LCDR Edward Steichen. This

image appeared in many national publications in 1943.)

Ridgley Dexter Radney graduated from Gladewater High School in 1939. He attended Kilgore Junior College after

high school completing his basic studies. After World War II broke out, Ridgley joined the Navy in 1941 and entered

flight school in Corpus Christi, Texas where he earned his wings. With the war effort requiring his presence, he was

then assigned to the carriers U.S.S. Franklin and later the U.S.S. Yorktown to fly the SBD Douglas Dauntless dive-

bomber as a part of Bombing Squadron Five (VB-5) in the Pacific. He would earn the Distinguished Flying Cross

Medal and two Air Medals for his heroic achievements as a pilot. He was discharged from the Navy as Lieutenant

Commander in July 1947. Mr. Radney recently passed away at his home in Dickinson, Texas at the age of 93.

A NOSTALGIC EVENING: GHS former choir students from 1950 to 1969 enjoyed an evening of food and fellowship

on Monday, October 26 at the GFSA building. After a covered dish meal, stories were shared, memorabilia was

viewed, and Barbara Mackey, class of ’54, sang one of the first songs that Ken Bennett wrote for her to sing in the

annual Ken Bennett Revue. Many of those in attendance had memorable events to share about choir trips to New

York and Los Angeles during their high school years. One thing every story had in common was the love and

respect that all the students had for Ken Bennett, the beloved GHS choir teacher for many years. Pat Watson

shared a photo album from 1994, when Ken Bennett was honored by friends for his work and dedication to the

students and citizens of Gladewater. Door prizes were given to guests, along with a bouquet of flowers given to

Martha Shelton. To close the event, everyone sang the school fight song, which was written by Ken Bennett early

in his teaching career. We all agreed that “Here Come the Bears” is the best fight song that any school could have!

OCTOBER TRIBUTE TO KEN BENNETT & THE GHS CHOIRS from the 50’s and 60’s

SPECIAL THANKS to the PLANNING & DECORATIONS COMMITTEE

for their months of volunteer hours this past year aka the DANCING

DIVAS L-R: Heidi Heidelberg Youngblood, Jackie Johnson Ray, Cathy

Phillips Shipp, Paula Carnutt Ellis, Lynda Heaberlin Childress,

Lacrecia Rinehart Medlin, Janie Lange Bruns, and Elane Rose

Osteen. (You bet you are going to have FUN with these ladies in

charge!) MANY THANKS also go to Class of ’65 members: Kirk

Abercrombie for designing & printing the class name badges, Jerry

Branum & Rex Copeland for the many supportive calls offering

“help” to the reunion committee, Paula Carnutt Ellis & team for

hours spent on outstanding decorations, Betty Beasley Guerrant,

who played beautifully “Here Come the Bears” for our class entry,

Elane Rose Osteen for our class memory booklet, Chuck & Lois

Reed for help in setting up tables & chairs, Ray Sloan, the best class

emcee and Danny Strickland for refurbishing the Bears Stadium

façade & building the T-Mannequins for ’65 jackets & sweaters.

And LOADS OF THANKS to our many 1965 classmates who answered the call to give the financial support needed to make the Class of

1965 50th

Reunion a successful All-School Reunion celebration for all! You know who you are and YOU ARE THE BEST!!

My sincerest thanks to each and every one of you! Cathy Phillips Shipp, Class of 1965 2015 GFSA All-School Reunion Chairman

The Gladewater Former Students’ Association and the Class of 1965 would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank the Reunion Committee for their time volunteered to the planning and hosting of the

2015 All-School Reunion.

2015 Outstanding Alumnus Mr. C.W. Williams, Jr., Class of

1938, proudly surrounded by his family & friends who attended

the luncheon.

GFSA President JP Tallent offers his congratulations to Mr.

Williams after receiving the Outstanding Alumnus award from

the GFSA.

Rocky Hawkins introduces his former

classmate and 2015 Outstanding

Alumnus Joe Lansdale. JP Tallent presents Outstanding Alumnus plaque to

Joe Lansdale.

C.W. Williams, Jr., Class of 1938 and Joe Lansdale, Class of 1970

Forever Orange & Black! www.gladewaterformerstudents.com

’65 Classmates Paula Carnutt Ellis & Cathy Phillips

Shipp visit with ’65 classmate Allen Fouty.

Dorothy Van Wormer Arnold & Ann

Cooper Holcomb, Class of 1955

celebrated their 60th class reunion.

Dean Victory & Tom Sawyer, Class of

’64 visit with Barbara Brooking

Henderson, Class of ‘62

Good to see that witty Donnie Biesel,

Class of ’65 & wife Karen at the reunion! Butler Sisters Rosie Butler Everett ’56, Mary

Butler Commins ’65 and Willie Mae Butler

Hibbison ’52 enjoyed a visit at the luncheon. 50 years later, Class of ’65 friends Amy Lou

Fields Cass, Betty Beasley Guerrant & Elane

Rose Osteen enjoy visiting & reconnecting!

Friends Forever…Class ’65 Marsha

Matlock Valdetero & Sheila Arrington Beck.

Class of ’65 friends Jackie Johnson Ray

& Theresa Daniel McClure…always fun!

’65 class members Jack & Mary Emily

Wilkins Earp visit with Jackie Johnson Ray.

Celebrating her 60th class reunion -JoAnn

Hunt Black, Class of ’55, with husband

John Black.

Beth Boles Shepperd, Class of ’66 checking

out the reunion with husband Ben. Class of ’66

hosts next year!

Looks like Kirk Abercrombie, Class of ’65 enjoyed

his visit at the Lange table: Tommy Lange, Class of

66 & wife Carol and Janie Lange Bruns ‘65

Rick Mayer ’63 had a chance to visit with

sister Pati Mayer Milligan ’67 at the luncheon.

WOW! Celebrating her 75th Class Reunion…Ernestine Wilson Sawyer, GHS Class of 1940, enjoys a dance with son Tom Sawyer, Jr., Class of 1964.

GFSA is unique in the East Texas area! It is a great organization

and one that many schools/cities would love to have as a part

of their own community. Let’s keep it unique…let’s keep it

strong! You can show support for the Gladewater Former

Students’ Association in various ways:

Pay your annual membership dues.

In lieu of flowers, remember a former classmate or

loved one with a “living gift” to the Gladewater

Former Students’ Association.

Purchase a Reunion Plaza Brick for yourself, a friend

or a family member.

Make a year-end tax-deductible gift to the GFSA. The

GFSA is a 501c3 non-profit organization welcoming

your contributions of any amount!

MANY THANKS to David Holcombe, Class of 1962 & his

very sweet & pretty assistant (aka wife Donna)! David has

served as the official All-School Reunion photographer for a

number of years. He volunteers his time each year at the

reunion to capture all the great memories for us and then

posts them on his website for former students to view and

print for free! The site www.holcombehouseofphotos.com

does have space constraints so the “free” stuff has to be

removed after awhile to make room for all the other

photos that he makes & sells through Holcombe House of

Photos. So if you haven’t had a chance to view the reunion

photos, then you should do it

ASAP before they are

removed from the site. And

you really don’t want to miss

them. They are SUPERB &

FREE! So, to our friend &

classmate David, a GREAT BIG

holcombehouseofphotos.com

Ridgley (Ridge) Radney Class of 1938 JoAnn Carlton Radney Class of 1942

Basil Dollins Class of 1942 John Neal Loflin Class of 1948 Benny Lansdale Class of 1959 Kenneth Ballard Class of 1961

Clarwanda Dawson Hill Class of 1961 Louis Landers Class of 1961

Charles Valdetero Class of 1964 Neal Bowlin Class of 1969

Jeanine Dishman Garland Class of 1979

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

SENDING OUR SINCEREST SYMPATHY TO THE

FAMILIES OF THESE FORMER STUDENTS:

UPCOM ING BOARD ELECTION

NOVEMBER BOARD ELECTION: As published in the

past issues of the 2015 newsletters, Thursday,

October 1 was the deadline for paying 2015

membership dues in order to vote in the upcoming

election of Directors for the 2016 Board. This year,

there are five former students who are vying for the

four available places. If your dues are current, then

watch your mail for the election ballot coming your

way in a few weeks in a separate envelope. You will

have a few days to read about the candidates, decide

who you want on the board and to mark your ballot

and return to the Association. Information about

each candidate & the return deadline will be printed

on the ballot. The five nominees are:

Danny Hobbs, Class of 1966 Margaret Liddell Pevehouse, Class of 1966 Shirley Elliott Willett, Class of 1968 Tina Tuttle Frost, Class of 1968 Lana Rogers Black, Class of 1975

Directors leaving the board this year are: John Paul Tallent, Class of ‘62 Cathy Phillips Shipp, Class of ‘65 Mark Armstrong, Class of ’84

Director seeking a second term: Shirley Elliott Willett, Class of ‘68

Congratulations to the following former students who have been added to the GFSA Kodiak list:

Ernestine Wilson Sawyer, Class of 1940 Homer Beck, Class of 1957

Barbara Brooking Henderson, Class of 1962 Paula Jones Smith, Class of 1962

AND deceased Class of 1962 members: Ronny Moore

Glenna Rush Ishmael

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KODIAK BEAR

CONTRIBUTIONS!

mer Students’ Association whether it be through volunteer servic or tax-deductible contributions.

Gladewater Former Students' Association P. O. Box 1425 Gladewater, TX 75647

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

OCT- DEC 2015 NEWSLETTER

Season’s Greetings from the 2015 GFSA Board

OFFICERS: John Paul Tallent ’62, President Mike Formby ’64, Vice President

Shirley Elliott Willet ‘68, Recording Secretary Lois Lindsey Reed ‘66, Correspond Sec.

Cathy Phillips Shipp ’65, Treasurer Steve Scurlock ’68, Parliamentarian

DIRECTORS: Dale Lange ’69, Building Manager

Mark Armstrong ‘84 Larry Clemens ‘68

Cheryl Moore Copeland ‘69 Barbara Brooking Henderson ’62

Paula Jones Smith ‘62

ASSOCIATES: Eddie Lange, Barbara Smith Mackey,

Janetta Jones Owens, Ernestine Wilson Sawyer, Betty Jean Thomas Stegall, Leon and Pat Martin Watson, Mary

Jane Wood Williams

GFSA UPCOMING EVENTS

Gladewater Former Students are invited to attend and bring guests to any of our events. The following events have been scheduled (with more to come):

Tues., Dec. 8, 2015 6:30 PM

CHRISTMAS PARTY Bring a covered dish

Mon., Jan.18, 2016: 6:30 PM

BOARD MEETING Election & Installation of 2016 Officers

Sat., June 11, 2016: 8:00 AM

GFSA SPORTING CLAY SHOOT (Join us for a fun

alumni fundraising day. ) Sat., Sept. 23, 2016: All-School Reunion

hosted by Class of ‘66

We GIVE THANKS for all of our many former

students who support the association!