Sandy Lynn - SOC 66 | Email | 02/01/16
Comments: Hello to all my '64 friends! Well, now it's our turn. The class of '66 will be celebrating our 50th Reunion in September. Wow, how time flies!
The Place and Dates are set, 9-23 & 9-24, at the Hyatt Place Hotel in Garland. All the details are "in progress", but I wanted you to know the dates because we always enjoy having you at our reunions! I hate that the '65 site is down, as I have no one of inviting them.
If you haven't looked lately, our website has been completely redone. The 50th Reunion page lists all the details including a direct link to the hotel reservation system. This link is easy & has all the info already keyed into it. We have a great rate of $85 per night which includes a buffet breakfast! Here's the link to our site: http://www.soc1966.com . Hope to see many of you at the reunion!

01/11/16
Comments: He has blessed me in many ways, Gary, and thank you. The same blessings are asked for you and your family.

Tanya Cowley- Leverett | Email | 01/01/16
Comments: Happy New Year 2016 to all the class of 64 from our classes of 63 and 64. May you all prosper and have great health this year. God Bless, Tanya/Gary Leverett.

12/26/15
Comments: God Bless..........Steve Foster..........& all SOC ALUMS

12/24/15
Comments: An old man with time on his hands writes:
Sing to the tune of the 12 Days of Christmas
On the first day of Christmas my SOC friends brought to me: a lock of Debbie Turner's poofey golden hair. On the second day of Christmas my SOC friends brought to me: two of R.B. Lock's magic pens. On the third day of Christmas my SOC friends brought to me: three Bill McCracken cackles On the fourth day of Christmas my SOC friends brought to me: four Gary Loden flat top paper weights. On the fifth day of Christmas my SOC friends brought to me: five Lana Moore self portraits. On the sixth day of Christmas my SOC friends brought to me: six Michael Ralston belts. On the seventh day of Christmas my SOC friends brought to me: seven Elizabeth Curry glass frames. On the eight day of Christmas my SOC friends brought to me: eight Gary Robinson horns a'blaring. On the ninth day of Christmas my SOC friends brought to me: nine Richard Shamblin fat leather wallets. On the tenth day of Christmas my SOC friends brought to me: ten Roy Frederick cameras. On the eleventh day of Christmas my SOC friends brought to me: eleven Glenn Gann running shoes. On the twelfth day of Christmas my SOC friends brought to me: twelve Shelly Jones sweaters.
Merry Christmas to all my SOC friends (if there are any of you still out there) and a Happy New Year!

12/16/15
Comments: Just notified of obit of Roger Denton Coker, who passed away 12/13/15. I didn't know him personally, but perhaps some of you did. No cause of death mentioned, but that he was predeceased by his wife in 2012.

11/24/15
Comments:
SOC ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON Sunday, December 6, 2015 at 1:00 p.m.
see soc63.com for details

10/21/15
Comments: Bob, this is the first time I have read the website for a month. Deb and I have been in Colorado and Florida for six weeks. I am so broken hearted to read your post about my friend, Linda. Just as you are, Linda was a valued friend for many years. I recall her days of being a Tigerette at Holmes and that wonderful sense of humor she had. Linda was one of the few people who actually laughed at some of my corny wit. Linda called me "out of the blue" in 1984 and encouraged me to get involved in the planning of our 20th reunion. I didn't want to do it but with a little bit of Linda's selling, I was in. We had a blast. Deb became a friend of Linda's just as much as I was. She (and her wonderful husband at the time--you, Robert) invited us out to your home for dinner. You invited us to the wedding of your fine son, Robbie, and we attended. I need to cry right now and think about the young woman I grew up with at Holmes and SOC. Then I will smile and think of our days on the Reunion committee and all that work. And finally I will sigh and recall the wedding we attended, the few phone calls Linda and I exchanged over the years since, and the memories I have of the delightful girl....woman I remember as Linda. I'm sorry we were gone and not able to be here for you and your son and family. Linda was one of life's wonderful people in my life. She talked to me like a brother and that is a special thing. I know she knew the Lord and was one of His saints. And it is precious in His sight when one of His saints departs this life and enters eternity. God bless you and the family in the days ahead, Bob.

10/12/15
Comments: Your classmate, Linda Christopher has changed her address. She went home to be with our Lord this morning at 1000. Praise and glory to God for her deliverance! Isn't it great to have this blessed hope? Her family, though, needs our prayers for God's grace and peace to be with them during this time

Peaches Sweezy Walker | Email | 09/27/15
Comments: The Class of 1963 will have their70th birthday celebration Saturday, October 24, 2015. Please go to soc63.com under events for invitation and information sheet. Come join us!

09/15/15
Comments: we were saddened to hear of the passing of Ron Sikes. He so loved being a part of the class of 64. Remember him at all the SOC get togethers and he and his wife working with the 64 committee, he lived it. R.I.P. Ronnie. Prayers for his family.

09/10/15
Comments: The inurnment service for classmate Ron Sikes is tomorrow, Friday, September 11, at 1:00, at DFW National Cemetery.

09/10/15
Comments: Michael - I downloaded your book from Amazon this morning. I'll do a review after I read it. I did read the preface about your meeting the artist. No doubt, God arranged that appointment!

08/28/15
Comments: its been a while since I was last here. I want to share this with my friends and classmates. With the Lord's help I had written a children's book "The Tree" it is available on Amazon and the web site for the book is www.bookthetree.com. I think your children / grandchildren might enjoy the book. When I told Monica about the book she was very supportive she said a children's book that great it's right on your level... Uh I think she was supportive. OK she really is.

08/05/15
Comments: One day at SOC it was announced there would be a talent show in the auditorium. Anyone and everyone was invited to audition. Talent? The Foster kids were behind the door when the talents were passed out. Unless laughing, running, telling goofy jokes, collecting baseball cards or just generally being irritating could be considered a "talent" I just didn't see any reason to consider an audition. So, like my algebra tests and science projects, I decided to just forget about it until the day it happened. And the day came. Seems like we had to produce 50 cents to get in (there goes milk and ice cream for lunch) but hey, to get out of class for an hour to watch Dianne Cross dance or Bob Chaney play the piano was definitely worth the half buck. After fifty years I can only remember two acts. Not Diane. Not Bob. I recall Sidney Laxson singing. Now I never did care all that much for Sidney since he seemed like a spoiled rich kid to me but I was impressed that he had the gall to get up there in front of his peers and cut it loose. I didn't have the nerve to stick my face around the corner of the curtain on the stage and here was Richy Rich standing up there crooning like he was Frankie Avalon or somebody. You did good,Sid. But the act I recall with melancholy is little Camie Delgado. She comes out on stage with her guitar, sits on a stool, pulls the mic up close and begins to sing. Wow. I don't know if I ever said a word to Sidney or Camie in my life but I gained a little confidence watching them perform in front of us. An audience of high school know-it-alls, popular kids and the rest of us wantabees. Broke my heart when little Camie died so young. Sidney? Ah, he's probably somewhere running a multimillion dollar business. Confidence and talent go a long way. Memories.

07/28/15
Comments: Hey Evets, Headed for Yulee, FL end of next month. Would you believe that our baby boy is retiring at the end of August. I am so proud of the man that he has become. We are going to go celebrate with him.

07/28/15
Comments: Bob, I am deeply saddened to hear about Linda. My heart has nothing but great memories of her. I haven't seen her in literally decades, but she will never be forgotten. What a great smile and laugh. I will pray for her and share the request with Esther. She is pretty tight with the Lord. Ecurb

07/27/15
Comments: Very kind words, Steve Tenpenny. I hope all is well with you and your family and your son is still singing that country music. He was doing quite well in his career the last I heard. Bob Chaney, it breaks my heart to hear about Linda. She has always been a dear friend to me and Deb and was my inspiration for getting involved in the reunion committee for many years. I love her smile and joy and you guys have a wonderful son that I know both of you are and should be very proud of. Deb and I will enter into a season of prayer for her and your family. I love Psalm 116 "You have delivered my soul from death. My eyes from tears. My feet from falling. I will walk before the Lord in the Land of the Living." We love you and Linda, Bob, and will be thinking of you. God bless you and please tell Linda we love her.

07/22/15
Comments: There is a paper back copy of the 1964 SOC Annual on Amazon. Go for it youngsters!

07/15/15
Comments: Your classmate, the mother of my son and grand mother of my grand children, Linda Christopher, is losing her battle with cancer. We know she has her healing because the Bible tells us that 'because of His stripes we are healed'. However, I would like to ask the prayer warriors to join me in petitioning our Lord for a miracle so that she might experience that healing on this side. Thank you

07/13/15
Comments: Thank you for posting about our reunion Shannon.
We do hope that many we have shared time with in the halls of SOC will come celebrate with us on the event.
Have a good evening - BTW - dress is casual - Sunday type attire or maybe better known as how we had to dress back in the day at school.

07/09/15
Comments: We are invited to attend the 50th Reunion of the Class of 1965. Number of people is limited to 175/177 people and the Class of '65 wanted to give their class the first opportunity to sign up. At this time they have about 100 folks signed up, so they are now opening up registration to the other classes. Cost is $60 which includes dinner and entertainment. First come, first served. If you want a registration form, please contact me.
Saturday, September 12, 2015 Registration begins at 5:00 p.m. Reception 6:00 p.m. Buffet Dinner 7:30 p.m. Open Cash Bar Hospitality Room Available before and after Dinner at The Courtyard by Marriott Dallas-Allen At the John Q. Hammons Center 210 East Stacy Road Allen, Texas 75002

05/29/15
Comments: Izin share ya gan :
http://obatkelenjargetahbening.utamakansehat.com/cara-menghilangkan-dahak/ http://obattbc1.utamakansehat.com/cara-menghilangkan-nikotin-di-paru-paru/ http://nelisdestriyani.infonegeri.com/ganoderma-plus-capsule/ http://nelisdestriyani.infonegeri.com/cordyceps-plus-capsule/ http://nelisdestriyani.infonegeri.com/triflex-capsule/ http://nelisdestriyani.infonegeri.com/kidney-care-capsule/ http://nelisdestriyani.infonegeri.com/blueberry-juice/ http://nelisdestriyani.infonegeri.com/obat-untuk-membuat-kulit-halus/ http://nelisdestriyani.infonegeri.com/jian-xin-capsule/ http://nelisdestriyani.infonegeri.com/breast-care-capsule/ http://nelisdestriyani.infonegeri.com/pilose-antler-capsule/ http://nelisdestriyani.infonegeri.com/lecithin-softgel/ http://nelisdestriyani.infonegeri.com/clear-lung-tea/ http://nelisdestriyani.infonegeri.com/ganoderma-plus-capsule/

04/20/15
Comments: We're so proud! Our Wylie East Girls Soccer Team just won the State 5A Soccer Championship! This is their second return to state being the runners up last year. Our granddaughter is the Keeper for the team all four years of her high school and has secured a 4 Year college scholarship for her outstanding play!! We're so very proud, they've been spotlighted on WFAA High School Sports and interviewed in the Dallas Morning News...you may have seen pics of her (Scroggins) in yesterday's (Sunday's Sports section). She's voted the Outstanding Athlete of her school twice along with 2014 All-State Keeper, All Region Academic Teams and lots of other awards. CAN YOU TELL WE'RE KINDA PROUD???? and besides all that...she's lovable !

02/26/15
Comments: Hello all,
I'm not a South Oak Cliff High alumni, but I wanted to reach out to you guys to share about an opportunity to give back to the community. I'm a Volunteer Coordinator for a national education non-profit called Reading Partners. We work with Title I elementary schools to provide 1-on-1 tutoring to K-5 students reading 6 months to 2.5 yrs below grade level. In the SOC area we work in Elisha M. Pease, W.W. Bushman, and T.L. Marsalis Elementary. If anyone is interested in learning more, please contact me at 214.821.4500 or john.weatherspoon@readingpartners.org. You can also visit http://info.readingpartners.org/volunteer-in-dallas.

02/25/15
Comments: I got on the site, and was pleased, after all these years, to read words of wisdom from Steve Foster. I recall Steve was the Editor of our school paper at O.W. Holmes, and even at a young age, displayed a real talent for writing interesting things. I hope I don't give away any secrets Steve, but I always remember you as, the one, the only, EVETS RETSOF! Take care.

02/11/15
Comments: I read in the DMN yesterday that Coy Spears' father had passed away. He was a retired fireman and I believe Coy was a classmate to the 1964 class.

01/08/15
Comments:
A memorial event will be held for Forrest Bedford McCord, Jr. (aka “Bedford”) on Saturday, January 17, 2015 from 11:00 am- 1:00 pm at Crossroads of Arlington church (see info below). All are welcome to attend. Since food is being prepared, please contact Luanne (Forrest’s wife) at vwoneofsix@yahoo.com or Larry (Forrest’s brother) at kybdprof@yahoo.com. This information will then be given to Forrest’s sons to relay to the church. Crossroads of Arlington 3221 West Pioneer Pkwy Arlington, TX 76013 Phone 817.460.0962 info@crossroadsofarlington.org

Peaches Sweezy Walker | Email | 12/31/14
Comments:
this was posted on 63.com website.
Michele Frazier | Email | 12/29
Comments: Hello. My name is Michele Frazier. My dad's name is James A. Frazier. He went to South Oak Cliff class of 64. He passed away in 1985. I would just love to get to speak with anyone who knew him. I love and miss him so much. Thank you |

12/30/14
Comments: Thank you for posting about Bedford's passing. I knew him from Zumwalt days as well as SOC. I knew Mary and Diane - afraid I didn't know you other McCord boys. Yes, Bedford was usually getting into trouble - but he turned out very well! Always enjoyed seeing him at class reunions and so saddened when he became ill. He was blessed to have a loving family that cared so deeply for him. He will be missed, but not forgotten.

12/27/14
Comments: For all you Class of '64 folks:
FORREST BEDFORD MCCORD, JR.
(June 1, 1946-December 24, 2014)
About the time I was starting my 5:30 Christmas Eve service, my brother, Forrest Bedford McCord, Jr. left this life. At some later time, I hope to write a more fitting memorial, but for now I will simply say that I have lost one of my dearest and closest family members. Like my two sisters, he was struck with cancer and the invasive brain procedure and treatments left him primarily bedridden for the past few years. Had it not been for the total devotion and care of his wife, Luanne, mother-in-law, Gerry Sheffield, and step-son Jake, I'm sure we would have lost him much sooner.
As you all know, Bedford loved SOC and all his classmates (though he was quite the rebel rouser and ladies' man back in the day). No services are planned but a visitation-type event may take place later. I'll keep you updated. Thanks for all the joy you each brought to my brother's life
Larry McCord

12/25/14
Comments: Forrest Bedford McCord, Jr., passed away in North Carolina on December 24, 2014. His stepson told me over the phone that his passing was quiet, peaceful. Once a wild child, my older brother mellowed over the years, blossoming into a man who adored his wife and jealously guarded their privacy. He was always my friend, and I will miss him.

12/06/14
Comments: As most of us or many of us have, I allowed life to get in the way of maintaining ties to those who helped shape my life. I'm sorry for that and I hope to try to do better. The 50th helped me to remember what is truly important to me, so if you get a call from me out of the blue, don't be shocked! I also need some diverse opinions on a course I am taking. I hope you will indulge me. Thanks

11/19/14
Comments: Teresa wattner Franklin I received your email.. call me lets do lunch. 214-707-5331...

Peaches Sweezy Walker | Email | 11/12/14
Comments: SOC ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON Sunday, December 7, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. go to soc63.com for more details

10/25/14
Comments: I told you guys I moved summer before our senior year ( bummer) but it happens,anyway this pass weekend I was invites to attend a luncheon with the clases of 64 at Samuell HS. I went had s great time saw one if the girls I double dates with for prom.. I ram int to Marilyn bradfield twin sister if Carolyn,these ladies some if u Bushman & zumwalt people will remember. Marilyn told me the left Zumwalt in 8 grade I believe as there mother at 34 commited sucide an a year later ther fatjer does!! So said,they were taken to Buckner ophran home for a while then someone in the family took them in we never know what some of childhood friends Have gone through,some of you like Steve Foster know my story. On a good note Marilyn looked the same I would of known her anywhere.. I had not seen most of these ladies in 50 years and didnt know a lot if them,but I tell you. I never felt so welcome anywhere!!! Everyone stood and introducef there selves and told wherr they Loved. What I Loved was it didnt matter if you were well known in the day or not everyone was friendly with everyone... Imean everyone Im gonna tell you somwtimes I feel the soc ladies still Have there little clicks Yep ar one reunion I tried to ask one if these people a question and she was to busy to answer me and never got back ti me . Sad but true and just so u know it wasnt Betty G. Or Shannon M.

10/24/14
Comments: Enjoyed the tour down memory lane, Steve. My mother remained in the house she and Dad built in 1955 until her death in January 2011 and the last three months prior to her death I stayed with her. So Oak Cliff is still fresh in my mind. And we took a tour of SOC during the reunion so it was "back to the hood" not long ago! Adamson is still a "working" high school. In fact, I've heard that some of the former Leopardettes have been teaching the current drill team girls how to twirl batons! Oak Cliff will always be my home town!

10/22/14
Comments: My gorgeous spouse and I took a drive down Memory Lane today. After a great lunch at El Fenix on Colorado we drove south on Beckley, by the historic Adamson High School building (just a museum now I think) where I walked one day and was amazed at the width of their hallways and I seem to remember even hardwood floors. That might have been a dream. Not sure. But we drove by the church on Beckley, just north of Illinois Ave. where I attended for many years and had been an old theater owned at one time by Gene Autry. Again, I think, could have been another dream as I see to confuse reality these days. The Cedar Crest Baptist Church is still standing on the big lot on Illinois and seeing a church bus I am reminded of the time Mike Parrish and I rode their church bus to Longview to see the Bears play and I disobeyed my parents and caught a private ride home, which just happened to crash broadside into a drunk driver in Gladewater and leave me alive but with a lot of explaining to do when I got home. We drove by OW Holmes and both got our polio vaccine there one Sunday afternoon although we never met until nearly 20 years later. Driving down Kellogg I saw the house of Tommy and Chris Blair and thought of my days there with the future baseball coach of Denton High. Wow, the houses of Willie Grant, Jerry Holbrook, Sam Barcus and the Dubiskis were in bad condition and the Barcus garage we once spent many nights in, listening and salivating to Ann Margaret and plotting the theft of donuts on a Saturday morning at a store on Ann Arbor Ave., the garage was dilapidated. The DeerPath shopping center sign still stands in defiance of time and abuse. Deb's house on Wilhurt was boarded up, my house on Illinois plowed under. Her house in Fruitdale still stands and other than all the trees and wild shrubs looks pretty good. Drove by the house where the Wilson twins, Charlene and Darlene, lived and remembered stalking them on their way home. Second graders shouldn't stalk. We finished our swoon by driving by Sarah Zumwalt where she spent her last year in Oak Cliff as a seventh grader and we saw the house my Dad built right next door to the football field....and sold without Mother's knowledge, for a profit before we ever moved in. It's good for the soul and the old memory block to drive through the neighborhoods where we both spent so much time and never met. Churches. Baseball fields. Mom and Pop grocery stores. The canvas where so much of our young lives was painted. Memories.

10/10/14
Comments: Thank you Steve for your kind words. Vickie was an amazing person. I knew her from Harrell Budd Elementary and Boude Storey (she was a cheerleader there too) and her sister Lena was the previous year. You never saw Vickie without a smile on her face, if there was a photo of her without one, it must have been a quick one taken before she saw you. Amazingly beautiful, talented and giving individual. She had a wonderful life a lot of people dream of, but she had her share of pain with her late husband Johnny Redden (known since elementary school at Harrell Budd), he passed away from cancer. Vickie was an athletic person, avid tennis player, taught 3 classes a day at the local Fitness Center as well as being a partner in the business she and Johnny had. She came down with that dreadful disease as well, cancer, through treatments and remission, then full body tumor take over for her. A courageous person she was and NEVER without a smile on her face. She is admired by many and by myself and always will be 1965 Forever Cheerleader in my opinion and now she is cheering in heaven. I think we will all meet again one day, that is what the Bible teaches, maybe as spirits but we will know one another again. You my friend, will be our Forever Writer of all the memories of SOC and friends, you are an admirable person and all who read your work are enlightened by your wonderful memories. Thanks again.

10/09/14
Comments: Tanya, what a powerful few words you shared about your good friend and classmate, Vickie Liles. I loved the phrase "our forever cheerleader." That is a very wonderful tribute you gave her and I was touched by it. I did not know Vickie, just as I did not know you, or hundreds of other 62-66 SOC grads, although I went to school with each and every one of you at one time or another and passed the same Bear in the case, dealt with the same Ms. Hatcher, sang the same fight song. But how powerful is it to be known as our forever cheerleader. Our forever class president, Tim Freeman. Our forever majorette, Dianne Cross. Those titles are so worthy of young people who were so very popular and great among us. Our forever preacher, Mark Meeks. Our forever Golden Deb, Betty Gibbs. Our forever good guy, your husband, Gary. Our forever geek, Roy Frederich. Our forever Mr. Clean, Smokey Kimbrough. Those are titles well deserved and well earned. Makes me wonder, since I am a Christian, if we will have high school reunions in Heaven? Oh well, just the drifting mind of a long ago grad. Again, beautiful selection of words. I for one, love it.

Peaches Sweezy Walker | Email | 10/04/14
Comments: The SOC luncheon is hosted by Mary Kay Crowder, Betty Gibbs and Peaches Sweezy Walker. Hope to see y'all.

10/04/14
Comments:
SOC LUNCHEON Saturday, October 25, 2014, 11:30 am El Fenix Mexican Restaurant 6811 W. Northwest Highway Dallas, 75225 Send email to Kay Crowder (Mary Kay) at mkaykathryn@sbcglobal.net for reservations!

09/30/14
Comments: A big shout out to Michael Collins.........Happy Birthday my friend.

Tanya Cowley-Leverett | Email | 09/10/14
Comments: Posted by our friend Sandie Pottkotter Kubiak on Facebook today, our classmate and forever cheerleader for the class of 65, Vicki Liles-Redden-Fox, passed away at 10:00 am today. The services are pending and Sandie will post the information on FB as soon as she knows. Please pray for her sister Lena and family and close friends of Vicki. Vicki's contagious smile and laughter will surely be missed among her classmates.

09/01/14
Comments: Venita, you and DD Cole are as sweet today as you were in the second grade. Your words are always kind and mean a lot to an old man. I did not realize you had to leave SOC in your senior year. That is very heart breaking for a child, even an 18 year old to have to leave people they have known all their life. The other day, actually ten years ago but who's counting time?, I was speaking with James Cothran. Another one of our Bushman buddies. He told me his Dad made his quit football in high school and go to work. That kind of stuff happens to a lot of kids and I was so wrapped up in my own selfishness, I hardly noticed who left. Now, having raised five children of my own, I see the lives of their friends and I think back to those I went to school with. Has it really been 50 years? I wrote a song with that title in 1986 for my parents golden anniversary. Sorry I didn't make it to your table. My time there was very brief and you and DD were two I would have loved to visit with. Maybe we will see each other at the 70th birthday party? Wouldn't it be great to have a Bushman Reunion? I've been thinking about having one at my house for years and inviting everyone I ever knew who went to WWB. We had a special group of people. Take care and God bless you in the days ahead.

08/29/14
Comments: Steve Forster I misses seeing you at the reunion? Hope you were there,I saved a place at my table for u and Your lovely Wife. Maybe next time...

08/29/14
Comments: Many Thanks to the Reunion committee-GREAT Job. I know it is a lot of hard work and many hours. Loved every minute of it and for those whose who didn't attend, you missed a wonderful time! Hope to see you at the next one!!! Remember we are all approximately the same age--wrinkles, poor eyesight and hearing, and probably, some dentures and different shapes, But we were the class of '64 and I for one, am very proud of all of us!!!! Judy Walker Crouch

08/27/14
Comments: Would love to see some pictures of your 50th reunion, just to see if I recognized anyone. I know your class had a great time seeing how far those had traveled to meet up. How great is that! Kudos to your success Shannon and your organizers.

Don Fugate (class of 66) | Email | 08/26/14
Comments:
We are inviting all of our SOC friends to join us for the 6th Annual Brandon Michael Fugate Memorial Golf Tournament,benefiting the BMF Project on Friday September 26th. Register at http://www.tournevents.com/bmf . Riverchase Golf Club in Coppell is the location. If you are not a golfer, we invite you to the dinner and award ceremony at 6pm. Cost is only $15.00. for information on the BMF Project visit http://www.thebmfproject.org

08/26/14
Comments: Hello, Jay Sparks. No, I got the message and was grateful you responded. I know the website is not the place to catch up with old buddies but they cut me a lot of slack on here because as Mike Johnson from the class of 62 says, "Foster is the windpipe of the website." When I think of Jay Sparks I remember the dozens of guys like you and Bill Grant (I called him Willie) and John Dubiski, and Mike Grammer, Leeman Hall, my brother Larry, and so on and on, who did not play for the high school teams for whatever reason but who were gifted athletes in your own right. My brother Larry tried out in junior high and Jim Ross told him to get lost and later Larry was offered a baseball scholarship to Penn State due to his talent in playing in the Navy. Willie Grant could take on Gary Loden or Bernie Popp any day of the week in basketball but was cut from the junior high teams. I remember big Jay Sparks sitting up in the corner and hitting those jump shots from the three point line, which didn't exist then. I was just one of the ugly little brothers running around getting in your way. Me and Larry Fralicks (Rusty's little brother. Remember him?) Larry was killed in Viet Nam in 68. Oh well, there are just so many positions on the school teams and lots of kids get told they aren't good enough. I spent 30 years writing books and columns about life and sports and one of my best was "We Can't All Be Superstars, Kid." About a boy who loved baseball more than pizza and got cut from the school team. Your cousin Billy Sparks was a great preacher and I'm sure he's still spreading the gospel. Tell him that ragnot kid Steve Foster has read the Bible through nine times and loves it more every time. Anyway, those are a few things that were on my mind, Jay, and class readers. It's good to be alive and healthy and happy. 50 years since the days we sat through that five hour marathon at the Music Hall to get diplomas that most of us didn't keep. My brother Larry is doing well although I can't convince him to retire. His daughter is softball coach at Tarleton and his son is softball coach at Howard Payne. My son Steve Jr is with the KC Royals organization so we are still chasing around diamonds, grass diamonds that is. Take care and to the class of 64, let us keep up the good health, the good camaraderie, the good attitudes and may we all see a reunion in 2024.
|