RHS CLASS OF ‘58 (THE FIGHTING 58TH)
About 23 classmates from the class of 1958 got together for
our 45th reunion over the two-day period of October 3 and 4,
2003. The festivities began with a cookout at Willow Park
at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3. Dale and Carol (Phillips)
Cozart, Pete and Kay (King) Tibbels and James and Judy (Craig)
DeVoll hosted this party with Dale demonstrating his culinary
skills by cooking steak and chicken for everybody. There
were also bolillos, tossed green salad, a big pot of beans
(prepared for us by Carol’s brother-in-law) and birthday
cake and Pavlova (by Judy) for dessert. Kay & Pete supplied
the tables and chairs and a portable barbecue grill, as well
as the drinks. The park was decorated with a patriotic theme.
There was lots of hugging, picture-taking and reminiscence
from midday until after dark that evening.
Most of the day Saturday was spent by classmates and spouses
at the fire hall, with a "bring-your-own-food" luncheon and
a business meeting where Kay reported our financial condition
(some of us almost got away with a trip to Mexico!), and
discussion of some of the particulars of our next reunion,
followed by more visiting, perusal of old photos, yearbooks,
newspaper clippings, etc. At this time we all shared what
had occurred in our lives since our last meeting, one year
ago. The decorating committee then went to work transforming
the fire hall into a 50s Teen Canteen for the evening party.
That party began about 6:30 p.m. with a very non-politically-
correct Pledge of Allegiance (lead by Dale and Lanny Sledge,
who is our resident military hero), singing of the National
Anthem (lead by Jimmie May, Gail Ann and Judy), and a prayer
by Ann (Robinson) Cross. We had a delicious meal, catered
by the Adams, with a three-tiered cake for dessert (by JD
Pastries, Pies & Parties out of San Antonio) which had
decorations that represented something about most of the
assembled class members - either their jobs or hobbies now
or what they did in high school. There were then some gifts
of appreciation and acknowledgment of those who assisted in
preparation for this enjoyable two days together – Kay was
given an "Angel of Remembrance" figurine, Judy received a
beautiful antique glass basket, Dale got a CD of the original
Platters which had been autographed by the current Platters
at a performance in Branson. Heads of the committees, Glenda
(Webb) Eubanks, Jimmie May "Joy" (Miller) Galbreath, Jerry
Price and Gail Ann (Rapp) Hagar were given Christmas ornaments
depicting the old high school building. Dale and Judy were
given by the class in appreciation for planning this reunion,
beautiful as well as quite useful gold plated letter openers
with a star handle. (Speaking for myself, but believing that
Dale will agree, we enjoyed the planning process and anticipated
the good time that would follow, therefore didn’t needed to
be rewarded so nicely but appreciate the gesture very much.)
The Cozarts, DeVolls and Tibbelses were also given wonderfully
fragrant candles, which I have certainly already enjoyed, and
I’m sure I can speak for the others when I say how much we
appreciated those. An infamous trio from the past appeared
and "entertained" the group with songs from the 50s as well
as a couple of more modern tunes which referenced the age
group assembled. This group consisted of "Sha", her sister
"Na" and her other sister "Na" - collectively known as "The
DooWops." Actually, it was Jimmie May, Gail Ann and Judy
disguised in poodle skirts. (Pretty funny, whether it was
intended to be or not!) The paparazzi assembled to preserve
this performance for posterity. (We’re ever so grateful for
THAT!) On a more sedate note, Don Deffebach then regaled us
with tales and beautiful pictures of his Photo Safari to Africa.
We saw some spectacular sunsets, some truly wild animals in
their natural habitat and some luxurious accommodations in
which they stayed, as well as action shots of the indigenous
people in native dress performing some of their ceremonial
dances. For his efforts at informing and entertaining us,
Don was given a token of our appreciation in the form of a
golfer’s desk set (golf being his most current retirement
pursuit). We ended the evening and took our leave of each
other with another prayer (lead by James DeVoll, an adopted
class member) with joined hands.
A special note of gratitude should go out to Jeralyn Sledge
for using her photography skills to preserve these moments
for us digitally. She did a great job, even if she did
catch some of us off-guard, looking like our natural selves –
not always a good thing at our age! Thanks Jeralyn!
Kay and Pete (another adopted class member) always work so
hard at seeing that everything goes off as planned, and our
thanks go out to them also.
As usually happens at the reunions of this particular class,
we laughed and laughed, talked and talked, and I’m sure a
few tears were shed both in joy and sympathy during our time
together. It was a memorable two days as we shared some very
sweet times together. Our plans are to assemble next year
during the all-school reunion, God willing that we are still
able to do that. We hope to see a lot of you at that time.
By Judy Craig DeVoll, October, 2003
REUNION BBQ AT PARK
