Ranger Exes Memorial-TX - RHS Class of 1958 Class Reunion in 2003-Pg.1 of 5
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
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