......LHS News......
Originally sent March 14

Sorry to report the passing of Everett F. Kirkpatrick, 84, of Lawton. Everett was born in Lawton and was a 1942 grad of LHS. He passed March 6. He married Geneva Gunkel in 1948. He served in the military and owned and operated several businesses in Lawton and Amarillo, TX. Survivors include a son James in N. Mexico and a daughter Kay Maxey in Alabama and a brother Arvie of Lawton. He was preceded in death by five brothers: Otis, Edward, Vonnie, Ertle, and Frank and a sister, Norma Dee Tilley.Sevices for Everett will be Saturday morning March 15, First Baptist church of Lawton, 11:00amAn online guest book is at: <www.grayfuneral.com>

I had a nice lunch visit with several '59 classmates this past week. Suzanne, Marilyn, Janey and moi enjoyed a lunch at Lawton's newest place-to-be!!!! The Back Porch! Great new lunch place and is owned and operated by Dan Riley, the son of another '59 classmate - Johanna (Cargill) Brown. Johanna is back in Lawton after some absence to help Dan most days at the restaurant. If you get a chance, it's located where the old Ted's place used to be - 810 SW D Avenue, downtown Lawton. Also at the Back Porch, saw Karen (Carpenter) - class '60, Tommy Nyrop, Jack and Judy Bryan - LHS grads all! It's a 'happenin place' and good food to boot!

Also ran into '59 classmate Wade Harrison this week. He was doing great!

I am very sorry to learn that '59 classmate Stephanie (Lester) Beatty has cancer. Stephanie lives in NYC - for long time now - and is currently undergoing treatment. She stays in touch with some here in Lawton and said it was alright to let people know and that she would enjoy hearing from any and all.I know you join me in wishing all the best for Stephanie and I will certainly be keeping her in my prayers.

We have numerous classmates with like type problems and are hoping the very best for all of them as they receive treatment and recuperate from other illnesses. Stephanie's email address is : ebeatty@nyc.rr.com

I had a cheery email from Carmen (Chandler) - class '58. She headed to CA this past week for a weeks stay then on St. Paddy's Day she will board cruise ship for 2 week cruise to and around Hawaii! So....bon voyage to Carmen and she is planning to be in Lawton this August for her class' 50th reunion!

I know other classmates headed to Mexico, one to Ireland, another to CA...sigh! Guess I am here for now!!!!!

Todays Lawton Constitution - March 14 - had a full page of the renovation work still under way at the old LHS/Central Jr. High school. Most interesting was the picture on the front page of paper showing the old chandelier that hung in the school auditorium. (it will be used when work is finished). On right is Dr. Charles Graybill and on right is Minette (Zak) Page - both LHS grads. Person in foreground is Mike Dixon (McMahon Foundation executive director.) The McMahon Foundation is helping finance some of the renovation work. Dr. Graybill is Chairman of the Foundation. (see pix on right)

The caption under the picture reads: "Dr. Charles Graybill, chairman of the McMahon Foundation, and Minette Page, share memories of a chandelier from old Lawton High's auditorium, with Mike Dixon. Graybill and Page both have ties to the building, both were students. Page, a former school board member, spent two years teaching there; Graybill remembers waiting out front [of the school] to pick up his wife Betty, who was also a teacher there".When renovations are complete some city offices will be in the building. Other civic uses.

Upper 70's - low 80's today! Spring/summer on the way! Regards from the 'old home town'........Georgia