......LHS News......

Originally sent Sept. 22

I am so sorry to report the passing of Floyd A. Wood, 100, of Lawton. Mr. Wood passed on Monday Sept. 21 after a brief illness. Floyd is the father of '59 classmate Gwen (Wood) Phelps (Jerry) and another daughter Helen (Wood) Craig (C.L.) of Shawnee. Services will be Thursday, September 24 at First Baptist church of Lawton, 2:00pm. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Extended obit and guest book at: <www.beckerfuneral.com>

I know our thoughts and prayers are with Gwen and Helen and their families during this difficult time.

Visited with Tommy Dillon, class '63, a few days ago. 'T' (as I call him), has had some problems the past 3-4 years and some of them serious health problems. His birthday is coming up on October 12 and I know he would appreciate a note of birthday wishes or encouragement if you wanted to drop a line. He doesn't have email but you can write him at: Tom Dillon, 2402 Jo Lyn Haven, Arlington, TX 76014.

I am resending information on the reunion this coming week-end. I apologize that I dropped a letter out of Jo's email address. Here is corrected (email) info.....and I appreciate Murdoch for pointing it out!!!

This Saturday:September 26 - LHS Classes or '49, '50, '51, '52, Annual Reunion Dinner, 'The Event', 1001 SW A in Lawton. Social hour beginning at 6:00pm, dinner at 7:00pm. Hors d'oeuvre catered by classmates; BBQ brisket dinner. Cost $18.00 per person. Paid reservations must be received by September 12. Late fee of $5.00 per person after that date. Mail your remittance asap to:Jo Riley, 224 NW Northwood Avenue, Lawton, OK 73507For info: jomama632@sbcglobal.net (580)357-7157; or tomehobs@gmail.com (559)718-6735. *Western attire optional; casual definitely!

btw...ran into Tommye and Ray Hobbs yesterday. They came in early for the ('52) reunion. They were lunching with Jo & Linden Riley!

Due to my class reunion, have been going through some very old Tatlers, scrapbooks, and various other resources, looking for pictures and memorabilia. What fun! In a Tatler dated February 18, 1959.....great picture I want to share of three beautiful classmate Queens! See above.

And, we are counting down to the class 1959 - 50th reunion on October 2-3. Looking forward to a great week-end with classmates and friends!

Regards to all........Georgia

From the class of 1960, Spanish Queen Sandra Metzner with attendants l: Ann Mary Green; r: Sandra Allen. They were set to reign over the Fiesta set for March 6-7 of 1959. OLE!~

......LHS News......
Originally sent Sept. 18

I was gone all last week so couple of these losses are reported post services.

So sorry to report the passing of Dr. Daniel A. Woesner, 83. of Lawton. Dan passed Wednesday Sept. 16. Dan was one of our local veterinarians - 1944 LHS grad and DVM from OSU in 1953. Dan was a personal acquaintance over the years! Quite a character and not afraid to speak his mind on a variety of subjects. And, yes, he was knowledgeable on many subjects. He was quite a rock collector and into that 'hobby' for many years. I have a wonderful 'back bar' and couple other antiques I bought from Dan many years ago.
Dan is survived by his wife of 59 years, Pat (Burdette), and a daughter Jan Siler. Services will be Friday Sept. 18, at First Baptist church, 2:00pm. Dan was involved in a lot of organizations.
Extended obit and guest book at: <www.beckerfuneral.com>

Also passing, Robbie Enda (Pass) Cranfill, 97, of Amarillo, TX. Mrs. Cranfill passed Sept. 10. She was wife of Cecil Cranfill (deceased); mother of three sons Hank, Robert, and Corky who is deceased. Mrs. Cranfill taught school for 40 years including 20 years at Will Rogers in Lawton.
Services were Monday Sept. 14. in Lawton.

And, Beb (Whisenhunt) Chambers, 56, of Lawton. Beb passed Sept. 9 and services were Sept. 12. Beb is a 1971 grad of LHS. She is survived by husband Randy Chambers and a daughter Mandy.
An extended obit and guestbook online at: <www.grayfuneral.com>

From the eMail bag:

My DH and I had our 50th [anniversary] March. 28th I met Ross through Marcia (Rainwater) Momorella at Wayne's Drive-in on Second St. Also, want to say what a wonderful time we had at the Medicine Park (all classes) reunion this year. I missed our 50th class reunion, as we were in the middle of moving, but this was great. I couldn't get over how much Lawton has changed. DH and I have 3 children, 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Wanda (Lowery) Moody class of '56.

Thanks, Georgia, for the updates. Mr. Paramore gave me my first-ever job, at JC Penney's in Lawton in 1958, as "Christmas Help." A very nice man. I think Allison Woodward worked there at the same time. In those days they still had the "tube and wire" system that sent the cash in a metal tube, over a long taut wire, to a clerk up on the mezzanine. You had to pull that lever hard to get it all the way to the mezzanine from the Menswear Department. Thanks again for the obituary notice. Jack [Rhodes, class '59]

Joey (Johnston) Wilkerson, class '53, has moved to Ok City to be near her daughter. I know Joey would love to hear from classmates.
And, btw.....her birthday is Oct. 1. So if you would like to send Joey a card or get in touch: Joey Wilkerson, 2730 N. Mustang Rd., Yukon, OK 73009. (405) 354-3037.

In response to newspaper article looking for former baseball players.....
"Get word to Herb that Johnny [Bateman]died in December of 96, think that is what I read on the Internet. He and I tortured a lot of people when we played baseball together. The good ole days, loved them."
David Hillis, class '59

Johnna Parks and I had opportunity to journey to CO last week and visited with Bill & Janey Scott who were in Gunnison on extended retreat! We also journeyed to Lake City and enjoyed a delicious lunch with '59 classmate Larry Waller and wife Donna (Bridges) in their lovely home in Lake City where they now live full time. While in Lake City also visited with Camille (Richard) who has just opened a gift shop. Wonderful eclectic shop and great to see Camille (sister of JP). Camille is a 1980 grad of LHS.

Also had a beautiful day in Crested Butte, day out to the Black Canyon (gorgeous), also a very fun old fashioned weenie roast complete with SMORES! The mountains and trees and surround were fabulous, including the chipmunks and 'camp robbers'. We shinnied all over those rockies! Wonderful trip! Had been a while since I had been to Colorado and I had forgotten what a beautiful state it is....and it was cool! Plus, the visit and abundant hospitality of dear friends was priceless. Pix above taken at Wallers.

The class 1959 - 50th reunion is almost here! It's also Lawton High homecoming week-end - LHS Wolverines vs Mustang. We have had great response with over 200 already set to attend! Some are planning to attend the pep rally scheduled for 1:30pm in the LHS gym on Friday and others plan to go from the reception to the game at Cameron Stadium Friday evening. Kick-off is at 7:30pm. LHS (home) on north side. If you need information about the '59 reunion, let me know ASAP as final preparations are underway! Have some from other classes joining us and looking forward to seeing all of you! Gonna be fun! Go Wolverines!

..beer, beer, for 'ol Lawton High...bring on......

Reminder.....coming up fast:

September 26, Saturday. LHS Classes or '49, '50, '51, '52 Annual Reunion Dinner, The Event, 1001 SW A in Lawton. Social hour beginning at 6:00pm, dinner at 7:00pm.Hors d'oeuvre catered by classmates; BBQ brisket dinner. Cost $18.00 per person. Paid reservations must be received by September 12. Late fee of $5.00 per person after that date. Mail your remittance asap to:

Jo Riley, 224 NW Northwood Avenue, Lawton, OK 73507For info: jomama632@sbcgloal.net (580)357-7157; or tomehobs@gmail.com, (559)718-6735.*Western attire optional; casual definitely!

Looking forward to lots of 'visiting' and hopefully some pictures........Georgia

......LHS News......
Originally sent Sept. 7

Sorry to report the passing of Dean Paramore, 94, of Lawton. Mr. Paramore passed on Sept. 3. He is father of daughters Deanna Manning, class '57, and Pam Seals. Services will be Tuesday Sept. 8 at First Baptist church, 1:30pm.
Extended obit and guest book at: www.beckerfuneral.com

Another great Herb Jacobs column in Sunday Lawton paper (Sept. 6). Jacobs follows up with this item...."A funny thing happened to Dee Givens after his brief bio appeared on these pages a few weeks ago.The article somehow fell into the hands of Jakie Sandefer who was a member of Bud Wilkinson's football team at Oklahoma while Givens was on the track squad.Sandefer, who played in two Orange Bowls for the Sooners before going into the oil and gas business in Texas, called his old friend and arranged a meeting in Norman.While renewing acquaintances, they ran in to Barry Switzer. The former Sooner football coach invited the pair to his home where they rehashed the good 'ol days at length.
Seems Switzer also is a big track fan and was aware of OU's successes prior to his arrival on campus in 1966".

Others mentioned in Herbs column this week.... Golden Glovers....Farron Hottell and Mack Law. Mack was LHS class '50. These two have contacted approx 30 former boxers for a reunion at Cameron on Sept. 26. If you should be on this list or know someone who should, contact Cameron Athletic Director Jim Jackson at (580) 351-2306.

AND Jacobs is conducting his own search for Lawton natives who played major league baseball. Already on the list: Johnny Bateman, LHS; Kelly Stinnett, LHS; Butch Huskey, EHS; Koyie Hill, EHS; If you know others, contact Herb at (580) 353-0620.

More golden anniversaries and some MORE than golden:'59 classmate Beverly (Gaston) and hubby Eddie Shelton, class '57, just celebrated their 50th. Bev says...." Of course he robbed the cradle. We went to Ocean City and spent the week. Had a great time shopping and eating the fresh seafood available here."
They live in Maryland and we look forward to seeing them at 'our' 50th, Oct. 2-3.

Also celebrating a 50th.....Billy and Anna Jean 'Susie' (Griffin) Yoast. Billy and Susie married on August 28 and were recently honored at a dinner reception given by daughters Linda Yoast and Suzanne McKee. The Yoasts are both LHS class '56 and live in Lawton!

This note from Bill Gentry, class '52 and wife Joyce (Allison), class '53: "We'll be celebrating our 56th Wedding Anniversary on Friday, September 4th. Hope the Sooners do their part to make it a great weekend, as we'll be down at Arlington to watch the game. Our son, Tim, will fly in from Fresno, CA and his son, Joseph, will fly from Ft. Rucker, AL to join us. Thanks for all your updates. GO SOONERS!"
opppssss...guess Bill is disappointed with Saturdays season opener!!! I know my Bill is! Do hope Bradfords shoulder injury is not serious!

Reminder(s) LHS Classes or '49, '50, '51, '52 - Annual Reunion Dinner.Saturday, September 26 at 'The Event', 1001 SW A in Lawton. 6:00pm social hour; 7:00pm dinner.Western attire optional; casual definitely!Deadline is this Saturday, Sept. 12. Cost $18.00 per person. Late fee of $5.00 per person after September 12. Mail with your remittance to: Jo Riley, 224 NW Northwood Avenue, Lawton, OK 73507For info: jomama632@sbcglobal.net, (580)357-7157 OR tomehobs@gmail.com, (559) 718-6735

Class '54 talked about a trip to Arizona (Sedona), near the Grand Canyon. They are gonna do it! If you have interest, here is info: WWW.SEDONA.ARIZONA.COMDATE: OCT, 13, 14, 15th, 2009 HOTEL: BEST WESTERN - RESERVATIONS BY 9/13/09PHONE: 928-282-3072It is reserved under Lawton High School Reunion. If you need more information, please feel free to call or email: Janice (Hanes) Brummett: Janiceposton1623@aol.comH phone 623-566-9094 or Cell: 623-326-9184 Carroll (Hankins) Pokorny: cpokorny1@netscape.netH- phone 703-491-7213 or Cell: 703-216-8813.

Hope no one 'labored' today........Georgia

......LHS News......
Originally sent August 31


So sorry to report the passing of Edna (Phariss) House Free, 91, of Lawton. Mrs. Free passed on August 28.She is the mom of '59 classmate Judy (House) Hargrove and other children, Robert, Martha, Dennis, and Anna Beth. She is aunt of Wayne Parks, '60.She is also survived by her husband Mitch Free and a stepson Mitchell Free; numerous grand and great-grand children.

Services will be Wednesday Sept. 2, Becker Funeral Home Chapel at 1:30pm. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Extended obit and guest book at: www.beckerfuneral.com

It's 50 great years for Billie (Suggs) Penn and hubby Bill. The couple married on Sept. 4 and will celebrate on Sept. 6 by renewing their wedding vows at a reception hosted by son Zed and daughter Allison. The Penns live in Lawton. Billie is a '57 grad of LHS.

Also celebrating this important 50th milestone is '59 classmate, Fern (Ewing) Burch and hubby Jerry. They married on August 22 and recently celebrated with daughters Jeri and Joni and son Jamie, plus in-laws and grandchildren.Fern and Jerry live in Cache.
Major congrats to both these couples!

Reservations for the class 1959 - 50th reunion are coming in fast and furious. We also have numerous responses from those of other classes who are attending. We look forward to all the '59 classmates and too happy to have classmates from other years coming to join the party with us.If you need any information, email me. Deadline September 5!

From the eMail bag:
I remember eating at the boarding house a lot, but I remember it being in the middle of the block about 608 or 610. Great Food!!! I also remember eating a lot at Yoakum's at about 508 -510 D Ave. I ate there a lot and occasionally at Burns-Ford at their fountain. Great grill cheese and BLT's. Damn, great memories. Wish I could go back to those days. We never realized what we had and now appreciate so much 60 years later. What good times.....The best hot dogs were at Coney Island on 5th & D about 2 doors down from the Lawton Theater. Earl Barton

I was one of those who ate there [boarding house] on occasions and it was great! Bill and I shared many of good times at noon there and then up to Johnson's, 6th & C, across from Hudson car dealer and Leister's, iced cream cone. Ah, those were the good ole days. Also don't leave out the Dairy Cream store on D Street next JC Penny, as I ate there a lot also. Hot Dogs, they say now, is a cause of cancer, latest wild rumor, were the main order. I extend my prayers to our young friend Dee [Glass, '52] also, as I am facing a new round of treatment with Lazar Radiation to the small tumor on right lung, size of a dime on 9/10/09, and cataracts surgery on or around 9/2/09. The Democrat plan would preclude all of this as I would be too old, but my military medicine takes care me., All please keep our country in your prayers and let your congressman and senators know today what you want them to do! They work for us contrary to what most of them are saying up there, like Waxman, Dodd, that Illinois senate duo. I am deeply worried about my freedoms that I have shed blood for, to protect all of us. God Bless America, Ralph [Purvis, '52], San Antonio

Regards to all......Georgia

......LHS News......
Originally sent August 25

I had just sent previous news when I received word of the passing of Gene M. Dodson, 81,of Lawton. Gene passed on Monday August 24. He was a grad of LHS - although I am not sure of the year - and he attended Cameron.
He married Judy (Shanklin) in 1951, Judy passed in 1996. She was sister of Bob, Jerry, Jack Shanklin.
Gene is survived by three sons and their wives and families.Services will be at 1:00 Thursday August 27, Centenary United Methodist church Activities Center, Lawton.

Extended obit and guest book at: < www.beckerfuneral.com>Again, so very sorry for these losses.

......LHS News......


Originally sent August 25



I am so saddened to report that we lost Dorothy A. 'Duffy' (Hankins) Gilbert, 67, on Monday morning, August 24, due to extreme complications of cancer. Duff has put up a brave fight with cancer since 1993. We will miss her sweet, smiling face and her always positive attitude.Friends Preston & Sandy Holsinger and Beth Garrett were with Duff the last couple of days as were Duff's daughters, Kelley and Kara. Both girls work and it has been noted how 'generous' the girl's bosses have been in allowing the girls whatever time they needed to be with their mom these past few years.Duff was a '60 grad of LHS and attended Cameron. Duffy is survived by the daughters, her sister Susan (Hankins) Ellington, four grandchildren, and numerous other relatives and friends. Duff was preceded in death by her husband James 'Jimmy' Gilbert, who passed in 1989, and her parents Ned and Veda Hankins.


Services will be at 11:00am this Friday, August 28, First Christian church in Lawton.


Extended obit and guest book at: <www.beckerfuneral.com>


Also passing, Kenneth Lee Calhoun, 44, of Lawton was killed in a [single vehicle] jeep accident this past Saturday night. Kenneth is an '82 grad of LHS. He is son of Lenin and Georgia (Moralez) Calhoun, class '62; cousin of Sharon (Godfrey) Nottingham McLawhorn, class '64.


Kenneth is survived by wife Marriane (Mackey) twin 14 year old daughters and a 16 year old son.


Services will be at 10:30am Thursday, August 27, at Becker Funeral Home Chapel.


Extended obit and guest book at: <www.beckerfuneral.com>

I know our hearts and prayers will be with these who have lost loved ones.



Susan (Hillis) Mackey fell in her yard last week and broke her shoulder. She is...hanging in there!I'm tellin ya.....rehab is the new place to meet and greet! Although Sara (Leister) Bridges is now out of rehab and home waiting on that broken leg to mend.

From the eMail bag:
Some additional recollections about the infamous 'dome' at LHS/Central......This from Murdoch Matthew, '49.......


"You ask, What?s going on with the dome? As I remember, in the 1940s it was just decoration, nothing in it. I think there were joists across the opening, but no floor. I don?t remember a way to get into it, but there was a long ladder up to a trapdoor onto the roof, so you could look through the little windows to the inside. Quite a view from the high school roof ? nothing taller anywhere around.The top floor of LHS was then mostly an unfinished attic. There were only two classrooms, Mrs. Snow?s chorus/music room on one side and a small room on the other where I took art classes one summer. The one time in my life that I played hooky, I hid out all day in the attic. There were screens over ventilation vents over the porch, so you could look down between the columns onto people on the steps. (No cafeteria then: Mrs. Tackitt?s class was the lunch room for people who brought theirs.) I found a lot of old printing plates for yearbook pictures, scattered on the floor on the music room side."

And, from Bob Kinniard, '54.....

"Reference the dome. When I was going to Lawton high, I was in the attic several times during high school The dome was below the roof as well as above. It extended below the roof about 8 to 10 feet and about 8 feet above the attic floor .[remember, I was a teenager and had not received the practical education of a adult which means my estimate of footage is probably not very accurate ].It had a ladder type stair going up into the room from the attic floor . Naturally I had to look it over. In the room which was round with vents above the roof line and below, were four metal pipes sticking above the room floor. These pipes went to the four outside perimeters of the building and tied into risers from the rooms down below. If you remember, all the rooms had a high and a low vent on the inside wall. It appears that the dome was part of a natural ventilation system for all of the classrooms. I hope this clears the mystery of the dome."

Seems to me....the city could make some extra $$$$$$$ by offering tours of the DOME!

Girls of '52.....Jane (Lacy) Ard, Robin (Alford) Adams and Marcille (Burns) Covey, and Pat (Banks) White had a luncheon get together at Red Lobster in Lawton on August 19th when Robin drove through on her way to her daughter's in AZ.

The girls of '56 are travelin' again. This time to the east coast to join Connie (Lassetter) Johnson at Emerald Isle, NC for a long weekend of catching up, lots of laughter, eating out, cooking, and domino playing. Myrna Kay (Langley) Daley, Yvonne (Anderson) Coombs, Barbara (Waid) Shelton and Kay (Kimball) Scott made the trip. (pix at top).

Regards from the 'home-town'...........Georgia

......LHS News......
Originally sent August 19

Sorry to once again have losses.....
Randolph 'Randy' Stephen Specht, 57, of Edmond, passed August 17. Randy was valedictorian of his LHS class and National Merit Semifinalist (not sure year he graduated). Attended OSU and received law degree from Oklahoma University College of Law. He is survived by wife Renee (Lobodinski); a son and a daughter.
Service will be 2:30pm on Thursday August 20, New Covenant United Methodist church of Edmond.
On line guest book at: <www.legacy.com>

Also, M/Sgt. Retired Jimmy Dale Bennett, 74, of Lawton. Jimmy passed on July 21 and was buried July 24 with full military honors at the Ft. Sill National Cemetery. Jimmy was not an LHS grad but he is brother of '59 classmate Tommy Bennett; '61 classmate Roy Don Bennett; sister to '62 classmate Kay (Bennett) Ray; also sisters Bobbie Joyce Owens and Letha Mullins.
Extended obit and guest book at: <http://www.grayfuneral.com/PastObituary.aspx?did=a336de4a-4464-4e7e-9822-bcd75dc71d40>

And, Velma (Nagel) Brown of Mustang, OK. Velma passed on August 14 from complications of cancer. Velma is survived by her husband of 52 years, Doyle; a daughter and 4 sons.Velma was LHS class '52.
Online obit and guestbook at: http://www.mcneilsmustangfs.com/obituary.aspx?MemberId=62011&MName=Velma%20Joy%20Nagel%20Brown

Jerry Houghton, hubby of '59 classmate Joan (Lee), is home & recovering nicely from shoulder surgery a few days ago.

Dee Givens, class '55 and hubby of '59 classmate Babs (Yarmuk), is doing well, recovering from recent open heart surgery - repair of a valve!

Another 'golden 50th', this time Opal (Wiley), LHS '52, and Ronnie Thurman! Major congrats guys!

I am hearing from a lot of LHS grads....this past week, several great emails with a lot of 'memories' from '49 grad Murdoch Matthew. Going to be passing along some of his memories but here is an update on Murdoch......
"I've been wondering about old classmates. I graduated LHS in 1949. I had worked at KSWO radio in high school, and joined Channel 7 for three years after it went on the air in 1953. I did the afternoon "Kids Corner" program in 1954 and 1955, live and in black and white. This was before color and video tape recording. I moved to Enid and KGWA radio in 1956, which station was owned by the same people as KSWO. I got into publishing in the 60s and retired in 2001 from Random House Childrens Books in New York City where I was a copy editor. Now involved with Democratic politics in Queens, where I've lived since 1990. I wrote [Lawton Constitution] a letter when my old journalism teacher, Vanita Lee, died at age 104, but don't know if they printed it. I've made a life's living from what Miss Lee taught us."

LHS Classes or '49, '50, '51, '52 Annual Reunion Dinner, Saturday, September 26, 2009, The Event, 1001 SW A in Lawton. Social hour beginning at 6:00pm, dinner at 7:00pm.Hors d'oeuvre catered by classmates; BBQ brisket dinner. Cost $18.00 per person. Paid reservations must be received by September 12. Late fee of $5.00 per person after that date.
Mail your remittance asap to:Jo Riley, 224 NW Northwood Avenue, Lawton, OK 73507For info: jomama632@sbcgloal.net (580)357-7157; or tomehobs@gmail.com, (559)718-6735.
*Western attire optional; casual definitely!

Class of '59 - 50th Reunion set for October 2-3 is moving along nicely. Reservations are brisk and remember deadline is Sept. 5. If you need information or reservation form, email me!

NOTE: I have placed a new 'feature' on the Wolvernet blog. Directly under the Alma Mater on right hand side. It is LHS Reunions (that I am aware of). Contact person for particular class is given.

Regards to all...........Georgia