Reunion Memories 2009

 

The clatter of dominos, the clang of pool balls and cues, the smell of strong coffee brewing can only mean one thing; It is time for another OSB alumni reunion!

 

The campus was alive with visitors of all ages May 22-24, 2009, as those who could manage the trip came to Muskogee once again to sing the school song, hear the majestic old pipe organ, and relive days of old.   We filled two dorms with people, and dog guides. The automatic doors slid apart to welcome guests so many times that both the lobby door and the hall way door came off their tracks at least once!  Earl Kessler showed us just how well that big van of his could run from Oklahoma City, as he made three round trips bringing some on Friday, and others for the day on Saturday.

 

We all laughed, and occasionally cried, as we caught each other up on the news of our lives since last year's mini reunion.  At the reception, we all cheered as Mr. Max Casey entered the room! Likewise, we were thrilled to once again see Mrs. Tarvin, (now age 90 or 91), Mrs. Ledbetter, Beal Pickett, who taught many and came even though a downpour was in process. Jeanne Meyer, also a teacher, likewise recognized familiar faces she had once taught. But, Mrs. Meyer busied herself with so many fundamental details, she was seldom still long enough to visit. Ruby Barker, Dr. Richard Larson, Barbara Collins-Librarian (the new kid on the block) also made their appearances.

 

Miss Patocka used her "Teacher's voice," many times to remind guests of their meal and departure schedule, and tried her hardest to keep the dorms as pristine as they always were,  with men and women asked to stay in their respective dorms, at all times!!!

Norman Dalke, and Darrell Birch were the oldest graduates, with Mr. Dalke being of the class of 48, and Mr. Birch having left the school in the early fifties. 

 

Tammy Hill Adleman came back for probably the first time since graduating, and Joy Fae Knight brought her husband back to see a school she had not seen since graduating. Jesse Martinez celebrated his 20th anniversary since graduating, and Perry and Sherry Boston announced that they would celebrate their 40th anniversary on May 28. Shirley and Leon Croxton came to visit from Arkansas, and two young women, Mary Hume Howard and Rhanda Hasley came all the way from Dallas to see us! David Plumley and his lovely wife Deb came from Independence Missouri, so he could become reacquainted with, the organ and thrill us with its sound. Thank you for sharing your talents with us.   

 

Of course, we had the many regulars, the four ladies who always request to room in room H-7 of A 2, (you know who you are) and many others who never fail to be present on these joyous biennial occasions. I think this was Kristi Bingham’s first time to come to a reunion.

 

We always have much help from volunteers, and this year was no exception.   People like Tommy Robertson who always pitch in to help, and Joe and Jane Thomas, who ran around like the little Energizer Bunnies, each day until they ran down late at night.

For those of you who missed all the fun, Bronnie Trantham, Cathy Tuton and Kristi Bingham Boerner will plan a mini-reunion in OKC next year. And, for all of you, we'll see you again in two more years, God willing. 

 

Jane Thomas--Jeanne Meyer

 

Those in attendance for the 2009 OSB Reunion were (68):

Tammy Hill Addleman

Kristi Bingham Boerner, Darrell Birch, Perry Boston, Sherry Matthews Boston, Nick Boston, Toby Boston

Cindy Coffin, Barbara Collins, Darla Livingston Cook, Judy Cowart, Leon Croxton, Shirley Williams Croxton

Norman Dalke, Jamie Davis

Betty Emmons, Jessie Ervin, Linda Ervin, Stephen Ezell

David Finch, Donna Allen Finch, Rickey Franklin, Roberta Fromme

Diane Garrett, Linda Gugel

Rhanda Hasley, Adam Holzer, Amber Gilmore Holzer, Mary Hume Howard

Laneal Keller, Linda Keller, Lynn Kerr

Ann Kerr Larson, Richard Larson, Colleen Litterell, Jerry Litterell

Jesse Martinez, Tim Martinez, Louis McIntosh, Ronald Morgan, Jeanne Morris Meyer

Yogesh Patel, Carolyn Patocka, Marilyn Patocka, Hank Patocka, Bobby Phipps, Mary Keller Phipps, Beal Pickett, Sandy Pickett Evans, Charlene Pickett, David Plumlee, Debby Plumlee

Kenny Randall, Tommy Robertson, Phillip Rotramel

Craig Smith, Tommy Stacks, Janet Stacks, Molly Stacks, Caleb Stacks

Jane Byars Maxwell Thomas, Joe Thomas, John Timothy, Bronnie Trantham, Cathy Crowder Tuton

Robert Vaughn, Kim Vaughn

Raymond Washburn

 

Those deceased during the last two years:

       B. Stevens, Obie Mullen, Billie Carter, George Vann, Ed Sorrels, N. Mashburn, G. Minner, Virgil Taylor, Dorothy Merriman Brice, Pete Wilburn, Beulah Mae H., Don Stevens, Ernest Simpson, Robert Qualls, Dale Lamar, Ulysses “Bugs” Houston, Don Gugel, Marlene Welch, Marie Torrez, David McCollough, Erin Ketner, Tommy Merriman, Kenneth Rigler (former boy scout leader at OSB) and Carolyn Patocka’s dog guide, Brett. Guide Dogs Wes and Libby retired.

 

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