The 2020 All-School Reunion has been cancelled due to the continued COVID predicament. The GFSA Board agrees with the Class of 1970, that we do not want to promote an environment which may bring harm or illness to any of our alumni. The Class of 1971 plans to host the 2021 All-School Reunion at the usual time, the last weekend of September 2021. More information will come out in the Spring and Summer GFSA newsletters.

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Gladewater Former Students’ Association A TEXAS NOT-FOR-PROFIT DEDICATED TO GHS ALUMNI

P.O. Box 1425, Gladewater, TX 75647 Phone/Fax: 903-845-2631 Email: ghsalums@suddenlinkmail.com

Letter from GFSA President

Dear Alums,

The Class of 1971 did an outstanding job hosting the All-School Reunion! I know

all of you enjoyed getting together with your individual classes on Friday night

and the reunion on Saturday night. I regret that I was not able to be there, but I

have seen pictures and have heard that everyone had an enjoyable time.

Congratulations to all the award winners. You are all very deserving of the honors

and awards that you received. The Spirit Baton was passed to the Class of 1972. It

is never too early to start planning. If you need any help, please reach out to the

Board or someone that was on the planning committee for the Class of 1971.

I am not going to spend a lot of time with a letter for this issue. This newsletter

will be devoted to covering the reunion held last Saturday. Leslie is planning to

include several photos of the award winners and attendees.

Again, let me thank the Class of 1971, especially Jean-Marie Wilkens Heard and

Mary Grace Clark Hearnsberger for coordinating the planning of the reunion.

The Board will meet in October. If any of you would like to attend a Board

meeting, please look at the last page of this newsletter or the GFSA website for

the date and time of the meeting.

Your Board of Directors continue to work hard for you and the organization. Take

care and hope to see you soon.

Larry Clemens

GFSA President

O R A N G E A N D B L A C K F O R E V E R

That money is certainly not enough to pay

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI 2020 & 2021

Laura Jobe Kelly, Class of 1970, is a 2020 Outstanding

Alumnus. Laura was the GHS Class Salutatorian, graduated

from UT School of Pharmacy in 4 years and is a 3rd generation

pharmacist. She became a commercial pilot for Braniff Airlines

and worked as a stockbroker in New York City for Shearson-

Lehman Brothers. Laura volunteers with Paddles with a

Purpose which is a breast cancer survivors’ organization. She

and her husband, Pat, live in Austin.

Class of 1969, Dr. Jenny Wallace Preston was a Kilgore

Rangerette, received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from

Stephen F. Austin and her Doctorate in Education from the

University of North Texas. Jenny has been a teacher, principal,

Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent. After serving as

the Superintendent for Allen ISD, Dr. Preston was recognized

with the honor of having a new elementary school named after

her: “Preston Elementary School.” Jenny lives in McKinney

where her 2 sons serve as assistant principals.

2020 Outstanding Alumnus, John Ussery graduated in 1979. He

earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Baylor

University. John holds a Certified Public Accountant license, Real

Estate Broker license, and a Securities License with the State of

Texas. His professional affiliations include American Institute of

Certified Public Accountants, Texas Society of Certified Public

Accountants, Board of Directors with the East Texas Chapter and

H.D. Vest Investments Registered Representative. In 1979, John

was the Gladewater Chamber of Commerce Youth of the Year and

in 2019 he was voted Gladewater Chamber of Commerce Man of

the Year. He and his wife, Carol, have been married for 20 years.

Byron J. Boston is a 1969 graduate and is the 2021 Outstanding

Alumnus. He and his wife Carolyn, Class of 1971, recently

celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Byron retired in 2020

after 25 years as an On Field Official with the NFL. He is a lifetime

member of the Houston Chapter of Football Officials. During his

career, he officiated 10 Championship and 3 Super Bowl games for

the NFL. The NFL jersey which he wore in his last NFL game is on

display in the Pro-Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. He and

Carolyn live in Humble, Texas.

“CELEBRATING UNITY THROUGH FRIENDSHIPS”

2021 All-School Reunion Class of 1971, 50 Years

Saturday, October 30th, 6:00 p.m. – Sandra Tenery McCullough’s home at 104 Woodbine

Place, White Oak. Sandras has recently moved back to East Texas and is hosting a fun night

of food and visiting. This will be a Halloween dress-up party. We will each bring a covered

dish. (Sandra will provide details later.)

Saturday, December 4th – Wayne Speir’s home; Christmas Party & 60th Class Reunion.

11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Tour Wayne’s lovely home and have lunch, followed by lots of fun

and nostalgia. Directions to Wayne’s home will be sent later. If leaving from Gladewater,

meet at John Paul’s home at 10:00 a.m. and we will follow one another.

Class of 1962: Upcoming Events

David Holcombe, Class of 1962, was our 2020 Grizzly

Award recipient. David and his wife, Donna, have

been volunteering to do the photography for the All-

School Reunion since 2011. He has devoted many

hours of his time taking group and individual photos

so the GHS Alums can enjoy the memories for year

to come. GFSA truly appreciates David for his talent,

efforts, and enthusiasm.

David and his Dad started Holcombe’s Man Shop in

Gladewater back in the 60’s. He was a member of

the Jaycee’s, President of the Lion’s Club, and in the

1969 book of Outstanding Young Men of America.

David served as Chairman of the Board on the

Gladewater Hospital Board, City Council and Mayor

Pro Tem. David and Donna currently photograph

weddings, graduation pictures and family photos.

They are staying busy but still leave time to enjoy

retirement.

DAVID HOLCOMBE

2020 GRIZZLY AWARD

(Introduced by Dale Lange, 2019 Grizzly)

CLASS of 1971 wins the prize of having the most attendees at the All-School

Reunion. They had 36 Classmates attend. That means that they will receive 1 free

rental of the GFSA Building is used within the next 2 years. Coming in 2nd place was the

Class of 1970 with 16 Classmates. 3rd place was the Class of 1968 with 12 Classmates

and 4th place was the Class of 1962 with 11 Classmates. GO BEARS!!!

SPECIAL RECOGNITION at ALL-SCHOOL REUNION

Past GFSA Presidents Past/Present Outstanding Alumni

Past/Present Grizzlies KODIAKS

Reliving 1971

***PAST PRESIDENT LIFE MEMBERS***

GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Our Alma Mater lost the following sons and daughters from July – September 2021:

Emma Dean Hinton Fetzer, Class of 1941 Mary Alice Thomas Allen

James Chasteen Ruth Nell Wilcoxen Wilks, Class of 1953 Alice Ruth Wallace Cater, Class of 1953

Loretta Blear Mitchell, Class of 1962 Tyrone Johnson, Class of 1985

Carl Wells, Class of 1979 Richard Lee Perry, Class of 1951

Ross Jones, Class of 1963 Barbara “Jannette” Byrd Cline, Class of 1962

Maxey Ray Van Houten, Class of 1957 Michael Grabbs, Class of 1978

Judy Gibbons Stevens, Class of 1982 Oscar Landers

Edward P. “Red” Markham, Class of 1940 Danna Lea Guinn Turner, Class of 1975

All will be sorely missed by their families, friends, and classmates to whom we extend our deepest sympathies.

Please notify the GFSA Office if you know of anyone that needs to be added to the “Gone, But Not Forgotten” list. Phone number and

email address on front page of this newsletter.

2021 GFSA Officers & Board

OFFICERS PRESIDENT: Larry Clemens ’68 VICE PRESIDENT: Shirley Elliott Willett ’68 CORRESPONDING SECRETARY: Leslie Blount Willeford ‘77 RECORDING SECRETARY: Cheryl Moore Copeland ‘69 TREASURER: Jon Keller ‘92 PARLIMENTARIAN: Barry Cook ‘68

BOARD MEMBERS Dale Lange ‘69 Cindy Tallent Rowe ‘85

Steve Scurlock ’68 Mandy Williamson Wood ‘95 Danny Sorrells ‘75 Jennifer Hand Jester ‘95

ASSOCIATE BOARD MEMBERS Cathy Phillips Shipp ‘65

Leon Watson ‘59 Patricia Martin Watson ‘60

GFSA, P.O. Box 1425, Gladewater, TX 75647 ghsalums@suddenlinkmail.com

’38 Nauty Byrd Pelphrey Mayer, 1989-1990 ’59 Leon Watson, 2002-2003, 2008-2009

’38 Hulon Broyles, 1991-1992, 1996 '56 Dr. Syntha Traughber West, 2004-2006

’61 Sherry Waggoner Beall, 1993-94, 2011-2012 ’68 Barry Cook, 2007

’40 Truman Wilson, 1995-1996 ’60 Roy T. Van Houton, 2010

’62 John Paul Tallent, 1997-2001, 2013-2015 ’68 Shirley Elliott Willett, 2016-2018

THANK YOU, JOHN PAUL & BEVERLY TALLENT!

The GFSA Board wants to publicly thank you for suggesting

and purchasing the beautiful plaques (Kodiak, Outstanding

Alumi, Grizzly and Past Presidents). They are proudly

displayed in our building’s foyer.

‘30 George Wilkins ’38 C.W. Williams, Jr. ’38 Gladys Browning Best ’39 Dr. John Heit ’39 Helen Adams Thomas ’40 June Strawn Gelvin ’41 Dr. John Artie & Arra Browning ’41 Gladys Williams Dreeson

’41 Margie Brewer Morrison ’42 Jack Phillips ’42 Ralph Weiser

’43 Juanita Bagley Dusse` ’50 Janet Burnett Hill ’56 Leland Stracener ’63 Alla Burago

would like to RECOGNIZE and THANK the following alumni who

have supported this organization through the years with

“KODIAK” contributions of $1,000.00 or more:

The GLADEWATER FORMER STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Dorothy Dake Anderson, Class of 1943 and John Paul Tallent, Class of 1962

’33 Gwendolyn Hamilton Hogue ’38 Lee Fisher ’39 Glenn (Squeaky) Lange ’39 Jane Neal Sellers ’40 Ernestine Wilson Sawyer ’40 Truman Wilson ’41 Johnnie Pace Brown ’41 Dr. Robert Brutsche ’41 Emma Dean Hinton Fetzer ’41 Jean Clark Hughes ’41 Dr. Helen Chapman Williamson ’41 Charles Gilpin ’41 Dr. Harold McDowell ’41 Patricia Nichols Summer ’42 Ann Ruth Stone Gentry ’44 Lafon Dorrough ’44 Georgia Waters Dorrough ’44 Jo Nell Adams Lucky ’44 Robert H. Schmidt ’44 Roy A. Tallent ’45 Lawanna Lee Ballard ’46 Billy C. Dale ’46 Gladys Ronita Dillard ‘46 Bobbie Milliorn Modisette ’46 Dr. Jack “Spot” Collins ’46 B.M. “Mack” Rankin ’46 Virginia Henley Mankins ’48 William “Billy Bob” Green ’48 Nelda Jean Barr Young ’49 Jack Foshee ’49 Robert Honeycutt ’49 Bill Looney ’49 T. E. “Ed” Maxwell ’49 Richard D. Tallent ’51 Colleen Tallent Coffman

’52 Frances Ann Brown Shanks ’52 Beverly Hutson Lancaster ’53 Alice Ruth Wallace Cater ’53 Jerry Don Lancaster ’53 Sherman Kennedy ’54 Barbara Smith Mackey ’54 Dr. Calvin N. McKaig ’54 Martha Williams Squibb ’54 Jimmy A. Tallent ’54 Lula Mae Walker Waters ’55 Mary Lou Wilcox Palmer ’55 Mike Bloom ’56 Travis Stanley ’56 Donald Williams ’56 Ronald Williams ’57 Homer Beck ’59 Mary Barr Price ‘59 Grace Ann Rose Shore ’60 Tom & Nita Zajicek in memory of Paul & Agnes Zajicek ’62 Jack Butler ’62 Barbara Brooking Henderson ’62 Ellender “Cookie” Owens Holcomb ’62 Glenna Rush Ishmael ’62 Loretta Blear Mitchell ’62 Ronny Moore ’62 John Shepperd ‘62 Paula Jones Smith ‘62 Betty Jean Thomas Stegall ’62 Kay Pothoff Wallace ’63 Melvin A. Tallent ’65 Danny Strickland ’67 Jerry D. Tallent ’68 Mark Abernathy ’68 Larry Clemens

’68 Shirley Elliott Willett ’71 Sue Clifton Moore ’71 Darla Martin ’71 Ken Martin ’73 Bill M. Sloan ’75 Debra Shipp ’76 James Hugman ’76 Sharon Scurlock Berryman ’76 Tommy Willingham ’77 Leslie Blount Willeford ‘77 Jayson Wynn ’85 Cindy Tallent Rowe ’85 Jon Rowe ’89 Johnny Tallent ’90 Andrea Slover Tallent 2011 Alyssa Rowe 2012 Jordan Palmer 2013 Leslie Rowe 2015 Rebecca Rowe Class of 1943 Class of 1945 Class of 1958 Class of 1961 Class of 1962 Class of 1965 Class of 1966 Class of 1968 Class of 1970 Beverly Brunson Tallent

Gladewater Former Students' Association P. O. Box 1425 Gladewater, TX 75647

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

SCHEDULED 2021 BOARD MEETINGS

Tuesday, October 26 @ 5:30 p.m.

Our meetings are held in the board room of the GFSA Building unless via ZOOM during COVID-19. If any GFSA member wants to attend the ZOOM meeting, e-

mail Larry Clemens at Larryref50@gmail.com to receive a ZOOM invitation.

Upcoming Events

GFSA Christmas Party: TBA