On the evening of July 3, we gathered at Meeker Golf Course for a time of fellowship and a delicious buffet dinner prepared by the staff at the course. We also remembered the 16 classmates we have lost since 1965. A chosen classmate gave a special tribute to each one who passed and then placed a single white rose in a vase. We lost them too soon and we miss them greatly.
Those who have been “promoted to Glory” are Larry Amick, Doris (Anderson) Love, Margaret Ann (Carroll) Jackson, Vina Mae (Clapper) Klahn, Mary Ann (Cook) Copeland, Carol (Crawford) Atwood, Kenneth Roy Griffin, Clayton Hazelbaker, Gordon Hilkey, Pat Keller, Gary Orton, Lance Rogers, Joe Ruckman, Tom Stewart, David Swank and Donald Swank. God bless them all.
Those attending from the Class of 1965 were: Jacque (Sullivan) and Duke Duzik, Brian Conrado, Bill and Nancy Crook, Eldrid (Eliasen) Anding, Jerry and Linda Grubbs, Kathy (Holland) and Gerry Turner, Linda (Brown) and Steve Cummings, Lorna Idol and friend James Hite, Daryl and Carolyn LeFevre (reunion organizers), Teresa (Lake) and Gus Anderson, Linda (Buckles) and Stuart Morgan, Roberta (Long) Watt, Floyd and Earline Franklin, Ed and Carolyn Bloomfield, Les and Susie Sprod, Gene and Tish Starbuck, Dave and Carol Romersberger, George and Patsy Nay, Rusty and Penny Lancaster, Sharon (Love) Good and Roger Almgren, Judy (Moody) Eskelson, John Wright, Luella (Richardson) Gadd and son Bobbie, Gene Rosenlund, Virgil and Karen Garcia, Rosemary (Mannel) Lippoldt, Butch Theos and Betty (Mead) Martinez.
We had an entry in the Range Call Parade. Classmate Brian Conrado drove a Cowboy Bus down Main Street as ’65 and ’64 classmates and their spouses waved to the crowd who gave us a warm reception. Thanks, Meeker!
We had three great former teachers, class sponsors and one special coach with us on the bus and at other events. Our most beautiful and dedicated second grade teacher was Marge Russell, who became Marge Rogers that year. We all agreed that we could still type really well, and also some of us still know shorthand. That is because our teacher and class sponsor, Ethel Starbuck, was our ace typing teacher!
We were so fortunate to have a special history teacher and crack basketball coach in Richard Castle. He and his wife, Berice, came all the way from Enid, Okla., to be with us, and we were delighted. He developed a disciplined basketball program at MHS, and eventually we had a team that went to state.
On July 4, we enjoyed a really good barbecue together put on by Faith Baptist Church.
The evening of the Fourth, we attended the Sawyer Brown Concert, (those boys can really get down!) Meeker can surely attract the talent! Remember when we discovered Reba McIntyre and Martina McBride right here in Meeker?
The fireworks put on by the Meeker Fire Department were remarkable! Thanks to all of you, it was quite a show!
On Sunday, George and Patsy Nay graciously hosted a fabulous breakfast at their home and then many of us hiked up China Wall. Thanks George and Patsy.
A few notes about the MHS Class of 1965:
When we were freshmen we had a 110-piece marching band under the direction of Dale Jens. We were invited to march in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif. We sold a gazillion light bulbs that paid for our trip, however, the Colorado Athletic Association decided we should not attend.
The Class of 1965 paid for and put up the large M on the high school…still there!
Our class helped raise money to buy the grand piano at the high school, which, Tom Allen tells us, has been completely rebuilt.
Robert Johnson and Dale Jens guided us in the all-school production of “Oklahoma.” How proud we were! And so it is, the Class of 1965 rocks on! Thanks again, Meeker. It was so great to be here. We’ll see you again in 2020.
Love and blessings from us to you.
By Kathleen (Holland) Turner
