Class of '64 Celebrates 50th Reunion

Dear Editor:  Please find the following notation about the Class of ‘64’s recent 50th High School Reunion suitable for your editing and publishing of the local event.  Thanks in advance for your consideration.  We are thankful to have grown up in ‘Hometown America’, our beloved Warren, Arkansas.  As a young boy, I stood on a corner and sold the local paper for 10 cents a copy.  Of course, times have changed.  However, memories of our youth still nourish our souls.  The Chronicle is an example of generational change.  Thanks for all you do for the local community.  Bobby D. Robbins

Coach Raper and 'Cotton' Watson were noted
members of the class of 1964.

NOTATION:  The Class of ’64 recently celebrated their Grand 50th WHS Reunion with two nights of activities.  ‘Meet and Greet’ festivities were held at the BrINN on Friday night (10/3).  The classmates continued to celebrate the evening with their attendance at the Warren-Star City football game.  The Lumberjacks ironically scored 42 points, the exact number scored 50 years ago.  The ‘Welcome Home-50th Grand WHS Reunion’ was held at the Warren Country Club on Saturday night (10/4).  Special tributes were extended to two living, legendary figures:  Coach Jamie Raper and Billy Joe ‘Cotton’ Watson, much loved and still the ‘coolest of the cool’ after all these years.
 
Coach Raper was praised for the excitement and spirit that he brought to our school as well as the community.  The ‘Spirit of the Lumberjacks’ was noted to run through the veins of this much appreciated figure of championship eras.  It was said that when you shake the Coach’s hand and he looks you into the eye, you can feel some of the Lumberjack spirit transfer from his body into yours.  This is a rare gift that few people have.  Coach was thanked for sharing his unique gift.  Coach Raper’s dedication to the school and his WHS teams will always be much appreciated.

Mr. Watson, a personality of his own and chosen Class of ’64 sponsor, was recognized for his charm and ‘swagger’.  His identity was always graced by his cunning swagger.  Additionally, when a student needed a pat on the back for even the smallest accomplishment, Mr. Watson was always there.  When someone needed a gentle hug or perhaps an arm around a shoulder, Mr. Watson was always there.  The man had his own signature gift for making everyone who walked through his classroom door feel special.  Charm and ‘swagger’ was not the only reason the Class of ’64 chose him as their sponsor.  The valued reasons were because of the love and true compassion Mr. Watson conveyed to each student.

Both Raper and Watson were presented with black Derby hats and dark sunglasses, emblematic of past times, but stately honoring them as still the ‘COOLEST of the COOL’ after all these years. Their gifts, never measured in dollars, stand the test of time and always measured by their hearts!

Class of ‘’64 member, Bobby D. Robbins-Colorado Springs, CO