CCHS Class of 1954 holds 55th graduation reunion

The class of 1954 of Crawford Community High School, Cherokee, held its 55th graduation reunion June 20 at the Cherokee Community Center.
Local classmates planned the reunion and decorated the building in red and white, the old high school colors. Activities began at 6 p.m. with a group picture. A total of 41 classmates and spouses attended the catered meal by Calvin’s Catering. A dessert table and homemade ice cream was provided by local classmates.
Paul Uttley served as master of ceremonies. Classmates shared their memories of the six deceased classmates and shared news of the past five years. Remainder of the evening was spent visiting, and it was decided to hold the next reunion in three years.
There are 33 surviving class members , and 25 of them attended the reunion. They were as follows: Eugene Yoekum, Raytown, Mo.; Virgil and Jan Lampton, Claremore, Okla.; Jim Goudy, Iola; Jack and Elizabeth Jacquinet, McCune; John and Pat Favero, Independence; Gloria (Ricci) and Ernest Hebenstriet, Olathe; Charles and Wanda Thomas, Burke, Va.; Verla (Hayden) Gilmore, Amarillo, Texas; Elma (Vandry) Simms, Paducah, Ky.; Lawrence and Doris White, Kansas City, Mo.; Mary Eileen (Reda) and Ron Fortino, Olathe; Joe and Margaret Wood, San Antonio, Texas; Devon and Elizabeth Tickel, Cherokee; Betty Jo (Sartin) Lynn, Raytown, Mo.; Nancy (Lampton) Adas, Chicago, Ill.; Virginia (Bevins) Hampton, Cherokee; Barbara (DeGarmo) Jones, Wichita; Victor Macari, Canton; Paul and Glenda Uttley, Frontenac; and Jim and Diana Lovell, Cherokee.
Also attending from Pittsburg were Richard Schartz, Harold and Kay (Page) Malcolm, Bob and Mariilyn Thomas and Bob and Elma (Peel) Hurt.
Bob and Marilyn Thomas hosted a brunch June 21 at their rural Pittsburg home with 18 classmates and spouses attending.