LeFlore High School
Alumni & Former Students
Association
About the Association
1959–On Saturday night before Easter Sunday, the First LeFlore Alumni Banquet was served in the LeFlore School Gymnasium. There were 278 persons present. Every class including the first graduating Class of 1930 to the Class of 1959 was represented.
The 1958-
Mrs. Ruth Mings gave the history of the LeFlore School.
John Glenn, acting moderator, called the meeting to order and presented to the Association the following recommendations for officers for the year 1960: Robert Borden–President; Loie Coleman–Vice President; Daphne Sexton Austin–Secretary. The Association accepted these names as officers for the coming year. The LeFlore Alumni Association is officially organized.
1960–There were 167 graduates and guests present. Officers from the previous year
were re-
1961–A program honoring Mr. Stockton was given. Dorothy Blankenship gave a short review of “This is your life, Mr. Stockton.” A portrait of Mr. Stockton was presented by John Glenn to be hung in the auditorium. The portrait was a gift from the Alumni Association in appreciation for services given by Mr. Stockton.
Opal Jones Dunlap asked Mr. Stockton to remove the late Pres. Roosevelt’s picture from the front of the auditorium and replace it with Mr. Stockton’s portrait. Mr. Stockton replied: “I would rather not take the President’s place, but something can be arranged.”
1962–The Class of 1930 had Wayne Campbell as the lone representative. The class with the best attendance was the Class of 1940 with six present. Only eight classes were not represented.
1963–Officers for 1963 were Carl Raines, President; J.B. Burgess, Vice President;
Daphne Sexton Austin, Secretary. Class of ’62, 9 present; Class of -
1964–President John Kitchens; Vice President Ed Singleterry; Secretary Daphne Sexton Austin.
1965–President Hugh Kennedy, Jr.; Vice President Leslie Hankins; Secretary Daphne Sexton Austin.
1966-
1967–President Johnny Mack Ward; Vice President Charles Lawrence; Secretary Daphne Sexton Austin.
Mrs. Ruth Wynn made arrangements for the program. Dr. Harold Mings was toasted in the absence of Johnny Mack Ward. Dr. Mings gave the welcome. A response was given by Linda Johnson. Only eight of the 38 graduating classes were not represented. Eudell Brown, an alumnus, entertained with western music.
Daniel Ingle received a gift for having traveled the longest distance from Vietnam. Mr. Stockton delivered a sermon, “Fare Thee Well, Bro. Watkins, Ah!” Opal Jones Dunlap, Robert Borden, Wayne Campbell, and Pat Williams Patton related some very interesting school events. Mr. Ballentine, a guest, gave a humorous parable of how much Mr. Stockton means to the Association. Ruth Wynn gave a response. Dr. Mings commended those who prepared the bulletin.
1968–President J.B. Kitchens, Vice President Ed Singleterry, Secretary Daphne Sexton Austin, Program Chairman Betty Dehart Brooks, Bulletin Chairman Ruth Wynn, Chairman of Seating Arrangements Euna Harmon Tesney.
Door prize recipients were Ruth Teel Wynn, Elizabeth Houstess Campbell, Tony Matney, Ed McAlester, and Cloe Reed.
Wayne Campbell read a resolution prepared by Dr. E.T. Dunlap and signed by the local Board of Education designating the High School Building as the “W.G. Stockton, Jr. Building.” The Resolution was given to Mr. Stockton.
1969–President John Ward, Vice President Dawes Kitchens, Secretary Daphne Sexton Austin, and Bulletin Director Ruth Wynn.
John Ward, Hosea Austin, and Robert Brooks were selected as a committee to get the new name “The W.G. Stockton, Jr., High School Building” put up.
1970–President Harvey Walden, Vice President John Ward, Secretary Daphne Sexton Austin, Bulletin Editor Ruth Wynn.
Mrs. Zuck’s grade school music pupils gave three musical selections. Lynn White, Senior Class President, presented Mr. Stockton with a plaque from the Alumni. This plaque was made possible through the generous efforts of Dr. E.T. Dunlap.
1971–President Wayne Merryman, Vice President John Ward, Secretary Daphne Sexton Austin, Chairman of Bulletin Committee Martha Walden, Program Chairman Edith Ward.
1972–President Kenneth Kitchens, Vice President Virgil McAlester, Secretary Daphne Sexton Austin.
The 1972 Seniors and their sponsors were in charge of the Annual Alumni Banquet. Nina Lillard was the recipient of the Alumni Scholarship Award. Door prizes were awarded to Carl Greene, Mary Booth Beck, Dale Cox, Thomas Grey, and Wayne White.
1973–President Kenneth Kitchens, Vice President Martha Walden, Secretary Daphne Sexton Austin.
Kenneth Kitchens suggested the Alumni Association give some thought to a memorial for Mr. Stockton. The memorial fund totaled $38.00 at this stage. The scholarship fund name was changed to “The W.G. Stockton, Jr., Memorial Scholarship.”
An annual alumnus, Hubert Overby, attended the Alumni Banquet for the first time.
This was the first school activity he had attended in 43 years. Eddie and Jeannie
McAlester were commended for their part in entertaining. Daphne Sexton Austin resigned
as secretary as of this date (5-
1974–President Casey Warren, Vice President Martha Walden. Ben J. Curtis gave the Welcome Address. Carmen and Esbie Ramsey and J.E. And Dian McAlester won door prizes. A flower arrangement was given to the Bud McAlester family for having the largest number of graduates present–Sue, Joan, J.E., Linda, Evelyn, and Jimmy.
The 1974 graduates made a total of 751 graduates from LHS since 1930. A committee was selected to determine a memorial for Mr. Stockton–Ruth Wynn (teacher), Wayne Ramsey (radio announcer), and Ben J. Curtis (attorney) were appointed.
1975–President Wayne Ramsey, Vice President Ben J. Curtis, Secretary-
The W.G. Stockton, Jr. Memorial Scholarship was presented to Debbie Brown by Mr.
C.E. Singleterry. A memorial consisting of an 8x10 bronze-
1976–President Ed Singleterry, Vice President Ben J. Curtis, Secretary-
Wayne Ramsey presented the Memorial Plaque of Mr. Stockton. He was quick to recognize those who had worked so hard to get the memorial completed.
The Class of ’59 had the most will 11 present. Cathy Boggs won the W.G. Stockton, Jr., Memorial Scholarship. Vic Wheat was selected to head a committee for erection of Mr. Stockton’s Memorial. Nellie Powers won the door prize for being the female graduate representing the oldest graduating class. Robert Borden won the prize for being the male representing the oldest graduating class. Others winning door prizes were Eileen Elwood parker, Carolyn Knight Richie, and Iva Jo Allison Shykes. The display of antiques was explained.
1977–President Sue (Kennedy) Dutton, Vice President Vic Wheat, Secretary Sue (McAlester) Turner, Program Chairman Shirley (Welch) Ward.
A western theme with western dress saw a large turnout at the ’78 Banquet.
Brenda Merryman received the W.G. Stockton, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Award.
Robert Borden and Margaret Carpenter received prizes for the Best Western Dress. The Immanuel’s of Poteau entertained. Mr. R.E. Scott was given a plaque in appreciation of his years of teaching at LeFlore. He is the oldest living teacher of the LeFlore School System. The Class of 1942 had its 35th Reunion with 6 members present. The W.G. Stockton, Jr., Memorial has been completed under the supervision of Vic Wheat.
1978–President Sue (Kennedy) Dutton, Vice President Vic Wheat, Secretary-
“Happy Days” was the theme. 134 attended the 20th Banquet. Bobbie Ragland traveled
the farthest. Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Looper and Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Ramsey won the prize
for the most authentic-
The Class of 1948 celebrated their 30th Reunion with 10 present. Their 1st grade teacher “Miss Ruth” also attended. Special guests of the group was Mr. & Mrs. C.C. Collins.
Former teachers attending were Charles Collins, Ruth Wynn, Mr. & Mrs. Lee Zuck, Earl Dutton, Nellie Powers, Robert Borden, Catherine Morrow, and Opal Dunlap.
Suzette Sullivan received the W.G. Stockton, Jr., Memorial Scholarship Award.
1979–President Bill Willard, Vice President Wayne Ramsey, Secretary-
“Hawaiian Luau” was the theme.
The Class of 1929 was represented by 2 of the 3 graduates celebrating their 50th
Anniversary. There were 135 in attendance at the 21st Banquet. The Class of 1969
had their 10-
J.W. Williams received the W.G. Stockton, Jr., Memorial Scholarship Award. Bobby Patchin, a student at LeFlore, sang and played several songs on the piano. Stanley Looper came in a grass skirt with all the trimmings and won the prize for best dressed.
1980–President Bill Willard, Vice President George Cogburn, Secretary-
This year’s theme was “Old-
1981–President James “Dub” Sasnett, Vice President George Cogburn, Secretary-
There were 123 attending the 23rd Banquet. Mrs. Bobbie Vinson and the FHA girls decorated the gym and helped serve. Fish fry was provided by James and Marvin Sasnett. Suevella Raines was the oldest alumnus present. Her 50th Anniversary. Mr. & Mrs. Eudell Ross had the most grandchildren–17. Chances were sold on a beef. Norma & George Cogburn were the winners and donated it back to the Association. Six seniors were given scholarships.
1982–President James Sasnett, Vice President George Cogburn, Secretary-
There were 207 attending the 24th Annual Banquet. Eleven seniors received scholarships totaling $12,000.00.
The fish for the fish fry was donated by James and Marvin Sasnett. Junior Dixon and Earnest Bell helped with the cooking. Money was raised by selling chances on a beef.
1983–President Glen Muse, Vice President George Cogburn, Secretary-
There were 161 in attendance at the 25th Annual Banquet. Kenneth Kitchens gave the Roll Call. Earl Fulton was the oldest graduate attending (1923). Evelyn (Ragland) Ledbetter traveled farthest. Betty (Dodd) Stone received the door prize.
1984–President Glen Muse, Vice President George Cogburn, Secretary-
The Class of 1959 had their 25th Reunion. There were 10 class members present.
The Banquet theme was “Western.” Association members brought a covered dish. Funds were raised by selling chances on a microwave oven. There were 169 attending the 26th Banquet.
1985–President Harold Mings, Vice President Ben J. Curtis, Secretary-
The name of the association was changed to the “LEFLORE HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI AND FORMER STUDENTS ASSOCIATION.”
“The Development Fund” was started. Officers for this program are: John Ward, Martha Walden, James Sasnett, Sue Turner, and Harold Mings.
At the 27th Banquet, there were 193 in attendance. All but 13 classes were represented.
It was decided that the theme for 1986 would be “Western.” It was also decided to have the Banquet catered.
2009–President Jimmy Fry presided over the 50th Annual Meeting of the LeFlore High
School Alumni and Former Students Association. President Elect Marion Fry presented
outgoing Secretary-