Richard Pruitt Wilson Richard P. "Dick" Wilson, 70, born August 29, 1939, in DeFuniak Springs, Fla., died on January 2, 2010 at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Dick graduated from Leon High School in 1959. He served in the United States Coast Guard. He worked for the State of Florida in all branches of state government and served as City Commissioner (1977-1980) and Mayor of Tallahassee (1980-1981). He began his lobbying career with the Florida Rural Electric Cooperative Association. At the time of his death, he owned a governmental consulting firm. He was a member of the First Baptist Church. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, Jan. 6, at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, 1737 Riggins Road, at 1:00 P.M., with visitation immediately after the service. Dick was a beloved husband, father and grandfather and is survived by his wife of 45 years, Elizabeth H. "Betsy" Wilson; son Michael C. Wilson (Cindy) of Dallas, Ga.; daughter Connie W. Byrd of Crawfordville, Fla.; grandchildren Brandi Hignight (Josh) of Crawfordville, Fla., Ashley Wilson and Michael Wilson of Dallas, Ga.; sister Mary W. Jordan (Lawrence) of Tallahassee; and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Pruitt H. and Dora M. Wilson, and brother Robert M. Wilson. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society , 241 John Knox Road, Suite 100, Tallahassee, FL 32303.
Published in Tallahassee Democrat from January 4 to January 5, 2010
Ann was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and is survived by her husband, John; son, Bruce and his wife Debbie; son, Mike and his wife Kim; son, Tom and his wife Mitzi; grandchildren, Taylor, Parker, Jonathan, Chloe, Chandler and Chase, all of the Oklahoma City metro area; sister, Sue Holland of atlanta; sister, Clair Muller and her husband Thos, also of Atlanta; sister-in-law, Marilyn Melkerson and her husband Al of Lake Forest, III.; brother-in-law, Bob Troske and his wife Nina of Conde, S.D.; many nieces, nephews and amazing friends. She preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Virginia McLeod; parents-in-law, Victor and Castle LaBrie; her sister-in-law, Marvel Troske; and her niece, Stephanie Melkerson.
Ann's family wishes to acknowledge and thank Ann's dear friends, Susan, Kaye, Pat, June, Judy and their families for the incredible help and support during these difficult years. The family also wishes to thank Mary Ann for the help and care during the last few years.
The memorial service was held at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 3901 S. Sunnylane Road, Del City, Oklahoma on Thursday December 3, 2009. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the American Cancer Society.
Fred Andrews. On August 21, 2008, Fred Andrews was inducted into the Leon High School, Football Hall of Fame. He was honored during the 32nd Annual banquet at the Tallahassee Leon County Civic Center. Members of the Board of Directors are Gene Cox, President, Andy Roberts, Vice President, Candi Aubin, Secretary, Tanner Holloman, Treasurer, Jim Joanos, Board of Directors. Judge Jim Joanos was the Master of Ceremonies. Buddy Search introduced Fred to all in attendance and spoke on his behalf.
Fred played offensive fullback and defensive linebacker for Leon during a time that all players who were talented enough played both offense and defense. During his senior year, Fred made All Big Bend and All Northeast Conference. He participated in many activities at Leon, including track, L Club, May Court and Optimist Club. He was voted most talented.
Other inductees from the class of 1958 are Lester "Punk" Mason and Buddy Searcy. Through the Leon High School sports program the Football Hall of Fame pays tribute to those athletes who not only excelled in the sport but who also developed a spirit of unity and a competitive spirit.
Some of the criteria to become inducted are: No former Leon High School football player shall be eligible until a minimum of eight years has passed. The nominee shall have been a good and respected citizen of the High School community. Lester, Buddy and Fred certainly meet those criteria. Congratulations to all three.
You can find HJKuntry (Herbie) at www.myspace.com/hjkuntry.
Buddy and Patty Searcy, "Group Goes A Long Way for Good Deeds" by Merlin D. Russell Jr.
Thirty years ago, Tallahasseans Buddy and Patty Searcy had a vision of sharing their talents time and financial resources with people through the world. The mission started in Tallahassee but has spread to the Gulf Coast, Appalachia, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Vincent, Nevis and Costa Rica.
Past projects of their organization, In the Carpenter's Footsteps, have included the construction or repairs of churches, a manse and schools; a well and water system for a small community in Haiti; stained[glass windows constructed and installed in two churches in Jamaica and a day-care center playground and repairs on an existing church in Nevis.
The organization now includes volunteers from many professions, skill levels, denominations and cultural gackgrounds. Each works with local church and village members. In July, 22 volunteers with the Carpenter's Footsteps began another mission in the improvished urban area of Fray Casiano, Costa Rica. The mission was three-fold: Start the construction of a building for Sunday school rooms and a church office lead a vacation Bible camp for the children and set up a sewing center for the local women.
They were successful with all three endeavors. For more information about this group contact Buddy Searcy.
http://tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080101/NEWS01/801010322/1010/news01
Ned and Sonny ran into Mutt "Arthur" on June 30th, 2007 at the Krispy Kreme Doughnut shop on Magnolia Drive. Arthur told us that he is 91 years old. He said, "I eat three donuts and a cup of hot coffee every day at the Krispy Kreme. We asked him about the SECRET barbecue sauce that they put on their slaw dawgs. He said, "Oh! it was nothing special. The sauce was made by Blue Plate, the same company that made mayonnaise." Arthur also said that their sauce was a mustard-based sauce and had to be special ordered. Blue Plate did not offer it East of the Mississippi. He told us that they contracted with a grocery store in Thomasville, Georgia, to stock their special sauce. They were afraid that folks in Tallahassee would find out about it and steal their secret. Anyway, we invited Arthur to attend our 50th reunion. He said he would if he was still alive. Arthur said his High School Class doesn't have reunions anymore because there aren't enough members to attend. We are so sad to hear about his death. He will be missed by all.
“Memorial Tribute- Remember”, 50th Reunion, April 19, 2008
(Comments by Diana Hood Gendron)
Our Alma Mater begins: The red clay hills of Tallahassee harbor memories dear, Memories of our dear old high school .. At our 50th Reunion, classmates are sharing stories and memories. We are remembering and reliving a part of ourselves with those who shared our experiences at Leon. Let us really value this time we have together.
At our 40th Reunion, we thought we might see again the people who then shared good times with us. But many of them are no longer living and able to be with us. Many others have died over the last 50 years. Today we are here with their family & friends to pay tribute to them.
Some of our classmates' lives ended suddenly, with no time for them or their families to prepare. Sometimes it was in accidents; or with a sudden illness; or from a loss of spirit. Others had illnesses that lasted for months or years. Some of them fought to the end against death, - with the poet feeling, "Do not go gentle into that good night" (1). For others, their illnesses brought unbearable pain, and death relieved their long suffering. In those instances, although experiencing a great loss, the feeling of loved ones might have been "You're free at last" (2). [(1) Dylan Thomas, 1951; (2) Charlie Daniels, 1978]
Our classmates died at different stages of their lives. A few of them died with only a short number of years to live after we saw them at Leon; For others, their deaths came at the height of their family life or career; Still others died as they were looking forward to retirement and being able to rest from long years of work. And others died as they were enjoying those retirement years.
You may have specific memories of some of those who have died. Some of them may have been friends with whom you shared times for many years after high school. For others, you may have last visited with them at the 40th reunion; Some of them you may have known from early elementary school years, and all through the years at Leon. Others will only be remembered from our high school years. Whichever the time frame, although former classmates have died, they can "live" in our minds as long as we remember them. Someone has written:
“When you remember me it means you have carried something of who I am with you and I have left some mark of who I am on who you are. It means that you can summon me back to your mind even though countless years and miles may stand between us. ... It means that even after I die, you can still see my face and hear my voice and speak to me in your heart.” [from Fred Beuchner, poet and writer]
Family members will have, or be told, many remembrances of our classmates who have died. For those of us who were with them at Leon, perhaps walking the halls today will be a catalyst for memories coming to mind.
Perhaps the memory will be of watching George Brand, Doug Cooke, and Buster Warmack as they sang on the Auditorium stage in one of the male quartets;
Or it might be when you were in the band with Sandra Lewis, Charles Register, and Ann Turner.
Or singing in the chorus with Loy Jean Batchelor, Joe Mac Brown, and Rachel Poitevint.
Perhaps the memory will be while working with Ray Smith on one of the plays,
Or with Wayne Pike on the school newspaper, or Francine Kalfas on the yearbook;
Perhaps the memory will be when you were in DCT with Frances Hutchinson, Buddy Singleton, Edward Watson, and Thelma Wester;
The activities of the Lively Tech Club might have been described to you by Julian Giddens or Carl Parker.
You may have been in one of the service clubs with others: Dale Pichard and Jimmy Harris in the Key Club; Joann Gresham in the Anchor Club; Carolyn Fain in Tri-Hi-Y.
Or with Joel McNeil in El Cid, Eddie Moras in Chez Nous, or Dick Hoffman in Los Amigos.
You may have had similar interests to join Johnny Kever and Ray Powell in Future Farmers; or in the Rod and Gun Club with Howard White, George Sorrie, and Dick Mowell.
Or it may have been with Reba Gerrell in Future Homemakers or Sharon LaHayne in the Business Club.
Many of our classmates will be remembered on one of the sports teams:
Football with Sterling Branche, Jimmy Frohock, Bobby Mathis, Buddy McCue, and Henry Vinson;
Basketball with Bobby Chesser;
Baseball with John Bramlett, Buddy Carroll, Jack Crutchfield, Tommy Simmons, and Eddie Whitehead;
And the Swimming team with Dorothy Anderson and Paul Thompson.
Seating near you in class, Lewis Shiplee may have told you about his early ideas for inventions.
On a particularly hectic day, you may have been calmed by Chick Clifton’s quiet manner.
You may remember Betty Lou Hussey from our early years at Leon. Or you may have met Anthony Whetstone when he entered Leon for our Senior year and was trying to make new friends.
For many of these classmates, you may only remember having heard their name long ago, or recognize their photograph as someone seen before when passing in the halls between classes.
Even if we don't have specific memories of a classmate, we can Remember all of them in the sense of paying tribute to them. We will acknowledge each person by viewing their image in the sequence of the year in which they died – for you to remember them with either specific memories, or just by honoring them as someone who shared a time and place with us many years ago. Although written for a different purpose, the following verse is being used as a prelude to pay tribute to them:
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning.
We will remember them."
[from “For the Fallen”, 1914, by Laurence Binyon]
[Image of each person with name, birth & death years, shown on screen, while classical guitar medley of “Plaisir d’Amour” and “Cavatina” (theme from “The Deer Hunter”) played from CD by Liona Boyd. When last image, group of all the deceased classmates was on the screen, ended with the following :]
Gee, but I'd give the world to see
that old gang of mine!
Like that old quartet
that sang "Sweet Adeline!"
Goodbye, Goodbye , old fellas an' gals
goodbye, goodbye, old sweethearts an' pals
Gee, but I'd give the world to see
that old gang of mine! We will remember them.
[Verse adapted from song “That Old Gang of Mine”, Perry Como]
