Front row (L to R): Rick Alexander, Peggy Alexander, Civilik, Jewel Akers Donathan, Joy Andrews Youngquist, Larry Baker, Kathy Black Newbery, Chuck Black, John Buren, Gary Becker, Sue Brennan Tapscott, Brad Campbell, JoAnn Cox Turner, John Coats, Jill Hubbard, Deb Suttles Armstrong and Sara Suttles Newbery. Second row (L to R): Terry DeFrates, Rick Doyle, Bill Donovan, Kevin Elder, Cathy Elliott Cowgur, Stan Fernandes, Barbara Frank, David Frank, Suzanne Cantrell Bell, Tina Hacker Edwards, Roger Hardy, Janet Headen, Doug Henderson, Becky Hill Davidson, Debbie Sturdy Bartz, Steve Patterson and Jeanne Scott Freeman. Third row (L to R): Dawn Myers, Donna Mills Robson, MaryMurphy Thomas, Carol Morgan Foster, Gregg Mack, Dixie Kesinger Crays, Sandy Kemp Chappell, Mike Gonzalez, Cary Graus, Jan Hickey, Joyce Suttles Gill, Wina Hewitt Spread, Jim Holmes, Tom Turner and Kodie Shouse Shillings. Fourth row (L to R): Tonna Wright Hamilton, Kevin Hocking, John Jameson, Beverly Price Rowley, Cindy Pennell Leake, Suzi Lukeman Armstrong, Kathy Lewsi Handly, Darrell Leitze, Debbie Surratt Hoots, Gail ThadyJumper and Roger Russell. Fifth row (L to R): Willie Stewart, Debbie Thomas McLaughlin, Orville Wheatley, Bruce McDaniel, Mary Ellen Savoie Robbins, Steve Newbery, Tom Murphy, Astrid Schroetter, Jackie Perkins Hayes, Sharon Schisler Wilson, Pam Schlieper Woloshyn, Rob Schneider, Dean Russell and Steve Quigg. Sixth row (L to R): Steve Scott, Ron Fairfield, Joe Tapscott, Dave Westberg, Mike Wilson, Bill Turner, Mark Joseph and Gerry Gotschall.
The Jacksonville High School Class of 1973 held their 50th class reunion on October 13 and 14, reliving old memories and making new ones.
The class toured the old Cox Buick Pontiac car dealership owned by JoAnn Cox Turner’s father. The class also toured the Jacksonville Area Museum located in the old Jacksonville Post Office, which showed some history of Jacksonville and its factories — a lot of men in the group stated they remember going to the then-Post Office in 1973 to register for the draft.
The class later went to the old Jacksonville High School at 500 West State Street and were able to “walk the halls” where they used to attend classes. Later, a class reunion photo was taken on the old high school front steps.
Originally, the class of 1973 graduated approximately 366 students — 112 classmates and 50 guests who returned for the event. There are 16 classmates the reunion committee has been unable to find; however, social media is helping to find more of them. The class had a memorial table for the 71 classmates who have passed.
The “Class Keepers” members of the class who have held on to grade school pictures, newspaper articles, the “class wills” and other memorabilia brought the various items for display, allowing classmates to reminisce during the evening dinner.
This reunion brought back many classmates who had not been back to Jacksonville in a long time; several were back for the first time in 50 years.
The group extends a special thank you to The Elks Club for their hospitality and great meal, and to Troy at the High School Apartments for letting them in to see their old high school.
Until we meet again…Class of 1973 rocks!
