Remembrance of Times Past or "When Did I Get So Old?"

Posted by Ed Davis

I remember growing up among “older people” like my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, and others and thinking that the aging process would never claim me as one of its victims.  Well, that process sought me out and found me even as I tried diligently and often to play a game of hide and seek with it.  When I have gone to reunions over the past decade, both family-oriented or school-related, I found myself wondering who all these “old” people were that seemed to know me so well.  And, then when I looked in the mirror I discovered that what I think I look like when viewed from the inside-out is not what people are seeing when they view me just from the outside.  Sad, but true that I now, too, am one of those “old” guys.

 

But, I have decided to accept the aging process and make the best of it.  I now go to the reunions with a new vigor, looking for old friends or just casual acquaintances, wanting to make connections once again to bridge that long span between the past and present. The realization is always with me that we may not have all that many chances these days to gather together and walk down that famous “memory lane.”

 

This blog has dedicated itself over the past few years to a walk down the particular part of memory lane related to the athletic endeavors of many who were coaches, players, fans, or persons involved in a myriad of other ways in both Webster and Clear Creek High Schools.  Many of the people who have contributed to this blog or who have been mentioned in various ways in some of the posts, comments, or photo albums have had a chance to get together personally at the annual Webster/Clear Creek High School reunion event.

 

I thought I would share with you some photos from the last two reunions, held in 2007 and 2008.  The featured classes at these reunions were the Clear Creek High School classes of 1957 and 1958.  Some people you might recognize immediately while some will take a little doing to see that person as we used to know him/her.  And, I am sure that ol’ Dan Jensen and even brother Pat will comment that I sure am in a lot of the photos.  Well, my wife, Karla, was the photographer and, of course, I am always her favorite subject so there is not a lot of choice about that.

 

So, enjoy the photos and feel free to make comments – you will find a place for doing that at the end of this post.  If you have been to any of  the reunions and would like to share your own photos, send them to me at [email protected]  You can click on the photos and see a larger view of them if you wish.

 

  Pictured here are some greats from CCHS basketball annals and they were nice enough to allow me in the picture.  Shown are from left to right – me, Coach George Carlisle, James Davis, William Frost, and Robert Brown.

Class of ’59 pals (from left to right) Mike Hoepfner, Jim Pell, Dick Baker, Hugh Taylor, and Ed Davis

Joining me is a rather somber Jim Pell (center) and Norma Ewers Sloan from the class of ’59.

Sharing a moment from the past along with me is Connie Davis Fuller (girls’s basketball star from the class of’59) and Robert Brown (boys’ basketball great from the class of ’57)

Enjoying talking about the past are Neal Watkins, Jim Pell, and me – all of the ’59 class

Sharing some moments at one of the reunions are (on the right side front to back) me, Peggy Carlisle, and Coach.  On the left side (from front to back) are John McInhenny (husband of Pat Nevins – class of ’59), Janice McDaniel Brown (class of ’59 and wife of Robert Brown – ’57), and Norma Ewers (’59).

A group shot of the Class of ’58.  Some notables that would be familiar to regular readers of this blog would be Coach Carlisle in the green shirt on the far left, Sherrill “Bo” Fredericks (top row on the far left), and Bob Pell (4^th from the right on the second row).

There are always some faculty members who come to the reunions.  I was glad to see one of my favorites – Edwin Mabry, a longtime band director at Webster and CCHS.

I just had to include this photo of me with Ralph Parr (unknown class).  He is on the left, of course.  I share this just to let Dan know that old Ralph is still alive and kicking – Dan has often claimed he must have met his demise since he can never get any response from him by email or on the blog.

Comments

[Dan Jensen]

I really enjoyed those pictures and hope they will stir some interest in others in this almost dormant blog.

Am I the only one that noticed that Ed Davis is the youngest in the first picture, yet looks the oldest?

And yes, I have known for some time that Ralph Parr has no class.

[Ed Davis]

Well, Dan, you forgot to say that I was the most handsome of the group - at least that what all the ladies were saying. I guess one of the burdens of being wise and intelligent comes the premature aging process. That must be why you still look so young, of course.

Did you know that I really had to convince Ralph to be in that picture, especially when he found out I was going to send it up to you. I think he said he would rather you continue to think of him as having passed away. But, he relented to pressure.

I do hope some others will join in the blog comments again - especially those who have been absent for some time. It is also time to get some new people involved. So, let's hear it, guys!

[Dan Jensen]

"Those who have been absent for some time." Ed describes himself very well.

For the record, Ralph Parr graduated in 1954. He has always been behind me.

[Debbie Goodwin Cooper]

Everyone of ya'll look so good the pictures are really great.
Thanks for putting them on here they are wonderful..
Don't Coach look good and Peggy still looks like she did when I was in school..

[Ed Davis]

Debbie and others: I have learned, almost too late, that relationships with friends are a precious gift that we often let pass by without opening. I cannot tell you how great it has been hooking up with classmates from years gone by - by both me and my wife from her school years at Milby in Houston - in the past few years. The shame is that we did not start this much, much sooner.

So, I would stronly suggest that all of you make those connections as soon as possible before time runs out on them. You will not regret it!!!

And, Debbie, you are right about Coach and Peggy. They seem ageless and I think a lot of that comes from the outpouring of love that is shown to them by all those who have been touched by their lives.

Thanks for sharing.

[Dan Jensen]

This plumb loverly thread deserves more responses than it has gotten.

Do the Carlisles not check the blog any longer? Once upon a time, Hugh Taylor and Jimmy Pell contributed. What has happened to those 59ers?

I wonder about such things. I don't know if Frank McKinney and Ed Davis do or not. I know Ralph Parr doesn't.

[Dan Jensen]

Does Bobby Cook, Class of '54, ever attend any of those shindigs?

Maybe he does not claim to be an alumnus since he moved to Dickinson. His son Dennis had a long major league pitching career.

[Pat Jensen]

Ol Ed Davis sure is in a bunch of the photos.

[Pat Jensen]

And James Davis and Robert Brown sure are fat and ugly. Of course, they were always ugly.

[Ed Davis]

Dan and Pat - sure would be nice to see your faces (ugly or not) at the next reunion. The Class of 59 will be the featured class and you cannot miss the likes of all of us being in one place at one time - a fantastic event to be sure. How 'bout it????