Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces

You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has been doing for years.

Our first get-together was at the Woodland Hills Pool in Russellville. It was such a success that we decided to meet every five years instead of every 10.

“I get such joy from staying in touch with all of my friends from school,” Connie Cole said. “Those were such wonderful, innocent times.” Today, the Class of ’67 meets twice a year in Russellville for lunch at 43 Grill, sharing hugs, encouragement and updates on old friends.

This year’s summer luncheon drew 36 classmates.

These more frequent get-togethers got their start thanks to Jim Webb and Carol Ann Flanagan Cummins. Early on, Bobby Nail Warren and Connie Cleere Cole put together a booklet listing every class member, their spouse, children, address and phone number, which they shared with everyone.

The Class of ’67 had 131 members. Sadly, we’ve lost 39 over the years. Larry Willis was the first to pass, killed at a young age while serving in the Vietnam War.

This past June 26 marked the 56th anniversary of his death.

Class President Dave Madden commends Cole, Evelyn Scott, Jimmy Montgomery and Mark Masingill, among others, for keeping the tradition going.

“In retrospect, little did we know, as we dispersed in the summer and fall of ’67 literally across the nation, that 99% of us would go on to successful jobs, business ownership, careers and lead very successful lives.”

He reflected on everything the class has faced together over the years.

“We’ve faced success, sickness, loss of loved ones, long marriages and divorces,” Madden said.

“But regardless of what we faced, we’ve persevered.”

He said that commitment to staying connected is clear in the way they still gather twice a year to catch up, support one another, and pray for classmates who are struggling.

“Our class has always been close; we loved each other then and continue to do so. What a group of winners! It would be hard to find one like it today,” Madden said.

Back in 1967, the “Tiger Track” yearbook theme was built around Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts characters. It also featured the work and leadership of several senior classmates.

Seniors that year included Editor-in-Chief Stanley McCarver, Business Manager Susie Hovater Malone and Artist John Charles Thompson.

The cover read, “Happiness is having ‘Good ole’ RHS Spirit.

May it continue to shine even brighter with each passing day.”

That theme carried over to other keepsakes from our senior year.

The senior brochure declared, “Happiness is getting back together.”

The Class of 1967 has certainly taken that message

to heart.