2022.05.19 THROW BACK THURSDAY - GUESS WHO AND WIN A FREE DINNER plus CLASS NEWS

THROW BACK THURSDAY - GUESS WHO AND

WIN A FREE DINNER plus CLASS NEWS

BE THE FIRST TO GUESS WHO and you win FREE BOX DINNER AT OUR FRIDAY NIGHT REUNION EVENT,SEPTEMBER 23, 2022, 6:00PM, DELTA PLAZA HOTEL, LITTLE ROCK, AR (You two in the picture don't count!!!! I could already read your minds!)

1956 CLASS NEWSThe funeral for Ray Alexander is being held today at 1:00p at Pulaski Heights Presbyterian Church.
Our deepest sympathy to Mary Catherine Kline in the death of her daughter, Kathy, whohad been ill for some time.Sad news. Nancy Conrad's husband, Bob Rankin, passed away in his sleep. They had been marriedfor over 60 years and lived the last many years in Springfield, MO. Daughter, Tracey, took good care of her Dad and now is taking good care of Nancy.I know several of you were friends with Jay Bell, Jane Huggins' husband. He has passed away.Saw Elvis in 1954 at Robinson Auditorium with the Barnyard Frolics with friend Delores Bushart.We were on 2nd row end. Had a great show. Delores was in class of 57.Cil Autry Bass

Carolyn and I ( and I’m sure most of our 1953 classmates ( including you) saw Elvis at Robinson Auditorium

( in either 1953 or 1954).  He had just finished his stint with “The Louisiana Hayride “ ( Country Western Show) 

and had not been on Ed Sullivan yet and achieved “national fame” .  He wore his trade mark Pink Jacket, Black 

Pants, and Blue Suede Shoes and you girls stood and screamed the whole time he was on stage etc. I don’t

think he had even met his later “Backer” ( i.e. Col. Tom Parker ) yet and signed up with Sun Records in Nashville etc. 

which really led to his appearance on Ed Sullivan (around 1956 I think) that launched his meteoric career.  All this 

was 20 years before his appearance at Barton Coliseum etc.

Jimmy Martin

We had a trio at the time: Billy Glascock on mandolin, Jerry Coker on base and yours truly on guitar. 

We sang hillbilly songs, e.g. Blue Moon of Kentucky. We were on the same program as Elvis when he came to the 

Barnyard Frolics. We “opened” , albeit early in the evening along with 5 or six other “acts”. Elvis had recorded a 

couple of songs for Sun Records by then and we were, like you, hooked on his sound. We saw him backstage and 

even had the chance to speak to him. He was tuning his guitar and I said for the three of us something like: “Elvis, 

we really like what you do”. He looked up, smiled, and replied “Thanks, guys”. That was the conversation.

Only thing I’ve ever done that my sons think is cool. They tell their friends that I “opened for Elvis”. A bit of an exaggeration for sure.

Ragon Wilmuth

Heard from Bill Pauli the other day and asked his wife, Sandi, to send me an update.  Here it is!

BILL PAULI 

Upon graduation from LRCHS, Bill joined the Navy.  He served for four years, primarily in the Philippines.  After the Navy, Bill attended the

 University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where he earned a degree in Government with a minor in Journalism.  Upon graduation, Bill joined 

Foley’s Department Store’s Advertising Department in Houston and then moved on to Arkansas Power & Light Company serving in the Public 

Relations Department.  In 1968 he moved to Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, where he met his wife, Sandi, and was married in 1972. 

Their one and only child – Jennifer – was born in 1976.  He was transferred tIn 1978, Bill accepted a position with Johns Manville in Denver, CO, 

followed by a position with Coors Brewing Company.  In 1985 Bill was offered a position with Nissan Motor Corporation in Gardena, California.  

In 1990, Bill joined Toyota Motor Sales in Torrance, California.  A public affairs professional for more than three and a half decades, Bill retired 

from Toyota Motor Sales in 2001 as National Manager of Corporate Contributions and the Toyota USA Foundation.  After retiring, Bill and Sandi 

moved to Hendersonville, NC to be closer to family.  Bill continued as a consultant to Toyota until 2008.  The couple moved to Midland, Georgia – 

a suburb of Columbus – in August of 2016 to be closer to Jennifer and her family.  They have three granddaughters.

1955 CLASS NEWS

Yes, I saw Elvis when he came to the Little Rock Auditorium in the 1950's ! I was at a square dance event downstairs

and someone told me Elvis Presley was upstairs on stage. I was not going to miss him, so I went upstairs and stood

off stage left by the curtain and watched him sing , play guitar and wiggle his legs! I was in Junior High and he was

only a few feet away so it was amazing for me and he soon became a big star ! Of course, I became a big fan!

Lana Douthit Bethune

ML