Decatur graduates see friends from long ago during biennial reunion
DECATUR — Visitors from around the country descended on Decatur April 21 for a reunion of graduates from Decatur High School. The event took place in a room in which many of them once played basketball and other sports.
Alumni from the classes of 1947-48, 1957-58, 1967-68, 197778 and 1992-93 were honored during the 2018 Biennial Banquet Reunion in the old basketball gym (community room) at Decatur City Hall in Decatur.
More than 75 graduates, spouses and guests attended the evening gala. Presiding over the program was Russell Jones, president of the Decatur Alumni Association and a member of the graduating class of 1957.
In attendance was the senior most member of Decatur High School alumni, William “Bill” Lay from the Class of 1940. He is a lifelong resident of Decatur.
The old gym was in use from 1939-1970. The high school was moved to its present location on Stadium Drive in 1970. The city of Decatur purchased the structure in the late ’80s. Lost to
the restoration of the building was the bleacher section on the west side of the room that once was filled with loyal Bulldog fans. During the 1945-46 basketball season, the Lady Bulldogs brought home several championships, including the 1946 district and Springdale Invitational Tournament titles.
Returning to the place where they once played the sport were three members of that 1946 team. Barbara Peek Winningham, Ruth Box (now residing in Gentry) and Katheryn Miller Shook from Decatur reminisced about the good times they shared while on that team, like winning the Springdale event.
Sadly, many of the alumni have either passed on or have lost touch with their classmates. The Decatur Alumni would like to find some of these long-lost classmates. If you are a graduate of Decatur High School or know the whereabouts of someone who was, please contact Decatur High School at 479-752-3983 or 479-422-0208.