A picture from the past that stirs up memories and emotions

With warmth and fondness in our hearts, most of us living look upon pictures taken earlier in our lives. These pictures might be of our parents, grandparents; the pictures might be of relatives rarely seen who lived in faraway places and who are now gone from this life.

But these words appear in the Sports Section of the paper and I now direct your attention to those with whom we played with and represented our schools in athletic competition. I want to emphasize that it makes little difference as to which activity young people played (or play); the important factor was that they did participate. Without extra comment, I refer to my long and often used expression “Every girl (or boy) a winner.” The reason assigned for this designation was “by reason of preparation and participation.”

It isn’t difficult to learn or recognize anyone older in years that played, and possibly excelled, in athletic competition in their younger days. They reveal the fact by saying so. There isn’t anything wrong with revealing one played on teams in young days or that they climbed to great heights. Whether it is in the past or in present-day activities there is one fact to be noted: Our participation and accomplishments were neither the beginning nor the end of the athletic story; there were events before any noted time and there will be events after present activities come to an end. That is a far-fetched concept on the part of many young athletes and even more so for some parents; more stories will continue to be written.

I now look at a picture in front of me of the Calhoun High 1951 Football team. In clarity and recognition, I have termed it the best team picture I have ever seen; but then it was a small roster. It was brought to me by the other Jerry Smith (James Jerry Smith) a few years ago.

As with pictures of teams any reader might have played on back in the early 50s, many of those 24 players and all of the adult coaches and administrators in that picture are gone from this life. You might remember the old song “Wedding Bells are breaking up that old gang of mine.” The song was an original of Gene Austin in 1929 and climbed high on the charts with The Four Aces in the early 1950s.

That team picture has come to have great meaning for me. It isn’t Wedding Bells but as the years have turned into decades, it is the end of life breaking up or bringing to an end the “old gangs” that once characterized our activities from athletic participation to simply walking to town together or Boy Scout activities.

I could be writing the names of many from each school in Gordon County.

I reflect upon my knowledge and experience with players from the County Schools who have given their names to “breaking up” their old gang. The words today in no way expel from my mind those I knew at any location.

Seven players are on the front row of the picture made on the old bleachers of only five rows on the home side of what is now the location of modern and functional stands for the visitors at Phil Reeve Stadium. Richard Jordon, Marvin Graves, Bob Collins and Johnny Ray are all gone. Only Ted Collins, Jim Lay and this writer are still living.

Then I see Roland Brown, Johnny Pass, Jack Hollingsworth, Pruney McEntyre, Bob Agee, L.P. Owens, Jackie McDaniel and Russell Apperson. Johnny Pass, Jack Hollingsworth and Russell Apperson are gone from life. On the third row Harry Wise, Hershel Adams, Jerry Clark, C.H. “Rip” Whitfield and Hershel Strickland are all a part of the gang which has broken up over the years.

Bob McClure, Bill Padgett, a young Billy Baxter and Wiley Clark are still with us.

Coach Jerry Deleski, Superintendent Graves, Coach Bob Martin, Principal E.H. Ramsey and manager Charles Walraven are gone.

Take pictures – lots of them; save your annuals, clip newspaper stories and make scrapbooks. They will mean much to you in your later years. Cherish your relationships and love your friends (and enemies if you have any).

The “Old Gang” as it now exists is a precious commodity. All those names you read above embrace a warm and wonderful story in the annals of local history. So it is with the young at all the local elementary, middle schools and high schools all over this county.

Hold on to your memories. I look at that picture often with fond recollections. I am about to hang the picture back on the wall of my study.