Members of the H.M. King High School Class of 1960 took time out during their 50th reunion celebration to visit their historic alma mater, which is now undergoing a complete restoration. (Photo courtesy of Bill McLeod) A real memory-jogging event took place the weekend of Aug. 28 when 43 members of the 1960 H.M. King High School met for their 50-year reunion.

Highlight of the occasion was a surprise tour of their alma mater, now under a restoration project.

On Saturday morning they arrived at the school grounds for a picture-taking session arranged by Bill McLeod whose wife Harriet had spearheaded the big weekend event. Dave McCauley, a local classmate, had assisted in the plan that would unfold.

Mayor Sam Fugate welcomed the group and gave a complete up-to-date report from the transfer of the property to the H.M. King Foundation by the Kingsville Independent School District, to the preliminary work in preparation for the restoration, and plans for the completion of the project. He outlined the boundaries of the property involved.

Members of the H.M. King School Class of 1960 gather under the trees at the old H.M. King High School for a photo during a tour of the old school conducted by Mayor Sam Fugate. A special guest for the occasion was former long-time resident and civic leader Mattie Gaston, center, still going strong at 104. Then as Harriet expressed, “To our surprise and delight, he opened the doors and in we all went, just like we knew what we were doing and where we were going!”

There was hardly a moment of silence as the group clamored and climbed through the rooms and halls of the old school. It was a revealing rehash remembering what teacher taught what subject in which room.

Comments flowed about classmates and teachers of years ago. Some viewers even tried to locate their old locker space. The banister railings to the second floor were not there anymore.

Not everyone ventured upstairs–but it was a mind-stirring trip for all.

The weekend began on Friday when the arrivals registered at the Holiday Inn Express and renewed old friendships and tried to guess at names of those they hadn’t seen since graduation! Name tags with senior pictures helped. Soon memories were being exchanged amid laughter and headshaking. Then it was off to King’s Inn for a taste of the past.

After the memorable visit through the old school on Saturday morning, another special activity at their evening social enhanced their past memories. A DVD prepared by classmate Dolores Twist Zimmer and her son John Hundley entertained the group. Pictures collected from many class members showed their lives growing up in the KISD system. The reception was peppered with “who is that” and “Oh, I know who that is.”

Somehow a flood of thoughts about the old high school and how much it meant in their lives inspired a rather impromptu action. They filled an old-fashioned milk can with money, cash and checks, to help restore that place that held many memories. Their time had been filled with fun, camaraderie and purpose!

That’s what reunions are all about. Those in attendance were: Gaston Alvarez, Jerry Barton, Mary Beth Fisher Powell, Corene Wallace Warlick, Margaret Gaston Clayton, Luan Burchers Riner, Harriet Wines McLeod, Patti Frick Powers, John Ed Rawlinson, Mary Jane Fansler Orr, Yolanda Lerma Garcia, Philip McCormick, Ruth Longoria Kolek, Jim Dougherty, Gwyn Huffman Willbanks, Lynda Sparling Atherton, Doris Green Rangel, Sylvia Mendoza Villarreal, Bettsie Isaacs Zolondek, Macon Banner, Sylvia Ranspot Terry, Karen Kay Kennerly Gottschling, Esther Galvan Gonzalez, Jean Walshe, Jr., Dorothy (Dottie) Laird Walshe, Joy Beth Hayes Whittington, Marguerite Burwell Smith, Garey L. Berry, Annie Ruth Cowan, Linda Huddleston Hanes, Gary Tinsley, Sandra Newson Hicks, Don Brillhart, David Witte, Robert King, Tres Kleberg, Bill Durham, Doug Florence, Cynthia Milligan Martin. Classmates that had registered but were unable to attend were: Dolores Twist Zimmer, Marva Lee Burris McConnell, Wayne Orchard, and Lucinda Silguero. Plus spouses, friends and one special guest: Mattie Gaston (Margaret’s mother.)

And this is not the end of this tale, follow us in the months to come.