Whatever happened to….

TWENTY YEARS AGO (2003)

                --American Legion Post 42 presented more than 20 Blue Star Service Banners to area residents who had family members serving in the armed forces. Among those receiving banners were Marline Hill of Jonesboro and Ron and Mary Steffey of Gatesville.

                --Todd Culpepper and Adam Baker, both jailers at the Coryell County Sheriff’s Office, were certified to become police officers after passing the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education test.

                --Justin Gummelt enjoyed success with his Santa Gertrudis heifer at both the Forth Worth and San Antonio stock shows. He placed second at both major shows with the heifer and won the 2002 Coryell County Youth Fair calf scramble.

                --Patch of Pretties, a new business in Gatesville, opened with a selection of home and gift selections. The owners were Patsy Baize, Dickie Wilson, Linda Survant, Donna Henderson, and Rose Mary Moreland.

                --Members of the Tiger Cubs Den 1 were making bird houses and hanging them in Raby Park. Den members included William Haines, John David Hoover, Nicholas Brown, Justin Hoover, Brandie Brown, and Jacqi Hoover.

                --Winter weather had arrived in Central Texas as sleet and ice crippled transportation and businesses in the area. Area resident, Joshua James, was pictured in the Gatesville Messenger trying to break the ice on a bird bath in front of his home.

THIRTY YEARS AGO (1993)

                --Wayne Martin presented Mayor Wyllis Ament with a plaque of appreciation for the city’s continued support of the Cruzin’ Cruzers Car Club and its annual show held at Faunt Le Roy Park in Gatesville.

                --Elizabeth Wallace of Jonesboro was included on the President’s List at Howard Payne University. She was a graduate of Jonesboro High School and was studying education at Howard Payne. She was the daughter of Dick and Dixie Wallace.

                --Chris Thetford, son of former Coryell County residents C.L. and Sue Thetford, had joined in law partnership with local attorney Bob Salter. Before joining the Salter firm, Thetford was employed as a Hearing Examiner by the Texas Employment Commission.

                --Live Oak Baptist Church was celebrating the retirement of the note on their education building and remodeled fellowship hall. Jerry Raines, a former pastor, and Jerry Stratton, Director of Missions for the Tri-River Baptist Area, were on hand for the celebration.

                --Brant Farley had won the Reserve Champion Crossbred Barrow at the San Antonio Livestock Exposition. Brant, the 12-year-old student at Gatesville Junior High, was the son of Hollis and Debbie Farley. He was involved in numerous 4-H activities.

                --Shanna Parrish won Junior Grand Champion Turnkey at the San Antonio Livestock Show. Junior Reserve Grand Champion Turkey honors went to Shanna’s stepsister, Leslie Hancock-Parrish. Both girls were from Oglesby and members of the Coryell County 4-H.

FORTY YEARS AGO (1983)

                --Jason Owen Parker and Mrs. Walter Ayers were honored with a birthday party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Graham on Bridge Street. Jason was one year old and his great-grandmother, Mrs. Ayers, was 73.

                --Jay and Faye Allen finished with a total of 22,600 points to win the annual bridge tournament held at the Gatesville Country Club. Their names and score were added to the permanent plaque at the Country Club with former winners.

                --Kathleen Blanchard, a 17-year-veteran in the dietary department, had been selected Coryell Memorial Hospital’s Employee of the Month. She was presented with a gift certificate and recognition badge by Gary Kendrick, interim administrator.

                --The Hospital Auxiliary was holding a style show and luncheon. Kathi Oswald of Leaird’s Department Store and Stephanie Emert of Fabric Fashions were two of the models participating. Six stores were represented at the event.

                --Mr. & Mrs. Robert Lee Sugg were being honored on their 50^th wedding anniversary with a reception in the community room of the First National Bank in Evant. Hosts for their reception were the couple’s children.

FIFTY YEARS AGO (1973)

                --Airman Rickey R. Wright, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilton Wright of Gatesville, had been assigned to Chanute AFB after completing Air Force basic training at Lackland AFB. Airman Wright was a 1970 graduate from Gatesville High School.

                --L.V. Arnett, son of Mr. and Mrs. V.L. Arnett of Gatesville, had been elected president of the Fort Stockton Chamber of Commerce. He was in the real estate business in Fort Stockton and was one of the city’s leading civic workers.

                --A newly organized basketball team called the Gatesville Stars defeated East McGregor 69-46. The roster of the Stars included Mike Johnson, Tim Wells, Archie Ward, Eddie Johnson, Ronnie Snow, Nathan Hull, and George Dysinger.

                --Mr. and Mrs. Roy Huckabee were celebrating their silver anniversary. They were married in 1948 in Lubbock and made their home since in Purmela. Mrs. Huckabee was the former De Etta Redman of Lubbock. Mr. Huckabee was a native of Ireland.

                --Dr. J.W. Sprinkle, who served the First Methodist Church in Gatesville as pastor from 1947 to 1950, was scheduled to return to preach at the church. He later became superintendent of the Temple District.