News

News

News and Announcements for the Class of 1972

J.W. Hawkins - Classmate J.W. Hawkins died March 3rd, 2024

Obituary

Mark Steven Blair - Classmate Mark Blair died Dec. 24, 2023

Obituary

Blaine (Crampton) Byrket - Classmate Blaine Crampton Byrket died July 22, 2023

Obituary

Stephen Edward Manley - Classmate Stephen Manley died Friday, Jan. 20, 2023

Obituary

Roxie Northcut Mavis - Classmate Roxie Northcut Mavis died Aug. 23, 2022

Obituary

 Melvin Lee Weaver - Classmate Melvin Weaver died Aug. 8, 2022

Obituary

Shirley (Brock) Branch - Classmate Shirley Branch died June 12, 2022

Obituary

50th Reunion 

Reunion Photos Here -->link

Our 50th Reunion was May 21, 2022 at the Burford Theater. 

It was a great evening of conversation and reflection with approximately 70 classmates in attendance. After a catered dinner there was a program emceed by Denise Jackson-Simon (she did a terrific job!) along with a video highlighting the class and a tribute to classmates that have passed away.

Many thanks to the reunion committee for doing such a wonderful job. Special thanks to Cheri Krout Morris, Val Vandever Jaccobs, Linda Sherwood Postelwait and Verna Lawrence Shook.  


There wasn't a group photo this year, so please send in all your reunion photos and they'll be posted on a special photo page on the website. You can email them to achs72@gmail.com  Also, please add your reunion comments on the message board page.


Classmate Profiles

The reunion committee has a separate site where you can register and post a classmate profile. It can be reached at this link.

Tim Masten's 50 Year Reunion Letter to the Class of 1972  

Link 

David Martin   -  Classmate David W. Martin died April 15, 2022

Obituary 

Craig Ballinger - Classmate Craig Ballinger died September 28, 2021

Obituary

We Have a New Website!   April 2022

The website was recently updated and most everything is working now. There might still be some links that are broken. If you come across one let us know. achs72@gmail.com 

Most of what was on the old site is included here, but unfortunately the message board we had previously (Quick Topic) has closed. A new one is now setup, so give it a try and leave some feedback.


One benefit of the new website is that it is "mobile friendly" so it should be easier to use on your phone or tablet.  We hope you enjoy the new site and will pass it along to other classmates.

Linda (Goldsmith) Juden - Linda Juden died August 1, 2021

Full Obituary

Michael D. Tanner - Classmate Mike Tanner, 66, died June 10, 2021

Full Obituary

Jon Patrick Parman - Classmate Jon Parman,  66, died April 26, 2021

Full Obituary

Steve Allen - Classmate Steve Allen died January 21, 2021

Full Obituary

Loren Hurst - Classmate Loren Hurst, 66, died November 19, 2020

Full Obituary 

David Morris - Classmate David Morris, 63, died November 8, 2019

Full Obituary

James Watson - Classmate James Watson died August 8, 2019

Full Obituary

Timothy Glenn Allen - Classmate Tim Allen , 65, died  April 23, 2019 

Full Obituary

Norman Mitchell "Mitch"  Speer

Classmate Mitchell Speer, died March 22, 2019

Full Obituary

Jan (Shupe) McHarge

Classmate Jan McHarge, died May 25, 2018

Full Obituary

Marion Condit Flanigan

Classmate Marion Condit Flanigan, died March 7, 2018

Full Obituary

James Knox

Classmate James Knox, 62, died  July 9, 2017

Obituary

 Gary Lee Dyke

Classmate Gary Dyke, 64, died February 1, 2017.

Full Obituary

Hardy "Sonny" Streeter

Classmate Hardy Streeter, 62, died November 3, 2016. 

Full Obituary 

HS Band 1970

Band's Rose Parade Trip Remembered

The Arkansas City High School band marches Jan. 1, 1970, in the Tournament of Roses Parade. 

Here's the story

 Dennis L. Strange

Classmate Dennis L. Strange, 62, died May 11, 2016. 

Full Obituary

Roberta "Robbie" Hawkins Pepper 

Classmate Roberta L. "Robbie" Hawkins Pepper, 61, died April 28, 2016. 

Full Obituary

 Steve Grimes  

Classmate Steve Grimes, 60, of Arkansas City, Kansas, died Friday July 10, 2015.

 Full Obituary  

 Steve Hearne  

Classmate Steve Hearne, 62, of Arkansas City, KS passed away Saturday, February 20, 2016 at the South Central Kansas Medical Center.  

Full Obituary


 Rick Rutter 

Classmate Rick Rutter, 61, of Chanute, Kansas, died Friday March 20, 2015. 

Full Obituary  

Edward Eugene Bowman 

Classmate Eddie Bowman, 61, of Billings, Oklahoma, died Tuesday Nov. 4, 2014 at Integris Bass Baptist Medical Center of Enid, Oklahoma.  

Full Obituary

Suzan Guinty Spiser 

Classmate Suzan Guinty Spiser, 59, formerly of Arkansas City, died Saturday Feb. 15, 2014 at the Kansas Medical Center in Andover, KS 

Full Obituary

 Levi Abington 

Classmate Levi S. Abington Jr., 59, of Arkansas City, died Sunday Nov. 17, 2013 at Medicalodge of Arkansas City. 

Full Obituary

Owen Phillips 

Classmate Owen Phillips, 59, of Arkansas City, passed away Tuesday Oct. 8, 2013 at Harry Hines Hospice Center in Wichita. 

Full Obituary

Benny LeClair 

Benny Joe "Ben" LeClair, 58, of Arkansas City, KS died Monday, February 7, 2011, at the William Newton Memorial Hospital, Winfield, KS.  

Full Obituary

Russell Sparks

Russell G. Sparks, 56, formerly of Arkansas City, KS, died at his home in Indiahoma, OK, on October 16, 2010    

Full Obituary 

 New Stadium Debut 

August 28, 2010

Melinda (McGehan) Wineinger

Melinda died Sunday March 8, 2009 in Marina Del Ray, CA. 

Full obituary 

Picture Panel Project Continues

Ark City Traveler Aug. 19, 2008 

John W. Lowe

From the Ark City Traveler July 1, 2008 - John W. Lowe, 53, Newkirk resident and formerly of Arkansas City, died early Monday morning, June 30, 2008, at his Newkirk home. 

Full obituary

10/25/2007 -  Betty Jo (Jackson) Hochstatter wrote... "Reading up on everyone and looking at some of the pictures of way back when.. made me get my Year Books out and look  them over.. my, my how the years go by. I just wish I hadn't been so shy back then. Don't know if I'll make it to the reunion, but I hope all of you have a great time.

10/14/2007 - Gary Tipton wrote... "Hello all, I have been reading and looking at all the pictures on this site. Brings back lots of memories and slightly familiar faces. I have lived in Ponca City for the last 23 years. Worked at the same company just south of town Continental Carbon Company. Its been a great place to work and Ponca is a great little town. I have lots of family and  many friends that live in Arkansas City and I visit quite often. I am not sure I will make the reunion but will try.

9/4/2007 - Lon Zeman wrote... "Thanks to Scott and all the other Bulldogs who have put this site together. Great job, I really appreciate it. I just want to see everyone!  Shake hands, share a good laugh, and remember more about all those good times. It is so much fun!!  Thanks.

7/19/2007 - Cheri (Cole) Cross wrote... "Hi Everyone!  I love the website, nice job!  Deb (Paton), so great talking with you and thanks so much for the info.  I wish we could be at the reunion!  Our news is that we are now grandparents and loving it.  That just about says it all or at least explains a couple things! Ha!  Have a great summer.

7/13/2007 - Ken Oliphant wrote... "Terrific website, whodunnit? I have tons of fond memories growing up in Ark City. Hope to see everybody sooner rather than later.

4/21/2007 - Kathleen Anderson-McIntyre wrote... "It was such a pleasant surprise to be contacted by Scott via Classmates.com. I am looking forward to the reunion and re-establishing old friendships. I am living in Tucson Arizona with my husband Sean McIntyre and our cat Caesar (no kids) and we love the desert after 20 years in Denver. If any one needs to contact my sister, Jill Anderson Page, class of 74, drop me a line and I will put you in touch. You can reach me at: katiejanderson@yahoo.com or call me at 520-440-4990. Have a fun and safe summer and see you for the reunion and Arkalala....someone dig up the Bulldog head for me????? Kathleen.

3/12/2007 - Paul Bruce wrote... "Was looking at 71's Photo Page. Boy have we changed as much as they have?  I guess maybe this time we may need to make sure we all have are name tags on, written in big letters. We are looking forward to see you all."

2/6/2007 - Tim Masten shares an open letter to The Class of 1972   The attachment is a PDF file. You'll need the free Adobe Reader to view it.  

12/31/2006 - Bob Courtney wrote... "Thanks to  all that have been involved with this site.  It is great to be able to have a medium that connects with some very special people. Wish everyone a very memorable New Year!

Aloha!  8-)

Bob Courtney '72'

12/30/2006 - Chris (Berg) Walker wrote... "Lee, thanks for sending me the "72" website! Can't wait to see everyone next Arkalalah. When the class of 1972 comes together, there are so many great memories. Last reunion, the spur of the moment after party (you other five know who you are) was a hoot (our little secret). Do we get crazier with age, or what? Scott, awesome job on our website."

12/12/2006 - Marty (Bishop) Rist wrote... "Love the website and thanks Nancy Herman for sending it to me!!"

12/5/2006 - Nancy (Herman) Free wrote... "Hello there!!! Lee (Kunkle) Wood sent me this web-site and I just checked it all out.  Really got me pumped to see some old familiar faces.  I am still in Pittsburg as a Social Worker, married 25 years coming up in June. Have three beautiful daughters, 22, 19 and 17.  They act a lot like me in my young days, how dreadful. But they are good girls. I will keep checking the web-site for up dates, plan on upcoming reunion next year.