Dexter, Missouri - The DHS Class of 1964 gathered for their 50 Class Reunion.  (Photo courtesy of Amy Ellinghouse)

Pictured are, front Row L-R:  Jeanie Morris French, Mike Gibson, Kenny Carney, and Clyde Vaughn. 

Second row:  Tom Nichols, Jim Bland, Becky Lashley Green, Lynn Shaver, Carol Whitmore White, Deloris Quick Wamble, Brenda Lincoln Miller, Thelma Shipman Blunt, Andrea Lind Duckworth, Janet Roderman Klingfer, Carol Jarrell Kirby, and Melinda Gaines Dixon.

Third Row: Dale Worley, MaryAnn Twadle Payne, Ronnie Wilburn, Brenda Tucker Williamson, Arlene Triplett Hessling, Jill Whipple Rovinelli, Mary Jones Wilkerson, Phyllis Gillis Menley, Patricia Dunning Cooper, Joyce Sitton Clark, Margie Kelley Moniz, Patty Cates Kinnamen, Brenda Staggs Decker, Don Murphy, Steve Vaughn, Barbara Brown Lettington, Sue Dean Hanner, Sue Johnston Morgan, and Carl Tracer.

Fourth Row: Louis Bader, Jr., Clifford Temples, Peggy Gaines Palmer, Judy McCarver Heise, Mike Beard, Larry Walpole, James Brown, Joe Shelden, David Eldred, Jim Jones, Mike Clippard, Dennis Cook, Larry Smith, and Richard Gant.  Not pictured is Kathleen Grubbs Dover.

Class Of '61 Good Times

The DHS Class of 1961 gathered Oct. 1 for its 50th Class Reunion. The class gathered for an evening of good times at the Dexter Elks Lodge. While together, the class marked it's 50th reunion by donating funds for a new park bench for the Dexter Welcome Center - the old railroad depot - in Historic Downtown Dexter. (Reunion photo by Scott McCord of McCord Photography)

It was a great weekend – a weekend for Bearcats to “come home” for a 25th class reunion.

The Dexter High School Class of 1986 returned home to mark a quarter-century since the class graduated from DHS. And they were able to take part in many of the Homecoming Weekend activities – including the Homecoming Tailgate 2011, the pre-game presentation of the Homecoming Queen and her court, and a thrilling Bearcat football game!

A group of classmates took in the sights and sounds of Tailgate 2001 – enjoying the hotwings and the hot music of The BUZZ. The group made its way down Brown Pilot Hill to Charles Bland Stadium for one of the most exciting football games ever played at DHS.

Among the Bearcats on the field were football players, cheerleaders and Marching Band members whose parents were all members of the Class of 1986.

A group of classmates sat together throughout the Bearcat’s thrilling match against Caruthersville. Several ladies had the opportunity to see what Bearcat football was like in the stands instead of leading the crowd in cheering for their Bearcats!

On Saturday, local classmate Ann-Marie Mitchell arranged for the class to tour DHS – and take in the improvements and additions since they walked the halls as seniors. While one the tour the group had a chance to inspect the Bearcat paw prints added to the hallway mural by two members of the Class of ’86 artists – Lora Baker and Karen Davison.

Four classes have not had a hand in the creation and restoration in the first floor hallway mural – the DHS Classes of 1980, 1982, 1986 and 2002.

A group of the gals from the Class made their way downtown on Saturday for Octoberfest and to shop in classmate Ann-Marie Mitchels boutique, Ann-Marie’s. The shopping gals could be seen scoping out the bargains and unique crafts at the Octoberfest booths.

Saturday evening was a big time for the Class of 1986, as they gathered for a Block Party on Locust Street in Downtown Dexter. Scott Green’s place, Sonny’s, was a base for the class during the Block Party, with barbecue and chips for the group.

“Remember when life was simple, and your biggest worry was what to do on a Friday night - maybe you played in or attended the Dexter Football game (GO Bearcats!) then went to Pizza Villa and watch the game all over again,” said the reunion committee on the class Facebook page. “Or maybe you cruised the mean streets of Dexter - circling the Sonic and McDonalds about a 100 times (thank goodness gas was not $4 a galloon back then). Whatever you did, it's time to come home again and relive the glorious 80's.”

The group relived the “glorious 80’s” and started and enjoyed a few new traditions during its reunion weekend.

“Thanks to everyone who helped with the reunion especially Denny who did a great job with all the little and big tasks I assigned him, and Ann Marie for setting up the tour and for all the notes from the previous years, to Leann and Molly for the Chips & nuts, I hope evertone had a good time. I know I had a great time,” wrote Lora Baker Marcolla.

Thanks to Lora Baker Marcolla for the photos!

Attendees: Mark Becker, Cathy Becker, Rhonda Brillhart Chasteen, Lisa Coffey Mathis, Steve Cox, Paul Fairless, Kim Foushee Williamson, Dwayne Galey, Bruce Gant, Marsha Gant, James Harrellson, Bennetta Harrellson, Kim Hart, Brenda Hart, Renee Hedrick Sauvaget, Mark Hendrix, Sue Hendrix, Stanley "Spanky" Hendrix, Kimmie Hendrix, Cecilla Jibben Waggoner, Shane Waggoner, Wanda Sue Jones Bellers, Carlos Jones, Kevin Kell, Vickie Kell, Rick Killmer, Elizabeth Kilmer, Greg Mathis, Rob Mayer, Nancy Tuley Mayer, Robin Morgan Rieffer, Henry Lynn Rieffer, Candace Allen Poe, Don Reynolds, Theresa Reynolds, Bob Riddle, Gary Sedlacek, Mary Ann Sedlacek, Leonard "Speedy" Shaver, Charles "Chuck" Smith Jr., Kathi A Smith, Toni Taylor Pyle, Darrel Pyle, Kim Teets Williams, Rick Williams, Vicky Thrower Wethington, Mike Wethington, Donna Umfleet Morgan, Doug Williamson, Kevin Reed, Jay Lemons, Holly Lemons, Annabeth Miller.


DEXTER, MO - The DHS Class of '75 gathered recently for its 35th Class Reunion. While the crowd was not large, several proclaimed it the "best reunion ever" and are already enthusiastic about meeting again in five years.

In addition to the traditional dinner event, classmates met at the school for a casual trip down memory lane - taking in the Bearcat Event Center and expanded high school library facility.

During the evening event, Steve Cox (who has played banjo since high school days and performs professionally) along with some talented local friends, entertained the group with a set of favorite bluegrass tunes.




Classmates contributed snapshots of their loved ones from through the years and a commemorative DVD was created and screened on a big TV. Orange-frosted Cupcakes, as take-home favors, proclaimed a unanimous sentiment, "Orange You Glad You Came"? Yes, we were!!

Reader Submitted to The ShowMe Times from Renee Hedrick Sauvaget