Paula McCoy (Meyer)

The 50+ 2 reunion was very well organized and planned. I attended  both Friday & Saturday. It was a fun time to see classmates and spouses .... catch up, laugh and renew friendships!  The slide/PowerPoint presentation and narration made us all laugh, shake our heads... agree and reminisce about things that are wonderful memories.  The presentation of Classmates gone was very moving and Mike did a wonderful job.

I heard someone say "picture time" was like hearding  CATS!" 😂🤣Yes.... I agree. It was nice to be reminded who we attended elementary and jr high with. Thanks to all who made that effort to travel, plan and attend the events.  We should try to improve on our reaching out to the LOST list as I'm sure we can all get a hold of a few of those people in the list. 
Thanks again,
Paula McCoy Meyer

Suzanne Arvin (Rogers)

Ditto, ditto, ditto. Thank you to everyone involved for all three years for making this happen. I have a coffee mug that says good friends are like stars. You can't always see them, but you know they are there. This reunion was an opportunity to star gaze. What fun!   May the LORD bless and keep you all so we can do it again.

Marilyn Armstrong (Spence)

A  giant  TEXAS  thank you to each and everyone of you who labored  3  years to produce  our  50+2 Reunion.  I wasn't  sure if we were able to make it,  but we  are  so grateful we  were there! Truly a major  highlight of  mine over these  last  years of  Covid.  Mike and Pam, we are so sorry you are  dealiing  with such difficult  medical issues, but we  will pray Pam's  treatments  will be  100% successful.  Mike the  tribute to our  fellow Cougar graduates who have  gone to Glory was  so deeply touching, and seeing their  faces brings  back so many memories.  Thank you so much for working so hard on the video. It  reminds us of how  valuable  our friendships are.  I so loved  seeing so many wonderful friends, and the  fantastic  video Jay Moore  put together. Jay is a creative genius and a  brilliant  writer.  Just viewing all those events, places, and  people from so many years  ago was truly unbelievable!  I wanted to see more.  It really brings  back so many joy's of  growing up in Abilene and attending Cooper with the greatest  classmates ever.

Thank you all again for  making  this reunion  the  very best  ever! We  missed so many and hope those who could not attend will make  the effort to attend in the near  future!!  We loved  every minute!!  Marilyn

Mike Mayes

“The better part of one’s life consists of their friendships.” Abraham Lincoln



Paula Wheeler (Schanbacher)

I can tell from all the comments that the Reunion was amazing.  So sorry I was not able to attend and see everyone and catch up again.  Hopefully our paths will cross again someday. Hope you are all doing well.  Paula

Susan Livingston (McKeever)

Hey CHS Class of 1970!!  If you are on Facebook, look at the COOPER HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1970 group Facebook page for pictures from our 50+2 Reunion!  With some very expert help, I was able to get those pictures posted.  Patty Reed Knight, Jean Jensen Eckert, and Randy Rudd contributed the pictures.  The Memorial Video is also posted there.  Mike Horton did a beautiful job of honoring our deceased classmates in that video.

Do ANY OF YOU have pictures that you took at any of the 3 events?  We have only two from Saturday night!  If you would like to share some photos to the group Facebook page, please email the pictures to me:  smckeever29@gmail.com.  We will do our best to get them posted!

It was a magical time of JOY for all who attended, and we missed those who weren't able to attend!

Susan Livingston McKeever

Katanna Wright (Zachry)

It sounds love ke the reunion was a rousing success! I wish I could gave made it! Were any of our wise and patient former teachets there? Bill Overton lives in Haskell,  but I'm not sure about any of the others. Katanna Wright Zachry

Brenda Crawford (Gerard)

I just can't thank everyone enough! The committee just did a fabulous job. What an awesome thing to be able to see and enjoy each and every attendee. Life is so precious and so fragile. I kept looking around that room and thinking, we will never have this exact moment again. It was so wonderful to visit with everyone. I just needed more time. I am sad for those who were unable to attend. 
Michael and Pam, our hearts are with you. The memorial tribute was amazing and meant so much to each of us! Thank you again!! 
Respectfully,

Brenda Crawford Gerard 

Mike Glover

Just read that our good friend has passed.  Pam and Mike were some of our best teachers--the power of love between two people and the determination to make a life together--powerful, sweet memories--wonderful friends. Safe journey, Pam.  RIP

Randall (Randy) Rudd

So sorry to hear of Pam's passing. She was a wonderful person, and she and Mike were an example to us all on how to live life. So long, Pam. You will be missed.

Brenda Blessing (Ratliff)

First things first:

Mike Horton - I'm so sorry for your loss. You and Pam were one, and I loved you both together and apart. Never doubt that you are being prayed for. You exhibited true selflessness in producing such a heartfelt tribute to our classmates while going through such a difficult time yourself. You are amazing.

Reunion committee - I know what it's like to plan and plan and plan, and then the big event goes by in record time and you're exhausted almost to the point that you wonder if all the work was worth it. Let me assure you, it WAS! It was perfect. So not only thank you, but BLESS you!!!

In keeping with my tendency to share from my personal treasure box of reunion memories:

Funniest moment: Friday night sitting at the table with Glen Knowles. In an effort to strike up a conversation with him I politely asked him, "Glen, so where are you now?" His reply was, "Now?" I said yes. So he hands me his glasses and says, "Brenda, I'm right here." He's always been a smart ass, Still is.

Chicklet 

Most embarrassing moment: Singing the Madison school song SOLO! What the heck??? I assumed others would join in. Where's that Bison spirit? You would've thought I was speaking a foreign language. Yes, I remember the school songs from Austin, Madison and Cooper, and so does my sister. The big question is Why doesn't anyone else????? C'mon guys. 

Dennis Owens - My twin that I love dearly. So glad he was able to make it. 

Mike Mayes - My forever friend and our fearless leader (class President). I knew you'd be glad you came, and it wouldn't have been the same without you. You and Chicklet. 👍

My tennis pals - Marilyn, Vickie, Jean, Carol, Terri - You are even more beautiful now than you were in high school.

Alice Rutledge (Burns) - Glad you were finally able to come. You've always been bright and beautiful, and you still are.

Kathy Hoefer - So glad you were there! Good to be around someone who shares the same sense of humor and makes me smile. 

My precious classmates - What an honor to grow up with you. There was a lot of love in that room, and that's why our feelings are so hard to pinpoint. It's genuine love - very rare, but very real. So thankful for all of you. We are who we are because of each other. That special bond is permanent.

And lastly - Chicklet (I had to get that in one more time.)

Michael Horton

The Familes of Pamela Elizabeth Hunter Horton are Celebrating Her Life with a Gathering. All are invited. The link to the event is shown below. God Bless the C.H.S. Class of 1970.

http://evite.me/ruxM7DTwBG

Michael Horton

An Angel Among Us 01-12-23

I have posted numerous videos and Perspectives about Pam and her Brave Battle Against Cancer on Facebook over the years, especially recently. But the final chapter deals with missing information that I wanted everyone to know.

After many years of marriage, many couples reminisce about their ADVENTURES together and PASSIONS they had during that time.

Pam and I were no different. During her last few months, although she could only speak in a whisper, we did just that!

And Oh!! The Adventures We Had!! From the fishing trips throughout the Big Horn Range in Wyoming… to the land we bought in Montana just north of Bozeman.

From the Trips to Yellowstone and Jackson Hole (her favorite place)… to camping trips with the Kids and Friends throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri.

From numerous trips with close Friends and often with our boys to Las Vegas, Shreveport/Bossier City and Disney World, and many places in between..

From Don Grogan’s Haunted House in his Barn with Scout Troop 520 and many years at Reindeer Manor…to driving to Red River, NM with 520 mothers to await their husbands and boys to come down from the Tooth of Time signifying the end of the 10 day Philmont Trek, and the Adult Leaders now sporting beards from not shaving that entire time and 20 lbs. lighter! And boy, that first real meal after almost 2 weeks of freeze dried food was so awe inspiring !…..

But it DID NOT even compare to seeing our wives and or mothers waiting for us below. As for me, after seeing Pam waiting for me after those tough treks was absolutely HEAVEN SENT!! I absolutely felt that I was in the Presence of an Angel.

As afore mentioned, we also had our Passions. My Passions became Her Passions, and Visa Versa. From feeding and monitoring over 2,500 Hummingbirds every Spring through Fall… to Feeding other wild birds and the ample presence of White Tail Deer and Racoons on our property.

From raising Rhode Island Red Hens and Roosters and selling their eggs to many families in our general area… To breeding and raising Mallard Ducks and Toulouse Geese.

From planting Pecan, Peach, Pear, and Apple Trees and numerous other Trees… to working two gardens for years and growing Okra,Tomatoes, Asparagus, Yellow and Zucchini Squash, Flame Grapes and Blackberries!

From baking 8 varieties of No Preservative Gourmet 2lb Deli Loaves of Bread, Kolaches, Banana and Zucchini Bread, and selling them along with our delicious Fresh Brown Eggs at the Mineola Farmer’s Market to… Helping Needy Families at Christmas in the greater Mineola area with Caring and Sharing for 12 years. That was one of her Favorite Passions because we were all volunteers and she just loved that we were from all ethnic backgrounds and social classes and came together to work our butts off to pull it off every year!!! To see all of those young people taking the baskets out to the cars full of Toys, Gifts, and Food including Hams and Turkeys made her so Proud to participate. Again, I had a living Angel in my midst!!!

From participating in the Golden Sweet Potato Festival and me getting numerous Blue Ribbons for photography….. to the Coup De Tat!!! Pam was one of the few to win the Grand Champion Award in both baking classes… One for Her Sweet Potato Pie and the other for her Sweet Potato Kolaches!!! I cannot describe how much pride swelled inside of me when My Angel accepted both awards!!

Another passion of ours was Music, in particular Blue Grass and Classic Rock. I burned at least 50 Cds with her favorite music so she could listen in her car. We would often sit on our second story deck to marvel at the view during the day and the stars and constellations at night. And we usually had her music playing loud enough downstairs to hear it above.

While the Boer Goats were my Passion, it quickly became hers as well. She never missed a beat giving the new Kids their Colostrum and numerous goats life saving injections at times.

But as most of you know, her second greatest Passion was her Mini Aussies. We had at least 15 quality litters over the years and adopted out well over 120 “Chuppies” even after we kept all of the first litter “Because No One Qualified!” Legends like Scooby, Penny, Liquor, Lancelot, Bhutto, Buster Brown (who at 14+years old is still with us),Boo Boo, Scooby 2,Prissy,Panda Bear a.k.a.(Minky Moo), Hootie, and Whinny Pooh were all bred through her commitment to excellence with me as her Assistant for support. Seeing her work with those Chuppies again made me feel that I was in the Presence of an Angel.

But Gratefully Pam’s Greatest Passion was always Me!! And from the Time I saw her until she took her last breath I was madly and hopelessly in love with a Bona-fide Earthly Angel. She ALWAYS put me first, right behind her undying faith in Her Savior. Everyone has their HEROES…..and Pam, my partner and soul mate for ¾ of my life was and will always be my Hero and The Wind Beneath My Wings. And I and most of you know in our hearts that she will fit in quite nicely into Paradise as an Angel, because of the Angelic Resume She Fulfilled and Brought with her while she lived as a Mortal on Earth.

R.I.P. My Love, I have Always Loved You, And Will Love You Always. My Last Passion is to strive to be more like you until I also take my last breath. Can’t wait until I see you again…. Although I have no Doubt I will be Significantly Outranked!!!

Vicki Lynne Dublin (Goodwin)

What a beautiful life so well lived. I'm so glad you have such wonderful memories.

John Clark

Mike, what a fabulous tribute to Pam.

Rick Evans

Wow, what a fast year!  Just re-read the posts after the 50+2 Reunion and smiled and was inspired all over again.  Thanks again, Committee; thanks to all who made the trek and shared memories.  Great tribute to Pam, Mike.  Such a great example to us all, y'all were.  Very best blessings to each of you as we start closing in on 50+4

Mike Mayes

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - Former Bryan High School head football coach and athletic director, Merrill Green, has died at age 94, the Bryan football program confirmed via X, formally known as Twitter, Sunday.

“Prayers and comfort go out to the family of Coach Merrill Green. He had a huge impact in Bryan High and Bryan ISD, more importantly in the city of Bryan and the community. He also influenced many of others through [the Texas High School Coaches Association].”

Green joined the Vikings program in 1972 as Bryan High’s second football coach. He would spend the next 20 years serving the Bryan community on and off of the gridiron before retiring in 1992.

After an overall record of 197-82-9, Green was elected into the Texas High School Coaches Hall of Honor.

In 2008, Viking Stadium was officially renamed Merrill Green Stadium in honor of the long-time head football coach of Bryan High School.

Prior to settling in Bryan, he coached football at the college level at Wichita State, University of Missouri, University of Arkansas, and Texas Tech University.

Green spent 27 years at the high school level, with seven years at Abilene Cooper High and 20 years at Bryan. Allen Davis served as the Vikings’ head coach and athletic director in 1971, moving over from Stephen F. Austin High School. During his high school career, he was the president of the Texas High School Coaches Association.

Green played for the Oklahoma Sooners from 1950-1953 and was drafted in the 10th round of the 1954 NFL Draft to Washington.

The Woodward, Oklahoma native tied for the 17th longest punt return in Sooners’ history with an 80-yard return against No. 15 Texas in 1953 (19-14 OU win). Green also had punt returns for 68 yards (47-0 win over Iowa State) and 60 yards (28-21 loss to No. 1 Notre Dame) in that same season.

After retirement, Green spent 12 years on the Bryan ISD board of trustees and was an active participant in his local Rotary Club and church.

Green’s wife of 64 years, Bonnie, died in 2019. She was 89 years old.

___________________

Our thoughts and prayers are with Stephanie and the entire Green family.

Mike Mayes

Dennis C. Owens

Mike has expressed the true meaning of partner for life! God bless.

Paula Wheeler (Schanbacher)

Hi Stephanie.  so sorry to hear about your Dad. Thinking about you and your family.

Randall (Randy) Rudd

Coach Green was a huge part of what made our school so special back in the day. He personified and demanded excellence. It was an honor to play under his guidance. He helped make us proud of what many deem CHS''s golden era. So long, Coach, and Godspeed. 

Vicki Lynne Dublin (Goodwin)

Stephanie, I am sorry to hear of your loss. Your dad was one-in-a-million. ❤️🙏🏻

Gerry Cates

Coach Green was a man who made the world and people around him better. I did not play football but Coach Green was a hero and a ledgend to me. When I saw him in the halls I was awe struck. It is a good thing for younge people to be awe struck by great men. Reading of all his accomplishments is humbling even now. Thank God for men like Merrill Green. Rest In Peace Coach Green.  

Michael Lee Holt

Let me start by saying that coach green was a great example of a man who loved God, loved his family, loved life, and made the most of it. I played basketball at Cooper and elected not to play football I but I never missed a game. Stephanie, fist let me say that I'm sorry for your loss and I pray God gives you peace. I have many fond memories of our friendship. 

I remember the snowy evening in '67 Cooper was in a playoff game at Shotwell stadium and the famous quarterback sneak by Jack Mildren on the last play of the game. The refs rulled he was short, but the Abilene Reporter posted a front page story and picture  Saturday morning showing clearly it was a touchdown. We went to the playoffs again the next year. We had really great athletes but we had a super coach in Merrill Green!

After mt BS, I  became an Ag Teacher. After 10 years and more college and a Masters, I became a public school administrator for 20 years. In 2008 I was offered a position at the Texas A&M University System Chancellor's office. I moved my family to College Station. I began my doctoral program and workied closely with public schools in the state in a statewide program recruiting teachers into the profession. But I was also pleased to learn that coach Greeen was a hall of fame coach in Bryan and later became at hall of fame board member in Bryan.ISD. We were able to reconnect on several occasions and start a relationship I never saw coming. I loved talking to him because of his diverse love for so many things, But our main connection was music. He sang in a barbershop quartet with a local group and they were absolutely the best vocal quartet I ever heard. I also had a country/rock  band and played locally as well as around the state for many events. Our connection was multifaceted with a common love for public school administration, kids, and music. Coach Green was one of the most cordial, unassuming, brilliant souls I ever met. He will be sorely missed, But his legacy on earth was gigantic. May God bless all who were fortunate enough to know him. May God bless you, Stephanie! 

Terri Ford (Green)

In honor of Coach Merrill Green, an excerpt of a speech given by Professor Stephane Green Shellenberger: 

"I'm going to tell you an event that changed my life, forever. I can still see the setting almost and everything in it. It wasn't in church or school or with well-known friends. It was a random event that occurred during the fall of my sophomore year in high school. It was early on a Sunday morning. I was standing in the doorway to the kitchen of our family home and quietly observing the back of my dad in his brown house coat over his pajamas, whisking eggs in a bowl to scramble for our family's breakfast. He was listening to the radio tuned to a religious station plane hymns, and he was quietly singing. He did not know I was watching. The evening before, the high school football team, my father coached had lost by one point in the Texas state high school championship finals game. We'd gone to bed well after midnight and after a drive home from Fort worth to Abilene, Texas, where we lived. My dad arrived much later in the early morning hours, and we had not yet visited about the loss. I was sad. I had prepared myself for a conversation regarding the disappointing loss with my dad. When you're a coach the epitome is to win and to win the championships. I quietly said to my dad, "Daddy." And he turned around to look at me and he had the sweetest facial expression. And I further said these exact words I remember from long ago. "Are you not just so sad about the loss?" He paused with his back and said, "Stephane, there are some things more important than winning football games." And he turned back to whisk his eggs in the corner of the kitchen. I can still remember standing there with this new perspective of what peace meant. That word more, went straight to my heart and has held an influence over me to this day. My dad did not wake up that Sunday morning and say to himself, I'm going to be life changing example to Stephane today. No, he just simply woke up, saying from his heart in the kitchen, practice is faith, and obedience in that experience of life at that moment washed all over me. The more my dad was referring to held no regard for earthly gain, power, or a collection of trophies. It was a divine and Holy truth and it ran straight into my soul. The more is not any kind of a collection of earthly treasures, or places of position. There's not enough money to purchase this more, but we all can receive it. It is God's heart for us to rest on what He provides and be at perfect peace about His overflowing goodness, grace, and mercy. There's much talk today about sustainability and carbon footprints of wise use, of resources and stewardship to assure the security of these commodities for future generations. We had the answer of more, and we have a responsibility to leave footprints as sustainable faith for others to follow into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. It never deteriorates. It always replenishes and restores without human interventions, inventions, or intentions. That more, I observed blessed me with a perspective that only God can teach. That moment captured an observation of influence that blessed my soul and has sustained me through great joy, abundance, sorrow, grief, disappointment, and strickening loss. It taught me not to anchor my soul on the gains or the ebbs and flows of this life, but on the beautiful relinquishment of surrendering my heart to the one who does know best. So here are the two simple points of this talk. Remember these two things, first be expectant. Always be vigilant to observe and recognize events that God places in your path that are divinely appointed for life changing lessons. Second, be ready, be ready to live your life in such a way that God can use your more for somebody else's gain. Wake up every day to sing your love song to God. Somebody that needs to hear a song just might be watching and listening."

Kathy Shackelford

Coach Green was always a role model....whether anyone was watching or not.  Stephane, you continue that legacy.  May God bless and keep you!