Whodunnit? October 8, 1954

Mexia Jewelry Company

This is the interior of the store. Hope Bohanan (on the right) helps a customer.

Mexia Jewelry Company

Mr. Williams stands in front of his store.

It's in the Book

Sonny Sikes Update

Ex-Mexiaite can’t let go of lifelong work - horses By MATTHEW JACKSON-The Huntsville Item

EDITOR’s NOTE: Letcher N. (Sonny) Sikes was raised in Mexia, introduced at an early age to rodeos, horses, etc., never has let the passion for these die. He is a 1951 graduate of Mexia High School and coached Sam Houston State to several Rodeo National honors. His story was written by Matthew Jackson of The Huntsville Item, a member of CNHI, the owner of The Mexia Daily News. —-

Like most professional athletes, Sonny Sikes of Huntsville has a trophy room. But this room is not glistening with golden statuettes and dangling medals. This is a room that tells tales of gritty arena glory, of sweat, of blood, of majestic animals driven by the hands of cowboys. This is Sonny Sike’s “saddle room.”

Like most cowboys, Sonny Sikes came to rodeo at an early age, and like most cowboys, it is not a sport he is willing to let go of even at old age.

“My father was a farmer, but he didn’t like farming. He liked horses,” Sikes said. “He would train farm horses and teach them to do tricks, and I just caught on from him.”

Sikes won his first major title in 1950, when he was just a junior in high school, and hasn’t looked back in more than half a century of competing.

In his years as a cowboy, Sikes’ credits include four National Collegiate Titles and a spot on Sam Houston State University’s first ever National Collegiate Champion team in 1956.

As recently as 2005, Sikes was still claiming titles in the senior division of professional rodeo.

His saddle room is stacked to the ceiling with proof of his achievements as a roper.

But for Sonny Sikes, as much as he loves riding, teaching has become his life’s work and his great passion.

After graduating from Sam Houston State University with his master’s degree in 1957, Sikes returned to his home of Mexia, Texas, to teach grade school. As much as he loved the work, his ambitions were loftier.

“After one year, he decided to leave and go back to Sam,” said Joanne Sikes, Sonny’s wife. “He went to the president of the college and said ‘I wanna get the rodeo program going again, and I’ll take whatever job you can give me.’”

Sikes said his decision to return to Sam and work to build the rodeo program to one of national prestige was motivated by his own experiences as a college cowboy.

“When I was at Sam, we didn’t have a rodeo program really,” he said. “There was no coach, we just got a professor to be listed as our sponsor, and we practiced on our own. I wanted to come back and make the program more than that.”

Sikes returned to Sam Houston State in 1959 and took a position in the agriculture department. He would work as an agriculture professor and rodeo coach for the next 42 years, and in those four decades, he would build Sam Houston State’s rodeo program to one of the best in the country.

“I told the president that I would get enough students to come to Sam Houston to pay my salary,” Sikes said. “And a few years later, we had the biggest rodeo club in the state.”

During his tenure at Sam Houston, Sikes also served as Executive Secretary for the National Collegiate Rodeo Assocation for 18 years, while maintaining his status as a full faculty member.

He also led the Sam Houston State rodeo team to eight national championships.

In 1968, Sikes coached both the women’s and men’s teams to national championships, a double crown feat that was a first in 1968, and has only been replicated three times in forty years.

Just two weeks ago, on June 21, Sikes and members of the 1968 teams were honored at the National Collegiate Rodeo Finals in Casper, Wyo. for their achievements.

“I cried for two hours after that,” Sikes said. “It was a touching moment.”

“After it was over, one of the girls called me and said ‘I think everyone there wished that they’d had Mr. Sikes as a coach’,” Joanne Sikes said. “He’s made that much of an impact. He doesn’t like to toot his own horn, though. So I’m gonna toot it for him. He’s a wonderful, wonderful man.”

In spite of all of his rodeo accomplishments spread over a more than 50 year career, Sikes still considers education his greatest legacy.

“I got a lot of students to get an education that didn’t intend to get one,” Sikes said. “They came here to rodeo, but I always emphasized education. It wasn’t just about riding, it was about building a future.”

In his saddle room, Sikes takes a down a dusty, well-loved saddle made of rich dark leather softened by time and countless arena rides. He wipes away dust to reveal that it is the saddle he received upon winning his first national collegiate championship for calf roping in 1953.

“This is the first saddle I ever won in college,” Sikes said. “This saddle is 55 years old.”

As the old cowboy wipes away the dust from his old saddle, it is clear that while it may not be a shiny trophy, in his eyes, it’s solid gold.

Update on the Falling Wall

Mexia Daily News - IT KEEPS ON FALLING: "More of the eastern wall on the old building downtown, keeps falling. Navarro College, owner of the building, is in the process of effecting a contract to have the facility torn down. The latest fall considerably damaged the adjacent building to the south. Soon, a contractual agreement is due to be announced by Navarro. The 'yellow ribbon' continues to be up, until the building is down and danger subsides."

1971 Parade

Gladys & George

O. J. Lee Obituary

Oliver John (O. J.) Lee, Jr.

Funeral services for Oliver John (O. J.) Lee, Jr., 73, of Mexia will be Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the Calvary Baptist Church. Brother David Snow and Mr. Neil Bond will officiate with interment to follow in the Shiloh Cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, July 18, 2008 at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home

Mr. Lee was born September 2, 1934 to Oliver and Amy McElroy Lee in Mexia. He passed away July 17, 2008 in Mexia. He was a life long resident of the Mexia/Shiloh area. He retired after 48 years as an accountant for Beene Motor Sales. Mr. Lee was a member of General Motors Business Accounting Organization for 44 years where he also served 4 years on the Manager’s Council. He served as Mexia Lions Club treasurer for many years. Mr. Lee served as bookkeeper for the Shiloh Water Supply Corp. He was a deacon at the Shiloh Baptist Church. He, also, served his country in the U. S. Army.

Mr. Lee is survived by his wife, Nancy Posey Lee; a son, Jonathan Ross Lee and wife, Nancy of Mexia; a daughter, Carrie Lou Ingle and husband, Jim of Mexia; grandchildren: William Oliver Ingle, Zachary Ingle, Rachel O’Hare, Andrea O’Hare, Presley Lee, Triston Lee; great granddaughter, Lacey O’Hare.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Pallbearers will be Harlon Brady, Jacob Thompson, Robert Lee, Brett Beene, Gary Barkouski and Kent Kendall. Honorary pallbearers will be the Mexia Lions Club.

Please visit www.blair-stubbs.com to leave a memorial message or sign the guest book.

The Mill Block

White & Gillespie Drug Store

Madden's Jewelry

Could this be Magic? -- The Dubs

You can read all about the Dubs here. Key quote: "The group's next single, "Could This Be Magic", also written by Blandon, was another pop hit, rising to #23 later in 1957 and becoming recognised over the years as a doo-wop classic. This success landed the group a spot on an Alan Freed package and they toured extensively in the U.S. and Canada."

The Big One

Mexia Daily News - GREAT DAY AT THE LAKE:: "George Liles and Kade Johnson, grandson of Johnny Ingram, enjoy a great day at Lake Limestone. Kade caught the 'big one.' Lake life is good, says George."

Dolly Confesses -- Part II

Dolly Confesses

Bill Crider, Ray O'Docharty, Margaret Ann

Old Glory

Mexia Daily News - OLD GLORY: "OLD GLORY WAS LIFTED HIGH in front of the Armory for Boomin' on the Fourth. The flag was positioned atop the Mexia Fire Department's high ladder, which has been used in combatting a few fires since arrival to the fire arsenal a couple of years ago."

Ina & Claudia

Store Collapse

Mexia Daily News - And The Wall Came Tumbling Down: "It's unclear whether or not Humpty Dumpty sat on it and caused the wall to fall, but what is known is the old 'Five-and-Dime' store which later became nothing but a vacant building, is apparently 'rickety' and could be dangerous for any pedestrian walking in the area. A professional crew had previously checked out the 'asbestos factor' and that issue has been abated (no more asbestos) in the downtown building at Commerce and Sherman, but so far no razing plans have been announced. The wall fell Saturday night, although the exact time is unknown. Guy Featherston, Dean of Navarro College-Mexia South Campus, Tuesday told The Daily News that indeed, plans are being accelerated, due to this episode. The building is owned by Navarro College. 'We have talked to a contractor,' Featherston said, 'But, the only holdup so far is its posing a danger to an adjacent building.' Nevertheless, look for an announcement to raze it soon. Inset picture shows the building located to the south, adjacent, and its awning, which has taken a decided dip."

Gladys, Ray, Jerrie

At the Table

Poodle Skirts

Mexia Daily News - Celebrating the past with 50’s theme for “Grand Finale” of “Summer’s Nights”: "As usual the weather was hot and humid for the 10th annual “Summer’s Night” fundraiser at Old Fort Parker last Saturday night. This was a special night as the curtain closed that night on the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Old Fort. For the past 10 years, Sarah McReynolds said, “We have had these loyal supporters of this event who come every year. If they are unable to come, they still purchase a table.”

Claudia Never Did Anything Wrong

Group Shot

T-Shirt

Genie Schuh Gunn & Margaret Ann

Milton Confesses

Chris-Craft

Serious Discussion

Claudia at the Cabin

Milton Carroll

Tehuacana Transfers

Ken, Claudia, Jerry.

J. I. Riddle Building

Ross Avenue Estates

Formerly the site of Ross Avenue Elementary

Near the Corner of Kaufman and Sumpter

Margaret Ann Runs the Lottery while Ken Takes a Photo

Jerrie, J. T., Mary, Sandra, Charlotte

Robert Mortimer, Mary Clark Mortimer, Jerrie Bishop O'Docharty

Dolly, Claudia, Gladys

Tommy, John, Ken

Dolly & Claudia

Sandra, Bill, Johnny, John

Fred Williams, Class of '57, in a Typical Situation

Be Careful on the Way to the Get-Together

Mexia Daily News - Two-vehicle Wreck at Tyler & 14: "The two vehicles collided just around 6:00 p.m. on Monday evening. A red Dodge Neon driven by Shaneaque Canada failed to yield the right-of-way at the stop sign on Tyler. The other vehicle was a red F150 driven by Sandra Hensley. Only minor damage occurred and no one was injured in the wreck."

Fort Parker News

MEXIA, Texas — Fort Parker State Park is making repairs and improvements thanks to increased funding provided by the Texas Legislature. The changes should mean safer and more comfortable facilities and a more enjoyable visitor experience.

The park recently purchased a new riding lawnmower and two push mowers, the first such new equipment in years. Additional hourly funding will allow the park to have part time employees work longer hours. This will help free the professional staff to focus on more important duties that will benefit visitors. The park also has additional repair funding for projects such as replacing bunk beds in the group barracks.

State investments at Fort Parker should generate a strong return for the host community, since research reported in 2005 showed the park generates an annual retail sales impact of about $1 million from employee and visitor spending, creates 27 jobs and produces an impact of $485,509 in additional income for Limestone County residents. The numbers come from Texas A&M University research that shows state parks draw outside visitor dollars into host counties.

“The state park is very important for the community, from and economic standpoint and from a recreational standpoint,” said Tom Hawkins, Groesbeck Chamber of Commerce president. “The park brings people who spend money in the area. But a lot of local community organizations and families also use the park for reunions and special events. It’s part of the area’s life. I do know that the park gets pretty full and visitors come to local towns like Groesbeck and Mexia-the park is halfway between both towns.”

The A&M study reported that Fort Parker State Park generated $143,325 in revenues and had $362,535 in operating costs in fiscal year 2004. The state’s “net” investment to operate the park was thus about $220,000. In return, the park generated a retail sales impact of more than three times that amount in Limestone County from employee and visitor spending on groceries, meals out, lodging, shopping and other expenses. If only non-local visitor spending is considered, the park still drew $621,415 in retail sales impact to the host county.

The Fort Parker findings are one example of the data gleaned from interviews conducted with more than 11,000 visitors at Texas state parks in 2002 and 2004 by Texas A&M University professor John Crompton, Ph.D., and his colleagues from the university’s Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences. The Texas Coalition for Conservation, a nonprofit umbrella group formed to support parks and natural resource conservation, commissioned the research to determine the economic value of state parks. For cost reasons, only 80 state parks were selected for the A&M study. There are currently 93 state parks in Texas.

Research revealed that economic activity associated with the 80 state parks studied generated an estimated total of $793 million in retail sales, had a $456 million impact on residents’ income and created roughly 11,928 jobs. These figures include spending by all visitors, both local and non-local, plus state park budget dollars spent in local communities.

Crompton and his colleagues also analyzed expenditures of park visitors from outside host counties, excluding spending by local residents and “casual” state park visitors attracted to the community for other reasons. For each park studied, the research consistently showed that state parks draw non-local visitors to host counties.

“Tourism is a major component of the Texas economy,” Crompton recently told members of the Texas State Parks Advisory Committee in Austin. “Attractions drive tourism and state parks operate more of these desired attractions than any other entity in the state.”

Researchers say investing money on facilities upkeep, interpretation and services to enhance the visitor experience can boost the economic value of parks.

“State parks,” Crompton contends, “are analogous to retail stores. Economic success depends on what happens inside the facility. Investments in park services and amenities mean more visitors and higher per capital expenditures, which equals higher revenues to the state and more jobs and income for local residents.”

The complete “Economic Contributions of Texas State Parks” research report, including fact sheets on each of the 80 parks studied, can be downloaded from the TPWD Web site.

Details on Fort Parker State Park, including visitor facilities, hours and fees, maps and directions, can also be viewed online.

Carol Holt Keys

Mexia Daily News - Banker retires in Mexia, plans for new horizons in life: "Carol Keys might be a banker for her chosen profession, but she feels equally “at home” working in the fields at her home in Point Enterprise.

That’s the reason her “retirement” might fit in the well-known misnomer category, since she will continue to attend to her land. “I’m just a farm girl at heart,” she quipped while explaining that she does her shredding work with her tractor. She also likes gardening.

First Mexia thinks a lot of Carol Keys and was saddened by her departure from the work force. The bank held a reception for her, and that was attended by many of her friends, as well as family members.

At the time, she was not far removed from a European 10-day sight-seeing trip, with a friend, Helen (Schuster) Matthews, also of Point Enterprise. She loves to travel, and promises that “there will be more travel plans” in the future."

Mona Jo McBeth Hipp

Mexia Daily News - Obituaries for 06-07: "Mona Jo McBeth Hipp 70 of Franklin, Texas passed away on Wednesday, June 4, 2008 in Bryan, Texas. She was born June 20, 2008 in Cisco, Texas to Cecil McBeth and Willie G. McBeth. She was a graduate of Mexia High School and Baylor University and was a real estate agent and homemaker.

She had been a resident of Franklin for the past 10 years previously living in Bryan, Texas. She was a member of the Central Baptist Church in Bryan, Texas.

She is survived by: Daughter and Son-in-law: Jennifer & Marion Brown of Hurst, Texas; Son - Greg Hipp of Bryan, Texas; Mother - Willie G. McBeth of Franklin; 3 Sisters and 1 Brother-in-law: Glynda McBeth of Franklin, Texas, Lynda & Ernie Fulton of Franklin, Texas, and Cecilia Hoover of Round Rock, Texas; Brother and Sister-in-law: Will & Linda McBeth of Midlothian, Texas; 2 Grandchildren: Jordan Hipp & Makenzie Reeves; and Numerous Nieces & Nephews

Service will be held on Sunday, June 8, 2008 at 2:00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church in Franklin, Texas. Rev. Jim Manning of Franklin will officiate. Burial will be in the Henry Prairie Cemetery near Franklin."

1959 Pontiac

Bobby Fife

Funeral services for Bobby Lynn Fife, 69, of Mexia will be Sunday, June 8, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in the Blair-Stubbs Chapel. Rev. James Harrington will officiate with interment to follow in the Pt. Enterprise Cemetery.

Mr. Fife was born January 18, 1939 in Mexia to Morris and Minnie Lee (Duke) Fife. He passed away June 6, 2008. He was a 1958 graduate of Mexia High School. He was a retired diesel mechanic for Chevron Oil Company, having worked for 35 years with them. He later worked for the Mexia ISD. Mr. Fife served his country in the U. S. Army during the Korean War. He was a member of the Pt. Enterprise Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Dolly (Vardeman); son, Joe Fife and wife, Tami of Kennesaw, Ga.; daughter, Shelli Decker and husband Jim of Longview, Texas; grandchildren, Joshua and Judson Fife, Whitney and Devann Decker; great-grandchild, Madison Leigh-Ann Fife.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Billy Fife.

Pallbearers will be Devann Decker, Josh Fife, Judd Fife, Jim Gatlin, John Gatlin, and Jordan Gatlin.

1959 Pontiac

Edmund Schuster, Neil Bond, Dale Brown

Click on the link for the full story.

Mexia Daily News - Schuster honored for service to Farm Bureau in county, state: "Dale Brown, who retired as longtime Agriculture teacher and Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter sponsor at Mexia High School, had a profound effect upon both Neil Bond and Edmund Schuster.

Recently, during a sitdown visit with all three (at the same time), Schuster and Bond told about things they learned under Dale Brown. That brought about many good memories they had together as classmates and about some gems of wisdom which came from Brown. They tealked about the discipline, enjoyable times, and of ever-changing ways in today’s education circles.

But, what did show through all of the conversation and recollections, was a common thread which was woven through their lives as they continued along life’s pathways of service.

Brown retired, but continued to “make a difference” with his writings.

Bond continued in education as an educator. So did Schuster, around whom the scheduled interview revolved, due to his dedicated service to the Limestone County Chapter of the Farm Bureau."

Newspaper

June 4, 1965

Judy and I are in the middle. Fred Williams is standing beside me. Bob Crider is on the left front, and Loibeth Black behind him on the right. To the left of Judy is the minister, and on his left is Joe Carr. The others are people you wouldn't know.

Filling Station at the Corner of Belknap and Palestine

Keep this and You'll Never Go Broke

Mexia Travel Poster

Dolly & Friend