Rockport Class Of 1952.
The above picture is the official class picture of the 1952 Graduating Class at Rockport, KY. Picture was supplied by Jimmy Beck. Previous information was obtained by using the 1951 Yearbook. Seems that there was no annual for the 1952 Class. At least, I have not seen one. I have added two classmates that were previously left out. Please include Bobby Beck and Paul Steenburgen to the list.
Bobby Beck.
Bobby attended Drakesboro High School for three years and his senior year at Rockport High. After graduation, Bobby worked in Evansville at one of the appliance factories and then was drafted in the Army. He spent 18 months in the Army and then was discharged. About two months after he got out of the Army he had a stroke. He lived approximately 1 yr and passed away at the age of 26.
Write-up and picture furnished by Jimmy Beck. Thanks Jim.
Wilma Ruth Curtis.
Photo above of Sam and Ruth Curtis Drake taken at the Rockport 2006 Reunion by jrd.
Ruth Curtis graduated from Rockport in 1952 and she tried the work force for a few years, before she married Billy Sam Drake in 1954. They were "Long Time" residents of Beaver Dam where Billy Sam worked for Young's Lumber Company. They raised one son, Tommy, and he learned the trade of "Heating And Air Conditioning. A few years later, Tommy established a Heating and Air Conditioning Company in Morgantown. Ruth started to work for the company and eventually she and Sam moved to Morgantown. They have two granddaughters and three great-grandchildren.
Betty Hopper.
Picture of Betty taken by jrd at the 2006 Rockport Reunion.
Betty married Bill John Givens and raised a family. More information is promised.
Donald White.
This is the best picture that I have for Don White.
Donald was a character at the old Rockport High School. I don't think that very many people ever saw him unless he was wearing a big smile. He certain enjoyed life at the old high school. He graduated in 1952 and went to Louisville for work. I don't have much more on his working career nor his family life. He married, but am not sure of his wife's name. Donald is deceased. Think that he died in the year 2004. Will update this paragraph if more information becomes available.
Margarette Porter.
Picture of Margarette taken at the Rockport Days Event in 2004.
Photo by Dotty.
Marvin Dunn came to Rockport for a job and training under Mr. C. E. Durbin to be a Railroad Depot Agent. After a year or so, Marvin completed his training and left Rockport. First, her married Margarette and took her with him to his new job. They ended up living and raising a family in Roseville, Michigan. They raised four children including a set of twins.
Retirement life is good in Michigan for the Dunn's. They do some traveling and always try to attend the Rockport Reunion events. They also try to come back to Rockport a few times each year to visit friends and kin.
Dellie Singleton, Jr.
Space above for a picture of Junior.
Junior started the 1952 School year, but quit before he was to graduate. Junior Singleton is another one of the Rockport Students, in that time frame, that had to leave Rockport for work. He, like others, got a job in Louisville. From there, he found work in Arkansas where one of his brothers worked. While in Arkansas, he met Doris and they were soon married. It was back to Louisville where he was offered work with Reynolds Aluminum. The marriage produced a son. Ronnie became a father and that gave Junior and Doris a granddaughter. Junior and Doris were very proud of their only granddaughter.
A few years after Junior and Doris married, Junior was in a car wreck and was paralyzed from the waist down. He lived a long life in a wheelchair, dying on May 16, 2003. Junior was a Kentucky Wildcat fan and seldom did he miss listening to or watching them if they were being shown on Television.
L. H. Harper with his wife Betty Barnard Harper.
L. H. Harper graduated from Rockport in 1952. I think that L. H. tried the "Factory Work Scene" and did not care much for that type work. Then, and again I am using some old memory cells, I think that he became a carpenter. Some time later, he married Betty Barnard. Their dream place was a home in the country and they bought some land in the Echols Community. A few years later they build their dream home and retirement life has been great. I think there were two children, but may be wrong here. The aged memory cells again. I also don't know if there are any grandchildren.
Bobby McCoy.
No picture available.
Bobby started the 1952 school year as a senior, but quit before he was to graduate. Bobby McCoy married Fredia Elizabeth Nelson soon after high school. As has been written many times before, good jobs in this area were scarce or non-existent in this time frame. His option was the military service and he joined the Army. After serving his full term, Bobby returned to Ohio County and applied for work with Peabody Coal Company, Ken Mine. The mining industry, in this area, was beginning to expand and good jobs were being offered to the local residents, especially those that were returning from service to their country. Bobby became a coal miner and he and Fredia bought a house in McHenry and started their family. They had a large family that included four boys and one girl. There are several grandchildren.
Bobby had to retire early from Ken due to health reasons and the children were married with most living near by. Fredia died in the late nineties and Bobby did not live much longer.
Jean Duncan.
Space above for a picture of Jean.
Jean started the 1952 school year, but decided to quit before she graduated. No info on Jean.
Juanita Smith.
Space above for a picture of Juanita.
Juanita married Glendon Johnson before she graduated from high school and quit before she was able to graduate. They left the area and she has been a difficult one to find out very much information about. Will update this section if and when more information becomes available.
Paul Steenburgen.
Space above for a picture of Paul.
I knew Paul quite well even though he would attend a year of so at Rockport and disappear. I think that he attended Centertown for some of his high school years. After he graduated, I have not heard from him. Any information on Paul would be appreciated and updated.
Joyce McCoy.
Space above for a picture of Joyce.
Joyce married Rufus Lee after she graduated from High School. Rufus and Joyce tried work in the big cities, but returned to Ohio County. They settled in on a farm a few miles West of Beaver Dam and on the Rochester Road. Rufus was not a full time farmer and continued working a regular job until he was able to retire. Joyce died about ten years ago.
This is the best picture that I have for Don White.
Donald was a character at the old Rockport High School. I don't think that very many people ever saw him unless he was wearing a big smile. He certain enjoyed life at the old high school. He graduated in 1952 and went to Louisville for work. I don't have much more on his working career nor his family life. He married, but am not sure of his wife's name. Donald is deceased. Think that he died in the year 2004. Will update this paragraph if more information becomes available.
Margarette Porter.
Picture of Margarette taken at the Rockport Days Event in 2004.
Photo by Dotty.
Marvin Dunn came to Rockport for a job and training under Mr. C. E. Durbin to be a Railroad Depot Agent. After a year or so, Marvin completed his training and left Rockport. First, her married Margarette and took her with him to his new job. They ended up living and raising a family in Roseville, Michigan. They raised four children including a set of twins.
Retirement life is good in Michigan for the Dunn's. They do some traveling and always try to attend the Rockport Reunion events. They also try to come back to Rockport a few times each year to visit friends and kin.
Dellie Singleton, Jr.
Space above for a picture of Junior.
Junior started the 1952 School year, but quit before he was to graduate. Junior Singleton is another one of the Rockport Students, in that time frame, that had to leave Rockport for work. He, like others, got a job in Louisville. From there, he found work in Arkansas where one of his brothers worked. While in Arkansas, he met Doris and they were soon married. It was back to Louisville where he was offered work with Reynolds Aluminum. The marriage produced a son. Ronnie became a father and that gave Junior and Doris a granddaughter. Junior and Doris were very proud of their only granddaughter.
A few years after Junior and Doris married, Junior was in a car wreck and was paralyzed from the waist down. He lived a long life in a wheelchair, dying on May 16, 2003. Junior was a Kentucky Wildcat fan and seldom did he miss listening to or watching them if they were being shown on Television.
L. H. Harper with his wife Betty Barnard Harper.
L. H. Harper graduated from Rockport in 1952. I think that L. H. tried the "Factory Work Scene" and did not care much for that type work. Then, and again I am using some old memory cells, I think that he became a carpenter. Some time later, he married Betty Barnard. Their dream place was a home in the country and they bought some land in the Echols Community. A few years later they build their dream home and retirement life has been great. I think there were two children, but may be wrong here. The aged memory cells again. I also don't know if there are any grandchildren.
Bobby McCoy.
No picture available.
Bobby started the 1952 school year as a senior, but quit before he was to graduate. Bobby McCoy married Fredia Elizabeth Nelson soon after high school. As has been written many times before, good jobs in this area were scarce or non-existent in this time frame. His option was the military service and he joined the Army. After serving his full term, Bobby returned to Ohio County and applied for work with Peabody Coal Company, Ken Mine. The mining industry, in this area, was beginning to expand and good jobs were being offered to the local residents, especially those that were returning from service to their country. Bobby became a coal miner and he and Fredia bought a house in McHenry and started their family. They had a large family that included four boys and one girl. There are several grandchildren.
Bobby had to retire early from Ken due to health reasons and the children were married with most living near by. Fredia died in the late nineties and Bobby did not live much longer.
Jean Duncan.
Space above for a picture of Jean.
Jean started the 1952 school year, but decided to quit before she graduated. No info on Jean.
Juanita Smith.
Space above for a picture of Juanita.
Juanita married Glendon Johnson before she graduated from high school and quit before she was able to graduate. They left the area and she has been a difficult one to find out very much information about. Will update this section if and when more information becomes available.
Paul Steenburgen.
Space above for a picture of Paul.
I knew Paul quite well even though he would attend a year of so at Rockport and disappear. I think that he attended Centertown for some of his high school years. After he graduated, I have not heard from him. Any information on Paul would be appreciated and updated.
Joyce McCoy.
Space above for a picture of Joyce.
Joyce married Rufus Lee after she graduated from High School. Rufus and Joyce tried work in the big cities, but returned to Ohio County. They settled in on a farm a few miles West of Beaver Dam and on the Rochester Road. Rufus was not a full time farmer and continued working a regular job until he was able to retire. Joyce died about ten years ago.
See you.....
jrd