Darrell Abbott.
Darrell Abbott had to head north, after graduation, to find work. In the early fifties, the area graduates were able to find work in Louisville, Evansville, and other places closer to home. In the mid to late fifties, the jobs were further north and in particular, in areas in the northern parts of Indiana and Illinois. Darrell got a job with Lever Brothers in Whiting IN and worked there for 29 years. He started out at an entry level job and worked his way up to Maintenance Supervisor. With years of experience, Darrell wanted to get closer to home and applied for a job in Bowling Green, KY. He was offered and accepted a job with Eaton Corporation in Bowling Green as a Maintenance Supervisor. He stayed with Eaton until they closed their Bowling Green operation. Darrell retired from Eaton Corporation in 2000 after fifteen years of service with them.
Darrell married Karen Sabo soon after graduation from high school. The two of them found a house in the Whiting area and started their family. The family grew to three children, two boys and a girl. At the present, there are two grandchildren. Karen died before they were able to move back to Bowling Green. Darrell has since remarried and he and his present wife continue to live in the Bowling Green area.
4/19/09
Ivan Darrell “Chief” Abbott, 70, of Bowling Green died at 10:30 a.m. April 19, 2009, at his residence.
The Ohio County native was the oldest son of Lester and Dorothy Abbott. He was a graduate of Rockport High School, the last class, “Class of ’56,” which recently held its 50-year anniversary. He was the first born grandchild to the Geary family and a member of Echols General Baptist Church. He retired from Lever Brothers in Whiting, Indiana after 27 years of service. He was a machinist by trade. He also retired from Eaton Corporation in Bowling Green.
Ivan Darrell is survived by his wife of 23 years, Christine, four sons and two daughters. Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 22, at J. C. Kirby and Son Funeral Chapels, in Bowling Green. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery.
Darrell Abbott had to head north, after graduation, to find work. In the early fifties, the area graduates were able to find work in Louisville, Evansville, and other places closer to home. In the mid to late fifties, the jobs were further north and in particular, in areas in the northern parts of Indiana and Illinois. Darrell got a job with Lever Brothers in Whiting IN and worked there for 29 years. He started out at an entry level job and worked his way up to Maintenance Supervisor. With years of experience, Darrell wanted to get closer to home and applied for a job in Bowling Green, KY. He was offered and accepted a job with Eaton Corporation in Bowling Green as a Maintenance Supervisor. He stayed with Eaton until they closed their Bowling Green operation. Darrell retired from Eaton Corporation in 2000 after fifteen years of service with them.
Darrell married Karen Sabo soon after graduation from high school. The two of them found a house in the Whiting area and started their family. The family grew to three children, two boys and a girl. At the present, there are two grandchildren. Karen died before they were able to move back to Bowling Green. Darrell has since remarried and he and his present wife continue to live in the Bowling Green area.
4/19/09
Ivan Darrell “Chief” Abbott, 70, of Bowling Green died at 10:30 a.m. April 19, 2009, at his residence.
The Ohio County native was the oldest son of Lester and Dorothy Abbott. He was a graduate of Rockport High School, the last class, “Class of ’56,” which recently held its 50-year anniversary. He was the first born grandchild to the Geary family and a member of Echols General Baptist Church. He retired from Lever Brothers in Whiting, Indiana after 27 years of service. He was a machinist by trade. He also retired from Eaton Corporation in Bowling Green.
Ivan Darrell is survived by his wife of 23 years, Christine, four sons and two daughters. Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 22, at J. C. Kirby and Son Funeral Chapels, in Bowling Green. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery.
James Baker
Picture of James and Becky Baker taken by jrd at the Rockport School Reunion of 2006.
James Baker worked on some construction projects when he first graduated from Rockport High School in 1956. After a few years of "Construction Work", Alcoa Aluminum, in Warrick County, Indiana hired him for their big plant. James "Car Pooled" and lived in Ohio County for a few years, eventually moving to Owensboro. His wife Becky and James still make their home in Owensboro now that James is retired.
James has three children, two boys and a girl. At this writing there are eight grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. For fun, James likes to remodel and build anything that pertains to a home. To some, James is considered a cabinet maker.
Picture of James and Becky Baker taken by jrd at the Rockport School Reunion of 2006.
James Baker worked on some construction projects when he first graduated from Rockport High School in 1956. After a few years of "Construction Work", Alcoa Aluminum, in Warrick County, Indiana hired him for their big plant. James "Car Pooled" and lived in Ohio County for a few years, eventually moving to Owensboro. His wife Becky and James still make their home in Owensboro now that James is retired.
James has three children, two boys and a girl. At this writing there are eight grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. For fun, James likes to remodel and build anything that pertains to a home. To some, James is considered a cabinet maker.
Patricia Barnes.
Picture of Pat was taken from the 1956 RHS Class Annual. Looking for a later picture of Pat and will replace the one posted if another becomes available. Pat Barnes is deceased. No other information available.
Picture of Pat was taken from the 1956 RHS Class Annual. Looking for a later picture of Pat and will replace the one posted if another becomes available. Pat Barnes is deceased. No other information available.
Darrell Ray Curtis
Picture of Darrell "Shotty" Curtis taken at the 2006 Rockport School Reunion by jrd.
Darrell "Shotty" Curtis tried to enlist in the Army just out of High School. He was only 17 years old and was sent back home before completing the enlistment process. From there, he was able to find work with the CEI Railroad with his base of operations in Evansville, IN. After a Railroad career of a little over five years, he was able to return to Ohio County and worked as a Deputy Sheriff. After a few years of being a Deputy Sheriff, Peabody Coal Company offered Shotty a job and he worked with them for twenty-five years before retirement. In 1990 he was encouraged to enter politics and won the primary for Ohio County Jailer. He won in the general election and became Jailer of Ohio County in 1990 and served two terms and retired in 1998.
Shotty married Sherry Kirk in 1971 and they settled in Echols to raise their family. This marriage produced two children, a son and a daughter. At last count, there are five grandchildren, three boys and two girls.
Shotty and Sherry are presently retired and living their dream life in Echols. A few acres of land and a pet or two keep them busy. Their retirement hobby is attending "Antique Steam Engines and Tractor shows". They have a small vending operation and present antique tractor memorabilia and other odds and ends. Life is good on the "Curtis Spread" in Echols, Kentucky.
Picture of Darrell "Shotty" Curtis taken at the 2006 Rockport School Reunion by jrd.
Darrell "Shotty" Curtis tried to enlist in the Army just out of High School. He was only 17 years old and was sent back home before completing the enlistment process. From there, he was able to find work with the CEI Railroad with his base of operations in Evansville, IN. After a Railroad career of a little over five years, he was able to return to Ohio County and worked as a Deputy Sheriff. After a few years of being a Deputy Sheriff, Peabody Coal Company offered Shotty a job and he worked with them for twenty-five years before retirement. In 1990 he was encouraged to enter politics and won the primary for Ohio County Jailer. He won in the general election and became Jailer of Ohio County in 1990 and served two terms and retired in 1998.
Shotty married Sherry Kirk in 1971 and they settled in Echols to raise their family. This marriage produced two children, a son and a daughter. At last count, there are five grandchildren, three boys and two girls.
Shotty and Sherry are presently retired and living their dream life in Echols. A few acres of land and a pet or two keep them busy. Their retirement hobby is attending "Antique Steam Engines and Tractor shows". They have a small vending operation and present antique tractor memorabilia and other odds and ends. Life is good on the "Curtis Spread" in Echols, Kentucky.
Robert T. Durbin.
Picture of Bobby Durbin taken by jrd in March of 2005.
After graduation from High School in 1956, Bobby hired on as a Depot Agent Trainee. Like his two brothers before him, he was going to take training, primarily under his father's guidance, and with other depot agents. With several months of training under his belt, Bobby decided that being a Depot Agent was just not for him. In this period of time, the old steam engines were long gone and the larger and more powerful diesel locomotive engines were pulling the load and had replaced the steam engine. The Railroad was changing and with better communications the smaller depots were being phased out and agents were being retired and transferred and given a bigger workload. Whether Bobby thought the small depot was going the way of the passenger train or whether he just did not like the work, he left the I C Railroad and tried other means of earning a living before deciding on enlisting in the Army. After basic training and technical school, Bobby was sent to Alaska to serve his country. After a tour of Alaska and re-enlistment in the Air Force, he was shipped to Vietnam. He was in Da Nang during the "TET Offensive", and whether the events that occurred there, or the entire Vietnam experience; something caused a change in Bobby's mind. Later he was discharged from the Air Force, due to medical reasons, and earned a small disability pension.
Bobby settled in Louisville and spent the next forty years of his life enjoying sports, either going to events or watching them on television. The St. Louisville Cardinals Baseball Team and the football and basketball teams of the University of Kentucky kept him entertained. His enjoyment of fishing and wildlife, as well as gardening was hindered due to living in a large city. His decision to move back to the Ohio County area was based on getting away from the rigors of living in a large metropolitan area. He purchased a house in Powderly, KY and moved to be near the rural areas that he knew while growing up in Rockport. As a Presbyterian Deacon at Rockport, prior to his Military service, and living in Louisville, he became reacquainted with his church in Rockport. In December of 2005, and probably due to his carelessness, his house caught fire and Bobby only made it to the front door.
Bobby never married and there were no children.
Picture of Bobby Durbin taken by jrd in March of 2005.
After graduation from High School in 1956, Bobby hired on as a Depot Agent Trainee. Like his two brothers before him, he was going to take training, primarily under his father's guidance, and with other depot agents. With several months of training under his belt, Bobby decided that being a Depot Agent was just not for him. In this period of time, the old steam engines were long gone and the larger and more powerful diesel locomotive engines were pulling the load and had replaced the steam engine. The Railroad was changing and with better communications the smaller depots were being phased out and agents were being retired and transferred and given a bigger workload. Whether Bobby thought the small depot was going the way of the passenger train or whether he just did not like the work, he left the I C Railroad and tried other means of earning a living before deciding on enlisting in the Army. After basic training and technical school, Bobby was sent to Alaska to serve his country. After a tour of Alaska and re-enlistment in the Air Force, he was shipped to Vietnam. He was in Da Nang during the "TET Offensive", and whether the events that occurred there, or the entire Vietnam experience; something caused a change in Bobby's mind. Later he was discharged from the Air Force, due to medical reasons, and earned a small disability pension.
Bobby settled in Louisville and spent the next forty years of his life enjoying sports, either going to events or watching them on television. The St. Louisville Cardinals Baseball Team and the football and basketball teams of the University of Kentucky kept him entertained. His enjoyment of fishing and wildlife, as well as gardening was hindered due to living in a large city. His decision to move back to the Ohio County area was based on getting away from the rigors of living in a large metropolitan area. He purchased a house in Powderly, KY and moved to be near the rural areas that he knew while growing up in Rockport. As a Presbyterian Deacon at Rockport, prior to his Military service, and living in Louisville, he became reacquainted with his church in Rockport. In December of 2005, and probably due to his carelessness, his house caught fire and Bobby only made it to the front door.
Bobby never married and there were no children.
Farley Garrett.
Picture of Farley is from the 1956 RHS School Annual. Farley left Rockport and Ohio County after graduation. No other information is currently available.
7/1/08-Update on Farley by her daughter Terri Lynn.
Thanks Terri.
Anyway, as far as my mom is concerned, she is alive and well and living in Gary, Indiana. She was married to George "Bud" Gunn, but he passed away a little over two years ago. She has two children (me and my brother Jay), 2 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. She is still working in the school cafeteria. Every year she says she's going to retire but I think she really enjoys being around the kids - and they love her, too! We joke her that after all this time she still hasn't made it out of school.
Picture of Farley is from the 1956 RHS School Annual. Farley left Rockport and Ohio County after graduation. No other information is currently available.
7/1/08-Update on Farley by her daughter Terri Lynn.
Thanks Terri.
Anyway, as far as my mom is concerned, she is alive and well and living in Gary, Indiana. She was married to George "Bud" Gunn, but he passed away a little over two years ago. She has two children (me and my brother Jay), 2 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. She is still working in the school cafeteria. Every year she says she's going to retire but I think she really enjoys being around the kids - and they love her, too! We joke her that after all this time she still hasn't made it out of school.
Homer Geary.
Picture of Homer taken by jrd at the 2006 Rockport Class Reunion.
Homer Geary married Peggy Ingleheart from Centertown soon after graduating from Rockport High School. They moved to Louisville and several years later were able to make their move to the suburbs of Louisville. The family by now included two sons. Doe Valley Subdivision, near Brandenburg, was built with the people in Louisville in mind. To be able to raise a family in a rural setting and continue working in a metropolitan area is a dream of most of the city residents. Homer and Peggy's family continued to multiply and currently there are four grandchildren and two step- grandchildren.
Homer was forced to retire early from Borden's Chemical Plant in Louisville due to medical reasons. Years of working in a chemical plant contributed to his kidney problems. Although retired due to a disability, Homer is still able to enjoy some outdoor activities and healthy enough to work in the yard. At retirement, Homer was a Maintenance Foreman. Prior to working for Borden's, he worked for Stouffers Chemical Plant in Louisville and prior to that, and just out of high school, he started work for General Electric at their big Appliance Park Plant in Louisville.
Homer and Peggy are enjoying retirement and have made their Dow Valley Home a retirement place. The children and grandchildren gather on occasion and life for the Geary's is good.
Picture of Homer taken by jrd at the 2006 Rockport Class Reunion.
Homer Geary married Peggy Ingleheart from Centertown soon after graduating from Rockport High School. They moved to Louisville and several years later were able to make their move to the suburbs of Louisville. The family by now included two sons. Doe Valley Subdivision, near Brandenburg, was built with the people in Louisville in mind. To be able to raise a family in a rural setting and continue working in a metropolitan area is a dream of most of the city residents. Homer and Peggy's family continued to multiply and currently there are four grandchildren and two step- grandchildren.
Homer was forced to retire early from Borden's Chemical Plant in Louisville due to medical reasons. Years of working in a chemical plant contributed to his kidney problems. Although retired due to a disability, Homer is still able to enjoy some outdoor activities and healthy enough to work in the yard. At retirement, Homer was a Maintenance Foreman. Prior to working for Borden's, he worked for Stouffers Chemical Plant in Louisville and prior to that, and just out of high school, he started work for General Electric at their big Appliance Park Plant in Louisville.
Homer and Peggy are enjoying retirement and have made their Dow Valley Home a retirement place. The children and grandchildren gather on occasion and life for the Geary's is good.
Betty Robinson
Posted picture of Betty is from the 1956 RHS Class Annual. Will replace if I can find a more current picture. Betty married soon after graduating from RHS. She became a Steele when she married and that marriage produced two boys as best that I can remember. She, her husband and family were in and out of the Rockport area until the boys became independent. Then Betty moved to Florida. More information will be provided if it becomes available.
Posted picture of Betty is from the 1956 RHS Class Annual. Will replace if I can find a more current picture. Betty married soon after graduating from RHS. She became a Steele when she married and that marriage produced two boys as best that I can remember. She, her husband and family were in and out of the Rockport area until the boys became independent. Then Betty moved to Florida. More information will be provided if it becomes available.
Dickie White..
Picture of Dickie taken by jrd at the 2006 Rockport Class Reunion.
Dickie White is married and living in Louisville. His work career started and ended in Louisville. No other information is available at this time.
Picture of Dickie taken by jrd at the 2006 Rockport Class Reunion.
Dickie White is married and living in Louisville. His work career started and ended in Louisville. No other information is available at this time.
Tiger-A Rockport Tiger.
Rockport Sports and the teams of Rockport were good for the community as well as good for the players. Discipline, exercise, team play, and other training grounds were learned by the players and participants as well as the coaches. A few carried this learning to a higher level of education and sports and played for college teams. Some even continued to become coaches at both the high school as well as the college level. Many others continued this participation in sports to their Armed Forces Careers. Still others played on intramural teams for their companies. Competition at all levels, after high school days, was fierce and a few steps above the High School level. The conditioning, training, coaching and learning process in sports, while at Rockport, was sufficient enough for each Rockport Alumni to be competitive. They were on an equal playing field in competition with others from all areas of the country.
When this 1956 class graduated, an era ended. There was to be no more Rockport High School, no more small town school, and no more teams to be called "The Rockport Tigers". Where "Pete" Mason and Thelma Tooley's class of 1934 named the Rockport School mascot, as well as picked out the school colors, the powers to be, in their infinite wisdom, decided to discontinue funding for "Small Town Schools" and the Rockport Tigers became history. This particular school only had a life of less than a quarter of a century, but in that short period of time, many a boy and girl continued on to become responsible men and women. Their memories have faded somewhat, as they have spread out across this United States. Most yearn for a more tranquil period of time, but it is not to be on this earth.
See you.......
jrd.
Rockport Sports and the teams of Rockport were good for the community as well as good for the players. Discipline, exercise, team play, and other training grounds were learned by the players and participants as well as the coaches. A few carried this learning to a higher level of education and sports and played for college teams. Some even continued to become coaches at both the high school as well as the college level. Many others continued this participation in sports to their Armed Forces Careers. Still others played on intramural teams for their companies. Competition at all levels, after high school days, was fierce and a few steps above the High School level. The conditioning, training, coaching and learning process in sports, while at Rockport, was sufficient enough for each Rockport Alumni to be competitive. They were on an equal playing field in competition with others from all areas of the country.
When this 1956 class graduated, an era ended. There was to be no more Rockport High School, no more small town school, and no more teams to be called "The Rockport Tigers". Where "Pete" Mason and Thelma Tooley's class of 1934 named the Rockport School mascot, as well as picked out the school colors, the powers to be, in their infinite wisdom, decided to discontinue funding for "Small Town Schools" and the Rockport Tigers became history. This particular school only had a life of less than a quarter of a century, but in that short period of time, many a boy and girl continued on to become responsible men and women. Their memories have faded somewhat, as they have spread out across this United States. Most yearn for a more tranquil period of time, but it is not to be on this earth.
See you.......
jrd.