Blog 3571 – 08.15.2025
Long Ago and Far Away
Fifty years ago 1965 was a big transition year for me. The first part was my last year of Junior High (actually the 9th grade is considered the freshman year of high school) and in the fall of that year I started attending High School as a sophomore at Chattanooga Central High. Today’s picture is of the cast and crew of the spring play at East Lake Junior High School. Three people in the picture went on to attend Central High later that year, Eddie Oliver (back row far left), myself (back row third from the left – yipes stripes, shirt and sweater), Ric (Butch) Chambers (back row second from the right) and Jan Rider (seated front row second from the left.)
I recently reconnected with Jan Rider Crabtree on Facebook, I maintained contact with Eddie Oliver till his death a few years ago, and have kept in touch with Ric Chambers. I hope yet to get out to Portland, Oregon and visit him sometime before our current journeys end. Yet, the one I have remained the most in contact with is Phyllis Green Donley (seated front row far left). Phyllis attended Chattanooga City High School, where I was scheduled to go, but at the last minute decided to get on the bus with my boyhood friend and near neighbor Ric Chambers to attend Central High instead.
I have only gone to one of my high school graduating class reunions, the 25th reunion of the CHS Class of 1968. And I have only attended one reunion of my junior high graduating class, the 40th reunion of the ELJH Class of 1965.
As I said 1965 was a big transition year for me. That last minute decision to attend Central instead of City High was indeed a big one. I have never regretted it for the friends, teachers, and classes at Central changed the course of my life. And to borrow a line from Angel Second Class Clarence Oddbody in the movie of the same name, it has been A Wonderful Life.
Your friend and fellow traveler,
David James White
Sweet Baby James & Long Ago And Far Away
theencouragingword 