Our Friend and Host 

Well, here we are a main group of 12 senior citizens ranging in age from 51 to 75 years old. Four
men in our group started in first grade together some 67 years ago. The original 4 went all the way
through grade school, junior and senior high together. They were boy scouts together in Troop 7 from Glenwood. Oh, what memories they were. These boys played baseball; ran track; played football and basketball sometimes even on opposing teams. Remember the “Look-outs” and the “Nixson Chicks”. The same group hunted together; went to church; played games; drug Polk; saw movies; double-dated; had parties and even had their own club house with a swimming pool, no less. Most of their memories are faded on certain facts of their growing up; such as: “The Mary Story”. And they each seem to tell a different story about the “Red Light” scare in their clubhouse after a ballgame. But, none-the-less they all agree on one thing. They were a “Band of Brothers”. Three of the original four boys married their high school sweethearts. This year they are celebrating wedding anniversaries of 55, 54 and 53 years.

The other two boys in our group were in Junior and Senior High, participated in the same sports, fun & games and were friends with the original 4. Three of us girls (the high school sweethearts) also graduated from the same school as the boys. Ten of us hail from Amarillo, Texas. Nine of us graduated from Amarillo High School in 1954, 55, and 56.

We all re-united in 2002 to celebrate Robert & LaVern’s 25^th wedding anniversary, Yep…we were all there. Bill & Barbara Oakley as well as Jamie joined us on that first of many re-unions. This year marks 8 years of annual fall re-unions.  We’ve had other classmates and family members join the 42 Group from re-union to re-union, but always maintained the same nucleus.    

2009 marks our 5^th Round-up at the Bar None Ranch. Remember when we first met in February of 2006 and had so much fun we all returned in April the same year. The round-up in April 2006 was the first time we were blessed with the company of the Moon’s. Johnny and Twila joined us - and what good sports they are. It as is if we have had them in our group all along. They didn’t skip a beat, just jumped right into all our crazy activities. “Rosie” an old school mate also came by for dinner that year. Do any of you remember that Twila had never played 42 before? She is such a good sport and before you know it she was “beating the socks” off of everyone. In 2007 we added another couple, Jargo and Sandy Johnson, who also accompanied us to Tahoe and Granbury. We all miss them, their skits and Jargo’s special brand of humor. Sandy, like Twila, could also hold her own at 42. The Oakley’s managed to visit BarNone’s round-ups a few times. Then, do you all remember last year 2008 when the Holt’s and Bunches’ joined us? What a year that was. Poor James’ septic overflowed, on the week-end no less, so the plumbers joined us in that “Round-up” re-union and provided us with several hours of entertainment. It did not take very many trips to the bushes before all was in working order again and James’ pocketbook was considerably lighter. We are always blessed to have different members of the McWhorter & Lill families as well. James’ friends and neighbors feel free to drop by to meet this “Band of Brothers”, always proud and anxious to show off their girls.

The 42 Green Domino bunch never lack for fun, activities and games when together and even long distance. Just reflecting, there have been hat contests; hat making contests; skit contests; dance contests and Truth or Lie contests. The girls have even had “Mary Kay” make-overs. We’ve sung, marched, gone on treasure hunts and generally made fools of ourselves. We’ve had 42 tournaments; played cards; made movies; played golf; gone fishing; gambled and played Robert’s tailgate game. And remember Jim Dean sneaking around the house and scaring Boe with the “Pig Snorts” and 4-C’s in the hot tub. Oh, and the time DD collapsed in James’ antique lawn chair. They really had some of you going on that lawsuit business. Oh, and who could ever forget the commotion Robert created over Ronald’s demise. None of us have let him live that one down. We’ve feasted on roasted pig; countless good steaks; burgers; fish fries; Mexican food and don’t forget the biscuits & gravy. Never a dull moment with this 42 Group.  

This brings us to this year, definitely one of the most special times we’ve had to be back together to once more experience the strong bond created by this “Band of Brothers”.  This year more than ever we have come to grips with our own mortalities as well as the mortality of our beloved friends and loved ones. We are mindful of the short time we all have together and how quickly are lives have flown by. So we are truly thankful for this precious moment with our special group one more time.

It seems more than fitting this year to give recognition to one of our most special brothers. This man is a most unique person. He has the most gentle, kind demeanor of any man you could describe. He possesses a huge capacity for loving his fellow man. He is also generous, and unselfish beyond a doubt. He has a genuine, deep down concern and compassion for all his brothers. He calls a “spade a spade” and is not bashful to share his views. However, he is respectful if your views differ. You rarely see him without a sweet smile on his face and he never fails to greet anyone and not make them feel genuinely welcome in his home. He is without a doubt one of the most hospitable men any of us know. He definitely deserves recognition for the love and respect he shows his fellow man and generous hospitality and for being our Dear friend, Loving brother, Father, and Sweetheart to all.

We are all honored and blessed to possess a “True Friend and Great Companion”, with a wonderful sense of humor, and last, but not least, the “BEST HOST IN TEXAS”.  Dedicated to James by Gigi

INDIVIDUAL TRIBUTES TO JAMES

Having a friend since first grade....say 66 years....is special in itself.  James has always been there for me even when miles separated us.....he just has always been the same..... a very thoughtful, constant and gentle friend.  We have so many things in common...growing up in Glenwood.....knowing his Mom and Dad and big brother, Robert and the little girls, Sue and Jane and him knowing my family.   James' upbringing comes from where we were raised and how we were raised and the love that surrounded these families in this neighborhood.  So, in conclusion he is just like a brother to me then and now.  There are lots of memories and it's not over yet.  

Love You, James,  Jimmy 

My memory of James is when first meeting him and Jimmy....... there they were......Tony Curtis and Tab Hunter.  Oh, what good-lookin' guys they were.   Then, when I first fell for ole Jimmy, I heard that James didn't like me because I came between he and Jimmy, but the best part is when he got over it and started liking me again.   Yehhh!!!, Jimmy's best friend finally accepted me.   That is not only a memory, but a good feeling.   And, even better, he was "best man" at our wedding and remains that “best man” to this day.   Boe

My first memory of James was seeing him and Jimmy walking down the hall together at Amarillo High.  I thought,there’s two really cute guys.  I did not meet them until I started dating Tooter during my senior year.  One thing I remember was after Tooter and I were married, we were living on South Madison.  I had to work 1/2 day on Saturdays.  Tooter took me to work one morning and was suppose to pick me up at 12:00.  When he didn’t show up, I walked home and it was very cold that day.  By the time I got home I was really upset and was crying.  I had only been home a few minutes when James and Tooter drove up.  Not wanting James to see me crying I ran and hid in the bathroom.  There was no place to sit except on the commode, when James opened the door he said "Oh!  Excuse me and shut the door."  I don't know who was the most embarrassed.  They left immediately and Tooter returned pretty quickly.