1958 CLASS REUNION

The Class of 1958 is having their 50th reunion on October 3 and 4 at The Rotary Lodge-Hinson Lake, Rockingham from 6 until 10 both nights.  If you need additional information please contact Martha Ussery Brigman at rbrigman@carolina.rr.com
 

A Hall-of-Fame Tradition

May 10, 2008

By Dennis Burton
Richmond County Daily Journal

Some stand in small groups. Others sit across from one another finishing a plate of barbecue or a piece of cake. Some still live near by, whereas some have traveled from as far away as Florida and California.
Whatever the case, all are there for the same purpose, doing the same thing — celebrating a time and a man who means so much to each of them.

Down a long dirt road tucked back in the woods in Cheraw, S.C. stands a small cabin, with a covered picnic area adjacent to it. Forty-three former Rockingham High School football players and assistant coaches, separated by nearly two decades from youngest to oldest, have gathered to honor former Rockets coach Bill Eutsler’s 90th birthday. The mood is noticeably jovial.

“This is at least two reunions in one,” John, or “Buddy” as he’s known in this crowd, Wester says. “One is of teammates. And one is of devotion to a gentleman whose influence is lasting in a positive way.”

It all began 10 years ago.

Ron Tuthill, a former high school all-American who starred on the football field at Rockingham and went to play at the University of North Carolina, had died and many of his old teammates gathered at the funeral in Charlotte.

Two players from the early 60s, Keith Mclester and Leland Cox, offered to drive their old coach —Eutsler — who was nearing his 80th birthday, to the funeral. For many, the event, however a gloom occasion, was a chance to catch up with people they hadn’t seen in years.
According to Mclester, it sparked an idea and a tradition was born.

Since that day, twice a year — once on the Saturday nearest Eutsler’s birthday (May 6) and once in October — players, coaches and, of course Eutsler, have gotten together for some food and a trip down memory lane.

“It’s something every year you put on your calendar,” Jerry Goodman, who played halfback for the Rockets in the mid-50s, said.

To see Saturday’s turnout though, it’s hard to imagine the humble beginnings of the gathering. The first year, there were only four players and the coach.

McClester, Cox, Wester and Settle Dockery (fullback - class of ‘64) make up the original group from 1998. Since then it has gradually grown each year, but still the focus has remained constant.

Eutsler’s impact on the field is obvious in the statistics, which read like a list of honors for a war hero — fitting for someone who was in the Navy for six years and fought in World War II.

He began his career at Rockingham in 1940, but just a year later was called into military service. He returned from the war in 1946 and resumed coaching until 1971, the same year the high schools consolidated and Richmond Senior High was formed.

During that stretch, his teams posted a 225-75-14 record, won 13 conference championships, six Eastern regional titles and four state and co-state championships.
He is in both the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame, Wake Forest University’s Sports Hall of Fame, where he was a standout for the Demon Deacons, and was named the first athletic director at RSHS in 1972.
Dockery remembered the coach’s revolutionary style.

“He had a more advanced knowledge of how to play,” Dockery, who played football in college at N.C. State, said. “He had better techniques than anybody else.”
Jerry Long, who played halfback alongside Dockery, recalled marathon film sessions on Sundays just to get ready for the following Friday night’s game — something unheard of at the time.

“Coach would run the film back and forth until every player got graded,” he said. “If it was a good block, coach might give you a four. If you messed up, he might give you a one, and he’d let you know about it. Those meetings might last three or four hours.”
“We knew what kind of toothpaste the other team used,” Charlie Yow, another teammate of Long’s and Dockery’s, joked. “We were so well prepared.”

In 1963, Eutsler’s team posted a perfect 12-0 season, beating rival Hamlet High on the same day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. In those days though, the Eastern champs didn’t play the Western champs, instead they shared the state title. Long was quick to point though, that the Rockets did beat the Western champs in the regular season that year.

“We had some kind of tradition,” Yow said.
Eutsler’s success was not just limited to the gridiron. When he started, he coached baseball and basketball as well — for $20 a month with no assistants.

Admittedly though, he wasn’t the most knowledgeable basketball guy.

“I must have had some good talent in those days,” Eutsler said of his first few basketball teams, “because we actually played in the state playoffs a few times. I used to hate when the other coach would call timeout, because I didn’t know enough to tell the boys what to do. I would just tell them to pass the ball to the person in front of them.”

On the baseball field he was much more sure of himself, eventually leading a team to a state championship and sending players to higher levels of competition.
“I probably wouldn’t have graduated from Wake Forest or played college ball,” Goodman, who played baseball for Deacs, said. “Coach has meant a lot to me.”

Eutsler’s impact could be seen not only in his players, but also in the coaches who worked under him at Rockingham. At least four of his assistants would go on to win football state championships of their own.

“I came primarily to work for him,” Ron Krall, who started at Rockingham as an assistant football coach and eventually became the first head coach at Richmond Senior in 1972, said. “He had a great reputation in the state at the time. I owe a lot of my success to coach.”

Similar stories of how much the old coach meant to their athletic careers, poured from all those at Eutsler’s cabin Saturday. But perhaps even more telling about Eutsler’s true influence can be seen in the professional lives of his former players and assistant coaches outside of sports.

That list is impressive in its own right. A lawyer, a real estate developer, the head master of a prestigious school in South Carolina, a producer of a Broadway play and a variety of successful business leaders mark the occupation roster of those who played for the man.

Harry West (fullback - class of ‘57), who works as a commercial artist, remembered one time when the coach’s sports success impacted his professional career.

“When coach won his first championship, he sent me the football and I lettered it for him,” West said. “And I told coach every time he won a championship to send me a ball and I would letter it for him. I didn’t know I was going to make a career out of it.”

Story after story, Eutsler’s reach grows wider and his touch becomes more evident. But the impact goes both ways.

When asked about what the gatherings mean to him, Eutsler, who still gets around easily and pumps out 100 sit-ups a day, struggles to put it into words.

“I can’t really express my feelings,” he said, fighting through tears. “To be a former coach and see how much they appreciate you is ... it’s overwhelming.

“I hope I live 10 more years.”
Despite the coach’s good health, those in attendance Saturday know he won’t live forever. No one discusses such things during the reunion.

But when asked whether or not the biannual event will continue after Eutsler is gone, no one was ready to rule out the possibility.
“We may still do it,” McClester said. “We might even do it at my cabin if I’m still around. But coach might outlive me.”

 

GARY WAYNE ATKINSON

Gary Wayne Atkinson, 65, of Hudson, FL, formerly of Charlotte, passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at the Bayonet Point Regional Heart Institute, Hudson, FL.

He was born July 1, 1942 in Lumberton, NC a son of Gonslee and Clara Atkinson. Mr. Atkinson was a graduate of Western Carolina University, Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity and served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Mr. Atkinson worked with a Division Poly Pack Incorporated of Pinellas Park, FL as the National Sales Manager of Film Source International.

Mr. Atkinson was preceded in death by his father, Gonslee Atkinson.

Memorial services will be conducted Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Fellowship United Methodist Church of Hamlet at 1200 McDonald Avenue, Hamlet, NC 28345. Presiding over the service will be the Rev. Randy Blanchard. Burial will follow at Richmond County Memorial Park.

Surviving are his wife and companion of twenty three years, Susan Atkinson of the home; mother, Clara M. Atkinson of Greensboro, NC; father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Irene Jackson of Polkton, NC; son, Gary W. Atkinson, Jr. of Columbia, SC; daughters, Krista and her husband Major G. Russell Boyce of Fredericksburg, VA, Stephany Ferguson and her husband William Joseph Ferguson III of Columbia, SC, and Lacey Gause, baby and John Lynn of Charlotte, NC; sisters and brothers-in-law, Janice and husband George Glenn of Rockingham, NC, Cheryl and husband Danny Jenkins of Raleigh, NC, Jeanette and husband Jim Brown of Greensboro, NC, and Pam and husband Steve Breece of Wilmington, NC; brothers-in-law, Roy Jackson of Polkton, NC, John Jackson, Jr. of Hudson, FL, Henry Jackson and Ann Donlon, and baby of Holiday, FL, David Jackson of Hudson, FL; sister-in-law, Cathy and husband James Farris of Hudson, FL; grandsons, Christopher Atkinson, Kyle and Dylan Boyce, Liam and Grayden Ferguson, and our 1st granddaughter, who is on the way.

Gary loved spending time with friends and family, he loved sports, playing cards, betting on the horses, dogs, and the lottery, he loved 60's music, beach music and shag dancing and even some country music.

Gary was a kind, gentle, loving husband, daddy and Pop Pop and he will be missed dearly by those who love him.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blumenthal Cancer Endowment Fund, PO Box 32861 Charlotte, NC 28232, in memory of Gary Wayne Atkinson.

Watson-King Funeral Home of Hamlet is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.watson-kingfuneralhome.com.

 

VICKI PHILER WILLIAMS

Victoria Phifer Williams, 63, of Tuxedo, a non-smoker,  passed away at Pardee Hospital, Tuesday, January 15, 2008, following a two  month battle with lung cancer.  

Born in Hamlet, NC, a daughter of the late Jesse and Kelley Phifer, she  had also resided in Summerville, SC prior to moving to Tuxedo ten years  ago.

She attended Rockingham High School and business school in Charlotte,  NC and retired as a Manager for an Ophthalmology practice.  

She was a member of Hendersonville First Baptist Church where she was  involved in many church activities, including going on several  international mission trips.  

She is survived by her loving husband, Charles A. Williams of Zirconia;  step-daughter, Lisa W. Regalbuto of Mount Pleasant, SC; step-son, Rodney  C. Williams of Summerville, SC; sisters, Marilyn Smith of Newbern, NC and  Claudia Shelley of Rockingham, NC; brothers, Pat Phifer of Charlotte, NC  and Hector Phifer of Rockingham, NC; step-brother, Theron Miller of Tampa,  FL; and step-grandchildren, Hannah Williams, John Williams, Cate  Regalbuto, Clare Regalbuto, and Charlie Anne Regalbuto.  

A funeral service will be held at Hendersonville First Baptist Church, Friday, January 18, 2008 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Wally Shamburger and Rev.  Keith Thielke officiating.

The family will receive friends one hour prior  to the service.

A graveside service will be held at Dorchester Memory  Gardens in Summerville, SC, Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 2:00PM.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the  Hendersonville First Baptist Youth Building Fund, 312 5th Ave. West,  Hendersonville, NC 28739.  

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors is in charge of  arrangements.