Pictures of the Band and Orchestra
( I will be working on this page
for the next several days.)
( I will be working on this page
for the next several days.)
Mr. Thompson accepted the band and orchestra teaching position at Anadarko Schools in 1937. During these years, he instructed students in playing every type of musical instrument.He also composed and wrote several band marches, which included his best known, "The Anadarko Daily News March."
He held the Anadarko position for 18 years until 1955 when he started teaching music in the Dundee and Wilson Schools.
He finished his career as a public school music teacher at Riverside Indian School in Anadarko in 1958. However, he did not stop teaching music until well into his eighties.
Thompson continued teaching private lessons and worked part-time as Assistant to the Band Director at the Anadarko Middle School for several years after he retired.
He was very proud of the fact he was named State Bugler for the Oklahoma American Legion when he was 80 years old. He was well-known for playing "taps" on his cornet at Anadarko's annual Veteran's Day ceremonies and countless military funerals throughout the area.
And now, the-rest-of-the-story, that you may not have heard about.
Thompson was born on November 25, 1893 at Seger, Oklahoma Territory, to Fred C. and Bessie (Cook) Thompson. Seger was in Washita County, four miles west of Colony.
He died on November 9, 1988 at the Binger Nursing Home in Caddo County. He was 94 years, 11 months and 16 days old at the time of his death.
Funeral services were held at the Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. David Forester, director of missions for the Caddo Baptist Association, officiating.
He was buried with full military honors in the Rose Cemetery at Hobart, OK, under the direction of the Steverson Funeral Home in Anadarko. He was buried next to his wife of 65 years, Irma C. (Killough) Thompson. They were married on August 4, 1922 in Oklahoma City.
He was survived by three sons: Howard W. and wife Jewell of Anadarko; Robert C. and wife Jo of Burneyville and James Killough "Jim" and wife Pat of Perry, OK; one brother Fred C. Thompson of Los Angeles, CA; two sisters, Elva Rawls and Hallie Pattee, both of Grants Pass. OR. He had nine grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren.
Thompson served in the U.S. Army during World War I. After he was discharged he went into the silent movie theater business with his father and brother. They owned theaters in Wilson, Healdton and Hobart. He organized community bands during his stay in these three communities.
When the great depression hit in 1929, Thompson turned to teaching band and orchestra for the Hobart Public Schools. He taught private music lessons to supplement his meager teaching salary.
During the summer months he attended college. His goal was to obtain a advanced degree in music education. He attended the Vandercook School of Music, affiliated with DePaul University in Chicago, IL and Central State Teachers College (now Central State University) at Edmond, OK, where he received his B.A. degree in 1942.
During his 41 years of music teaching, he touched a lot of lives for the betterment of all.
This 1946-1947 picture features from the left, Majorette Pat Smith, Drum Major Ruth Jackson and Majorette Eleanor Pace. Our old high school building is in the background.
Eleanor Pace was the Drum Major for the years 1947 and 1948.
Lois Armstrong was the Drum Major for the years 1949 and 1950.
The year was 1945-1946 and Estelle Loomis was Drum Major. Eleanor Pace is on the left and Kathryn Francen on the right. Ruth Jackson is in the foreground.
From left to right, Pat Smith, Lois Armstrong, Eleanor Pace, Kathryn Francen and Imogene Shipman. The year is unknown.
The year of this picture is unknown, but these names match a few faces: Johnetta Stalder, Earl C. Everett, Sally Steverson, Henry Dean Leuch, Billy Fowler, Jimmy K. Thompson, Dale Talkington, Bill Holmberg, Peggy Jean Braden,
Betty Reece, Herb Friedman, Bob Farmer, John Lee Compton, David Nixon, John E. Griffin, Vernon Martin, Jr, Joe Ed Talkington, Bob Wall, Ronald Bassett,
Jane Andrews, Joan West, R.L. McClain, Margaret Ann Lacer, Gloria Jean Hodges, Patsy Smith, Imogene Shipman, Lois Armstrong, Kathryn Joan Francen and Ferris M. Thompson.
Do you know some of the others??
The year of this picture is unknown, but here are some of the names: Patsy Tonkinson, Jean Friedman, Shirley Wolfenberger, Peggy Jean Braden, Pauletta Jane Hart, Mary Lear, Jean Head, Esta Garrett, Bill Holmberg, Jimmy K. Thompson, Tuffy Moore,
Delores Wall, Bob Hines, Vernon Crumm, Bill Fowler, Dean Brown, J.D. Wolfenberger, Dale Talkington, Pat Moore, Max Upchurch, Kayland Bradford,
Jimmy Gordon Younkin, Marita Nell Hill, John Lee Compton, Joan Howard, Billy Beebee, Jimmy Snavely, Robert Fred Hill, Earl Everett, Pat Smith, Kathryn Joan Francen, Lois Armstrong,
Carolyn Meyers, Imogene Shipman, Dorothy Newell, Dean Brown, Margaret Ann Lacer, Joan Ann Smith, Pauline Shipman, Jan Thompson, Patsy Smith, Mary Jo Lindley, Linda Gibbons, Annie Laurie Slack, Madeline Marks, Tommy Oliphant and Ferris M. Thompson.
Do you know the others??
The year this picture was taken is not known, but here are some of the names: Imogene Shipman, Pat Smith, Kathryn Joan Francen, Eleanor Pace, Lois Armstrong, Bob Farmer, Bob Wall,
Ronald Bassett, Peggy Jean Braden, David Nixon, Pauletta Jane Hart, Dale Talkington, R.L. McClain and Ferris M. Thompson.
The location of this picture looks like the steps of The First Methodist Church, but the year is unknown. The only faces I know are R.L. McClain, Earl Everett and Ferris M. Thompson.
Who are the others??
This undated snapshot from the 1950's shows members of the orchestra getting ready to practice.
In the first row, Jimmy Snavely, __________, Vanda Vandeveer and Leroy LaFoon. In the second row is Betty Thompson, Madeline Mark and Robert Fred Hill.
In the back row are Peggy Jean Braden, Jean Friedman, Bill Fowler, __________ and __________.
This picture was taken during Band Camp at Roman Nose State Park, May 28-30, 1950. (EMAIL me if these names do not match)
First row, left to right, Herbert Pond, Stanley Lynn Hall, Billy Beebe, Jim Wall, Ronald Pond, Robert Hill, Larry Dulworth,__________.
Second row, Lawdis Gandy, Ferris M. Thompson, Mrs. Joe Murphy, Jack Morris, Norman Talkington, Ethel Talkington, Erma Thompson, Jennie Morris and Mrs. Emma Riley.
Third row, Joyce West, Tuffy Moore, Linda Gibbons, Doris Gibbons, Mary Jo Lindley, Dorothy Newell, Jan Thompson and Dean Leuch.
Fourth row, Mike Moran, Dale Talkington, Jimmy Snavely, Vernon Crumm,__________,__________, ___________, Jack Sanders and Billy Holmberg.
Names and faces not matched: Wayne Stewart, Phillip Streum and Billy Head.
This undated photo could be 1948 or 1949. First row, Band Director Ferris M. Thompson; Twirlers, left to right, Pat Smith, Lois Armstrong, Kathryn Francen and Imogene Shipman; Drum Major Eleanor Pace, Patsy Smith, Gloria Jean Hodges and Margaret Ann Lacer.
Percussionists: __________, Peggy Jean Braden, Mary Elizabeth Brown, Norma Jean Morgan, Berniece Lucas, Coy Boyer and Pauletta Jane Hart.
Flute: Betty Reece; Bassoon: Jeanne Andrews; Clarinets: Robert Newton Wall, Anita Compton, Alfred Clark, Willia Sorrels, Dean Leuch, Irene Reece, John E. Griffin, Mary Lear, Esta Garrett, Yvonne Spradlin, Ruby McKee, Elizabeth Etchieson and Carol Taylor.
Cornets: Robert Farmer, Jimmy Thompson, Herbert Friedman, Albert Clark, Dale Talkington, Lawdis Gandy, Carlene Johnson, Jimmy Cyrus, Bill Fowler, Jimmy Snavely and Bob Hines.
Saxophones: Billy Holmberg and Jean Head. French Horns: David Nixon, Jo Ann Howard, Joe Ed Talkington and Bobbie Ann Bivens.
Trombones: Ronald Bassett, Charles Kelly, Bobby Fisher, John Lee Compton, Pet Hammert and Max Upchurch.
Baritone Horns: Kayland Z. Bradford, Tommy Oliphant and Pat Moore. Base Horns: James Collier, Jimmy Younkin, Guy Henry Black, Jackie Sanders and Richard Oliver English.
Here's half of the band, 1951-1952. The other half is shown below. Left to right, Twirlers: Vanda Vandeveer and Jan Thompson. Drum Major: Pauline Shipman. Band Director: Ferris M. Thompson. Bell Lyre: Jean Friedman and Ann Slack.
Clarinets: Vernon Crumm, Richard Trotter, Mary Jo Lindley, Dorothy Newell, Linda Gibbons, Doris Gibbons, Jimmy Wall.
Cornets: Raeburn Galliger, Calvin Nelson, Billy Beebe and Robert Hill and Sharon Ross. Base Horn: Kenneth Houston, Cecil Morgan, Lee Roy Laffoon and Gerald Coleman. French Horn: Wyvema Burgett,
Marsha Houston and Alice Rife. Bassoon: Chanquietta Moore. Flute: Cleotis DeGraffenreid. Clarinets: Barbara Finch, Juanita Reed, Carolyn Myers, Linda Surett, Wanda Newell, Ruby Melencamp and Janet Temple.
Baritone Horn: John Moore. Saxaphone: Susan First. Trombones: Larry Dulworth, Wahonne Clark, Bill Beardsley, Lynn Byrd and J.D. Wolfenberger.
Drums: Joyce West, Mary Lear, Shirley Wolfenberger, Pauletta Hart, Otis Trotter and Billy Head. Twirlers: Beverly Leach, Betty Cyrus and Jan Barney. (Thanks to Joyce Jones Courson for photo identifications.)
The 1949 Band with Pat Smith as Drum Major. What are some of the other names?
The year was either 1945 or 1946. Standing on the left with the cello is Jo De Shults. Ruth Jackson is at the piano. Leslie Smith is directly to her right. Others are Viola Steele, Betty Howard, David Nixon, Jane Andrews, Mary Lou Smith, Barbara Jo West, Jimmy K. Thompson, Billy Fowler, Bob Farmer, Jimmy Saylors, Ronald Bassett, Charles Kelly and Ferris M. Thompson.
Who are the others??
Are these names correct??
Left to right,__________, Ruby Welch,__________, Billy Miller,
Dean Leuch, Wyona Tonkinson, Elizabeth Ann Etchieson, Esta Garrett, Carlene Johnson, Irene Reece , Joyce Jones, Lawdis Gandy,___________,___________, Barbara Jean Danner, Lou Jean Penrod, Billy Holmberg, Billy Joe Williams, Larry Jackson, Bob Hines, Dale Talkington, Herbert Friedman, Jimmy Thompson, John Lee Compton, Kenneth Thompson, Billy Hamilton, Vernon Crumm, Jimmy Snavely, David Nixon and Ferris M. Thompson.
Do you know the date of this picture??
Here are some names: Earl C. Everett, Jimmy K. Thompson, John E. Griffin, David Nixon, Beth Steverson, Peggy Jean Braden, Joan Howard, Sally Steverson, Lawdis Lee Gandy, Billy Fowler, Bob Farmer, Billy Miller, Bill Holmberg and Carlene Johnson.
1. Homepage: The opening page of the web site.
2. Early Anadarko: Pictures of downtown from 1907 to 1938.
3. 1906-1919 Graduates: A roster with every graduate from 1906.
4. School Pictures: Group pictures, Beauty Queens and Hobo Day.
5. More School Pictures: Classic snapshots from the Fabulous Fifties.
6. Band and Orchestra: Formal group pictures from 1943 to the 1950's.
7. Popejoy Music Club: Wonderful group pictures from 1941 to 1945
8. Class of 1949 Roster: Where they are today and which classmates have died.
9. Class of 1950 Roster: Where they are today and which classmates have died.
10. Class of 1951 Roster: Where they are today and which classmates have died.
11. Class of 1952 Roster: Where they are today and which classmates have died.
12. Class of 1951 Pictures: Rare snapshots of classmates from 1945.
13. Vanity Auto Tags: See the CRAZY words people put on their car tags.
14. Dale's MUCH Older Brother: A small tribute to a BIG brother.
15. Talkington Family History: A brief summary of the family history from Oklahoma back to early Pennsylvania.