Ken Briden's book about our class is available now.

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Click here for a printable version of the Order Form

Classmate Ken Briden has gathered material and published initial copies of a book about our class.
It is filled with biographies, pictures, and other material about our class and its members.
The following is a letter which Ken has written and sent to class members.  
If you did not receive the letter, maybe we do not have your address.  
Please email it to Daury Garrison Cockrell at daury@cox.net.   

The committee invites your biographies, pictures and other materials to be sent for inclusion in this web site or possible supplementary materials.

Make sure you send the money for the books directly to Ken.  This is his private publication, and proceeds should go to him.

Details are in Ken's letter just below these pictures, plus a form for ordering.
To skip the pictures and go to the letter, click here.

Paschal Odom and Gordon Myrick

Jann Bailey Stevens

Jan Rankin Huff and Mattie Norwood

Kay and Joe Clark, and Bobby Howell to left,
Jan Huff, Mattie Norwood, and Paschal Odom 
to right.

Gordon Myrick and Ken Briden

*********************Ken's letter:  [Unedited except to change to HTML, and to compact the material to fit this page]

Ken and Vera Briden 
4160 S. 135th Rd. 
Bolivar, MO 65613 
(417) 326-3394 
kenandvera@microcore.net 
  


CLASS OF ’54, WHERE YOU BEEN? 
  
Finally, after many months, the book is finished and in the hands of the printer. He has assured me that I will have them by October 26 – 426 pages, 111 chapters. This is your chance to catch up on your classmates before our 50th reunion next fall. I include the table of contents with this letter so you can see who responded. The following is just a little tease from the book: 

"What can I say in summary? Dell McCombs taught me in Speech class that when I’ve said all I have to say, I should sit down and shut up. My knees are beginning to bend. 
When I began this walk through the pages of time, I had no idea where it would lead. I had no idea who I would see. I had no idea when it would end. I didn’t know if I would be met with enthusiasm, resistance, or apathy. My wife said it would be easy, and I bought it – hook, line and whatever comes next. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been fun. 
I saw some people I hadn’t seen in 50 years. I saw some close friends from way back, and I saw some people I didn’t really remember. It didn’t make any difference to me, though, whether they were friends, foes, acquaintances, or strangers. We still came from the same stock. We had that common denominator, and we are survivors. We rehashed a lot of old stories and shared a lot of laughs. We even shared a few tears here and there. Life is not always pleasant. I heard some things that I already knew. I learned some things I didn’t know. I learned some things I didn’t want to know. Some of our classmates willingly shared both the highs and the lows of their “walk,” while others were a little less willing to go into great detail. That’s okay. That’s their choice. Life is about ups and downs, highs and lows, hills and valleys, and we have all had our share of each. It’s how we handle(d) those ups and downs that mark our character." 

There are 425 more pages, but that’s enough for now. If you would like a copy of this book, I am ready to send it to you. The only problem is that I have only 50 being printed at this time due to the expense. So the first 50 who send a request to me gets a book from the first printing. If there is more of a demand than that, I will have another printing, but it won’t be until December. The cost of the book is $50. If you would like a copy, just detach the bottom of this page, return it to me at the above address with a check for $50, and I will send you a book as soon as possible. I think you will enjoy it. I’ll see you at our 50th next fall. 

Ken 

Click here for a printable version of this Form

Please send me a copy of the book. I enclose my check for $50. 

NAME _____________________________________ PHONE NO. _________________ 

ADDRESS _________________________________ E-MAIL _______________________ 

CITY, STATE, ZIP ________________________________________ 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

*************************************************End quote

Print and mail this information and your check to: 

Ken and Vera Briden 
4160 S. 135th Rd. 
Bolivar, MO 65613

Click here for a printable version of this Form

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