Karl Gary Peterson,1957-1968

I was 8 years old in 1957 when I went to Boys Town. I graduated from high school at 19 and left boys town in 1968. I remember helping Paul Beck putting this site together with a small donation and supplying many of the photos on this site. Strange thing I had originally put my story in this site when it was first developed only now to see it has been removed or left out. I was only one of 4 boys that was a true orphan with no siblings or relatives. I was proud of the fact I was raised there and always ready to tell anyone about the place. Several of the boys mentioned frozen leather belt that Joe Stockton used to whip (not spank) us with. I think that this was cruel punishment to this day. I turned out very well, raised a family of my own, married 44 years, retired now at 11 years. Boys Town

William (Bill) Bagwell Friday, 5/29/15, 10:10PM

Brother Al and I came to GH when our Mom came down with tuberculosis and our Father was in the Army during WWII. The stay in GH was just one of the many gifts given to me by Almighty God when I really needed his help. After finishing school in Memphis I spent nearly 25 years flying in the Air Force and another decade in the Aerospace industry.

When I badly needed one, the Air Force gave me a wonderful wife and we raised 5 great kids! I claim to be one of the luckiest guys in the world and I have the facts to prove it. God bless this great Country and all the blessings He has given us!

Thanks to GH for saving me at a time when life wasn’t looking too good for me!

Years at GH/MBT: Nearly a year in 1944

———————————————————————————–

Sunday, 9/14/14, 6:50 PM

Stuart Eugene Carkeet, Sr., 97, went to be with the Lord on September 12, 2014. Mr. Carkeet was a 37 year retiree of United States Army, serving during WWII and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel at the time of his retirement. He worked for the Lord at Graceland Baptist Church and then as executive director at Memphis Boys Town. Mr. Carkeet was a longtime member of Bellevue Baptist Church. There he served as VBS train conductor, tour guide and usher for many years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret J. Carkeet; father, Stuart G. Carkeet; mother, Vivian Shinault Carkeet; brother, William F. Carkeet, Sr.; sister, Dorothy Brooks; and step mother, Edith Carkeet. He is survived by his children, June Peterson (Hugh), Nan Green (Aubrey) and Gene Carkeet, Jr. and sister, Norma Young. He was the proud and loving grandpa to Barbara Laird, Amy Milam, Holly Linder, and Heath Peterson and five great grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the service begins at 2:30 p.m. Monday, September 15 in the Pollard Chapel at Bellevue Baptist Church. A private burial with his immediate family is planned. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Bellevue Baptist Church missions fund or Forever Young Senior Veterans, http://www.foreveryoungseniorwish.org. Memorial Park Funeral Home, “Behind the stone wall”, 901-767-8930. Condolences may be offered at http://www.MemorialParkOnline.com – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/commercialappeal/obituary.aspx?n=stuart-eugene-carkeet&pid=172455218&#sthash.YtbvjOAq.dpuf

_____________________________________________

Hootie    Saturday, 4/19/14, 12:12 PM

From:    Columbia SC
Email:     coach_1hendricks@hotmail.com
When Were You At GHMBT?   46-58
_____________________________________________
Bryan Griffin    Thursday, 3/27/14, 2:41 PM

I wanting to let everyone know that Rusty Clark passed away last May. He was at Boys Town in the early to mid 70s. He and I ran away in April of 1975. He is sorely missed.

From:    Martin TN
Email:     evetaylor1221@yahoo.com
When Were You At GHMBT?   1968 – 1975

_____________________________________________

(Jack) Ken Sheridan    Thursday, 2/27/14, 6:14 PM

HI! “Nice site” Happy you took the time to do it & many thanks 2-u. I cant remember 2 many people, but 1 kid (John Watts)&… i think he had a brother there, when we 1st met we didn’t like ea. other & sometime that coming summer a lot of us got to go to Fla. for a week & camp out on the sand dunes, that’s were John & i had our 1st & only fight..i think it was a draw & after that we became friends..i hope he is still with us, Safe & Happy, if u have any info. about him..that would be nice & please let me know. Also, i think our house mother name was “Dot” & i cant remember the house father..but they were very nice to me…hope there with us also. & the Guy that i didn’t like was (Addison Harris), I’m sure hes not with the living anymore & that’s a good thing, i do have a ? about him…do u know if he was ever Charged with a Sex Crime @ Boys Town or after he left…not sure when left…he tried something with me once & i let him know what i would do to him if ever tried again…he never did…but i know the things he did to other boys. I only was @ BT about 10-14mo…but for the most part i had great time..i was 14..going on 19…when i was sent there @ 14..i was 1 of the lucky 1s/lucky as N got 2 go to BT & not (Juv.Jail)..i was just a wild kid after my dad died when i was 9 & so my poor mother had her hands full w/me,my older sister(by 6yrs), she was no trouble to my mother… i was mad @ the world for taking my dad, & i was just more than my mother could handle, skip-n-school was the big thing & stealing crap/but still “Stealing”..what broke the Camel’s back was when i stole a car, but like i said i got lucky.. i think our House Mothers name was “Dot” & I’m thinking i got lucky & was sent to BT for a year was, Dot’s husband had something to do with JUV Court & told the Judge that i was not a bad kid & don’t send him to JUV. Jail, & he would try & get BT to let me come there if he could convince BT that i was a good kid & should not go to JUV-Prison but go to BT & i think they told me that i was the 1st or 1 of a few JUV.D. that BT ever let come & iv always been happy Dot’s husband went to bat for me..BT gave me a lot of things..but most of all it gave me time to think about just how lucky i was…Hell most of the kids there had No Mother or Dads or 1s that didn’t want them…anyway…”I Got Lucky” & have been Lucky ever sense. 1 last thing, i will never forget when i 1st came to BT, there was a young man 17-18(1 of the kids that i think somewhat grew up there), i think his mother & father were killed in car accident… he was at that time the “King” of BT, he had finish HS & got excepted to “West Point”, so as u can see the Staff @ BT & the other boys were very proud of him, & i had just met him a wk after i got there & he was leaving the next wk for WP..the sad thing was, about 3-6mos later we were told he committed suicide..i just remember filling very sad for that kid, he was smart, good looking, but who knows, maybe he just could not deal anymore with trying to please everybody. Sorry to take so much of your time..its just a few things iv not thought about for over 50yrs. O yea..when i stole that car, a traffic Moto.C. Cop stop me & when he went back to his Moto. to call it in.. “.I Ran”..I’m 14, what did i really know , well he gave chase for a min. then Shot i time in the Air & told me to stop..i just keep running…not thinking as most wild 14yr old do…Hell my school books were in the back seat w/my name in them anyway…. The Point is..If i had been a “Black” 14yr old kid….its a good bet..i would have been “Shot”…& i would not be writing this. Happy Trails 2 Ya, Jack (ken) Sheridan Honolulu………………the reason im in in Hawaii..it was that 1st Trip to the Sea in Fla. when i was at BT, at 14, after 1st seeing the Ocean, i new then that someday i w

From:    Memphis
Email:     bjacksheridan@hotmail.com
When Were You At GHMBT?   1961 ( i think)

_____________________________________________

Ann Coffey Diller    Saturday, 2/22/14, 2:54 PM

In 1964 my girlfriend Debby McGill and I met two boys from Boys Town. Somehow we were invited for a party of some kind. We met a David Coffey and a Louis Meyers. Long story short I married David in Oct.1965 and Debby married Louis the following spring. Debby and I were 16 and David and Louis were 18. Both guys went into the Army on the buddy system, went to Fort Hood and spent 2 yrs in Camp Darby. Louis and Deb left the Army when his tour was up and David and I spent another year in Italy since he re-upped for another 4 years. David and I had 2 daughters while in the Army. Louis and Debby had 2 children after leaving the service and divorced several years later. David spent 8 yrs. in the service and we divorced after 9 yrs. of marriage. I lost contact with Louis and Deb shortly my marriage to my second husband in 1978. I have had little contact with David Coffey but the last I heard he was married and living in Clearwater Fl.in 2012. There were several boys that Louis and David talked about. One they gave the nickname ” Country “. Most of the guys went to Kingsberry high school. This was almost 50 yrs. ago so maybe some of you will remember these people better than I can.

From:    Tampa, FL. 33647
Email:     adiller1@verizon.net
When Were You At GHMBT?   1963 965 ( My ex-husand was there )

_____________________________________________

Haywood Barry    Tuesday, 2/18/14, 6:44 AM

Father Lane came that Summer to visit next door with Ms Gertie Haynes. He ask my mother if it was ok to have me visit Gailor Hall. I recall he had a 1939 or 1940 Buick. We traveled to Memphis. I had an enjoyably stay, swimming and playing. Father Lane was not there because of the difficulty you described. I returned home because of homesickness and started 6th grade. Some years later Father Lane had my brother visit him in Baltimore. We were a very poor family. I later became a Judge but now retired. He was very nice to my family. Ms Gertie Haynes had worked for him atGailor Hall. She had a son named Pat Haynes who finished school in Lebanon Tn then joined the Navy. Haywood Barry 103 Oakhill Circle Lebanon Tn 37087

From:    Lebanon Tn
Email:     haybay1938@hotmail.com
When Were You At GHMBT?   Summer I think June 1947 or 1948
_____________________________________________
Paul Beck    Thursday, 2/6/14, 9:40 AM

William (Billy) Frank Jones was a resident from 1947 to 1957. In the late 1960s and early 1970s he was an actor with the stage name Christopher Jones. He starred in two memorable movies: Wild in the Streets and Ryan’s Daughter. Except for a few cameo roles he gave up acting after completion of Ryan’s Daughter. He passed away January 31, 2014 in Los Alamitos, California from complications of gallbladder cancer.

_____________________________________________

Raymond rhodes    Thursday, 1/16/14, 3:11 PM

looking for old friends

From:    memphis
Email:     raymonndrhodes998
When Were You At GHMBT?   1965
_____________________________________________
Wayne Law    Thursday, 12/26/13, 2:23 PM

John Stockton beat the hall out of me when I was 5 Years old for playing with a toy that was not mine. I was to young to go to school. I had to stay in the house all day.     I was Known as the littlest boy in boys town, thay let be stay because I had a older brother Harvey there. I was only five years old.

Email:     waynelaw5@aol.com
When Were You At GHMBT?   1955/1957

_____________________________________________

mike    Sunday, 10/20/13, 6:11 AM

good to find this web site hope all you boys are doing great

From:    scott
Email:     mikejr5440@gmail.com

good to0 find this
_____________________________________________
Michael Scott    Saturday, 10/12/13, 8:07 PM

I’m looking for Roger Cook. My house parents were the Whites and Gilettes.

From:    Memphis Tn
Email:     mikejr5440@gmail.com
When Were You At GHMBT?   early 70’s

_____________________________________________

Robert R Crevisour    Saturday, 9/7/13, 10:43 AM

Following my Dad’s death in August 1946, my brother and I were placed in Galor Hall, then located on Summer Ave. I remember very little of the home and was expelled a few months later for fighting with another boy. Don’t remember his name but “he started it”. I was the older so out I went. I remember the old refer in the dining room as I would grip the handle and get a real shock. Seems the thing had a short associated with it. Don’t remember her name either, but the lady in charge gave me a good chewing out for doing it. I also remember Father Lane training me to be an Alter Boy.

From:    Rockford, Illinois
Email:     crevisour@hotmail.com
When Were You At GHMBT?   1946-1947
_____________________________________________
Jerry Cardin    Wednesday, 8/21/13, 9:00 AM

We had a great time on August 11th. We had about 12 guys including a few wives attend. We swapped stories and told some tall tales . Mr. Carkeet and his daughter June were able to be there and he had a great time. Mr. Carkeet gave me a Genuine Memphis Boystown coffee cup from the Summer Ave. location. The guys who were there were: Jerry Cardin & Doris Cardin Wally Barnes Jimmy Cardin Chuck Reynolds & Jane Reynolds Mike Simmons – a boystown friend from Kingsbury 1964-1965 Richard Short Anthony Short Courtney Lutz & Janet Lutz Randy Brown Roger Brown Floyd Duke Mr. Carkeet & June Carkeet Peterson
_____________________________________________

Robert Courtney Lutz    Sunday, 8/11/13, 4:08 PM

A few days ago, Jerry Cardin called me and advised of the get-together tonight. My wife, Janet, and I, are looking forward to visiting with you “older” boys! I will write more later.

From:    Olive Branch, Ms
Email:     rlutzt2010@comcast.net
When Were You At GHMBT?   Jun 1962-Dec 1963

Robert Courtney Lutz    Monday, 8/12/13, 10:34 AM

My wife and I attended the MBT reunion last night. It was well worth our time! If I had an opportunity to do this ten years ago, I’m not sure I would have come. I’m not sure I would have been healthy enough to expose myself to those boogaboo’s, intimidations and fears of the past. But now, with a lot of help from others, I am a strong and healthy boy (ok…man)finally! Soon, after joining in with the group, old outdated and distorted memories were replaced with clarity… even revelations. It was good to listen to other guys’ perception of me, my perceptions of them, and of events that were shared; funny, silly boy stuff we did, much of which we never got caught at!

Let’s face it, we all came from difficult situations and while its taken some of us a while to find balance, purpose, and peace; some of our buddies may not. So, to those who still are still growing, as I always will be, this event somehow is healing and fun, sorta like coming full circle! I feel a little more complete. I hope every guy will contact any other MBT boy, sign in here and come to the next event! Thank you for putting together this forum and reunion!

_____________________________________________

Joe Lutz    Sunday, 8/11/13, 4:02 PM

From:    Memphis, TN
Email:     joelutz0626@gmail.com
When Were You At GHMBT?   1962 – 1964
_____________________________________________

Paul Beck    Sunday, 8/4/13, 1:09 PM

Jerry Cardin is planning a get together on August 11th at the Robinwood Resort Lifestyle Community on 2795 Kirby Whitten Parkway in Bartlett beginning at 7:00 pm until 9:30 pm for former residents of Boys Town. He is hoping for around 30-40 guys and there wives to attend. For further details contact Jerry at phone number 901- 755-3212 or cell 901-413-5540 or email to drcardin7@comcast.net.

_____________________________________________

Floyd Duke    Tuesday, 6/11/13, 8:34 AM

Dear Brothers, I am setting here thanking of the good and bad comments about BOYS Town. In my profession as a Policemen I have seen a lot of bad things that have happen to kids. when I see Kids beaten so bad that you can’t recognize them because they cried a little to much or they were. Locked in a closet for days we had one girl that was locked in the attic most of her life by her parents. Yes some of you got Stockton’s belt and so did I But when see a 4,5,6 year olds with their brains leaking out on the floor after their Mother shot them with a shotgun you thank your lucky stars you were in Boy Town instead of her being your Mother. At least I got to grow up and have a life of my own choosing and never had broken bones or mental problem like a lot of kids out there. Love you all Floyd Duke

From:    Buffalo, New York
Email:     floydd809001@yahoo.com
When Were You At GHMBT?   50s

_____________________________________________

Paul Beck    Tuesday, 1/15/13, 9:19 AM

Dale has stated his memories of events at Memphis Boys Town. I wish to allow any and all former residents to freely express their esxperiences. However I do request that people refrain from making profane statements and using profanity. I was tempted to delete Dale’s remrks because of his use of profanity but I will leave them on here and hope that no one else resorts to using profanity.

Email:     beckpaulbeck@aol.com
When Were You At GHMBT?   Sep 1942-Jul 1944

_____________________________________________

Dale    Monday, 1/14/13, 3:45 PM

Joe Stockton was a sadist and a child abuser. I walked in on him and Vivian when I was seven. Needless to say my life was hell after that. Cold leather belt? I had private punishment and no one knew. Fuck Memphis Boys Town.

Joe Stockton was a sadist at the very least. I walked in on him and Vivian at the age of seven. A few days later Miss Vivian took me to her farm in Siloam Springs, Ark. We were there I don’t know how long-maybe a week. When I came back all hell rained down on me. The beatings. No one knew. I had special beatings. Then there was the problem with his son Winsor. He never touched me but he liked the boys and if….well never mind. Fuck Memphis Boys Town.

From:    oregon
When Were You At GHMBT?   1957-1963

_____________________________________________

Dale    Saturday, 1/12/13, 5:54 PM

The swimming pool. Big-ass garden. Selling Christmas trees. Grahamwood and Kingsbury. Summer Shopping Center. Miss Vivian. Watching Tarzan every Saturday night. The Coke machine. Religion. Movies at the Malco. Labor Day Carnival. Hot lazy summer.

From:    Oregon
When Were You At GHMBT?   1957-1963
_____________________________________________
allen ashmore/albert ashmore    Tuesday, 1/1/13, 3:07 PM

albert and i were twins,we were the ones that wrecked the station wagon. we ran into the food freezer. 57254

From:    memphis,tn.
Email:     jmore36@yahoo.comearly
When Were You At GHMBT?   early 40-mid 40

_____________________________________________

Jerry Cardin    Wednesday, 12/19/12, 8:22 AM

The following was sent to me by Jerry Cardin so I am adding it as an Alumni story. Paul Beck: I remember how we did Christmas at Boys Town where we got to pick out $ 10.00 worth of items from the Sears Catalog and then wrote a letter to the Sertoma Club giving them our name and what we wanted. We would usually have a dinner and they would pass out our presents and we would take them back to Boystown and open them Christmas morning. Later we would just have the presents given out on Christmas morning. We also used to get some clothes from Julius Lewis store at Christmas morning, however the stuff we a little “adult ” styled and most of the guys didn’t really like those clothes but every once in a while you got lucky and got something you really liked. Mr. Carkeet got the Julius Lewis people to let us come to the store and pick out 1-2 items during Christmas of 1965 and that was great. I also remember that we would get a lot of fruit cake that we would eat for the snack when we came home from school during January until it was gone. ( i think it was the left over fruit cake from the Civitan Club that didn’t get sold during Christmas). I still buy a fruitcake from the civilian club when I see it in the store and think of Boys town and Robertella Parker, our Boystown Cook and philosopher, while enjoying it with a glass of milk. Wish I could get together with some of the guys and we all could enjoy a slice of fruitcake and a glass of milk now. I’m thinking happy thoughts as i tap this out and thank you for jogging my memory about this. In 1960 we went to Ferguson’s Farm on one of our Scout camping trips in the late fall. It was a great warm sunny day but the temperature dropped down and I had a long cold night. I remember the next Wednesday night at chapel, Miss Louise asked us if we had anything to be thankful for and I told them about my camping trip experience and how glad I was to have a warm bed and good food because I sure missed it at the weekend camping trip. ( The adult houseparents all got good chuckle out of what I said). When it came time to write our Sertoma letter for Christmas, I asked for a $ 7.97 sleeping bag from Sears and spent the remaining amount on a cub scout pocket knife. I promptly lost the pocket knife or it got stolen but I still have a sleeping bag til this day. I upgraded the sleeping bag over the years but I still got a lot of good use out of that bag from Sears.
From:    Memphis
Email:     drcardin7@comcast.net
When Were You At GHMBT?   1968-1975

_____________________________________________

floyd duke    Tuesday, 10/2/12, 1:18 PM

hade wonderful times at memphis boys town my brother richard duke passed away on 9/30/12. I was sent to TPS around 1956 0r 57,but had found memories while at Boys Town. Remember the cold belt adminstered by joe stockton But also rember the wonderful house parents. But most of all remember the great kids I had for brothers. I live in buffalo new york,retired as a policeman city of buffalo after 20 yrs. If it hadnt been been for Boys Town,I most likly would have turned out differentlly. So to all the guys at Boys Town,Past and presant Love you all. Floyd Duke mbt 1950 to 1957

From:    Memphis
Email:     floydd809001@yahoo.com
When Were You At GHMBT?   mbt
_____________________________________________
Charles T. Reynolds    Saturday, 9/29/12, 10:41 AM

From:    Memphis, Tenn.
Email:     azchuck08@att.net
When Were You At GHMBT?   1951 – 1959
_____________________________________________
john ashmore    Friday, 8/31/12, 1:19 PM

42361-I was at gailor hall. Later the name changed,When i went the second time it was memphis boys town.dont know how,Iwould have turned out with out help of gailor hall-memphis boys town.

From:    memphis,tn.
Email:     jmore36@yahoo.com
When Were You At GHMBT?   during early-mid 40s

_____________________________________________

Robert Copeland    Sunday, 7/1/12, 4:24 AM

I remeber alot of things and other boys and would like to add a few names to the list you have like David Naramore,the McGeehee Brothers Bryan,Mike and Ronnie, Homer Foust. I remember the Langfords and thier children, Mr. and Mrs. Carkeet Mrs.Carkeet and I did alot of art togather, Randy Brown and Ricky Pegg who always got me in trouble hahaha, I think my greatest memory was sitting on the cement bridge and fishing every chance I could, or playing football in the rain behind cottage 2 , I remeber Vonnie Blades and his brother, playing chase in the dark and hideing from the others , I also was there when the New swimming pool was put and that was a big thrill, and the basket ball/ tennis courts where installed, my experince there was one that made me a good person and a responsible person also, I still to this day get out of bed and make it right away. So to all Who see this I hope You still reminess about the good times there and the people that enflunced the you the most.

From:    moscow Tn.
Email:     robertcplnd@yahoo.com
When Were You At GHMBT?   69 to 76

_____________________________________________

Bob Miller    Tuesday, 5/15/12, 5:33 PM

I was at the Summer Ave. campus and went to Graham Elementary school in 1957 and 1958. I recently had the opportunity to read Paul Beck’s history of Memphis Boys Town and look at the photos. I’m amazed at the memories of my time there and the good times we had and things we got to do. I have fond memories, but unfortunately don’t remember any of the names except Director Joe Stockton.

From:    Cleveland, Ohio
Email:     bob.miller@goodrich.com
When Were You At GHMBT?   April, 1957 to June, 1958
_____________________________________________
john allen ashmore    Monday, 4/2/12, 10:05 AM

me and my twin brother was at gailor hall,as stated above.we was there two times.mr.jeffiers was head master the second time we were there.we were at the old gailor hall on summer ave.

From:    memphis.tn.
Email:     jmore36@yahoo.com
When Were You At GHMBT?   late30’s or early40’s

_____________________________________________

Larry Smith    Saturday, 2/25/12, 1:00 PM

I remember you and your brother Sonny Taylor,Brian. I remember when we were roommates you used to always change the station on my radio from my “easy listening” channel to FM100,it grew on me and I then started listening to that station. The last time I saw you was at the Army/Navy recruiting station in downtown Memphis back in 1981. I bet you remember me and my brother “little John”. We were in cottage 3 with you and Sonny until they closed it down for awhile.
_____________________________________________
From:    Millington,Tn
Email:     lawrencejs518@yahoo.com
When Were You At GHMBT?   1972-1977

Bryan Griffin    Wednesday, 2/22/12, 11:08 AM

It is nice to see this site. My brother is Sonny Taylor. I lived in Cottage #3 for most of my time at Boys Town and the Essarys were my houseparents. The Ellendale campus was a refuge for me. The impact of being at Boys Town has followed me through life. It is nice to see that all the photos and memories are not lost.

From:    Martin, TN
Email:     evebgrif
When Were You At GHMBT?   1968-1975

_____________________________________________

Jerry Cardin    Sunday, 1/8/12, 11:20 PM

Just saw this in the paper today and wanted to pass this along. Margaret Jones Carkeet, 91 went to be with the Lord on Jan 6, 2012. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Stuart E. (Gene) Carkeet Sr. She was a devoted Christian and long time member of Bellevue Baptist Church. She loved gardening and garden club meetings. She is a Daughter of the American Revolution Watauga Chapter. Mrs. Carkeet leaves her children Nan Green (Aubrey), June Paterson (Hugh) and Gene Carkeet Jr.and her sister Harriet Brooks. She was a proud and loving grandmother to Barbara Laird, Amy Milam, Holly Linder and Heath Pateson and 5 great grandchildren. Visitation will be at Memorial Park Funeral Home at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, January 8 with a service following at 2 p.m. A private burial with her immediate family is planned. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Bellevue Baptist Church missions Fund.

From:    Memphis, Tn.
Email:     drcardin7@comcast.net
When Were You At GHMBT?   1958-1966
_____________________________________________
Bobby Wright    Thursday, 12/29/11, 1:51 PM

Wishing everyone a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2012. I too have fond memories of GH and count them for shaping my life. God has blessed me as well a those of others that were at MBTGH. Paul I thank you for putting my pictures in the photo album. I visited memphis 3 weeks ago and am planning to return sometime in feb or mar.

From:    memphis tn
Email:     bojobo3@yahoo.com
When Were You At GHMBT?   1943-1945

_____________________________________________

Jerry Cardin    Sunday, 12/25/11, 3:06 PM

Today is Christmas day 2011. I think back to the Christmas Days at Boystown. I am truly blessed and thankful. I remeber when we got to select and order $10.00 from the Sears Catalog, then we would write a letter to the Sertoma Club and let them know what we wanted for Christmas. I felt fortunate to be able to do that and Thankful that the Sertoma Club was making our requests happen. I remember Mr. Joe Hanover providing Christmas Dinner for us and that we couldn’t leave to go to relative or friend’s place until Christmas Dinner was over.I also felt fortunate to be able to go to my aunt’s house and didn’t have to stay at Boystown after Christmas, but I realize that some boys didn’t have a place to go to after Christmas. I’ve come a long way since Boystown, but I’m Truly Thankful for how things are for me and my family. I would like to say thank you to Paul Beck for desinging this site and making it possible to reach out and connect with some of my Boystown Friends. May God Truly Bless each of you and your family during this Holiday Season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

From:    Memphis, TN
Email:     drcardin7@comcast.net
When Were You At GHMBT?   1958-1966
_____________________________________________

Fred Louis Scruggs Jr.    Wednesday, 12/21/11, 8:44 AM

The following was published in the Commercial Appeal on February 10, 1943: 10-Year-Old Boy Shot Fatally; May be Accident, Police Say Fred Louis Scruggs, Jr. 10 year old Guthrie Grade School student, Was found dead with a pistol bullet through his left breast yesterday afternoon about 4:30 oclock at his home, 1104 Breedlove. The child, who is the son of Mrs. Lillie Mae Bellora and Fred Louis Scruggs Sr., was discovered by his uncle, Robert Allen Walker, 20, lying on the living room floor between the bed and a gas heater with the .38 caliber pistol near him. Police were called immediately. His mother, a waitress, said police were investigating when she arrived after receiving a call from Mr. Walker. The boy was rushed to St. Josephs hospital in a Collins Ambulance and was pronounced dead upon arrival. Capt. Wilbur Miller of the Homicide Bureau, last night said he had not completed his investigation and that the death Could have been an accident. The mother said Fred got out of school at 3 oclock and evidently went straight home. The gun which killed him was an old one which had been around the house for years, she said. She added that she did not know the gun was loaded and that Fred had never attempted to play with it. Mrs. Bellora brought her son home from Gailor hall last Sunday, she said, so he could be with her brother before he left for the army Saturday. The child was a native of Memphis. He leaves a sister, Martha June Scruggs.

From:    Memphis
When Were You At GHMBT?   1943

_____________________________________________

Laurie Early    Monday, 12/19/11, 9:09 PM

I went to Grahamwood Elem in the 50’s and 60’s. The school was and still is on Summer Ave. Boys Town was not far down Summer from the school. Tom Cox lived at Boys Town and was in one of my class at Grahamwood. He was a very nice boy. There were two other boys at Boys Town with the last name of Cox. Ricky was one of them. I think he and Tom resemble each other but I don’t know if they were brothers. I didn’t know Ricky until I found this website. My family and I used to go the Boys Town Carnivals and had lots of great fun! When I was a kid I was glad that Boys Town was there for all who needed a place to grow up. It’s good seeing the pictures on this site of the boys they were and the men they are. I’m 60 years old now and still have many fond Memories of Memphis and the B.T. Carnival. Even as a kid I was proud to have Boys Town help so many. Laurie Early

From:    Memphis Tenn
Email:     laurie_cavendish@bellsouth.net
When Were You At GHMBT?   as a visitor in 50’s and 60’s

_____________________________________________

William G. (Bill) Keller    Monday, 12/19/11, 6:19 PM

The following was published in the Commercial Appeal on July 23, 1949: Services to be today for William G. Keller. Schoolmates to be Pallbearers For Young Memphian. Six of his schoolmates at Gailor Hall will serve as pallbearers this morning when the services are held for William G. (Bill) Keller, at St. Andrews Chapel at 11 oclock, followed by burial in Memorial Park. Father David Watt of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church will officiate. He was a resident at Gailor Hall for nearly four years. Keller, who was 16, was working during the vacation season for Bowen Equipment Company, Joiner, Ark. He was killed about 10:20 Thursday night when the truck he was driving ran into a ditch near Bassett, Ark. Two others in the truck, Jimmy Omar, 15, also a Gailor Hall vacation worker, and Phil Loflin, 15, of Joiner, were not injured. Deputy Herman Oden of Osceola, Ark., who investigated the accident, said the youth was driving too fast and lost control of the pick- up truck. The truck was owned by W. A. Hosey of Joiner. Young Keller leaves his mother, Mrs. E.D. Hughes of Memphis. National Funeral Home is in charge. St. Andrews Chapel was on the grounds of Gailor Hall.

From:    Memphis
When Were You At GHMBT?   1945-1949
_____________________________________________
Melissa Hurst    Sunday, 11/27/11, 11:40 PM

My father is Jimmy Hubbard. Any info to his time at Boystown would be extremely meaningful. Regards

From:    Little Rock
Email:     mhurst@aristotle.net
When Were You At GHMBT?   Father 1955-1966

_____________________________________________

Edward (bob) Watson    Wednesday, 10/26/11, 10:41 AM

Just wanted to say hi to every body cant name all of them but as I get older I wouldn’t trade in my time at boys town for nothing

From:    Rochester ny murfreesboro tn
Email:     goodpersonto@yahoo.com
When Were You At GHMBT?   70 to77
_____________________________________________
Hootie Hendricks    Thursday, 10/20/11, 10:39 AM

It is nice to see more men signing up and helping to keep the spirit alive. Thanks Paul! Gailor Hall /Boys town was a blessing to so many of us. The good memorirs out weigh the sad ones.

From:    Memphis/South Carolina
Email:     coach_hendricks@hotmail.com
When Were You At GHMBT?   46 54
_____________________________________________

bobby wright    Sunday, 10/16/11, 8:23 PM

don’t remember to much but do remember sleeping in top bunk. also working in the kitchen and dining hall. love going to the pink palace and the MOAT, also to the zoo. will jog my memory and post more later.

From:    memphis tn
Email:     bobojo2@yahoo.com
When Were You At GHMBT?   GH from 1943-45