BUCKY? HE WAS A TEACHER TOO

     In regards to our recent conversation about 1940's Boone teacher/coach, Frank "Bucky" O'Conner, Vern Modeland, BHS-50, wrote, "before you let memories of Bucky O'Conner slip away to the Kelleys Korner archives, don't let another far-reaching achievement be forgotten by those of us who maybe weren't "into" sports. Bucky had another teaching assignment. He was the Driver Training Instructor for many lucky BHS students in the 1940's and 50's. Keep your attention on the road. Be prepared for any, such, emergency maneuver. Learn how to shift gears in the abused Ford donated for the school's course by Moffitt's. Class courses that included the laws of Iowa and those of physics. Depth perception, speed demands for merging, stopping and such. After completion of the course, we all went to the county court house to take and pass the state driver's license test. We, who survived learning how to drive and keeping things we learned front of mind for a lifetime, we owe, at least part of that to Bucky O'Conner. I wonder just how many of us were lucky enough to get through many, many thousands of miles in all kinds of weather and situations without a single ticket.That list includes me. Thanks, Boone High and Bucky."
     P.S. Vern indicated that he can still drive, relatively safely, at 87 and has an Arkansas license good until 2025. However, he says his pain and meds are a constant struggle in his life these days. The Kornerman and others who remember Vern are thinking of him and hoping that some of those stuggles he's enduring are, at least, lessened, somewhat, by modern medicine and our prayers.
     P.S. 1 - The Kornerman says, "isn't it ironic that Bucky was actually killed while driving on an Iowa highway?" Vern stated, "as I recall, he tried to miss hitting a dog and, attempting to do that was the mark of a good driver instructor."
     I, the Kornerman, thought it was some kind of bird in flight (a pheasant maybe) that came in contact with his vehicle and caused the distraction.
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     Great to hear from Bill, BHS-55, and Janaan Munson Kennedy, BHS-54, from Barrington, IL this week. They sent the Kornerman  a very interesting article they had clipped from a newspaper. It was written by Joyce Terhaar, a board member of the American Society of News Editors and a former executive editor of the Sacramento, CA Bee.
     The story outlined several good "talking points" as to why newspapers will be sadly missed as they "slide into decline." In fact, the banner line for the story is "Communities suffer when papers die or slide into decline."
     The Kennedy's knew the Kornerman would be interested, due to our personal feelings in that regard that we've expressed at various times in the Korner.
     They wrote, "the enclosed article reminded us of your comments in regard to the decline of the Boone News Republican. Boone is not unique in that regard. We appreciate your fine efforts to continue to bring local news to many of us. Keep up the good work you do."
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     We discussed in a recent edition the Boone High Fight song and mentioned that we weren't really aware of the one currently being used.
     Tom Peterson, BHS-67, came through with the  words to the current fight song.
     Get in and win that game, you Toreadors
     Get in and raise our colors high
     Get in and fight for fame you Toreadors
     And blaze our banner cross the sky
     Get in and fight with might for green and red
     So we can hold our heads up high
     Boone High, Boone High, Boone High Fight
     V-i-c-t-o-r-y
     Remember, we will stand and we will shout
     Ever mighty, ever stout
     Best in all the land
     BOONE HIGH
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Marjorie Murphy, 90, Boone.......Beverly Turnbull, 80, Boone. Boone area survivor is a cousin, Denny Bock, of Boone.......Blanche Vodenik, 95, Luther. Formerly of Perry........Paul Palmer, 91, Ames. Boone survivor is a granddaughter, Julie Palmer, of Boone.....Doris Halverson, 91, Ames. Boone survivor is a nephew, Dennis Thompson of Boone......Kathy Witcraft Lang, 71, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-66. Earned a DMACC degree. Married Bill Lang in 1997. Worked at Heinrich Envelope for over 20 years. Boone survivors include her husband, Bill, son, Tim Fecht, brothers, David, Tom and Jim Witcraft, and sister, Marsha Witcraft.........Pauline Lawler Uthe, 91, rural Boone. Born in Ogden. Was a secretary at Ogden HS, worked at an Ogden bank and from 1967-98, was a bookkeeper at the Boone News Republican. Married Robert Uthe in 1948 and they farmed near Ogden until retirement. Boone area survivors include her husband, Bob, son, David, and daughter, Joann Uthe, all of Boone. A second daughter and two other sons survive including Bruce of Ogden and Richard of Ames.......Bob Petersen, 65, Columbia, MO. Formerly of Boone. BHS-72. Earned a vet medicine degree from ISU. Operated vet clinics in Missouri. A daughter and brother, Jim, survive, as well as sister, Sue Habrich, of Boone........Angie Killstrom, 98, rural Madrid. BHS-38. Married Robert Pritchard in 1940 and they had a son, Robert. Angie was widowed in 1944 and in 1949, married Ralph Kilstrom. The couple farmed near Luther. She worked at Big Bear and Lowe-Berry in Boone before working at Bourns in Ames prior to retirement. A son, Ronald, of rural Madrid and a daughter-in-law, Becky Pritchard-Simpson, of Ames survive.......Eddie Thrap, 74, North Carolina. Formerly of Boone. BHS-64. Was very involved in national auto racing circles working for some of the best known NASCAR drivers in the country. His wife, Debbie, a son, three daughters and six siblings, some from the Boone area, survive......Diane Anderson Moorman, 70, Ogden. Married Denny Moorman in 1967. Worked for Fareway for 27 years and also did some work as a rural mail carrier. Survivors include her husband, three children, a brother and two sisters.
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     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments.....
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.