Classmate Biographies

Our people’s lives have taken them so many directions since we last saw them. We hope that you enjoy hearing about them and will want to contribute some news about yourself.

Carolyn (Aitken) O'Reilly

While away at UT as a freshman, her family transferred to St. Louis and she elected to transfer to a college there. She took advantage of the "big city" experience taking in the Cardinals, the museums, zoo, botanical gardens until meeting new friends. She met her husband , Jim O'Reilly, who was an injured NY Yankee pitcher at a party. Groomed to play on the big team, he never got to pitch having injured his arm in an off-season accident. He went to work with a local company and pitched batting practice for the Cardinals on the side. The O'Reillys have 4 children, four grandchildren and are now retired living in Rockledge, Florida, and love it.

Jim Gordon

After graduation, began Vanderbilt University and after 4 years, I still needed some more points and hours, but took care of military obligation in 1960 with the 6 month Air Force Reserve program. Returned to Vandy in fall of 1960, graduating in 1961. 

To start making money: sold municipal bonds at First Tennessee Bank, repossessed cars for Associates Finance Company and made my way to office manager in 4 years. In 1967, began working as a marketing rep for IBM. After retiring from IBM in 1989, I started a jewelry business, Jim Gordon's Jewelry. Retired again from my jewelry business in 2003, but still work with diamonds and jewelry by appointment.

Also took on Director of Operations for the FedEx St. Jude Classic golf tournament and did that for 15 years. Enjoy playing a lot of golf – my handicap is now 8.0. It couldn't be age that makes your handicap go up, is it ???  (I carried a 4.0 in my 50's).

Married Marilyn Campbell, Central 1958, in 1962 (celebrated our 42nd anniversary in 2004).  We have two wonderful daughters, Leigh Wright living in Tuscaloosa, AL with Allie, 6, and John 3.  And Nancy Russell in Franklin, TN with Morgan 3 (girl) and Natalie 3 weeks. Both are close enough to enjoy them. 

Was born, raised and am still living in Memphis, so on many occasions, I run into a Warrior. Hope this web site will help many of us keep in touch. Please feel free to email or call and reminisce.  Marilyn's and kids are all blessed with good genes, and we have lived a very healthy and happy life. 

Let's keep going, and maybe we can celebrate the 75th reunion.

Richard P. “Dick” Sloan

After Central High, I went on to UT in Knoxville for my degree, then
served three years in the U.S. Army, mostly in England, where I met my late
wife of 36 years. I worked for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation originally based out of Tampa, FL, but moved to Pensacola, FL and retired with a big blowout party on April 1, 1994, and have been loving it ever since.

Some asked me where I was going to work after I hung up my FDIC spurs. I
said, “You don't understand the definition of 'retired'.” I still play a lot
of competitive tennis and love it. Our team won the National Championship in 1999 and I told my teammates "I only do this every sixty-two years. Can also hit a golf ball, but pretty badly.

Really enjoyed the 50th Reunion. I met my guest, Enid Nolan, on a
trip to Spain in 2001 and she was with me for the fun in Memphis. She is
originally from Girard, Ohio, but has lived in Florida since 1974 and in
Pensacola since 1978.

Merlin Cohen
Spirit Cubed 2		Merlin retired after 10 years in the Army and 25 years of private practice in General Dentistry in Union City, TN in 1992 to pursue a career as an artist in stone sculpting. He left the Army Reserve in 1997, and moved to Tucson, AZ in 1998. Have been named an "Emerging Artist of 2005" by Art and Antique magazine. He is married to Janie Greenfield of Memphis and they have 5 children and 7 grandchildren. Merlin attended Idlewild and Fairview.You can view Merlin's work at his website: www.merlincohen.com.

Please Email Your bios

Classmate Biographies will be continually updated as people share the events/activities in their lives. Please feel free to write a short message or email them to me fland36@verizon.net. Don’t worry about how they are written. If something needs editing, it can be.