Coach Claude Gilbert highlights SHS 60-year reunion

The Shafter High Class of 1963 had their 60-year reunion at Hodels Saturday, Sept. 23. Senior Class President Tom Ware chaired the event. Planning the event were Sharon Hair, Marcia Krause, Anneita Kadel, Ben Laverty and Tom Ware.

A special treat was a live phone interview with Coach Claude Gilbert, age 91, who coached the Shafter High Generals to a championship in 1962. Coach Gilbert still remembers the players of that 1962 squad and remembers them as one of the greatest teams of his coaching career.

There were 30 class members, along with 18 guests, at the event. A very sad note was the acknowledgement of some 60 class members who are no longer living.

There were approximately 120 in the class of l963. There were a number who traveled from out of state to attend. Dr. John James traveled the furthest from New York, where he is still serving as a professor at West Point. Many will remember John's dad, Shafter's most ardent football fan, Curly James.

The class was able to contribute $1,150 to the Shafter High Scholarship Fund by closing out the reunion account together with added donations.

Those attending were Richard Arreola, Sandra (Ebling) Ballard, Garry Frizell, Howard Funk, Ted Garrison, Sharon (Peters) Hair, Kathy (Bergman) Handel, Stephen Heller, Paul Hernandez, Gerald Howze, John James, Anneita (Wren) Kadel, Nancy (Bergman) Kessler, Marcia (Craig) Krause, Gary Latta, Ben Laverty, Ella (Love)-Smith, Nick Nusz, Jan (Kroeker) Ollenberger, Don Palla, David Powell, Margaret (Guardado) Smith, Charlotte (Bartel) Steinert, Lynn (Wiedmann) Taylor, Charles Tye, Diane (Putman) Vincent, Dee "Butch" Walker, Tom Ware, Stan Wilson, and Bob Young