SONS OF DEWITT COLONY TEXAS
© 2000-2024, Wallace L. McKeehan, All Rights Reserved
Lake Weir High Class of 62---Index

 

The Lake Weir High Class of 1962 Remembers

GARY DIRLAM '61

1943-2023

A LAKE WEIR LEGEND

 

Living the Class of '62 Motto: Not for Ourselves, But Others

His Theme Song:  Will the "Lake Weir" Circle Be Unbroken?

I LEFT MY HEART AT OLD LAKE WEIR

The loveliness of Paris seems somehow sadly baked
The glory that was Rome is of another make
I've been terribly alone and forgotten in Manhattan
I'm going home to my village by the Lake.

I left my heart at Old Lake Weir
It's beaches call to me
To be where the '50's cars climbed halfway to the stars
The morning fog may chill the air, but I still cheer.

My love waits there in Old Lake Weir
Above the blue and windy lake
When I come home to you, Old Lake Weir
Your golden sun elated does me make.

 

Music from Big Ape (WAPE Jacksonville)

 

"I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now."--From Bob Dylan's My Back Pages 

News, area visits and nostalgic experiences, anecdotes of general interest to theme of the website is solicited.  Submissions will be potentially used as Featured Articles here on the homepage. See News Archive for past features.


May You Stay Forever Young
Bob Dylan in Concert at age 63

May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.

May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.

May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.

May your heart always be joyful,
May your song always be sung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.



The classes of the early 60's were the favorites of my teaching career--Mr. George Cope 2000

Lake Weir High School Class of 1962
Marion County, Florida
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Class Motto:  Not for Ourselves, But Others

Lake Weir High Main Building

Capsule History of Lake Weir High School
by Arvid Nelson 1995

Lake Weir High School was built in a central location to receive students from Weirsdale High School and Summerfield High School. The new high school was built on a hill in Sunset Harbor overlooking Lake Weir. Mr. Leo Armstrong was the first principle, coming from Weirsdale High School. The first classes started in September 1955. The high school included grades 7 thru 12 and had about 300 students total. The high school played six-man football. The Class of 1956, the first graduating class, had 33 graduates.  Lake Weir High School students came from the elementary schools at Belleview, Summerfield and Weirsdale. These schools in turn served the communities of Belleview, Candler, East Lake Weir, Ocklawaha, Pedro, Summerfield, Sunset Harbor, Weirsdale and the outlying reaches of southern Marion County.

Marion county had a pretty stable population. Even so, between 1950 and 1962 many students moved into and out of our schools.  This brief history will remind many alumni and enlighten other alumni of the histories of our schools.  Weirsdale School opened its doors about 1923 and included grades 1 thru 12. Children came from East Lake Weir, Weirsdale and the surrounding areas. In 1955, with the opening of the new Lake Weir High School, the school became Weirsdale Elementary School with grades 1 thru 6. Mr. Leo Armstrong, the principle, moved to the new Lake Weir High School. The school house buildings still stand but are currently empty.

Summerfield School opened its doors in September 1925 and included grades 1 thru 12. Children came, from Pedro, Sunset Harbor, Summerfield and the surrounding areas. In 1955, with the opening of the new Lake Weir High School, the school became Summerfield Elementary School with grades 1 thru 6. The principle at Summerfield Elementary School in 1955 was George L. Holder. The school was closed when the Belleview and Summerfield school districts were combined and all students went to the new Belleview Elementary School. The old school building still stands and it is currently used as a storage facility.

Belleview School was opened about September 1928 and included grades 1 thru 8. Students graduating from Belleview went on to either Ocala High School or Summerfield High School. In 1955, with the opening of the new Lake Weir High School, the school became Belleview Elementary School, grades 1 thru 6. Mr. George L. Holder was the principle. A new elementary school was constructed on Highway 484 on the western outskirts of town to service the Summerfield and Belleview school districts. The original Belleview School is currently occupied by the City of Belleview.  Ocklawaha School was open about September 1928 and included grades 1 thru 8. Students graduating from Ocklawaha went on to Weirsdale High School. I have not been able to determine when the school building was closed. The original school house still stands but is vacant.  In 1967 the Marion County School District changed to the middle school concept and Lake Weir High School was changed from grades 7 thru 12 to include only grades 9 thru 12. In August, 1975, a new Lake Weir High School was constructed on Merricamp Road in Candler. The enrollment was 1200+ students. The 1993 school year reflected almost 2500 students. 

Southern Marion county has experienced a constantly increasing population and a second high school was approved. The new Belleview High School will open its doors to students in August 1995.  What we knew as Lake Weir High School designated Lake Weir Middle School in August 1975 and included grades 6 thru 8. The 1993 school year reflected about 1300 students at Lake Weir Middle School.

When we graduated in 1962 Lake Weir High School had less than 450 students in grades 7 thru 12. There were 45 alumni pictured in our yearbook but there were 50 students in our senior class.

Yes, there have been many changes in the system and many additions to the school and facilities but those of you, who visit "the top-of the hill" will recognize many familiar things on the old campus.  The south Marion county area has changed quite a bit since 1962. What used to be a rural country-side with many citrus groves, farms, cattle ranches and some retail is now a more populated urban environment with tourism, many retirees, light industry and retail. Those classmates who have not been back to the area in many years might be awestruck at the changes that have taken place. Those classmates that still reside in the area enjoy some familiarity and a somewhat relaxed pace of living we all remember from our high school days.

The Class of '62 is interested in information, updates, anecdotes, history from anyone who attended or taught at the old school on the hill from 1955-1975.


Class of 1962 Officers
Glenn Herbert---President, Don Phillips---Vice-President
Sandra Beck---Secretary, Karolyn Kirkland---Treasurer

Favorites

Mr. & Miss Senior--Wallace McKeehan and Karolyn Kirkland
Personality Plus--Linda Slade and Teddy Hayes
Cutest--Sandra Beck and Sammy Stormant
Most Popular--Sandra Beck and Don Phillips
Class Clown--Manuel Rodriquez
Friendliest--Beverly McNely and Perry Jacobs
Most Likely to Succeed--Rochelle Marrinan and Wallace McKeehan
Best All-Around--Karolyn Kirkland and Wallace McKeehan
Most Athletic--Don Phillips

Student Council Officers

President--Wallace McKeehan
Vice-President Wayne Baxley
Secretary Eloise Beck
Treasurer Glenn Herbert
Parliamentarian Juddy Smith

President's Message
The treasures of the past year are pages of history, but the wisdom we have gained in these halls live on with us.  An unwritten page, an untraveled road lies ahead.  How this page will read, where this road leads, and what we will find along the way depends on us.  May the success always outshine the failures in your future.   May your hours and achievements here stand as a monument throughout your role as an American citizen.

 

'62 Annual Pictures
Class of '62 in 1959 Freshman


SONS OF DEWITT COLONY TEXAS
© 2000-2024, Wallace L. McKeehan, All Rights Reserved