John Ellis “Jack” Dickerson

LHS '64

Jun 14, 1946 - January 23, 2025

John Ellis “Jack” Dickerson passed away on January 23, 2025, at the age of 78. A resident of Arnold, Maryland, Jack spent a lifetime in service of his friends and family, his students, and his country. Widely known for his generosity, he never turned away anyone in need. Always ready to share a tale, Jack’s storytelling ability was unmatched, always captivating anyone lucky enough to listen. As a Geography Professor, he will be remembered for always offering extra help to any student, especially those studying internationally. His home was always open for gatherings, tutoring, and support.

After graduating from his beloved University of Alabama, Jack proudly served in the United States Air Force. After a decade of military service, he transitioned into a role as an Intelligence Analyst with the U.S. government, where he continued to protect the nation for an additional three decades.

Jack was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and brother who always prioritized the needs of his family over his own. His sense of humor brightened any room, and he was always ready to offer invaluable advice, life lessons, and perspective. He consistently chose to be optimistic and emphasized the importance of empathy. Jack enjoyed spending time with his family, managing his stamp collection, which he started when he was nine, watching Crimson Tide football, discussing current world events, and being a lifelong learner.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Miyoko Yagi Dickerson; his sisters, Joan Garrabrant and Jill Moon; his son, Jonathan Dickerson, and his wife, Kristin; his daughter, Rebecca Campbell, and her husband, Mark; as well as his three beautiful granddaughters, Rose, Elena, and Vivienne, and his granddogs, Irving and Mac.

A Celebration of Life was held April 4th at Lasting Tributes Cremation and Funeral Care in Annapolis, MD, followed by a military ceremony at Maryland Veteran's Cemetery in Crownsville, MD.

Danny Ray Webster

LHS '66

? - June 14, 2025

Danny Ray Webster, 77 of New Market, Alabama, passed away on June, 14th, 2025. Spry Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Services were held, at Spry Funeral Home of Huntsville, on June 18, 2025. He will be laid to rest in Maple Hill Cemetery. 

The Wayback Machine

"Chattahoochee"

(Editor's Note: I was trying to find a song that was about water skiing, but unlike surfing songs, water skiing songs are rare. When looking, I was led to the song "Chattahoochee" and since our classmate Jim McBride was a co-author of the song, what would fit better than it?)

"Chattahoochee" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Alan Jackson. It was released in May 1993 as the third single from his album A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'bout Love). The album is named for a line in the song itself. Jackson wrote the song with Jim McBride. It is one of Jackson's most popular and well-known songs, being included on his 2015 box set, Genuine: The Alan Jackson Story.

"Chattahoochee" also received CMA awards for Single of the Year and Song of the Year. Alan Jackson talks about the song in the liner notes for his 1995 compilation album, The Greatest Hits Collection: "Jim McBride and I were trying to write an up-tempo song and Jim came in with the line 'way down yonder on the Chattahoochee'. It kind of went from there. It's a song about having fun, growing up, and coming of age in a small town - which really applies to anyone across the country, not just by the Chattahoochee. We never thought it would be as big as it's become."

The music video was directed by Martin Kahan, premiered in May 1993, and uses the extended remix of the song.

Water Skiing at Guntersville Lake

Tommy Towery

LHS '64

Last week I mentioned my water skiing activities. This week I will expand that thought a bit. Growing up without a father around and with an older brother who had gone off to the Navy, there were a lot of things that I naturally missed out on.  My association with the Boy Scouts filled the void of many of those activities, but not all of them.  Water skiing was one of those activities.  Poor boys growing up in the projects did not have a natural outlet for that sport.  Water skiing took special, expensive equipment.  It was only through my friends like Lewis Brewer that I had a chance to learn how to ski.

I was learning the fundamentals that afternoon at Guntersville Lake.  I was a good swimmer, but skiing wasn't swimming.  I got into the water and Lewis threw me the skis.  By the time I finally got one foot in one of them, the other floated away.  I twisted and rolled, first on my belly then my back trying to get in the correct position to ski.  I'd wave and yell "ready" and it was obvious to the ones in the boat that I wasn't.  Some wondered if I ever would be.  The snake-like rope that was attached to the boat would wrap around me and try to kill me.  

What sometimes seemed like trolling for alligators eventually led to me finally getting up on the two pieces of wood strapped to my feet which seemed to have minds of their own.  Neither ski ever wanted to go the same way as the other.  Both had one common desire:  either to break the legs of the kid attached to them or to make him drink the lake so there was no water left on which they could glide.  Just when everything looked okay, I would go smashing face or mouth first into the lake and the skis would skim across the water in two different directions.  Then the whole struggle began again.  

Knowing how to ski is a nice thing to know how to do, but not something that should have an effect on the rest of your life.  Unless, later in your life you were put in a position that such a skill was a bonus in the pursuit of a job.  In little over a month that would be the case for me.  The ability to water ski would lead me to a summer job at the Memphis YMCA camp, even though it was not apparent at the time that I wrote this. Before the summer was over I was not only the canoe instructor, but also the water ski instructor at the camp. I also added the ability to slalom ski (skiing on only one ski) to my skill set. We had Cyprus Garden skies. I repeated that instructor role for the next three summers. 

In the classic, man against machine, the man (or boy in this case) finally won, and before the afternoon was over, I had mastered control the sport. Now, it's been over 25 years since I last water skied. I later bought a Jet Ski, and I mastered it as well.

My thanks go out to David Fulda and to Bucky Hoffmayer this week for notifying us of the loss of our classmates. 

Now do me a favor. Take just a minute and share with me and the rest of our classmates your own memories about skiing on Guntersville Lake or any other lake. I don't remember people talking much about it back then. Did your family have a ski boat back then? Do you have any funny skiing stories you would like to share? I taught my daughter to ski. Did you teach your kids or grandkids? What was the name of the "boat harbor" at Guntersville? (The first one you came to when you went over the mountain.)

Lincoln Village, Lincoln School Reunion

Andrea Roberson, Class of '66, wants to share this information with you.

Last Week's Questions, Answers, And Comments

Delores Kilgore, LHS '66, "Thank you so much, Tommy for keeping this newsletter going for so long! You are so appreciated! This newsletter means so much to Lee High School and their alumni!"

Joel Weinbaum, LHS ‘64, "Years back I worked for FEMA in Southern California. One of the radio stations played mostly Beach Boys' music. My favorite station. What I realized with that concentration, since I spent a lot of time in my vehicle, was that you can't be depressed or worry about your problems listening to the Beach Boys.  Passing era listening to Brian Wilson's collaboration with his Beach Boys. I hope with all the problems we face in today's society that the younger folks can discover Brian Wilson's music. Wonderful contribution to our listening pleasure."

Tom Provost, LHS ‘66, "Tommy, what a lovely TRIBUTE to a really GREAT GAL!!!!!!! Esther was such a sweetheart! Thanks for the picture reminder and the detail. I'm going to send John a note and a few prayers for comfort. Thanks."