Alvin J. Frazier Deacon Ordination Service

We are pleased to annouce on behalf of Alvin Frazier and the St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church his Deacon's Ordination Service.  To God Be The Glory!  You are welcome to attend this joyous celebration.

Acts 14:23 reads "And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed."  

                    
                        Congratualions Alvin on your new walk of faith!  Please see invite below.

Earl Miller Deceased December 25, 2012

As another year dawns, we have yet loss another classmate in 2012.  We are reminded to be the best we can whenever we can; because we know not the day nor the hour.  Another classmate has taken flight and it is a staunch reminder that we can not take any day for granted.

A donation from the class was extended to the family, per their request in lieu of flowers.

Remembering Earl Miller

A Proud Class Supports A Humble Alvin 'Big Man' Frazier

Alvin Frazier Inducted into Gibbs High School Hall of Fame

What a wonderful celebration of accomplishment!  Our very own Alvin Frazier, along with 11 others, was inducted into the Gibbs High School Hall of Fame on Tuesday December 18, 2012.  The event was a huge success and very well attended.

 

The evening kicked off with a reception in the atrium of the auditorium that had been setup with the personal artifacts of Gibbs Alumnist Minson Rubin, Historian.  Huge pictorial panels of the glorious days gone by were prominently displayed for all to see along with a artist rendering of the original Gibbs building. The pictorial displays served as the perfect conversation piece as friends and former athletics reminisced about that awesome play, perfect pass, or manficent coach.  

Family, friends and food complimented the evening as a melodious jazz band played in the background.  The Gibbs Class of 1968, Inc. supports their own; once the word was out, the Board unanimously decided we would be in attendance.  We attended and wore one of four Class of 1968 polo shirts to show our support.  Alvin's family turned out in huge numbers as well.  We all were very proud of Alvin's accomplishment.

 

After a bit of socializing, we were ushered into the auditorium where the Induction Ceremony was held.  Each inductee's bio was read and they provided a response.  There was banter about who had the best graduating class, however, we know it was the Gibbs Senior High Class of 1968, Inc!  

 

The evening ended on a high note by encouraging the community to support it's alma mater and  by thanking each and everyone for their support!

 

Congratulations Alvin!

 

Memorable Moments

Alvin Frazier to be Inducted into Gibbs High School Hall of Fame

We are pleased that our classmate will be inducted into the Gibbs High School Athletic Hall of Fame on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium and will be recognized  again at halftime during the basketball game on that evening.  Please join us in commending Alvin on his accomplishment and I'm sure Alvin would love to have you share in this momentuous occasion.

Alvin J. Frazier

Born April 5, 1950; in St. Petersburg, FL.  Alvin J. Frazier is the youngest son of the late Deacon Johnnie Frazier & Mattie L. Frazier.  At an early age Alvin learned the importance of an education from his mother. She was the one who planted the seed of learning and stressed the importance of getting an education.  Alvin’s older brothers, Elijah & Johnny L. Frazier, both athletes and graduates of Gibbs; both motivated him to hone his talents on the court. While his mother’s dream of becoming a teacher inspired Alvin to challenge himself academically.  But it was his years at Gibbs High School that allowed Alvin to incorporate his family influences and pave the road for the man he is today. 

In 1966 the inception of desegregation had begun for Pinellas County, a defining year for Alvin since many black students were choosing to leave Gibbs in hopes of “new experiences”.  But Alvin made the choice to continue his education at Gibbs High.  There he excelled in sports playing on both the Basketball and football teams.  That same year Alvin was introduced to coach Freddie Dyles, Gibbs basketball coach.  Coach Dyles reiterated the importance of responsibility, teamwork and always keeping a “winning attitude”.  Coach Dyles philosophies lead Gibbs to win their first district, regional and state championship in the newly integrated division. 

But it wasn’t just sports that Alvin J. Frazier excelled in; he was just as dedicated to his studies as he was his team(s).  Gibbs High School also introduced Alvin to Principal Emanuel Stewart, the man who “made you feel like it was an honor to be a Gladiator.”  Principal Stewart encouraged Alvin to acquire the “total educational experience”; he emphasized that a quality leader is to not only be athletic, but intelligent, responsible and a part of one’s community.

In 1968, Alvin graduated from Gibbs in the top 30% of his class with a four year scholarship to Clark College in Atlanta, GA.  Alvin went on to receive his B.A. in Business Administration with a minor in economics in 1972.  Shortly after college Alvin married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Miller Frazier. The couple has two daughters, Diana & Mona Frazier, and five grandchildren.  For the past 32 years Alvin has been a Professional Sales & Service Agent with American National Insurance Co.  In 2008, Alvin retired from the St. Petersburg Times where he gave 28 years of his service. 

Today Alvin gives back to the community through the various boards and committees he serves.  As a member of St. Mark M.B. Church for the past 20 years, Alvin is on the Board of Trustees and a Chairman of the Finance Committee.  Another board Alvin serves on, one which is near and dear to his heart, is Gibbs High, Class of 1968; where he is a Board Member and also Chaplain.  Alvin believes it was his “total educational experience” at Gibbs High School that formed the foundation for his success in life.

"God has smiled on us.  Let us enjoy and be thankful for his many blessings.  There is purpose in our lives and we make a difference in the world."

-Alvin J. (BIGMAN) Frazier

 

 

45th Reunion Celebration July 11-14, 2013

Greetings Classmates,
It's been nearly 45 years since we walked across the stage of our Alma Mater with dilploma in hand.  Gee, where has the time gone?  Ready to "remember when" and celebrate?  Great!  Awesome!

We are planning now for a wonderful and affordable 45th Reunion Celebration.  Let us know your thoughts and ideas.  Just as a side bar, the Reunion is always subsidized by the funds from our Holiday Extravaganza, making it the most affordable event ever.
 


                Hope that you will plan now to attend, it will be a joy to see each of you!

2012 Holiday Extravaganza 12/22/2012

Are you looking forward to our upcoming Holiday Gala?  Well, I sure hope so.  It's the perfect time to meet and greet one another during the holiday season.  It would be so nice to have you there along with your family and friends. 

Classmates, we will be going on the floor for our annual photo shot at 9:30 p.m. sharp.  We would like to see you in the photo, so mark it now and plan to be there.

Diamond Birthday Bash - Celebrating 60 Years of Love and Blessings

GHS 1968 Class Logo

Who's to say that being 60 is no fun or is being old.  Definitely not the Gibbs Class of 1968, Inc.  We have single-handily redefined being 60 as the now generation.  Think I am kidding, just check out the slideshow below that demostrates 'this is how we roll'.

The event was the brainchild of one of the members on the Board of Directors to celebrate us; and we did July 16th - 18th.   Since the diamond is the jewel for 60, we decided upon black, white and silver for our colors and the theme was "Celebrating Sixty Years of Love and Blessings".  The Diamond Birthday Bash (DBB) was a 3 day 4 event affair:  Friday Night Pool Party, Saturday Alumni Cookout, Saturday Night Dinner Dance and a Sunday Praise Service and Dinner.  Do we know how to host an event or not?  Really now!

The weekend started with a pool party at the home of one of our classmates.  The theme was "The Party Starts Here".  It was definitely like the 'ole school' house parties that we remember but with lots of style.  A DJ played a mix bag of music as we danced around the pool and worked on the details of the next night events.  Food was not an object; there were traces of New Orleans Spicy Red Beans, Sausage and Rice, Hot, Sweet and Spicy Wing Trays, Chips and Dips and Beverages to quench your thirst.  

We kept the patio popping with the 'wobble-wobble' line dance.  There were those who had not forgotten how to Swing, also.  As the sultry evening heated up we reminisced about days gone by and chattered about the next day activities, the cookout and dinner dance.  After a group photo with legs dangling in the pool we prepared to leave only to look forward to Saturday.

The Gibbs Alumni Cookout, ironically for the past several years has been held on the same weekend as our weekend activities.  A few classmates met at the cookout and enjoyed the music of CJ the DJ (who for many years played for our dances).  It was a good time and Gibbs High School was represented big time.   We are proud of the fact that we are Gladiators!  There was a lot of people and a lot of food.  The cookout was held at Dell Holmes Park at the shelter by the Lake Maggiore.  The smell of hot fried fish and sizzling ribs on the grill filled the air as the music played, classmates danced while others caught up on old times.  Soon it was time for the Class of 68 to check out to prepare for the Diamond Birthday Bash.  We dashed off . . . . .

It's Saturday Night at the Downtown St. Petersburg Hilton and it's the evening of the Big Diamond Birthday Bash.  Balloons! Birthday Cake!  Music! People!  All the makings for a terrific party.  Did I fail to mention 60 year old people.  Who Knew!  We didn't look like it and we definitely didn't party like it.   After a brief welcome, and the blessing of thanksgiving and the blessing of the food, our guest were treated to a scrumptious meal of either Honey Glazed Salmon or Tender Baked Chicken which was served with a Colorful Garden Salad,  Buttery Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Fresh Roasted Green Beans.  Our dessert was Birthday Cake, of course, but not just any ordinary birthday cake, we had Fresh Lemon Creme, Sweet Pineapple Creme, Berry Cremes Raspberry and Strawberry and Savory Vanilla Creme Cakes.  That's the truth (check out the photos).  The food was the best.  Classmates traveled from out of town to the event, some of which had not attended any of the reunions but stated they wouldn't miss another one.  We took our class photo and danced the night away.   

Birthday Gift

What is a birthday party without a birthday gift for the honorees.  Not a party at all.  There was a total of 81 classmates in attendance and each one received a beautiful coffee travel mug with our BBD logo imprinted on it.  Thanks to HQ-Logo we were able to get these completed in 24 hours and shipped to the Hilton.

After a night of greeting, socializing, laughing, crying and dancing the night came to a dazzling end.  Soon it would be time to prepare our hearts and minds for our Worship and Praise Service.

Sunday morning found the class at The Holiday Inn SunSpree where we celebrated through praise and worship the goodness of the Lord.  Elder Wayne Hilliard was our Praise Leader and the surprised us with Bro Davis and his Angelettes Gospel group.  They performed gospel favorites.  Our speaker was classmate, Barbara Jackson-Stockton, who took her message from the Good Samaritan parable.  Underscoring 'go and do likewise'.  She also wrote a poem and a resolution for our celebration which will be posted at another time. 

Immediately after our photo shoot, we were served a country dinner fit for kings and queens.  The menu consisted of Honey Glazed Country Ham and Herbed Grilled Chicken, along with a Medley of Fresh Garden Vegetables and Spicy Fried Rice, Seasoned Garden Salad and Piping Hot Baked Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Butter.  Of course, there was more Birthday Cake to devour. 

As the weekend came to an end we were able to reflect on what the Apostle Paul told the Thessalonians, 'I thank my God for every remembrance of you.'

Another successful event, another blessing and another time to look forward to seeing each of you again!

Be Safe and Go Well!  

Friday Night - The Party Starts Here 

[photos compliments of Lancaster & Williams)

Saturday Alumni Cookout, Saturday July 17th

Saturday Evening July 17th - St. Pete Downtown Hilton

Sunday Praise and Worship Service  July 18th