45th Year Reunion Brochure Coming Your Way

G reetings classmates and friends, please know that the Board is working hard at planning the best and most economical reunion yet!   Four days of activities including meals and souvenirs for the class, all for $65.00 per person.   Look for your brochure and registration form in your mailbox the week of March 15, 2013.

Hope you can make it to this grand event!

Mark your calendar now and plan to attend, July 11-14, 2013!

Remembering Nathaniel 'Nate' Downie

We know not the day or the hour.  Here today and gone tomorrow.  Life is swift.  We have to mourn yet another classmate who took flight on February 22, 2013.  Nate is the third classmate in 2013 that we have lost.

There was not a Wake Service, the Class bought a large green plant and delivered to Lawson Funeral Home in his honor.   Rest in peace, dearly departed!

Judith Harris Butler Deceased

Judith Harris-Butler, our classmate and friend was called to her place of eternal rest.  We are saddened again by the departure of yet another classmate.  Ours is not to wonder or question why, ours is but to be ready when we are called to die.

 

Rest in peace, dearly departed, Judith Harris-Butler!

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