The Arlington High School
Alumni Association
is pleased to recognize our
Distinguished Colt Alumni
2010 DCA Award
Recipients
—by Heather McMillen, ’90
Jim Ball, CLASS OF 195, left Arlington in 1962 for higher education after spending 14 years at Kooken, Arlington High, and Arlington State College. He got his degree and met his wife Shirley while at Texas A&M, Commerce.
His degree in English and speech led to six years reporting for the Star-Telegram, the Austin American-Statesman, and the Garland News. After serving in the military where he was attached to the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency, Jim began his 28-year career with Dr Pepper in Dallas. When he retired in 1997 as senior Vice-President for corporate communications, he had headed up the firm’s international media relations, consumer affairs and special events programs, which included nine award-winning floats in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. He helped develop the AT&T Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame, now here at Cowboys Stadium, and served as director of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association.
Since leaving Arlington, Jim has devoted time and energy to his hometown, particularly through the AHS Alumni Association and the Arlington Historical Society—which honored him in 2003 with a writer’s award for his book, Thundering Herd, a history of the first half-century of COLT FOOTBALL. He served two years as president of the Association as it grew in number and in support for Arlington High.
Jim helped the commemoration effort to place the original high school building on Cooper and Abram streets on “Texas Most Endangered List” of historical structures.
Although Jim’s and Shirley’s two sons—Jim and Aaron—graduated elsewhere, Jim’s AHS credentials are long, going back to his father’s graduation in 1932. His nominator Jannelle Bradley Scott says, “Jim has been a tireless advocate for AHS and the City of Arlington.”
* * *
OWEN IVIE, '43
Conservationism drives OWEN IVIE, CLASS OF 1943, elevating him where few fellow Colt Alumni venture.
After graduation from Arlington High School, his distinguished Naval service until 1946 bolstered Owen’s interests in engineering and resource management.
A Civil Engineering degree from Southwestern University in Georgetown led him to a notable career in water conservation. Owen retired as the manager for Colorado Municipal Water District where he gained knowledge, experience and recognition as an expert in his field.
While living with his family in the Permian Basin, Owen won the first of many prestigious industry honors: 1985 Outstanding Water Conservationist of the Year. Other accolades such as Man of Year, Big Spring; Engineer of the Year, Permian Basin; Regional Outstanding Service Award for 38 years of service, and Outstanding West Texan are among many tributes his peers have bestowed.
Serving as President of the Texas Water Conservation Association and of the Permian Basin Professional Engineers Society, Owen’s ceaseless efforts merited him a reservoir and lake to bear his name. The O.H. Ivie Reservoir supplies water to San Angelo, Abilene, Odessa, Midland, Snyder and Big Spring. In addition, Lake Ivie serves as a fishing and recreation area for West Texas. In 1995, the Texas Water Conservation Association dedicated their 51st Annual Convention to Owen, acknowledging at his retirement his lifetime of perseverance and devotion.
Marriage to his high school sweetheart Yvonne Bohannon, also Class of 1943, led to his extended family—three children, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren. We join them and his nominator Distinguished Alumna - Beverly Bohannon Reynolds, ’48, in celebrating Owen Ivie, Distinguished Colt Alumnus.
* * *
JEFF DALTON, '80
Few Colts could be more humble about their dedication to our elder population coupled with a true generosity of spirit says nominator Patty Murphy, '72.
After a leading role on the Colt football team and a winning career, JEFF DALTON graduated from AHS in 1980. Awarded a football scholarship to Princeton, Jeff majored in Geriatric Psychology, graduating in 1984.
Chair of the Dallas/Fort Worth chapter of Princeton’s Alumni School Committee, tireless volunteer for the United Way, for Guardianship Services and the Area Agency on Aging and a chicken farmer, Jeff takes time to serve with the Citizens on Patrol for the Arlington Police Department.
He also played an integral recruiting role for the fledgling AHS Alumni Association by going to reunions and inviting exes there to join.
Supporting current Colts (future AHS alumni), Jeff and his wife Kathy have hosted the cast party for the school musical for three years. They love being involved with young people, and they love traveling the world.
Jeff’s most notable contribution, however, is to our community’s elder members. As the medical advisor and executor for patients whose families are away or gone, Jeff manages medicines and doctors’ appointments and ensures each individual’s particular needs are met. Since 1999, Jeff has been a reliable resource of information by hosting and producing Elder Issues, the Cable Channel 27 television show. Working with the Arlington Human Resources Center, he is involved with several community awareness boards focused on understanding elder issues and concerns.
Inspired by their mother, Molly, Class of '48, Jeff and his AHS choir director sister, Dinah Dalton Menger, '77 - named Distinguished Colt Alumna in 2007 - are the only brother/sister team so honored.
For keeping his AHS Colt spirit strong, we applaud Jeff Dalton, Distinguished Alumnus.
* * *
NEEL KEARBY, '28
In his nomination of World War II Army Air Forces ace
COLONEL NEEL KEARBY, CLASS F 1928, Clete McAlister, ’65, said, “In the annals of the U.S. Air Force, he is famous.”Indeed, he is. The officers club at Kelly AFB was named in his honor, as was Neel Kearby Blvd
. in Louisiana, and Neel Kearby Hall, a former missile training facility at Sheppard AFB. The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force now displays his medals—and a full-sized replica of his legendary P-47 fighter plane.Although Kearby’s exploits made national news throughout the country, very little was noted in Arlington. Perhaps because he moved here at age 13, and he and all his family had left town by 1932, Arlington gave up its claim on this man.
Now we help re-stake that claim as we name him a Distinguished Colt Alumnus. Thanks to former city councilman Ron Wright and AHS exes—mayor pro-tem
Lana Ward Wolff, ’64, Richard Aghamalian, ’65, Clete, ’65,—the City of Arlington established a permanent display of his medals at City Hall.The city of Arlington has commissioned a statue of Colonel Kearby to be placed on the grounds of the central library in downtown Arlington. In addition, a Texas state historical marker will be placed there. Be watching for news of the unveiling, which planners hope will be on Veterans Day this year.
On October 11, 1943, Neel Kearby, commander of the 348
th Fighter Group in the Pacific, shot down six Japanese aircraft in one mission while his squadron was outmanned twelve to one. For this courageous feat, Kearby received the Congressional Medal of Honor in January 1944. The citation reads in part: “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy…undertaken with superb daring after his mission was completed.”Two months later, Neel Kearby was killed in action over New Guinea.
With humility and gratitude, the Arlington High School Alumni Association proudly honors the memory of Distinguished Colt Neel Kearby.
1997
Tom and Anna Waynette Smith Vandergriff
1998
Tom Cravens
Barbara Nash Kight
1999
Bill Bardin
Cathy Bontley Brown
2000
Greg and Jane Crews Friess
2001
Michael Ditto
Natalee Davis Parr
Robert Perry Mills, Jr, posthumous
Jane Robin Ellis
2002
Tillie Lester Burgin
Carl Knox
Phillip Stork
Dean Corey, posthumous
2003
Robert Fielder, posthumous
Beverly Bohannon Reynolds
Gene Schrickel
John Webb
2004
William Conner
Gary Martin
Frank & Kathleen Bradford Smith
Margie Austin
2005
Alan Austin
Ben Pierce
Anne Ross Berg Seldon
Ernest & Kathryn Taylor Wilemon
2006
Charlie Key, posthumous
Charles & Wanda Roberson Marshall
Dorothy Thornton Rencurrel
Mike Wade
Mayfield Workman
2007
Tom DeFrank, '63
Dinah Dalton Menger, '77
Bill Hughes, '48
2008
James Adams, CBC
James Ditto
Alvin and Martha Wiggins Mosley
2009
James "Brad" Bradley, '39
Kent Cherry, '52
Phyllis Hargrave Forehand, '51
Paul Swartz, '69
Jannette Workman, '54
2010
Jim Ball, '59
Owen Ivie, '43
Jeff Dalton, '80
Neel Kearby, '28
2011
Mac Martin, '61 Peggy Martin,
ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION EXISTS TO FOSTER AND SUPPORT
EDUCATIONAL AND RELATED ACTIVITIES OF ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
AND THE ARLINGTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT.
How Sweet It Is
To Be Back In Colt
Country!
www.ahscolts-alumni.org