Manatee High School-Class of 1972

Courtesy of Warren Jerrems, we just added a new album of all of the MACOHI student newspapers from 1971-72 . Check out the photo section of the Page.

Remembering Buddy Pope, a teammate and friend to many since our days at Walker Junior High.

Here's a picture that came from the Manatee Co. Library archives. Shows the new cafeteria on N.Campus in our senior year. I see Rick Albrecht and Cody Blades at the table in the center.I'm thinking, Might be Randy Nobles with the striped shirt ?

Just received a message from Debbie Sykes that classmate Cheryl Zeef died on 12 May. Cheryl started with us at Walker Junior High in the 7th grade. As you all may remember she had some genetic disorder that affected her appearance.I can vividly recall the endless harassment and taunting that she went through at the hands of those who can be the cruelest beings on the planet, junior high age kids. I always tried to be friendly and say hello to her. It angered me to see the way she was being treated. All these years later, I wish I had been more courageous and said something to all those bone-heads who were bullying her.(one of them was one of my closest friends too) But we were all just trying to fit in I suppose and 7th grade was a difficult time for many of us.Years later I was teaching an Orthopedics class to LPN students and she was among them, I was glad to be able to talk to her again and as far as I know she graduated the program and may have gone on for her RN degree. Heaven has gained a good soul this week. Here's to you Cherie We're all richer to have known you.

This was per Carol Routh today:
Andrea Curry has just notified me of the passing of another beloved classmate.

Craig Alan "BUB" Buehrer, 63, passed away peacefully at home of esophageal cancer on March 16, 2018 at 06:20am. He was surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his mother: Eunice G. Buehrer of Bradenton, FL, wife: Camellia Buehrer, son: Calin Buehrer, grandson: Bradley Buehrer, step-son: Matthew Reagan of St. Augustine, FL, brother: Carlton David Buehrer, sister-in-law: Mary Davis-Buehrer, of Sarasota, FL. There are many dear relatives and friends scattered throughout the US.
Born in Traverse City, MI on 06.25.54, he moved to Longboat Key, FL in 1960 and lived in the LBK/Sarasota/Bradenton area until moving to St. Augustine in 2001. Craig was an avid fisherman and hunter. He loved music, swimming (Sarasota Swim Team/AAU), Aikido, and travel. He went to Anna Maria Elementary School and was a graduate of Manatee High (Go 'Canes!) class of 1972. Craig was a devoted husband, doting father and grandfather, and the best friend anyone could ask for.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Community Hospice

Carol Routh told us today of the death of another classmate, Jim Dodd. I'm afraid that I did not know him back then , but he was a friend to many of you that went to Bayshore Junior High.

If you are a member of the Manatee High School Class of 1972, and you’re not on the Manatee Reunion Page, please contact me.

We're all mourning the passing away of a friend and mentor to many folks here in Manatee Co. Nancy Carson was the Dean of Girls from the old days at Walker Jr high through our time at MHS. Once in Jr High, I was sitting in Coach Stokes office(Dean of Boys) shooting the breeze between classes and she came in. Somehow the subject of paddling came up and she said" I bet I could really put one on you". I accepted the challenge and bent over the chair. I braced my butt as I heard the paddle whistling through the air and it definitely rocked me forward and burned to high heaven, but I didn't make a sound, just smiled and said you're welcome. Coach Stokes just laughed as did Miss Carson. She was one good person.

Carol Bell let us know of the passing away of Mark Fortson. Jim Moore had asked about him a couple of weeks ago and I looked into it, but wasn't able to find anything on it. Mark was with us from the Walker Junior High School days until graduation in 72. I know many of you knew him from elementary school, I believe he went to Palma Sola? He was in Miss Peterson's English class in 9th grade with us and was somewhat of a class clown.Let's say MissPeterson was not appreciative of his humor and one day went absolutely ape at him. Never saw her like that before or after! Our sympathies go to his family.

Robyn Alley let us know today of the death of Scott Bailey. I didn't really know him very well but he always seemed to be a very outgoing and nice guy. I know that he was special to Robyn in those later years. Good or bad or somewhere in between, all of those experiences and folks have played a role in our lives and are a part of where we have come to today.