Page 74 - some-stuff-i-wrote-and-some-stuff-i-didn't-(2011)-h-morris-williams

Some Stuff I Wrote and Some Stuff I Didn't (2011) H. Morris Williams

"MR. HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL"

Retired football coach Gene Cox (CHS 1952) was given yet another prominent title
last month.

Judge Jim Joanos, writing in Florida State University's October issue of
"Report to Boosters", called Gene "Mr. High School Football." Just a year ago
the Orlando Sentinel had dubbed the Lake City native "The King of Friday Night
Football."

Both are appropriate titles. Gene is the all time winningest high school
football coach in Florida history with 313 wins.

For his many accomplishments, he has been inducted into five sports halls of
fame.

Judge Joanos' comprehensive article, titled "Mr. High School Football', is one
of the best ever written on Coach Cox. You can also find the article on the
Internet. Go to www. seminole-boosters. com. Then scroll down on the right to
"News, Garnet & Gold-Gene Cox, "Mr. High School Football."

FAREWELL, MARTIN PAGE

Friend Martin Page (CHS 1953) died last week. The obituary list of his many
accomplishments and the large crowd at his funeral attest to his successful
life.

Many of his high school classmates were also successful and his class was known
for producing a lot of 'professionals' for a class of only about 100 students.

That class produced three physicians, Drs. Harry Tucker, Hoyt Horne and Matt
Burns; two dentists, Drs. John Wood and Wayne Hammons; an attorney, Martin Page;
a pharmacist, Billy Ogden; and several Registered Nurses, including Pat
Phillips, Vera Hughes, Sue Pomeroy, Carlene Langston, and Jo Ann Giebeig. I am
sure there are others.

Martin was a popular student in high school and he had an affectionate nickname,
"Bird Dog".

Martin lived near the football field growing up and each day when he went to
football practice, his bird dog followed him. Thus, the nickname. And the
nickname followed him most of his life among his closest friends. Martin was a
personal friend, a good man in every way and a fine citizen, and he will be
greatly missed.

68
www.LakeCityHistory.com LCH-UUID: 644B81FB-81A1-47B2-8D77-49DC2A1A0BE8