Alumni Directory
Other Alumni
TEACHERS
First Name: Ms. Marci
Last Name: McAlister
Email address: withhouseinhand@hotmail.com
Years you taught at TO: 1974 to 1978
Subjects taught: ART!!!
Current city of residence: Memphis area
Current profession: National Sales of my book, home design consults and, of course, artwork and portraits! Designer / Author: With House in Hand (R) Home Decorating Organizer Book
Favorite TO memory(s): I was the Senior Sponsor for 1978 class so, I think it would be the night the Senior class kids begged (a VERY pregnant me) to attend a meeting with their parents & Brother Taylor about the funds that the Seniors had saved to be able to go on the 'cruise'.
After much ado...y'all received the funds you'd worked so hard to save to be able to go....and......later... April 9th, to be exact... I had a beautiful,10 lb, 8 oz baby girl! OUCH! (She's 30 now!)
So..... naturally I stayed home, became a Mama and thought about all of you Seniors. I hoped you all would have a happy 'lifetime memory', wishing I could be there with you... (in two places at the same time)! I was there in spirit!
Then there was also 1978 when I was again, the yearbook sponsor, but I didn't teach the second semester (due to pregnancy). That was fun!!
When I looked for my 'first house' (in the TO area), the realtor was showing me around the neighborhood. Every Corner we turned seemed to have a student out playing...yelling, "Hi Mrs. McAlister!"
I remember her asking, "Do you REALLY WANT to live HERE?", with kids waving at every turn. I answered, "Absolutely!" Y'all were just great!
OTHER ALUMNI
Name : Adkins, Jay
Email Address : jayadkins455@msn.com
Year Graduated : 1977
Years Attended T.O. : 2
City of current residence : Germantown, TN
Current profession/occupation : Small Business Owner/Manufacturing
Favorite T.O. Memory(S) : Too many to list, but a couple of favorites. Working out in the old blue house, listening to "We are the Champions" by Queen before school started in the morning. "The Club", a football participation special practice after practice organization for those of us who sometimes chose to ignore our coaches directions or failed to meet certain criteria. All of the memories are great. While I did not graduate from T.O., the school and friendships developed there will never be forgotten.
Profile : I have been married for 18 years, to my wife Gina. We have two daughters, Lauren (16) and Kaysey (12). I own a small manufacturing business and Gina works at Fed Ex. We are a very sports oriented family. Both of our daughters play competitive fastpitch softball and I coach. We stay on the road almost every weekend from March through August and even some in the fall. We have lived in Germantown for the last 16 years and will probably remain there until both kids are in college. Future plans seem to change on a dialy basis when the kids are involved, so who knows where we will end up.
Name : Asplund, Ron
Email Address : LBonds40@aol.com
Year Graduated : 1980
Years Attended T.O. : 7
City of current residence : Collierville
Current profession/occupation : Manager Multi Unit Sales
Favorite T.O. Memory(S) : I was at T.O. from the day it opened to the day it closed. Fifth grade thru my Junior year. I ended up graduating from Glenmore Academy in 1980.
Profile : I have a 15 year old son named Robert and a Black Lab named Dixie. We have been in Collierville 8 years.
Name : Aylor, Raymond Kyle
Email : kyleaylor@comcast.net
Year graduated : n/a
Years attended TO : 1973-1980 3rd-8th grade
Current residence : Cordova, TN.
Profession : Owner/Operator of RiverWalk Multimedia
Favorite TO memory : Pep Rallies
Profile : Married for 6 years, have a 15 y.o. son and 3 y.o. daughter
Name : Bonds, Lu Ann
Maiden Name : Loftiss
Email Address : LBonds40@aol.com
Year Graduated : 1980
Years Attended T.O. : 7
City of current residence : Collierville
Current profession/occupation : Manager Multi Unit Sales
Favorite T.O. Memory(S) : I was at T.O. from the day it opened to the day it closed. Fifth grade thru my Junior year. I ended up graduating from Glenmore Academy in 1980.
Profile : I have a 15 year old son named Robert and a Black Lab named Dixie. We have been in Collierville 8 years.
Name : Burcham, Kim
Maiden Name : Walls
Email Address : pkburcham@bellsouth
Year Graduated : 1981 (Glenmore Academy)
Years Attended T.O. : 1973-1978
City of current residence : Collierville, TN
Current profession/occupation : Jobshare / FedEx / Quality Control & Loss
Prevention Dept.
Favorite T.O. Memory(S) : One of my favorite memories at T.O. was going on a class trip (can't remember if it was 5th or 6th grade) to Tremont, TN.
Profile : I've been married to Ronnie for 13 years, and we've lived in Collierville for 7 years. We have two children. Our son, Carson is 8 years old and is in the 3rd grade. He enjoys playing baseball and basketball. Our daughter, Delaney is 6 years old and is in the 1st grade. She loves playing soccer.
First Name : Burke, Charles (better known as Chuck)
EMail : cjburke@hauntedparsonage.us
Year Graduated : 1980
Years Attended T.O. : 1973-76 (6th - 8th grade)
City of Current Residence : Phoenix, NY
Current Profession : Gas Utility Operations Support Analyst
Favorite TO Memories : Trip to Hunstsville Space Center with Mrs. Baumgardner, Mrs Patterson & Mr Schroeder's 6th grade classes. Managing the junior high football team in 74, being knocked on my tail by David Cooper in blocking practice, watching John Dubach burn up the field, Coach Murphy trying not to swear at us. TO's first attempt at a marching band in 75 - I went on to be part of the NY State National Champion West Genesee Wildcats 2 years later, but had a lot more fun with the Wolfpack! Scaring Mr. Brixey in the band trailer the day after the earthquake.
Profile : My family left Memphis for upstate New York in the summer of 76. After high school, I majored in Information Systems. Married a local girl the summer I graduated college, and we've raised two great kids. Been living in a former Baptist parsonage in the village of Phoenix, NY for almost 20 years. Have developed computer-based training for the Marines, Middle-Eastern allies, and construction trades, taught software maintenance to half the countries in NATO, developed training manuals for roofing and electrical trades, programmed monitoring systems for security systems, and now I supply the information needed to keep natural gas running to homes and businesses throughout New York state. I play in a community concert band, I have published two short stories, and I have a side business doing wedding photography.
Comments : I've been trying to find information about Towering Oaks for about 8 years, since I was helping plan my 20th high school reunion. Somehow, I missed this site.
Name : Burrow, Michael
Email Address : michaeltburrow@aol.com
Years Attended T.O. : 1973 - 1977
City of current residence : Van Alstyne Texas (Dallas)
Current profession/occupation : Information Technology Manager - Citigroup
Name : Carter, Endy
Email Address : sky012228@hotmail.com
Year Graduated : 1987 Briindex.htmended T.O. : \'72-\'82
City of current residence : Memphis
Current profession/occupation :
Favorite T.O. Memory(S) : First and foremost the people. The warm family atmosphere. The Carnival. Watching my brother (Ty Carter) play sports. Annoying him and his friends. There are too many memories to list. They are all carried with me in my heart.
Comments : I am so grateful for this website. I miss this school, it was so much a part of my family's life.
Name : Ellis, Wes
Email Address : ELLIS9354@AOL.COM
Years Attended T.O. : 77,78,79
City of current residence : COLLIERVILLE
Current profession/occupation : CPA
Favorite T.O. Memory(S) : T.O. FOOTBALL GAMES
Profile : MARRIED WITH TWO CHILDREN. PARTNER WITH WOOD, ELLIS AND WOOD, CPA\'S IN COLLIERVILLE, TN 854-5354
Name : Cook, Angela
Maiden Name : Cook
Email Address : angcook@bellsouth.net
Year Graduated : 1990 Briarcrest
Years Attended index.htm of current residence : Memphis
Current profession/occupation : Registered Nurse
Favorite T.O. Memory(S) : All of them. I loved the smallness of TO andreally want something similar for my children.
Profile : I have been married for 9 years and have 2 great children. A 5yr
old girl, and a 2yr old boy.
Went to MSU after high school and became a nurse.
Comments : I am so glad I found this website. TO deserves to be remembered.
Name : McEwen, Linda
Maiden Name : Andrews
Email Address : Luesinda@netzero.com
Years Attended T.O. : 2
City of current residence : Horn Lake, MS.
Favorite T.O. Memory(S) : Too many to name. I made some really good friends at T.O. but over the years lost touch with. Hopefully this will help me reunite with some.
Profile : I am a Certified Medical Assistant and work for a Cardiologist in Memphis. I have been married to my husband Scott for 17 years and have 2 girls, Misty and Shelby. All of this keeps me on the go!
Comments : Thanks guys for this web site!
Name : Gandy, Steve
Email Address : gandyjs@fotf.org
Year Graduated : 1987
Years Attended T.O. : 1981-1983
index.htmsidence : Colorado Springs, CO
Current profession/occupation : Audio engineer
Name : Joyce/Edwards, Dana
Maiden Name : Joyce
Email Address : dolittledana@aol.com
Year Graduated : 81
Years Attended T.O. : 4th til the end
City of current residence : Barindex.htmnt profession/occupation : Mom of 4
Favorite T.O. Memory(S) : Everything and everyone,, except the snotty cliques. But, I still loved everyone of ya!
Profile : 41, married , 23 yr old son David Ryan, triplets that are 19 - son Bryan Taylor, Cheri Danielle (Dani) ..Jenna Elizabeth (Jenna) Yep a Suprise for me! Thank Heaven for C-Section! lol
Comments : Well Im not as skinny as I used to be, but Im not fat. Im still nice, still talk alot, I guess Im alot the same kind of person, just a little twisted from the kids! haaha! No,,really! :-) Call me I miss everyone! 901-388-5235
Name : Lockridge, Lorrie
Maiden Name : Williford
Email Address : LorrieL@unitedfoodservice.com
Year Graduated :
Years Attended T.O. : 5 years
City of current residence : Liberty Towns
Current profession : Office Manager/Foodservice Broker
Favorite T.O. Memory(S) : Cheerleading with Diane Chandler and Tammy (Renee now) Manners who are still good friends, several trips to Florida during spring break, Mr. Linder and Mrs Linder, Mrs. Schwartz were my favorite teachers, and senior year -the trouble we got into makes my hair stand on end now. LOL
Profile : I have been married to the love of my life Dan for 25 years, We have 3 awesome children: a son, Alex a junior at Western Kentucky and going on to seminary, twins - Ashley and Andrew who are seniors this year (2006)- we spend spend many hours at basketball and baseball games with Andrew or following Ashley around with her church band and vocal concert tours. I have a cocker spaniel named Peyton who is my baby and somehow after living in 7 states we still manage to have kept our season tickets to UT football and go every year. We love the VOLS.
Comments : Thanks so much for doing this, it is a blessing to see how everyone
is doing so well.
Psalms 28
Name : Maddox, Tony
Email: tmaddox1@comcast.net
Year Graduated : 1980
Years Attended T.O. : 1977-1979
City of current residence : Collierville
Current profession : Vice President, TBC Corporation
Favorite TO memory(s) : Being in a small school where you knew everyone and most of the students lived close to the school. Had to move over to Briarcrest to graduate in 1980. Loved playing basketball and baseball. Being in the school play, Annie Get Your Gun
Profile : Graduated from Memphis State and have stayed in Memphis ever since. Married to the love of my life, Debbie, since 1985. Daughter Alyssa born in 1989. Now attends UT-Knoxville. Active in my church, Living Hope. Play a lot of golf and love U of M basketball.
Name : Maynard, Keith
Email: NKMaynard@aol.com, norman.maynard@edwards.af.mil
Year Graduated : 1980 (Briarcrest)
Years Attended T.O. : 1978-1979
City of current residence : Palmdale
Current profession : Project manager/Operations Engineer, US Air Force
Favorite TO memory(s) : All the great friends and crazy antics. The football games were great. Look out if you were the other team’s fans. You never know what might happen.
Profile : I am married with two grown girls and a grand-daughter. I’m still into cars, guns, photography, and herpetology. That’s reptiles for those that struggled in science class. My wife (Pam) and I were married on 12-31-1988 in Memphis but have lived in California since 1984. Pam is a special education teacher with the local school district and a fantastic person, as well as being a total babe. I just completed a full mechanical restoration on her 1972 Corvette weekend warrior. She got it for her Birthday a couple years ago (yeah, that’s the ticket) but I get to drive it to work one day a week (not counting the frequent test drives).
I got out of the Air Force in 1986 and moved to Palmdale Ca as a technical rep on the electronic warfare systems installed on the B-1B bomber. I am currently (since 1991) a project manager for the US Air Force (civilian) working for the Instrumentation Division at Edwards AFB, Ca. Our function is to modify aircraft with data acquisition systems to validate weapon performance prior to being released for operational use to the war fighter. I love my job and have been fortunate enough to have worked just about every type aircraft the Air Force inventory. Since 2003 I have worked as the lead instrumentation operations engineer for the Airborne Laser program, a highly modified 747-400 carrying a massive mega-watt class laser, designed to shoot down ballistic missiles in their boost phase. It’s the airborne component of the Missile Defense Agency’s arsenal. Star Wars lives at Edwards. Hopefully, it will survive the current politics.
Comments : I wished I could have graduated at T.O. I hated the one year at Briarcrest. Although I met a few new friends, too many T.O. students joined right into the snobbish clicks and turned their heads, as the rest of us walked by. I’ve been out of touch for a while but would like to hear from my old classmates. Pam and I will be attending the 30 year reunion and hope to see lots of old friends. I guess we’ll see who still has hair where it supposed to be.
Name : McGuinn, Lydia
Maiden Name : Reed
Email Address : lmcguinn@campbellclinic.com
Year Graduated : 1980. Had to go to Briarcrest to graduate.
Years Attended T.O. : 3
City of current residence : Memphis
Favorite T.O. Memory(S) : All the great friendships, don't remember alot about actual education, having too much fun. I wish my kids could have such a great experience.
Profile : Married, 20 years, 3 kids, 18, 11, 5, (only boy,) yeah. I have been at Campbell Clinic since 86. Very busy life, senior, middle school and preschool, what were we thinking?? But healthy and having a good time.
Comments : I think about T.O. often and hope all are doing well!
Name : Meredith, Robert
Email Address : terimeredith@juno.com
Year Graduated : 1980
Years Attended T.O. : 72-79
City of current residence : Trenton, Tn.
Current profession/occupation : preacher
Favoindex.htmg basketball for the wolfpack
Profile : Married with 3 children; have been preaching the gospel for 12 years. A 1992 graduate of the Memphis School of Preaching
Comments : This website brings back many fond memories.
Name : Middleton, Mike
Email Address : mike@atlasfreight.net
Pesonal Web Page : www.atlasfreight.net
Year Graduated : 1977
Years Attended T.O. : 1975-76
City of current residence : Houindex.htmnt profession/occupation : V.P. Sales and Marketing
Favorite T.O. Memory(S) index.htmn in 11th grade speech class. That was a pre-cursor to an almost 20 year career in radio.
Profile : After graduating from TO in 1976 (I was in the class of '77 but only needed Senior English to graduate, so I took that in the summer of '76 and graduated a year early) I completed a B.S. at Dallas Bible College and an MBA at Dallas Baptist University. I spent many years in broadcasting, first in the on-air side and eventually in management. Just celebrated my 25th anniversary with my wife Cammie. Aaron (19) is a sophomore at Texas A&M and Courtney (14) is a high school freshman. My father and I have a partnership in a freight forwarding company, moving cargo all over the world by air and ocean. We reside in Houston, Texas.
Name : Petty, Tyson
Email Address : wtp2@hotmail.com
Year Graduated : 1990
Years Attended T.O. : 1977-1985
City of current residence : Memphis
Current profession/occupation : Operations Manager
Favorite T.O. Memory(S) : My favorite memory is my Teachers, index.htm. Cochran, Mrs Barcroft, Mrs Cat., Ms Finney, and our pricipal at that
time Mr. Thompson.
I think its great this website is here and glad I found it.
Profile : I am an Operations Manager in Cordova working with data for the E.P.A.
Comments : I was at T.O. before the Briarcrest move and then continued with Briarcrest and graduated in 1990
Name : Pfahler, Tina Simmons
Email Address tmpfahler@msn.com
Year Graduated : 1990 from Harding
Years Attended T.O. : 77-85
City of current residence : Nashville, TN
Current profession/occupation : Sales
Favorite T.O. Memory(S) : I loved everything about T.O. and all of my memories were good ones. The teachers were great! My favorite teacher in particular was Mrs. Catanzaro. We always had a blast in her class.
Profile : I am married and have one daughter. My family recently relocated to Nashville, TN from Nesbit, MS.
Name : Russell, Greg
Email : russellgreg@hotmail.com
Year graduated : 1980 (from Briarcrest after TO was bought out)
Years attended TO : 6
City of current residence : Memphis
Current profession/occupation : Editor of University of Memphis Magazine
Favorite TO memory: English classes with Ms. Moss, who I recently reconnected with; marching up and down the halls chanting, “hell no, we won’t go” after Briarcrest bought us, and Roger Yancey’s English class. Any games against Skyview were fun to watch.
Profile: I ended up graduating from Briarcrest after T.O. unfortunately closed down in 1979. I then graduated from the University of Memphis. I was a National Park Service ranger in Rocky Mt. Nat. Park, Grand Tetons, Glacier and in Denali Nat. Park in Alaska during the 90s. I later coached distance runners at the U of M and now work as editor of the U of M Magazine. I occasionally write for the Commercial Appeal sports section.
Comments: I miss the old T.O. and hated to see it go. I never realized until now the Web site existed.
Name : Shackelford, Craig
Email Address : rcshackelford@earthlink.net
Year Graduated : 1980
Years Attended T.O. : 74-79
City of current residence : Washington DC
Current profession/occupation : Agricultural Policy
Favorite T.O. Memory(S) : Being caught by Mr. Yancindex.htmper wad from the home ec room past the office. His words: "I see said the blind man - see me in my office."
Profile : Hi everyone, what to say? Well I live here in Washington where I write marketing policy for agricultural commodities. I moved up here after college and then went to Georgia for a few years. Those good bible classes with Mr. Sparks must have had influence because I am still active in my church. Outdoor adventures are my passion. Oh! some of you may remember my mom who taught school (3rd grade)at T.O. My folks are still in Memphis and I get home pretty often. If anyone comes here for vacation, e-mail me, I'll offer my services as a tour guide.
Name : Cornwell (Smith), Laura
Email : umrebel10@gmail.com
Year of graduation: 1980 (Briarcrest)
Years Attended T.O. : 3
City of current residence : Houston, Tx.
Current profession : Accountant
Favorite TO memory(s): The basketball games in a packed gym and an occasional victory over OBA! I also liked those big yellow mums we got for homecoming.
Profile: I live in a small town outside of Houston, Tx. and work as an accountant for Lyondellbasell. I am married with 4 step children and 4 step grandchildren. In addition to spending most of my time with my family, I still find the time to attend Ole Miss sporting events or catch them on TV. I lived the dream of every Ole Miss fan and was able to live in Oxford for two years enjoying every game/match possible! This website is fantastic! Thanks to all for participating!
Name: Souder, Lisa Coyle
Email address: souder.lisa@mem.sysco.com
Year graduated: 1980
Years attended TO:
City of current residence: Nesbit, Ms. for the last 10 years
Occupation: Sysco Corp for the last 13 years
Favorite TO memories: Marching and dancing with the drill team, playing on the girl’s basketball team. The football games were a good time as well.
Profile: I would have graduated from TO in 1980 but the school closed. I ended up at Glenmore Academy with LuAnn Loftis Bonds and Tammy Edgin Patrick. I was a medical supply buyer for the last 7 years before transferring to be a Commodity Protein and Dairy buyer in the last 6 months. Big change! I am divorced and have one son, Tyler who is 22.
Name : Statham, Kevin
Email Address : h20lung@bellsouth.net
Year Graduated : 1981 (Briarcrest)
Years Attended T.O. : 1976 & 1977
City of current residence : Collierville, TN
Current profession/occupation : Engineer / FedEx
Favorite T.O. Memory(S) : To many to list, but a few stand out. index.htmarching band practice up and down the street @ 7am every morning before school - those poor people, it's surprising that the cops were never called. Listening to KISS and Aerosmith on the jukebox in the lunchroom, playing drumset for Andy Childs for his Elvis impersonations, going to Craigmont HS early Saturday morning with Warren Hampton to accompany the drill team for competition with a drum cadence, after school baseball practice with Coach Murphy and his beloved "Fungo" bat, extra laps after practice, last but not least....the back of the bus on band trips.
Profile : Graduated from Briarcrest, attended Mississippi State and graduated from Memphis State. Married to Laura for nearly 19 years, with three boys - Ben(15), Jacob(12) and Nathan(9). During the fall, I enjoy coaching the Briarest Middle School boys soccer team. The boys and I enjoy riding our dirtbike motorcycles on the weekends when we have the time. We all enjoy the family beach house during the summer in Pensacola, FL and I have recently taken up surfing with my 15yr old. I actually bought a 9ft longboard. I'm sure we are the only van leaving Collierville with three surfboards on top. We are members at Grace Evangelical Church and I play drums for the Sunday morning worship services. Life is good and the boys are growing up too fast.
Comments : Thanks guys for putting this website together. You've uncovered some good memories that I had forgotten about.
Name : Trainer, John (Johnny)
Email Address : john.trainer@gmail.com
Year Graduated : 1981
Years Attended TO : 4
City of current residence : Brentwood, Tn.
Current
Profession : IT Consulting
Favorite TO memory(s) : The juke box in the cafeteria, the packed gym for the basketball games with people standing up to the sidelines, all the great teachers (Bro. Sparks, Miss Lovvorn, Ms Childs, Miss Kuhn) and friends (Andy Childs, Amy Griggs, Leigh Payne and more). I remember the trip to Tremont as an awesome experience.
Profile : I attended TO from the 5th grade to the 8th grade, then my family moved to Brownsville, TN. I graduated from Haywood High in 1981 and then graduated from UT-Martin in 1985. I have ended up in the Nashville area, married to a local girl and have two kids. After 13 years in accounting, I have now worked as a IT consultant for the past 10 years. Me and the family currently live in Brentwood, TN.
Comments : I was at a New Years Eve party and as I was talking to a friend (Chris Sawyer), we both discovered that we grew up in the Memphis area and that we both went to TO! It was unbelievable! He told me about this website and I have really enjoyed reading about TO and everyone. Please keep me in mind for a reunion if one hasn't happened already. I like the idea of a total school 30-yr reunion in 2009!