Charley Blackmore - 1963

My Facebook page - Class of '63 Facebook page
Senior Pictures & Music  - 1963 Cresset - Reunion pictures

Click for Updated Biography - See my Grands August 2011
August 4, 1983 - The Columbia Daily Tribune Weekly Scene Magazine















Mr. Thomas's Bookkeeping Class 1962





















 

 

1953Charles Taylor Blackmore II, aka. "Mr. Kewpie"April 2012

I was born in Mexico, Missouri in the Audrain County Hospital early on a Saturday morning May 12, 1945 the day before Mother's Day, to Clela Elizabeth Hayes Blackmore and Taylor Benson Blackmore, while they resided in Martinsburg, Missouri.  My mother was born in Apache, Oklahoma and moved to Wellsville, Missouri as a young girl. She graduated from the Wellsville High School in 1931.  My dad grew up in the area around Rhineland, Missouri, with two brothers and two sisters.  His parents mostly farmed but his dad did teach school.  But my dad never graduated high school.  I was named after my dad's father, who died in January of 1945.  We moved to Wellsville, Missouri in 1946.  My brother Gary Hayes Blackmore was born on Monday, April 21, 1947.  My dad was a M. F. A. Exchange manager and was transferred to Perry, Missouri in 1948.  Eldon, Missouri was our next home, in late 1949, and in 1950 we moved to Shelbina, Missouri.

I started elementary school in Shelbina and where I walked almost a mile to school. Louisiana, Missouri became our next home, in early 1952, and I finished the 1st grade at Field Elementary School, in Mrs. Gabriel's class.  I again went back to Field School for the 2nd grade with Mrs. Stevens as my teacher and had Mrs. Reid for the 3rd grade.  I remember the principal, Arnold Zaeske, actually paddled a boy in front of the whole class in 2nd grade.  We lived in a big red brick duplex on Georgia Street in Louisiana for about a year and Gerry Green and his family lived in the other side.  We then bought a house on Margaret Drive. Our neighbors were; the Grimmers, the Malys, the DeVergers, the Doors and the Longs.  My 4th grade year I attended the brand new Meriwether School, which was just north of the track at the Louisiana High School.  My early school years were a very meaningful time and I still cherish those old early childhood friends from Louisiana, Missouri.  Ever since I got a driver's license in 1961 I  have always enjoyed going back to Louisiana and visiting those old friends and have done just that every few years.  I put together a 40th Class Reunion for the Louisiana High School Class of 1963 which was held October 18, 2003. I am now on the board as a consultant for the Louisiana High School Alumni & Friends Association.

My dad was promoted to District Manager with M. F. A.(Missouri Farmers Association) in 1955 and we moved to Columbia, Missouri.  Our home was 1205 West Broadway at the edge of the west city limits.  My brother and I started school at West Boulevard Elementary in September of 1955.  Our principal was Wesley Mayhew, a man who, many years ago, my mother had dated. It's A Small World!  My teachers in the 5th grade were Mrs. Richardson and Mrs. Watson and I had Mrs. Freeland for the 6th grade.  Back in those days, the biggest past time I recall was playing lots of baseball in the yard and where ever we could find the space.

September of 1957 through May of 1960 was spent at Jefferson Junior High School.  Mr. Clark, the principal, had served on the school board while in Montgomery County years ago with my dad.  It's A Small World!  I spent my summers mowing yards, playing baseball and riding my bicycle everywhere on the streets of Columbia.  I started school at David H. Hickman High School in September of 1960 and in February of 1961 I started work at Ward & Sublett Gulf at the corner of East Broadway and Business Hwy 63 South.  My fondest memories of high school, other than all my good friends were; Friday assemblies, James R. Chevalier, Helen D. Williams, speech class, going to all the football and basketball games, seeing the Kewpies win the State Basketball Championship in 1962, all the great parties we had and just listening to all the great music of the late 50's and 60's.  I graduated from Hickman High School on May 28th, 1963, the 67th graduating class from Columbia, Missouri and the 36th graduating class of Kewpies.

On June 25 of 1963 I got on a Greyhound Bus and headed to Fort Leonard Wood for basic training for the U. S. Army as did about 15 of my classmates of the Class of 1963.  I was at Fort Leonard Wood for 16 weeks, which included 8 weeks of basic training and 8 weeks of clerk school.  The last week of October I woke up in downtown St. Louis at the Warwick Hotel at 15th and Spruce and walked to the Mart Building on 12th to my job as a clerk typist.  I drove home to Columbia every Friday afternoon after dropping my roommate off at Union Station, and then picked him back up on my return to St. Louis on Sunday night.  John Kennedy was killed the same day I had an appendicitis attack, Friday November 22, 1963.  I drove home to Columbia and Anne Parker and my brother checked me into Boone County Hospital Saturday morning.  I stayed in Columbia for 15 days on convalescent leave after my appendectomy, then returned to St. Louis on December 9, 1963 and was discharged from active duty on December 24, 1963.  Richard Wilson, who had come down to visit, rode back home with me to Columbia on Christmas Eve.

After Christmas I went back to work for Ward & Sublett, which now had become Lake of the Woods Shell.  I continued to work for them part time through 1964 and 1965, while I attended two semesters at the University of Missouri.  My career as a student was short lived and on Saturday, June 5, 1965 I started work as a PTF Clerk for the United States Postal Service.  I was married in May of 1966 and my wife, Susan and I lived at 22 Walnut Hills Trailer Court in Columbia until after our son, Robert Shane, a 1986 Kewpie, was born on September 10, 1968. The next year we bought a house and on July 1, 1969 we moved to Valley View Gardens and 1708 Iris Drive became our new home.  July 21, 1972, Melissa Jean, a 1990 Kewpie, was born.

From the early 70's to the mid 80's I served in many different positions; President of Branch 763 of the NALC, Neighborhood Association President of Valley View Gardens Subdivision, PTA President of Fairview Elementary, city baseball coach, Assistant Scoutmaster and participated as a Mr. Legs contestant for MDA for three consecutive years receiving a 2nd, 3rd and finally a 1st place trophy.  Beginning in November of 1977 I started volunteering at KOPN, a non-comercial radio station in Columbia.  I hosted "CRAZY" CHARLEY'S MONDAY NIGHT LIVE and co-hosted, with my son, Rob and his best friend, Keith Clark, a Jeff Junior High School show called "In The Middle" and a Hickman High School show called "Rock And Roll High School."  Rob, Keith and I retired from community radio in August of 1984 after we returned from our trek at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.

In the late 80's Susan and I divorced and I was married to Gaye Lynn Burton, Class of 1963, from 1991 until 1997.  I lived in Jefferson City while Gaye and I were together and sometimes made as many as 10 trips back and forth to Columbia per week.  After I had heart bypass surgery on December 31st of 1996, Gaye and I divorced and I moved back to Columbia.

I started dating Debbie Burks in 1997 and we became engaged.  Debbie died of breast cancer May 6, 2000.  I began work on www.kewpie.net in August of 1998 on a dare Debbie made.  I took her dare and I continue to work on it everyday in her memory.  "The dare was that I couldn't find everyone who ever went to Hickman High School."

In addition to working for the US Postal Service as a Clerk, Carrier, Vehicle Maintenance Assistant and Driver Instructor Examiner from June of 1965 to August of 2000, I operated a motor route for the Columbia Daily Tribune from November of 1967 through December of 1996.  I also started DJing as "CRAZY" CHARLEY in September of 1978.  I have retired from ALL FORMS OF WORK, except I can easily be persuaded to do an occasional DJ job.

Karen Janes, who I knew back in the 70's when I delivered her mail, and I started dating after an abrupt closure with Debbie's family after her death.  Karen and I were married on September 29, 2000 and live in southeast Columbia.  Karen and I celebrated our wedding by taking a honeymoon trip to Clear Lake, Iowa, in February of 2001, to the "Winter Dance Party" held annually in memory of Buddy Holly.  We celebrated our first anniversary in Ireland. Karen broke up my little party at home by retiring, May of 2004. I do some volunteer DJing, maintain www.kewpie.net, cut grass, play golf, walk, bike, enjoy my retirement and have five grandchildren.  My job of choice now is being Reunion Chairperson for the Class of 1963 of Hickman High School and the Class of 1963 for Louisiana High School.  As you know, the 45th Reunions were held in October of 2008.  The Kewpie Reunion was October 3rd - 5th, 2008 in Columbia and the Bulldog Reunion was canceled due to lack of interest but the "Annual Alumni Association Reunion" was held October 17th - 19th, 2008 in Louisiana, Missouri.

Karen graduated from high school in 1964 in Piggott, Arkansas.  We attended the 45th Reunion over 4th of July weekend 2009 in Piggott.

We are both happily retired; me from the Tribune, since 1997 & the Post Office since 2000 and Karen from State Farm since 2004.

In October of 2008 I started the 'kewpie.net Scholarship' and since my Hickman Kewpie Class of 1963 wanted a scholarship in my name, I am also managing the 'Charley Blackmore's Class of '63 Scholarship.' So in the three years since the start of the scholarships; I have raised over $40,000.00 for the 'kewpie.net Scholarship' and over $14,000.00 for the 'Charley Blackmore's Class of '63 Scholarship.' Thank you, thank you very much!!!!!!!!

If you are a Kewpie, a Mohawk or just remember either of us, give us a call next time you are in or near "Kewpietown" and stop by for a visit! We'd love to see you anytime, you're always welcome!!!!!

Charley & Karen Blackmore
2312 Deer Creek Ct
Columbia MO 65201-3564
573-442-1873

charley@kewpie.net
karen@kewpie.net





  Charley @ home - November 2, 2002
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 Headquarters of: Kewpie Classmates
Charley Blackmore - Personal Home Page
 
 
 
 
 


 


Class of 1942, 60th Reunion, Oct 12, 2002 (I volunteered and played 30's & 40's music from 6-9:30 pm)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 


Old Wheels Car Club 28th Annual Car Show, October 6, 2002.  This was the 24th Show I have DJed.
Earl Smarr's truck, that I am standing on is parked on the NW corner at 8th & Broadway in Downtown Columbia.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 


It's hard to tell, but honest, I am enjoying my retirement.

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1953Charles Taylor Blackmore II2003

I was born in Mexico, Missouri in the Audrain County Hospital early on a Saturday morning May 12, 1945 the day before Mother's Day, to Clela Elizabeth Hayes Blackmore and Taylor Benson Blackmore, while they resided in Martinsburg, Missouri.  My mother was born in Apache, Oklahoma and moved to Wellsville, Missouri as a young girl. She graduated from the Wellsville High School in 1931.  My dad grew up in the area around Rhineland, Missouri, with two brothers and two sisters.  His parents mostly farmed but his dad did teach school.  But my dad never graduated high school.  I was named after my dad's father, who died in January of 1945.  We moved to Wellsville, Missouri in 1946.  My brother Gary Hayes Blackmore was born on Monday, April 21, 1947.  My dad was a M. F. A. Exchange manager and was transferred to Perry, Missouri in 1948.  Eldon, Missouri was our next home, in late 1949, and in 1950 we moved to Shelbina, Missouri.

I started elementary school in Shelbina and where I walked almost a mile to school.  Louisiana, Missouri became our next home, in early 1952, and I finished the 1st grade at Field Elementary School, in Mrs. Gabriel's class.  I again went back to Field School for the 2nd grade with Mrs. Stevens as my teacher and had Mrs. Reid for the 3rd grade.  I remember the principal, Arnold Zaeske, actually paddled a boy in front of the whole class in 2nd grade.  We lived in a big red brick duplex on Georgia Street in Louisiana for about a year and Gerry Green and his family lived in the other side.  We then bought a house on Margaret Drive. Our neighbors were; the Grimmers, the Malys, the DeVergers, the Doors and the Longs.  My 4th grade year I attended the brand new Meriwether School, which was just north of the track at the Louisiana High School.  My early school years were a very meaningful time and I still cherish those old early childhood friends from Louisiana, Missouri.  Ever since I got a driver's license in 1961 I  have always enjoyed going back to Louisiana and visiting those old friends and have done just that every few years.  I put together a 40th Class Reunion for the Louisiana High School Class of 1963 which was held October 18, 2003.

My dad was promoted to District Manager with M. F. A. in 1955 and we moved to Columbia, Missouri.  Our home was 1205 West Broadway at the edge of the west city limits.  My brother and I started school at West Boulevard Elementary in September of 1955.  Our principal was Wesley Mayhew, a man who, many years ago, my mother had dated. It's A Small World!  My teachers in the 5th grade were Mrs. Richardson and Mrs. Watson and I had Mrs. Freeland for the 6th grade.  Back in those days, the biggest past time I recall was playing lots of baseball in the yard and where ever we could find the space.

September of 1957 through May of 1960 was spent at Jefferson Junior High School.  Mr. Clark, the principal, had served on the school board while in Montgomery County years ago with my dad.  It's A Small World!  I spent my summers mowing yards, playing baseball and riding my bicycle everywhere on the streets of Columbia.  I started school at David H. Hickman High School in September of 1960 and in February of 1961 I started work at Ward & Sublett Gulf at the corner of East Broadway and Business Hwy 63 South.  My fondest memories of high school, other than all my good friends were; Friday assemblies, James R. Chevalier, Mrs. William's speech class, going to all the football and basketball games, seeing the Kewpies win the State Basketball Championship in 1962, all the great parties we had and just listing to all the great music of the late 50's and 60's.  I graduated from Hickman High School on May 28th of 1963.

On June 25 of 1963 I got on a Greyhound Bus and headed to Fort Leonard Wood for basic training for the U. S. Army as did about 15 of my classmates of the Class of 1963.  I was at Fort Leonard Wood for 16 weeks, which included 8 weeks of basic training and 8 weeks of clerk school.  The last week of October I woke up in downtown St. Louis at the Warwick Hotel at 15th and Spruce and walked to the Mart Building on 12th to my job as a clerk typist.  I drove home to Columbia every Friday afternoon after dropping my roommate off at Union Station, and then picked him back up on my return to St. Louis on Sunday night.  John Kennedy was killed the same day I had an appendicitis attack, Friday November 22, 1963.  I drove home to Columbia and Anne Parker and my brother checked me into Boone County Hospital Saturday morning.  I stayed in Columbia for 15 days on convalescent leave after my appendectomy, then returned to St. Louis on December 9, 1963 and was discharged from active duty on December 24, 1963.  Richard Wilson, who had come down to visit, rode back home with me to Columbia on Christmas Eve.

After Christmas I went back to work for Ward & Sublett, which now had become Lake of the Woods Shell.  I continued to work for them part time through 1964 and 1965, while I attended two semesters at the University of Missouri.  My career as a student was short lived and on Saturday, June 5, 1965 I started work as a PTF Clerk for the United States Postal Service.  I was married in May of 1966 and my wife, Susan and I lived at 22 Walnut Hills Trailer Court in Columbia until after our son, Robert Shane was born on September 10, 1968, when we bought a home at 1708 Iris Drive in Columbia.  July 21, 1972, Melissa Jean was born.

From the early 70's to the mid 80's I served in many different positions; President of Branch 763 of the NALC, Neighborhood Association President of Valley View Gardens Subdivision, PTA President of Fairview Elementary, city baseball coach, Assistant Scoutmaster and participated as a Mr. Legs contestant for MDA for three consecutive years receiving a 2nd, 3rd and finally a 1st place trophy.  Beginning in November of 1977 I started volunteering at KOPN, a non-comercial radio station in Columbia.  I hosted "CRAZY" CHARLEY'S MONDAY NIGHT LIVE and co-hosted, with my son, Rob and his best friend, Keith Clark, a Jeff Junior High School show called "In The Middle" and a Hickman High School show called "Rock And Roll High School."  Rob, Keith and I retired from community radio in August of 1984.

In the late 80's Susan and I divorced and I was married to Gaye Lynn Burton, Class of 1963, from 1991 until 1997.  I lived in Jefferson City while Gaye and I were together and sometimes made as many as 10 trips back and forth to Columbia per week.  After I had heart bypass surgery on December 31st of 1996, Gaye and I divorced and I moved back to Columbia.

I started dating Debbie Smith in 1997 and we became engaged.  Debbie died of breast cancer May 6, 2000.  I began work on www.kewpie.net in August of 1998 on a dare Debbie made.  I took her dare and I continue to work on it everyday in her memory.  "The dare was that I couldn't find everyone who ever went to Hickman High School."

In addition to working for the US Postal Service as a Clerk, Carrier, Vehicle Maintenance Assistant and Driver Instructor Examiner from June of 1965 to August of 2000, I operated a motor route for the Columbia Daily Tribune from November of 1967 through December of 1996.  I also started DJing as "CRAZY" CHARLEY in September of 1978.  I have retired from ALL FORMS OF WORK, except I can easily be persuaded to do an occasional DJ job.

Karen Janes, who I knew back in the 60's when I delivered her mail, and I started dating after an abrupt closure with Debbie's family after her death.  Karen and I were married on September 29, 2000 and live in southeast Columbia.  Karen and I celebrated our wedding by taking a honeymoon trip to Clear Lake, Iowa, in February of 2001, to the "Winter Dance Party" held annually in memory of Buddy Holly.  We celebrated our first anniversary in Ireland.  We have plans of another celebration next year as Karen has decided to break up my little party at home by retiring, May of 2004.  I do some volunteer DJing, maintain www.kewpie.net, clean house, cut grass, walk, bike and enjoy my retirement.  My job of choice now is being Reunion Chairperson for the Class of 1963 of Hickman High School and the Class of 1963 for Louisiana High School.  As you know, the 40th Reunions were held in Ocotber of 2003.  The Kewpie Reunion was October 9th - 12th in Columbia and the Bulldog Reunion was October 17th - 19th in Louisiana, Missouri.

Piggott, Arkansas is where Karen graduated from high school in 1964.  They will have their 40th Reunion over 4th of July weekend in Piggott.  I have put together a webpage for the Piggott High School Class of 1964 and you can see all of the music at by clicking here.
 
 

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