CHARLEY BLACKMORE

 

 

"Mr. Kewpie" sketch done by Jefferson City artist after 20th Reunion in 1983


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August 25, 2000
I retired from the
United States Postal Service
But apparently my voice will be there forever @ 573-876-7800......
I am still happy to greet you on the automated message when you call!
I worked for the USPS
in Columbia, Missouri
since I began in June of 1965.
I started as a Clerk and
became a Letter Carrier in 1966.
Beginning in 1984 I was in charge of Vehicle Operations and
was a Driver Instructor Examiner from
1987 until retirement.

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I had a Motor Route with "The Columbia Daily Tribune" from November 1, 1967 until Dec 31, 1996, when I drove myself to the hospital with a heart attack.  I always said I would deliver papers as long as my health held out.  

I spent 20 years driving a Volkswagen Beetle, but advanced to a Nissan Pathfinder the last few years.  I still delivered to most of the same area I started delivering to in 1967.

My route consisted of delivering The Columbia Daily Tribune, Monday through Friday in the afternoons after work from the Post Office and in the mornings about 6:30 am on Saturday and Sunday to about 180 customers.  I delivered to the old Rainbow Village Trailer Court, behind Stephens Golf Course off East Walnut, the Columbia Country Club neighborhood, the area east of Westlakes down to the Eastwood Motel area and some of the Whitegate Subdivision.

I enjoyed the route and the money, and miss seeing all my friends on the route, but now enjoy sleeping late on Saturday and Sunday mornings and and not having to be @ The Tribune seven days a week!

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"CRAZY" CHARLEY is still my nickname which I started using in 1977 when I began donating my time to community radio at 89.5 FM-KOPN, doing my oldies show called "Monday Night Live."  I also had a show, for a while called the "Red Neck Round-Up" featuring country music.  Rob (my son), Keith Clark (his friend) and I did shows together during his days at Jeff Jr High School called "In The Middle" and "Rock & Roll High School" during their Sophomore year at Hickman High School.  My career at KOPN ended in October of 1984, when community radio decide I wasn't giving enough of my time.

I have been a DJ since 1977
specializing in class reunions & wedding receptions,
but can provide music for almost any occasion
mostly for Kewpie Classmates and friends.
Give me a call if I can be of musical help
at your Reunion, Wedding or Party!
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Keeping Track of "The Class of 1963"
You know a little about your reunion chairman, so there isn't a whole lot for me to say about that.  I do put considerable time into the job, but have a great time at it.  "I do manage to personally contact almost every classmate at least every 5 years and try to get the whole group relocated!"  Putting a reunion together would be such a simple task if everyone would let me know when their address or email address changes.  The Class of 1963 webpage contains a list of those I DO NOT have addresses for and a list of the deceased class members.  I maintain this entire webpage and I hope you will derive some enjoyment from it.  If you have any information about members of our class please let me know.
e-mail to:  charley@kewpie.net
I have also put together a database of all those that have attended David H. Hickman High School since it began in 1928.  That database now contains 29,010 Kewpies.  If you ever attended Hickman, please register or if you know someone who might have, send them to www.kewpie.net, too.

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If you are reading this and have an knowledge of the Internet you have a pretty good idea what I do with at least part of my time.

Aside from the computer and the Internet I find time to a few other things.

My music collection consists of thousands of old records (albums and 45s) and CDs.   I have quit making tapes, but now make CDs for friends, when somebody needs something for a special event.  Most recently I am enjoying mp3s and having fun making CDs on my computer.  I just finished compiling 20,000 songs, from my collection, onto hard drive and now use my laptop and "PCDJ" software instead of CD players to DJ.  The range of my collection is music from the 1900's through the 2000's, with a main focus on Elvis Presley, Disco, Country and Oldies of the 40's through the 80's.

I still enjoy movies when I have time.  My all time favorites are: One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Used Cars, Heaven Can Wait and Sling Blade.  The greatest thing about new movies is listening to them on DVD in or 5 to 1 Surround.  If you love old Rock 'N Roll and Digital Surround, see Roy Orbison's "Black & White Night."  It will knock you out!
 
 




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I have five grandchildren; Tyler will be 11 on May 21st,  Jacob will be 9 on July 14th, Hannah was 7 on Dec 27th, 2002, Zachary was 6 on January 2nd, and Maggie will be 5 on July 2nd.  Jacob, Hannah and Maggie are my son, Rob and Jennifers' children and Tyler and Zachary are my daughter, Melissa and Kevins' kids.


 

Since my heart attack on December 31, 1996 and a double bypass, I am actually better than I was before.  I quit smoking cigarettes after 37 years and highly recommend it, if you still haven't quit.  I want to stick around, enjoy my children and grandchildren as they grow older because I expect they all are going to need me to continue helping with their class reunions.  Rob's 20th Reunion of the Class of 1986 is only three years away and Melissa's class could have their 15th in two years.

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Karen Janes and I became engaged on August 3rd, 2000 and were married on September 29th, 2000.  We were married at the Christian Church of Lake Ozark, Missouri.  Kerry Presnell performed the ceremony at the outdoor chapel.  We returned home and I DJed the reunion of the "Class of 1960" Saturday the 30th  and I DJed for the "Old Wheels Car Club" in downtown Columbia on Sunday the 1st of October.  We took a little wedding celebration trip to the "Buddy Holly Tribute" in Clear Lake, Iowa in February of 2001.
We became friends back in 1973, and then Karen was away from Columbia for about 20 years, but came back in 1997.  Karen is with State Farm and we plan to stay here, in Kewpie Town,  for at least a few more years, but she has announced her retirement as of May 1, 2004.  Karen is from Piggott, Arkansas.  Karen's sister, Jo, lives in Granada, Mississippi and still keeps a home in Piggott, too, where her three children still live.  Karen's brother, Eric, his wife Michelle and daughter, Melissa, live in Belleville, Illinois.  We moved Karen's mom back to Columbia from Piggott, October 2001 after we returned from celebrating our anniversary in Ireland.  My mother stayed in her home, here in Columbia, until she passed away May 14th, 2001.  My brother, GB and Connie are still here, too, but spend a lot of time at their homes at Sugar Creek Lake.  Connie is also with State Farm and GB is still carrying the mail, as is his son, Kelly and my son, Rob.  If you need to know anymore than you just read, call me anytime, or click here to read more of my biography.  I've always got the time, to take the time, to visit.

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Deborah Kay Burks Smith & I were engaged until she died.  Those of you that made it to the 1963 Class Reunion in 1998, remember seeing Debbie.  She was the sweet lady that was putting up with "Mr. Kewpie" doing all his Kewpie Stuff.  You guessed it, she was a Kewpie... Class of 1969.  When we found the time away from Kewpie Stuff, we went to movies, played golf and listened to lots of music, which, you know included... "Elvis" and visited my children and grandchildren.  We enjoyed visiting with Kewpies from all classes whenever they hit town and had the time to call.....

Debbie passed away May 6, 2000 at her home in Columbia.  The love she gave me will remain an inspiration to me the rest of my life.
 

 

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Here are my video picks.  I hope you enjoy them too!
Latest good flicks; Cold Mountain & Something's Gotta Give 2004-01-02 cb

Check out; Mystic River, Beyond Borders and Runaway Jury, all are good flicks  2003-10-26 cb

Check out Roy Orbison's "Black & White Night."  It's on DVD, it will take you back and blow you away on a good surround sound system!  It's still the best I have seen!  2003-07-27
You gotta check out "JACK" in "About Schmidt."  Watch for waterbed & hot tub scenes.

It's a MUST SEE, if you're RETIRED!  Now on DVD.....................

Check out "Life Is A House."
On DVD, I loved it, let me know what you thought of it.   charley@kewpie.net
Check out "Finding Forrester" on DVD, great flick!


If you haven't seen "SLING BLADE", Don't wait any longer, rent it tonight, it's **** plus.  Let me know how you liked it, Soon!  Ah right then, mmmm, mmhhhh...... see it on DVD, mmmhh!
Jack Nicholson, as McMurphy and Louise Fletcher, as Nurse Ratched, in "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" is still my favorite movie of all time, see it if you haven't.


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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 am presently putting together a 40th Class Reunion for the Class of 1963, of Louisiana High School.

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 Clearlake, 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.  My son and daughter still live close as does their mother and I have five grandchildren; three boys who are 10, 8 and 5 and two girls who are 6 and 4.  I do some volunteer DJing, maintain www.kewpie.net, clean house, cut grass, walk, bike and enjoy my retirement.  My jobs 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 are being held this year.  The Kewpie Reunion is October 9th - 12th in Columbia and the Bulldog Reunion is October 17th - 19th in Louisiana, Missouri.


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