AHS Class of 1968

          The Aiken High School Class of 1968 is planning a 50^th year reunion.  The reunion committee is presently updating its alumni mailing list.  If you are an alumnus or know of an alumnus from the class of 1968, please contact Helen Tewkesbury at (803) 648-0267, or contact Dale Prout at (803) 649-9649.  You may also mail your update to “Class of 1968”; 26 Troon Way; Aiken, SC; 29803.

Class of 1968 Veteran Dale Prout

Local Vietnam veteran recently honored for his service (Feb 23, 2017)

A local veteran, who was recently recognized and honored for his service in the Vietnam War, decided to share his story for the first time.

Dale Prout, of Aiken, was one of 53 Vietnam vets honored at a special ceremony Feb. 14 at the Charles Norwood VA in Augusta.

Prout, 66, volunteered to serve his country in 1969 and joined the U.S. Navy.

“My father was in the Navy before me, and I sort of followed in his footsteps,” Prout said. “I went to USC Aiken out of high school and wasn’t really making the grades. My dad then told me I should go into the Navy, and that’s what I did.”

Prout said he went all over the world for about a year before getting the call that he was going to Vietnam.

“A lot of us didn’t really think they were going send any of us (in the Navy) on the East Coast, but then the call came,” he said.

He went to Vietnam in 1970, and was stationed on a destroyer called the U.S.S. Glennon during his time in Vietnam.

“We were in a gun line a couple miles off the coast, and our main mission was to fire artillery rounds at whatever coordinates we were given by spotters,” he said.

Prout said the Viet Cong, or National Liberation Front, didn’t have planes or submarines, but they did have long-range guns they would shoot at the ships.

“We definitely would get fired upon sometimes,” he said. “It was kind of crazy, because they couldn’t see us and we couldn’t see them. I helped to load the guns on the ship. Some guys would get the coordinates, put them in, and fire.”

He also said his bed was located underneath one of the long-range guns on the ship, and he now has hearing issues from trying to sleep so near the loud weapon.

In 1972, after two years away from home, Prout was finally able to come back to South Carolina, but he said the welcome was not quite what you would expect.

“I arrived back to the states on the West Coast, where there were a bunch of people protesting the war,” he said. “Returning soldiers were actually told to wear their civilian clothes home, not their uniform, because the protestors would throw things at you, even spit on you. I, of course, wore my uniform home.”

Prout returned to Aiken, got married and went back to college. He has now been married for 45 years, has two children and four grandchildren.

“I never really talked about my time in the service, but it’s nice to finally talk about and to be honored at the Vietnam Veterans Ceremony at the VA.”

Sad News Since Last Reunion

Susan H. Heath

August 17, 1950 - July 10, 2015

AIKEN - Mrs. Susan H. Heath, 64, loving wife of Rick Heath, passed away Friday, July 10, 2015.

A celebration of life will be held Thursday, July 16, 2015 at St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church, Stevenson-Mcclelland Building from 4-6 PM.

Susan was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Her greatest joy came from spending time with and caring for her family. Susan was passionate about the role she played in the life of her family. She gave of herself tirelessly and unselfishly. She put the needs and wishes of her family before her own. Susan did all she could do to make life happier and easier for them. Rick and her children, Shannon, Kris, and Lizzie felt loved and cherished by Susan. She was always available to do whatever was needed to make life better for them.

Susan adored her four granddaughters Chloe, Annabelle, Ella and Emma. She cared for them from their birth until her illness made it impossible for her to continue. These little girls were a joy and blessing to Susan.

After Susan’s mother Fanny died, Susan assumed the role as matriarch of the family. Along with her sister Sally, Susan carried on her mother’s tradition of gathering as a family to celebrate holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions of the family. Susan was a rock for her family.

Susan and her sister Sally shared a close and loving relationship. They were best friends as well as sisters. They cherished the time they spent together.

One of Susan’s favorite places on this earth was Hilton Head Island, and the time she spent there with her family. She loved walking on the beach every morning and sitting on the porch in her rocking chair in the evening. She rocked all of her grandchildren to sleep in that chair.

Susan had many wonderful and supportive friends. She shared her zest for life with all who knew and loved her. She will be missed by her friends and family alike. She will be especially missed by her Supper Club, which is made up of seven couples, who have met for dinner for thirty years. This group has shared many of life’s significant events – weddings, births, and many happy occasions. In their hearts’ will always be a place set at their table for Susan.

Susan fought her battle with pancreatic cancer with courage and determination. She did everything within her power to overcome the disease. She greatly appreciated the love and support of her family during her illness. They were with her every step of the way. Their faithfulness was an expression of their love and respect for Susan.

Susan was touched by the outpouring of encouragement, love and support given to her during her illness. She kept the cards and messages sent to her and reread them for solace during the dark days of her illness. She reassured those offering support to her by responding with words of gratitude and praise. This was so typical of the humble and caring lady Susan was.

Susan was an extraordinary person. She was strong, loving, thoughtful, generous, and a beautiful women. She was also gentle, humble, and kind. She preferred giving to receiving. Her life was characterized by her strong faith in God, her devotion to those she loved, and her integrity. She was a blessing to all who were privileged to have known her.

Carolyn Quinn Nichols

May 08, 1950 - September 07, 2016

AIKEN - Carolyn Quinn Nichols passed away peacefully at her home in Aiken, SC, surrounded by loved ones, on Wednesday, September 7, 2016.

Mrs. Nichols was born May 8, 1950, in Union, SC, the second daughter born to James Edward Quinn and Joyce Sizemore Quinn. She is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Curtis Nichols; daughter Jeannie Nichols Hixon (Doug) of North Augusta, SC; son Michael Nichols; sisters Susan Quinn Sand and Jo Ann Quinn; brother Mitch Quinn; grandson Jacob Day and his wife Lauren, in Okinawa; granddaughter Brooke Day, in North Augusta, SC, and numerous loved in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind beloved co-worker friends from her career at the Savannah River Site, and her classmate friends from Aiken High School Class of 1968.

Carolyn was loved world-wide by her friends in the “Elvis family” - who met frequently to support Elvis Tribute Artists at various festivals and honor the life and music of Elvis Presley. At these events, she was always watching for someone who might be alone there, or in need of inclusion - and then she made them part of the family. She did everything she could to support her friends who were ETAs. She will never be forgotten, and will now always have the best seat in the house!

Mr. Ray Feaster

Aiken, South Carolina

Ray Feaster AIKEN - Mr. Ray Feaster, 66, of Aiken, SC, entered into rest in the comfort of his home, under the loving care of Kari Deloach, with Trinity Hospice, with his wife of twenty-nine years, Mrs. Renyea Flowers Feaster, at his side. Born in Washington, GA, a son of the late Albert Ray, Sr. and Mary Ida Plunkett Feaster, he had been a resident of Aiken County, SC, most of his life. He was a graduate of the University of South Carolina, where he obtained his BA in Psychology. He was a member of Millbrook Baptist Church. Ray enjoyed fishing, golf and NASCAR. He was also a member of the Millbrook Anglers and was a former member of the St. Andrews Bass Club. He and his father were the founders and former owners of Feasters Foods. In addition to his wife and parents, family members include his children, Jennifer Dance and Nathan Dance, both of CA; brother, the late Lawrence "Larry" Feaster, uncle, Olin Plunkett and his wife, Katherine, Augusta, GA, mother-in-law, Jeri Flowers, Lincolnton, GA, as well as several cousins. The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 19, 2017, beginning at 2 o'clock at Millbrook Baptist Church, Aiken, SC, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 3 o'clock. Pastor Phillip Dunn will officiate.

Michael Dukes

April 10, 1950 - March 30, 2017

 

AIKEN, SC – KENNETH MICHAEL DUKES, 66, died Thursday, March 30, 2017 at his residence.

Born in Columbia, SC, Mike was a son of Vera Ballentine Dukes and the late Ernest Kenneth Dukes.  He lived most his life in Aiken and worked as a procedures writer at the Savannah River Site.  He graduated from Aiken High School in 1968 and was a graduate of the University of South Carolina.  In his early years, Mike was a member of the Mike Stewart and the Intruders Band.  They played locally and traveled to venues like the Magic Attic in Myrtle Beach, opening for acts such as Arthur Connelly, The Tams and The Drifters.  He also played trumpet with his father in The Ken Dukes Band.  Mike was excellent at table tennis, winning the SC state championship in the doubles division in the mid 1990’s and was a long-time member of the Aiken Table Tennis Club.  He was a member of Millbrook Baptist Church.

Survivors include his son, Michael Ryan Dukes; his mother, Vera; two sisters, Cheri McGee (Wayne Gilmore), Debbie Wallace (David); a brother, Jeff Dukes (Debbie), all of Aiken.  In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a son, Kenneth Jason Dukes and a sister, Cindy Darr.