OPHS Memorial 1977

Wanted to let everyone know that Mr. Fields passed away tonight July 24th 2008.  He has been ill for a long time, but this was unexpected.  Mr. Fields was an amazing man and had an amazing life.  He used to teach at OPHS in the technical center.  After that he was a member of the School Board.  My most memorable memory of him was playing Santa Claus every year for Park West.  His daughter Denise Fields graduated in 1977 and works at OPHS>
    Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Bonnie Roberto (Class Of 1978)
(Picture Of Charles Fields 1977)

Dedication Video For Mickey

After a long bout with cancer Mr. Brock passed away June 6th 2008. I believe Mr Brock came to OPHS in 1976 in a time when the High School seemed to need Strong Guidance. I remember many changes for the better, which gave students great opportunities while he was Principal. I will always have great memories of him and pray that he is being rewarded for his accomplishments here on Earth.

Barry Davis

Timothy Butler passed away several years back.  Accident at work down in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area.  Tom, his brother is still around in Jacksonville.  He was a nice guy and a very proud father.

Died September 1998 from cancer.  He taught for 29 years and was a minister for 23 years. I had him for humanities our senior year and I always got in trouble in his class.

Mr. McDonald knew that I had a lot of trouble at home my senior year.  We had studied McBeth for 9 weeks, and we had to do an assignment on LOVE that would be a quarter of our grade.  My Mother and I got into a big argument and I was kicked out of the house.  The office brought my assignment to his classroom.  He immediately looked at me.  To be in his class was an honor because you knew he was tough.  I got an A, so I think maybe he wasn’t so tough.  Just wanted us to learn.  There are not many people you think of that you respect.  He is definitely one of them!

Submitted by Julie Lauderbaugh

BOYD - Mark S. Boyd, 43, of Orange Park, passed away Sunday Dec. 22, 2002 after a lengthy illness. He was a native and lifelong resident of the Clay County area and was owner of Boyds Pool Cleaning Service. Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Lawanna Boyd, daughter Telisha Duhon, Morgan City, LA, son Micah Boyd, U.S.A.F. Cheyenne, WY, parents Billy and Ruth Boyd, Orange Park, sister Lisa Boyd, Green Cove Springs, brothers Craig and Scott Boyd of Jacksonville, 3 grandchildren, Weston, Brooklyn and Gavin. 

Mr. Rick Chase was one of the most animated US History teacher Orange Park High School has ever had. He taught history, but not just by standing there talking to his students, but interacting with them. He was class sponsor almost every year he taught at OPHS. He was more than a teacher, he was a friend and confidant to his students and he truly looked forward to going to work everyday, hoping to making a difference in every life he touched. Sadly, on July 27, 2007, he passed away following a motorcycle accident. He left behind three beautiful children, Chris (Chase) Lloyd and Melinda (Chase) Lloyd, both of Richmond, Virginia and our daughter, Allison who lives in Jacksonville. Rick started teaching at Orange Park High School in 1976 and continued until 1986, when he went to work for FTP/NEA, where he retired from in 2006 at the age of 60. Education was his gift and his passion, whether it be in a classroom or at a board meeting fighting for teacher’s rights, he truly loved every aspect of education. He loved riding his Harley, and especially loved riding with Allison when she bought her Harley Sportster. They made many 5000 mile trips every year with Allison sitting behind Rick on his bike, until she was old enough to ride her own bike. Two of these trips were to the Sturgis (South Dakota) Bike Week. Allison was 16 for the first trip and 18 for the second and made both trips in the saddle. There are no words that can describe what a wonderful father he was to her;
she was his world ~ he was her world.

Rick was my friend, my husband at one point and the father of my daughter. Given the chance to hand pick a father for her, it would have been him. His death has left a large hole in my heart because even though we divorced, we were still a family. I will always love him, as will many of his friends and former students. Rick never had a bad word to say about, or to, anyone. So many of us looked to him for guidance (especially me) through difficult situations and never once did he turn us away. He was kind, patient, loving and the best friend a person could ever hope for. Rick, we love and miss you.
You are always on our minds ~ forever in our hearts

Kelley (Chase) Pickett ~ Class of ‘76

PATRICIA “COBB” BOLMAN

 My mom was killed in a tragic car accident in Middleburg, Florida on 1/16/94.  My mom married Kenneth Bolman in May of 1978 in Orange Park.  They stayed married until the day he lost his life due to a stroke on 2/26/87.  He was in a coma for a couple of days until he became brain dead.  He never suffered.  He was a hard worker and a great father to me and my sister.  I was only eight when I lost him, but the memories I have will last forever.   My mom worked for the Publix deli in Orange Park.  We moved out to Middleburg after my dad passed.  My mom had a great sense of humor, as long as you didn’t get on her bad side.  She loved me and my sister very much, and so did my father.  My mom was very laid back.  She coached softball for many years and was involved with all the sports my sister and I played.  Losing my mother has brought me great sadness to this day.   If you have any memories or funny stories of my mom, Patricia Cobb, or my dad, Kenneth Bolman, please e-mail me at heimlich05@aol.com. Let me know how she was at school because she was a great mom.  Thanks.
Submitted by April Bolman, their daughter

Dennis Horton
Died October 17th 2001

Dennis was a friend…we use to lift weights a few doors down from his house (Floyd House)
You are missed
Barry Davis

RONALD IRVIN

Car Accident

Ron was a very good friend and we had lots of great times water skiing. Ron was hospitalized for quite some time until his death.  I last saw Ron when I was home on leave from Army Boot Camp.  He invited me to meet him the next day but I had to head back to the Army.  I wish I could have spent one more day with him.

Submitted by Barry Davis ‘77

Submitted by Brenda McLarty ‘79

Ron and I spent many years together.  We went through good times and bad.  We were only going to go out to his Senior Prom, but it ended with us falling in love and staying together for over 4 years.  His sister Faye Irvin was very special to me as well.  She was killed in a car accident in 1984, the same year Ron died after being hospitalized since his car accident in 1981.  I am still very close to Ron and Faye’s family today.

Brenda McLarty

Sandy Jean Owens