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Debbie Vollert (Campbell) (1971)

I used to go to the wrestling matches every Friday night with my best friend’s family. We would walk around the arena a lot and then watch ourselves on TV Saturday night. I truly believed it was real. So much so that I once gave a current events presentation in class. (Wish I could have a do over on that one. 😂) One night a woman explained to us how it was all staged including how they concealed capsules with a blood-like substance. She also told us that the wrestlers could switch personas. In Houston, one wrestler might be a “good guy”, but be a “bad guy” in Dallas. It was never the same again, especially once we noticed that Paul Boesch was reading from something when we thought he was providing a “blow by blow” account of the action. My friend had an uncle with a plate in his head from getting so carried away at a match that he got into a fight with one of the “bad guy” wrestlers. So, I know they were capable in inflicting actual damage even though most of what they did was staged. 

Donald Allee (1968)

My cousins and I truly loved Coliseum Wrestling. You can still see some great clips on YouTube. Paul Boesch was very active in the Variety Boys Club on Airline and raised lots of money for the organization. He took a bunch of us from the club deep-sea fishing one Saturday along with some wrestlers. He also made it possible to meet Prince Phillip (1921-2021) at the club in March 1966. Great memories.

Buzz Fant (1969)

Judy Maxwell (1971)

Buzz, 

That was great he bought you a new glove. I remember my Dad watching him. There is still a Boy's CLub on Airline Dr. Still doing good for the kids

Judy Maxwell (1971)

Looking forwrd to our Multi year reunion October 26,this year.  SAVE the DATE.  

Mel Moy (1960)

Friday night wrestling from the Coliseum was the sporting event in Houston at that time.  We were one of the few families with a TV, so many neighbors use to invite themselves into our living room.  We had a TV but no air conditioning, so my dad sat there in his T-shirt and boxer shorts to be comfortable despite the company.  My mom was mortified.  My dad was only interested in wrestling because he had become friends with a wrestler named Cyclone Anaya.  Paul Boesch was a leading personality we all respected.  But the person we all got a kick out of was a little old woman who attended the matches and regularly showed her disdain for the villains by swinging at them with her cane.  It was all great theater.  How many of you remember that little old lady they called Mrs. Krackauer? 

Michael Miller (1970)

My Dad took me to the wrestling matches a lot. At one match one of the wrestlers swung to hit the other on the side of the head. They were sideways to our view and the wrestlers hand missed by a foot  The other wrestler turned his head swiftly and spat as if he was hit. I sat back down in my seat is disgust. Dad asked me what was wrong. I told him the guy didn't get hit and he fell down like he was. Dad said that he wished I hadn't seen it. That was like finding out that wrestling was as fake as Santa and the Easter Bunny! I believe I was 12 ... what a bummer!!

Henry Wishard (1964)

Remember some of the wrestlers from the past. Danny Mc clane, Bull Curry, Pepper Gomez, Tiger Conrad, Duke Emoke misspelled. Also remember the little old lady that screamed and waved her came at the wrestlers.

Terry Bice (1968)

Do you folks remember the "Whip In" grocery store on Bauman at Charles street?    Owned and operated by the Castleberrys.   Good folks.   When I was about 6 or 7 we (brothers and sisters and other neighborhood kids) would scour the ditches for coke bottles and go to the Whip Inn and cash them in for 2 cents each and get a candy bar.    They were about a nickle.  If Mr Castleberry wasnt looking Mrs Castleberry would let us have a candy bar with 2 bottles....ha.  She was a nice lady.   When we got a little older Mr. castleberry would pay us to deliver "circulars" (sale ads) door to door.     Last time I was in the area a few yrs back the bldg was closed and falling apart.    

Len Wolff (1967)

Buzz, your comments about the Variety Boys Club on Airline Drive brought back some fond memories. My next door neighbor, Jimmie Duke, gave me a membership to the Club for my 8th birthday. One evening, Jimmie and I went to a live show at the Club's auditorium. It was hosted by Paul Boesch. Jimmie and I got to meet him. It was the first time I had seen anyone with Caulifower Ears!  When we got there, we noticed a heavy rope that was strung from the rear of the auditorium over the middle of the seating, all the way up to the stage. The show included a magic act and some music. Finally, Paul Boesch announced the show's grand finale. A circus tight rope artist was going to walk the entire length of the rope, directly over the audience and onto the stage. Jimmie and I were seated directly under the rope. As the man passed over us, my only thought was "I hope this guy is as good as Paul Boesch said he is!"

Rivét Coy (1965)

Does anyone recall the clown associated with Paul Boesh? 

Donald Bratton (1970)

I do remember the clown.  He reminded me of the clown on Howdy Doody.

Rex Brown (1961)

Henry , it was Danny McShane.  Later he was part owner of Red Ball Motor Freight company.  I worked for him when I returned from the Army.  Loaded 40 ft trailers every night going to Colorado.. I also in High School watched the wrestlers rehearsing for their Friday night events,  It was on the roof of some old Hotel.

Leslie Meier (1963)

The clown associated with Houston Wrestling was DOINK THE CLOWN who was a wrestler named Matthew (Matt) Borne.

Leslie Meier (1963)

Matt Borne died in Plano, Texas, in 2013. Check out this link:

Doink The Clown | Online World of Wrestling

Donnie Titel (1966)

I get to read post only sometimes. It hits a nerve however when someone passes. Its sad.

But I perked on the post about Wresling and the Variety Boys Club. Forgot about that place. Learned to swim there and I forget the levels, names. Seems like the beginner was Tadpole? Anyway Later in the Navy I though what I had learned there. The level where you would swim the length of the pool underwater. Diving and rescue started at that pool. 

I remember the other things too, kinda. Seems like There was a friend I knew named Jimmy Johnson. Maybe from Fonville Jr. HIgh? Anyway I think his dad had something to do with the club. Yes great memories.

later Don T.

Donald Allee (1968)

RE: Message #5250

Good memory. Variety Boys Club (VBC). Mr. Johnson was the Director for many years. His son Jimmy was an active member in the club. I may be wrong (would hope), but I seem to recall reading Jimmy's obit some years back. I had a crush on the Johnson daughter Deidre while at Fonville. We actually went to the 9th grade formal together complete with tuxedos and dinner at The Wind Swept Inn. Alas, Deidre went on to Reagan HS and I to SHHS.

Shirley Culpepper (Brook) (1970)

RE: Post 5231

Deepest sympathy to Marilyn, Arleigh, Donna and extended Henley family. I well remember the Henley family of Pinewood Village.Having lost Barbara in 2003 and John in 2022 I know how difficult it is. May the Lord grant you peace and happy memories. 

Sympathy to all the others that have recently posted of Sam Houston alumni that have passed. Thank you for sharing. We often would not know without your taking the time to let us know. 

I am enjoying all the memories of events and places in our childhood.  Brings to mind and heart memories I have not thought of in a very long time.  Although I don't often post, I read them all.

Shirley Culpepper Brook class of 1970 

Kenneth Smith (1967)

I have very fond memories of Variety Boys Club!

The assistant director was Mr Strength (I beleive his first name was Wesley).  He lived down the street and many times he would take a break and come home for dinner.  Before he returned to complete the business of the day, he would call and ask if I would like to return with him.  I loved shooting hoops, juming on the trampoline and reading comics in the library.

Thanks to Variety, Mr Strength, Mr Johnson and Paul Boesch, I was nominated and received a $5,000 Jesse Jones Scholarship during my Senior year at SHHS.  In 1967 that was a lot of money!

I also still remember the commercials that Mr Boesch did for I W Marks jewelers wearing an earing!

Ah..... Great memories!

Jack Smith (Smith) (1966)

Donnie Titel (#5250).  You are correct, Jimmy Johnson was the son of Ronald Johnson who was the Director of the Variety Boys Club.  Mr. Johnson did an outstanding job maintaning the club.  I also took swimming lessons there and started off on the Tadpole Level and then up to the Shark Level.  In the Life Saving Course, there was a lady that gave the lessons and she was very good at teaching the students.  The Variety Boys Club had a major impact on a boys back in the 50's and 60's.  There was so much there to do that you would not become bored.  Everything fromt he game room with the pool table, to the gym and the basket ball court, the trampoline, the woodshop, the library, the swimming pool and the outdoor baseball field.  I still remember my member number that we had to give at the checkin (3373).  There should be more Variety Boys Clubs as well as Variety Girls Clubs today.  The kids are missing out some of the good things that we did have in our days.

Kathy Culpepper (Gunderson) (1968)

Donald Allee (1968)

Message #5254

Without dragging the Variety Boys Club discussion out too much further, the lady that taught swimming at the VBC for years was Mrs. Bettie Redden. She was a great instructor. Some may remember her son Donald Redden and daughter Linda Redden (a third child I can't name-recall). All went to Waltrip but had many friends at SHHS, Reagan, Fonville, Burbank etc. The kids all swam competitively in Houston area for many years. 

Verna Rightmer (Loring) (1968)

I would like to share a link to my brother's obituary, Rick Rightmer, class of 1962. May he rest in peace. On behalf of his family and my sisters, he will forever be in our hearts. 
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/houston-tx/wilson-rightmer-11768653

Susan Lott (Polk) (1965)

Verna Rightmer (Loring) (1968)

Susan, thank you for your kind words. I remember Ronny and Barbara well. I know Rick and he were great friends. I will pass your message along to his wife, Fran.