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If the world seems quieter today, there’s a reason.

Gary Lynn Risher passed away Sept. 15, 2022, at Lackey Convalescence Home in Forest, Mississippi. He died from complications of multiple myeloma. His family and friends were by his side faithfully, especially in the final weeks of his life. He was 81 years old. 

Even into the beginning of the last week of his life, his voice could have been heard from the sidelines, over the band and out to a quarterback on the 20-yard line.

He always stood when he heard Willie Nelson singing Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, as he believed it should be our country’s national anthem. He loved to go but was always in a hurry to get back home. In his later years, he visited 15 major league baseball stadiums and was trying to get to them all. He served in the National Guard and the Army Reserves, retiring at the rank of E8. He was a patriotic fellow all the way around. He was also a faithful member of Gideons International and Forest Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, as a member of the Good News Singers and in many other capacities.

Gary was born July 2, 1941, in Jackson, Mississippi. Growing up, he was not the best student or athlete, but his relentless enthusiasm and remarkable stubborn streak went a long way in paving a path of success. After he graduated from Forest High School, he went to East Central Junior College to play football. Early in his second year at East Central, he went with friends to watch a girls’ volleyball game. Minutes into the game, he pointed to a tall brunette on the volleyball court and said to his friends, “See that girl right there? I’m going to marry her.”

And he did.

In the years that followed, he often said, “Marrying Nelda Greer was the best day’s work I ever did.” He loved her fiercely for the next 60 years — and she loved him back. She cooked him ham and egg pie, homemade biscuits and chicken and dumplings on demand.

After time at East Central, he went on to play football at Mississippi College, where he earned a degree in science and physical education and began to coach football, a career that would define much of the rest of his life.

His coaching career began at Peeples Junior High in Jackson in 1965 and ended in 2013 at East Central Community College. Between Peeples and East Central, his career included coaching stints at Hickory, Forest, Sebastopol High, Northwest Rankin High, Morton High, Byram High, Newton County Academy, St. Joseph Catholic School, and East Rankin Academy.

At Forest, his record, as head coach, was 78-26-1. He was not a fan of ties –  said it was like kissing his sister. He credited his success with divine intervention, good players and good assistant coaches. Risher’s Bearcats won conference championships and bowl games. He was named coach of the year and Mississippi All-Star coach.

He was an attentive (and demanding) father to his children. He never missed a game, a tennis match or a choir performance. He organized camp outs, picnics, road trips, field days, birthday parties and more. In return, he expected an unrelenting work ethic from anyone fortunate enough to fall under his umbrella of love. He expected folks to show up and do their part. 

He was a father figure to many. He was affectionate with his students and players. He used his booming voice to yell to most anyone he saw, “Come over here and hug my neck.” Many former players and students recall that he was the first man to shower affection on them. One former student said, “Every time I saw him, he made me feel like a million bucks. How many people in your life make you feel that way?” 

Gary Risher was preceded in death by his parents, Lydia Myrene Henderson Turman and Maben Brooks Risher, his brother David Ray Risher and his sister Victoria Turman Adkins.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Nelda Greer Risher, his children, Jan Risher (Julio Naudin) Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Robin Risher (Tracy) Louisville, Mississippi; and Rusty Risher (Stephanie) Olive Branch, Mississippi. His grandchildren, Casey Quick (Taylor) Union, Mississippi; Jake Risher (Alex) Warren, Ohio; Greer Naudin Tampa, Florida; Garet Buck Risher (Andrea) Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Piper Naudin, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Will Risher, Sam Risher, Henry Risher, Olive Branch, Mississippi. His great-grandchildren, Tripp, Brenlynn and Tucker Quick, Union, Mississippi; Oak Risher, Warren, Ohio; and Josephine Joy Risher, Camp Lejeune. He is also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous nieces and nephews.

Immediately following the funeral, friends gathered at the Gatewood Gallery in downtown Forest to share stories and smiles. The Risher family encourages those wishing to remember him to make contributions in his memory to the Gideons or to the Gary Risher Bearcat Fund which will provide for students to participate in extracurricular activities in the Forest School District. (Make checks payable to Forest Municipal School District, 325 Cleveland Street, Forest, MS 39074.)

Football Season, School Year, Integration:

• “When I was 17 years old, I didn’t think much about the bigger picture. At 17, the world is what you experience each day. In previous years, a few of us had watched E. T. Hawkins football games. They played on Thursday nights. They were good. They were fast. They played hard. Now, those guys were going to be our teammates. We lived in the same town. We walked the same streets. But we didn’t know one another. I never really thought about how they were feeling – leaving their school, having to compete for positions on a team that went undefeated the year before. But heck, we lost 16 seniors and two of our coaches. Nobody really expected us to be very competitive, except us! The tone on the football field early in August set the mood for the whole school year. There were no racial classes. Our band was All-Superior…again! We figured it out. Perhaps we were too naive to see the big picture. If that was the case, then good for us. Good for Forest, Mississippi. Good for America!” – Lee Dukes, 1970 Bearcat Team Member

• “Our little world was undergoing a drastic change with the start of the 1970-71 term, as it marked the first year of full integration. Most took the change in stride and vowed to make it work. Although my memory is obviously not as sharp today as it was 50 years ago, I can only recall positive experiences and successes from that historic time as an FHS Senior. Granted, it was a challenging time for the administration, faculty, staff and especially the student body, but in my opinion those challenges were successfully met and obstacles overcome. We were fortunate to have strong school leadership in Supt. L. O. Atkins, Principals McClain Hatch and Milton Walker at the high school, Principal E. T. Hawkins and Assistant Principal Ken Gordon (also served as athletic director) at Hawkins Middle School; and Principal Dorothy Ishee at the elementary school, who made sure the transition was handled effectively and without incident, and that the school’s academic reputation for excellence was maintained.” – Bubby Johnston, 1970 Bearcat Team Member

• “As a sophomore, I guess I was naive of the importance of that school year (1970-71). I feel the adults in charge thought the worse would happen during that school year and took things away such as clubs and, I believe, (the) break (period) during the school day. Class only! But as children/teenagers most always do, we adapt to change. If there were problems, I never knew it. And because there was class only, sports was our extra-curricular activity and Fridays was our time to enjoy that. We were able to have pep rallys on Fridays in the gym and the excitement of the football players, band and student body all coming together to get everyone ready for that night’s game was nothing like it! And Friday nights were also fun and exciting with the whole community out to support the Bearcats and follow them to 11 straight victories! Looking forward to August 21!” – Stacey Stegall Pace, 1970 Bearcat Cheerleader

* “One thing I remember we never considered losing. We didn’t think anyone could beat us. I remember losing to Morton our sophomore season and the miserable bus ride home. Some of us made a decision that night it wouldn’t happen again!” – Rodney Russell, 1970 Bearcat Team Member

• “ The 1971 Rambler (yearbook) is a product of what has been happening behind the closed door and covered window. I hope this annual is a pictorial memory book of the outstanding year we have had. Although it was different this year, we adjusted easily and smoothly and were able to make Forest High School known throughout the state. Our school was a success only because of you – the people – in it.” – Dea McCrory (Irby), 1970 Bearcat Cheerleader/1970-71 Rambler (yearbook) editor.

• “ You have before you a pictorial record of great historical significance in the development of the South. It depicts the most drastic change in public education in our state and throughout the southern part of the United States since the beginning of the twentieth century. Here is portrayed a school district that changed from token racial integration to total integration between the last day of one school session and the first day of the following session. This transition was accomplished through the efforts of many people in the community with a special effort coming from the students of both races. To you, the elementary and secondary students attending the public schools in 1970-71, posterity is indebted for your successful efforts to continue a program of quality education for all youth despite the frustrations and sacrifices experienced by each of you. Your patience has endured the frustrations, your loyalty to public education has kept you in school, and your Christian good will for all mankind has been your source of strength as you made the necessary adjustments. You have met the challenge with dignity, and you have every right to be proud for your great achievement in maintaining good schools for all youth. With the type of citizenship you have demonstrated we shall move forward to a better day for America and all its citizens. – Supt. L. O. Atkins’ Message in 1971 Rambler

• “ In the fall of 1970 it was my privilege to teach English and speech classes during the first year of integration at Forest High School. There were a number of ball players, band members and cheerleaders in my classes. From my view as a teacher, I saw respectful students, talented athletes, and caring coaches working together and forming amazing bonds of friendship and true brotherly love. At the same time, the football team brought statewide fame and positive recognition to the entire Forest community. It was my joy to encourage them in the classroom and to cheer for them at their games. An unforgettable picture in my mind is seeing Billy Thompson (senior white running back) and Raymond Robinson (junior black running back) sitting side by side in my speech class, then cheering for them as they were standouts for our first integrated team. Sadly, both Billy and Raymond are deceased and will not be with us to recognize the team of 50 years ago. They will be remembered along with their loyal teammates and beloved coaches by their grateful fans. To the 1970 Forest High School Bearcat Football Team and Coaches we proudly say, ‘You are GREAT!! Thanks for the priceless memories.’” – Norma Ruth Lee, on her “heartwarming thoughts” about the 1970 football team and the first year of integration.

• “The success of our 1970 team concluded in an undefeated season like the “Remember the Titans” team. However, I did not feel or notice the anxieties or bias portrayed in that movie. Perhaps it was because we were all raised with a respect for all or perhaps it’s because our segregated white team would go watch the first half of the Black Bearcats’ game on Thursday nights. I remember one night when they played Pelahatchie and the score was 36-0 when we had to leave at halftime. That was with six touchdowns called back because of penalties. The Black Bearcats ended up winning that game 90-0! Thus, those guys gained a lot of our respect as athletes prior to joining forces. Coaches Gary Risher, James Clark and Billy Ray Rill did an excellent job of keeping us focused on the only thing that mattered, “Winning!” They were the perfect group of coaches for that time. They were the kind of coaches that you wanted to play hard for and win for. They treated us with respect as individuals and not just as a means to an end. As a lineman, my position coach was James Clark. I couldn’t have asked for anyone to have been more knowledgeable and easier to play for. Whenever his name comes up, I think of his famous words, “Hit Somebody!” That really should be on his tombstone. Every Thursday night as I was trying to go to sleep, I would go through each position on our team and compare them to each position of our opponent, and would conclude each time that man-for-man we were better at every position than the team we were about to face. I believe the success of our team helped bring the entire community together. Even today, I don’t see the racial bias that is so prevalent in other places. With all the risk of injuries from playing football, many ask, ‘Is it worth it?’ I say it is because of the many life lessons learned on a football field. Learning to play as a team, sportsmanship, leadership, hard work, discipline, goal setting and perseverance are just a few valuable lessons I learned from my experience playing football.” – Jackie Calhoun, 1970 Bearcat team member.

• “When we went to Forest High, we were treated with respect; it was

something we weren’t used to. Compared to when I was younger at

E. T. Hawkins, we were treated with respect. I didn’t experience

anything bad at Forest High School. Winning was good. I like

winning. I used to lay in the bed and dream about making

touchdowns—and my dreams really came true on the field. Football

came natural to me. I like football. I had good coaches. I had all the

respect for the coaches and the players. As we get older, people go

their separate ways, but I’ve got the memories. I’m from Ludlow. I

came from the country. We moved to Forest. I learned a lot about

how to live in the city – at least it was a city to me. I am sure they had

some problems (with integration). I never heard about them. We all

got along. Occasionally, we’d have a word or two, but nobody got in

fights. That’s why we had such a winning season in my opinion. I

didn’t have nothing on my mind abut playing with white or black

players. It didn’t cross my mind. We focused on winning. Our

mindset made us win!” I just remember those two-a-day practices.

Between practices, me and the guys would hang out at E.T. Hawkins

School. It was serious business. We worked hard. We didn’t think

black and white because we were thinking so hard about football.

You’d lay down at night and think about football. I don’t know what

all else went on. I always thought we got along just fine. Overall, we

were treated better over there than we had ever been treated all our

life. Everything we did, we were proud of. One of the things I

remember that I see as a difference between then and now – the

whole town was behind us. They fed us steaks out at the Big G

Ranch. Everyone was behind us. We had a good time. The support

from the community boosted our morale. That support really made a

big difference. So many memories of different things. One of the

most amazing things I remember was watching Jackie Calhoun kick

the ball. That was the most amazing things I had ever seen. He could

punt that ball so high. I would look up in those lights and watch that

football. I had never seen anything like it. It was amazing. I was

always hard on myself. I was good, but when you look at football,

there was always someone better than you. Pulpwood was one of

the things that made me tough. I was hauling since I could just haul

the measuring stick. Hauling pulpwood made me tough and strong. I

remember the last game when Coach Risher’s son was sick. It was

sad and affected us all. You’re in the moment when you hear about

it, but you’ve got to push on – and we won the (championship) game.

It was a good night. – Willie Bowie, 1970 Bearcat team member.

REVISED – SEPT. 16, 2020

Agenda/Script for

A Celebration of a Championship Season:

1970 Forest Bearcat Football Team Honored

on 50th Anniversary of Winning Little Dixie Conference

Championship, 11-0 Record, First Integrated Squad

Time Frame for Day’s Activities:

Friday, Sept. 18, 2020

5 p.m. : Everyone invited to meet at Embrace Church (across from football stadium) for food and fellowship. Professional photographer and videographer will be there to “capture the moments.” We need to

purchase tickets to game ($6) while we meet at the church. (Note: We later learned that former Bearcat great Stanley Douglas purchased tickets for the 1970 Forest team/cheerleaders!)

6:45 p.m.: All depart to football stadium. We will sit in designated area

near South end zone. Those who can are asked to bring lawn chairs. Some chairs will be provided. Food and refreshments will be available

throughout the game.

7 p.m. : Kickoff for Forest/Florence game. (Yep, another former Little

Dixie Conference member!)

FOREST BAND WILL MARCH TO BEGIN HALFTIME ACTIVITIES.

Halftime: Team members, family representatives of deceased team members and cheerleaders walk toward midfield for presentation as Tommy Lee announces on PA system: “Ladies and Gentlemen: Here come the Bearcats…the 1970 Forest Bearcats, that is! This outstanding team won the Little Dixie Conference Championship en route to a perfect 11-0 Season. The 1970-71 School Year was also the first year of full integration…and this team proved what could be accomplished by working together despite numerous challenges throughout the season. The Bearcats were led by head coach Gary Risher and assistants James “Bo” Clark and Billy Ray Dill. And now, please direct your attention to midfield for a special presentation on the 50th Anniversary of a Remarkable Championship Season.”

Principal Allan Atkison: (Using microphone set up on the field). “It is my pleasure to participate in this ceremony and recognize the 1970 Forest High School Bearcats on an amazing season! I also want to say, Welcome Back to Your Alma Mater! As we all know, Once a Bearcat, Always a Bearcat! And now, State Representative Tom Miles of Forest has a special presentation to make.”

Rep. Tom Miles: “Thanks for including me in this special event for a special team. On behalf of the MS House of Representatives, I want to present this Resolution Honoring the 1970 Forest High Bearcats on their Championship and Undefeated Season. Copies will made available to team members and the local media. Congratulations!”

Principal Allan Atkison: “Thanks, Rep. Miles. And now a presentation from Forest Mayor Nancy Chambers.”

Mayor Nancy Chambers: “This is a very special occasion for me not only because it’s the 50th Anniversary of the Bearcats’ Championship Season, it is also the 50th Anniversary of my first year as a student teacher at Forest High School! Where did the time go! On behalf of the City of Forest, we present this resolution and congratulate you on your wonderful achievement and the manner in which everyone – blacks and whites – worked together as a team for a common goal – a championship season. I only wish my longtime friend and city council member, James C. “Bo” Clark, who served as an assistant coach, could be with us tonight….but I know he is looking down, smiling, and telling his guys one more time, “Hit Somebody!”

Principal Allan Atkison: “To make another presentation, is former Bearcat Drew Kenna, president of the Bank of Forest.”

Drew Kenna: “The Bank of Forest is pleased to present this enlarged photo of the 1970 Forest Bearcats – Little Dixie Conference Champions – to Coach Risher and team members. Congratulations on the 50th Anniversary of a Very Special Season!

Principal Allan Atkison: “It is now my pleasure to recognize and introduce the head coach of the 1970 Bearcat football team, Coach Gary Risher.”

Coach Risher: “I just want to say thank you to everyone in the Forest community who helped make our 1970 season the success that it was. I especially want to thank my assistant coaches, the late “Bo” Clark, and Billy Ray Dill, who is with us tonight, and of course an outstanding group of young men who worked very hard to accomplish a second-straight championship season. Thanks also to the cheerleaders, band director Doug Harvel and the All-Superior FHS Band. We were blessed with a lot of support and will always be very appreciative.”

Principal Allan Atkison: “And now representing the 1970 Bearcat squad is Lee Dukes. Lee was a senior wide receiver on the 1970 Bearcat squad and also served as Student Body Association President.”

Lee Dukes: “Thanks, Allan. And thanks to everyone for being here on this very special occasion. It is still hard to believe that it was 50 years ago when my teammates and I took the field in hopes of winning a second-straight Little Dixie Conference title for the Bearcat program. We were not expected to repeat as champions, for many reasons. We had a new head coach – Gary Risher; and new assistant coaches, James C. “Bo” Clark and Billy Ray Dill. And yes, it was the first year of integration and no one knew what to expect. But thanks to our coaches, we quickly molded as a team, and with the support of outstanding cheerleaders, an All-Superior Forest High School Band, the administration, faculty, staff and student body – plus tremendous support from the Forest community, we were successful! We had a great bunch of guys who worked very hard and had fun (except when running sprints and line drills!). We also admired our coaches and wanted to win for them. It was just a great experience…and we were very blessed! Sadly Coach Clark and several team members –

Billy Thompson, Dave Gibson, J. W. Clark, Elbon Johnston, Raymond Robinson, Tug Ledford and Howard Chambers, are no longer with us but are represented by family members tonight. Thank you all for being with us tonight. Please bow your heads in a moment of silence in memory of our deceased team members and coach. (Pause) Thanks very much. On behalf of the 1970 Bearcats, I want to present framed copies of the team and championship photos to the City of Forest and Forest High School. And now, there is only one thing left to do. Hit it, Cheerleaders!”

Cheerleaders: Perform “Two Bits, Four Bits, Six Bits a Dollar, All for the Bearcats, Stand Up and Holler!”

Forest Band (on field behind us during ceremony) plays “Anchors Aweigh” to end ceremony.

THIS WILL BE AN EVENING TO REMEMBER, FOR SURE!

THANKS TO ALL FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN!

-30-

The 1970 Forest Bearcat football team received so many honors for their championship and undefeated season it took several people to display the trophies! Honors represented include the Rotating Forest/Morton Golden Chicken trophy; Forest/Morton winner trophy; North Little Dixie Conference trophy; Overall Little Dixie Conference trophy; and the rotating Little Dixie Conference award. From left are Randy Dilley junior football player/student body association vice president; Supt. L. O. Atkins; Lee Dukes, senior football player/student body association president; Principal McClain Hatch; and Gayle Walsh, senior cheerleader. The presentations were made during a special program held in the Forest Elementary School auditorium. (Rambler photo)

Former Forest High School head football coach Gary Risher (shown holding football) and members of the 1970 Bearcat squad held an initial meeting in the fall of 2019 to discuss plans to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of a championship and undefeated season. The 1970 Bearcats captured the school’s second-straight Little Dixie Conference Championship en route to a perfect 11-0 campaign. From left are Mike Massey, Jesse Lancaster, Willie Bowie, Jackie Calhoun, Coach Risher, Rodney Russell, Billy Ray Dill (assistant coach), Bubby Johnston and Steve Gibson. In the back row is planning committee member Frank Sturrup. Lee Dukes and Bubby Johnston are shown discussing plans for the celebration in the photo below. Team members, cheerleaders and members of the 1970-71 All-Superior FHS Band are invited to participate in the special ceremony. (Photo of Coach Risher and teammates courtesy James Phillips, Scott County Times.)