Dr. Larry Allen
While most may know him as “Doc”, Larry W. Allen graduated from Potosi High School in the Spring of 1959.
Larry was a good student and involved in a variety of activities in high school. He is a member of the National Honor Society and he also played 4 years on the Trojans basketball squad.
After graduation in 1959, Larry started the fall semester at the University of Missouri-Columbia where he studied and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture in 1963. “Doc” stayed in school and graduated with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in May of 1965.
Doc Allen worked in Illinois and Northern Missouri for three years before coming home to Washington County and purchasing Dr. P. L. DeGase’s veterinary practice in March of 1968.
While taking over the veterinary business, Larry purchased his grandparents’ farm from his grandfather’s estate in 1968. He still owns Bates Creek Farm today.
The Bates Creek Farm received the Century Farm designation in 2016 as the Dr. Larry W. Allen Family Farm.
Doc Allen was the veterinarian at the Potosi Livestock Market for 20 years. Larry employed numerous young men over the years there and enjoyed the experience and camaraderie.
Larry W. Allen, D.V.M. is a Lifetime Member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association.
Doc Allen began conducting local rabies clinics throughout Washington County in 1968 and continues to conduct these clinics each May.
Doc Allen’s keen interest in horses led him to the American Quarter Horse Association. He has been a member of that AQA for almost 50 years and a quarter horse breeder for over 46 years. He has had hundreds of registered quality performance quarter horses through Bates Creek Farm.
In addition to veterinary services, Doc Allen served the community as President of the Washington County Saddle Club for three years in the mid 1980’s, and also served on the Washington County Memorial Hospital Board of Directors for seventeen and a half years.
Dr. Larry Allen is proud to be a Trojan and a Washington Countian.
Keith Bailey
Class 3A All-State
Basketball
1974
Rex Bailey
Rex Bailey served the Potosi R-3 School District for 27 years as head basketball coach and athletic director. After coaching for six years in Arkansas, Rex Bailey began his 25-year Missouri coaching career at Caruth. After the initial season he spent three years each at Steele, Wardell, and Couch High School. Coach Bailey then began his illustrious 18-year tenure as head basketball coach and athletic director at Potosi High School. Coach Bailey won numerous conference and regional titles while at Potosi High School producing many all-state players. After 31 years of coaching, he retired with a record of 560-222, a .716 winning percentage. Coach Bailey was inducted into the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1989.
Chester and Evelyn (Carr) Baker
Chester H. and Evelyn Carr Baker were graduates of Potosi High School during the decade of the 1930’s. After leaving the military Chester Baker earned a Degree in Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla. While earning this degree he recognized the importance of good high school curriculum, especially in the subject area of mathematics. Many Potosi R-3 students have benefitted from the Chester H. and Evelyn Carr Baker Scholarship which has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to the students at Potosi High School. The fund originated with a generous gift of US Bank stock certificates with the dividends from this stock to help students pursue a degree in higher education.
1994 Baseball Team
1994 Class 3A State Champions
1996 Baseball Team
1996 Class 3A State Champions
Brandon Bourbon
Class 3A All-State Football
First Team
2008 & 2009
Jeff Bourbon
Class 3A All-State
Baseball
1996
Jeremy Boyer
Jeremy Boyer graduated from Potosi High School in 1998. Mr. Boyer has spent twelve seasons as organist for the St. Louis Blues hockey franchise of the National Hockey League. He has spent eight seasons as organist for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball club as well as five seasons as the part time organist for the Kansas City Royals baseball club in Major League Baseball after three seasons as organist for the Memphis Redbirds minor league baseball club. He also was the organist for the 2017 Winter Classic at Busch Stadium. Jeremy is the second longest tenured organist in St. Louis Blues franchise history, only behind his mentor Ernie Hays. Jeremy was selected in 1999 to sing for Pope John Paul II’s visit to St. Louis. Mr. Boyer has been a professional church organist and music director for fifteen years.
Marvin Boyer
Marvin Boyer graduated from Potosi High School in 1921. Mr. Boyer was well known, having spent most of his life in the Potosi area as a businessman. He was a member of the Potosi R-3 Board of Education from April 1953 to April 1959. He was a member of the Potosi United Methodist Church, a member of Potosi Lodge #131, and Browne Chapter 320 Order of the Eastern Star. Many Potosi R-3 students have benefitted from the Marvin Boyer Memorial Scholarship which has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars for students to continue their education.
Cy Bradley
Cy Bradley served the Potosi R-3 School District for 28 years as a guidance counselor and head basketball coach. Coach Bradley coached varsity basketball for 23 seasons amassing a 433-179 record while averaging 19 wins per year and a .707 winning percentage. During his career, Coach Bradley won 8 conference titles, 4 district titles, and led his St. Joseph’s team to the 1966 final four. Coach Bradley produced many all-state players and won numerous coach of the year honors. Coach Bradley was inducted into the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2010.
Chris Brown
Class 3A All-State
Baseball
1994
Jeff Casey
1st Place, State Class 3A
100-Meter Dash
1982 & 1983
Frosty Copenhaver
Class L – All-State
Basketball
1969
Dr. George Cresswell
George Cresswell graduated from Potosi High School in 1913, its second graduating class. The class included just 2 graduates, George Cresswell and Joseph Thurman, both who would complete medical school and return to the county for lifelong parallel careers in medical service. Dr. Cresswell was a charter member of the Potosi Lions Club and the Potosi Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Cresswell served as Mayor of Potosi from 1940 to 1946 and on the Potosi R-3 School Boards for many years. He helped with the formation of the Washington County Health Department. Dr. Cresswell supported construction of the Washington County Memorial Hospital, became the hospital’s first Chief of Staff,and remained a member of its medical staff until his passing. Dr. Cresswell was a 50 year member of Masonic Lodge 131 AF AM, Heart Association member, Farm Bureau member and the Wildlife Protection Association. He received a 50 year certificate of practice from the American Medical Association. He also served as a Deputy Sheriff. Dr. Cresswell was a member and loyal supporter of the Potosi United Methodist Church.
1999 Cross Country Team
1999 Class 3A
State Champions
2002 Cross Country Team
2002 Class 3A State Champions
2003 Cross Country Team
2003 Class 3A State Champions
2005 Cross Country Team
2005 Class 3A State Champions
2006 Cross Country Team
2006 Class 3A State Champions
2007 Cross Country Team
2007 Class 3A State Champions
2013 Cross Country Team
2013 Class 3 State Champions
Kyle Davis
Class 3A State Champion
Individual – CC
2003
1600 Meter Run
2004
Steve Davis
Steve Davis grew up in Southeast Kansas and earned his Bachelor Degree from the College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri. He began his teaching and coaching career in Viburnum, Missouri and in 1990, was hired at Potosi R-3 where he taught and coached for 25 years until his retirement in 2015. While at Potosi, Davis helped guide the Cross Country and Track teams to 15 State trophies, which included 7 State titles in Cross Country and 2 State titles in Track. Coach Davis’ athletes earned over 100 All-State performances in the two sports, highlighted by 21 individual and 4 relay team State Champions. The 2006 Potosi Cross Country team still holds the State record for the lowest boy’s team score at the Missouri State Meet with 16 points. That same team is also still the only Missouri Cross Country team to earn the right to compete at the Nike National Cross Country Meet where they placed 8th in the nation. In addition to receiving several Missouri, National Federation, and J-98 Dream Team Coach of the Year awards, Coach Davis was inducted into the Missouri Cross Country and Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2009.
Glen Doughty
Class 3A All-State
Basketball
1974
Jason Eaton
Class 4A All-State
Football
1989
Randy Eaton
Mr. Randy Eaton has been selected for induction into the Potosi Trojan Hall of Fame for the class of 2021-22. Mr. Eaton is a 1967 graduate of Potosi High School.
While in school he was very involved in extracurricular activities including: basketball, track, football, student council, junior class president, FTA, letterman’s club, choir and glee club. He was the record holder for rushing and passing when he graduated, as well as for the 60 yard dash at that time.
After graduating, Mr. Eaton has stayed very involved in the Potosi community as well as the school district. He has been involved with the Elks Christmas Charity for over 50 years and piloted the Backpack program in 2013 to feed children in need throughout the county. He has served as a volunteer firefighter for 61 years and served on the board of directors from 1974-2004. While serving as the Chairman of the Board on the Board of Directors at the Potosi Fire Protection District, he was instrumental in building additional fire stations in outlying areas. Washington County residents were unable to secure affordable fire insurance due to the insurance rating (their home was too far away from a fire station). He was committed to providing affordable home insurance to everyone in the community.
Mr. Randy Eaton will be joining his sons Jason Eaton (1st Team All State Football 1989) and Ryan Eaton (member of the 1996 state championship baseball team) in the Hall of Fame.
Walker Eye
Class 3A Champion
Individual CC
1999
1600 Meter
2000
Paul Fitzwater
Paul Fitzwater was born and raised in Washington County and is proud to come from a very large family with many brothers and sisters.
Paul graduated from Potosi High School in 1977. He was involved in football, basketball, track and cross country during his high school career.
Mr. Fitzwater graduated from Tarkio College in 1981 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. He started teaching in the Potosi R-3 School District in 1982. Paul worked in the Potosi R-3 School District until his retirement in 2009. Paul proudly talks about his 14 years as the head of the cross country program and coaching track and field for the full 29 years of his school teaching career. Paul says, “I was so fortunate to work with so many great kids and coaches along the way. I have so many fond memories of my time at Potosi High School.”
Paul and his wife, Sandy have been married for 38 years and were blessed with four wonderful children; Phoebe, Philip, Katherine and Kelsey. They have also been blessed with eleven wonderful grandchildren; Julian, Owen, Claira, Lydia, Paxton, River Paul, Truitt, Parker, Ella, Kate and Drew.
Paul said he was fortunate to own and operate Fitzwater & Son Concrete for many years. He said, “One of my favorite things to do was to give many of my students that were in school the opportunity to work during the summers and earn a little money, but most of all, give them an opportunity to learn how to work.”
Paul says he still dabbles in concrete a little, but nothing like when he was younger.
Another accomplishment that Paul likes to reflect on proudly is working as a high school and collegiate basketball referee for the past 35 years and still being very active as an official today. Mr. Fitzwater recently retired from football refereeing after 37 years of dedicated service.
After retiring from the Potosi R-3 School District, Mr. Fitzwater decided to stop complaining about politicians and threw his hat in the ring for the office of State Representative. He was elected in 2010 and served 7 years in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected 4 times, and his House tenure was cut short when Governor Eric Greitens appointed him to the Missouri Parole Board. He continues to serve the state in this capacity.
Paul says, “God has blessed my life in so many ways along the journey, and I could not have done it without him.” He went on to say, “I want to thank the members of the Hall of Fame Committee for considering me. I am honored.”
Tanner Glore
Class 3A All-State Baseball
First Team
2010
Chris Govero
Class 3A All-State
Baseball
1995
Zach Haynes
1st Team All State Class 3
Football
2017
John Huff
John Huff graduated from Potosi High School in 1978. John proudly grew up in Potosi, the son of Everett and Susan Huff.
John was involved in a variety of clubs and organizations while in PHS. He enjoyed theater and speech, the Future Business Leaders of America and led the PHS Trojan Marching Band.
He is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree and earned his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Saint Louis University. He earned a Juris Doctorate from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis.
Huff served as the Director of the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration, appointed by Governor Jay Nixon, from 2009 to 2017. He also served as an adjunct professor of insurance law at Washington University and Saint Louis University School of Law. Prior to entering public service, John spent more than a decade in executive positions with leading global insurers and reinsurers.
In 2016, John served as President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the first Missourian to serve in the post in 60 years. During his tenure at NAIC, he instituted the National Life Insurance Policy Locator, which to date has returned over $790 million dollars to U.S. consumers. He was a Presidential nominee for the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers and the first insurance commissioner appointed to serve on the U.S. Financial Stability Oversight Council, created by Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act after the financial crisis.
John presently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Bermuda Insurers & Reinsurers (ABIR) with offices in Washington DC and Bermuda. ABIR represents the global public-policy, advocacy and educational interests of Bermuda’s leading international insurers and reinsurers that protect consumers around the world. ABIR member companies do business in more than 150 countries, employ nearly 53,000 people, write over $100 billion annually in gross written premium and provide over 35% of the world’s natural catastrophe insurance coverage to protect families and communities.
One of John’s colleagues said, “As a practicing attorney, John’s knowledge of the insurance industry is global in scope, spanning the U.S., Bermuda, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe and the Asia markets. He brings a keen understanding of regulatory, legal, financial and operational challenges that insurance and reinsurance companies face.”
John is married to Donna Phelps and they have a daughter, Ann, who attends Loyola Marymount University.
Doug Irwin
1st Place State – Class B
Pole Vault
1958
Steve Jarvis
Class 3A All-State
Basketball
1983
Garrett Johnson
Class 4 State Champion
Pole Vault
2015-2016
Marvin Johnson
Class 3A All-State
Football
1979
Patrick Johnson
Class 4A All-State
Football
1989
Dennis Lawson
Dennis Lawson graduated in 1973 from Potosi High School and later Southeast Missouri State with a B.S. in Education. He returned to his alma mater, Potosi High School in 1978 and began his 31 year teaching and coaching career. Dennis was blessed with many talented players that led to an overall record of 273 wins and 155 losses. During his nineteen years as the Trojan head coach, the team won twelve conferences titles, seven district championships, five sectional titles, a fourth place in state playoffs 1998, and two state first place titles in 1994 and1996. Coach Lawson was awarded the Coach of the Year in both 1994 and 1996. He was also honored as the J-98 Dream Team, Coach of the Year on four separate occasions. Coach Lawson was inducted into the Missouri Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2012.
Jarrod Lawson
Class 3A All-State
Baseball
1998
Josh Mathis
Class 3A State Champion
Individual – CC – 2005
3200 Meter Run – 2006
3200 Meter Run – 2007
Joe Portell
Class 3A All-State
Baseball
1994
Austin Pratt
Austin Pratt graduated from Potosi High School in 2003 where he was an excellent student and athlete. After leaving Potosi High School, Mr. Pratt joined the United States Army where he served his country with honor until his death in 2007 while in Iraq. Austin comes from a large military service family, and continuing his family’s dedication for serving our country, he enlisted into the United States Army in May of 2004. While serving he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Posthumous, Army Good Conduct Medal, Posthumous, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Expert Infantryman, Badge, Air Assault Badge and the Weapons Qualification Badge qualifying expert with rifle. Austin is honored through his family’s work in the community in his name. The contributions of his family to students and families in the Potosi R-3 School District as well as Washington County are numerous.
2000 4x800 Relay Team
Class 3A 4X800 Relay
State Champions
2000
2003 4x800 Relay Team
Class 3A State Champions
4 x 800 Relay
2003
2005 4x800 Realy Team
Bryce Malloy, Josh Mathis, Ricky Armstrong, Josh Thebeau
Class 3A 4X800 Relay
State Champions
2005
2007 4x800 Relay Team
Josh Thebeau, Nick Niggemann, Joe Skelton, Josh Mathis
Class 3A 4X800 Relay
State Champions
2007
Neil Richards
Neil Richards graduated from Potosi High school in 1957. Neil’s life’s work was with “The Independent-Journal” on High Street in Potosi. He told the story many times of getting his first paycheck from “The I-J” at 4 years old. He was a second generation newspaper man, publisher, and editor. He worked full time at the paper after his graduation from high school in 1957 until his passing in 2017. He loved his community and Washington County and strived to serve them through “The I-J”. Neil took pride in Washington County and the people who live and work here. He enjoyed the efforts and successes that he was able to share with the community through the pages of “The I-J”. The diversity of the people and the County were things he always enjoyed. Neil also liked to promote and recognize the youth of the community and their achievements. He also served for numerous years on the Washington County Library Board, several years as President. Under his watchful eye, the Library has grown, offering services and facilities to everyone. His goal was to have a library everyone could be proud of and appreciate for the vast services available. Mr. Richards was a pillar in the community and dedicated to serving the Potosi R-3 School District and its students as well as other school districts in Washington County.
Linda (Higginbotham) Schaller
Linda (Higginbotham) Schaller graduated from Potosi High School in 1968.
Linda (Higginbotham) Schaller is a video Producer-Director who tells character driven stories that are visual, dramatic and inspiring. A four-time Emmy winner, Linda focuses her documentaries and entertainment specials on the arts, history and now medical science with the documentary, “A Spark of Nerve.” Linda is the Producer-Director and her husband Tim is the DP, Editor, Animator and colorist. It is their personal story and follows Dr. Susan Mackinnon of Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis as she restores movement to limbs that many doctors believe to be permanently paralyzed. The film is distributed through Public Television Stations and Kanopy Streaming.
Her awards include: Producer-Director of “And Then One Night: the Making of the opera Dead Man Walking” (PBS). It received a National Emmy nomination and a Northern California Emmy. The performance documentary “Kicking the Notes the Toradze Way” (PBS), won two Chicago Emmys and honors at the Golden Prague Festival. “Nijinska: A Legend in Dance” (PBS), with host Mikhail Baryshnikov, won the prestigious Grand Prix Video Dance International Documentary Award in Paris. Northern California Emmys for the comedy special, “Dead Pan Alley” (PBS) and the dance special “Women Song” (PBS). Linda was additionally honored to create short historical documentaries for the PBS “Great Performances: The Nutcracker” as well as for San Francisco Opera, Beach Blanket Babylon, San Francisco Ballet and American Ballet Theater gala events.
She is presently working with the San Francisco Dance Film Festival as a Project Producer.
Dr. Linmarie Sikich
Dr. Linmarie Sikich has been selected for induction in the Potosi Trojan Hall of Fame for the class of 2021-22. Dr. Sikich is a 1977 graduate of Potosi High School.
While at Potosi High School Linmarie was Valedictorian for the Class of 1977 as well as being the Senior Class President. She was in National Honor Society; Trojan Band; Glee Club; publications; photography; worked as a library helper; attended Freedom Forum among many other accolades. Dr. Sikich was also recognized with honors in the Junior Science Symposium, National Merit Finalist; U.S. Senate Youth Program Semifinalist; Presidential Scholar Finalist among others.
She went on to earn a bachelor’s, master’s, and medical doctoral degree from Washington University in St. Louis, and there she began her career as a postdoctoral fellow in Neurodevelopment. She went on to work at Yale University as a General Psychiatry Resident, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow, and Postdoctoral Fellow in Child Psychiatry Research. She then went on to gain full professorship in the Psychiatry Department at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine. Dr. Sikich now works in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Department at the Duke University School of Medicine. She is board certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, served for five years as the Medical Director of the Duke Autism Clinic, and currently serves as both the Associate Director of the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development and the Duke Clinical Research Institute-Autism and Developmental Disorders program lead in the Neuroscience Medicine Unit. She has published nearly 75 articles in peer reviewed journals such as the Lancet Psychiatry, the New England Journal of Medicine, and the Journal of Child Adolescent Psychopharmocology; further, she has written nearly 18 published book chapter.
Janet Bub Strange
Janet Bub Strange graduated from Potosi high School in 1959 where she was active in many activities. After graduating from William Jewel in 1963, Mrs. Strange started a career in education that has spanned 48 years. She served as a teacher and counselor in the Potosi R-3 School District from 1965 through 1970 and graduated with an M.A. in Guidance & Counseling from Southeast Missouri State University in 1973. After working as a counselor throughout the state, in 1984, Mrs. Strange worked with Division of Highway Safety to establish PROJECT GRADUATION in Missouri. She then went on to help train high schools throughout Missouri, Arkansas, and South Carolina in establishing PROJECT GRADUATION. Mrs. Strange was Treasurer of the Missouri Guidance Association from 1974-1978, appointed liaison to Community Drinking & Driving Prevention Grant in 1982, and honored as Outstanding Counselor of the Year, Southwest Missouri Counselor Association and Missouri Counselor Association in 1983. She facilitated a weekly community grief group for young widows and widowers in Springfield, MO, from 1985 -2000, was a member of the steering committee to establish RARE BREED, a youth drop-in center and temporary housing for homeless youth in Springfield, MO, in 2001, and from 2000-present is a member of the steering and advisory committees to establish and sustain LOST AND FOUND GRIEF CENTER in Springfield, MO.
Jacob Swearingen
Class 3 Cross Country
Individual Champion 2007 – 2008
Team Champion – 2007
1600 Meter – 2009
3200 Meter – 2008 – 2009
Josh Thebeau
Class 3A State Champion
1600 Meter – 2005
Individual – CC – 2006
800 Meter – 2006 – 2007
1600 Meter – 2006 – 2007
Dr. Jospeh Thurman
Joseph Thurman graduated from Potosi High School in 1913, its second graduating class. The class included just 2 graduates, Joseph Thurman and George Cresswell, both who would complete medical school and return to the county for lifelong parallel careers in medical service. He then left Potosi and went to St. Louis University to begin his medical studies. On completion, he began an internship at City Hospital. This internship, however, was interrupted by World War I and he was called into the Army. He began his first medical practice as a First Lieutenant in the Army Medical Corps. After his brief Army medical service, Dr. Thurman was called “back home” to help in the face of desperate medical need as the dreaded “Spanish Influenza” swept the country in 1918. From then, he never left, carrying on a day-and-night, seven day a week medical practice for 57 years until his retirement.
Harry Thurmond
Class 3A
All-State Football
First Team
2008
2006 Track Team
2006 Class 3A State Champions
2007 Track Team
2007 Class 3A State Champions
Ben Turnbough
State Champion Class 2
Wrestling
2018
Marcus Walton
Class 3A State Champion
400 Meter Dash
800 Meter Run
2003
Jerry West
Jerry West graduated from Potosi High School in 1975 where he was a very active student and athlete. Mr. West was a standout basketball and baseball player for Potosi High School. After graduation, Jerry became a fixture in the Potosi community as owner of Boyer Lumber and Rental. During his life and ownership, Mr. West was there for all, including donations to the Potosi R-3 School District. Jerry West served his community on the Pam Dudley Center Board, 911 Board, Potosi IDA Board, First State Bank Board and many others including the Potosi R-3 Board of Education. He was a member of the Potosi Elks Lodge #2218 where he spent many years as the Lodge Secretary. Mr. West’s life serves as a standard for service and integrity for all graduates of Potosi High School. He is honored for his passion of life, hard work, and his love for his community.
Stanley West, Jr.
Class M – All-State
Basketball
1962 & 1963
Emery Wilson, Jr.
1st Place, State Class B
440 Yard Run
1942