Members of the Robertsdale High School Class of 1961 gathered May 16 at Doc's Seafood Restaurant in Foley to celebrate their 65th class reunion, held exactly 65 years after their graduation date.

The reunion brought together 26 graduates from a class of 105 students who graduated May 16, 1961. About 140 classmates attended school together through the 10th grade before some moved away or otherwise did not complete graduation with the class. Organizers said 76 classmates have died and the remaining graduates were unable to attend for various reasons. Only one member of the class was lost in military combat action.

The class reflected on its history at the original Robertsdale High School building, which was constructed around 1915 as a consolidated 12-grade school. Built in the shape of an "E," the building housed first grade students in the southeast corner and 12th grade students in the northeast corner.

Two reunion attendees attended classes in the same building from first grade through graduation without ever changing schools. The school also served students from feeder schools in Elsanor, Rosinton, Loxley and Silverhill, a feeder pattern that remains in place today. The historic building still stands and is now used by the Baldwin County School System as an administrative center.

Class members noted the accomplishments of their graduating class, which included one medical doctor, three Ph.D. graduates and numerous business owners and workers across a variety of professions. Organizers also pointed to the generations of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren connected to the class over the past six decades.

Of the class's four officers, only one has died. The remaining three still live in Baldwin County.

Former football players from the class also reflected on the success of Robertsdale High School football teams during their high school years. The teams compiled a combined winning record during their 10th, 11th and 12th grade seasons, including an 8-2 record in 1960, considered one of the best seasons in school history.

Attendees welcomed former head football coach Billy Beane and his wife, Gayle, as special guests during the reunion. Beane, now 95, coached the team during its successful run in 1960.

The reunion concluded with the class donating its remaining funds to the Robertsdale High School Alumni Association and the school's NROTC program.