Ralph Thomas Atkinson

A memorial service for Ralph Atkinson was held on August 16, 2005 with a gathering of family and friends to honor his passing. Born April 8^th, 1921 in Newton, Mississippi, he grew up in El Dorado, Arkansas with his parents, two brothers, and a sister. While attending high school, Ralph learned to play clarinet, saxophone, oboe, and violin, winning 1^st place in a national solo competition. In 1940, he attended the El Dorado Junior College where he developed his love of music working with the beginner bands at the public schools and playing saxophone with the Chuck Raley Jazz Orchestra. In the school yearbook, Ralph was described as “teaser” and noted for his unconscious humor.

Music was not his only passion. While attending Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, he earned a pilot’s license by completing a solo flight from Ruston to Monroe in a single engine Piper Cub. As his love of flying continued, he eventually owned a small Cessna 170 airplane, which he affectionately called, Charlie. Some of his unforgettable adventures included flights to New Orleans, Colorado, Illinois, and Alaska.

In 1942, at the age of 21 and still a student at Louisiana Tech, he enlisted in the Army and played in the 305^th service band at Fort Benning, GA. As a Corporal, he was later stationed at Maxwell Field, Alabama, where he played with the Army Air Force Band.

He completed a Bachelor’s Degree of Music at the world renowned New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and received a Master’s Degree of Music Education from North Texas State University in Denton, Texas. While playing music at a nightclub called, Jesse James, he met Margaret Shirley Johnston. Like his tenacity for music, he pursued the young talented soprano vocalist. In 1950 they married at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, while teaching band at Stuttgart, Arkansas for six years. For two years in Conway, Arkansas, he taught music at the State Teacher’s College and substituted for band director at Conway High School.

The following year, he became Director of Bands at Arkansas Senior High School in Texarkana where he remained for over 25 years during which his bands received significant regional, state, and national recognition. In March of 1963, he was featured in a national publication of the School Musician. In the article, entitled “They Are Making America Musical,” he was quoted as saying, “There is no substitute for music if you have the desire and tenacity. No electronic device or automation can ever take the place of one’s own initiative. Only the talented can become professional but the talented needs instruction and motivation. Music should be available to all who have the desire. Education never ceases in music as a performer, musicologist, or listener. The holding power of music once learned remains in a person forever.” He was recognized by the magazine as “a man who is truly devoting his life to the great and satisfying works of making America Musical.”

For serving as President, State Chairman, and member of the National Membership Committee of the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association, he received a Distinguished Service Award and was recognized as an Honorary Member. He was organizer and President of the Arkansas Music Educators Association and a charter member of the Arkansas chapter of Phi Beta Mu, an international bandmasters’ fraternity. He served as President, Vice-President, board member, and Red Band Conductor of the Dixie Music Camp in Arkansas and was an active member of AEA, NEA, MENC, AMEA, and local community bands and orchestras. After leaving Texarkana, he directed music at Joaquin High School in Texas until he retired. For nearly 20 years, he lived at Woodland Shores on the Toledo Bend Reservoir where he enjoyed fishing and occasional traveling in his RV to South Padre Island, Texas.

Survivors include his loving companion of 54 years, Margaret Shirley, son, Tom and wife Rhonda, daughters, Annette and husband John Mackey, Beverly Sexton, and Carolyn and husband Phillip Tiger, seven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Above information from Tom Atkinson

"What his students, family & friends have to say"

Mr. Atkinson was a good man who had a strong and positive influence on all of us who were fortunate to be members of the Razorback Band. He taught us to work hard and to enjoy our success. He was proud of us and that made all the difference. I'm glad that I had a chance to tell him that in 1976.
Fred Markham
Class of 61

I'm Connie Long Crockett and was in the AHS band during high school. I played sax, bassoon and was a majorette. I was also a best friend of Mr. A's daughter, Annette, who played French horn and was also a majorette. I remember Mr. A a little differently than you might. Don't get me wrong -- I loved him, but let's say we kept him on the edge quite a bit. Band was so fun, I'm so sorry everyone didn't get to be in it. Mr. A was one of the most talented, and intensely passionate people I've ever known. He could play every instrument in the band. When he heard a sour note, he would not hesitate to come snatch your instrument out of your hands and play it for you the way in which it was intended! Humiliation was not uncommon in our sacred spot, the band hall. But you could always slide very low in those slippery chairs, move your music stand up a few inches and hide your humiliation behind a stack of sheet music. One only had to wait a few minutes until the next member of our 100 piece ensemble was the new victim of Mr. A's wrath.

I wonder how the school kept up with his budget for batons. He must have broken two a day waving them wildly in the air with his hair all aflutter, pounding them upon his podium -- his chin poignantly darting from bass section to horns to drums. Then he'd form this Jack Nicholson kind of smile and wave wonderment down to the clarinets and flutes who were ever so angelic. Without moving his head, he'd dart his eyes toward the French horn and bassoonist who unbeknownst to him had exchanged sheet music and was transposing it into their own cleft. Why was the bassoonist playing the call to arms, while the French horn was playing the bass trills? Annette and I got very good at laughing and smiling while never missing a note. If you ever saw the dents in the baritones, it was probably from a flying eraser. You'd better be paying attention to your director or your director WILL get your attention!

How about the time Mr. A had to go out of town and Mr. Oliver from Jefferson Avenue, Jr. High had to take over and get us ready for the next football game halftime performance. Now he was a character right out of Alfred Hitchcock -- in fact I think they were genetic. We loved him too but had endured 3 years under his tutelage in Jr. High and wanted to pay him back just a little. Well, the game was unremarkable, but the performance was wild. After the first 10 yard march onto the field utter pandemonium broke out and not one person knew what the heck they were doing or playing. It was the worst performance I've ever seen of a band anywhere, anytime! Oh well, that did not go unpunished, believe me. We had to march our butts off for weeks for that little mishap.

There were a few scandalous moments during the Cotton Carnival Parades and long nights in Memphis that I won't go into, but my dad usually was a chaperone for those trips so there was a buffer zone.

What wonderful memories. I'm sure Mr. A was a wonderful grandpa and all that stuff but to me he was a colorful man with a love of music that has inspired me to this day. Every morning the first thing I do is pop in a CD -- selection depending on mood. Visits with friends requires dragging a guitar or a flute along. I married a musician -- my kids grew up with and around music and have had several bands. Now when my grandchildren come over, each gets a different instrument -- violin, drums, dulcimer, harmonica, and they compose and
perform for me. I've written, performed and taught Children's Music for many years. I've done some adult stuff too. Chances are I never would have had that joy in life had it not been for the training and discipline Mr. A instilled in me.

Thanks Mr. A -- I'll be seeing you again one day and when we do, let's jam.
Love you, Connie

I remember Mr. Atkinson well. Band was a big part of my life--I think he was the band director when I was drum major in junior high. He had me direct the band sometimes, and that was great experience! He was a good musician and a good mentor!
Diane Markham Smiley

I remember seeing him chase Tim Brown and David Arnold through the motel parking lot in Conway, AR on a band trip one time! I also remember him cussing out the band for making some really bad turns on our marching routine during half time at Hot Springs. The next band practice everyone including majorettes and flaggettes had to march up and down the field practicing this routine until we'd played every piece of music in our folder including the Star Spangled Banner! This was in 1971!
Gale Woolsey

This is Billie Jean (Cox) Murphy and I guess when we are kids in school we have Different memories of our teachers than we do after we get grown - so to speak!

I was in the Ark High Band from 60, 61 and 62. We had quit a wild bunch! When we were seniors, there was Jack Stanley, Marty Beck, David Pope, Elizabeth Laws, Cheryl Grayson, Beverly Berry (Junior), Shelby Porier, Herman Cox, Louis Ainsworth, Mickey Akins, me and the rest of the gang I ran around with. I remember Mr. Atkinson trying to get all of us to behave (especially on away games). We drove him crazy! He always got on the bus and tried to separate the boys and girls (but after the bus got rolling, we switched right back!). One of my favorite memories is in the hot summer before school started, we would meet at the Band hall at 0530 in the mornings and march up and down all the streets in the Ark High School vicinity. And about 6:30 we would start playing our marching music....that
always woke the neighborhood up!!! But, Mr. Atkinson was right out there with us...making us do it till we got it right!! I made good friends in the band and we are still friends today. Cheryl, Beverly, Marty, and Of course, Shelby. We have a lot of happy memories. Maybe Mr. Atkinson would remember our bunch a little differently than we do. I never thought I got a lot out of band but I guess I did. Several of us went on to TC on music scholarships...all we had to do was join the Bulldog Band!! I got to enjoy one semester at TC, then moved and married....but I have never forgotten all the fun we had in the Ark High Band.
Billie Jean Murphy (Cox) Class of 62

I'm sorry to hear about Mr. A - he was a great musician and teacher and certainly a great influence in my studying music in college. I'll never forget eating his catfish and playing ping-pong at his house with his son Tommy, who was and is a good friend. Three of his kids (Beverly, Carolyn and Tommy) were my age group and we all were in band together. All of us who knew Mr. A know what a great inspiration he was to us better ourselves. I will miss him.
Joe Grant
Class of '72

Ralph Atkinson was very special to me when I first started in the band with my trombone playing. I remember flying with him to the band camp in Jonesboro, Arkansas State University. We had to buzz a city water tank on the way to determine if we were going the correct way. Or maybe it was just Uncle Ralph's sense of humor trying to joke with a 9th grade trombone player. I am sure he enjoyed having fun with brass players, especially since his first love was wind instruments. I remember being very proud of my Uncle Ralph when I watched him direct the bands at Arkansas State University Band Camp. He always looked in control of his environment, especially to me when he was directing. Please let everyone know that we are thinking about you and your family. If you have a charity named please let us know.

George Baker Jr.

Mr. Atkinson was the band director when I was at Arkansas High and my sister was the drum major in '62. He was a great influence on her and she went to college on a band scholarship, became a band director, and now teaches music at the University of Ark in Fort Smith . My father-in-law, J.D. Ryther was also a close friend of his. J.D. was vocational director and worked at AHS for 35 years. From the stories I hear, they probably got a little rowdy. JD is in poor health and we could not get to the services but we do want to remember him in some way. Please pass our sympathy on to the family.
Frank Buchanan

Every time I think of Mr. Atkinson, I think of the word "tenacity" because it was his favorite word. He used it all the time. Sometimes he would clarify it by using the term "stick-to-itiveness." He used those words to encourage us to hang in there!

Ralph Atkinson was one of the finest clarinet players I ever heard. Often I would come into the band room and hear him playing and practicing! I felt there was something special between him and me and there is no doubt that it was the music. He was above all a musician and he saw some of that in me I think.

He and I shared some mutual likes and dislikes. We both loved music! Any kind of music. We both loved flying airplanes. I remember one amber autumn afternoon wedging myself in beside him in his little Aircoupe and flying off to see if it was smooth sailing above the haze line! He flew his airplane like he did everything else, with precision and order.

A few months ago I wrote to him. I heard that he was not well and I got his address and wrote to him and shared some of these things. I didn't hear back, not that I expected him to reply. I had heard he was very sick and failing. When I saw his picture in the paper all sorts of things came to mind.

I remember the year that the band went to Chicago to march in the International Lions Convention parade down Michigan Avenue. We marched and marched all over Texarkana, Arkansas, from Ninth Street all the way to North Heights School and from Jefferson Street to Hickory Street. We worked and worked and worked some more. There was grumbling from some. There were those who said that he was doing it so everyone would see what a great job he was doing. I knew better and so did everyone else, including the detractors. Ralph Atkinson worked every bit as hard as we did. And he did it so we could be proud of ourselves. That was his sole purpose, to open us up so we could be proud of ourselves.

So, Ralph Atkinson, thanks for coming our way. The lessons I learned are eternal. And, by the way, the air is indeed smoother above the haze line, as I'm sure you are aware! With great admiration and affection!

Your Friend!

Charles Thompson (Class of 1960)