Jimmy Dean gets high school diploma

Associated Press ^ | September 3, 2003 | Associated Press Staff

[MeekOneGOP]

Jimmy Dean gets high school diploma

07:21 AM CDT on Wednesday, September 3, 2003

Associated Press

PLAINVIEW, Texas - Wearing a red gown topped with a blue cap and a white stole, Jimmy Dean finally received something he's wanted for decades -- a high school diploma.

The 75-year-old country western singer and sausage company founder dropped out of Plainview High School in 1944 to work and help his mother, who was a barber in the small community of Seth Ward, outside Plainview.

On Tuesday, Dean received his diploma at a community luncheon from Plainview School Board President Rocky Favila.

"You talk about a slow learner," an emotional Dean said. "This may have a comedic feel -- a 75-year-old man graduating from high school -- but this is very important to me."

"I have solid gold records on the wall of our home and a Grammy award. I have plaques and accolades from the President of the United States on down. But none of that is as important as this," Dean said, clutching his diploma.

Dean has said his mother was always upset that he never finished high school. Dean's wife Donna and a family friend worked with Plainview school officials to get Dean the diploma.

A new state law gives schools the authority to issue diplomas to those who did not finish high school and went into the armed services between 1946 and 1951.

Dean worked several odd jobs, one with Peerless Oil Co., before heading to the Army Air Corps for three years.

Before starting the Jimmy Dean Meat Co. in Plainview, about 70 miles south of Amarillo, in the late 1960s, Dean achieved fame as an entertainer.

In 1961, the folksy singer recorded "Big Bad John," a song he wrote on a piece of cardboard during a flight from New York to Nashville, the Plainview Daily Herald reported in its Wednesday editions.

The tale of a miner who saved the lives of 20 trapped co-workers while losing his own sold 8 million copies, and was the biggest selling record in the world that year.

Dean was the first country performer in Las Vegas and also played the London Paladium and Carnegie Hall in New York. He also was the first celebrity to substitute for Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show."

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Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dallas/tsw/stories/090303dntexdean.6c7ddcc4.html

[MeekOneGOP]

[Chi-townChief]

If I recall, Big Bad John was about 6'4" and 230 lbs. Good size but not really a giant of a man.

[bedolido]

good goin old friend. God Bless

[Puppage]

Link & I are off to college now!

[bedolido]

If I recall, Big Bad John was about 6'4" and 230 lbs. Good size but not really a giant of a man.

Big John... Big bad John!

[EagleMamaMT]

Read later.

[jokar]

Ev'ry mornin' at the mine you could see him arrive He stood six foot six and weighed two forty five Kinda broad at the shoulder and narrow at the hip And everybody knew ya didn't give no lip to Big John. (Big John, Big John) Big Bad John (Big John)

I' always loved Jimmys TV show growing up.

[Freakazoid]

I like Jimmy Dean. This is stupid. Graduating form high school is not much of an accomplishment. Gold records and a thriving meat enterprise and entering the Army Air Corps are much more significant. OK, this meant a lot to his mom. She's not alive I imagine so why do it?

[bedolido]

Jimmy, keep your sausage ready and your meat fresh.

[Jack Wilson]

Finally. He will never get anyplace without a diploma.

[Puppage]

That's Link on the left BTW.

[Chi-townChief]

Well, that's a little better but still not really a power forward.

[Sabretooth]

Yes, but its all good steroid free muscle.

[mrsmith]

Jimmy lives near me. ( I've never run into him myself).

He gives $20,000+ or so every year to the local high school. Buys the top student a new car... provides scholarships. Paid for the Band uniforms one year. Nice neighbor to have.

[meowmeow]

dropped out of...High School...to work and help his mother

That's why a lot of people back then didn't finish high school. These days, you won't see that phrase anywhere.

[bedolido]

I' always loved Jimmys TV show growing up.

Fun to find boomers on FR. I loved it as well. Along with Red Skelton, Jackie Gleason, not much for Perry Como, miss Carol Burnett, and don't forget white-fang and Soupy Sales.

[Phantom Lord]

Was he voted "Most Likely To Succeed" like Dave Thomas was when he got his GED?

[smokeyb]

I was singing this as I read the story. I loved it too. I am betting that the parental units still have the 45 rpm somewhere.

[msru]

I agree that getting your H.S. diploma isn't that fantastic of an accomplishment. He probably went back to get his diploma just for sentimental reasons; a personal goal.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Apparently because HE wanted to do so!