DAYTON–Life-long Dayton residents and high-school sweethearts Cecil and Betty Ann Fletcher have been honored as the 2022 Dayton High School Alumni Association Parade Marshals. They will lead Saturday's Alumni Parade at 10 a.m. as it parades down Main Street.

Cecil, 92, and Betty Ann, 89, attended school in Dayton Kindergarten through 12th grade, he graduating in 1948 and she in 1951. He's retired from a career with Green Giant and Smith Frozen Foods, and she is a retired Columbia County Auditor.

At Dayton High, Betty Ann remembers band activities, marching in parades, a few memorable stage plays and holds fond memories of friendships with classmates. "We had a pretty close class," Betty Ann recalled. "There's not many of us left."

Cecil played basketball and ran track for sports, and was in Future Farmers of America due to his upbringing on a Starbuck-area farm. "We had fun in high school," Cecil remembered. He had a cadre of "best friends" with whom he, with a twinkle in his eye, palled around with. Cecil eschewed listing them for fear of forgetting to name one or two of his special friends.

After high school, Cecil attended college a couple years then joined the Army where he was deployed to Korea. When he returned, he attended Washington State, earning a degree in animal science with some pre-veterinarian classes. Betty Ann attended the Yakima Business College while her sweetheart was in the service. They married on May 16, 1952 and this past May celebrated 70 years of marriage.

Betty Ann started working in the Auditor's Office, at first helping out during busy times until their children Kathleen and Richard "Rick" came along. When Rick was nearly out of high school, she returned to the Auditor's Office, eventually becoming the Auditor. "I kind of grew up in that courthouse," she said.

The couple have four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

-Submitted photo

Betty Ann Rogers in high school at D.H.S.

Public service and volunteering was a big part of their lives. Betty Ann was recognized as Person of the Year, along with Elaine Hudson, in 2011. They attend the Congregational Church, were avid snowmobilers years ago, traveled extensively in their RV and had season tickets to Cougar football and Seahawks games. Cecil loves being around his grandchildren, woodworking and gardening, and Betty Ann is always reading.

Cecil received a Quilt of Valor on his 90th birthday.