2025 INDUCTEES
Travis Crowley
He was a star track athlete at Fair Grove High School during the early 1990s. He set school records in the 100, 200, 400, and 800 meter dashes, breaking Steve Kowalewich’s records (which had stood for 25 years), if you convert from meters to yards. He won first place his senior year (1993) in the 400 meter dash at the Missouri State Class 2 Track Meet. Travis also was a star running back on the football team at FG and played on the basketball team. He went to Evangel College on a track scholarship and broke the school record there in the 400 meters.
Doris Lucas
Doris Lucas was born February 21, 1928 in Ava, Missouri. She started school at 4 years old when she walked with her brother to school his first few days and the teacher said she could just keep coming with him. August 29, 1942, she moved with her family to Fair Grove and entered her sophomore year at 14 years old.
She graduated from Fair Grove HIgh School in 1945. She married Jack Lucas April 25, 1946. They had four children; Don, Linda, Mike, and Deb. They lived several places in Fair Grove and Doris was a full time homemaker and farmer. She was always busy working at something. In 1961, they moved to the house where she currently still resides. When her children were in high school, she babysat, cooked, and was a waitress for a while.
She became employed by Fair Grove Schools as a cook. Jack passed away in 1990.
She retired from Fair Grove Schools after serving for just under 20 years.
Jim Hamilton
Jim Hamilton graduated from Fair Grove High School in 1965. He was a member of FFA and served as Chapter Reporter his Senior year. He attended Southwest Missouri State College and took over as editor of the college newspaper. In 1971, he joined the United States Air Force and served in North Carolina. He returned to Missouri in 1974 and completed his Bachelor's Degree in Writing from SMSU. He became the news editor of the Bolivar Herald-Free Press in 1976. He began working toward a Master’s Degree at SMSU. He was offered a position with the Buffalo Reflex in 1978.
He spent 24 years as editor/publisher of the Reflex, followed by successive stints as managing editor of Springfield! Magazine, a stint as general manager of the Bolivar Herald-Free Press and more than a decade as a senior writer for the newspaper parent company. He has also authored a personal column every week since starting with the Buffalo Reflex in 1978. He served 3 terms as President of the Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce, a couple of terms as President of the Local University of MIssouri Extension Council, Chairman of the Dallas County Fair, and President of Kiwanis Club.
He has also served as President of the Ozarks Press Association, Director and President of the Ozarks Writers League, and Director and President of the Writers Hall of Fame. In 2016, he was inducted into the Missouri Southern State University Regional Media Hall of Fame in Joplin and the Missouri Press Association Hall of Fame in Columbia. His publications also include two collections of essays, “River of Used to Be” in 1994 and “Ozarks RFD 2010-2015” in 2020, as well as selected essays in a number of journals and magazines, including “Yonder Mountain” from the University of Arkansas Press and three volumes of “Elder Mountain” from Missouri State University at West Plains.
Jim is married to Martha and they have 4 children and 11 grandchildren. He is retired but continues to write columns for half-dozen newspapers from West Plains to Mount Vernon as well as twice-monthly columns beginning in January for Ozarks Farm and Neighbor.
Gary Yarber
Gary Yarber was born in 1944 and passed away 2004. He graduated from Doniphan High School. He received his Bachelor's and Master’s Degrees from Arizona State University. He received an Educational Doctorate Degree From Pittsburg Kansas. Gary served as the HIgh School Principal at Ash Grove and also at Walnut Grove.
When the Walnut Grove Superintendent passed away, Gary stepped into that position and served as Superintendent of Walnut Grove Schools. He then served as Superintendent of Thayer Public Schools. He was elected to be the Superintendent of Fair Grove Schools in 1979. He served in that position until 1995. Gary had a heart for the students and wanted to see them succeed, for example, he once took a high school student into town to buy him a suit that he needed but did not own.
Fair Grove Lady Eagles 2025 Basketball Team
The 2025 Fair Grove Lady Eagles Basketball Team will go down as one for the ages. While completing their three peat they completed one of the greatest accomplishments in Missouri High School history. Only 12 other teams in the history of Missouri sports have accomplished such a feat. Winning three straight championships is extremely rare and the 2025 Lady Eagles squad did just that. Not just that, but the Lady Eagles also captured the Pink and White Lady Classic Championship, which may be harder to do than winning State due to the fact that this tournament has all size schools from the best basketball area in the state.
With wins over area powers Marshfield and Hillcrest, and also class six Troy Buchanan and traditional power and two time state champion Skyline, this year’s version of the Lady Eagles was nothing short of dominant. A Mid Lake Conference championship and Fair Grove Invitational championship make this the greatest season in the history of Fair Grove Lady Eagles basketball history.
A great team, a great season, and a great group of student athletes that deserve to be recognized for greatness that will take a long time to duplicate.
Fair Grove Lady Eagles 2024 Volleyball Team
The 2024 Fair Grove Lady Eagles volleyball team stands as one of the most dominant and memorable teams in Missouri high school sports history. Building on their previous year’s success, the Lady Eagles defended their state championship with an undefeated 41-0 record, setting a new MSHSAA single-season win record. Their path to glory included winning the conference championship and tournament titles at Branson, Buffalo, and Mt Vernon, all while facing the toughest ranked schedule in Missouri Class 2 volleyball.
This extraordinary team boasted five All-State, five All-Conference, and seven All-District players, many of whom are multi-sport athletes demonstrating exceptional dedication both on and off the court. Central to their success was the selflessness and leadership of six amazing seniors who set the tone with accountability, resilience, and relentless work ethic. Their influence fostered a culture of trust and unity, driving the team to achieve greatness together.
The team’s character and fierce competitive spirit truly set them apart. The Lady Eagles were more than just elite athletes. These young women were high-character individuals who embodied pride, integrity, and a deep love for representing Fair Grove in the purple and white. The 2024 Lady Eagles Volleyball team is a testament not only to talent but to teamwork, leadership, and an unwavering competitive spirit which created a season, a legacy, that will be remembered for generations to come.