Oral history with Mr. O.W. Reily

              Oral history with Mr. O. W. Reily
F341.5 . M57 vol. 748, pt. 2
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This transcription of an oral history by the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage of The University of Southern Mississippi may not be reproduced or published in any form except that quotation of short excerpts of unrestricted transcripts and the associated tape recordings is permissible providing written consent is obtained from the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage. When literary rights have been retained by the interviewee, written permission to use the material must be obtained from both the interviewee and the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage. Please call ( 601) 266- 4574 for more information.
Biography
Mr. O. W. Reily Jr. was born on June 17, 1924, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to O. W. and Dot Higginbotham Reily. As a child, he attended public school in Collinston, and Bastrop, Louisiana. He was active in sports, including track, basketball, and boxing. As a young man, Mr. Reily was an amateur boxer in the Marine Corps, and in college.
In 1941, he joined the Marine Corps. From October, 1941, through November, 1945, he was in the Marine Corps; he served at Pearl Harbor, Midway, the fire department of Camp Lejeune, and the Panama Canal. In 1946, he married, and is currently married to Gloria Reily.
In 1947, he worked at Southern Natural Gas, in Perryville, Louisiana. In 1948, he worked at International Paper Company. From 1949 through 1952, he attended Delta State Teachers College, from which he was graduated, earning his bachelor's degree in physical education. From 1952 through 1954, he was employed at Delta State Teachers College, teaching health, coaching track, and teaching driver's education. From 1954 through 1958, he coached track and basketball at Cleveland High School. From 1958 to 1967, he coached basketball at Bastrop High School in Louisiana. In 1967, he returned to Delta State College as dean of men, where he remained until he retired in 1991.
He is a member of the Lions Club and the Delta State Booster Club.
Table of Contents
I. Childhood
II. Coach Dutch Benyon
III. The Depression
IV. Pearl Harbor
V. Panama Canal
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