Helen Simpler used that phrase during her reception at Lincoln Elementary School on Tuesday.
Helen Simpler greeting friends
The longtime Lincoln Elementary School second grade teacher, wife of the late longtime JCHS head football and track coach Al Simpler, and Junction City resident of 55 years greeted friends and former colleagues during the reception, held in honor on the eve of her departure from the city. Helen Simpler, 90, is moving to the Dallas, Texas area to be near one of her daughters.
The reception was scheduled to last for two hours, but it lasted for more than three hours as Helen greeted, visited, and posed for pictures with those who attended. “It was a wonderful experience for me because we’ve been here for 55 years, and had so many friends here in Junction City. It was just marvelous the number of people who came out to see me today and I really appreciate it.”
Simpler served as a school teacher for many years, and was always working with her husband to support the football program. She said she wasn’t an assistant coach, but she admitted on Tuesday that her husband did talk to her, ” about what he was doing and how he did things. And once in awhile I would throw in an idea or something, but I couldn’t say I was an assistant coach. I just tried to be a good coach’s wife.
When asked if she ever suggested a play to Al she chuckled. “Oh yeah, that and also I’ve told him at times when he came home that was a dumb move that you made. “While chuckling, Helen also added Al would also laugh then as well.
People from Junction City and other communities that were acquainted with the Simpler’s attended the reception.