The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON - Sixty years ago this summer, Bud Groom and Marilyn Fletcher were preparing for their senior year at Dayton High School. This summer, Bud and Marilyn, who have been married 58 of those years, will lead the Dayton Alumni Parade as Parade Marshals.

The combined Dayton alumni and Mule Mania Parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday on Dayton's Main Street. Many of the graduating classes with milestone anniversaries will prepare floats Friday night and ride them in the parade Saturday.

When asked what criteria were used to choose them as parade marshals, Marilyn said, "We don't know, we didn't make it to that meeting." Then she smiled and said, "But we're happy to do it."

The Grooms have been active members of the DHS Alumni Association for many years. The group meets monthly at the Touchet Valley Golf Course restaurant for dinner and a meeting. And it's an active group.

"We usually get at least 30 people at the meetings," Marilyn said. "Most of us are retired. I guess we have more time."

The Alumni Association gives scholarships each year to graduating seniors. "This year it was more than $8,000," said Marilyn. The association also helps with other projects, such as the new track at the football field about 20 years ago, and a new flag in the gymnasium last year.

Funding for scholarships and projects comes from member dues and other donations. According to Alumni Association President Merle Jackson, each year, the Association sends out a mailing to more than 2,000 DHS graduates, asking for $3 in membership dues. The group also receives many larger donations.

Marilyn Fletcher Groom grew up in Payne Hollow and has lived there most of her life. Bud Groom grew up in Dayton and Huntsville. Bud and Marilyn bought their home on Payne Hollow Road, just down the road from her family's home place, in the 1970s.

Bud spent most of his career working for Columbia REA as a groundsman. He retired in 2000, after 34 years. Marilyn spent 23 years as a rural letter carrier, working out of the Dayton Post Office. She retired in 1997.

"We have six kids, 19 grandkids and 24 great grandkids," the Grooms told us proudly. "That includes step grandkids and great grandkids," Marilyn added.

The Groom's two sons and four daughters, and their spouses, are: Bill Groom and his wife, Rosanne, of Dayton; Vicky Lewis and her husband, Randy, also of Dayton; Laurie Durfee and her husband, Stuart, of Touchet; Tom Groom and his wife, Renee, of Prosser; Leanne Kent and her husband, John, of Kennewick; and Tammy Ketterman and her husband, Chuck, who recently moved to Dayton after living in Nez Perce, Ida. The Kettermans are currently living with Bud and Marilyn, while they build a house just up the road.

This year's parade marshals will be Dayton's King and Queen for the day on Saturday. Watch for them in the parade - they will be riding proudly in the back of fellow alumnus Warren Talbott's Camaro convertible.