Sadie and Jerry Deaton

Married Dec. 14, 1956, in Kansas City, Kan.

Lived in Lawrence: Since 1965.

Children: Daughter, Misty, a 1995 Lawrence High graduate, 1999 Baker University graduate with a master’s degree from American University in Washington, D.C. She works as a paralegal assistant at Shook, Hardy and Bacon in Kansas City, Mo.

Jobs: Jerry – currently a glazier at Kennedy Glass for 38 years and a former manager at Hillcrest Bowl (now Royal Crest Lanes). Sadie – worked for KPL (now Westar Energy) for 26 years and also as a receptionist for Lawrence public schools.

Hobbies: Bowling. Sadie is an avid Kansas University basketball fan.

It started as an office romance, Sadie Deaton said.

And weeks later it turned into a wedding Dec. 14, 1956, in Kansas City, Kan.

Fifty years later she and her husband, Jerry, still cherish their time together as Lawrence residents and bowling buddies.

They celebrated their golden anniversary with friends and family members during a party last week hosted by their daughter, Misty, of Kansas City, Mo.

They moved to Lawrence in 1965 after Jerry’s service in the Air Force ended.

Sadie worked for 26 years with Kansas Power and Light, now Westar Energy, as a secretary in the new business department and later as a senior customer representative. Jerry still works for Kennedy Glass and has for 38 years as a glazier.

Their longtime romance started when they met while working at a Kansas City, Kan., insurance company after they both graduated from high school.

Describe how you started dating.

Sadie: I had drafted up a letter, and he came up and said, “I think we need to talk about this tonight.”

Jerry: I don’t think (they) want those details.

Sadie: Our first date was Nov. 6, 1956. Later we were engaged. We got married the 14th of December.

Jerry: It was a short engagement. I’m not sure (why). I guess we were ready. I was ready. I still lived at home, and she did then, of course. It was just love at first sight, if you want to put it that way.

The Deatons, Sadie and Jerry, married Dec. 14, 1956, about a month after their first date. The couple have lived in Lawrence since 1965 and recently celebrated their 50th anniversary.

What drew you to him?

Sadie: The smile.

Describe how you ended up in Lawrence.

Sadie: He had this job lined up with Hillcrest Bowl (now Royal Crest Lanes, 933 Iowa), and he was the assistant manager. And he was there like May and then October, they wanted him as manager. He had that for five years, so we know a lot of people in town – we really do – and plus with me working at KPL, I was there 26 years.

Why has bowling been an important activity?

Sadie: Because he bowls, and I bowl. Even to this day, he – have your ever quit bowling?

Jerry: We laid off once for two years, but now we’re back into our bowling league.

Sadie: My highest average was 180. Jerry has had a 298 (game), and his highest average was 207.

What advice would you give to younger couples about having a successful marriage?

Sadie: You have to work at it. You can’t take it for granted. The learning experience is during it all of the way through. You always have to listen. Talk and listen. Never go to bed mad.

Jerry: I don’t think there’s really a big secret to it. It’s a lot what she said plus understanding.

What has changed most about Lawrence since you started living here?

Sadie: You can get around to areas around town not as easily as you used to. He used to get to work in eight minutes, but now it takes longer than that.

Jerry: It’s changed since 1965.

Sadie: It has. I can remember when Clinton Parkway was just a country road. With me working for the power company, I saw the growth because I was taking the applications.

What do you consider to be the most important current Lawrence issue?

Jerry: I’m always concerned about the growth, but it’s whatever happens.

Sadie: I’d like to see more condominiums that are affordable for seniors that are retiring.

– If you know someone who should be featured in the Sunday “Do You Know?” feature, contact staff writer George Diepenbrock can be reached at 832-7144.