Mackenzie High School Alumni
Detroit, Michigan (MI)
Alumni Stories
Don Yarber
Class of 1954
Don transferred to Mackenzie in 1953 after attending high school in Harrisburg, IL It was a culture shock for Don. He wasn't used to people smoking on campus, gang fights, leather jackets, basketball centers getting stabbed (Ross Deboski).
But he perservered and graduated, Class of 54. Don worked at Federal's Department Store after school, selling shoes. What a job! Once he was threatened by a gang leader for NOT giving the guy a cigarette!
After graduation Don joined the Navy and most of the rest of his life was spent in Sunny Southern California. In 1998 Don retired and published his first book, "Bodies and Beaches" a Private Eye mystery. Richard S. Prather, creator of the Shell Scott series, had this to say about Don's book:
"I have finally been able to read your book, "Bodies
and Beaches" and am pleased to report that I liked it
very much! It was not only a good read, but going
along with Kip as he drove along familiar streets to
well remembered Southern California cities took me
back many years to happy times in that area. Moreover
- and this is a really important point - I liked your
lead character. I think in Kip Yardley you have
created a fictional P.I. strong enough, real enough,
likable enough to carry a series....."
His second book in the same series is "Corpses and Canyons". The thing that makes Don's book different from most is that he avoids foul language, explicit sex scenes, and weird, pshychologically impaired killers and victims. No psycho-babble in Don's books, just good reading mysteries. More information can be found on www.kipyardleymysteries.com.
But he perservered and graduated, Class of 54. Don worked at Federal's Department Store after school, selling shoes. What a job! Once he was threatened by a gang leader for NOT giving the guy a cigarette!
After graduation Don joined the Navy and most of the rest of his life was spent in Sunny Southern California. In 1998 Don retired and published his first book, "Bodies and Beaches" a Private Eye mystery. Richard S. Prather, creator of the Shell Scott series, had this to say about Don's book:
"I have finally been able to read your book, "Bodies
and Beaches" and am pleased to report that I liked it
very much! It was not only a good read, but going
along with Kip as he drove along familiar streets to
well remembered Southern California cities took me
back many years to happy times in that area. Moreover
- and this is a really important point - I liked your
lead character. I think in Kip Yardley you have
created a fictional P.I. strong enough, real enough,
likable enough to carry a series....."
His second book in the same series is "Corpses and Canyons". The thing that makes Don's book different from most is that he avoids foul language, explicit sex scenes, and weird, pshychologically impaired killers and victims. No psycho-babble in Don's books, just good reading mysteries. More information can be found on www.kipyardleymysteries.com.
Recent Members
| Albert Green Albert Green | 1976 |
| Diane Lafay Dembinski | 1968 |
| John I | 1976 |
| Michael Thomas | 1964 |
| Sheila Lee | 1978 |
| Terrie Moser | 1999 |
| Victor Allison | 1992 |
| William Jackson | 1905 |
Military Alumni
Honoring Our Heroes
This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces!
Lost Class Rings
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Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays!