By Tony Pennington

Transcript Staff Writer

The unmistakable gravelly voice with a hint of a slow Southern drawl cut through the various conversations circling Wilson Elementary's library. And all at once "Bret Maverick" was back in town to restore order.

"All right, everybody sit down," said Norman's Native Son James Garner. "We are going to start."

And with that, the crowd of about 100 began to settle and Wilson went about the business of welcoming its most famous alumnus home.

Seated next to his brother Jack, Wednesday afternoon Garner, 78, was the honored guest of the school's 75th anniversary alumni reunion. The event had been planned since last fall, but took a special turn when it was decided to tie the reunion in with Garner's statue dedication. Roy Hamilton, Garner's childhood friend and author of Wilson's fight song, was on the alumni committee that helped secure Garner for the occasion.

"We thought it was a fun thing he might like," Hamilton said after the reunion. "I think Jim really enjoyed it. I was worried about him getting tired, but he is still going strong."

If he was exhausted, it didn't show. Whether sitting down or drawing every inch of his 6-foot-3-inch frame, Garner flashed his movie star smile for all who greeted him. While he shook hands with many Wednesday, the most important exchange came with a surprise.

When Norman High School Principal Dr. Lynne Chesley took the floor she held a book familiar to many of Garner's friends. It contained an honorary high school diploma, something Garner never earned. Until that moment, Garner had no idea he would leave Norman as a graduate.

"He is part of the rich heritage of Norman High School," Chesley said before the event. "We have alumni all over the world doing great things, and we feel that he is part of that. We are here to honor him."

As he stood to accept his diploma, Chesley quickly admonished her temporary student. "We usually don't let graduates wear ball caps to the ceremony," she said.

And in a seamless transition, Garner reminded the room of the talent that made him a favorite on television and the movies.

"But I'm going bald like Roy Lee Hamilton," Garner said of his old friend.

Before Garner could return to his seat, Chesley shared a few stories from his days at NHS. There was one of Garner as a sophomore playing basketball and running into the stage at one end of the court. He lay motionless as the team gathered around him.

"It was then he opened one eye," Chesley said. "He said 'How is the crowd taking it?'"

The audience erupted in laughter.

"I don't remember that," he said when it quieted down only to have the room explode once more.

There was another tale of Garner being tossed from a football game in Tulsa for chasing a guy into the stands. Owning up to his brief loss of temper, Garner sheepishly said, "I did chase a guy up through the stadium, but he got away."

It was then Chesley presented Garner with his diploma, a link she said would forever tie him to Norman High.

"We love you," she said. "We want you to have one just like your friends."

With the document in hand, Garner examined the words written and then expressed his gratitude.

"Thank you so much for this," he said. "I really value this. I had a great time at Norman High, and everybody treated me nice even though I was a bit of a screw-up, and I didn't show up much. Thank you one and all."

Like most new graduates, Garner could be found accepting congratulations. He even managed to shake more hands, take more photos and make time for as many as he could.

Outside the library, Jack reflected on the what the day meant to his brother. "He is very honored and proud," he said. In a display of wit every bit as sharp as James', Jack showed some things do run in the family. "He is overwhelmed," he said. "It's something that shouldn't happen to him or me or anybody. He ain't anybody. He is just my brother."

And when Garner's statue is unveiled this afternoon, he will just be Jim, Norman's Native Son.

Tony Pennington 366-3541 schools@normantranscript.com