J.R. and Gloria Cline
First Christian Church directory photograph, 1998.
Photo courtesy of Rhonda (Cline) Nickel.
J.R. and Gloria Cline
First Christian Church directory photograph, 1998.
Photo courtesy of Rhonda (Cline) Nickel.
James Russell 'Junior' & Gloria (Wilson) Cline
Photo courtesy of Rhonda (Cline) Nickel.
J.R., Russell and Gloria Cline
at the Diamond Jubilee, Coldwater, Kansas, (August 30-31, September 1-2, 1959).
Photo courtesy of Rhonda (Cline) Nickel.
From Comanche County History, page 313.
J.R. (Junior) Cline
James Russell Cline, from now on called Junior because that was what everyone called him, was the 10th child born to James Marion and Frances Minerva (Metzker) Cline in a house on the southwest corner of block 130 in Coldwater, Kansas.
When Junior was still in high school he had an interest in radio. He set up a place on his parent's back porch where he repaired radios for friends. In 1942 he established a shop in a small place one-half block south of Main Street.
In January, 1943, Gloria Wilson moved to Coldwater. She was working in the AAA office. On June 19, 1943, Junior and Gloria were married in Greensburg, Kansas, and moved into a house on the northwest corner of block 130, Coldwater, Kansas.
In 1945 Junior had his shop on East Main on the north side of the street. In 1954 Junior moved across the street into a new blond brick building he had built. His place of business was called Cline's Radio and T.V. Shop.
Junior and Gloria were married thirteen years when their first baby was born - June 2, 1956. An 8 lb. 10 oz. boy named Russell Fay Cline. On July 17, 1962, their second child, a girl named
Rhonda Marie Cline , was born three months premature. She weighed 2 lb. 10 oz.Both children were blessed by exceptional intelligence. Russell was interested in all things and was very knowledgeable about any subject. He entered Southern Colorado State College at Pueblo where he built a part of the T.V. station, designed and built and was disc jockey for a year at the college radio station.
He was also interested in and studied photography, biology, psychology and business administration, having a total grade average of 3.547. After leaving college he joined a seismograph crew in March 1979. On December 6, 1979, when the crew was moving from Wolf Point, Montana, to Plentywood, Montana, his car missed a corner, rolled and killed him instantly.
Rhonda was very good in any kind of music, especially instrumental. After graduating as salutatorian of her class, she enrolled in Dodge City Community College.
Junior built the first riding mower in this part of the country. He also had the first television set in Comanche County, and one of the first solar water heating systems in Coldwater.
The entire family was active in the Coldwater Christian Church.
-- by Mrs. J.R. (Junior) Cline, Comanche County History, page 313, published 1981.
The Western Star, March 23, 2000. Gloria Cline
Gloria Dean Cline, 76, died Tuesday, March 28, 2000, at her residence in Coldwater.
Born April 4, 1923, in rural Haven, the daughter of Fay Willard Wilson and Vertie Marie (Boughner) Wilson, she was a retired deputy county clerk for Comanche County, serving in that position for 20 years.
She was a long-time resident of the area, moving to Comanche County in 1943. She graduated from Antrim High School, in rural Stafford County, in 1940, and from Salt City Business College in Hutchinson. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Coldwater, where she was the church pianist for many years. She was also a member of several Bible study and civic clubs in Coldwater.
On June 19, 1943, she married James Russell "Junior" Cline at Greensburg, Kansas. He survives.
Other survivors include: one daughter, Rhonda Nickel and her husband Doug of Coldwater; one brother, Charles Wilson and his wife Loneta of Odessa, Texas; one sister, Carmen Ivy and her husband Richard of Kimberling City, Mo.; and two grandsons, C.R. Nickel and Jonathan Nickel.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one son: Russell Fay Cline.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m., Friday, March 31, 2000, at the First Christian Church in Coldwater, the Rev. Mike Elrod presiding.
Burial will be at Coldwater's Crown Hill Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to the First Christian Church in care of Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, P.O. Box 417, Coldwater, Kansas 67029.
Notes by Rhonda Nickel: graduated from Antrim H.S. - "1940" is corrected from the printed "1941." The photo of Gloria Dean Cline is from her funeral service folder. Carmen (Wilson) Ivy can be found on the website: in the 1953 Wilmore "Tiger" yearbook, as well as comments on some of the Wilmore tornado photos, concerning the tornado hitting the school. Fay and Vertie Wilson have a history in the first Comanche County History book
Back: Gloria (Wilson) Cline, Charles Wilson, Carmen (Wilson) Ivy.
Front: Vertie (Boughner) Wilson.
This photo was taken in Vertie's home, I believe in the 1980's.
Photo courtesy of Rhonda (Cline) Nickel.
Vertie (Boughner) Wilson with her daughter, Gloria Dean Wilson
Photo courtesy of Rhonda (Cline) Nickel.
Fay Wilson with his daughter, Gloria Dean Wilson.
Photo courtesy of Rhonda (Cline) Nickel.
Gloria Dean Wilson, 2 years old at left, 3 years old at right
Photo courtesy of Rhonda (Cline) Nickel.
Gloria Wilson holding Carmen Wilson, Charles Wilson.
Hugoton, Kansas, late 1935 or early 1936.
Photo courtesy of Rhonda (Cline) Nickel.
Gloria Dean Wilson, 16 years old.
Photo courtesy of Rhonda (Cline) Nickel.
The Western Star, May 23, 2002. 'J.R.' Cline
James Russell "J.R." Cline, 85, died Sunday, May 19, 2002, at his home in Coldwater.
Born Nov. 29, 1916, at Coldwater, he was the son of James Marion Cline and Minerva (Metzker) Cline. He was a retired electrician and owner of Cline's Radio Shop in Coldwater.
A lifetime resident of Coldwater, he attended Coldwater Grade School and graduated from Coldwater High School in 1934. He was a member of the First Christian Church of Coldwater, where he was a deacon and a Sunday school secretary. He was also a member of the Coldwater Country Club and an amateur HAM radio operator.
June 19, 1943, he married Gloria Wilson at Greensburg.
She preceded him in death March 28, 2000.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Russell Fay Cline; six brothers, Hueston, Owen, Kenneth, Allen, Lee Roy, and Raymond Cline; and three sisters, Leta Thompson, Edith Martin, and Frances Burkhall.
Survivors include: one daughter, Rhonda and her husband Doug Nickel of Coldwater; one sister, Jessie Robertson of Harrison, Ark.; and two grandsons, C.R. and Jonathan Nickel of Coldwater.
Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 23, 2002, at the First Christian Church in Coldwater, with Chet Mendenhall presiding.
Memorials may be sent to First Christian Church in care of Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, P.O. Box 417, Coldwater, KS 67029-0417.
Notes by Rhonda Nickel: "Harrison," Ark. is a correction from the printed "Harrisonville," Ark. in the printed obituary.
Minerva (Metzker) Cline (J.R.'s mother) was a daughter of Frank and Lucy Metzker, and a sister to Lula Gregg. The Metzker's and Gregg's have histories in the first Comanche County History book. LeeRoy Cline was married to Martha (Ridge) Cline, who was a sister to Velma (Ridge) Smith, married to Fay Smith. Ridge and Smith families' information found elsewhere on the website.
The Western Star, December 2, 1949. On Wednesday evening of last week Junior Cline of Cline's Radio Shop installed at his home a television aerial and receiving set and with a number of eager visitors witnessed their first television reception in Coldwater.TELEVISION IN COLDWATER
An Oklahoma City station is the only one in this area which can be brought in, it is stated. Coldwater is on the fringe of that area, being more than 200 miles distant, instead of the recommended 75 miles limit.
The reception was fairly good Wednesday evening, but Junior says that the next evening the condition of the clouds affected the fading on the screen. He states that good reception about 50% of the time may be expected until television is broadcast from Enid , Wichita or closer points.
Mr. Cline is using a 12 1/2 inch picture tube in his reception. He expects to install a television set at his shop on Main Street some time in the future.
(Handwritten note: 'March 27 - 1954')
Attend Open House Saturday
Television and Radio Headquarters!
You are invited to attend our Open House Saturday, March 27, starting 9:00 a.m. Come in and have your voice recorded - and played back.
SIX FREE DOOR PRIZES - ALL NEW, $125 VALUE
Admiral Radio-Phonograph Combination, Swivel Top Television Stand, DeLuxe Automatic Electric Toaster, Two TV Lamps and a Proctor Tray Set. Be Sure to Register!
FREE COFFEE AND COOKIES FROM 2:00 TO 4:00 P.M.
CLINE'S RADIO SHOP
YOUR AUTHORIZED ADMIRAL DEALER - SALES AND SERVICE
News Clipping (Handwritten note: "March 27, 1954")
Will Hold Open House on Saturday
Junior Cline announces this week in a display ad in this issue that he is holding open house at his new radio and TV shop Saturday of this week and is giving away six door prizes, including a $70 Admiral radio-phonograph combination. He stated that one need not be present when prizes are awarded, all are welcome to register.
He invites the public to visit his new shop Saturday. On Wednesday he erected a 67 foot tower and antenna for TV reception.
Note by Rhonda Nickel: I'm assuming this clipping could be from the March 25, 1954 Western Star, but am not 100% sure.)
The Western Star, November 8, 1979. Constructs Solar Heat Panel Behind Radio-TV Shop
J.R. Cline has constructed a solar heat panel behind his Radio and TV shop on Main Street. It is made of used parts in combination with new. It is about 4 x 8 ft. and provides enough heat to heat the back of the radio shop. Temperature at the exhaust of the electric blower was 105 degrees. The blower is controlled automatically by a limit control switch out of an old furnace.
The blower is a little squirrel cage putting out about 400 c.f.m. The unit can be seen suspended between two poles at the back of his shop. He had no plans from which to construct the heating unit but had "been thinking about it for several months."
Russell Cline and J.R. Cline standing on train at Coldwater depot
during Coldwater's Diamond Jubilee, Coldwater, Kansas, 1959.
Photo courtesy of Rhonda (Cline) Nickel.
J.M. and Minerva Cline family, circa 1920.
Back: Frances, Allen, Hueston, Hueston's wife Jess, Edith.
Middle: Leta's husband Edson Thompson, Leta Thompson (holding Marguerite), James Marion "Jim" Cline, Minerva Cline, Kenneth.
Front: LeeRoy, Raymond, Jessie, Junior (J.R.).
Photo courtesy of Rhonda (Cline) Nickel.
J.M. and Minerva Cline family photo on their 50th wedding anniversary, June 25, 1950.
Back: Jessie, Leta, Allen, Raymond, Kenneth, Heuston, Frances, Junior (J.R.).
Front: LeeRoy, Minerva (Metzker) Cline, James Marion "Jim" Cline, Edith.
Photo courtesy of Rhonda (Cline) Nickel.
L-R: J.R. Cline and J.M. Cline homes, 1940s, Coldwater, Kansas
"J.R. & Gloria Cline were married in 1943, and this was their home not long after that. This would be the original house that they added onto through the years. I understand that J.M. Cline built it." -- Comment & photo courtesy of Rhonda (Cline) Nickel.
1. Hueston Cline
2. Owen Cline (died as an infant)
3. Leta Hazel (Cline) Thompson
4. James Kenneth Cline
5. Edith Marguerite (Cline) Martin
6. Allen Leighton Cline
7. Frances Georgia (Cline) Burkhall
8. Frederick Lee Roy Cline
9. Raymond Everett Cline
10. James Russell Cline
11. Jessie (Cline) Robertson
Also see:
James Marion & Minerva Frances (Metzker) Cline, parents of J.R. Cline.
"Mrs. J.M. Cline Has Made Many Hundreds of Beautiful Quilts", news clipping, 31 Dec 1964.
Photographs from the Collection of J.M. & Minerva Cline, printed from the original glass plate negatives by Russell Fay Cline.
Jerry Dean Cline, son of Allen Leighton & Ruby Dona (Hale) Cline, grandson of J.M. & Minerva (Metzker) Cline.
Russell Fay Cline, son of J.R. & Gloria (Wilson) Cline.
Rhonda (Cline) Nickel, daughter of J.R. & Gloria (Wilson) Cline, grand-daughter of J.M. & Minerva (Metzker) Cline.
Dorothy Virginia Gregg, first cousin of the children of J.M. & Minerva (Metzker) Cline.
Lula Agnes (Metzker) Gregg, sister of Minerva (Metzker) Cline, maternal aunt of the children of J.M. & Minerva (Metzker) Cline.
Frank Leighton and Lucy William (Allen) Metzker, parents of Minerva Frances (Metzker) Cline.
Harrison Metzker, son of Frank Leighton and Lucy William (Allen) Metzker.
S.Sgt. Ira Leighton Metzker, USAAF, first cousin of the children of J.M. & Minerva (Metzker) Cline.
Iris (Brasher) Metzker, aunt of the children of J.M. & Minerva (Metzker) Cline.
From Our Soldiers and Sailor Boys : Harrison and George Metzker, The Western Star, October 18, 1918.
Aftermath of the Wilmore Tornado, May 20, 1949: photos by J.R. & Gloria Cline, courtesy of Rhonda (Cline) Nickel.
Vertie Marie (Boughner) Wilson, mother of Gloria (Wilson) Cline.
TIGER 1953: The Wilmore School Yearbook, 1952-1953
Images of all 32 pages of the year book: Wilmore students, Seniors to First Graders, Administration members and Activities, courtesy of Doug & Rhonda Nickel.
Thanks to Rhonda (Cline) Nickel for the above obituaries and information and to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above "TV in Coldwater" news article to this web site!
This website is being created by Jerry Ferrin with the able assistance of many Contributors. Your comments, suggestions and contributions of historical information and photographs to this site are welcome. Please sign the Guest Book. This page was created 16 February 2006 and was last updated 23 October 2006.