From the archives: Lead story of package my wife and I wrote at 20th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death.
By Bobby Ross Jr. and Tamie Ross| The Oklahoman
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Goose bumps formed just below James Hubert’s earphones as he followed the Graceland Mansion tour group into the dining room.
As Priscilla Presley recounted on audiotape how Elvis Presley chomped southern cooking, played poker and swapped stories in this room, the Lawton man passed from commercialized present to nostalgic past.
Suddenly, there at the head of the eight-foot table, Hubert could see him.
Him.
“Man,” Hubert said, “Elvis walked through here eating a peanut butter and banana sandwich.”
‘Promised Land’
The king of rock ‘n’ roll left the building 20 years ago.
When Presley died Aug. 16, 1977, at age 42, Hubert didn’t qualify as an Elvis fan.
Then a 17-year-old high school student, he banged his head to Van Halen and KISS – the hard stuff.
But as the 20th anniversary of Presley’s death approached, the Lawton city equipment operator stepped into Elvis’ world.
He was far from alone.
Twenty years after Elvis’ death from an accidental drug overdose, the King maintains his throne.
These stories appeared in the Aug. 10, 1997, and Aug. 11, 1997, editions of The Oklahoman.
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 