History

We Are a Proud 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

Early Life and Shared Beginnings

Barbara and Gary Blevins shared a remarkable life together, deeply rooted in the close-knit community of Mooreland, Oklahoma. Born just a month apart in 1929, their early years were filled with shared experiences — attending the same classes, working at the local pool during the summers, going to the prom, and playing sports. Their bond, forged in these formative years, would grow into a lifelong partnership that would profoundly impact each other and the many lives they touched.

Barbara's Journey in Sports and Music Education

Barbara was an athlete in an era when girls’ basketball was played with six players on the court, each allowed only one dribble per possession. She often laughed about how players had to take a large step and make long, accurate passes.

Both Barbara and Gary graduated from Mooreland High School, with Barbara as Valedictorian of her class. She went on to earn a degree in Music Education from Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) and embarked on a long and fulfilling career teaching music. She began her teaching career in Elk City, Oklahoma, and spent over 20 years shaping young minds in Duncanville, Texas, where she passed on her love of music to her students. Barbara’s commitment to education never wavered. She even traveled at night to Denton, TX to earn a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Texas Woman’s University, despite holding a full-time job and raising a family.

Gary's Legacy as a Player and in Coaching

Gary, a talented athlete as well, played three sports at Mooreland High School, including basketball. He once held the boy’s single-game scoring record until Barbara’s brother later broke it.

Gary, who graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, went on to become a highly respected high school basketball coach. His passion for the game and his players extended beyond the court. Gary was a former director of the Basketball Congress International (BCI) and helped launch the Texas Shooting Stars Basketball Program, which, at the time, was the largest AAU girls’ basketball organization in the country. To honor his contributions, the Gary Blevins Memorial Day Basketball Tournament is held annually in his name.

Community Involvement

Barbara and Gary were pillars of the Duncanville

community, deeply involved in the First United

Methodist Church for nearly 50 years. They both

served as choir members, with Barbara also

serving as the choir director for many years and

helped establish the church’s handbell choir.

Beyond their individual careers, Barbara and Gary shared a deep love for basketball. Their unwavering support for the Duncanville Pantherettes became a defining aspect of their lives. The couple spent countless evenings traveling to away games or making the short trip to the Duncanville Gym for home games, cheering on their daughter, Bobbie Blevins Long, and later, their three granddaughters—Jessica Barr Guinn, Tiffany Long Anderson, and Jamie Barr Wickline.

The Pantherettes' success on the court, combined with Gary and Barbara’s dedication to the team, made Christmas shopping easy for them each year. An all-expenses-paid trip to the State Tournament in San Antonio became a cherished tradition.

Legacy of Dedication and Hard Work

Gary passed away in 2019, and Barbara followed in 2022. Together, they left behind a legacy that continues through their four children, 11 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. Their family-established 501(c)(3) charity, the Gary and Barbara Blevins Scholarship Fund, ensures their memory lives on. This scholarship provides financial

support to basketball players who exemplify Gary’s coaching philosophy:

“When you walk onto the court, you aren’t always going to be the tallest, the strongest, the fastest, or the smartest player, but the one thing that you can control is how hard you work. So don’t ever let anyone out-work you.”

Affectionately known as the “Hustle Award,” this scholarship is granted annually to a senior female basketball player from both Duncanville High School and Mooreland High School. The recipient may not be the MVP, the leading scorer, or even a starter, but she is the player who:

Shows up to practice every day and out-hustles everyone, both in practice and in games.
Makes her teammates better players and better people.
Willingly does the “dirty work,” such as guarding the opposing team’s best player or mixing it up underneath the basket.
Demonstrates positive leadership and serves as a role model for the next generation of players, both on and off the court.

The “Hustle Award” ensures that Barbara and Gary’s

spirit of hard work, dedication, and kindness will

continue to inspire young athletes for years to

come. Their love for basketball, education, and

community has left an indelible mark on all who knew

them. Although Barbara and Gary have left the gym

for the last time, they will always be there in spirit,

cheering the players on, encouraging them to work

hard, and reminding all of us that we are never alone

in our efforts.

Barbara and Gary will be inducted into the Duncanville, TX, Hall of Honor on Jan 17, 2025.