The Class NEWSLETTER

05/17/20

This is a crazy time in this world we live in. Covid-19/Corona Virus has changed everything we thought was normal and what we took for granted. Even getting a new website update has taken over two plus months, which seems like an eternity to me. I know this newsletter will lack news except for my personal life. Sorry. I guess it has been a me, me, me time quarantining in my world.

MAIL CALL
from Georgia Peterson Winkler in Austin
70 was something that used to sound old (like our parents, grandparents) but on this side of it, it's not so bad. It does make me remember older days and things from the past more. I'm lucky to have my 3 daughters and their families here in Austin and Joe & I stay involved with them and the 5 grandchildren. He is still working but I am retired and find different projects to do. We are lucky for good health so far. The future is bright and we need to focus on that. jg3a@swbell.net

from Joel Levy in Houston
Some happy news. Judi and I are probably the last parents of our class to announce something like this, but our daughter Maureen was married on February 15 to Jorel Martinez, M.D. in Houston, thankfully before the risk of public gatherings. They live in Orlando where he practices psychiatry and she is a financial analyst for one of the major cell phone companies. I already have a beautiful Granddog, a gorgeous and smart golden Vizsla. docjkl@msn.com

Pompano Club (aka) Benton’s (a message from the owners)
Wow! We can’t believe it’s been 45 years with you, Southeast Texas. We’ve enjoyed sharing all of your most memorable occasions-from banquets to weddings, and 50th Anniversary dinners to awards receptions. We’ve loved celebrating holidays with you-from Easter to New Years and everything in between. Thank you for trusting us to take care of the biggest moments of your lives. We’re so grateful for all of the memories. But, it’s time to say goodbye-to nearly half a century as the Pompano Club then Benton’s. This family-owned private club, restaurant and event center has been the source of countless laughs, smiles, dances, swims, and amazing meals! We will miss each of our patrons who have supported us throughout the years. It is each of you that we will miss most.

70 years ago…1950
WORLD POPULATION: 2.56 billion
US POPULATION: 153 million
PRESIDENT: Harry S. Truman
B0RN IN 1950: Stevie Wonder, Bill Murray, John Candy, Jay Leno, Martin Short, David Cassidy, Steve Wozniak and Linda DeCuir

HISTORICAL EVENTS:
In July, American troops and North Korean forces fought against each other for the first time in THE KOREAN WAR during the Battle of Osan. President Truman place America’s railroads under the control of the US Army. The great Brinks Robbery took place on January 17th President Truman sends US troops to Vietnam to help the French forces Senator McCarthy initiates the investigation into finding Communists.
Cold War began.
First Peanuts comic strip was published
President Truman approved the US construction of the Hydrogen Bomb
WHAT THINGS COST: Yearly USA inflation rate 1.09% avg. yearly income $3,210 new house $8,450 new car $1,510 movie ticket $0.46 loaf of bread $0.14 gallon of milk $0.82 gallon of gas $0.27 postage stamp $0.03 toy double holster set $2.82 tiny tear doll set $7.98
ON TELEVISION: People were watching on a 12” black and white model Texaco Star Theater, Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts, Fireside Theatre, Philco TV Playhouse
SPORTS CHAMPIONS:
World Series NY Yankees
NFL Cleveland Browns
NBA Minneapolis Lakers
Stanley Cup Detroit Red Wings
Golf Masters Jimmy Demaret
IN FASHION: Girdles, petticoats, bouffants, short bangs, fedora hats, suits, wingtip shoes

QUARANTINE Wow! How time flies when the world shuts down. The following was what I wrote in my last newsletter March 12, 2020:
CORONAVIRUS‘
Unless you live under a rock then you know this is big news! We had a big road trip planned to head straight up to North Dakota and then to Washington and down through Oregon and follow down and back to Texas. Don’t believe we will at this time. We would be staying in hotels and then lots of restaurants, etc. We were going to leave April 5th. I’m not quite sure we will all be out of the woods by then.”

WELL, I THINK WE ALL KNOW BY NOW ABOUT THE COVID-19!!!!

So, I thought I would just write about a few happenings around here during this quarantine. One was having to learn what a ZOOM was! I know I am old school. Our 3 month visit with our doctor was to be on “Zoom”. I put my lipstick on and combed my Covid hair and then decided I needed to take off the gown and put on a bra and outside clothes! Murphy and I sat on the couch and talked with the doctor. We were dressed better than he was. HaHa. The best thing was that he didn’t require us to weigh first and tell him the results. I would have lied anyway and said the scale was broken (mainly because we have been eating EVERYTHING in sight). He asked me if I was exercising and I replied, “Yes, I RUN errands and I RUN to the bathroom.” He wasn’t impressed.
I gave Murphy a COVID haircut in the backyard. I started the clippers on an #8 then 7 then 6 and gradually all the way down to a #2! Oh well, his looks better than mine. It is certainly easy to maintain. Things cancelled were our annual classmate weekend planned this year in Concan, TX, our 3 week road trip up to Oregon and back, our Scandinavian cruise scheduled in September planned by our travel agent, classmate Cherlyn Hebert, Murphy’s cataract surgery on both eyes, etc. We cancelled a trip to New Braunfels for a 1st communion for great nephew. Another great nephew was born and we haven’t seen him yet. We are really missing going to mass at St. Henry in Bridge City. But, we have taken advantage of watching the services live on FB. I feel sorry for our new priest, FR. Ernie. He had just been transferred to our church on Feb. 1st and was trying to meet and learn about his congregation. Classmates that I have talked to have had so many major cancellations that have caused so many hardships. Ours were just fun cancellations except the eye surgery, dental and some testing.
The first week of LOCK IN had us moving into the RV in the backyard. We had already ordered flooring and it came in. So, for the first two weeks of quarantine we lived there and came back and forth into the house. We weren’t replacing the kitchen floor so we were able to cook in the house.
Murphy and I participated in a surprise 70th birthday DRIVE BY for Bill Richey in Bridge City April 11. His boys and their wives planned this in lieu of a party. Around 13-15 friends and family decorated their cars and honked and waved and shouted out their greeting using their social distancing. His twin brother, Tillman Richey, pulled up the rear of the parade. It was nice to see him, also.
High school soccer season was cut short by a few games when school was cancelled. But we did get great news lately when our freshman granddaughter, Drew, was chosen to be on the 1st Team All-District list. She plays defense. We were so very proud considering she hasn’t participated in soccer of any kind for the last 5 years. Go DrewE!
We live in a Lumberton neighborhood of about 12 short blocks called Boykin. We have had 2 deaths due to the virus! The first one was a 50+ year old band director of my granddaughters’ high school in Sour Lake. He was also a member of the Symphony of Southeast Texas. He left behind his wife and 3 children. He was the FIRST recorded death in SE Texas to die from the virus. We just had another man in our neighborhood pass away this last weekend. So sad. I haven’t heard from many of the classmates about family members testing positive except for two families. Janice Jones Kelly’s daughter, Stephanie, is still dealing with problems after being in the hospital for quite a while. I will share her story in the SUPPORT section. Also, Jimmy Schexnayder called one day to just chat. His daughter, Jessica and her husband had the virus and also his granddaughter. All have recovered now. Please send me anything if you have had family dealings with this “Monster”.

CINCO de ME, ME, ME
Okay classmates. I know some of ya’ll were in on the surprise but I STILL CAN’T FIGURE OUT how that happened. My birthday is on May 5th and I started receiving cards from classmates on May 2! I still don’t know how you all knew but it has been TERRIFIC. I ended up with 37 cards from classmates and family and friends.
On May 1st, Johnny and Darlene Montagne invited us to a wonderful relaxing dinner under the trees at their Bridge City home. Also invited was Bill and Rhonda Richey. Murphy, Bill and Johnny all lived in the Pear Ridge neighborhood while growing up. After eating, Johnny brought us on a sunset ride on Cow Bayou on his 29 foot boat. We passed Ronnie Moerbe’s home and Paul Colletti’s home where he grew up. It was a special time to be with old friends. I just missed that we couldn’t hug. I haven’t seen Johnny and Darlene in more than a year and a half.
Cards started coming in on May 2nd. ???? Murphy and I took a roundtrip drive to Woodville and back just to enjoy the nice weather and see something. Our car wanted to use some of the gasoline that has been just sitting in the tank. We put exactly one hundred miles on it that day.
May 3rd
A quickly planned a picnic at a park in Dayton, TX. My niece, my other “daughter”, wanted to get out for the first time so she could give me a gift. She and her husband and Murphy and I met half way between Lumberton and Spring. We did the old-fashioned picnic with a basket and made our own sandwiches, chips, desserts, etc. No one else was in the park. We sat under a pavilion on a picnic table. We had a small speaker to have some music and they brought golf clubs and “wiffle” balls. They were actually something round but with a hole in it. We laughed and just had a fun few hours being together.
May 4th
Piddled around the house and grilled ribs. Received more cards from classmates! ???
May 5th
My DAY. CINCO de ME, ME, ME! I walked into the den wearing my crown so that Murphy would remember he’s married to “royalty”. The crown also helped to cover up the COVID hair!! I answered calls, texts, FB postings, e-mails and viewed the funniest Jib Jab and other cute videos and then received a BEAUTIFUL flower arrangement from a special classmate, Pat Trahan Knox. Then, while in my gown and crown, my matron of honor, Jody Hopkins Barbin, FaceTimed me. It was so good to see and talk to her in “person”. I usually see her on FB and we occasionally will phone each other. Later, we met my daughter and family at Lupe’s Tortilla Restaurant for my traditional birthday Mexican lunch. It was a strange feeling to be in a restaurant after so long. It seemed like it was empty since the tables were spaced so far apart. Of course, I felt a lot safer that way. Then, we headed to my daughter’s home where she and the two grands surprised me with a birthday VIDEO that I still don’t know how it came to be! I watched, while crying, with utter astonishment and gratitude at what I was seeing! Family, friends, CLASSMATES had sent in sentiments to share with me. I still have NO WORDS worthy of what this meant to me. I was so surprised and humbled and felt so loved, by not only the video, but also the cards, texts, e-mails, calls that completed the total package. This was the best birthday ever. I am still trying to figure out how the word got around and also was kept SECRET!!!! My quiet, introverted only child, Stacy, had the idea and got it moving. My 15 year old precious, crazy DrewE is the one who spent HOURS and HOURS compiling the video. I am so amazed and gracious to them BOTH and for all of you that took the time to add to it. Drew even spent more time editing it to add some later additions. Now, I need someone (maybe Mike Harmon) to put it on a CD so that I will have it to watch over and over. It is on YOU TUBE and Mike Lawson has put it on the front page of the website for this update.
Well, the party isn’t over. My other granddaughter, Bailey, made dessert and ran the “bar”. But alas the party continues the next day, May 6. Ernie (Castaneda) and Ron Bullion invited us for a social distancing supper and dessert and margaritas since I forgot to order one for my birthday. The following day my niece, Laurie, arranged to have lunch delivered by WAITR, our first time, from one of my favorite restaurants, Olive Garden. The delivery girl sang Happy Birthday to me. Okay. Notice the pattern of ALL THE FOOD that was consumed from May 1st to May 6th? Back to wearing the gown. So much food that now even the CROWN is too tight!

SUPPORT
Rhonda Richey (wife of Bill Richey) in Orange
March 11- March 17
She was hospitalized with complications from chronic stomach issues that have been plaguing her for several months. While there, she and Bill were exposed to the Corona Virus but thankfully tested negative. She is recovering. rrich@gt.rr.com 3695 Woodway Dr. Orange, TX 77630
 
Pat Trahan Knox in Beaumont
Mar 12
After 40 months of accidents, surgeries, therapy and splints, we now know what can't be fixed. I have had the best, well- known hand and wrist doctor who was hopeful that I would be one of the very few whose damaged nerves would respond to treatment. The initial dislocated shoulder, surgery, therapy, splints and having a broken wrist, cast, 2 hand surgeries, and a couple of slips, it has proven that, unfortunately, I am not one of those very few. Ray and I made a quick trip to the Fondren Clinic in Houston to discuss what, if anything, could be done for my right hand and wrist. X-rays and CT scans were reviewed and I could continue having surgeries that would have little chance of positive results and no guarantees, but it's time to accept the fact that I have a hand that will not be fully functional and a wrist that will be painful when I overuse it or bump into something. I so appreciate all of my wonderful friends who have followed the progression of this freak accident and have sent prayers my way. They have been very comforting. I am blessed! patknox@hotmail.com 925 Brandywine Beaumont, TX 77706

from Liz Tieskens Ellis in Lafayette, CO
March 19
We are "socially distancing" here in Colorado...Peggy Foster Hoyt is sharing this time with us, as she has been visiting the past couple of weeks...now staying here instead of returning to her assisted living facility in Florida. Butch is healing from a bad fall 10 days ago..no fractures but an extremely large and painful hematoma on his backside. Falls are very bad when you're on blood thinners. He is having to use a walker, but seems to be turning a corner. Prayers for continued healing is appreciated...and we share with you prayers for our land, for safety, for protection, for provision for us all. Life is indeed fragile, always changing...but better with friends and family. Sending virtual hugs and love!

Liz is also suffering from chronic stomach health issues. liztellis@gmail.com 358 Elk Trail Lafayette, CO 80026

Mike Varing in Port Arthur
Mar. 27
I want to first thank my precious GOD for guiding my surgeon during my surgery which I'm now cancer free in right leg. My awesome doctors are now are addressing a small malignant tumor on my lungs.. Please keep Me in Your PRAYERS. Varingmichael32@gmail.com 749 Queen’s Court Port Arthur, TX 77642

from Gloria Phillips Bradley in Mustang, OK March 20 At 5 am I woke Rick up while having another Grand Mall Seizure! I was transported to Integeris South West Hospital. I am able to walk but am not very cognitive. I received 3 stitches on my tongue. They put me on seizure medicine, no baths & no driving & I have to follow up with a neurologist. I'm having headaches, neck pain, difficulty swallowing, very tired but resting at home now! I would greatly appreciate PRAYER covering in the next days ahead. Gbradley73064@yahoo.com 9221 SW 99th St. Mustang, OK 73064

from Stephanie Kelly (Janice Jones’ Daughter) in Bellevue, ID
March 22 (in hospital suffering with the Corona Virus)
For everyone that says "it's not a big deal. Most people will recover." "I've heard it's just like a bad cold." "It's just a "respiratory flu", only people who are already sick will have problems." You are right, and so very wrong.
Sunday: I had a bad cough that felt like one of my usual asthma flare ups. No big deal, I have an inhaler and they happen at this time of year. Monday/Tuesday: I have to travel for work, told I have no choice (congratulations to all the possibly newly infected, I wash my hands, but do you wash yours?).
Wednesday: Tired, pretty sure it's turning into bronchitis (spoiler alert: it's not), but can't get in to see the doctor
Thursday: I get winded walking from my car to my office and it takes 10 minutes to catch my breath. Leave work early, walk back to my car and make it home just in time to fall asleep.
Friday (this is the long one): can't get a glass of water without almost passing out from shortness of breath. Off to the ER we go.
Fever 102.9, oxygen level 74%
Chest X-rays, CT scans, blood work, breathing treatments and 3 liters of oxygen. Finally get me holding steady, just not sounding pretty at 93. Off to the Twin Falls hospital we go.
Arrive at 4:30pm. By 8pm, I start to desat. Up the oxygen to 5, 7, 10, 12, 15.
Hello ICU. Keep in mind this whole time they are telling me this is strange because I am so young and healthy.
By 1100 with input from Boise, I am being told I am being put in a medically induced coma for 3-4 days and being intubated so they don't have to do an emergency tracheotomy later. I am lucky. I am dealing well enough with mild sedation that they ended up not having to keep me under. I am still intubated for at least 1-2 more days though.
There are no visitors and they can't send you anything if you are COVID-19. It's just whatever you brought with you. Can't even snack to pass the time since you have a tube stuck down your throat. No ice cold water to ease the rawness from the tube.
Yes, I will be one of the survivors. I have an amazing care team here in ICU. But I would much rather be home with my family. This was not meant to be depressing, this is just my journey and a warning on just how fast it can progress.
Peace, love, and wash ya hands
(Update May 9)
COVID-19 isn't over when it's over. 5.5 weeks out of the hospital and I'm on oxygen tonight. Because I had an amazing Mother's Day and thought I could do more than I could. I just wanted to garden, and I did.
I watched my heart rate (anyone else have to do that while gardening?) and took breaks when it climbed into the 120s. O2 sats in the lower 90s. And resting tonight, woke up, heart racing, heart rate 140, O2 at 86. I put the oxygen back on, but it made me mad! I should be DONE with this!!
"It's just like the flu" is what I read all the time.
This is feeling ill for a week before going to the hospital, because you "can't" miss work.
Almost 2 WEEKS in hospital, ICU, VENTILATOR for over a week. WITHOUT seeing family, NO ONE to hold me or hold my hand, because THEY WANTED TO but were not allowed.
So you struggle for breath, in isolation, with strangers. And the strangers are your nurses and your lifeline but so masked up that you wouldn't recognize them in the street. And they are amazing. "But he says ventilators don't work and xyz says they were breathing like normal/cured 3-4 hours after taking hydroxychloroquine."
IT DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT!!
Let me say it again for those of you in the back...
IT DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT!!
This virus is NOT political. This virus infects regardless of age, orientation, religious belief.
And like usual, I will probably delete this post in an hour, because "it's all political" and no one believes the person that actually, physically went through it.
And is STILL physically and psychologically going through it. You know what, I think I'll leave it. micaelalsu@yahoo.com Stephanie Kelly 415 N. 3rd St. Bellevue, ID 83313
lsuaggiemom@yahoo.com
Janice Jones Kelly
10520 Commonwealth Dr.
Iola, TX 77861

Jimmy Schexnayder’s daughter, an EMT, his son-in-law, a policeman, and granddaughter all were treated and have recovered from Covid-19.
jimgolf111@gmail.com
8129 Honeywood Tr. Apt. 5104
Port Arthur, TX 77642

Ricky Bradley in Mustang, OK
May 4
a note from Gloria Phillips Bradley
Rick will have surgery to removed 3 small new spots on bladder, Tuesday 12th at Mercy hospital. Dr. Link said that the last surgery still needs to heal some but is looking good. No Chemo until the bladder heals & spots stop occurring.
Thank you for your prayers & love to us.
Blessings to all!!
May 13
The surgery went GREAT!!! Thanks to Dr. Link & his staff for great surgery & care! Pathology report will come back Thursday then he will go back in 3 months for a check-up. Then, hopefully he will start Chemo.
Thanks to all for the prayers.
Rbradley73064@yahoo.com
9221 SW 99th St.
Mustang, OK 73064

CONDOLENCES
Mel “Cooter” Simmons
(death of a classmate)
July 6, 1950 -March 22, 2020

Mike Faulk
(death of his father, Johnny Faulk)
3/31/1928 -April 25, 2020
Msf50@gt.rr.com
8370 E. Bridgefield Orange, TX 77630
 
Kay King Young
(death of her mother, Ruth King)
December 22, 1925 – April 26, 2020
kaykingyoung@yahoo.com
1824 Callaway Cove Ct.
Rosenberg, TX 77471

Katie Gaspard
(death of her brother, Roy Gaspard)
July 25, 1941 – May 3, 2020
Kag-op@gt.rr.com
925 Parson Dr.
Beaumont, TX 77706

Randy Blanchard
(death of his mother, Marie Blanchard)
March 27, 2020 3810 Lexington
Port Arthur, TX 77642

Gloria Faye Burks Fowler
(death of her mother, Bobbie Jo Burks)
Gloriafaye29@gmail.com
800 Sheryl Ln.
Longview, TX 75604

Billy Fowler
(death of his brother, Glynn Fowler, Sr.)
Fowler.wm@gmail.com
4171 FM 1844
Gladewater, TX 75607

Glen Henderson and the late Lynn Henderson
(death of their mother, Peggy Henderson)
October 5, 1928 – May 10, 2020
hollywoodtx@gmail.com
4435 Forest Dr.
Port Arthur, TX 77642

The late Ronnie and Donnie Hollier
(death of their brother, Robert “Bob” Hollier)
September 23, 1944 – May 13, 2020
 
Nancy McClain
(death of a TJ faculty member)
June 19, 1935 – April 30, 2020

Ursula Lefkowitz
(death of owner of Irving’s Jewelry)
December 6, 1924 – March 16, 2020
(a note from Joel Levy about Ursula)
Thank you so much for the notice. Oh, “Aunt Ursula”! Our family was so close to Irving and Ursula, we were unrelated "family." My brother and sister and I called her Aunt Ursula and him Uncle Irving. Irving was my Daddy's closest and dearest friend, fellow jewelers who exchanged merchandise when customers needed what they didn't have on hand. They were a comedy duo in the Port Arthur Little Theater, with their rendition of "The Sunshine Boys." Ursula wasn't just active in the Port Arthur Little Theater, she was its backbone, doing a lot of the front office work (tickets, etc). Oh, my. This is virtually the end of an era: I think the last surviving member of the first generation of our old Port Arthur Temple. As from the Book of Proverbs, she was an Ayshet Chayil, a Woman of Valor.

Cowboy Hall
(owner of Cowboy Hall’s Service Station)
July 28, 1930 – April 7, 2020

If you are reading this, that means you hung in there for the duration of this marathon newsletter. Congratulations, I guess, or you must be bored enough to just keep on, keeping on. I do appreciate all the support that Mike and I hear about this endeavor. Keep contacting us with ANYTHING that can be added. It is so appreciated. If you are still bored of being locked up then click on the You Tube video my granddaughter painstaking composed. It is located on the front page of the website (I hope)!

Stay in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden
lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com
www.tjhs1968.com