I have a problem! So, what's new you say? Well, I quit being lazy and contacted 337 classmates trying to get them to send in updated info for my spreadsheet. I heard from MANY of you. Some of you also sent in some extra news for my MAIL CALL! (insert happy dance here..."-) I will divide the news up so that some will be on this NEWSLETTER and some will be included on future NEWSLETTERS. I also got some pics that you sent. I was notified of 30 INVALID e-mail addresses which means they don't EVER get our updates. Fifteen of you sent me NEW e-mail addresses and the bad news is I still haven't heard from 248 classmates about their status!!! Here is hoping I get more for next time. Of course, some of you didn't get the message I sent out about updating because I ALREADY have current info on you. THANKS!!!! It was amazing to hear from so many of you and get an insight to what is going on in your world. Love you all. I have the best "job" ever!
MAIL CALL
from Carroll "Paul" Cashat in Beaumont
I'm now living in Beaumont after moving from Colmesneil. I am still above ground! No plans to retire. Just trying to stay busy.
from Linda Blanton Murski in Wilmont Bay
We have been busy, busy. We were in Texas from October to April and now are back on the island for the summer months. My daughter and husband are visiting here with us right now. We are enjoying the water and snorkeling every minute that the weather allows. My son, Damian, is still living in Beaumont. He has his daughter, Brittany close by. She now has two baby boys, making me a great-grandmother twice over!
from Gary Bouillion and Tonna Cooksey Bouillion in Leander
We have one son and his wife that live in Georgetown. Their two kids are the "light of our lives". Landry is 6 and Addison will be 8 this summer. We are about to retire by the years end and now are just enjoying spending time with the family and friends. We are blessed.
from Nancy Decker Primeaux in Kerrville
I sell coins/tokens/medals on eBay! I just love it. I started this venture about a year ago. I had to relearn my geography!I forgot where all "those other countries" were located. My husband, Micka, is doing fine, as well. We went on a trip to West Texas in November with my brother-in-law, Ted Primeaux and his wife....yes, Ted of "Ted's Record Shop"! He has been my brother-in-law for almost 42 years. I told him I was one of those brats that would get into those booths, paint their nails, and listen to his music. He just laughs (now)! He is 81 years old and is doing great. He moves a little slower but still loves music and dance. He is still the same great fellow. It looks like we will be going on another trip this year, but the location has not been decided. Gotta go...I need to sell more coins!
from Martha Jane Hayes Horn in Beaumont
I am retired from Nederland ISD. My husband and I enjoy traveling, which is a good thing as my son, Stephen is in the Army so he is never close by. He is stationed in Oahu, (too far for this grandma to visit), and is on a tour in Afghanistan. My daughter, Sarah, is a Walters manager in The Woodlands, (only granddogs there). We are really enjoy living in Gilbert Lake Estates and attending Christian Fellowship in Beaumont. Life is good!
from Mike Faulk in Orange/Bridge City area
Everything is great on my end. I have 3 grandsons. We all have our health and our wits about us. I could not be more blessed. I am enjoying retirement. Most of my time is spent with the grandboys. Linda and I travel and spend lots of time with the family. We went on our first cruise for our 40th anniversary. We liked it so much that we went on another one a month later. I think now it will be an annual event.
from Richard "Dick" James in Nacogdoches
We have a new grandson, Cash Croley, born 9/8/11 to our oldest daughter, Julie and her husband, Cassidy Croley. Our youngest daughter, Robyn got married to Zach Ostrander on March 17th. Zach is from Wisconsin and they are now living in Long Lake, NY. I retired last year from the Lufkin State School and am now working at the Rusk State Hospital. Double dipping is great! My wife, Cathy, is still teaching at Henderson ISD.
from Christine Smith Hood in Nederland
I have been retired from teaching in Pt. Arthur for one year now. I'm loving retirement! I have three children and two grandkids! My kids live in New Orleans, Lake Jackson, and Dallas so we do a lot of traveling to see them AND the grandkids, of course. My husband, Preston, is a Chemist with Huntsman in Pt. Neches. He is looking forward to retirement in a couple of years.
from Becky Harrison in Beaumont
I am doing well. I retired after almost 30 years with the State of Texas. Now, as a retirement job, I teach U.S. History to 11th graders at Memorial High School in PA. Talk about coming full circle!
from Gail Wilson Felker in Alexandria, VA
We've been back in Virginia for a year now. Such is the life of a military family. But, HOME will always be TEXAS! Ross will probably be retiring from the military in about 1 1/2 years and we'll be settling near San Antonio.
from Caroline Bigler Hebert '58 (wife of Alfred Hebert)
We are hoping to go to Vermont so Alfred can qualify for the World Triathlon in London next year. We are celebrating our 6th anniversary this month. We are going to the Red Earth Festival in Oklahoma City to celebrate. This is the biggest Pow Wow in the US and occurs once a year. We really enjoy your class website. It is still the best school site out there.
60th BIRTHDAY PARTY
(sent in by Rhonda Carleton Richey)
The TJ class of '70 is having a 60th B-D party on Saturday, July 14 at 7 pm at the Groves KC Hall. There will be music, visiting, light food, pictures, birthday cake, and trivia game hosted by a favorite sheriff! Come celebrate with old friends and make new ones.
NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
Murphy and I have really been busy shuttling the granddaughters to Horse Camp and VBS the first two weeks of summer along with also getting Dad to the sitter on some days and checking on my sister in Bridge City. I put 700 miles on my Avalon in 5 days! That is just driving from Lumberton to Bridge City, Groves, China (near Sour Lake), Beaumont, etc! We don't go 700 miles on our road trip vacations! But, I do love spending some time with the granddaughters. They grow up too fast. They are 7 and 9. We still have Art Camp and Camp Invention to go in June. Let's not forget piano lessons. We get a little break while they go on a vacation to Colorado in July then it starts on some more "camps". It seems like I went to summer catechism for 3 weeks during the summer and then played jacks on my porch, played out until dark, and ate sno-cones during my summer. Hmmmm
We are so proud of our only child, Stacy. She was the race director of the Calder Twilight 5K for the city of Beaumont last weekend. This was her first race to coordinate. It was a huge hit having more than 700 runners/walkers involved, not counting the volunteers. She received special recognition at the Beaumont City Council meeting Tuesday.
My sister, Gerry, is doing really well. Thank you Jesus. I do appreciate the support and concern you have shown me about her condition. Murphy is not doing so well. His cardiologist is concerned with some issues about his heart again. But, he injured both his shoulders recently and he wants to see what he can get done about that FIRST! I do want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Murphy, though. He turned 63 this week! My dad had a skin cancer removed from his cheek 5 weeks ago and I can't stop him picking at it. He keeps forgetting that he has a sore there and he touches it constantly. The dermatologist would rather have it uncovered so that it can heal. But, we have to keep a bandage on it because of his forgetting what it is. So, it is healing at a much slower rate. The wound is quite large, about the size of a Kennedy half dollar and just drives him crazy (me, too)! He is such a sweetie, though. He does everything I ask of him, even if I have to repeat or explain it more than once. How lucky am I to have a dad that is such a part of my life still at a ripe old age of 96? Happy Father's Day, Dad!
My special friend, Joe Breaux '69, and his wife came over and spent around 3 hours visiting and catching up last weekend! Joe and I met at Woodrow Wilson in the band many moons ago and have always had a special bond. It was wonderful seeing him and spending some quality time just relaxing and chatting. Another special time spent this week was helping celebrate Ernie Castaneda's 62nd birthday. Debbie Borres and Diane Richmond and I met with Ernie at Logan's and had a leisurely lunch! That group is always fun.
My sister-in-law, Rosa Bonura DeCuir '66, recently went with a tour group to Sicily. She was born there in 1947 and came to Port Arthur in 1950. Also, traveling with the group was our classmate, Barbara "Boo" Griffin, and Sheila Louvier '66 (Shari's older sister)! Rosa also brought along her sister, Antoinette, who has not seen her hometown since she was 10 years old when she left. They had a wonderful time and made new memories that will last forever visiting their homeland!
SUPPORT
Stephen Burke- son of Martha Jane Hayes is on tour with the Army in Afghanistan.
Steve Mundschau-husband of Peggy Fontenot just came home from the hospital after having heart bi-pass surgery. He spent 18 days in St. Luke's but is feeling better now. He had some fluid that was causing him some breathing problems which necessitated the longer than usual hospital stay.
Eddie Woods-brother of Florence "Sissie" Woods had a heart attack. She requests prayers for his healing.
update on Joanna Simmons Moreau '69-all her tests show that the breast cancer is in remission since her surgery in March! No evidence of cancer cells left and no chemo or radiation is required.
update on Alvin Hebert '64-brother of Janice Hebert Boudreaux. He has been in the hospital for pulmonary fibrosis.
(a note from Janice on Thursday, June 14th)
Alvin is at home as of Tuesday night. I know that God is Good. God has answered our prayers and pray that he will continue to help Alvin to recover and guide the doctors to the right treatment and further medical help to improve the function of his lungs and/or a lung transplant. Please continue to pray that all goes well at home and he will be able to keep his oxygen level at what it needs to be so that he can stay at home. God Bless you for all of your prayers and support. I know that God heard all the prayers being sent his way and quickly laid his healing hands on Alvin's lungs and is continually healing them the best he can. Praise and Glory to Our God for He is Good!
update on Linda Carlsen's husband, Harold Chapman
I would like to report that my husband's scans for lung cancer has been excellent for the last year, no progression. God is good!
Darlene Turner's husband, Steve Landry is having serious issues with his neck. He has been "lucky" to find a new neurosurgeon that will be treating him. Keep us in your prayers.
update on Molly Bigler '69
(a note from her sister, Carolyn Bigler Hebert '58 received June 1st)
Molly is out of ICU but is still in a coma. She is at St. Elizabeth's in Beaumont. She opens her eyes but there still isn't any response to verbal commands. She now has a trach, and a feeding tube. She is off the ventilator for now. Prayers are still needed as she is far from being in a safe zone. She needs to be able to respond to verbal commands before she can be moved to a critical care rehab.
Molly went to Nederland schools from about grade 3 through 11 and then graduated from TJ. She was an outstanding band member, played her flute at the senior prom while another classmate played his guitar to Greensleeves.
from Laura Meece Darby (back issues)
(received June 3rd)
I went to the doctor last week. Now, he is going to do 2 injections to block the nerves in my back. If that doesn't work, then, they burn the nerves. The 1st injection is not until the 21st. It is really hard for me to ride in a vehicle and I have lots of appointments. Then, we are going to Austin for my granddaughter's 7th birthday. Please pray and keep your fingers crossed that the 2 injections work.
FATHER'S DAY TRIBUTE
Memory Library by Sarah Blackstone
Imagine if I was given one moment,
just a single slice of my past.
I could hold it close forever,
and that moment would always last.
I'd put the moment in a safe,
within my hearts abode.
I could open it when I wanted,
and only I would know the code.
I could choose a time of laughing,
a time of happiness and fun.
I could choose a time that tried me,
through everything I've done.
I sat and thought about what moment,
would always make me smile.
One that would always push me,
to walk that extra mile.
If I'm feeling sad and low,
if I'm struggling with what to do.
I can go and open my little safe,
and watch my moment through.
There are moments I can think of,
that would lift my spirits everytime.
The moments when you picked me up,
when the road was hard to climb.
For me to only pick one moment,
to cherish, save and keep,
Is proving really difficult,
as I've gathered up a heap!
I've dug deep inside my heart,
found the safe and looked inside,
there was room for lots of moments,
in fact hundreds if I tried.
I'm building my own little library,
embedded in my heart,
for all the moments spent with you,
before you had to part.
I can open it up whenever I like,
pick a moment and watch it through,
My little library acts as a promise,
I'll never ever forget you.
Please remember those classmates that have lost their fathers since last FATHER'S DAY. This first holiday without their father's on this earth will most likely be a sad one. Please keep them in your hearts.
Victoria "Vicki" Brunow
Mike Vela
Hugh Lively
Glenn McGee
Mike Soileau
David Aleman
Dennis Schmidt
Phillip Wayne Forsythe
OBITUARIES
Norma Gayle Guidry Rose sent in the obituary for her husband, Ed Rose. He died January 30, 2012. Please keep her in your prayers. His obituary can be found in the OBITUARIES section on the front page of our website.
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Many, many of you sent your compliments about enjoying the website updates and NEWSLETTERS when you sent in your spreadsheet info that I requested. Mike and I are grateful for your help in making our website so successful. It is definitely a LABOR OF LOVE!
Stay in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden