Update

Last night. November 11, 2006, my nephew Stephen Gary and his lovely bride Kristi Allen were married! His dad, Brian is a '70 TJ grad and mom, Mary is a '70 PNG grad. The reception was at the Brad Club and it was fabulously decorated and we were honored with great music and a delicious dinner. My mother, Marie Gary, was certainly there and also in attendance was a host of family and friends. Rose Vasquez Prejean (Johnny's sister), class of '65, Mary and Brian friend of many years were also in attendance.

from Sandy Ellis MacNamera

I continue to enjoy the updates on my old friends. Unfortunately at times my CRS kicks in and I have to look up pictures to remember the faces. It is much easier with the yearbook made available on our website. Way to go!

So - here's my news..... there are babies! That's right, babies - my son Eric and his wife Kim are expecting twins in February. We know that we are getting one of each, a boy and a girl. We are all very anxious to meet these precious children - our first grandchildren. There is some concern that the girl might take after her grandmother - can you imagin? I am stocking up on things that sparkle, jewlery and leopard skin clothing so that she has every opportunity. Eric and my husband, Paul are stocking up on sporting equipment for the boy.

We are looking forward to an exciting Christmas season here in Elgin. Christmas Eve is big at our house and I cook gumbo! Eric, Kim, her parents, and my step-son, Hudson will all be here. Paul's brother and his children will be here from New Jersey between Christmas and New Years. We will spend a couple of days at the Menger Hotel in San Antonio. I just LOVE Christmas - don't you?

Once again, thanks for all that you do. Isn't it about time for another reunion? So - Happy Holidays to you all - enjoy your families and your life.

from Jody Hopkins Barbin

You guys are doing a fabulous job for the class of '68. What nostalgia!!!!

(Thanks girlfriend! Mike and I love doing it).

from Robert Sandoval

Sorry I have not contacted you. I've been at this new company for almost two years and really miss the updates and news. I don't miss the deceased news but I guess that is part of it. My home email is bsandy777@sbcglobal.net, but after 9 hours a day in front of this computer, I
really don't use the one at home very often.
My big regret is not making contact with Larry Speake before his passing. Tommy Thompson and Gary Hammond visited with him prior; he told some Bob Sandoval stories. Have a great holiday.

R.P. Sandoval, P.E.
International Alliance Group Proj. Engr.
ph. 832.615.1470

(I received another e-mail from Robert and here it is.)
I'd like to know what the web site is. I really miss those times. Didn't know how good we had it. I really can't complain. This is a great company except I have to travel to Bakersfield about twice a month. We're doing the project management for a revamp of an old Shell refinery for Flying J. The refinery does not have the big engineering staffs like the old days so my company does the project management. It's actually a good concept. My only other big news is my kid graduated about a year ago from A&M and is finally off the payroll. I now have more than $6 in my pocket, ha ha. Hope you're doing well. Terry Watson phones every now and then, and I speak with Tom Phillips and Casey Arredondo.Casey's health is not the best and he is on a disability. Thanks for keeping the class of '68 intact.

from Tommy Thompson

Linda, just thought everyone would like to know about the memorial site, in memory of Larry. By the way his birthday was Nov.18th. On this site you can 'light a candle' in his memory. His daughters have kept up the site with tremendous amounts of love. It is well worth visiting. Please pass this on.

Site Address: http://larry-speake.memory-of.com/about.aspx

from Mike Soileau

Thanks for all the work you , Mike and others are doing, it is great. I want to contribute to the expenses. I will be in town during the holidays can drop off a check or cash. Tell everyone hi for me.

This is a link to my company ... we supply people all over the world ... engineers..technicians ... laborers..anything. Please pass it on maybe someone may need our services. www.peaknetinc.com

Thanks

Michael Soileau

Class of 68

from Carole White Metnick

Hi from Chicago!!

I have been following some of the e-mails and photos posted on the website by you and others. It is amazing how much work you and everyone else have put into this project. I know that many are reaping the enjoyment from all of your extensive hours sitting in front of the computer! I see a Vickie Peterson listed. Since there wasn't a V. Peterson in our yearbook, is this a mistake??? Anyway, thank you again for all of your updates and my best to all of our classmates and their families. Although my home is now Chicago, I will always remember growing up in Pt. Arthur and the many good times we all had. My wishes for a terrific Thanksgiving to all and a very blessed and joyous holiday season ahead filled with family and friends.

(Does anyone know V. Peterson that we have listed on the MISSING page on the website?)

from Bart Darby

I started working for Carter Burgess (Engineering, Architecture and Related Services) Nov. 8th, in my role here I will be managing Federal Projects for our US Operations. Laura and I will be moving to Kingwood hopefully as soon as our home in Round Rock is sold.

FYI, My first day here I found out that our Secretary(Amy Crawford) on the 4th Floor was from PA ,5th street in Lakeview.

She played softball for my dad's sponsored team Darby Auto Supply.

Sr. Program Analyst

Carter :: Burgess

55 Waugh Drive, Suite 400

Houston, Texas 77007

Direct 713.803.2068 / Fax 713.869.2049

from Tommy Thompson

Linda, I just got this email from Gary Hammond and he found James Hubert. Thought you may want to pass along. We've all been wondering where he was, and here he is.

(The following is an e-mail to Gary from James (not the Jimmy Hubert in our annual) Hubert. We have not had a valid address on him in years. Now we can remove him from our MISSING page on the website. Yeah!)

Gary,

My brother, Paul forwarded your email that you were looking for me. I'm alive and well here in the Dallas area. I'm divorced living in Richardson. Never did have any kids. Paul remarried after his first wife died and he still lives in Richardson. Our older sister, Gay and her husband live in League City south of Houston and JC our oldest brother still lives in McKinney with his wife. All of them have scattered children and grandkids. Even Paul is a granddaddy with another one due in December. Dad died several years ago. Mother celebrated her 91st birthday in September. She lives in an assisted living apartment in Lufkin and still gets around pretty well. We had the majority of the clan at our camp house the weekend after her birthday as part of her birthday wish. Yes we still have the cabin but it's been modified a few times since you last saw it. Working for this company that use to be Ingersoll Rand. We have been Atlas Copco (Swedish) for a little over 2 years. I've been working in the engineering group for the last couple of years to bridge between the manufacturing and the engineering department.
I'm on a tight schedule this week. I have a trip to California leaving this weekend for all of next week. When I get back from Calif maybe we can get together. By the way for years I've been called Jim at work (some ladies a long time ago decided James was too formal) but am still James to family and friends, so if you happen to hear me referred to as Jim (as in my email) don't be too surprised. Hope all is well with your family. Look forward to talking to you.
Jim Hubert

Project Specialist Engineering Department
Surface Drilling Equipment

from Fred McCarty

Just now catching up on our website and just got the address for mailing my donation tonight. I will drop it in the mail tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

I also heard from Janice Jones Kelly, Linda Blakley Rindlishbacher, Ricky Bradley, Roy Dale Birklebach, Joye Jefferson Roll, Beverly Copeland Gaspard, Norma Guidry, Pat Trahan Knox, Ernie Casteneda Bullion, Jane Lippincott Koerth, Janice Hebert Boudreaux, Loretta LaLonde Myers, Dale Netherland, & Randy Baker.

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WEBSITE CONTRIBUTIONS $$$$$$$

Contributions have been coming in. THANK YOU to Charles Cramer, Gary & Jody Hopkins Barbin, and Carmen Babin Hardy for sending checks to put into the website account. I have had e-mails requesting the information again on where to send checks to help maintain the site when we get the paid site on the internet. (Remember that the one now is a free site). The approximate cost for a deluxe plan is $9.00 a month. I will tell you the exact amount when we are actually signed up.

Send contributions to:

Linda DeCuir McFadden

112 Woodsong

Bridge City, TX 77611

(I received the following notes from Charles and Jody with their contributions:)

from Charles Cramer

Thank you to you and Mike for all of your work on the website. It's really great to hear about what is happening with all the old classmates. Enclosed, please find a check to help "keep the lights on" at the new website.

Enjoy the holiday season.

Charles Cramer

from Gary & Jody Hopkins Barbin

You and Mike are doing a whale of a job on the website. Let us know if we need more contributions. I know it is hard to collect to keep it going. The reminders in the UPDATES help.

Love, Gary and Jody

After sending Mike a $$$ amount I received and the ones that are on the way, he replied:

"I think we have the most generous classmates on this side of the Mississippi. The class of '68 is an amazing group of people."

(And I agree!)

Please don't forget that even though Mike and I get a lot of praise , it is because you are the ones that send in the news and photos to make it all work. Thanks to ALL OF YOU!

WEBSITE INFORMATION

Make sure you read all of the HOME PAGE and especially the NOTES OF INTEREST to make sure you get the latest news. We are trying hard to eliminate the names on the MISSING page. We are also steadily adding e-mail addresses to the CLASS LISTING page. I called Joye Jefferson to get her e-mail address and she gave me two others. When I contacted Robert Sandoval to get his new e-mail address, he gave me two others. That is how it works, friends!!! Check out the page and see if you might be able to help. Don't forget to send me any changes in your home address, phone #s, or e-mail changes. It sure helps me out. We don't want you to miss any of the latest gossip!

What do you think of the photos that continue to come in? Aren't they great? I think that is what helps us to have such a personal website compared to some of the others. Let's keep the photos coming. We still need the MILITARY pages to plump up. You know that you have a photo or two hanging around that you could send. We are waiting.

Please be sure to send us your comments and suggestions about the website. We aim to please.

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DEATHS

Doug Norwood Billy Jordan

(loss of his dad) (loss of his mom)

207 Waterwood Dr. 913 Whispering Pines Trail SW

Orange, TX 77630 Decatur, AL35603

(409)738-2300

dnorwood@chicagobridge.com jwj6872@aol.com

Please contact these classmates with your sentiments and comforting words.

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I think that my brain is just about picked over. I hope that your holidays will be stressfree, (okay, that is really wishful thinking), and fun. Enjoy the family and friends and food!

Stay safe and keep in touch,

Linda DeCuir McFadden

lindasuemcfadden@sbcglobal.net