TJ Class of '68     UPDATE                                                                12/09/06     
         
Friends,
     Well, is Jack Frost nipping at your nose?  I love the cold/cool weather.  Sometimes I watch the weather channel just hoping that the snow will just for ONE DAY make it to the Golden Triangle!  Some of you that live where it is happening need to write us about what it is like.  The whitest thing around here is this blank computer screen while I am writing this UPDATE.  I can hope, can't I?......  I got a few e-mails from classmates so that I could write an UPDATE.  Some had to have a little "arm twisting".  Please help us out if you get one of my REQUESTS for news.  I know that is what the classmates like the best.  Thanks for cooperating.  I knew you would!  "-)
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MAIL CALL:
 
(This is an e-mail received several weeks ago and somehow got overlooked.  I apologized for my senility.  Craig sent this when he sent his classmates photos from Robert E. Lee Elementary)
from Craig Romero
Just want to say Thank You for all you do in keeping TJ '68 in touch with everyone. Mike is doing a fantastic job in putting together the website and many kudos to him, also. I have been working in Austin since September 25, 2005 after Hurricane Rita hit the Texas Coast. I am with the Texas Governor's Division of Emergency Management and respond to disasters in Texas. I know the sorrow and heart break of many east Texans that were affected by Hurricane Rita and I had two aunts in Port Arthur and Groves that are still waiting for repairs. I have traveled to all of Jefferson County many, many, many times after the disaster from Austin and back to Austin several times a week for meetings and assistance and still visit there all the time to continue support for the area. Living in a hotel and leaving your partner, daughters and grandbabies all that time is tough but has been very rewarding knowing you have helped so many people that were affected by Hurricane Rita.
Keep up the great work and live life as if it was our last day on this good earth. I strive to end all the discrimination that we encounter everyday.
 
from Billy Jordan
(I got this from Billy after visiting with him at the funeral home)
 Mother's passing was peaceful and she died in her house just like she wanted.  Denise and I arrived back home in Alabama this afternoon.  I will continue to be making trips to PA from time to time as I still have two sisters and several nieces in the area.  My dream is to build a log cabin in the mountains of Tennessee or North Carolina.  I am going to start living that dream here shortly.   I have my first PSA check post op coming up the middle of next month. 
Oh, by the way, please correct my address in your database.  We sold our house last year and I just never got around to getting you the new address. 
I will be sending my donation shortly for the web site.
Happy Holidays!
(You could not have guessed that Billy had major surgery 3 weeks before the funeral.  He looked wonderful).
 
from Lynn Eldridge Gill
It's icing up here and I'm trying to get through all the e-mails!  Things have been wild here!
My daughter, Meredith,  and her husband moved here from Germantown, TN on Oct. 20th (my last day at Presbyterian Hospital- had been there for 10 yrs.)  .I left for the 3 week Mediterranean cruise on the 22nd with girlfriends.  I was home for 2 days then Jim and I left on an 8 day Caribbean cruise from Ft. Lauderdale.  While we were gone Meredith found out she's having a girl -YIPEEE!  My Dad, 91, has lived on his own in PA and has been doing well until recently. When we returned home from the trip, I brought him up here to Dallas to take him to the doctor and he's been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer.  We had Thanksgiving at the ranch in Tupelo - it was so laid back and fun.. Our grandson, baby Jackson,  was the center of everyone's attention.  My son, Atticus, flew me to PA and I brought a truck back with some of Daddy's furniture.  Mon. I started my new job with VNA of Texas - VP of Home health & Hospice.  Tuesday, we moved Daddy into a great assisted living here...went by this evening and he seems very content.  He's already planning to join a poker group.  So, there is the "NEWS" you requested!  "-)
(We will remember your father in our prayers)
 
from Pat Trahan Knox
Hello classmates.  I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you that sent condolences when I lost my mother in February.  They really
brightened my days and I've enjoyed reviewing them from time to time.  My oldest son and his wife and two PRECIOUS boys moved back to Beaumont. He's building homes.  It comes in handy when we need something done around the house as he knows all of the contractors. My youngest son and his new wife (as of last Dec. 10) live in College Station. He's managing two large commercial plumbing stores. This, too, comes in handy...new commodes, disposals, etc. Both of the boys were here for Thanksgiving. My husband, Ray, retired a couple of years ago, but Snap-on talked him into coming back to work this past year. I'm still working for the Director of Communications for Beaumont ISD.  We have three dogs (I love dogs) and they keep us company.  I don't think we will have empty nest syndrome.  We enjoy the quiet and being able to be together and do whatever we want.  That may be a sign of getting somewhat older.  I love the updates and appreciate so much all that our computer gurus do for all of us!!!
(Pat is always a big help in keeping me posted on happenings in Beaumont.  She is one of those to envy....looks even more beautiful than in high school, if that is possible.)
 
from Webb Draughon
All is quiet here. I certainly enjoy your updates on the geezers er...classmates.   I'm still semi-retired - still have the small business - and I've been doing the Meals on Wheels bit. We've done a lot of traveling for the last 6 years. Mary Margaret is doing some writing and is back in college for another degree - night classes! So the only changes around here involve staying closer to home, me doing more cooking, my wife doing a lot of late classwork.
(He promised to send more "news" later, didn't you Webby?)
 
from Glenn McGee
I thought I would mention that my mom passed away Dec 20, 05. My dad is doing fine. He is still living alone on Main in Groves.
My cousin Bob Gaspard's mom also passed away on Oct. 18 this year.  I just finished looking at the photos on the website.  Wow!  Some of the classmates look even better that before!
(Glad to have Glenn back on the mailing list.  Somehow, in all my craziness, I had deleted him!)
 
from Carole Oubre Reeves
Aimee, Chad, Andrew and Brock (our oldest daughter and family) are still living with us from dear "Rita".  Fortunately their house is in the process of repair and is supposed to be ready by Christmas.  We'll see.  Our youngest daughter, Amber, just had surgery last Tuesday and is in the process of recovery.  She's just very sore, but seems to be coming around quickly.  Her husband, Monte, has been a real jewel in handling the house and children.  Their oldest child, Seth, was the quarterback for his junior league football team.  They won the Superbowl for their division!  We're very proud.  Amber has our oldest and youngest grandchildren.  Seth will turn 12 in December and Reeve will be 2 in January.  Our son, Spencer and wife, Zoe, are both in the Air Force stationed at Luke AFB, Phoeniz, AZ.  Zoe is being deployed in January.  Please keep her in your prayers.  They have 2 daughters, Kiara, 5, and Aiyana 2 (she'll be 3 December 29th).  We don't get to see Spencer and his family very often but stay in touch by phone and e-mail regularly.   My mother has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.  My sisters and I have been taking turns staying with her and Dad.  My oldest sister lives in New Iberia, LA.  She just had cancer surgery last Monday.  She'll have to take chemo.  Please keep her and her family in your prayers.  Her husband died of cancer in 1997.  My other sister lives in San Antonio and is retired.  She stays with Mom and Dad 2 weeks at a time.  I'll fill in the two weeks she cannot be here until my oldest sister can start coming back.  My brother lives in Granbury.  Like me, he's still working and is unable to come down to stay w/the folks.  At least I'm here and can stay with them at night, and close enough to get to them quickly in the event of an emergency.
 
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration at Mom and Dad's this year.  All but 3 of the immediate family members were there.  Spencer and his wife were unable to make it and a niece and nephew who live in Florida and were unable to come.
 
I want to wish everyone a blessed and Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
(Hang in there, Carole.  It sure does sound like your plate is full.  Thanks for sending "news" when I requested.  You are a sweetheart. Don't forget to send photos of your son and his wife for the MILITARY page on the website.)
 
from Jeanette "Jenny" Havens McCormac
I have enjoyed the TJ website and catching up on all the news. I look forward to future class updates. Regretfully, I have not maintain an active correspondence with high school classmates.
(I was sorry to miss seeing Jenny at her father's funeral.  I did get to talk to her sister-in-law (our fellow classmate, Christi Kirkland Havens).
 
HEARD FROM:
I also got e-mails and correspondence from:
Bill Richey (he moved to Bridge City, Dec. 1), Terry Watson, Dianna Caillier Lewis, Joye Jefferson Roll, Laura Meece Darby, Loretta LaLonde Myers, Gail Wilson Felker, Beth Anne Sutherlin Coakley, Ernie Casteneda Bullion, Linda Blakley Rindlishbacher, Beverly Copeland Gaspard, John Wilson, Jody Hopkins Barbin, Janice Jones Kelly, Fred McCarty, Robert Sandoval, and Carol Olivier.
 
I would love to hear from some of our classmates that have just joined our mailing.  Tell us what you think. 
 
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CONDOLENCES
 
Loretta LaLonde Myers
(loss of her mother)
11002 Sage Morgan Dr.
Houston, TX 77089
(281)481-6217
 
Mr. Jack Britain
Passed away on Nov. 28, 2006.  Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Gloria Edwards Britain of PA: son, Scott E. Britain of Florida; daughters, Cindy Crain-Lee of Georgia and Susie Chirafis of P.A.  Mr. Britain was the BAND DIRECTOR at THOMAS EDISON JR. HI.
 
Billy Jordan
(loss of his mother)
2224 Halifax Place SW
Decatur, AL 35601
(I previously sent the wrong address for Billy.)
 
Please convey your support and prayers to our classmates.  As Pat Trahan said, "They really brightened my days."
 
MEMORIAL DVD of our 52 known deceased classmates
The cost is $9.00. 
 
Order:
Mike Lawson
2119 Twin Lakes Blvd.
West Columbia, TX 77486
(979)345-5901
If you have previously ordered one of Mike's Memorial DVDs, drop me a note telling me what you think about it.   
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WEBSITE INFO:
Wow, OVERWHELMING, Awesome, so generous, THEY ARE  THE BEST....
Those are some of the responses that  Mike and I keep saying about  the contributions that we have received so far.  We are thrilled that you all feel as passionate about the website as we do. 
 
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.  I have set up an account just for the website at 5 Point Credit Union (formerly Texaco Credit).
Send contributions to:
Linda DeCuir McFadden
112 Woodsong
Bridge City, TX 77611
 
Contributions received since the last UPDATE (11-25-06)
(The following is a list of these classmates and their message with their donation)
 
"You and Mike are doing a great job on the website.  I look forward to your UPDATES.  I'm looking for some old and new photos to add to the collection of classmates."
Janis Hamilton Lee
 
"I hope this will help.  If you need more, please let me know.  I will donate each year.  I love the site. It's great hearing everyone update their lives.  I check it daily just to make sure I don't miss anything.  You and Mike are doing a great job.  Thanks again."
Tommy Thompson 
 
"Like everyone else, I really love the website.  Like Bob Sandoval, I usually don't get on the computer at home until now. "
Terry Watson 
 
"I am happy to support a very worthwhile effort.  You, Mike, and Beverly are doing a great job.  Thanks."
Fred McCarty 
 
"Here's my promised donation.  Thank you for all that you and Mike do to keep the site running! I hope it will be around for a long time."
Glenda Patin
 
Other contributors previously mentioned in the November UPDATE were Carmen Babin Hardy, Charles Cramer, Gary Barbin, and Jody Hopkins Barbin.
 
Mike and I receive new and changed e-mail addresses weekly.  Please check out the CLASS LISTING page to see if we have updated yours. 
Don't forget to send us any suggestions, photos, and ideas that you think could make our class website even more personal.  the website  belongs to you!  MILITARY?  Don't forget to get those photos to us.  Some of you might be visiting the old homestead for the holidays and might just happen to come upon some snapshots that you had forgotten about.  The more the merrier. 
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Well, I just looked outside and it isn't white.  In fact, it is black!  I guess that is what nighttime looks like.  I hope that you and your family enjoy the holidays.  Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanzaa.  I hope that just about covers it.  I love them all.  Don't forget to invite me to your festivities.  I haven't found any food I didn't like  "-)  Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.....
                                                                   Stay safe and keep in touch friends,
                                                                   Linda DeCuir McFadden
                                                                   lindasuemcfadden@sbcglobal.net
                                                                   www.tjhs1968.125mb.com

 

         
         
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