MAIL CALL
from Charles Brinson in Amarillo
I am not sure whether we can make the reunion or not.
(Well, I am keeping my fingers crossed that you ARE able to make it!)
from David Salter in Oklahoma City,
OK
I am making plans to attend the reunion and look forward to seeing more of the TJ family. As has become an annual February tradition, Fred McCarty, George Collins, Joel Levy, and I met for dinner at Papadeaux's in Houston
again this year. Our gathering was especially eventful this year as Mike Harmon joined us. It was so good to visit with him again and get caught up on everyone's news.
Thanks again for the great job you and Mike
do with the website to keep our class connected so well.
(So glad you haven't forgotten your roots. We are looking forward to seeing our old pal, David! Now, talk Mike into coming. I haven't heard from him!)
from Gail Wilson Felker in Germany
I wish we could come to the reunion, but we're in Germany until October. We will come to the next one. Thanks for all your work in organizing everything and keeping the class in touch with each other.
(Sorry you won't be at the reunion. I have really enjoyed the photos and commentary you continue to send about your German stay.)
from Glenn McGee in Duncan, OK
I really liked the picture of the Rachel Burton vessel built at Burton Shipyard. I decided to do a little research because my dad, Sorris McGee, worked as a supervisor at Burton Shipyard for 35 years. The Rachel Burton vessel was a fishing vessel built by Zapata Marine in 1965 and is still a active vessel today. I know my dad was working at that time and he was supervisor over the building of the hull and the house on the vessel. It truly warms my heart to see the vessel my dad built on the homepage of our web site. By the way, Jimmy
Johnson worked for my dad during college days!
(Thanks for adding to our memories. I hope you are able to visit your classmates this summer for the reunion, friend. We miss you.)
from Shirley Williams in Evans, CO
Someway I stumbled across your site. I was born at St. Mary's in 1955.
I LOVED seeing all the old pictures of Port Arthur. It was such a beautiful town. I always loved how well laid out it was and how pretty all the boulevards and
flowers were. And, of course, all the old homes and buildings. Rose Hill was always a favorite. My aunt and uncle had a home on Lakeshore Drive. We all loved watching the ships pass by, especially when my daddy or uncles might be coming home. They were almost all Merchant Marines. I spent many a night sitting in a car at that big white building at the Texaco docks, falling asleep in my mom's lap, waiting for someone to come off the ship.
Last time I was down, I drove through Port Arthur and just wanted to cry. All those gorgeous homes just falling apart. But, Port Arthur had such great memories and great people through most of its history it is hard to be saddened.
I am sending your link to my sister. She graduated TJ in 1968, I think.
Again, I just can not thank you enough for all the great pictures. If I ever come across any of mine, I'll check to see if you want a copy. Take care.
Shirley Williams
3672 Ponderosa Ct., #1
Evans, CO 80620
(Thanks for the interest in our website. We are pretty proud of it.)
from Mike Soileau in Atlanta, TX
I enjoy the website. See ya'll at the reunion.
(Thanks
Mike. We'll be there waiting on you.)
NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
There is a lot of drama going on with my sister, Gerry. My nephew came and got her from Bridge City
and has her over at his house in Huffman for awhile. Therefore, we will now have Dad all the time. My sister was helping out on the weekends by keeping him at her home and it allowed Murphy and I to have some free time to spend with the granddaughters and do “our” thing. We know that because of her failing health that he won't return there. We'll see what transpires with my sister. Keep her and my brother-in-law, who is also in poor health, in your prayers. I'll write more when I know what the future holds.
By the way, it seems someone I was talking to a long time ago mentioned that there was a nursing home or facility in the PA/mid county area that would take an elderly for the weekend to help out when families needed it. Do any of you know of a health care facility in the area that does that?
OKLAHOMA TORNADOES
Several classmates and their families live in the state of Oklahoma.
from David Salter in Oklahoma City,
OK
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Our family is all okay as Monday's storm hit Moore...about 15 miles south of us. We live in NW OKC, and our family is all located within a mile of us. All work in the north part of the OKC metro area. Sunday evening's storm, which hit other communities north and northeast of OKC, developed just north of us but didn't touch down for several miles. Our family had gathered in our garage underground shelter...while I served as point man monitoring the TV coverage.
As you can see from the national news coverage, the damage in Moore was horrific due to the storm's size &intensity but its relatively slow ground movement. Also, things were made worse since it occurred during school hours. A co-worker named Tanya lost her home and one of their bird dogs. Her husband was home, but took cover in a closet under a stairway and suffered no physical injuries. Though the storm was quite a bit south of our office location, when the sirens sounded we gathered in our building's safe rooms and watched the coverage on local stations...each of which has a news chopper and a fleet of storm chasers. It was strange watching the storm coverage with a large group knowing that some would probably have their lives drastically changed in a matter of minutes. Needless to say, we will have many opportunities for hands-on service through our work and church in the coming weeks and months.
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from Gloria (Phillips) & Ricky Bradley in Mustang, OK
Another rough day today with tornados again. Torrential downpours with hail and high winds. This tornado (EF4) took the same path as the May 3, 1999 did~straight through Moore, Ok around three when children were getting out of school. Our hearts are saddened with the devastation and lost lives that has happened this day. Our family is all fine, but ~PLEASE PRAY WITH US FOR ALL THE FAMILY'S WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES AND HOMES! ~ Love you guys thanks for all your concern for our family.
from Lana Oliver Baker in Tulsa, OK
We are far more fortunate than a lot because we did get a shelter last year, so we feel a little bit more secure. It is very crazy just watching the storms and the damage and lives and homes lost. Please continue to pray for those who are less fortunate in the path of the horrific storms.
I apologize for not contacting Glenn McGee. He lives in Duncan, OK.
(Contact us with your story of the storm, Glenn. Were you near?)
REUNON NEWS
I have been a “little” let down that in the last two weeks since the last website update I have received only eight additional attendees for the reunion. As it is only two months from now, I thought that the response would pick up. Our last reunion meeting was a really good one with lots of ideas from the committee members. I am getting excited and know that it is going to be a great success no matter how many come. Don't forget to send your song requests for the D.J., Justin Hutchinson. His mother is a '70 grad, Eileen Gannon. I will send them in advance when I get the song titles or artists that you would like to hear. We are also planning to have a Mardi Gras backdrop where you may take all the photos you want with your friends. Linda Gothia's sister is loaning it to us. We will have a memorabilia area to view. Also, a place of honor will showcase our deceased classmates. At this time, we have ninety three known deceased friends. We are keeping our fingers crossed to have a special surprise at the social Friday night and special events to happen at the Saturday night wing-ding! Contact me or a member of the committee if you or someone you know has a problem with the ticket cost. We would NEVER want someone not to come because of this issue. Let us know.
TJ FACULTY MEMBERS
I sent out invitations to the following faculty members inviting them to join us at the reunion. We had several show up at the 40th Luau reunion in 2008 and they were a big hit. Of course, the list of our teachers our senior year have been dwindling due to deaths. Also, I don't have addresses for several of them. I want to thank Nancy McClain (PE) and Doris Crisp (English) for helping with the addresses. The following are the teachers that are receiving letters:
Charles McBee
Hugh LeBaron
Charles Roethke
Doris Crisp
Martha Godwin
Tommye Hogue Rosenbaum
Joe Juarez
Muriel Stubbs
Lavern McMillan
Alfred Hebert
Rouel Rothenberger
Jack Sell
Ronald Spooner
Billy Tolar
Jo Ann Carver
Robert Worthy
Paul Schulz-Behrend
Joyce Vazquez Loukas
Marcelle Pitman
Hilda Brazzel Estes
Jane Wahrmund Convery
Marvin Cichowski
Cordell Louvier
Loyd Hawthrone
Bertha Hebert
Nancy McClain
Francis “Smitty” Hill
David “Ken” Barland
Wayne Williams
Dorothy Day
Jack Bottoms
Mack Estes
I do not have addresses for the following:
Ronald McKenzie
Dorothy Dugan
Thomas Allison
Doris Calder
J.A. Crain
Louis King
Philip Dodd
Claire Jackson
James Martin
Jack Miller
George Terry
Nancy Hamilton
Mike Thomas
Claudia Martin
Ellen Golden
Richard Hatch
Margaret McGinty
Edith Barclay
Anita Marie Durham
Marilyn Whatley
Jane Davidson
Mildred Spinn
Sarah Stewart
Mildred Strube
John Meek
Nancy James
Wayne Harris
Charles Manning
Clifford Taft
(Please contact me if you have information on any of them.)
WEBSITE $$$$$$ DONATION
Mike Soileau generously gave us a donation to help keep our website going. Thanks to a good friend and loyal contributor to our site. Gracias amigo!
SUPPORT
from Linda DeCuir McFadden
I know many of you have asked about my sister's health for the past few years. She suffers from a bi-polar condition, dementia, and early Parkinsons. Please keep her and her husband, who also has health issues, in your prayers. I thank you for your continued support and kind words.
lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com
from Gloria Faye Burks Scott
As many of you know, I do not post too often. About two weeks ago, I found out that I will have surgery on June 14th. I would appreciate any prayer support. As the time approaches, I am getting a little anxious, but I know that God is with me. It is a combined hernia/gall bladder surgery and will be a large cut. Good news. Not only will it be two in one, but I am blessed to have an an excellent surgeon who is a Christian. Thank you so much!
fscott@cstx.gov
from Charlie Fontenot
My brother, Glenn Fontenot, had open heart surgery to repair one valve and replace another. It all came on and progressed rapidly. He is still at Methodist in Houston with hopes of being home for this week-end.
cajunfont@aol.com
from Mike Soileau
I received a call from Maureen Weatherly, sister to Hugh Weatherly. She told me Hugh has cancer and has had some surgery but has not stopped it. She requested prayer for him and I certainly believe in it for healing. Please ask all to pray for Hugh. He has been a life-long good friend and our fellow classmate.
I did not get to see him when I was in the area but God willing will make the trip soon.
Hugh Weatherly
7924 Willowood Ln
Port Arthur, TX 77642
(409)383-7945
from Jeanette Constantine Morgan
Thank You, Thank you, Thank you for all the many prayers for my mom. She was released from the hospital. She has a long road ahead before she is back to herself. The doctor in Houston
found that the opening to her stomach that lets the food out is too small. He said it was a lot of factors that caused it. One thing was the inflammation she has in her stomach and with age your stomach shrinks along with the opening. So when she eats normal food it just sits in her stomach then she eats again and there is no room for it so she just throws it up. The remedy is for her to either cut her food really small or puree it. Also to eat 6 small meals a day. As for the football sized hematoma, it will gradually be absorbed into her body. Sad to say until this happens she is in a lot of pain because it is sitting between the muscles and putting pressure. Please continue to pray for her. Love to all
denandjune@yahoo.com
Blood Drive for Jake Lefort (Hal Ross & Boo Griffin Anglin's son-in-law)
There will be a blood drive benefitting Charlie
Lefort on Wednesday, May 29th, from 2:00-6:00 pm at Gulf Credit Union at the Mid-County location at 2779 Aero Drive, Nederland, TX.
An additional blood drive will also be held on Thursday, May 30th, from 2:00-6:00 pm at the Gulf Credit Union at 5140 W. Parkway in Groves.
Boo has been watching her three grandchildren while her daughter is with Jake in Galveston. Now, her mother is ill and is staying with her, also. Keep her in your prayers.
Ernie Castaneda Bullion's mother-in-law, Lois Bullion, is in the hospital after having surgery. She has been moved out of ICU after a couple of days and is improving.
tbull50@sbcglobal.net
(a note from Linda Yancey concerning her classmate cousin, Carrie Stout)
Carrie is doing great. She is talking and making jokes which thrills all of her family. If you don't believe how powerful prayer is let me tell you first hand God does hear prayers and answers them. I don't think I could ever put into words how this journey with Carrie and her family has touched me. She will still need rehab but after everything else she has been through that will be nothing that she cannot handle. May God bless each one of you and your loved ones.
(Carrie had a stroke.)
linda.yancey@setworks.org
Alfred Hebert's granddaughter, Kayli Yentzen, age 20, had open heart surgery . We are going to Children's Hospital in Houston to visit her on Monday. She went to PNG. She is a student at Texas A & M. Her mother and brother live in Port Neches.
CONDOLENCES
Sharon Hebert Staton
(death of her sister, Patti Hebert)
4740 Rice Farm Rd.
Port Arthur, TX 77642
death of Woodrow Wilson teacher and wife of Lonnie Devall (asst. principal at TJ)
Frances Devall
(These two obituaries are in the OBITUARY section on the front page of the website.)
I hope that this update finds you happy and healthy. For all the teachers, enjoy your summer! As a former first grade teacher for thirty years, I know how I looked forward to the summer vacation. Congratulations to those retiring this year, also. Job well done.
Let me hear from you soon. Keep those reunion checks coming!
Keep in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda
DeCuir McFadden
lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com
www.tjhs1968.com