MAIL CALL
from Gail Wilson Felker in Alexandria, VA
Ross is retiring from the Air Force June 5, and we're coming back to Texas where we belong.
gwilson.felker@yahoo.com
from David Salter in Brownwood, TX
Last week was my first week of "real retirement." In late March, we sold our home in Oklahoma City and moved the last load of stuff to our home located about 8 miles south of Brownwood. We stayed in OKC through my unofficial retirement day of April 10. I then took off 3 weeks of "semi-retirement" during which we traveled back to OKC for our oldest grandson's 8th birthday and to central Louisiana for a wedding. The first two work weeks of May were spent back at work in OKC making the transition with co-workers and my successor who started May 1. Naturally there was the usual rash of early May Oklahoma storms/tornado warnings to endure then but we didn't encounter any serious problems. We headed south on Friday May 15 and feel like we are now about settled in. It is great to be back living in Texas again, but we truly enjoyed our years in Oklahoma and, as anticipated, will miss family and friends there. Lana and I now look forward to sharing even more time together in this new chapter in our lives and seeing what God has planned for it.
Thanks again to you and Mike for all you do in keeping TJ '68 connected.
desalter@sbcglobal.net
from Terry Watson in Richardson, TX
Last year Nancy and I took a bucket list vacation to China. We went to Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. Amazing places.
Last year after Christmas, Nancy, Liz, my mother, and I drove to Santa Fe for about a week. It was beautiful scenery and we all had a ball.
Our daughter, Liz, completed her Masters a couple of years ago and still teaches (now 4th grade) at McKamy Elementary in Carrollton Farmer's Branch ISD.
Later this year Nancy and I will go to Europe, (Switzerland then Italy), with the Sandovals.
A few weeks ago Robert Sandoval and I went to a Lamar Civil Engineering (classes '68 to '72) reunion. For some reason I thought of Landry Caps. Do they still exist?
My mother is 95 and doing well. She and Nancy play bridge at the Richardson Senior Citizen's Center every week. Nancy volunteers at the Richardson Network.
I just keep working. But, I think about retirement now; so, who knows? Keep up the good work on the web site. When I read about your Dad and Sister it brings back memories. I'll never forget your Mom and Dad and duck gumbo. Recently I drove around the old neighborhood. Of course, we stopped at Nick's for some boudain.
fwatson726@sbcglobal.net
from Brenda Rector Cook in Nederland, TX
I want to share the wonderful day I experienced with my son today!! First my husband, Jay Cook introduced me to Dromgooles Fine Writing Instruments & Stationery. My first pen was gift from Jay. I acquired the next pen and ink today. (I have always loved fountain pens but have resorted to ball point/roller ball type pens for years now. Note to self - work on handwriting!!) Then, we enjoyed lasagna at D'Amico's in the Rice Village area, beautiful Hermann Park Zoo and then stopped for delicious cup cakes and cokes at Crave!! I loved every minute of this wonderful day!!!
bdcook1123@aol.com
from Fred McCarty in Kingwood, TX
Sandy and I love being grandparents with four grandkids under age 2-1/2. Life is good.
I want to thank you and Mike for all of the work you put into our website and keeping us in touch with other classmates.
fmccrun@aol.com
from Pam McLeod Young in Graford, TX
Mary Bess Rizer Johnson and I have just arrived back home from India and Nepal. We beat the earthquake by 2 weeks. Thank goodness. It was very interesting but I wouldn't recommend it. India is very very 3rd world. Porcelain holes for toilets. People and animals relieving everywhere but at the porcelain holes. The temples and Unesco sites were amazing but everyone on our trip got Delhi belly. Mary Bess and I will be talking about it for years. We need t-shirts that say I survived India and Nepal. Mary Bess and I have enjoyed reconnecting in our retirement years. 2 weeks after I returned home our ranch was on the Palo Pinto historical tour. Great day and great fun, but I'm pooped. Love to all of you!
pamiefly@gmail.com
from Cherlyn Hebert in Houston
I just got back from a steamboat cruise on the Mighty Mississippi from New Orleans to Memphis. It was a fun cruise; but it rained half the time and I came back with a slight case of pneumonia, which has really shown me who's boss. Three weeks in and I am just now feeling like I am at about 75%. Like they say, the old gray mare ain't what she used to be. I spent a couple of days in Memphis after the cruise because I had never been there before. Of course, Graceland was our first stop. It was fun seeing it and all the exhibits they have throughout the house. I would have to say, though, that I was even more impressed when I toured the National Civil Rights Museum. It is on the site of the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King, Jr., was shot and killed. The motel is still there, with his car parked outside. The museum itself was deceptively large; I spent two hours in it and finally had to walk through the rest of the exhibits because I was starving and Memphis BBQ was calling my name.
Next up is a cruise from Montreal to London this summer; I am really excited because I get to visit both Greenland and Iceland.
hebert1220@att.net
from Sara Little Herman in Alpine, TX
So proud of my talented daughter-in-law Sandy Martinez Chilton. Her classroom was chosen by the powers that be in Austin to be the one where Governor Abbott signed HB4 yesterday!
schilto2003@yahoo.com
RETIREMENTS:
Jan Russell
Jan is retiring from the education field. She has a Masters in Music Education and a Minor in History. She taught a total of 43 years; 11 years in choir and 32 in Texas and American history classes. She has taught for 5 years in Lake Charles, 24 years in Aldine ISD and 14 in Klein ISD. Her retirement date is Friday, June 5th.
from Jan on Thursday, May 28
I attended my last faculty meeting of my career this morning! I was actually on time! Checked that off my list! ☺ This afternoon four students helped me clear out fourteen years of STUFF that teachers accumulate. I threw away four trash cans full. I packed up ancillaries for our outgoing textbooks. I have to turn them in to Central Office due to copyright laws. I set another box of posters set aside to give away. I still have a GIANT box of items I'm taking home. (Some to keep and some to sell in a "Teacher Garage Sale" I hope to have in early August. I still have some things to sort through at school, but we made a huge dent today. I am feeling excited but also a little sad. (But, not sad enough to change my mind about retiring!)
jlrussell49@comcast.net
Carole Oubre Reeves
from Marvin Reeves
My lovely wife is retiring tomorrow, May 22, 2015. I bought her a new truck and a weed eater for her retirement. Saturday, I am taking her on a houseboat cruise in Arkansas with 3 other couples. She needs at least a weeks rest before she starts training on the weed eater and grass mowing. After working for more than 44 plus years she does need a little rest. That way when we get back, she will be ready to get started on her training. She will be allowed water breaks. I just can't wait for her to retire. I LOVE HER SO.
Carole.reeves@att.net
Jim Andrus
Jim sold his business in Jourdanton. He worked in the ABSTRACT business. He is looking into a new business venture involving drones. How cool.
jandrus5072@gmail.com
(I'm sure there have been more of you that have joined the ranks of retirement. Drop me a line.)
NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
Excitement with our two granddaughters finishing the year of 4th and 6th grades with all A's. Drew also won the 4th grade spelling bee. They both excel in soccer and will be attending soccer camp at Texas A&M this summer. Proud of those GRANDS.
Dad fell and scratched up his arm some but nothing broken. His friend fell the next day and broke his pelvis and fractured his back! Dad was really lucky.
My sister's great start at her new assisted living has hit a snag. Remember, she has dementia AND is bi-polar. Well, a new resident moved into her semi-private room. The new patient wasn't too happy about being there and raised a ruckus for two days before they could adjust her meds. By that time my sister was a basket case. She has had a lot of mental abuse with loud screaming and fussing at her over the years that triggers her insecurities. The new resident also is hard of hearing and talks VERY LOUDLY! Gee whiz. At least the last few days have been a little better. A lot of counseling by my niece and the staff have settled her down.
It was Mom's 5th heavenly anniversary this week. I miss her tremendously. I am glad Dad doesn't mourn her. I talk about her to him, show him pictures, talk about things we did all those years but he doesn't seem to be sad. Isn't that great? Dementia does have its perks, sometimes. Of course, he does have those days occasionally when he is BACK in the past. Then, we have to LOOK for Mom. He also wanted to know where the safe was so he could get his $$$$. Boy, that would be nice. He never had a safe, BUT I'll keep looking JUST IN CASE.
Please keep our family in your prayers. I know you will. You always do. A special friend stepped up, without knowing how much it meant to lift up Murphy and I, by sharing a couple of his ASTROS tickets. You should know by now that a baseball game can always pep me up, (at least MOST OF THE TIME!) It really came at a perfect time. We sat near the “ball boy” and I was given one of the game balls. How exciting is that? The Astros won and we were treated to a great game pitched by their ace! Can't beat that. Coincidently, a guy sitting right next to Murphy worked with the same company before Murphy retired. They didn't know each other personally but talked through half of the game. PLEASE! I have to think while I am concentrating on the game stats! (Now, I know ya'll don't believe that for a second.)
ANNUAL CLASSMATE WEEKEND
Some of you have read of the annual weekend that a few classmates and their spouses take somewhere in Texas each year. This year was hosted by Jim and Lynn (Eldridge) Gill. They actually live in Dallas but have land, (lots and lots of land), and two ranch homes in Tupelo, (10 minutes from Corsicana). What a wonderful weekend it was. The food was awesome; just ask my scale, the weather was perfect and the laughter was non-stop. It is only a handful that get together, Jim and Jane Andrus (Jourdanton, TX), Paul and Lori Colletti (Fort Worth), Jude and Cindy Arisco (Temple), Jim and Lynn (Corsicana) and Murphy and I (Lumberton). But, even with all the fun, Lynn and Jim surprised me with a wonderful birthday cake from the famous COLLIN STREET BAKERY! Not only was it deeeeliicious but they had a picture of BIG BUZZ on the top! This was a very special surprise. Thanks, friends for an unforgettable weekend.
UPDATED INFO NEEDED
I am working on updating the information on our class spreadsheet. The last full update was when the committee was working on our 45th reunion that was held in 2013. If you have moved, retired, dropped your “landline”, remarried and changed names, spouses' deaths, changed e-mail address, AND, AND, AND since 2012, make sure I have those changes. If you can't remember if you sent them, send them AGAIN just in case. Thanks.
I received a change of e-mail address from David Lapham. See, someone reads my NEWSLETTERS!
WEATHER WOES
The month of May has been horrendous with weather disasters. Oklahoma and Texas were hit with tornadoes and then rain storms. Now, flooding is everywhere. I have heard from a few of you about your situations. I have tried to contact Jimmy Schexnayder and his daughter, Jessica in Wimberly but have not heard back from them.
from Linda (Olivier) and Rex Meyer in Fulshear, TX
Yes, the weather has been extremely unkind to most all of us Texas.
Even though we are only about 0.5 miles from the Brazos, we are on the high side and don't anticipate any problems with the raging Brazos.
Our daughter and her family's story is a different story. They live in Simonton in the Valley Lodge subdivision. About 20 years ago that subdivision had major flooding. Consequently, anyone living there is required to have Flood Insurance, so I guess that's a good thing.
They anticipate the Brazos will crest at an even higher level than what occurred 20+ years ago and predictions indicate the possibility of 3-6 feet of water in people's homes. I'm sure YOU are well acquainted with what they may be facing.
Anyway, we have spent the last 3 days making trips back and forth from their home to ours, hauling as much as we can. Thankfully, they only live about 5 miles down the road from us. So right now, they are staying with us until this mess is over with.
Sorry to get so wordy !! I'm just exhausted from both the physical and emotional strain of this whole mess. We are truly blessed to have this type of warning and them not be caught in something like those poor people in Wimberly !!
bloominldy@aol.com
from Sharon Lewis Forrest in Boerne, TX
I’m fine. There was no flooding anywhere near my home. I live about 10 miles outside Boerne and I’m not on any of the rivers.
sharonaforrest50@gmail.com
from David Salter in Brownwood, TX
Lana and I have been blessed not to have any weather-related problems this spring either in Oklahoma or here in central Texas.
desalter@sbcglobal.net
from Robert Sandoval in Fulshear, TX
We have had lots of rain but the flooding is in town at all the low underpasses near Memorial Park, based on what I see on the news. Here in Fulshear, no \
Finally, Linda (Olivier) and Rex Meyer and I have finally connected via the subdivision website.
rsandoval@triten.com
from Fred McCarty in Kingwood, TX
We are doing fine and trying to stay dry. We have not experienced any significant flooding in Kingwood despite the torrential rains that impacted most of Houston on 5/25-5/26. Apparently the San Jacinto River is not expected to crest until later this week. We were under tornado alerts and flash flood warnings all night Monday. We could use a few days of sunshine.
fmccrun@aol.com
PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU KNOW OF ANY CLASSMATES OR THEIR FAMILIES THAT WE NEED TO KNOW OF THAT COULD USE SOME HELP OR SUPPORT IN ANY WAY.
SUPPORT
update on Janette Light Norton in Cypress, TX
The good news is I'm finally home after a total of 25 days in the hospital last month. Now I'm adjusting to the 3 days a week of dialysis. On in-between days, I've usually got some other kind of appointment but all in God's good time. Great doctors are great but not gods. Sometimes I feel really low and suddenly I'll hear from some unexpected friend and angel, sending love and prayers. You, dear classmates, continue to bless me. Snail mail seems to be a lost treasure but my mailbox doesn't know it. Cards and letters from you keep pouring in. Believe me, I'm learning so much from this. God's other, but not least, blessing is my husband, Richard who has taken over all jobs. I can see that he is tiring, although he won't admit it. Thanks again to you all for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers as you remain in mine.
hjn50beach@yahoo.com
20219 Sweetgum Way
Cypress, TX 77433
(Janette is awaiting a liver and kidney transplant.)
update on Paula Daigle's husband, Glenn Sheppard in Groves, TX
He is taking meds for all but the brain cancer and he is taking radiation treatments for the brain at the Cancer center in Port Arthur every weekday. He is feeling exhausted. He had to have IV yesterday was a little dehydrated. We are just taking it day by day. Please keep the prayers coming.
shepppms@att.net
5411 Garfield Ave.
Groves, TX 77619
Debbie Borres Desmond is recovering from a knee replacement surgery. Just six weeks or so before that she had a hip replacement. Geez! She is recovering nicely and is enduring her rehab exercises with a grin. Well, kinda!
rgdesmond@att.net
May 13th
from Janis Hamilton Lee in Port Neches
Mark said I need to take up knitting & quit tennis. I rolled my ankle & heard a pop. I chipped a bone. No tennis for 6 weeks.
markjlee@yahoo.com
from Jeanette Constantine Morgan in Groves
Just letting everyone know Mom needs your prayers again. She is in the hospital with a bad infection. I am praying for a speedy recovery and that her pain goes away. Thanks to everyone in advance.
denandjune@yahoo.com
Leo “Brit” Pingleton in Port Arthur
Just got past one more, (the fourth), malignant melanoma, but it wasn't as bad. I just had cataract surgery giving me my 20/20 vision back.
wustyboy@att.net
Dianne Dupre in Groves
May 27
I lost my 129th pound today! Life is good !
(Dianne may be found on FB under Dianne Dupre)
CONDOLENCES
We have lost yet ANOTHER classmate too soon.
CHERYL ROBINSON JONES
September 30, 1949-May 28, 2015
May she rest in peace.
At 9:48 pm on Wednesday, May 27th, Cheryl wrote me the following:
“Prayers for all of our classmates and their families who are living in the Austin or Houston areas! Those really got the brunt of this horrible rain and bad weather, and I hope if anyone needs anything they will let us know!”
Hours or perhaps minutes later, she passed away.
Prayers and support may be sent to:
Morris Jones
795 West Davis Loop
Vidor, TX 77662
You can also leave a message for her family on her FB page under the name Cheryl Jones.
from Jan Russell
I just heard that one of my dear friends from high school, Cheryl Robinson Jones, passed away. Cheryl was one of the sweetest people I've ever known. She was always thinking of others, and I loved the special emails and Facebook posts she would send me. My heart is heavy right now. I miss her already. But, I know she's singing with the angels and rejoicing in the presence of the Lord.
Please continue to contact me or Mike with any kind of news and we will keep everyone in the loop. Several of you are educators and change your e-mail addresses during the summer. I need the changes, please.
Stay in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden
lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com
www.tjhs1968.com