MAIL CALL
(oops)
I wrote in the last NEWSLETTER that PAM McLEOD spent a few days in Padre Island. ACTUALLY, it was HELEN RETHKE. Geez. Thanks to both of them for being so kind in understanding on of my many SENIOR MOMENTS!
(Sorry!)
from Helen Rethke Lauck in Littleton, CO
I do enjoy getting the Newsletter, as it allows me to keep up with a few folks and see what is still happening on the local scene. Not sure when I'll make it back to Texas, particularly the Port Arthur area, but would love to see all of you.
hlauck@globusfamily.com
from Pam McLeod Young in Graford, TX
I totally understand about your mixup. Mary Bess Rizer Johnson and I have just returned from Cambodia and Viet Nam. We took a Mekong river cruise. It was a very elegant boat. Very old English or French Victorian. It was a very interesting trip but hot, hot, hot and humid. We saw Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom among other things. Very glad to have seen it and be home in one piece.
(I don't guess you ran into John Wilson? He is working there. I'm sure there isn't that many people!)
pamiefly@gmail.com
from Harvey “Joe” Whitton in Newburg, OR
I really enjoy checking out the website when I can. Since I just retired, I can check it more often. Keep up the good work. I think I'm going to try to make it back for the 50th reunion.
(We would love to see you at the 50th. You will recognize me so easily. I look JUST LIKE MY PIC IN THE ANNUAL!!! Ha Ha Ha)
jwhitton11@comcast.net
from Linda Olivier Meyer (on a cot somewhere)
May 28
SO....... We closed on our home yesterday. We are in a travel trailer at our daughter and son-in-laws home in the Valley Lodge subdivision in Simonton, TX.
This subdivision abuts the Brazos River.
As of 10 this morning we are under mandatory evacuation.
Go figure ...........
(This is Linda and Rex's second evacuation in just a few weeks.)
lmeyer8227@aol.com
TJ '66 (50th REUNION)
June 3-5
Contact Fred Schneider for more information.
jacket66@sbcglobal.net
ADVICE FROM OLD PEOPLE
(taken from Face Book)
BE SURE TO SHARE these words of wisdom with the younger generations in your family.
1. The most important person in your life is the person who agreed to share their life with you. Treat them as such. 2. You might live a long life, or you might live a short one — who knows. But either way, trust me when I say that you’re going to wish you took better care of yourself in your youth. 3. Stuff is just stuff. Don’t hold onto material objects, hold onto time and experiences instead. 4. Jealousy destroys relationships. Trust your significant other, because who else are you supposed to trust? 5. People always say, ’’Make sure you get a job doing what you love!’’ But that isn’t the best advice. The right job is the job you love some days, can tolerate most days, and still pays the bills. Almost nobody has a job they love every day. 6. If you’re getting overwhelmed by life, just return to the immediate present moment and savour all that is beautiful and comforting. Take a deep breath, relax. 7. Years go by in the blink of an eye. Don’t marry young. Live your life. Go places. Do things. If you have the means or not. Pack a bag and go wherever you can afford to go. While you have no dependents, don’t buy stuff. Any stuff. See the world. Look through travel magazines and pick a spot. GO! 8. Don’t take life so seriously. Even if things seem dark and hopeless, try to laugh at how ridiculous life is. 9. A true friend will come running if you call them at 2am. Everyone else is just an acquaintance. 10. Children grow up way too fast. Make the most of the time you have with them. 11. Nobody ever dies wishing they had worked more. Work hard, but don’t prioritize work over family, friends, or even yourself. 12. Eat and exercise like you’re a diabetic heart patient with a stroke — so you never actually become one. 13. Maybe this one isn’t as profound as the others, but I think it’s important… Floss regularly, dental problems are awful. 14. Don’t take anyone else’s advice as gospel. You can ask for advice from someone you respect, then take your situation into consideration and make your own decision. Essentially, take your own advice is my advice… 15. The joints you damage today will get their revenge later. Even if you think they’ve recovered completely. TRUST ME! 16. We have one time on this earth. Don’t wake up and realize that you are 60 years old and haven’t done the things you dreamed about. 17. Appreciate the small things and to be present in the moment. What do I mean? Well, it seems today like younger people are all about immediate gratification. Instead, why not appreciate every small moment? We don’t get to stay on this crazy/wonderful planet forever and the greatest pleasure can be found in the most mundane of activities. Instead of sending a text, pick up the phone and call someone. Call your mother, have a conversation about nothing in particular. Those are the moments to hold onto. 18. Pay your bills and stay the hell out of debt. If I could have paid myself all the money I’ve paid out in interest over the years, I’d be retired already. 19. If you have a dream of being or doing something that seems impossible, try for it anyway. It will only become more impossible as you age and become responsible for other people. 20. When you meet someone for the first time, stop and realize that you really know nothing about them. You see race, gender, age, clothes. Forget it all. You know nothing. Those biased assumptions that pop into your head because of the way your brain likes categories, are limiting your life, and other people’s lives.
NEWS FROM THE HOME FRONT
My brother, Danny Boy and Murphy and I went to Wiergate Hunting Club for a couple of days just to have an excuse to use the RV. Sometimes I wonder why the RV is even parked at our house. Murphy uses it from the middle of October to the middle of January for the deer lease. Then, he brings it home and it is winter. “Too cold,” he says. Then, in the spring it is “too something else” and then “too hot” in the summer. Fall has “too much pollen.” Oh, please!!!! Sometimes I just go in it in the backyard and read or watch a movie. We have also been known to have a picnic in there 20 yards from our back door. Oh, the life.
My granddaughters are moving on up! The youngest is heading to Middle School (6th grade) where her sister just got elected Student Body President. It will be fun AND more convenient to have them both at the same school at least for this next year.
ANOTHER oops from the LAST NEWSLETTER....geez, it is hard getting senile. I said that I was INCLUDING a posting from a teacher about my youngest granddaughter, Drew, getting on the middle school dance team called the TexAnns. Well, I copied the posting and THEN didn't paste it in the NEWSLETTER. SHAME on Mike for not catching that gaffe! That is what he gets the BIG BUCKS FOR....checking for my craziness. Ha Ha
Anyway, here is what I left out from the teacher...
“This little ball of fire has been one of my GT students AND student council member 
kids for 3 years. I've been her interim soccer mom (grandma) a few times this year too! She loves life! She shocked me this week when she said she wanted to try out for the middle school dance team. She has NEVER taken a dance class. She's a tomboy - soccer playing kid! So due to her begging (she does this well) we spent her GT class time dancing in the hallway with me providing tips and the other class kids judging her moves! She made the team!!!!! I'm so excited. She told her daddy Thursday, as he was making her take off her new jazz shoes,"tennis shoes are in the past"! This kid has a piece of my heart!”
Meredith Love, faculty of Sour Lake Elementary
I've been “down in the back” and ended up having some steroid shots injected in my spine at the outpatient center in Beaumont on my birthday, Cinco de Mayo. I kinda think it was one of my favorite presents EVER! Two weeks later I went in to have a second series of shots. Maybe I can go now go to an Astros game. I wasn't able to walk up and down steps with the pain before, so a game wasn't in the cards.
Speaking of pain. Okay, not really, but my voice went south for awhile and I made a quicker than usual follow-up to the specialist I go to in Houston. I had an appointment made for a year but only was able to go six months before returning. My voice does seem to be a lot stronger but we are keeping an eye out for any problems. Murf loves when I am on voice rest!
Dad is still getting kudos for making it to the big 1-0-0 on April 22. (He only has 11 more months until 101.
from Joe Breaux, TJ '69
I was glad to see your dad's pictures when your newsletter came out. I enjoyed the write-up, too. I'm so happy for your Dad, for you & your family. What a wonderful occasion to celebrate. Happy Birthday to Super Dan.
jwbreaux@yahoo.com
from Lyn Frasier Lee in Georgetown, TX
Your dad looks great. I know your family is excited to see him make such a milestone.
picmms@suddenlink.net
from Terry Watson in Richardson, TX
Your dad could make the best DUCK GUMBO in town.
(I asked my dad to make gumbo for a few friends one time while I was in Lamar. Terry, David Williams, Allen Baldridge and just a few other GUYS (8 OTHERS) showed up. Dad was beaming.)
fwatson726@sbcglobal.net
from Mike Lawson in West Columbia, TX
Your dad is a remarkable man. To reach 100 years on this earth is a major accomplishment. He is still looking great. No doubt, he took great care during his younger years. You do show your love for your dad and I know you are real proud. You keep him active. It sounds like he had a big birthday party. I know your mom is looking down from heaven to witness all this. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MR. DECUIR and I know he will see 101.
miklaws@embarqmail.com
from Robert Sandoval in Fulshear, TX
Glad to see you and your family doing well, especially ‘Superman’.
rsandoval@triten.com
The picture of Dad with the flag behind him that was posted in my last NEWSLETTER edition is one of my favorites. Nancy Trimble, TJ '70, and a cousin of ours, gave him the t-shirt he is wearing. It said, “It took me 100 years to look this good!” Thanks, Nancy. It was a big hit.
(If you missed the pic, you can find it on FB under my name, Linda DeCuir McFadden under my postings. He really is a cutie.)
TRIBUTE to my MOM
May 25, 2016
Mom, it has been 6 years today that God answered your prayers and allowed you to pass away peacefully to your heavenly home to be with your loved ones there! How sad we were to have you leave us, but life had to go on. Many events have occurred since 2010 and some have been heartbreaking and some joyous.
You now have two new great grand boys! Some of your grandchildren have had life changing events. Many candles have been lit at church asking for your prayers. We see cardinals in our yards at just the RIGHT time when we need you back. All of your great-grands are excelling in school and athletics. But Mom, you must have been really smiling down on your dear husband, Dan, when he reached the amazing age of 100 on April 22! We had 2 fun filled parties and dad was amazing. You would have loved seeing dear friends from your Lakeview neighborhood and various other special guests. It was special but we all missed YOU not being there. Dad might have dementia but he has never forgotten that you are in heaven. He visits your grave and even cleans the granite. He goes with me to pick out the flowers to put on your tombstone. I know you have to be happy he is getting cared for and is LOVED at his other home, Holland Place. That was your worry before you left us. We love and miss you. Until we meet again.
SUPPORT
AJ Hebert-surgery
bigdaddyhebert@att.net
Peggy Fontenot Mundschau-foot surgery
pafflyer@msn.com
Gloria Faye Burks
May 17
It is interesting when you go to a doctor anticipating one outcome and something totally different happens. Instead of draining what I thought was a ganglion cyst on the right index finger, he stated it needed to be removed. He said that it is not a cyst because of the location. I thought he would do that in his office but I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning as an outpatient. Thank you so much for your prayer support.
May 18
Thank you all for your prayers. I am out of surgery and headed home. It was more extensive than we thought it would be. The mass was removed. There were roots and a large bone spur on the knuckle. He removed all of it. There was no cancer. Praise the Lord! It went well and I was at peace the whole time. To all that prayed, it was humbling to know that people care about me. Bless you all for caring and praying. Also huge thank you to my daughter, Lori for staying all morning and putting up with me.
gloriafaye29@gmail.com
Debra Jones Schwartenburg-knee surgery
schwardo@gmail.com
Paula Daigle Sheppard-gallbladder surgery
shepppms@att.net
Jeanette Constantine Morgan's mom- hospitalized due to multiple health issues
denandjune@yahoo.com
Darlene Turner Landry's great grandbaby, Aubree- in hospital for diagnosis
gran090@yahoo.com
CONDOLENCES
Phillip Wayne Forsythe
(death of his wife, Suzanne Miller Forsythe)
Just wanted you to know my wife Suzanne Miller Forsythe went to be with the Lord on 4/15/16. She had been battling cancer since 2009. It was a long hard struggle but she fought it all the way. I deeply miss her. She chose to have no obit, no memorial or service.
12999 FM RD 1004 W
Buna, TX 77612
pwf1350@yahoo.com
Patti Holton LaCombe, TJ '70,
passed away in Georgetown, TX of renal failure
David Petit
(death of his mother, Wynona Petit)
2109 Redfish Dr.
Texas City, TX 77591
texteach@yahoo.com
Alice Branson
(math faculty member of Woodrow Wilson and Lamar State College PA)
passed away April 9, 2016
Mrs. Branson was one of my math teachers at Woodrow. Poor lady. Math was like a foreign language to me...still is. You either get it or you DON'T, as in my case. I can not tell you how many mornings and afternoons I had to go in there for HELP. She was so easy going, saying it over and over. I can still remember her very short “boyish” haircut that I NOW sport! I remember the smell of her coffee as she would drink from her silver thermos. I guess I should have had Mom and Dad pay her extra since I had “private tutoring” for so long. Sorry, Mrs. Branson. It wasn't your fault, I just didn't get it.
Obituary on front page of website
***************************************************************
To all the men and women out there who have served our country, many giving their lives....we SALUTE you. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
Stay in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden
lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com
www.tjhs1968.com