MAIL CALL
from Kenny Bragg in Sheridan, AR
Here is catching up on a few years. Our family is growing. Both of our kids live in Little Rock which is about 45 minutes away so that is convenient. Our son, Aaron, works for Stryker medical sales and has a 16 month old son, Austin. His wife, Allison is an Assistant Federal Prosecutor. Our daughter, Melissa, is a stay at home mom and has a 4 1/2 year old daughter, Presley and a 2 1/2 year old son, Hudson. Her husband, Denver Peacock, has his own public relations business in Little Rock. Both are doing very well. Beverly stays with Presley and Hudson on Mondays so Melissa can do the accounting work for Denver's business. We also get to keep them and Austin some on weekends. They wear us out but grandchildren are a lot of fun.
I retired from Resource Management Service at the end of 2014. Beverly keeps reminding me I am supposed to be retired. I have not hardly had a completely free week in the last three years. We do take a few legislative trips for conferences but after a few of those Beverly figured out they don't really count as vacations. We don't make it back to Texas as much since Beverly's mother passed away a few years ago. My brother, Bart, still lives in PA and Beverly's sister and family live in Austin. I'm sure we will try to make it down sometime this summer.
I do enjoy the newsletter and updates and truly appreciate the work you and Mike put into it.
kenwbragg@gmail.com
from Billy Jordan in Decatur, AL
I will be taking my 11 year old grandson to Washington D.C. the week of March 27th. This will be fun as he has never flown before and at 11 he should have a good appreciation of what he sees and hears.
jwj6872@aol.com
from James Leland Hebert in Waldorf, MD
I attended TJ until 1967 after Thomas Edison and look forward to
seeing all my old classmates for our 50th reunion in 2018.
jim_pat.hebert@verizon.net
from Creig Romero in Houston, TX
Just a note to say hello. I really appreciate all that you and Mike do to keep all of us updated. Keep up the good work.
David and I got married after 25 years together at the Emerson UU (Unitarian Universalist Church) here in Houston. We married on our 25th anniversary on July 11, 2015 . We are going on our 27th year together and 2 years married this coming July.
I wanted to share a great experience and show how it is such a small world we live in. Our church have "Circle Dinners" where someone hosts a “pot luck” dinner at their house. We have been to several of these functions last year and it is really great. We are able to get to know each other outside of the church and have great discussions on family and world life. In January, about 17 of us were having our "Circle Dinner", sitting around the dinner table eating, talking and having great conversations. I mentioned I was from Pt. Arthur which sparked a conversation with the person across from me. She said she was from Pt. Arthur, also. I asked what years she lived there and she responded 1949 to 1968. I told I left in 1968 and attended TJ and she said she did, too. We had to introduce ourselves to each other. It was Mindy Marburger. We chatted and chatted and everyone there was so excited about our reunion that night that it was the main topic of conversation. Small, small world. This had been our second "Circle Dinner" we had attended with her and her husband, Tim but did not realize we went to school together until this one.
creig@creigromero.com
(I noticed that all my MAIL CALL postings were from GUYS this month! Way to go, boys!!)
“MINI” REUNION LUNCHEON
The luncheon held at Sombreros Restaurant in Nederland on April 1, 2017 was a smash hit. Marilyn Jackson Williamson and Ernie Castaneda Bullion arranged it and found a venue that had a banquet room. That made a huge difference in why we were able to mingle before and after our food came. Many laughs were heard, hugs were given and stories of now and of the “good old days” were remembered. Lots of pictures were taken and can be found on our website under PHOTOS. Thanks again, Marilyn and Ernie!
Those in attendance:
Florence “Sissie” Woods
Diane Barker and sister, Kathy Ponsegrau (TJ '71)
Dianne Dupre
Enoch “Skippy” Cole
Paula Daigle
Georgette Licatino and husband, Ron Stepan
Jeanette Constantine and husband, Dennis Morgan
Darlene Turner and husband, Steve Landry
Jonnye Dee Doering and Bobby Williamson
Felicia Hiatt and David Petit
Jan Russell
Fred McCarty
Loretta LaLonde and husband, Glynn Myers
Debbie Felder
Linda Eldemire
Shirley Barra
Mary Wells
Sharon Lewis
Chrissy Dupuis
Juanita Perales
Carla Castro
Linda Gothia
Betty Steck
Jack Atkins and wife, Chris
Ernie Castaneda and husband, Ron Bullion
Arleen Lang and husband, Marlon Hulin
Debbie Borres and husband, Raymond Desmond
Marilyn Jackson
Bart Darby and Laura Meece
Linda DeCuir and husband, Murphy McFadden
(Hopefully, I didn't leave anyone out.)
50th REUNION
Even though the committee hasn't officially met for this coming event, a few ideas have been floating around. Bobby Williamson has been very busy calling around to find available venues for the social and the “dance”. He has called the Carl Parker Center at the Lamar State College of PA next to Woodrow Wilson, the Holiday Inn on Jimmy Johnson Boulevard where the SOCIALS have previously been held, & the Singles Club in Nederland where we had the Saturday night event for the 45th reunion. The dates we are throwing around are in July of 2018.
One thing I have noticed is that the classes of 1970, 1969 and 1967, as have other classes, have had BOTH their Friday AND Saturday night events at the Holiday Inn and have had plenty of room. That might be a thought since it would be easier on the committee to decorate at the same location.
At this time the committee members are:
Linda DeCuir
Ernie Castaneda
Bobby Willamson
Bart Darby
Jonnye Dee Doering
Jeanette Constantine
Linda Gothia
Shirley Barra
Debbie Borres
Marilyn Jackson
Mary Wells
Diane Barker
Cecelia Trevino
Sharon Lewis
Darlene Turner
Paula Daigle
Chrissy Dupuis
Carla Castro
Sandra Garsea
Randy Blanchard
For the last few reunions, the committee has met on Tuesday nights, usually once a month, until we got closer to the actual date. Due to some conflicts, they won't be on the FIRST Tuesday of the month, though.
Please send me your name if you would also like to be a part of this special group.
INFORMATION LOST and FOUND
I am excited that every once in awhile I get UPDATED info for my class spreadsheet . Sometimes I get it because I contact a classmate personally. Other times a classmate will contact me with their changes or send me info on other classmates. What I don't always understand is why someone will say, “I don't ever get anything.” Mike and I can be found by GOOGLING our class to find the website (www.tjhs1968.com). I am on FB, have an e-mail (lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com ) or can be found by asking someone else in the class who might know how to find me. Many times you might have changed your contact info or retired and no longer use that e-mail that you previously provided. Landlines have been “deleted”, etc, etc, etc. Of course, this paragraph might be meaningless since you aren't getting this NEWSLETTER anyway and you have dropped off the earth and off my spreadsheet AND off of Mike's mailing list. So, please help your friends and classmates find their way back! We don't like losing anyone. I know I take it PERSONAL! :-)
PS It isn't ALWAYS your fault. Sometimes I forget to send changes you gave me to Mike or forget where I wrote it down. I call it “too much to try to remember”! Just ask my HUSBAND.
IRS TAXES
Bart Darby, our reunion committee treasurer, has been an angel to prepare our tax returns each year for our class checking account. THANKS, friend. This year we OWED $1.40!!! I wrote that BAD BOY check quickly and sent it on to the IRS. I don't have time for a prison term!
WEBSITE DONATION
A generous donation has been given by Diane Barker Foreman. We appreciate your support.
MILITARY SECTION
We are very proud of our classmates and family members who have given their service in the armed forces. Several classmates have sent in photos. If you have any, please send to me or Mike to add to this special section.
Sharon Lewis Forrest has sent in photos of her late husband, son and grandson's service in the US ARMY. Check them out. Thanks, Sharon.
NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
My rehab for my back is helping me to get around quite a bit more. I still have to strengthen my core muscles. It is nice to be able to do more, though. That is less work on MURPHY!
My niece surprised me at our monthly luncheon by inviting my brother and his 
daughter to meet us halfway in Dayton, again. It was so nice for my sister, brother and I to be together! I wish Dad was able to make a trip like that. Gerry seemed to enjoy us all being together except I could tell she didn't really remember Danny too much unless we kept reminding her.
Well, another year older! How time flies when you keep waking up. Dad will be 101, April 22!!! I think he is in better shape than Murphy and I. Of course, he has no WORRIES. We are going to give him a party at his assisted living on April 21 this year. It will just be easier. He can be the “belle of the ball” and then just take a nap without having to get out! If you would like, you may drop him a note at my address and I'll bring them to him to enjoy.
Dan DeCuir
7699 Boardwalk
Lumberton, TX 77657
SUPPORT
Pat Trahan Knox is recovering from shoulder surgery but is still having numbness from her right elbow down through her hand.
patknox@hotmail.com
925 Brandywine Dr.
Beaumont, TX 77706
from Billy Jordan
Mar. 7
Most classmates are talking about their health challenges. I will add my own recent experience. A little over a month ago I got a bad lower backache over a weekend. I was surprised as I did not remember doing anything to cause it but chalked it up to picking up a granddaughter. I contacted my doctor on Monday and he called in a muscle relaxant. I picked that up and started taking them. The backache got a little better but on Tuesday I started to really feel bad. A pain started on my right side whenever I breathed in. My temp shot up to 103 and I started throwing up. I called my doctor and got an appointment for the next morning. My wife drove me since I was so weak. Not being able to keep anything down, I was dehydrated. My doctor checked me out and could not hear anything abnormal with the stethoscope. He was at first concerned about a cardiac problem or gallbladder. They started to take blood, run an ekg and an ultrasound. The blood test showed a high white cell count so they knew it was an infection. Even though he could not hear anything and I was not congested or coughing he did an X-ray. He found I had pneumonia in the lower lobe of my right lung. I never have had that before and my doctor was surprised because he could not hear it. After an antibiotic injection and three separate types of antibiotic medications I began to feel better. It took three weeks for me to get my strength back. I have never had pneumonia and had taken the pneumonia vaccine. All is well now and I am back to normal.
jwj6872@aol.com
2351Tinagel Dr., SW
Decatur, AL 35603
Linda Louise Davis Fitzpatrick
Mar 8
I am having surgery in my mouth where they will cut the gum, graft bone and then place two posts (implants) in the bone. It will have to heal for 6 months and I am so not looking forward to it!! All because I had an implant that went bad under a bridge and they had to take part of my jawbone out to get it out!! This time tomorrow night all will be much better and then another surgery in 6 months!!
lfitzpatrick13@gmail.com
PO Box 37
Au Sable Forks, NY 12912
Mar. 8
Debra Jones Schwartzenburg's husband, Mickey had surgery for a stomach aneurism.
schwardo@gmail.com
8 Thornhill Oaks Dr.
Houston, TX 77015
Sherry Clingan Armentor had a total knee replacement at the beginning of March.
sherryarmentor@sbcglobal.net
3235 Woodlawn
Groves, TX 77619
Norma Gayle Guidry is awaiting results on a biopsy.
cajun.q.t@hotmail.com
1033 Caliste Olivier Rd.
Breaux Bridge, LA 70517
from Dianne Dupre
I have a pace maker now to hopefully help me with all my heart issues.
Thank you all for your phone calls, prayers, and good wishes. They mean the world to me!
5252 Twin City Hwy., Apt. 375
Groves, TX 77619
from Joyce Marceaux Abate
April 7
Ronnie is battling cancer. He is 7 months post liver transplant. The doctor found non Hodgkins lymphoma behind his pancreas and his spleen. He is taking chemo on Tuesdays. This Tuesday will be the third one, and after that two more with another PET Scan on May 31 to see if all the cancer is gone. Please pray for good results. The doctor seems to be optimistic about it.
Abate.joyce@yahoo.com
6305 Marble Falls Dr.
Lumberton, TX 77657
about Gene Ross from his wife, Jacque
3/31
We are heading over to UTMB for some skin grafting and plastic surgery. Gene is hopefully in the final stages of getting his arm back to a good health stage then we will be back to the healing process. We are hoping in 6 months this will be all behind us and back to our crazy normal. Surgery #8
maling2@sbcglobal.net
7752 FM 365
Beaumont, TX 77705
a note about Cindy Duplantis Roberts from her daughter
Mar. 15
Not the news we were hoping for today. While none of the tumors have grown, the disease has now moved into her heart and is causing congestion/disease. We will be back and forth to MD Anderson for the next few weeks while they run test on her heart and she gets acquainted with her new cardiologist. We are all still in shock and processing the news but we know that there is a lot of fight left! Thank you all for your prayers, chants, well wishes and calls. We have definitely felt the love. Keep them coming
ckdroberts@gmail.com
500 Saddlehorn
Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657
CONDOLENCES
(death of English department faculty member)
Muriel Stubbs
November 5, 1929 – April 2, 2017
Sherry Clingan Armentor
(death of her father, Andrew)
sherryarmentor@sbcglobal.net
3235 Woodlawn
Groves, TX 77619
Loretta LaLonde Myers
(death of her young granddaughter due to a tragic car collision)
Kelsey Michelle Nalepa
July 30, 2008 – April 8, 2017
lorettamyers@verizon.net
522 Beacons Hollow Lane
League City, TX 77573
from Loretta's daughter, Nicole Nalepa:
At 1:32 am on 4/8/17, our sweet baby girl joined the angels. I am not sure that we will ever understand why she had to leave us so soon. We have lost a huge piece of ourselves that we can never recover. We do find great comfort in knowing that she will be giving the gift of life to others by being an organ donor. She is forever a Superhero! Fly high Kelsey Girl!!!
Services for Kelsey Michelle Nalepa is as follows:
Visitation from 4:00-8:00 P.M, on Tuesday, Apr 11, with Rosary at 7:00 P.M. Funeral services on Wednesday Apr. 12 at 10:00 A.M. Visitation and Funeral services will take place at St. Mary Catholic Church, 1612 E. Walker Street, League City, Tx 77573. Procession to Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery immediately following church services. Reception to follow in St. Mary Church Hall. Arrangements by Crowder Funeral Home of League City.
My heart aches for all the classmates mentioned in the SUPPORT and CONDOLENCE sections. Please contact your friends and show them you care.
Stay in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden
lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com
www.tjhs1968.com