TJ Class of '68     UPDATE                                                                     05/11/07    
         

Hello TJ friends,
        Spring has certainly sprung!  Sometimes it even feels like early summer.  I do love the smell of a freshly mowed St. Augustine lawn, though.  Mike and I are really excited with this publication.  We have had great response from many of you.  I hope that it isn't a fluke.  Keep in touch so that we can bring you all the news.  Now, let's begin our
MOTHER'S DAY edition:

 MAIL CALL
from Linda Yancey in Nederland
I would just like to share with you how and where I ran into our classmate, Linda DeCuir.  It was on a sunny Sunday afternoon and there were flowers everywhere and beautiful marble and stones.  Have you guessed where yet?  The cemetery!  I was there to place flowers on my parents' gravesite and to visit my niece's grave. She was 21 years old, had everything going for her, but as fate would have it, she developed a rare adrenal cancer that took her life.  Linda was at the cemetery placing flowers on her father-in-law's gravesite.  We pointed out to each other where our loved ones were and at that very moment we realized that this is in some way where all of us are in this faze of our lives. Saying good-byes to loved ones, some older, so many too young.  Did we ever imagine in our younger fun-loving days that this is where we would all eventually find our way back together?  I don't know about everyone else, but I so looked forward to growing up and now I realize we had it made during those great years.

Now, just a little about myself.  I have a home in Nederland and have two brothers, two sister-in-laws and was blessed with three beautiful nieces. They gave me five great-nephews and two great-nieces.  I love children and they have and will always will be what keeps me young.  I feel 30 but I'm 57.  I love to travel and that is my goal for retirement.  I've been to Hawaii, Vegas (what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas), Florida, Alabama, snow skiing at Whistler/Blackcomb in Canada, Scotland, London, just to name a few and my next venture is either Norway or Nevis in the British West Indies. My place of serenity is, of the course, the beach.  To walk on a beautiful beach in the morning or at dusk and listen to the waves...well, there is nothing better!
God is an Awesome God.  Praise Him every day for all our blessings.
Looking  forward to seeing everyone at our "40th".

(Linda Yancey LOOKS 30, also!  I bet she tapped into the "fountain of youth" during her travels abroad.)


from Ronnie Campbell in Port Arthur
I belong to the Scooter Club of the Golden Triangle, and we usually have rides and activities every week, weather permitting.  If anyone has a scooter or small cc motorcycle, please come on one of our rides - usually every Saturday.  Check out the SCGT website at http://www.myspace.com/scgoldentriangle  .  There are numerous photos and videos of recent events, and we are always looking for new riders.  It is great getting updated information and memories on the website of our 1968 graduating class.  Thanks for all the hard work!
 
(Be sure to check out the BIKER section in the CLASS PHOTOS of our home page to see photos of Ronnie and friends.)

 from Sheridan Jones Thornell in Port Arthur
After being off of the mailing list for awhile, I got your e-mail address from Chrissy Dupuis Mullens.  When Hurricane Rita HIT MY HOME, I got a foot of water inside.  I lost my 66, 67, & 68 TJ annuals.  I am looking to buy any of those years from someone who might have an extra one or who knows someone who might.  What I always enjoyed with my annuals was looking up my 4 children's friends' parents.  Most of their parents went to school with us.  I will have a lot of catching up to do with the class of '68 now that I have the website address.  Thanks.

 from Lynn Eldridge Gill in Dallas
Jim and I went to the Big Bend area for a week and then over to San Antonio .  He ordered a Pinzgauer, (ugly Austrian troop carrier),  that we picked up there.  Now, we can transport 14 people around our ranch...not even MUD stops us-woo-hoo!  While we were in the area, we stopped to visit Jim Andrus and his wife, Jane.  I hate to mention this, but I had to deliver my losing bet to Jim since UT beat TEXAS TECH in football AGAIN last season.  (I am slow on paying up).   While there, we drove the Penz around their ranch in Jourdanton (outside of San Antonio).  The wildflowers were spectacular.  We got home just in time for my daughter, Meredith, to deliver our first granddaughter, Molly Claire on April 4th.  She is beautiful and we're thrilled. 
 

Well, we also have more good news.  Our son, Addicus, and his wife announced that they are going to give us another grandbaby!  Their first born and this new addition will be 17 months apart!  That may cure them of wanting 5 kids.  We'll see.
(Lynn and Jim had their children 11 months apart in the '70's.  That sure made them STOP at TWO kids!)

 from Mike Soileau in Atlanta, TX
Hi … sorry I have not written... been real busy … no excuse.. :)   I am sending a poem to all the classmates as we need a wake-up call now and to let us realize that we need to slow down a little and visit and call friends and relatives.  It is hard...I am the worst.  You and Mike are doing a great job.  What a blessing to have this kind of site.

 from Frank Piletere (husband of the late Betty Sue Ratley)
While browsing the web recently, I was very impressed when I encountered the home page for the Thomas Jefferson High School class of 1968.  However, I was saddened when I read the memorial section of your site and my late wife, Sue Ratley Piletere, appeared on this page.  Although Sue left us three years ago June 3, I still have fond memories of my 32 year marriage with her and the memories that she shared with me about her school days in Port Arthur.  I just wanted to let you know of the great job that you and others have done to preserve these memories, and the way that you have remembered those that have gone before us.  As you probably know, Sue was a wonderful wife to me, and being the tough lady that she was, fought a rough battle with breast cancer for eight years prior to her death.

 Please keep in touch, as I too, am a TJ graduate of the class of '65.  I would like to be advised when you guys have your reunions.   

Frank D. Piletere
Compliance Manager
Willbros West Africa, Inc.
Office: 713-212-2171
Cell: 713-854-2359
mailto:Frank.Piletere@Willbrosnigeria.com

 from Diane Richmond Miller in Silsbee
I've noticed something from reading all the e-mails being sent in to you that you use in your NEWSLETTERS each month. Either the e-mails are being corrected by you, our 1st grade teacher, or our class has well above the average ability to spell and use proper grammar. Even on printed signs now, you see such awful misuse and misspelling of words, and yet the e-mails sent in by our classmates are written so well!  Maybe we were just exceptional??  Thanks for all you and Mike do. 

(Diane sent a very special card with a sweet message.  Her mom has dementia and has recently moved into Diane's home.) 

from Carole Oubre Reeves in Groves
Just wanted to drop a line to tell you how FABULOUS the website is.  I am so very proud of you and Mike and sincerely appreciate all the work that has gone into this. 
 

We'll be hosting our son, Spencer, daughter-in-law, Zoe and two granddaughters, Kiara and Aiyana for three weeks beginning June 30th or so.  We're really looking forward to seeing them.  Other than than, life pretty much as usual.  Parents aging - Dad 96 and mom 88.  Mom is an Alzheimer victim, unfortunately.  We're in the moderate stage right now so she still recognizes people.  It's not pretty.  My heart goes out to anyone else who is going through this with their parents.  Dad is still driving (so, look out!).  His mind is still fairly good but his joints are giving him a fit. 

 from Jane Lippincott Koerth in Port Neches
I love the website and all of the time and effort you and Mike have put into it.  I'm sorry you are having such difficulties with your parents.  It's so hard to watch them grow old, become frail, and have to depend on us.  It's hard to believe that my dad has been gone since 1980 and my mom since 1998.  I miss them both dearly.  Parents teach us so much, we just don't realize it.

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MOTHER'S WISDOM (light-hearted but so true!)

 1.My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.  
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside.  I just finished cleaning."
 
2.My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that that will come out of the carpet."

 3.My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
 "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
 4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
 "Because I said so, that's why."
 5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
 "If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."
 6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
 "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."
 7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."
 8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
 "Shut your mouth and eat your supper."
 9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
 "Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"
10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
 "You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."
11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
 "This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
 "If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"
13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."
14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"
15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."
16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."
17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.

"You are going to get it when you get home!"
18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."
19. My mother taught me ESP.
 "Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"
20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."
22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."
23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
 "Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"
24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
 "When you get to be my age, you'll understand."
And my favorite:
25. My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you."
 "Happy Mother's Day" to all Moms, Grandmothers, Aunts, Godmothers, Step-Mothers and "Surrogate" moms.

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
SUPPORT NEEDED

Jimmy Simmons has been in touch with fellow classmate, James Miller.  James's wife, Suzzane (Sue) Adams Miller, is receiving treatments for Follicular Lymphoma.  She was diagnosed around the holidays. The doctors are very pleased with her progress in battling this disease.  Suzzane is a teacher for the Bridge City School District. She may be reached at:

 Sue Miller
176 Poinsettia
Bridge City, TX 77611
(409)735-6498
millerfrancis@sbcglobal.net

 Please contact me if you know of anyone that could use our added support.
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************

 CONDOLENCES
No deaths
that I have heard about!!  Praise the Lord!

 I do think we should keep all of our classmates in our prayers that have lost their MOTHER since last May. 

 Harold Schkade
Glen Tryer
Betty Bernauer Waedemon
Ron Waedemon
Danny Phares
Randy Monte
Billy Jordan
Daniel Wolf
Loretta LaLonde Myers
Linda King McComas
Jonnye Dee Doering Williamson
Shirley Roll Rabuck
Barry Boudreaux
Sandra Garsea Broussard
Leo Foreman
Butch McWilliams
Fred Hollier, Jr.

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MISCELLANEOUS TIDBITS

 Vote Saturday, May 12
If you don't use your right to vote
Then you lose your right to gripe!

     Stamp Price
REMINDER: First class stamp increases to 41 cents on Monday, May 14th.

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT
(cute e-mail received and forwarded by Janice Huebel Slaughter)
 

I was sitting in the waiting room for my first appointment with a new dentist.  I noticed his DDS diploma, which bore his first name. Suddenly, I remembered a tall, handsome, dark-haired boy with the same name had been in my high school class some 40-odd years ago. Could he be the same guy that I had a secret crush on, way back when? 

Upon seeing him, however, I quickly discarded any such thought.  This balding, gray-haired man with the deeply lined face was way too old to have been my classmate.  Hmmmm or could he? 

After he examined my teeth, I asked him if he had attended Morgan Park High School.  "Yes, yes, I did.  I'm a Mustang," he gleamed with pride.  "When did you graduate?" I asked.  He answered, "In 1959. Why do you ask?"  "You were in my class!" I exclaimed.  He looked at me closely and then that sorry you-know-what asked, "What did you teach?"!!!!

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************

WEBSITE $$$ CONTRIBUTIONS

from Kenny Bragg 
I've really been enjoying the updates.  My first thought after reading them is to send a contribution.  So, I'm finally getting around to it.  Thanks to you and Mike for all the hard work.  I'm still looking for a few old pictures.

 from Linda Langhoff Wheatley
I want to tell you & Mike  that your time and efforts put into this project are noticed and enjoyed by many of us.

 from Diane Richmond Miller
Well, I know that I never write, but I ALWAYS read!! I think it's like listening to the music on public radio though...if you listen and enjoy, you need to help support it. So, I am sending you some money to help do my part. It's really a great website and getting better all the time.

from Brenda Rector Cook
Finally, my promised contribution!  Hope this helps.  Again, much gratitude and lots of appreciation for all your hard work.
 

Contributions may be mailed to:
Linda DeCuir McFadden
112 Woodsong
Bridge City, TX 77611

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************I think that just about does it for this edition.  If you haven't smiled even once while reading it, shame on you!  I really can't wait to see what Mike has in store for his part of the updated website.  We both appreciate the generosity of the time and effort that goes into sending us items. But, the classmate participation is certainly why our class website is so UNIQUE!  Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes...so have fun, think "good thoughts" only, learn to laugh at yourself, and "Count your blessings"!   Anonymous                                                                 

                                                                 Keep in touch,
                                                                 Linda DeCuir McFadden
                                                                 lindasuemcfadden@sbcglobal.net
                                                                 www.tjhs1968.com

 

         
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