Update

It is Memorial Day weekend and I hope that all are going to enjoy some of it with family and friends. Don't forget the reason we have this holiday, though. Also, this week is expecially sad since we lost one of our classmates, Clifford Antone. It has been quite a while since we have had a classmate death, but it is still too often. I wanted to sit down several times since the last update of Mar. 1st and write a new one. They take quite a bit of time to compile, but it is always worth it to me. Please don't forget to e-mail me with your comments and "stories" so that the classmates won't have to just hear from me. Here is the latest.....

This is Richard Cole. I was just wondering if there were any plans for a reunion or anything this year.

I am still living in Argentina but I had plans to travel back to the states on business and vacation a couple of

times before year end. Hopefully if there is some kind of reunion I can make my plans work out such that I can finally attend one. Look forward to your reply.

Nice to receive a more frequent update. Well, I walked the Mardi Gras parade with the Red Hussars Alumni group. That bunch of "Senior Citizens"walked the two miles from Rose Hill to Houston Ave. in under one hour. I "Escorted Them", but I wasn't playing a horn or beating a drum, I don't know how they do it. My wife Phyllis(Soliz "class of 1970) plays the tenor drum and marches lead, and all I have to do is get the spectators out of the way, so the Hussars don't trip on them. Two classmates from "68" marched, Cecile (Trevino) Esqueda, and Paula (Daigle) Sheppard. Our class was well represented. From the crowd I saw there didn't seem to be the normal amount, but the weather was overcast. So, in that regard I guess it was a good turnout. Got to see the Budweiser horses. Those are some BIGGGG animals. P.S. I finally got a new roof. Praise The Lord. I have to pay attention not to pass up my house. It doesn't look the same without ole Blue.

Hey all...I'm Tonna (Cooksey) Bouillion. I married Gary Bouillion from TJ. Actually, I went to TJ until the middle of my Junior year when my parents ripped me from my comfort zone and drug me to the then very small town of Lumberton. Gary graduated TJ 1968...I graduated Lumberton High 1968...we got married August 1968 and by some miracle...still are married. We have one wonderful son Gary J....one fantastic daughter-in-law Shelli...one grandaughter Addison (18 months)...and a grandson due the first part of June. Life is good...family is great...grandkids are the absolute best part of getting older. Now I know why people have kids in the first place...heehee

We live in Leander, Texas which is just a stones throw NW Austin. Moved here in 1976 and just love it. I love to read the notes from past classmates (notice I didn't say old classmates).

Thank so much for the updates, really look forward to them. I don't go to P.A. too much. but.....I have just returned from there . We saw some bad sites, makes you wonder and makes me thankful I'm way over here in NW Houston. Although I don't know any one here, we didn't suffer the storm, just a light rain and some wind, but not much. I rode it out in a hospital bed. Funny, huh?

I wanted to mention the new addition to my family, my first grandchild born to my daughter Becky and her husband Johnnie .Isabella Gwen Wilson was born November 23rd she weighed 6 lbs 3 oz. My other daughter Jennifer and her husband Dave are expecting a baby girl in three weeks. Needless to say I am thrilled to be a grandma and will be doubly blessed with two grandaughters only months apart. We all live within a seven block radius. I have my nursery ready and will be watching both babies.It will be my joy as well as saving the kids on the expense of daycare. Becky goes back to work tomorrow so I will start watching Isabella.

I went to see the revival of the Sabine Pass auditorium that was featured on EXTREME MAKEOVERS. I ran into Georgette Licatino and her husband Ronnie at the little dinner. Sabine Pass is still badly damaged. There is some remodeling going on and there was a 25 ft boat with a cabin in the middle of a field upside down approximately a mile from the water. They had moved the barge that was near the 4 way stop. You can see the work being done on the fire station. It is good to know that the area is being helped. It was very touching to see them line up the Sabine Pass school children and the parents of the drama kids in the very front so they could be there when the limo arrived.

I'm having a heart cath next Thursday, May 25. The doctor has found a small blockage but anticipates we can care for it with medication. Pray that all is simple and easy.

Janette had her heart cath Thursday is at home doing well.

After hearing the news about Clifford, the following classmates conveyed their kind sentiments for our classmate:

Janette Light Norton, Linda Gothia, Cla Simon Weishaar, Rebecca "Becky" Carr Errington, Paul Colletti, Jody Hopkins Barbin, and Patricia Trahan Knox. Thanks especially to Carol Olivier Nunez who contacted me so promptly with the news of his death. This allowed me to relay the news to all of you in a timely fashion. Thanks again, Carol.

Pati Plummer Paulino

Pt. Arthur, TX 77642

I just wanted to let everyone know that Bobby has entered the City of Port Arthur Council Race. He decided to enter since Ronnie Thompson decided to go back to coaching full time at Memorial High School (TJ).As most of you, we still have family in Port Arthur, many of them Senior Citizens. Bobby has spent the last 33 years protecting the City working as a Lt.with the Port Arthur Police Department. He retired last year and after much coaxing from friends he decided to give politics a try. Bob will be running for District 6, which includes, all of Stonegate, Griffing Park, Lakeview, Pleasure Island and Sabine Pass. It is one of two combined districts. The election is May 13.

The final tally was 57.33% for the win. I had a great campaign committee and lots of folks who helped with their donations.

Yeah to a couple of married classmates of TJ '68. Pt. Arthur is the real winner!!!

Mikey Varing cutting his uncle's yard, Alan Andrus at the Mardi Gras, Doug Norwood at the Exxon negotiating gas for his first-born son, Yolanda Reyes Bourque working cosmetics at the Bridge City Wal-Mart, Terry Sue Saulsberry Forsythe working at the Pt. Arthur Super Wal-Mart, Phyllis Hargrove LaBove at Central Mall, James Miller throwing an 80th b-d party for his dad, Gary Staton attending mass in Bridge City, and Janice Jones Kelly shopping at the Bridge City Market Basket. Allen Baldridge dropped by to visit while on a vacation from his home in Virginia. He and his wife will be returning to Texas shortly. Carl Bodin came over to help us eat some BOILED CRAWFISH!!! Of course, I can't leave out my funeral visitations while seeing Shelley Dettman, Bill Richey, Janis Hamilton Lee, Lizbeth Branick, and A.J. (Alan) Hebert.

My sister, spouse and Gloria and I have made reservations for this cruise. Don't know if you've heard about this however, my sister (class of 63) got this from some of her alumni friends and I thought I'd pass it on if anyone else is interested.

Bishop Byrne & Thomas Jefferson 1950's & 1960's Cruise Reunion. Departing Galveston 16 April 2007 for a 5-day Caribbean Reunion Cruise sailing to Cozumel & Playa del Carmen on the Carnival Cruise Line Ecstasy. Inside Cabin - 436.36 and Outside Cabin 496.36 per person.

As advertised, this is for all comers from the classes of 1950's & 1960's. For more information contact Airport Travel Agency, Southeast Texas Regional Airport, 6000 Airline Dr., Ste. 104, Beaumont, TX 77705. 1-409-722-5699, 1-800-648-4105

I think this just about does it for this update. Don't forget to contact me with any changes of e-mail addresses (I know school employees will be out this summer) and/or changes of your home address. You can also contact me if you would like a list of the 188 classmates e-mail addresses that I have on file. I also have the list in spreadsheet form. Send me any additional names of classmates that would like to be added to my UPDATE correspondence list.