6/3/24

MAIL CALL
from Bill Horton in Austin I had some fun adventures in 2023 starting with a backpack trip in Big Bend NP with classmate, Gary Jones and a few others. In June, my two children went with me for a week in California. We camped, climbed, and hiked in Yosemite NP. Then we joined some ex-coworkers and others for three days of whitewater rafting on rivers near Yosemite. All three were near flood stage from the record snowfall and the rafting was intense.
August was forecast to be hot, so I left home and spent the whole month in Wyoming and Colorado. Every day here it was at least 100F. I backpacked for a week in Yellowstone National Park and it was great - unique scenery and hardly any other people out on the trails. The rest of the month was spent climbing, hiking, camping, and watching wildlife.
Two mini-adventures in the fall were fun. First was a week backpacking in the Pecos Wilderness of New Mexico. Then 4 days canoeing down Lake Travis with camping along the way. Then the annual trip hiking in Big Bend in January 2024.
Billh812@gmail.com

from Carolyn (Bigler) Hebert, wife of Alfred Hebert in Longview
I love ya’lls website. It is growing and getting better and better.
Cbhebert2006@outlook.com

WEBSITE DONATIONS
from Sharon Lewis Forrest. Thanks for your support
from Linda DeCuir McFadden in memory of classmates, Terry Skaro and Beth Robbs

ECLIPSE 2024 STORIES








from Kenny & Beverly Bragg in Arkansas
We drove to Umpire, AR to get exactly on the line of totality. There is a state park there and there were people from all over! License plates from Iowa, N Dakota, Oregon, Montana, Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, Louisiana and some people from POLAND. Unbelievable if you consider this is a very small, out of the way place. And we ran into our neighbors from across the street, the Joneses! Enjoyed an amazing total eclipse!
kenwbragg@gmail.com

from Allen & Wanda Baldridge in Hideaway, TX
We had a neighbor backyard get-together party. It was magnificent and so much fun to experience with life-long friends.
Allen_Baldridge@hotmail.com
(Murphy and I were invited but were unable to go! Bummer)

from Felicia (Hiatt) & David Petit in Dickinson, TX
We went to Emory, TX and had a great time. On the day of the eclipse, we thought we were going to be out of luck because of the cloud cover. But luckily it was clear in time to see it all. My cousin, Margaret Hartfel, drove down from St. Paul, MN experience the eclipse with us.
texteach@yahoo.com
(THANK YOU so much for sending the photo to share with the classmates.)

from Bill & Rhonda Richey in Orange, TX
“Totality or Bust” was our slogan as we pulled our travel trailer from Rayburn Lake to Canton, Texas.
We achieved totality viewing, and the experience was spectacular. The clouds moved away to allow our experience for this remarkable event. Rhonda particularly loved the “Diamond”. The total eclipse is indescribable and was humbling as a Christian, who is amazed by God‘s creation. The totality view and extreme darkness at noon was emotional. We would do it again. We are sorry that we were not prepared for photographs.
Wrichey001@gt.rr.com

CRAZY WEATHER
I know that some of our classmates have been affected by the horrible weather. Tornadoes and flooding have made their way all across the SETX area, Dallas, Waco, Oklahoma, Louisiana etc. If you have a story, please reach out to me.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Many of you might remember this story. But, I’ll refresh it. Mike Lawson (our classmate and esteemed webmaster) and I were both in St. Mary’s Hospital together. He was born on May 4 and my mom was in labor ALL MAY 4th and I was born on May 5. Our two moms, along with Robert McClintock and Barry Boudreaux’s moms, were all together in the same room. Robert and Barry were both born on May 6th. When Mike was ready to go to Woodrow Wilson JH, his mom said, “Go look up Linda DeCuir.” And he did and that’s how we re-met! I wrote for the sports news for the school paper at Woodrow. I also wrote a summer newsletter to all the classmates in Mr. Rowland’s homeroom at TJ. I guess that is how my love for our class came about. Then, Mike and I reconnected to do this website and newsletter many, many years ago! There you have it. Our love story continues. Shhhhh Don’t tell Murphy and Mike’s wife, Meredith!

NEWS FROM THE HOME FRONT
I went to see Gone With The Wind at the Cinemark theatre recently. I had not seen it on the big screen since the early 70’s when I went to see it at the Don Drive In! It was just as I remembered. I have several collectibles and a whole series of PLATES that I use to place on a plate rack. I need to get all of it out and enjoy them again. Not Murphy’s “THING” LOL. I celebrated my 74th birthday on Cinco de Me, Me, Me! It’s all about ME! A friend gave me several items for celebrating my birthday on Cinco de Mayo. (My Mexican friends that own Tequilas Restaurant in PA always laugh and say it is a Gringo holiday.) The gifts I received were precious wooden signs and Mexican sodas to put with my Hispanic decorations on the table and in the house, an adorable Cinco de Mayo shirt I have worn several places, a flag to hang in my yard and a large inflatable DONKEY to go with the colorful banner I had on the porch. I had all this out for more than a month. Loved every minute. People would honk if I was in the yard. My youngest A&M granddaughter came over for my birthday to spend with Murphy and I. We ordered Mexican food from Tia Juanitas and she decorated a table in the den so we could watch COCO. It is a Disney movie about Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead). It is a very cute and heartwarming story. We drank frozen Margaritas while we watched. Great quality time with just her. Can’t beat that. She is majoring in Visualization and loves to watch Disney and Pixar movies when we get together. She even makes us rate them!!!
I gave COCO a 10!
When we moved to Lumberton after Hurricane Ike in 2008, we found a house that wasn’t as big as ours we lost in Bridge City. So, there is a lack of closet space, a much smaller garage, less attic space, etc. I like to decorate for the seasons, Mardi Gras, Easter, Cinco de Mayo, Patriotic, Thanksgiving, Christmas. I even have all my stuff for the class reunions. Those boxes of decorations were getting too many. So, I went and rented a storage unit ½ mile from here. When I began, the rent was $125.00 a month. It has gradually gone up to $300.00!!! Then, it even flooded recently! Enough is enough. So, Murphy and I went and had a portable barn building made (10x12). It just got delivered. I’m pretty scared all my boxes of decorations won’t fit, but fingers crossed. The building was my birthday present. Yay me!

MILITARY
If you have a picture of yourself or family member, we will be honored to add them to our Military section.

INFORMATION NEEDED
PLEASE keep your information updated. Address, e-mail, cell #’s are on my spreadsheet. I am constantly making changes. That helps me to keep you informed.

SUPPORT
Bill Horton
The last year has had some old age problems but not too bad overall. I injured a hamstring in late February and it took 6 months to completely heal. 50 years ago, it would have healed in a few weeks. Then, I had cataract surgery and got a pacemaker to increase resting heart rate from 30 BPM to 70.
Billh812@gmail.com
2427 Trail of the Madrones
Austin, TX 78746

Dianna (Caillier) and Robert Lewis
Many medical issues. If you have ever been mentioned in the SUPPORT or CONDOLENCE section, Dianna has probably sent you a sweet get well or condolence card. She is a very kind person and terrific classmate.
912 E. 6th St.
Port Arthur, TX 77640

Charline Valenciano Allen
In an assisted living facility dealing with demetia
Jhargrave77@yahoo.com
8695 Medical Center Blvd.
Port Arthur, TX 77640

Diane Barker Foreman is having issues with falls and various medical issues. Keep her in your prayers.
dianebforeman@gmail.com
5541 Garfield
Groves, TX 77619

Carolyn Lyons fell and broke one wrist and sprang the other one this week. She is recovering slowly.
Outoftheatic@hotmail.com 2636 Galleon Ave.
Port Hueneme, CA 93041

Marilyn Jackson is finished with her treatments for her two kinds of cancer. She is feeling well but now is helping her mother who just fell and broke her hip.
marilynsjw@yahoo.com
2315 Glenwood
Port Arthur, TX 77642

Jeanette Constantine Morgan
Was in the hospital for high blood pressure and low potassium. Recovering now.
denandjune@yahoo.com
3901 Hwy 366
Groves, Tx 77619

JoAnn Tauzin Labrada
Finished 6 months of chemo for breast cancer. Also finished 33 radiation treatments and 23 libtayo treatments. Healing well.
285 CR 365
Brookland, TX 75931

Johnny Vasquez
Serious medical issues
4546 Springdale
Port Arthur, TX 77642

Carole Oubre Reeves
Pancreatic cancer
Carole.reeves@att.net
6536 Jefferson
Groves, TX 77619

Alfred Hebert (faculty) and wife, Carolyn (Bigler) Hebert
Various medical issues
Cbhebert2006@outlook.com

CONDOLENCES
CLASSMATES GONE TOO SOON
TERRY SKARO
Dec. 17, 1949 – June 11, 2021
(Thanks to Beverly Copeland Gaspard for informing me of Terry’s death that occured 3 years ago.)

BETH ROBBS
Aug. 29, 1950 – May 21, 2024
No services were held and no obituary available
(Thanks to Mary Wells Cook for reaching out to me about Beth’s passing)


Aline Gothia
1/8/30 – 4/1/24
(mother of Linda Gothia)
659 Ridgewood Dr.
Port Neches, TX 77651

Jason Dale Guidry
12/27/71 – 4/10/24
(son of Dale Guidry)
7023 Wilford RD.
Beaumont, TX 77705

Gerald John Weber, Jr.
11/4/52 – 4/17/24
(brother of Lana Weber Guidry)
3333 Turtle Creek Dr. #811
Port Arthur, TX 77642

 ‘67
9/26/47 – 5/19/24
Ricky Quebedeaux '67
(brother of the late Mike Quebedeaux)


I was pleased with the classmates that reached out and gave me stories, news or info on other classmates. I really appreciate that. One classmate felt guilty writing about something he had been doing. Please, that is what I really like. Keep it up. I know everyone has been busy with GRANDS with proms, graduations, etc. Now, you should be getting some down time.

Stay in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden
lindaDmcfadden@yahoo.com
www.tjhs1968.com