5/6/25

MAIL CALL
from Bill Horton in Austin
(Notes from some of his adventures)
March 12
I've gotten behind on trip reports so this post covers stuff I did in January and February. Started with a week in Big Bend with day hikes and backpacking. Then a week in Churchill, Manitoba to view the Aurora Borealis. Then the annual Granite Gripper on February 1 followed by a long weekend climbing with The American Alpine Club - Austin Chapter at Continental Ranch on the beautiful Pecos River.
March 15 NatHab provided everyone with a full winter outfit including snow boots, insulated pants and parka, mittens, and balaclava. It was enough for the blizzard that hit Churchill on day 2. For 3 days the temperature didn't get above -24F; the coldest was -31F with wind chill of -58F while viewing the aurora. Leave no skin uncovered! The blizzard was unusual by local standards. It shut down the town and kept us mostly indoors all day. Wind was blowing at 85 to 105mph, snow was going sideways! That was the same cold front that dumped snow in Houston and New Orleans a few days later.
Billh812@gmail.com

WEBSITE DONATIONS
From Pat Trahan Knox
“I’ve been meaning to take care of this for quite some time, but I just haven’t done it. I would like to make this donation in honor of you and Mike. You two give so much time and effort to keep all of us graduates in contact with one another and you are both so appreciated.”
(These words are so uplifting. Mike and I do work the website and newsletter as a LABOR OF LOVE! Someday, we won’t be able to physically and mentally be able to continue, but as of now we are hanging in there!)

From Linda DeCuir McFadden in memory of our recently departed classmates, Godfrey Charles, Dennis Schmidt, Marilyn Jackson and Steve Wentworth.

Ways to donate to the Website:
Send a CHECK made out to:
Linda McFadden
Send To:
Linda DeCuir McFadden
7699 Boardwalk
Lumberton, TX 77657
or
Pay by Venmo
user: Thomas-Jefferson68
or
Pay by ZELLE
lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com

NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
The WoodmenLife (formerly known as Woodmen of the World) convention in San Antonio April 11-13 was fun. It has been many, many years since we have been there for a stay. We mainly go through San Antonio on the way to somewhere else. The first thing I realized was that my cane was sorely needed. Glad I brought it. When I was in my 30’s, the RIVERWALK path was a breeze. Not so much anymore. It was packed. It was so very different with all the hotels and dozens of restaurants to choose from. It is definitely a place to people-watch. I was surprised and disappointed that the ALAMO is no longer open inside. Hmmm. It really has been a long time. Our two granddaughters from A&M met us in Fulshear for our annual family crawfish boil. It was the first time I have eaten crawfish since I had Salmonella a year ago. It was fun to be with the nieces and nephews and my only sibling, Danny Boy and his wife, Rosie. When we lived in Bridge City, 1978-2008, our house was the “party” place for all the family togethers. That all changed once we lost our house to Hurricane Ike. So, now we get to go to the next generation’s homes. We haven’t made it to SW Louisiana to check out my cousins and places that make up lots of my memories from trips taken with my parents and siblings. It took us 4 hours going down Hwy 90 in the day before IH10 was built. We would leave at 4am on Saturday morning because it took so long to get there and we it was cooler since we had no air conditioner in the vehicles. Then, we would leave at 3pm on Sunday afternoon to return back home to PA. Now, it just takes 2 ½ hours to get to the Loreauville/New Iberia area. Murphy and I are going to the Lamar Alumni Baseball game and luncheon next weekend. We are looking forward to that. The majority of our class has probably already hit their 75th birthday by now. Mike Lawson and I are a day apart, May 4 for Mike (May the 4th Be With You) and May 5 (Cinco de Me, Me, Me!) Our mothers met in St. Mary Hospital when they shared rooms. Small world. It has been a while for me to go to a game, but Murphy and I are going to go to an Astros game on May 28 on a tour bus for SENIORS. I sure hope they drop us off close! Lol. For my birthday week, I started off going to mass this morning in Bridge City and Murphy treated me to China Star buffet in Beaumont. Monday (my actual Cinco de Mayo b-d) will be a lunch at with my niece (bonus daughter) at Tiger Harry’s in Liberty. Tuesday will be a WoodmenLife business luncheon at Tequila’s in Bridge City. I give my digestive system a break on Wednesday with just a B1 infusion at the doctor’s office and a manicure later that afternoon. Coffee club and massage and facial is on tap Thursday. Sounds like a plan to me! Happy Cinco de Mayo (Me, Me, Me) to moi! Thank heavens I don’t have a doctor appointment that requires a weigh-in for a few weeks!

MOTHER’S DAY (May 11)
In memory of all departed mothers and especially remembering classmates, Kathleen Anniboli, Cynthia Marshall and Debbie Andrews, who will be spending this first Mother’s Day without them. I’m sure there are others in our class who we weren’t aware of their mother’s recent passing. You are welcome to send in a picture and obituary link. I will publish them. Hugs to all.

How I wish that you and I
Could still meet up each day,
To chat and put the world to rights
In the same old way.
But even though my special wish
Can’t possibly come true,
I’ll always have sweet memories
Of happy times with you.
I know you’re watching over me
High in Heaven above,
And every day throughout my life
I’ll think of you with love.
Author unknown

FATHER’S DAY (June 15)
In memory of all departed fathers and especially remembering classmate, Jimmy Hebert, who will be spending this first Father’s Day without his dad. I’m sure there are others in our class who we weren’t aware of their dad’s recent passing. You are welcome to send in a picture and obituary link. I will publish them. Sending hugs.

You may have thought I didn't see,
Or that I hadn't heard,
Life lessons that you taught to me,
But I got every word.
Perhaps you thought I missed it all,
And that we'd grow apart,
But Dad, I picked up everything,
It's written on my heart.
Without you, Dad, I wouldn't be
The person I am today;
You built a strong foundation
No one can take away.
I've grown up with your values,
And I'm very glad I did;
So here's to you, dear father,
From your forever grateful kid.
By Joanna Fuchs

SUPPORT
Ronnie Abate (husband of Joyce Marceaux)
Mar 30
I need prayers for Ronnie. We had to admitted him late Friday night at St. Elizabeth Hospital for double pneumonia again. The doctors are also looking at his swelling and his heart at this time for any problems.
April 28
I brought him back to Methodist Hospital in Houston. He couldn't breathe. Since he came back from the hospital 3 weeks ago, he just had been getting worst. His oxygen was 87. He has trouble with fluid on his lungs and puss pockets, and scar tissue buildup. His heart is not working as it should. The pressure is too high and they need to get that down.
May 4
Ronnie is still in the hospital. On Monday, the Lung Doctor is going scope his lungs. The heart is stable with the new meds, but it is still a damaged heart. The heart had fluid around it and the lungs had fluid in them. So, they are pumping him with fluid meds by IV 24/7 to relieve the pressure off the heart and the lungs. They are giving him antibiotics and a drip 24/7 to prevent clots. Yesterday he started to complain about pain in his back down his leg. A CT scan found a blood clot on the right side. Please pray that all goes well with his surgery and that no more clots are found. Abate.joyce@yahoo.com
6305 Marble Falls
Lumberton, TX 77657

Billy Fowler
Mar. 13
I haven’t been in touch due to health issues. It started with my hands and became worse with other parts such as arms and my balance. I quit driving in November and began falling and unable to get up around Christmas as I grew increasingly weaker. I eventually ended up on a walker and could barely feed myself. After much testing, we found the problem was pinched nerves in my upper spine. Surgery was scheduled for January 31st, but I had to go through emergency at Texas Spine and Joint on January 5th. Surgery was successful on the 8th fusing C3 - C6 together. Recovery has been slow and will take a while longer. I have recently completed my therapy and the Doctor says it could take as much as year to return to normal. I told him that would surely be a miracle since I've never been normal.
Fowler.wm@gmail.com
4171 FM1844
Gladewater, TX 75607

Susan Reagle Duplant
Mar 10
Recovering from the 4 fusion vertebrae in neck. Such an easy surgery! Just that much more metal in my body...lol. Actually, it didn’t help for what I went in for. Lumbar is the problem. Been fighting other issues. Can't do much of anything. Seeing a doc in Houston about an artery in the back of my head that is not doing its job. Praying that will fix some issues. It seems endless.
texasbeargrammy@aol.com
2688 Foreman
Vinton, LA 70668

Mike & Linda Faulk
May 1 update from daughter, Malinda Boudreaux
Things are stable for now. Dad is finishing up radiation next week for a cancerous nodule in his neck. Mom is continuing her treatments for her NSCLC lung cancer (the most common lung cancer for non-smokers)
Msf50@gt.rr.com
8370 E. Bridgefield
Orange, TX 77630

Betty Steck Stewart
Several health issues including extreme arthritis
Bjstewart09@yahoo.com
7223 Shady Arbor Lane
Houston, TX 77040


Diane Barker Foreman
Numerous serious health issues
dianebforeman@gmail.com
5541 Garfield
Groves, TX 77619

Carole Oubre and husband, Marvin Reeves
Carole-pancreatic cancer and Marvin had a tumor removed from his bladder. He will start chemo in June.
Carole.reeves@att.net
6536 Jefferson
Groves, TX 77619

Ernie Castaneda Bullion
NASH (Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis)
Has been improving with occupational, physical and speech therapy at home.
1950tinab@gmail.com
6215 Marble Falls
Lumberton, TX 77657

Charline Valenciano Allen
Assisted Living for dementia
Jhargrace77@yahoo.com
8695 Medical Center Blvd.
Port Arthur, TX 77640

Dianna Caillier Lewis
Daughter, Jacqueline had a fire and lost all her belongings. She has moved in with her mother.
912 E. 6th Street
Port Arthur, TX 77640

Charlie Fontenot
Continuing shots and meds for another year for prostate cancer
Cajunfont@aol.com
412 Brookdale
League City, TX 77573

Johnny Vasquez
Dementia
4546 Springdale
Port Arthur, TX 77642

CONDOLENCES
Classmates Gone Too Soon

Godfrey Charles
2/7/50 – 2/27/25
Family of Godfrey Charles
% Gabriel Funeral Home
3800 Memorial Blvd.
Port Arthur, TX 77642
(Thank you to James Miller for telling me about Godfrey’s passing)

Dennis Schmidt
11/7/49 – 4/5/25
Kathy Leitch
7430 Circle 9
Orange, TX 77630

Jason Schmidt
2347 Hwy 90
Weimar, TX 78962
(Thank you to Kathy Melancon Perio and Karen Giles Hopper for informing me about Dennis’ death)

Marilyn Jackson Williamson
12/23/49 – 4/22/25
THIS IS REALLY HARD ON OUR REUNION COMMITTEE. MARILYN WAS AN INTREGRAL PART OF IT. SHE ALWAYS VOLUNTEERED FOR MORE THAN HER APPOINTED “JOBS”. SHE ALSO WAS THE MAIN REASON WE STARTED HAVING THE MINI-REUNION LUNCHEONS. IT WAS HER IDEA AND SHE MADE THE PLANS FOR EACH OF THEM. SHE WILL BE MISSED.
Edna Beard
2315 Glenwood
Port Arthur, TX 77642
(Thank you to Edna Beard for this information)

Steve Wentworth
7/26/49 - 4/25/25
Leslie Wentworth
370 Toyah Dr.
Dripping Springs, TX 78620
He will have a memorial service on July 26 at St. Phillips Church in Huffman, TX (Steve’s wife contacted Mike with the information)

FAMILY OF CLASSMATES

Janiece Marshall
7/24/32 – 8/10/24
(mother of Cynthia Marshall Devlin)
cynjad@msn.com
PO Box 46
Zavalla, TX 75980
(note from Cynthia)
My sweet mom who taught English at TJ from 1969 -1995 became ill with Covid-Pneumonia and she, at 92 years old, died very quickly. We did have a big birthday party early for her in July and all the family were able to attend.

Ronnie Quick
8/22/65 – 2/4/25
(brother of Allen Baldridge)
Allen_baldridge@hotmail.com
1618 Pineview Ln.
Hideaway, TX 75771
(No obituary available)

Muriel Andrews
3/10/28 -3/25/25
(mother of Debbie Andrews Hoelzle)
debhoelzle@aol.com
211 Mosely Circle
Longview, TX 75605

Robert Lewis
2/15/45 – 4/15/25
(husband of Dianna Caillier Lewis)
912 E. 6th St.
Port Arthur, TX 77640

Paul Rabuck
12/22/46 – 4/30/25
(husband of Shirley Roll Rabuck)
srabuck@gmail.com
452 CR 2077
Woodville, TX 75979

(a tribute from Shirley on FB. No obituary was available at the time of this writing)
Paul Rabuck, the love of my life has passed away and gone to a better place. He is in Heaven in the loving arms of Jesus his Lord and Savior. No more pain, needles, treatments but enjoying the glory of Heaven and the ones who have gone on before him. Paul was surrounded by family when he took his last 2 breaths and peacefully passed.
Paul was a fighter and a lover. He battled Multiple Myeloma for 27 years after being diagnosed in Feb. of 1998 at the age of 51. He never complained and had a positive attitude the whole time. He loved people and enjoyed visiting with other patients at MDA, giving them hope by telling his story, his journey. He leaves a legacy of putting others first before himself, always a friend willing to help and he would give you the shirt off his back, even if you didn’t need it.
He was a wonderful Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Friend and I will miss him dearly!

Classmates and friends,
I want to feel happy for making it to my milestone 75th birthday but am saddened by all the news I had to include in the SUPPORT AND CONDOLENCE sections of my newsletter. We need to experience every day to the fullest and be glad in it.


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