1/15/26

MAIL CALL
COMPUTER WOES? Well, since two months ago when Mike Lawson had so much trouble, I “think” we are out of the woods. It took forever and also a lot of new equipment, but I think he has it all working smoothly. Fingers crossed!

DONATIONS
We received generous donations from Bill Horton, Bruce Meyer, Cherlyn Hebert and Cynthia Marshall. Linda DeCuir also sent in a donation in memory of George Holtzclaw and Linda Dowling. Our checking account took quite a hit buying new soft wear, computer, warranties, and also Go Daddy. Cherlyn Hebert sent the following note with her donation, “I have been remiss in sending a donation to at least provide Mike with the tools he needs to maintain our TJHS ’68 website.” Thank you to all who have supported us in this effort with kind words, information needed and donations.

Ways to donate to the Website:
A Check made out to:
Linda McFadden

Send to:
Linda DeCuir McFadden
7699 Boardwalk
Lumberton, TX 77657
Or
Venmo
User: Thomas-Jefferson68
lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com

CLASSMATE DEATHS
In the last newsletter in November of 2025, I listed the classmate deaths that occured in 2025. We need to add George Holtzclaw to that list since he passed away in December. I appreciate Janis Hamilton Lee for informing me of his death. Also Linda Dowling passed away on January 13, 2026. If my count is correct, we now have 203 KNOWN deaths in our class. It could certainly be a higher number since we have lost touch with a large number of classmates. Check out our MEMORIAL section for the classmate deaths. Reminder: the OBITUARY section is for deaths of family members, faculty members and local business owners, NOT classmates.

ENJOYING our WEBSITE?
Our website is SO MUCH MORE than the front page and the newsletter. Be sure to scroll ALL the way down on the front page to check out CONTACT INFO for Mike and I. Also, ALL three years of high school annuals (sophomore, junior and senior) are on our website by clicking on CLASS ANNUAL LINKS and the last 22 years of NEWSLETTERS are also there! When the winter weather is yucky and you are bored, spend some time reminiscing the website information. This website wasn’t made in a day! Take advantage of the work that has gone into it.
www.tjhs1968.com

NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
The last 11 weeks has been filled with Murphy and I having the normal winter illnesses. But Murphy has been affected much more. He has been feeling under the weather with flu that lasted almost 3 weeks and two bouts of bronchitis that have lingered. At least he did not have to go to the hospital. I had bronchitis earlier in December. I know the urgent cares around here are packed not counting the pharmacy lines are long, too. The “beer lease” was a bust for Murphy this year. He never saw a deer and because of his ongoing illnesses, he was only able to make 4 hunts at Wiergate Hunting Club in East Texas! Then, the last 2 WEEKS of December, December 15-December 31, was so sobering for us. We had NINE friends to pass away. I “guess” it made it a little easier on us with only 4 of them having a funeral. So sad. On a happier note, we have booked a senior tour for a Florida vacation for 5 days and 4 nights Mar 5-9. The main events are 3 Astros Spring Training Games, a tour of the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, a night isle dinner and show aboard the Jungle Queen Riverboat and a dinner on a tropical island. Then, we will experience a Polynesian dance and fire performance. We are looking forward to a get-away. We also look forward to seeing our Aggie granddaughter perform in two musicals, Annie and Shrek, at the Theatre Company of Bryan/College Station this spring. Then, we will head back to A&M for her Senior Ring Ceremony in April.

SUPPORT
Diane Barker Foreman
Multiple medical issues
dianebforeman@gmail.com
5541 Garfield
Groves, TX 77619

Paul Kelly (husband of Janice Jones)
Serious medical issues
lsuaggiemom@yahoo.com
10520 Commonwealth Dr.
Iola, TX 77861

Ernie (Castaneda) and Ron Bullion
Ernie suffers from NASH (Non-alcoholic statohepatitis)
Ron had a hip replacement on January 7 and has had a set-back. He is in a rehab facility. Friends & classmates have been signing up to help and also to bring food.
1950tinab@gmail.com
6215 Marble Falls
Lumberton, TX 77657

Charline Valenciano Allen
Assisted living for dementia
Jhargrave77@yahoo.com
8695 Medical Center Blvd.
Port Arthur, TX 77640

Debbie Borres Desmond
Monthly maintenance pill for leukemia
Desmonddebbie353@gmail.com
503 37th St.
Nederland, TX 77627

Randy Landry
Health issues
Rlandry1@camtel.net
2204 Rosebud
Nederland, TX 77627

Linda Wappler Turner
Recovering from a serious motorcycle accident that took the life of her husband, Mike Turner
She is staying with one of her sons while mending
Mrswizard1@yahoo.com
5523 Walnut Glen Ln.
Rosenberg, TX 77471

Kay King Young
Ongoing health issues including lymphoma
kaykingyoung@yhaoo.com
12256 Emerald Mist Ln.
Conroe, TX 77304

Mike Faulk
Health issues
Msf50@gt.rr.com
8370 Bridgefield
Orange, TX 77630

Kirk Abshire (husband of Phyllis Fett)
Acute lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia
Doing well with his chemo treatments
pabshire@yahoo.com
605 Fence Post Pass
Cedar Park, TX 78613

Linda Coates Conde
Serious health issues
2106 Lee St.
Nederland, TX 77627

Charlie Fontenot
Monitoring prostate cancer progress
cajunfont@aol.com
412 Brookdale
League City, TX 77573

Ronnie Abate (husband of Joyce Marceaux)
Ongoing medical issues
abate.joyce@yahoo.com
6305 Marble Falls Dr.
Lumberton, TX 77657

Laura Meece Darby
Recovering from major back surgery
Lauradarby49@yahoo.com
24606 Heirloom Ln.
Katy, TX 77493

Billy Caldwell
Ongoing Health issues
bgcaldwell@outlook.com
12092 Woodbrook Dr.
Conroe, TX 77306

Johnny Vasquez
Dementia
Rose Vasquez Prejean
639 Ridgewood Dr.
Port Neches, TX 77651

Dianna Caillier Lewis
Health issues
912 E. 6th St.
Port Arthur, TX 77640

CLASSMATES GONE TOO SOON
George Holtzclaw
Aug. 2, 1950 – Dec. 16, 2025
Family of George Holtzclaw
1004 S. 21st St.
Nederland, TX 77627

Linda Marie Dowling
April 29, 1950 - January 13, 2026
Family of Linda Dowling Weldon
210 S. Reid St.
Woodville, TX 75979

OTHER CONDOLENCES
Mike Babin (TJ ’66)
Mar. 2, 1948 – Nov. 9, 2025
(brother of Carol “Canny” Babin)
(soulmate & partner of Nancy Ippolito)

Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026
Visitation:
10:00 – 11:00 am
Funeral Mass
11:00 – 12:00 pm
St. James Catholic Church
3617 Gulfway Dr.
Port Arthur, TX 77642

carolprejean@att.net
Carol Babin Prejean
1507 Frontier Dr.
Arlington, TX 76012
Nanseawell@yahoo.com
Nancy Ippolito Seawell
1739 Cindy Ln
Conroe, TX 77304

Dot Hall Bell
Feb. 3, 1953 – Nov. 19, 2025
(sister of Elizabeth “Liz” Hall)
Elizabeth.hall@ttu.edu
Liz Hall Burns
1430 Meadow Run Dr.
Prosper, TX 75078

Charlie Williams
Sept. 4, 1942 – Dec. 17, 2025
(brother of David Williams)
dhoytwill@gmail.com
David Williams
316 Lazy Ln.
San Marcos, TX 78666

Charles Fitzpatrick
Oct. 24, 1944 – Dec. 28, 2025
(husband of Linda Louise Davis)
Lfitzpatrick12@gmail.com
Linda Davis Fitzpatrick
PO Box 37
Au Sable Forks, NY 12912

Local Businessman
Blaine Judice
Nov. 9, 1944 – Dec. 29, 2025
Blaine’s Barber Shop
4300 Main Ave.
Groves, TX 77619

I am sorry everything seemed to be a downer on this edition. Maybe if I get some upbeat MAIL CALL next time it won’t be so depressing. Keep me in mind when you have something fun that occurred in your world.

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