5/13/26

MAIL CALL
from Judy Thompson Orr in Fremont, CA
(I received a full one-page typed letter!! Yay)
I just love getting letters in the mail these days so that’s why I am writing to you “old-school”! Also, my handwriting is not what it used to be, and I can type much quicker than I can write.
We, for the most part, are doing just grand. My husband of 55 years in September and I had an amazing trip back in January. We went to Indonesia, Singapore and Hong Kong. The main reason for the trip was to snorkel, our grand passion, in the Coral Triangle, specifically Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This is an incredibly pristine area with SO much ocean life: an abundance of fish and other creatures, and the most pristine coral we have seen anywhere, and that includes the Great Barrier Reef and Palau and the many other places we have been snorkeling! We spent 12 days on a “dive boat” and were 4 to 5 hours in the water every day! It was heavenly! There were only 11 of us on board with an astonishingly attentive 18 crew members. Before the cruise, we were in Hong Kong for 3 days and after the cruise we spent 2 days in Jakarta, 4 days in Singapore and another 3 days in Hong Kong before flying home. Just a magical trip all around.
Having retired 10 years ago, I’m also still teaching- volunteering with an organization that provides music in our schools and I teach 2nd and 4th grade, just 4 hours a week at the same school where I taught for 21 years. But the planning, prep and execution keeps me busy and my brain learning new stuff. We have another trip planned for mid-August. Hoping to get to a Tori Amos concert at Red Tocks near Denver with our middle son and then on to see our youngest son and family in New York before flying to London in September to see family and friends.
kinderjude@gmail.com

from Sandra Nicks Kelly in Rutherfordton, NC
I am always in the fast lane and addressing my Congressmen to help seniors and veterans maintain their rightful place in government spending. I also keep being very busy with my church here at least 2 if not 4 days a week. We have a great church that helps the needy here in our county and state. I hope everyone is doing as best as is possible at our age. Take care and God Bless.
Fancypixie68@gmail.com

WEBSITE DONATIONS
I received a note and donation from Rush Lynch (class of ’67), New York, NY
“Your website has brought me news and joy for 20+ years now. Save for TJHS ’62 and TJHS ’68 there aren’t any other TJHS websites left. Thank you for your hard work.”
Thank you for your kind words and financial support.

An additional donation and note was sent from Judy Thompson Orr
“Please take the enclosed donation and use it however it best suits the TJHS website. You and Mike are amazing and we are so lucky to have you to keep us all connected.” Thank you, sweet Judy. It is so good to hear from you and we appreciate your support.
A donation was made by Linda DeCuir in memory of classmate, Charline Valenciano Allen.

Ways to DONATE to the Website:
Write a Check made out to:
Send to:
Linda DeCuir McFadden
7699 Boardwalk
Lumberton, TX 77657
Or
Venmo
User: Thomas-Jefferson68
lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com

MINI REUNION coming soon Planning will take place this week or so.
Stay tuned.
Date will be possibly June or July.

MOTHER’S DAY (May 10)
In memory of all departed mothers and especially remembering classmate, James Miller and Carolyn Lyons, who will be spent their first Mother’s Day without their mom. 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, no matter how long ago it was. 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 21)
In memory of all departed fathers since last Father’s Day. I’m sure there are some 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

A FEW MEMORIES OF MY JUNIOR HIGH YEARS (Woodrow Wilson)
(Sadly, I didn’t have ANYONE take me up on sending in THEIR elementary memories last website update!)
• Scared to death I wouldn’t find my classrooms in time
• Band hall facing the intercoastal canal on the seawall (How cool was that?)
• Learning marching band formations
• Combining Woodrow, Edison and TJ Bands for a halftime show at Yellow Jacket Stadium
• Having a school song and fight song
• Making many new friends from other elementary schools
• Tri Hi Y invitations and dances getting a pretty corsage
• Football games and homecoming corsages
• Cheerleaders and pep rallies
• Homerooms
• Hall passes
• Student council and elections
• Foreign language class
• Presidential fitness tests
• Auditorium gatherings
• Being a sports-writer for the school newspaper
• Duck and cover drills because of the Cuban crisis
• Having swimming class FIRST period ALL three years
• House parties
• Slumber parties
• Lakeview swimming pool
• Carpooling or taking bus downtown
• Use of beautiful library across the street from the school
• Madras jackets and surfer crosses
• HI 9 check day (little sisters)
• MEETING MIKE LAWSON in person for the first time. His mom told him to look me up when he went to Woodrow since he and my mom met in St. Mary Hospital when we were born a day apart.
NOW, please send me some of your memories or crazy things that happened to you.

NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
We attended our annual family reunion crawfish boil in Fulshear at my niece’s home on March 21st. Always great! Her husband had a kidney transplant on March 31st. He has been on dialysis for the last two years. This was his third transplant. His mother donated his first, his father for his second and this time, he had a donor exchange. Miracles happen every day. He and his wife have 3 precious boys, 2, 4, and 6. We had a great weekend for the senior ring ceremony in College Station. My granddaughter wanted a luau themed weekend. Perfect. The Airbnb that her dad and family rented had a pool, hot tub, outside bar and patio. We had a great time. What made the ceremony even more special was Drew asked Murphy to present her the senior ring during the ceremony…..what a great honor!!! We are going to watch her in the play, Shrek on Murphy’s 77th birthday on June 13. I celebrated my 76th birthday on Cinco de Mayo or as I call it, Cinco de Me, Me, Me. My neighbor brought a card and some turtle pecan cheesecake. Then, Murphy and I went to Tequila’s Restaurant on Gulfway Dr. (16th St.) in the same building where Pizza inn used to be. I, of course, had a large margarita and tacos. Then, two days later we went to my niece’s home in Spring for a belated birthday and went to TOP GOLF and watched the guys and ate snacks. Then, the servers brought me a birthday dessert! Then, on to a Mexican restaurant to eat lunch. My nephew also made me some brownies. The next day, my daughter Stacy and her boyfriend brought me chocolate covered strawberries and took us to Pappadeaux’s for another belated birthday and early Mother’s Day. After eating a wonderful dinner, the server brought me a birthday dessert! You would have thought that would have been enough. Nooooo. We ate fried chicken for Mother’s Day. I wonder why the scale said, “Whoa, Nellie!” Glad this coming week isn’t anything to celebrate. Just being alive. But, after surviving cancer at 29 years old, I am grateful for EVERY birthday! Ole

SUPPORT
Dianna Caillier Lewis
Mar. 21
A note from Dianna
I am writing you a short letter. I am at rehab at Bon Vie. I fell at home. I am here for therapy. I am having troubling walking on my right leg. (I have been checking on Dianna at least once a week. She is improving but not strong enough to go home yet.)
Dianna Lewis
Bon Vie Assisted Living
Room 608
8595 Medical Center Blvd.
Port Arthur, TX 77640

Judy Thompson Orr
I am waiting on hip replacement surgery. Because there was a strike of Physical Therapists in our HMO (Kaiser) back in February, elective surgeries are very backed up. First, my surgery was scheduled in July but has since been moved up to May 22 due to an opening. Very popular procedure! Meanwhile, I can’t go for my daily walks, but I do swim at our gym at least 4 times a week and that really helps.
kinderjude@gmail.com
40923 Camero Place
Fremont, CA 94539

Rex Meyer
(a note from Linda Olivier Meyer)
I wanted to let you know that Rex has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He is taking the recommended medication and he has his good days and bad days. Please keep him in your prayers.
rex@geomon.net
835 5th St.
Sealey, TX 77474

Billy Caldwell
Had a stroke in March. He underwent tests in April that showed 50% blocked in one artery to the brain. They want to implant a heart monitor. He will update me when he finds out more.
bgcaldwell@outlook.com
12092 Woodbrook Dr.
Conroe, TX 77306

Debbie Borres Desmond
Cancer remission
Desmonddebbie353@gmail.com
503 37th St.
Nederland, TX 77627

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

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

Ernie Castaneda Bullion
NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis)
1950tina@gmail.com
6215 Marble Falls
Lumberton, TX 77657

Charlie Fontenot
Prostate cancer. Trying to regain his strength.
cajunfont@aol.com
412 Brookdale
League City, TX 77573

Kay King Young
Health issues involving lymphoma
12256 Emerald Mist Ln.
Conroe, TX 77304

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

Mike Soileau
Weekly infusions
Soilm47@aol.com
3223 FM 2791
Atlanta, TX 75551

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

There are a few who have reached out and have health issues but want to remain anonymous. Please add them to your prayers, also.

CONDOLENCES
(Classmate obituaries are in the MEMORIAL section)

Classmate gone too soon

Charline Valenciano Allen
October 10, 1950 – April 3, 2026
Jhargrave77@yahoo.com
Jamie Hargrave
329 Yorkshire Ln.
Port Neches, TX 77651

OTHER DEATHSv (These obituaries may be found in the OBITUARY section)

Susie Baker
January 10, 1954 – March 18, 2026
(sister of the late Steve Baker)
Bat-tx2974@sbcglobal.net
Becky Baker Thomas
2633 Saba Ln.
Port Neches, TX 77651

Stacey Norwood Vickers
September 18, 1974 – March 20, 2026
(daughter of the late Doug Norwood & Karen Fenn ’69)

Gardenrose49@hotmail.com
Karen Fenn Norwood
19811 Lone Paddock Circle
Tomball, TX 77377

Ronnie Abate
June 10, 1947 – April 5, 2026
(husband of Joyce Marceaux)

Abate.joyce@yahoo.com
Joyce Marceaux Abate
6305 Marble Falls
Lumberton, TX 77657

Debbie Morgan
June 15, 1954 – April 10, 2026
(sister of Arleen “Becky” Morgan)
Tomjackson1234@gt.rr.com
Becky Morgan Jackson
6245 Jenny Lane
Lumberton, TX 77657

Penny Moss Bolyard
February 1, 1940 – April 25, 2026
(sister of Donny Moss)
Don53moss@yahoo.com
Donny Moss
13560 Wayside Dr.
Beaumont, TX 77713

Mark Carlsen
November 9, 1958 – May 8, 2026
(brother of Linda Carlsen)
Lchapman650@att.net

Linda Carlsen Chapman
1526 El Cielo
Leander, TX 78641

Thank you to Janis Hamilton Lee and Jeanette Constantine Morgan for informing me of some of these deaths. I also found some that were posted on good ole FB. Keep me posted, please.

This newsletter gets harder each time especially with so many classmates having health issues and deaths in their families. Please contact them and also add them to your prayer circle.

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