9/16/26

MAIL CALL
from Joye Jefferson Roll in Friendswood, TX
We took a vacation to the Bahamas in August. We booked an excursion with my son and his family of four kids. We were several hours offshore on a speedboat. We fed iguanas, swam with pigs, swam with nurse sharks and had lunch and then went to a beautiful beach just to swim. Our three grandsons and some of the others in the group went to the other side of a small island. Jack, 16, and Parker 12, went into the water on that side of the island. During the swim, both boys saw a shark and Jack yelled. Before they could get away from it, Parker was attacked by the SHARK while Jack was right next to him. Jack grabbed Parker and carried him onshore. While yelling for help, Jack took Parker’s swimsuit off and wrapped it around the largest injury on his leg. He said blood was everywhere. The boat crew had a first aid kit and were able to bandage the worst bites. All 24 of us on the excursion hurriedly reboarded the boat. Several men carried Parker and loaded him on the boat. Our son asked the crew it was possible to airlift him to the nearest medical facility. The crew said neither cell nor radio service was available in our location. We were two hours from any help. After traveling 45 minutes though, they were able to contact an ambulance to meet us when we would arrive at shore. Parker and his parents went to a local hospital who had called ahead to a pediatric surgeon and anesthesiologist. They were able to close-up most of the bites with stitches and staples. He was attacked on one leg and the foot on the other leg. Fortunately, only a tendon was damaged. Of course, we had to cut short our vacation and return to the states, much to the chagrin of the kids. The US surgeon checked him out. All the stitches and staples have been removed now, but a clamp was needed to finish closing up the large bite. He’s able to walk but wasn’t able to get into any water until the last bite was healed completely. He was interviewed by all the Houston news stations and GMA. He loved all the attention. All his friends have been by to see him and leave gifts. Strangers who saw him on GMA reached out to him. He was the 30th shark bite victim in 400 years in the Bahamas. He knows all the “shark stats” that one person can possibly care about. Well, a lot of prayers were said on that two-hour boat ride back to shore. God is good, and Parker and Jack have a great story to tell about their summer adventure.
Joye1950@yahoo.com
(thank you to Joye for sharing this amazing story with us)

WEBSITE DONATION
I received a note and donation from Jim Andrus in Jourdanton, TX
“Thanks so much for the TJ ’68 website. You and Mike have done a great job.”
(Thank you for your kind words & financial support, friend.)

This note and donation was received from Sharon Gary Peters in Lumberton
“I’ve enclosed a check for the TJHS website. Continued prayers for all our classmates who are ill or have lost family members.”
(Sweet of you to think of our classmates.)

A donation was also given by Linda DeCuir McFadden in memory of classmate, Shirley Moreau Betar.

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

MINI REUNION LUNCHEON
The luncheon held on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at Rancho Grande in Port Arthur was a big success. Lots of pictures were taken and shared (check out the website) and many smiles, hugs, reconnections, and stories were passed down. Those attending were:
Felicia Hiatt & David Petit
Phillip Wayne Forsythe
Linda DeCuir & Murphy McFadden
Carla Castro
Darlene Turner
Linda Gothia
Sharon Lewis Jeanette Constantine & Dennis Morgan
Lana Weber
Debbie Borres & Raymond Desmond
Dianne & Suzanne Mannino
Johnnye Doering & Bobby Williamson
Sherry Clingan
Diane Barker
Paula Daigle
Laura Meece & Bart Darby
Cecelia Trevino & Tony Esqueda
Ruelle Parker
Lana Oliver
Fred McCarty
Florence “Sissie” Woods
Jack & Chris Atkins
Darrell Richerson
Jody Juneau & Tinker Brown
Becky Harrison
Arleen Lang & Marlon Hulin
Janice Nunez & Jack Lynch
Kathleen Rosenthal
Linda Wappler
Mike Soileau
Joan Joffrion
(I hope I didn’t forget to name someone that attended.)
I sent Mike Lawson pictures taken at the luncheon that I saw posted on Face Book. The pictures may be found on the front page of the website by following these steps:
Find Box labeled PHOTO GALLERY
Click SLIDE SHOW
Click REUNIONS
Click MINI REUNIONS 2026
IF YOU took pictures and didn’t see them posted, send them to me by text
(409)749-4879 or e-mail lindaDmcfadden@yahoo.com

AMERICA’S 250 CELEBRATION
There has been so much offered on tv and in hometowns. I know Bill & Rhonda Richey had a wonderful vacation in Washington, DC and surrounding historical cities. I hope they will share some of their adventures for the next newsletter and website update. I am sure others could contribute as well.

CLASSMATE INFO I heard from Gretchen Lueders recently. She ran into Sarah Hefty a little while back and Sarah shared how to get in touch with me.
(Thank you, Sarah.) In Gretchen’s e-mail, she updated her address and e-mail. Now, she will get all the news that is news!! LOL

WEATHER
Well, southeast Texas sure was spared so far this season except for Tropical Storm Edouard. Most of us lost power for a few hours to several days. Some of the counties had a deluge of rain (Kountze in Hardin County received 20+ inches). Please send me any stories of how you experienced the storm. Fingers crossed that we might be spared of anything else. Looks promising.

WORLD CUP SOCCER
I don’t think you had to be a soccer fan or have that much knowledge to enjoy what the tv viewing had to offer. Over here, Murphy and I would pick our favorites each game depending on our ancestry. Murf is Scottish, Swedish, Norwegian, German, Irish and I have Belgian, Canadian, Togo Benin. We really enjoyed it. I taped the entire tournament and we picked many of the games to enjoy. It sure beats all the murder ID shows we constantly watch.

JEOPARDY MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
I taped all the shows and watched at my convenience. I don’t want to brag, BUT I got one right answer in EVERY game. Don’t be a hater!

NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
This has been a whirlwind over the last two months. A quick decision had our daughter sell her home on 7 acres of land here in Lumberton which meant inspectors, repairmen, buyers, porch sale, internet sales, house items sold, pack and move to her new life with her soon-to-be husband in Temple. Took our grand dog, too! But, we LOVE our almost son-in-law. He graduated a year ahead of her in Bridge City and they reconnected a year and a half ago. At the same time as the upheaval of getting her moved, we traded in two vehicles and purchased a Toyota Crown Signia. Then, the remodel of the primary bathroom began the same week of her move. Oh yeah, and Murphy had a nuclear stress test that showed abnormalities. So, Wednesday, September 16, he is scheduled for a heart cath procedure to see what is needed. He already has 8 heart stints and had a “mild” heart attack in 2016. Murphy said I call it “mild” because I was the one that didn’t have it!!! On July 29th, Murphy and I celebrated our 53rd anniversary quietly. Whew. On a fun note, we made another bus trip to a recent Astros game and brought back a win. During the ride, a rock hit the side window on the bus and we had to stop and the driver had to knock all the broken glass out. Thank heavens it was double paned. We have made plans to travel with the tour group to Dallas to the Prestonwood Christmas production. We are looking forward to that.

ARTICLES
Mike Lawson has included in this website update three awesome articles of interest:
The Largest Gas Station Ever (story of Bucee's)
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Boneau’s Record Shop
To find these stories, scroll ALL THE WAY down to the bottom of the website home page. If you come upon any interesting subject articles, send them our way. We always appreciate your involvement. Enjoy

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

Ron Bullion (husband of Ernie Castaneda)
Several falls and health issues
Receiving physical therapy
9000ronb@gmail.com
6215 Marble Falls
Lumberton, TX 77657

Gaylon Jones
Serious health issues. Went to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to be evaluated for cardiac and neuropathy problems causing shortness of breath and balance issues.
Cherylannjones51@gmail.com
120 Hidden Grove Court
Lumberton, Tx 77657

Jeanette Constantine Morgan
(a note from Jeanette)
I had to go to the hospital for breathing and heart palpitation problems. They gave me breathing treatments and monitored me. As my breathing got better, so did the palpitations. The tests showed I do not have good blood flow from my lungs to my heart.
denandjune@yahoo.com
3901 Hwy 366
Groves, TX 77619

Dianna Caillier Lewis
Getting stronger but is not able to sit in her recliner and get back up. So, the therapist has her sitting on the couch with a table in front of her. She uses a wheel chair in her home. She celebrated her 77th birthday on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
912 E. 6th St.
Port Arthur, TX 77640

Murphy McFadden (husband of Linda DeCuir)
Having stamina issues and breathing difficulty. A heart cath will be performed on Wednesday, Sept. 16. He also takes a monthly shot to keep his prostate cancer at bay. murphyjmcfadden@yahoo.com
7699 Boardwalk
Lumberton, TX 77657

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

Rex Meyer
Parkinson’s Disease
rex@geomon.net
835 5th St.
Sealey, TX 77474

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

Charlie Fontenot
Prostate cancer
cajunfont@aol.com
412 Brookdale
League City, Tx 77573

Kay King Young
Lymphoma
kaykingyoung@yahoo.com
12256 Emerald Mist Ln.
Conroe, TX 77304

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

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

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

CONDOLENCES
(classmate obituaries may be found on the MEMORIAL link)

Classmate gone too soon

Shirley Moreau Betar
July 5, 1949- Aug. 7, 2026
Catherine Landry
160 Horn Rd.
Lumberton, TX 77657

OTHER DEATHS
(these obituaries may be found on the OBITUARY link)
Delores “Dee Dee” Morgan
July 11, 1953 – July 17, 2026
(sister-in-law of Jeanette Constantine Morgan)
denandjune@yahoo.com
Jeanette Morgan
3901 Hwy 366
Groves, TX 77619

Lindy Gothia
1928 – July 20, 2026
(father of Linda Gothia)
Lgothia215@gmail.com
Linda Gothia
659 Ridgewood Dr.
Port Neches, TX 77651

Kirk Abshire
July 22, 2026
(husband of Phyllis Fett)
pabshire@yahoo.com
Phyllis Abshire
605 Fence Post Pass
Cedar Park, TX 78613

Dudley Richerson
January 30, 1953 – September 3, 2026
(brother of Darrell Richerson)
dlr7900@sbcglobal.net
Darrell Richerson
7900 Tom Dr.
Port Arthur, TX 77642

That’s all folks! My computer was giving me problems and I wasn’t able to get my newsletter written until I got it back from Best Buy. So, that is why it is kinda late. Next update might go a little better.

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