NEWS

1/16/2008

Hansel and Gretel Play

Dear Classmates,

The picture of the Hansel and Gretel play at Bunavista school is now in the School Days section, photo 60. I've done a very poor job of labeling even by being able to look at a large original photo, but hopefully some of you who were there will be able to determine some more of the choir participants.

There are two people peeking from behind the curtain. Presumably one of them is the teacher/director/prompter and the other one of the other characters in the play (woodcutter maybe).

Also, if I have labeled someone wrong, please tell me. Thanks to Audrey Ochs Powell for furnising this picture and also for sending a school picture (ca 1951) for the classmates section. A lot of you remember her, but I did not know her, so am glad to have the school picture.

Charles Trigg told me yesterday that his mother built the set for this play and he thinks he probably has more Bunavista pictures somewhere when he has the opportunity to take a look.

Linda Wilson Kuroki, Gene Mason, Rosalie Mason Overbay and I were at the Celebration of Life Memorial for Charles' sister, Patsy, who died Sunday. Most of you will remember Patsy Trigg Dixon. Please keep their family in your prayers.

Linda Wilson Kuroki told me she had been talking with Glenda Cole Bergdoll.Glenda is definitely planning to be at the reunion, so those of you who remember her can look forward to seeing her there. Linda said Glenda may even come a little earlier so they can 'catch up' as they were very close friends when Glenda was in Borger. She was last pictured in the 1955 Borjuhian annual as her family moved away.

Edith Guynes Stanley

1/16/2008

News from David Thrams

Dear Classmates,

This note was received from David on Monday, January 14, 2008.

Have been silent up to this point as I didn't know if making the reunion (50th of course) was going to be possible. My wife's (Elizabeth) health has been something less than good. We now seem to have all the major issues under control and will be traveling to Borger via motor home from Spokane Washington, road distance about 1500 miles. Will be leaving Spokane July 5 (lousey timing I know, but I've made reservations for RV parks along the route already). Didn't think my body could take more than about 300 miles per day. We plan on staying in Fletcher's Daze End RV Park while we're in Borger.

The reunion has become the focal point in our lives (at least for 2008). Actually acquired the motor home specifically for this purpose and are making short trips in the local area to get comfortable with the machine. Liz wanted me to let you know we would even be bringing the cats (a pair of siamise who hate each other). Also, chose July 1 as the retirement date from my present employment ((Asst VP North Coast Life Insurance Company) (fancy title for computer systems manager)).

Elizabeth has never been to our part of the country (she's Canadian) so this will be a new experience for her (damn little difference actually).

I sort of figured you'd be starting to put a planned attendnce roster together about now so thought I'd see if I could get my name close to the top of the list. I'll try to put a bio together later.

David Thrams

1/12/2008

Classmate Responses and Other News

Dear Classmates,

I'm sitting here this Saturday morning watching the PBS quilt shows and reminded of some more reports I needed to give you.

Right before Christmas when I was doing a little sleuthing, I discovered that Frances Hastings lives right here in Borger and called her. When she called back, she told me she and her husband have lived in that same house 36 years. It is only a stone's throw from where I parked at the Huber parking lot all those 11 years before I was transferred to Tomball! The reason the quilt show reminded me, is that I asked to come see her the next morning and she said all she did on Saturday morning was watch quilt shows. It was very snowy that day, but I went anyway and her husband had even shovelled the walk so I wouldn't break a leg and took Photo 146, 'After the 45th', www.borgerhigh1958.com. They operated a craft store called Taylor-Made out of the duplex side of their house for many years, and I never did stop in, but obviously should have a long time ago. Vernon made magnetic signs and he knew my daddy because of their 'sign' connection!

On June 5, 2007, I talked with Nancy Ball Campbell who lives in Tyler and sent her a contact list. On December 15, I located another classmate who told me she thought Nancy was back in Borger. So I called Nancy again to make sure she had not relocated since our conversation the few months before. She has not, but said when she received the contact list noticed that Gary Birdsong lives in Longview only about 30 miles away and that Loretta Kay Jackson lives in Tyler, too. Nancy does not have internet access, but said her granddaughter could show her when I told her about Loretta's quilt pictures on the web site. She said she quilts, too! (And now you see why the quilt show reminds me of all this.) I was sad that Nancy said she would most likely not be able to attend the reunion. Her husband has had a severe heart attack and they are unable to travel. Please keep them in your prayers.

Nancy also asked about Mary Ann Brooks when I talked with her. She said she always thinks about Mary Ann on her birthday, because they share a common birthday - January 21st - coming up soon! I needed to talk to Mary Ann, anyway, to ask her (again, since I couldn't remember where I wrote it down) for Mary Pat Ormon's phone number. So I called and asked if she remembered Nancy. She said she did and that they used to walk home together because Mary Ann's house was on the way to Nancy's, but she didn't remember their birthdays were the same day. Maybe they'll be in touch on the 21st and wish each other Happy Birthday...maybe some of you will, too, now you know! - Edith

1/10/08 - Edith: My heart is broken, I was Hansel in Audrey Ochs Powell's photo, and I had a major crush on her at the time. I am sure she doesn't remember it. I have looked through everything I own, for a photo of our Bunavista seventh grade football team, and can not find it. If anyone has it, I would sure love to have a copy of it. Please tell Audrey I am looking forward to seeing her at the reunion. Best Regards, Richard Martin.

From Jeanie Roper Brown - 1/11/08

Hi Edith, Thanks for all the good info in your emails. I read with interest the comments of Audrey Ochs, and I do remember her. The Hansel and Gretel play at Bunavista did star Diane Branch as Gretel and maybe Richard Martin as Hansel. I have a photo of Diane with the angels and the choir. I also have two class pictures: Miss Brown's 4th grade class and Mrs. McGee's 6th grade class. No. 59 in the "School Days" pictures on the website is Mrs. McGee's class, and the unknown person next to me is Evelyn Griffin. I also have a photo of a carnival coronation. Danny ? and I represented our class and were in it, but did not become prince and princess. That was determined by the amount of money your class could raise. My mother gave me a quarter to give for that purpose, but I spent it on candy instead. We lost by 25 cents!

I will attempt to scan the pictures and send them to you. Teachers I remember from Bunavista are Mrs. Gallegher, Mrs. Grotjohn (Dale's mother), Miss Brooks, Miss Brown, Mrs. Jackson (my favorite), Mrs. Greiner, and Mr. Dickinson (he made science fun).

Other memories include getting my hand spanked by Mrs. Gallegher in first grade for leaning back in my chair, being the editor of "The Puppy Tale" and using a messy mimeograph machine, not making the baseball team, splitting my head open playing Red Rover and being stitched up by Bob's dad, Dr. Kimball, and Fred Hoffman stepping on my feet in choir. Janice Tyra was a good friend as were our parents, having come from the same town in Oklahoma. She was a "blue baby" and died in Baltimore (I think) following heart surgery. Mrs. Jackson helped our class get through that sad time. In Jr. Hi. I remember two dirt storms that turned day into night at school, and Mr. Brooks teasing Mary Ann about having green hair!

I could go on with memories but will save them for the reunion.I do look forward to contacting Janice and Lynda and others and hope to see them at the reunion.

I did not graduate with the Borger class because I moved to Stinnett my junior year. From there I went to nursing school in Amarillo, then to UT for my degree, then to seminary in Fort Worth. After living in Texas and Tennessee, I have been settled in Colorado since 1983. I have two sons, Brady in Boulder, and Andy in NYC. My husband, Bob, and I are mostly retired.
Thanks again for all your work.

From Betty Cantrell Howard - 1/10/08 and 1/11/08
This was a great email!

I don't remember the school (Bunavista) flooding, but will ask my sister who was teaching there in late 40's or early 50's. It's frustrating - but having lost all my personal mementos from my school days has not helped my memories of those days.

I do remember the skunk getting under the cafeteria. Ugh! It was sheer misery for days and days. Has anyone else from Bunavista mentioned that?

I remember the special "field trip" in first or second grade where were were taken, not to the funeral, but to the church where our little classmate lay to file by her open casket. I think I was traumatized for life by that experience. Many of us probably were.

I'll call Lynda Simmons Cunningham if you'll give me her number.

Here is an excerpt from an email from my sister JoAnne Cantrell Stearns. (She types about like I do....)

Hi----I taught first grade, Bunavista-1951 but 1952 and 1953 I taught 3rd gd in the big building. The first grade was in a separte building across the bridge. They tore down the big building in the late 50"s. When I gave some pictures to the Borger museum, they did not even know the school had ever exsisted. If I ever find my pic of the school , I will donate it. If any of your classmates have a pic of the Bunavista school,make a copy of it and donate to the museum. It is a part of Borger history. I also attended Bunavista in my sixth grade and also the eighth but too hard to figure the dates.Ha.

She was ten years older than me, so I suppose I could figure her 6th & 8th grade dates for her (eventually).

When I was in first grade, it was in a small building behind the big school. When I began first grade, we had to go half days due to a shortage of teachers and classrooms. I don't remember the time period, but others might - it was at least the first few months, but not the entire school year. When we started going all day, I don't know where the other half of the students went, but I continued in that building. I have absolutely no recollection of any building across the bridge.

I wanted to pass this on because of her comments about pictures. I didn't even know there was a Borger museum. I have also noticed that on the website, it seems like almost all the elementary school pictures are from East Ward or West Ward. Bunavista and Weatherly alumni need to start checking those old shoeboxes of photos in the closets and attics & get us represented!

Betty Cantrell Howard

From John Hubby

Tell Audrey Ochs that I remember the flood at Bunavista Elementary. I don't recall the exact year but our family (mom, dad and kids) all helped in cleaning up the mess. "Somewhere" I think there are some photos of the flood that dad took, but they would be with my sister JoAnn in Pawhuska. I'll ask her to have a look.

Also, as best I recall all my siblings (JoAnn, Velma, Earl, and Emily) attended kindergarten when Mrs. Ochs was the teacher. I'll check with them but the time frame is right.

I remember the Hansel and Gretel play, have you posted the photo? I looked but didn't find it. Just need the the picture number. I'll probably recognize some of those in it.

Keep the stories coming! Best regards, John Hubby Class of 1953 - 1/10/08

From Paul Wiggin

Would you pass this on to Audrey.

I remember the flood and also that the bridge going to the school got washed out and there was lots of mud.

I also remember lots of stranded fish when the water went down.

I remember Janice Tyra very well and I still think of her now and then . She lived directly behind me in Bunavista. We were very good friends. I remember her telling me that she was going to Maryland to have an operation so that she would be like everyone else and not blue. I also remember the whole class going to the funeral. we were in Mrs Jackson's third grade class at the time. It makes me feel good that Audrey also remembers her.

Paul Wiggin - 1/10/08

From Larry Foster

Edith, Do you know how to reach J.D. -Jimmy Brown? I have lost touch with him and would love to catch with him.

Larry Foster - 1/10/08

I was just given J.D.'s current address a few days before by Lynda Bonny Jackson and also the information that his mother still lives in Pampa. I was happy to be able to talk to her after receiving Larry's note and confirm the address and get a phone number to report to him. I'm hoping Larry has been in touch with him by now.

I pray you all are doing well and that I'll see you in July. The only regret I have is that it's not possible to keep in as close touch with all those who do not have e-mail. We will be sending information by regular ole slow mail before the end of January, but in the meantime, call or write all those friends you want to see at the reunion and encourage them. I have many more contacts to report to you, but will make this do for now.

I love you all!

Edith Guynes Stanley, 50th Reunion Chairman

1/11/2008

Peggy Aull - 90 Years Young

Dear Classmates:

I mentioned Peggy Aull in my e-mail yesterday and needed to follow up with this. Many of you already receive alumni messages from Susan Park Miller, but for those of you who don't, here is an excerpt from a note she sent. George Ann and Peggy have put the Class of 1958 reunion on their calendars and have assured me they will be there. Mrs. Aull was my 9th grade English teacher at Borger Junior High School. Then when my daughter was in high school at Borger High, she had Mrs. Aull for English. Mrs. Aull also taught Latin during those years my daughter was there.

Mrs. Aull was a wonderful influence in education for a number of generations. Please be at the 50th reunion to help us honor her and the other teachers who will be there as we salute them! It will be good, too, if you can send a note via George Ann for her 90th birthday. - Edith

Message from George Ann Aull Neas Class of ’64:

I thought some of our classmates might want to know that Peggy Aull will be 90 on Jan. 14. She would love to get cards at 1300 S. Harrison, #308, Amarillo, TX 79101. Vera Jo and I are having a reception for her on Jan. 18 at that address from 3:00 till 4:00 PM, and everyone is welcome. Mom doesn't have e-mail, but I would be glad to print out and give her any messages sent to me.

George Ann Aull Neas (contact Edith if you'd like George Ann's email address)

1/10/2008

Classmates Contacted

Dear Classmates,

I hope you'll pardon my rambling in this note, but several of the contacts made in the last day or so are related, so I will try to cover them all here.

Audrey Ochs Powell mailed me a grade school photo of herself which we will put on the 'classmates' section soon. She also sent a picture of a Bunavista program and commented:

The picture is of a class program "Hansel and Gretel" and I think it is about the third grade. I was the witch and I am almost certain that Diane Branch is Gretel (I remember because I wanted so badly to be Gretel and I was not chosen). The boy who played Hansel I'm not certain of, but I recognize some of the kids in the choir. I believe that Barbara Mason is one in the center of the group in front of the stage. (She was one of my good friends.) The picture on the front of the Phillips book (a Phillips Petroleum publication which she also included) is Janice Tyra and I found her obituary and stapled it inside on a loose sheet that came out with the booklet. I was reading my autobiography (which I found when looking for old photos) that we were required to write our senior year in high school and I wrote about Janice's death and going to her funeral - said our class went together. I also wrote about my experience with J. C. Tipton so evidently these were traumatic to me at that time and stayed with me. I also wrote about when I was in the first grade and a boy named Warren ran away from school at recess. He was being scolded by the teachers and I kept going up to sharpen my pencil so that I could hear what the teachers were saying until my teacher called me over and spanked me in front of the class. Just wondered if Warren Tipton might have been that person. Also I wrote about leaving Borger in fifth grade and how much I hated Dumas and that I had spent the happiest eight years of my life in Borger. Don't remember those feelings because Dumas really became home to me - still is and I've not lived there in 50 years. Thank you so much for helping bring memories back. It surely helps to examine where we have been and plan for where we are going!!! By the way, ask if anyone remembers Bunavista Elem. School flooding in the late 40's. I seem to remember going up to the school with a big mess of mud covering our rooms; but my mom doesn't remember this. Haven't asked my brother about that. It just came to mind. Audrey Ochs Powell.

Audrey reported to me in our last phone conversation that her mother is still mentally very sharp and has some pictures she thinks we might be interested in. Her mother taught kindergarten at Bunavista in the early 40s and Audrey thinks some of your siblings may have had her as a teacher then. Her mother resides in Kings Manor in Hereford and will be celebrating her 101st birthday soon. Audrey's family had a reception for her last year at her 100th, and said one of the students she had back then saw the announcement in the paper and attended.

I had placed a call to Barbara Mason's sister and left a message a few days before receiving the note from Audrey. Also had contacted several 'old' Huber employees I know to see if they knew anything about Barbara's family to give me a lead on her location since the old city directory indicated he worked for Huber. Peggy Aull was one of those people. Lo and behold! Peggy called to tell me that she had talked with several people at Park Central Retirement Center from Borger, and no one remembered this family. I had to put her on hold to answer the other line that was ringing...it was Evelyn Lorraine, Barbara's sister. She had been gone to McGregor where Barbara lives because their mother died on January 2. Our condolences to them.

When I finally reached Barbara (Luedeker) later in the evening, she reported that Lorraine had already told her about this strange lady who was looking for her. We had a wonderful long chat and Barbara asked about Edward Aycock, J. C. Tipton, Diane Branch and I was sad to be the one to tell her these friends had passed on. But she also asked about Gene and Bobby Sams whose parents played Canasta with her parents several times a week back in those days. I've talked with Gene and seen him recently. She remembered Audrey and hopefully will be able to recognize some of the folks in the photo of Hansel and Gretel once it is on the web site. She asked about Richard Martin, Roger Williams and Lynda Simmons. Barbara was last pictured in the 1954 Borjuhian for those of you who are not 'Bunavista kids', and she said her family first moved to Corpus, then to McGregor where she started and finished High School.

After I talked with Barbara, I called Lynda Simmons Cunningham to tell her Barbara was asking about her. She was glad to know Barbara's phone number and said she intends to call her. She also said that Kenneth had mentioned Earl Hubby and his brother John and their Bunavista connections. Lynda also plans to call Betty Cantrell Howard, Janice Jennings Olomon to encourage them to be at the reunion as she is wanting to see them. I hope all of you are also calling or writing those you want to see at the reunion - won't it be great to see these friends!!

I have not been able to locate Roger Williams, so if any of you know anything that would give me a clue to find him, please let me know.

Either Barbara or Lynda (and since I didn't write it down at the time, have now forgotten which) also asked about Jeanie Roper Brown. So I told them that Jeanie and Mary Kay Carithers Bush have already made plans to be in Borger for the reunion.

Classmates Contacted, Ed 2 to follow!

Edith

1/9/2008

Info on Sherman Price

Letter from Dallas Public Library

January 6, 2008

Ms. Edith Stanley
PO Box 5655
Borger TX 79008

Dear Ms. Stanley:

Thank you for your mail reference request to the Dallas Public Library. As for the obituaries for Sherman Price, an obituary for Mr. Price ran in both the Dallas Morning News and Dallas Times Herald on January 23, 1977, both state arrangements pending. No further obituaries appeared in either paper. I also checked the Garland News, but no obituary appeared. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.

Sincere,
Bryan McKinney, Library Associate
Texas/Dallas History & Archives Division

Sunday, January 23, 1977 DALLAS TIMES HERALD

PRICE
Sherman G., 1861 Plaza, Garland. Arrangements pending.
Macon-Douglas Funeral Home
8142 Lake June Rd
398-6666

Sunday, January 23, 1977 DALLAS MORNING NEWS

PRICE
Sherman G., 1861 Plaza, Garland. Arrangements pending.
Macon-Douglas, 8142 Lake June Rd 398-6666

1/8/2008

Classmate Doris McGee

Dear Classmates,

Doris' picture was last in an annual in the 1954 Borjuhian, but those of us who attended East Ward remember her well. When I was finally able to locate her, we talked for a long time about all the East Ward classmates she remembers: Barbara Beakley, Norman Gallaway, Ann Bonifeld (who now lives in the same town as Doris and not very far away), Carmen Evans, Kay Carmickle, etc. She is very excited about coming to the reunion. She said she has looked back at her pictures and wondered about all of us many times.

After we talked, I called Ann Bonifield to tell her about talking with Doris, and Doris had already called her and they had made plans to get together. How great it is!!

Edith

1/8/2008

Classmate - Mary Ybarra

Dear Classmates,

I received this bio on January 7th from Mary after I contacted her. If you've been wondering about Mary as I have, now you will know. Gary Horton had asked if I had located her a while back, since he knew her husband. Here's Mary's note:

Hi, Edith, I was happy that you found me, it was a total surprise. I found the class web site and it was nice to see the pictures of the 45th class reunion. I will send you a picture of my husband and I later so that you can recognize me, at the reunion. I hope that I can make it. In June my husband's family is having a family reunion in Canada. That is where my husband was from.

I am still trying to cope with my husband's death. He suffered a year with bladder cancer, but by the time the bladder cancer was discovered it had already gone to his lungs. He had chemo treatments and that was very hard on him. He died Sept. 1st of this year, he was only 74 yrs. old.

I will tell you a little about me and my family. I married my husband David in 1959, in Spearman Tx. I was a nanny for a very nice family outside of Gruver. David was a forman for the family who had a cattle ranch. Altho he was an engineer, he enjoyed country living, and we lived on this ranch for a year, then we moved to Borger and lived there for seven yrs. He worked for Phillips for those seven yrs. David worked with Gary Horton.

We moved to a ranch 23 miles north of Pierre SD, where we raised cattle, but the weather was very damp there for my son and I, so in 1969 we moved to Rapid City SD. We had our second son in 1970, and we had a daughter in between the two boys.

My husband David worked for Nash Finch, a food chain, for 37 yrs. I worked for a dept. store and later was a sales rep. for a local cheese co.

I have 7 grandchildren,and 2 greatgranddaughters. My daughter, and my oldest granddaughter live in VA, my youngest son lives in PA, my oldest lives in MN.

I plan to move where ever my youngest son moves. His co. is going to transfer him soon but he still does not where or when this is going to take place. I am getting my house ready to put it up for sale.

While we lived in Borger, I took some courses at Frank Phillips and a business course at a business school located on main st. There I came accross Betty Jo England. We got reacquainted. I really liked her, and I noticed on the memory section of the website that she passed away. I am sorry now that I did not graduate with the class, but after meeting my wonderful husband all I wanted to do is marry him. My mother insisted on a picture of me after my sister Joyce's graduation, so I am sending that picture. It is a lot better than the one on the website,so this is how I looked like in 1959. I will send you a recent picture later. Thanks for looking me up.

your friend,
Mary

1/8/2008

Subject - Classmates

Dear Classmates,

I have been corresponding with John Hubby, older brother of our classmate Earl Hubby. I first contacted him to learn if he was, in fact, Earl's brother, as he was listed in the 2004 Borger High School Alumni Directory. He said he remembers many of our class, so I added him to the e-mail distribution in hopes he could help with the location of other classmates. Here is a note from him:

Edith,

Thanks so much for sending me this summary of Borger folks' stories . . long story short I very well remember Audrey Ochs and J. C. Tipton. I also seem to remember Glenda Mullins but not sure.

Tell Audrey I remember when her family moved to Dumas, her father Herman was active in our church in Bunavista. She may remember my sisters JoAnn Hubby Gibson, or Velma Hubby Bernard, and more than likely my brother Earl Hubby who was in your class. My sister Emily Hubby Jefferies was only 9 years old when we left Borger so unlikely very many will remember her.

I've not attended a reunion in Borger but sure would like to, considering 2008 will be the 55th for the 1953 graduating class. I've not heard from anyone if there is something happening to get that bunch together. I think the 1953 class literally scattered to the four winds, and at this moment I only know the whereabouts of maybe a handful of classmates.

Here is some info for my siblings:

Earl Hubby (class of '58, graduated Pasadena High School, Pasadena, TX)
JoAnn Hubby Gibson (class of '55, graduated Pasadena High School, Pasadena, TX)
Velma Hubby Bernard (class of '56, graduated Pasadena High School, Pasadena, TX)
Emily Hubby Jefferies (class of '62, graduated South Houston High School, Pasadena, TX)

All of us are still kicking and enjoying life . . perhaps a little unique is that all five of us have lost our first spouse, and three have remarried (me twice, I lost both my first and second wives to cancer). Emily lost her husband Jim two years ago in October and Earl lost his wife last March. JoAnn attended the 1955 class reunion two years ago in Borger.

Our family moved to Borger in 1943 from Bartlesville, OK, Dad worked for Phillips at Plains Plant as the Chief Mechanical Engineer, and we lived at 311 Estireno St. in Bunavista. We moved to Pasadena, TX in the summer of 1953, so all the kids but me graduated there. I graduated from the University of Houston in 1958 in Chemical Engineering, worked for Phillips my whole professional career (1957 to 1996).

One final note, I was really saddened to see the very long list of deceased classmates . . 98 at last viewing. That is a huge percentage of your class, and going through every one on the list I recognized well more than half of them whom I knew personally or could see they were siblings of my 1953 classmates. In the obituaries it was also found that many of my classmates had predeceased yours, my heart goes to all their families and friends.

All the best,

John Hubby
Class of 1953

I include this since many of you may have siblings who were in John's class. John also asked me lately if I knew if anyone was working on a 55th reunion for the Class of 1953. It just so happened that Gary Horton had called me earlier that day from his sister Wanda's house so she could ask me some questions about planning a reunion, and I hope they have been in touch since then. John is pretty much a world traveler, cause I just called a few minutes ago to ask him another question, and I learned he is in Brazil right now!

Edith

1/8/2008

Betty Holleman Cook Communication

Dear Classmates:

I received these two recent (or maybe not so recent----where are the days going?) notes from Betty.

October 3 - Deanya Young Britten (Class of 1959) and I are in the Edmond Newcomers Club together. Today everyone was supposed to wear their high school colors to the meeting and tell the name of their mascot. Deanya and I sang our school song when it was our turn and, of course, we both wore red and white. It was fun because we were the only ones from the same Texas high school.

October 14 - I asked Betty who the other person was in the photo 123 'Since the 45th' I took at the Class of 57 reunion. She replied: The other person with my brother Paul and me in picture #123 is my sister-in-law Linda Stevenson Holleman. The Class of 57 reunion was her first ever visit to Borger.

I met two people from Borger/Phillips areas this week. One is Betty Lucas Hess Wilson. She was a neighbor to Karla Young Bybee. Actually, Betty moved one street over from me and she moved here to be near her daughter and family. Betty graduated in the Class of 1948 from Borger..

I just met the other lady from Phillips who graduated in the Class of 1955. She only attended high school there for two years. She moved to Phillips from Dalhart. I visited with her briefly at a recent bridge game. I am trying to remember her name now and I think it was Melba Mills. I cannot remember her maiden name, but will get it later. She does not play with us on a weekly basis. It may be some time before I get the information. Her husband worked for Phillips and they have moved all over the country.

This just shows what a small world it really is and how we come full circle.

I hope you and your family are well and I am looking forward to our class reunion. It will be spectacular!!

Love, Betty

1/8/2008

Happy Birthday Elvis!

Dear Classmates,

My sister called me early this morning to remind me that it is Elvis' birthday. Long live the King!!

This also reminded of two other things......

Mary Ellen Stevens Evans sent this note on August 14, 2007:

Edith, do you think we could find someone to sing this at the 50th! I've got a couple of other cute ones too if we have someone who will do them.
Mary Ellen

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jwwaller/elvis/

I saw Carl Laughery at the Fritch Howdy Neighbors Day celebration. He is a local Elvis impersonator and performs at many events in the area. I asked him about singing this and he said he had just received one from another friend, too. Neither one of us could think of which Elvis song we knew about at the time, but said he is scheduled to sing at the Phillips Alumni meeting which is the same weekend as our 50th reunion. He said he could probably arrange his schedule to do it for us, and the committee voted at our meeting in November to include it in the reunion activities. So ya'll learn these words so we can sing along with Elvis. (I can't hear an Elvis song without singing along!)

I forgot to take pictures at that meeting until after Fran Strovas Braden, Charles Trigg, Jerry Chatwell, Gene Mason had already left (it was a kinda lunchtime meeting), but the photo 139 in 'Since the 45th' section was taken then. www.borgerhigh1958.com They also had to leave before I remembered to model my 'reunion' outfit Photo 140-143. You may wear whatever you like for this casual get-together, but this is what I will be wearing the entire weekend!!

Edith

1/6/2008

Found Classmate - Jovena Morgan

Dear Classmates,

On July 7, 2007, I 'googled' Jovena's name and found a family web site on which she was mentioned and pictured. It was a wonderful surprise to find this web site and be able to talk with Jovena after having corresponded by e-mail with several of her family members. Her brother Claude sent this information:

Mrs. Stanley; first of all, it is very nice to hear that you enjoyed the short stories on Sammy's web site. They are very close to my heart. My name is Claude Morgan; the second child in our family of six siblings; Jovena Morgan being the first. I was born in Wheeler, and we have relatives laid to rest in Mobeetie. Possibly all of us kids were in school in Borger at the same time. I managed to attend my Senior year in San Leandro California. Our great aunt Jewel Holt had two sons in Borger; Larry and Dennis. I would have graduated with Dennis in 1959. Our great aunt Pearl owned the Drug Store on main street for many years and sold out to build the Motel at the north traffic circle. I left Borger in the summer of 58, Jovena left for Oklahoma about a year before, and the family took the bus to Galveston in 59 or 60 in time to get caught near the the beach when Hurricane Carla hit, in 1961.

It was an amazing thing to me to find this out, as I didn't know Jovena that well in school and had no idea she was from Wheeler/Mobeetie. My entire family on both sides of the family were born or raised in Wheeler or have lived there all my life. In fact, I'm guessing if Claude's mother had a doctor attendent at his birth, it was the same doctor who delivered me as there was only one in Wheeler! I don't know if the doctor got paid, but I still have the check my daddy wrote to the hospital in Wheeler to pay me out - $30.00! Most of my grandparents and aunts and uncles on both sides of the family are buried in Wheeler, and I still have relatives who live there. Claude and Jovena's great aunt Jewel Holt was one of my aunt Edith's dearest friends and asked about her every time I saw her up until her death. It was wonderful to find out I have this tentative connection with Jovena and her family.

I enjoyed corresponding with Jovena's family members and talking with her on July 10. She remembered Nancy Blain.

This is where I found the mention of Jovena, and pictures of her with her family as a child and with her husband.

http://www.sammycarlton.com/grandparents1/ THIS SITE contains MUSIC which starts automatically.

Edith

1/6/2008

Found - Classmate Larry Turpen

Dear Classmates,

Larry is another classmate who graciously returned my blind phone message. I had a wonderful conversation with him and he is still the quiet-spoken, polite man I remember him being as a teenager. Larry was last pictured in our junior high annual in 1955 and his family moved away in 1955. Larry remembered John Hill, David Hill, Nancy Hartman, Mary Ann Brooks, Royce Shelton and some others I didn't get written down. Larry doesn't plan to attend the reunion, but I had an enjoyable visit with him by phone.

Larry has a son who is making a career of the navy and he was helping him move some of his things from back East in September. He commented that while he was driving down I-40, he saw the huge cross at Groom. I was glad he mentioned it, becaus it is one of the things I have intended to send you a link about since a couple more of you have commented on it.

I've not been to the cross location, but it is very visible many miles away, and based on the web site, would be a worthwhile stop if you're on I-40 near Groom. Here is the link:

http://www.crossministries.net/index.htm THIS SITE contains MUSIC which starts automatically.

Thanks to Larry for bringing it to my attention again.

1/6/2008

Found - Classmate Paul Wiggin

Dear Classmates,

I'm sure you don't consider yourselves lost because you know where you are...but when I can finally talk to you, I consider you found! I was certainly pleased when Paul returned my blind phone call message and reported that he was, in fact, 'our' Paul Wiggin. Paul was last pictured in our 1957 annual, but he told me his family moved to Deer Park in the fall of 1956, so they must have moved soon after the pictures were taken that year. I've had at least two wonderful conversations with Paul and some e-mail correspondence. Even his wife, who is not from Borger, is excited about coming to Borger in July for the reunion. She had looked up the web site after I left the message before he called me back.

Paul said he definitely remembers Audrey Ochs Powell and thought she might have been in the 5th grade Bunavista picture that he sent for inclusion on the web site, though he is not in it. www.borgerhigh1958.com School Days Photo 59 In addition, Paul sent a more current picture of he and Bonnie so we can recognize him at the reunion. After the 45th Photo 147 Maybe they won't have changed that much more since 2002 when we get to see them in July. Paul mentioned classmates he remembers, Charles Prater, Joe Trujillo, Terry Humphreys, Ann Picket, Cody West, and remembers others I asked him about. He was also able to identify 2 classmates in the picture he sent that I couldn't recognize.

Here's Paul's story:

Edith,

Thanks so much for taking the time and effort to contact me. You are really a special person to dedicate so much of your time to others. You brought back so many great menories of my early life that were far in the back of my mind. I really enjoyed the two phone conversations we had and I have been on the web site everyday since you contacted me. It is excellent.

Here is a little background on me since I left Borger in the fall of 1956. I moved to Deer Park, Texas, a small town just outside of Houston. I finished high school at Deer Park High. After high school, I spent 7 years in the U.S.Navy. I returned to Houston where I worked for Shell Oil for 27 Years, I took early retirement in 1993 and in 2000 I moved to where you found me in New Hampshire. My son, daughter and 2 grandchildren still live in the Houston area. My wife Bonnie and I will be at the July 08 reunion. I am really looking forward to it.

Thanks again, Have a Merry Christmas and I will see you in the New Year.

Paul

1/6/2008

Dan Johnson - Jr Hi Speech Teacher

Dear Classmates,

Maxine Hillman Roy had mentioned earlier when the subject of teachers first came up that she thought she could get in touch with his wife. Mr. Johnson was one of my favorite teachers at Junior High...probably because he wrote in my annual, "Best of luck to a very good student!"

Maxine sent this note on September 26:

I finally got in touch with Mrs. Johnson. She said that Mr. Johnson taught two years at the Amarillo Air Base after they left Borger. He taught electronics. She said that he had been in electronics when he was in the service. From there, they moved to Dallas, and he taught at South Oak Cliff High School. He just taught there one year, and they moved back to Amarillo and he started teaching at Sam Houston Jr. High. He taught there until he retired.

Maxine

1/6/2008

Teacher Madalyn Kelley and E.I. Kelley

Dear Classmates,

In August I contacted Patti Kelley Collins to learn about her parents. E. I. Kelley was the principal I remember from East Ward, and he was also our principal at Borger High during our Senior Year. Her mother, Madalyn, was a 7th grade teacher for some of you at West Ward (School Days Photo 25 at www.borgerhigh1958.com).

Her reply:

Hello Edith,

What a nice surprise to hear from you. My Dad did pass away in June of 1999. I don't really know if Mother would be up to speaking with you. She has pretty severe dementia. Mother taught for 36 years, both in Borger and then later in Richardson until she retired. She is now 90 years old. She doesn't know how to use a computer, and even though we have tried in the past, she gets terribly confused. She has trouble even operating a remote control for her TV. About two years ago, she fell while I was at work and couldn't get to a phone. We tried having a nurse at the house during the day, but she kept dismissing them (they were through her insurance). We moved her to an assisted living facility so she would have constant care. I see her each morning and again on my way home from work. For her age and stage of dementia she is actually doing quite well. She knows me and my brothers, but gets the grandchildren and great grandchildren confused.

I would be more than happy to ask her any questions for you or answer anything Mike, John or I can.

Patti

1/5/2008

Classmate - Betty Jo Moore

Dear Classmates:

On December 15, 2007 I talked with Delois Ferguson and she asked that I try to locate Betty Jo. She said Betty Jo was her very best friend in grade school at East Ward until she moved to California about the 7th grade. I've wondered about Betty Jo myself since I have a 'trading' picture of her from grade school and she was in some of the group pictures some of you have shared with me for the web site. Delois remembered that Betty Jo was Lewis Moore's cousin, so that clue enabled me to locate her through Lewis' sister Charlotte. As a result of my conversation with Charlotte, she also furnished the later picture of Lewis for the 'In Memory' section. Many thanks to Charlotte for both the picture and Betty Jo's information.

After giving the information to Delois, I waited until Delois had had a chance to get in touch with her before I called. Betty was very happy to make connections with her good friend and is also excited about the possibility of attending the reunion to see other old friends from East Ward that she has thought about over the years. And a bonus is that Betty had a couple of group pictures from East Ward that we did not already have and sent them for the web site (School Days Photos 57 and 58). In addition, she sent a more recent picture of herself so we can recognize her at the reunion (Since the 45th Photo 148).

Thanks to all those who helped find Betty Jo!

Edith

1/5/2008

Classmate Jeanetta Glascock

Dear Classmates:

Jeanetta was found on October 27, 2007. I learned she had moved from Borger in 1954 to Sunray and then on to California for a time. It was great fun talking with her, and I was so excited to have located her that when she made the comment they had been wiped out by Katrina, I just let it flit by. Then after hanging up, and gathering my wits about me, I e-mailed her to ask about that. Here is her reply:

Hi Edith, thanks for the info and your call. its always nice to hear from school mates of the past. Re: katrina, We were retired in Gulfport, Ms. our home was on the beach, it was destroyed as well as our whole community from waveland to Biloxi Ms. New orleans flooded because the city goverment is so criminal, the money for the new levies went into the fatcats pockets instead of the work to control the water surge. we got a direct hit from Katrina as the eye of the hurricane came over us at 175 miles an hour and a tidal surge of 45 feet. a cement slab and sand is all thats left of our home and all of our belongings. We loved living there, the community was so beautiful and the people of the south coast are very kind and friendly. We in our community were out searching for our family and friends that were missing or killed, helping each other while digging out what was left, while the people in New Orleans that have lived on welfare all of their life were blaming the goverment for their problems and demanding money. Most of them are still living on assistance and looting everything they can find. Lon and I retired in the South in 1997 and loved every moment we were there. It will be 10--15 years before the south coast will be totally rebuilt. We miss being there. We were 50 miles east of New orleans. I have over 400 photos of the hurricane and the destruction it brought with it. At this time we are not allowed to rebuild on the beach until the city rezones the the beach area. No insurance pmts. as of yet not only for us, but for over 60,000 families as well. I will never get over the loss of friends and our life there, but I am finally getting past it.

We three daughters and two sons. Cindy and Dona are my natural daughters, Scott is our adopted son ( my sister Joyce died in childbirth) Page and Cara are also adopted.( they are sister and brother) all are grown and doing well. Scott has three children and also lost his home in Katrina. He lives in Waveland Ms. We have 9 grand children and 3 great grand children. two of the 9 are idential twin boys from Dona.

We are looking for our retirement home now, but have not found anything or anyplace as beautiful as as the south coast. We are currently helping my Mom who will be 90 the first of feb. she will go with us when the time is right.

Thanks again
Nita Ponsford (Jeanetta Glascock)

1/4/2008

Mike Crouch Bio

Dear Classmates, I received this from Mike on November 20, 2007 (Last year!)

Edith - a few months ago I suggested everyone try to put down a summary of what they have been up to in the last 50 yrs......seems to me I have seen submissions from Bob West and Digger, but not much from any one else. To try to kick-start this again, I'm attaching a summary of how I spent the last half century. Please feel free to distribute to our class members.....(WOW a half-century sounds like a long time....it is, it is!!)

So am sending part 1: "Mikes Travels and Travails" with a few "Life's Lessons Learned" just for flavor, but am deferring for another day other categories such as:
"favorite remembrances from school in Borger" and
"Things I did for which I do not understand why the Good Lord did not ZAP me on the spot." as well as a few more "Life's Lessons Learned" (otherwise entitled "Ve get too schoon oldt und too late schmart").

Mike

As we prepare for the 50th reunion of the 1958 edition of BHS, I thought it might make sense that each classmate set down what they have been up to since May 58. That way the rest of us can get a quick snapshot of what has been going on with “ole so-and-so”, and perhaps find some things and common interests which might not surface in the frenetic two plus days we will all be together this coming July. So, Mike’s Travels and Travails over the last half-century…..

I graduated OU and was commissioned in Navy in May ’62. Becky Dunwody and I married 2 weeks later. (Becky is a former Borger resident and cousin of Joseph and Kay Johansen BHS ’60 and ’62.) We went directly to NAS Glynco, GA and active duty Navy life. I was transferred from duty stations in Glynco to Japan, to San Diego, to Newport, RI, and ended up in Norfolk, VA. I served on two WWII-vintage destroyers, as Asst Operations Officer on the first and as Chief Engineering Officer on the second. The Navy is challenging and rewarding for the service member but means many relocations, and lots of sea duty means extended deployments which are tough on family life. My 7-yr career concluded at CINC Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk. During that span, we moved 6 times and had 2 daughters - one in Yokosuka, Japan in May ‘64, her sister in Newport, RI in May ‘65 (50 weeks later). They cost $7 each. Number three was on the way, but came in Jan ‘70 in Shawnee OK….she cost $700!

I joined the apparel conglomerate Blue Bell, Inc (Wrangler Jeans, Jantzen, etc.) in May ‘69 as an industrial engineer…worked in engineering departments in OK, TX, VA, back to OK, and in ’78 to Greensboro, NC, as Chief Engineer Wrangler Menswear Div. We relocated to Portland OR in ’81 when I transferred to the Jantzen division…then back to Greensboro in ‘84 when I was appointed Director of Quality and Quality Management for the corporation. The work side of my time at Blue Bell was typical corporate ladder-climbing, but frequent relocations (5 in 15 yr – “sort of like the Navy”, Becky reminded me) made things hard for the girls… pretty girls, especially new pretty girls have a hard time “breaking in” and making friends.

When Blue Bell went private through a leveraged buyout in 1985, I was awarded some “management shares”. The company’s existence as a private company was brief, Blue Bell sold to VF Corporation in 1987, and I left to join LEADS Corp the next day.

LEADS was a small, struggling, “boutique” quality management consulting firm. I was employee #7. In ’91, I used the nest egg acquired from Blue Bell shares to acquire all LEADS stock and obtained a contract to provide services to the US Government. Ultimately, we focused LEADS solely on Federal government contracting, providing IT and acquisition management consulting services. I made key managers partners, offered shares to all employees and, ultimately the company thrived…..LEADS was sold to San Diego-based ITS in Dec 2005.

Our 3 daughters are now married, and we have 10 grandkids ranging from 18 to 3....7 live close by in Greensboro and 3 live (in exile) in CT…..having grandkids is a blast….they are funny, accepting and loving…..and you (I) get another chance!

Since “retirement” in 05?......

Having all these grandkids has given me a different perspective on little kids, things (to my discredit) I was too busy making a living (as a “road warrior”) to enjoy fully when my kids were at home …...so children and families have been the focus of our volunteer work – Becky and I sponsor refugee families moving to NC from abroad and 10 children in third world countries through World Vision. We taught K and 5th grade Sunday school, and I serve on the board of a non-profit adoption agency.

We spend lots of time with family “chasing grandkids” and have had the privilege of taking the entire family (all 18) to some great vacation spots… a practice we hope to continue. We are helping #3 daughter and her husband open a casual fine dining restaurant in Greensboro .... opened in Aug ’06, still a work in progress…..

I retained three private sector clients for whom I still provide strategic planning/ management consulting. And, when the mood strikes (and I forget my meds), I write sporadic, unsolicited op-eds and letters-to-editors. I take family (esp. older grandkids) to at least 3 OU football games each year…all this is calculated to keep me out of trouble …sort of.

Finally, what have I learned over the last 50 years? ……the truth of some “truisms”…..
(just a few for flavor)….
Murphy is right: Nature sides with the hidden flaw – whatever can go wrong will…..
So was Napoleon: “it is better to be lucky than good”……
It is easy to always be a hero – be consistent: underpromise and overdeliver…..

Mike’s formula for business success (sum of two principles) –

No one person can do all things well, so surround yourself with “good people” and
Since people take better care of things they own than things they don’t, make sure those “good people” get a piece of the action.

Mike’s formula for successful investing: (see Napoleon)
Mike’s formula for success in life: Nothing is more important than family….friends are a very close second….never forget to tell people, both in words and actions how much you love them..
Mike’s formula for daily success: Remember - Prunes are your friend!….and
finally, (and fortunately) as God promises: you never get what you deserve.

12/15/2007

From C.M. Shearer

Dear Classmates,

I received this note from C M on November 29th.

Edith

Edith, I want to lend my voice to the many who have sent kudos to you for all the time and wonderful care and attention you’ve given to our 50th celebration. Reading the names has brought back some fond memories that I have enjoyed revisiting.

After 45 years of teaching, I will be retiring at the end of this school year. Some of our classmates might enjoy reading an article that was recently published in our university on-line newsletter.

http://einside.kent.edu/?type=art&id=85590&

CMS

12/15/2007

Classmates - 1958

Dear Classmates,

I am so far behind notifying you that I am going to start with the latest and go backwards!

I have a couple of pictures my dad (Roy Cole) asked me to scan and send. The pictures are from a tap/jazz class at Tonio's School of Dance. My mother, Glenda Mullins Cole is one of the students, along with some other class of '58 girls. Please let me know where to send.

Thanks, Tammy Cole Thompson

I talked with Tammy yesterday so hopefully we'll have these pictures on the web site soon. She said there are some cute girls in those pictures!!

EDITH, I DID CONTACT TOMMY DALE AND MAXINE TUCKER.. YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS FOR TOMMY DALE IS CORRECT. I THINK YOU GAVE ME HIS PHYSICAL ADDRESS AS WELL BUT IF NOT, HERE IS HIS ADDRESS 2740 3RD AVE. MARION, IOWA 52302 . MAXINE IS HIS SISTER AND HER ADDRESS IS 8225 S. HWY 23 N. OZARK, ARK. 72949. TOMMY DALE IS 74 AND I BELIEVE MAXINE IS AROUND 70-72. I LIVED IN BUNAVISTA ON A CORNER LOT CLOSE TO THE SINGLE MEN'S HOUSING AND DOWN THE STREET FROM THE GERMAN TWINS. WHEN MY FATHER DIED(LOUIS WINSTON NEYLAND) MY MOTHER WAS HIRED BY PHILLIPS AND WE MOVED TO THE APTS. IN BUNAVISTA, CLOSER TO THE PLANT. I REMEMBER A FEW OF THE KIDS IN BUNAVISTA AND I HAD A RACCOON NAMED ELMER. I THEN MOVED TO BORGER WHEN MY MOTHER REMARRIED. WE STAYED IN BORGER ABOUT 1AND 1/2 TO 2 AND 1/2 YEARS AND WE MOVED TO LOVINGTON, NEW MEXICO. PHILLIPS HAD A PLANT NEAR LOVINGTON. I GRADUATED FROM LOVINGTON IN 1959 AND SEVERAL YEARS LATER I FINISHED MY BS DEGREE IN CHATTANOOGA, TENN.WITH 2 MAJORS-PSY. AND HUMAN SERVICES MANAGEMENT. I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT REUNION. IF THEY HAVE REUNIONS FOR BUNAVISTA I HOPE SOMEONE WILL LET ME KNOW. ALWAYS, KAREN NEYLAND MCKINNEY PS WE HAVE A CARBON PLANT HERE AND I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE SAY THNEY LIVED IN BORGER AT ONE TIME. I AM ACTIVE IN MANY ORGANIZATIONS LIKE ROTARY AND KIWANIS SO I WILL ASK AROUND FOPR THOSE PEOPLE FROM 1957-1963. I JUST CAN NOT REMEMBER WHO SAID THEY HAD LIVED IN BORGER. ALWAYS, KAREN

FYI, I contacted Karen since she was listed in the obit as a daughter of John W. Milam, who was also Otis Milam's dad. As it turns out, she is actually a step-sister to Otis and she has not known his whereabouts for 20 years+. It was really great to talk with Karen, as I learned about many of her cousins, etc....Some on various sides of the family that do not keep in touch...Robert Turnbow, for one. Karen gave me Ramona Bales Anderson (Class of 1955) and Ramona was able to give me some information that hopefully will enable me to locate Robert. I've written so maybe we'll hear from him. Locating Otis Milam seems pretty hopeless at this point, but it is continually surprising to me the folks I learn are kin, however distant, or at least know something about another that leads to a find. Still hoping....

Another Bunavista girl I heard from is Audrey Ochs Powell. I first learned about her from Glen Crawford. Glen left from East Ward after 6th grade and moved to Dumas...Audrey left from Bunavista after 5th grade and moved to Dumas. They graduated together in Dumas and connected at a mini Dumas reunion this past year. Here are their notes....

Sept 17 -I met with Audrey Ocks Powell she attended Bunivista school for 5 years. She would like to attend next yrs renunion. She has an interesting story about getting J C Tipton thrown out of class. Would Please send her the info about our class mates and put her on the mailing list. Just attended a mini Dumas reunion in Amarillo 30 old women It was great fun. My wife also attended.
Glen Crawford

Since I didn't have correct contact information for Audrey, I was delayed in locating her, so I was happy she took the initiative and logged on the web site and furnished this information.

Nov 26 posted on web site contact center

I went to Bunavista Elementary until the fifth grade when I moved to Dumas. I used to return to Bunavista to spend days with Marilyn and Sue Forrester after we moved and I was a part of DeBoy (Edwards) and Marilyn's wedding years later. (They were older than I.) I have great memories of my years at Bunavista, and enjoyed seeing the pictures and remembering some of the names. I was saddened to read about the passing of Diane Branch and J.C. Tipton, two I remember quite well from Bunavista. Carmen Evans and I went to church together and later taught together in Borger. This is a wonderful websight. Someone is doing a great job! Glen told me about the reunion and I hope to attend. Probably won't know anyone, but it will be good to get acquainted. Keep up the great work!

Audrey Ochs Powell

Nov 28 - Thanks for getting back to me. I'm not sure where my pictures of those days might be, but I'll do some looking. After several moves I'm not sure where lots of things might be. I look forward to getting further information from you. ( I noticed Eddie Prater's picture in the pictures you had. I remember his name and think he lived close to us in Bunavista, but I thought he was nearer my brother's age. My brother was in high school when we moved to Dumas and he returned several years ago for a reunion in Borger.) I'll try to find some pictures, but I don't believe we had group class pictures. I don't remember having any.

Audrey Ochs Powell

I had asked Audrey for a grade school picture to put on the web site, but you see her answer. I'm hoping some of you may have a picture of Audrey and/or some Bunavista group or individual pictures.

In His love,

Edith

11/20/2007

J. C. Tipton - Class of 1958

Dear Classmates,

I received this note on Sunday:

Hi Edith,

This was in todays Houston Chronicle.

Thanks, for all your interest and time on our 50th.

Later,
Richard Bostick

Attached to Richard's note was a copy of J. C. Tipton's obituary. J. C. passed away on November 14, 2007. This obit is at www.borgerhigh1958.com 'In Memory' section. Just click on J. C.'s name and follow the link under his pictures.

Thanks so much, Richard, for being alert to catch this notification and for getting it to me so quickly.
Edith

11/12/2007

Catching Up - Classmates

Dear Classmates,

I'm going to do a few of these at a time and try to catch you up with what other classmates have written and will try to report on my activities in another e-mail later.

Sue Weaver Boyter has joined the 'retiree' crowd...this from her in October:

Edith – wanted you to know that I’m retiring (finally) eff 11-1-07 and will not have access to email after that….maybe I’ll be able to make the reunion but it’s a wee bit early for me to know for sure yet…

Sue Boyter

I attended the Phillips Alumni meeting in July in hopes of seeing some of our junior high classmates that eventually had to move from the Bunavista location that Phillips vacated (Photo 125-127 in 'Since the 45th' section). It was great to see Nancy Gibbons Gideon. Ruth Ann Wilbanks Smith had called me a week or so before the Phillips reunion to tell me that she and Owen would be there since he graduated at Phillips. It was wonderful to see them and I really appreciated Ruth Ann letting me know she would be there so I would be, too!

Ruth Ann sent this note in July:

Dear Edith,

It was good seeing you at Owen's Phillips reunion. We saw a few people from Borger. You are doing such a good job on our reunion, thank you. We will be at my reunion next year and Owen, Buzzy's next year. He hasn't been called that in a long time. We haven't been to Borger since my Mother died sixteen years ago. It brought back a lot of good memories. My mother taught many of you when you were in the fourth grade at East Ward. She took me across the hall and gave me to Mrs Jackson. She loved teaching. A couple of my five kids spent a few weeks with grandmother learning to read better. We will be looking forward to coming next year.

See you again soon,
Ruth Ann Wilbanks Smith

PS: Owen says the dream of every girl was to marry a Phillips boy, I guess I got my dream. I think it is the other way around.

From Royce and Phyllis Payne Shelton in July after receiving the e-mail that Digger O'Dell sent:

We too are enjoying reading about our classmates. Royce wants to contact Digger.

Carole Braxton Cantrell-Hodges sent this note in August after she called for Sherry's contact information:

Edith,

Thanks for your prompt response to my Sherry Hogan inquiry. I made contact with her tonight and we had a two hour journey down memory lane. The memories she had of our childhood experiences in Phillips were hilarious....what fun. You've made a great focal point -- thanks for all you've done to stimulate interest in the web site and the class reunion.
Carole

From Geri Platt in September:

I talked to Martha (Griffin) Friday and she is very excited about the reunion and hopes she can make it. She asked about Louetta Hammons and a few others. She remembers Gene and Rasalee Mason and is anxious to see everyone. Do you have Louetta's phone number or address. We would like to contact her.

Geri

I've had occasion to correspond with Geri several times, mostly recently when she and Earline planned to be in Borger for a bowling tournament with their nephew and asked if Helen, Rosalie and I would be able to come by. Rosalie was helping her son move and couldn't make it. I was only able to stay a few minutes, but it was great to see them both and Helen was still there visiting with them when I left. One of the things Helen and Geri and Earline remember about Martha is that she sang (yodeled!). Maybe she'll do that at the reunion (See Photo 136 'Since the 45th').

I also received this note from Glen Crawford in September:

I met with Audrey Ocks Powell she attended Bunivista school for 5 years. She would like to attend next yrs renunion. She has an interesting story about getting JC Tipton thrown out of class. Would Please send her the info about our classmates and put her on the mailing list. Just attendeed a mini Dumas reunion in Amarillo. 30 old women. It was great fun. My wife also attended.

Glen Crawford

I'm hoping some of you will remember Audrey. I haven't contacted her, yet, but FYI since I last reported finding J. C., I have learned that his house burned down and they had to move. I tried to contact him when my lastest e-mail bounced, but I have not yet been able to contact him again or any of the family who helped me locate him originally.

Nancy Maple Moyers-Dey sent this note Oct 2:

Edith, it was good to get your e-mail. I am hoping that you were just busy and okay.

Nancy

I guess lazy would be a better definition of my condition for those of you who have also wondered. I do have a lot more to report, but will get this one on the way, and try to follow quickly with another.

I love you all and am really enjoying visiting and hearing from you.

Later,
Edith

11/06/2007

Teachers

Dear Classmates,

Mary Ellen Stevens Evans sent this note which I'm happy to pass along to you with a link to the movie clip mentioned in her note. It will be fun to see the teachers who are able to make it to the reunion, and I have certainly enjoyed the conversations I've had with the teachers I've been able to contact. The movie is definitely worth a look-see. Hope you will enjoy it and will want to respond accordingly.

The link for the movie clip is:

http://www.simpletruths.com/a.aspx?af=132&mo=STAP

Thanks to Mary Ellen for sending it along.

Edith

Edith, my hubby subscribes to this newsletter and sent this "movie" (it is only a couple of minutes long) on to me. In light of our asking our teachers to the 50th reunion, I thought it might be a nice reminder to our classmates if we could each remember to bring a letter to give to the teachers (or at least our favorite) in attendance to tell them "thanks". They too, may want to read them "until the day they die"! So, will you forward to our list of classmates?

Thanks,

Mary Ellen

10/24/2007

Classmate Wanda Floyd Rowe

Dear Classmates,

Lynda Bonny Jackson called yesterday to say that she learned from Wanda that she was going to enter the hospital yesterday. She is expected to be in the hospital for two weeks while they bombard her with high powered antibiotics in an attempt to heal and relieve her of an ongoing health issue she has had for several months. Wanda is pretty discouraged at this point and would appreciate your prayers on her behalf.

It would also be a good thing if you could send her a cheerful card. Lynda didn't know what hospital Wanda will be in, but her husband will be going daily to see her at the hospital and can take any cards to her that you might send.

As we grow older, many of us are experiencing health issues. I will be sending another note shortly that Mike Crouch has asked me to forward to classmates.

My prayer is that all of you will be healthy!

Edith

10/14/2007

Classmate - Sonny Herring

Dear Classmates,

Sonny's wife, Katherine, responded to my request for a more recent picture of Sonny for the 'In Memory' section on the web site: www.borgerhigh1958.com. It has been on the site for a while now, so you may have already noticed it.

In addition to the picture, Kathy sent a copy of the memorial page for Sonny from the Columbine High School annual. She also sent a laminated copy of the newspaper obit, the memorial folder from the funeral service, and this note:

Dear Edith,

I can't tell you how much Sonny was looking forward to the upcoming Borger Class Reunion.

Many of his friends left ahead of him, but he so wanted to see the ones 'still around.' He called it his "Farewell Tour", kinda like the Rolling Stones!

We all miss him, especially his 3 kids and me - but you can bet he'll be at the Reunion in spirit.

Enclosed is a page from the 2007 Columbine High School yearbook, where the students dedicated a page to him.

Thanks for keeping in touch.

Kathy Herring

We will miss having the opportunity to see Sonny at the reunion, and pray that God will bring peace, comfort and joy to his family and friends in this loss. We appreciate you sending the memorial items, Kathy, and the ones that are not already posted 'In Memory' will also be available for classmates to see at the reunion.

10/13/2007

Classmate - Linn Sta;eu

Dear Classmates,

You may have already noticed that Linn Staley has been added to the list of those 'In Memory'. Linn's son, Brent, logged into the contact center on the web site and sent these comments on September 1.

I just wanted to update you that Linn Staley (class of '58) passed on August 27th. If you have any questions, my email and phone number are listed above.

Thanks,
Brent Staley

After I received Brent's notification, I asked for further information and a picture and received these further e-mails from him.

I haven't been able to find the obit online in the newspaper yet. I will send the newspaper version as soon as I find it. If I am unable to locate it, I will scan the physical copy I have and email it to you (that will give you a recent picture too).

One last thing, I have the three annuals ("The Borgan" 1956, 1957,1958) that dad had in his closet. My sisters and I enjoyed reading them, however, we have no long term sentimental attachment to them (However, I am wondering if you ever became an "interior decorator or fashion designer"? FYI, you inscribed your picture to dad with "Lots of luck - Edith" in the 1957 edition). Would you or any of your classmates be interested in them? I also wondered if the library maybe needed a copy... Let me know if anyone needs them and I'd be happy to mail them out.

Thanks,
Brent Staley

I told Brent that we would display the annuals in Linn's memory at the reunion and donate them to the museum afterward if he decided to send them. I have since received them from him and the following is correspondence to and from Brent.

Edith, I have enclosed two files. One is his obit with his picture and the other is a picture of him with two of our dogs. We sure like the one with the dogs but for cropping sake we'll understand if you have to use the obit pic. You do have our permission to publish the image of the dogs, I'll keep the legal releases on file if you need them... :)

Yes, dad was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of an unknown primary. The doctors said it had been probably building in him for 12-18 months and it was on his liver, lungs and pancreas. They also said it was probably elsewhere but it really didn't matter at that point. He was diagnosed on Aug 16th and dead on Aug 27th. Pretty stunning to say the least.

I will send the annuals as soon as I get them wrapped up and ready. I'm glad they will be put to use.

Your tale sounds kinda like dad's. He was going to California (the land of opportunity). He made it to New Mexico, when he and a friend ran out of money and started building cabinets. He always fancied himself good with a hammer but (and my sisters agreed) in reality "handy" he was not... He met my mom and they married pretty quick and he had to settle down with a family. They had my oldest sister right away too. And kept having kids (4 total) until 1969 (me). My brother was born with Downs Syndrome and died at age 3. He started college but never completed it but was very proud that all three of his kids did.

Regards,
Brent

Brent,

Thanks so much for the picture and obit. I hope you'll be pleased with the results on the memorial page for Linn at www.borgerhigh1958.com. I wanted to use both pictures and chose to use the obit picture on that page since it looks so much like the high school picture. But I really like the one with the dogs, too, so it is in the 'Since the 45th' section, photo #133.

Also, I will use the content of your e-mails in the note I send to classmates as I know they will be interested in knowing more about Linn's life. I've been very lazy lately with the class correspondence and am very far behind, but will try to get another out within the next week or so. Once it has been sent, you'll be able to se it in the 'News' section.

Thanks again for your pictures and information about Linn.

Edith Guynes Stanley

Edith,

It looks great! Dad would be wondering "how that works!" Thank YOU for all your help. I hope ya'll have a great 50th next summer!

Regards,
Brent

10/1/2007

Accomodation

Dear Classmates:

A link has been added to the home page at www.borgerhigh1958.com to give you information about accomodations available in Borger for the 50th reunion July 11-12, 2008. Follow the link to obtain the rate and amenities available at the motels who have blocked rooms for this event. Please note that at each motel listed you must mention BHS Class of 1958 to obtain the given rate, and they are requiring confirmation by credit card one month in advance in order to hold the requested rooms. Any remaining unrequested rooms will be released one month prior to the reunion. If unbooked, of course, they could still be available, but just not at the lower rate.

Just so you'll be aware, Phillips has just broken ground on a new plant, and depending on the number of work crews which will be required during the different construction phases, the RV spaces especially may fill up. The construction will not start until around January 2008, and the number of motel rooms required will also be dependent on the construction phase, except that the blocked rooms are confirmed for the classmates as noted above and in the accomodations link. There are some other RV and motel accomodations in Fritch, and if you would like to have that information, let me know. I have not contacted them, but will do so if you request.

I have been very inactive the last 2-3 months, as I'm sure you have noticed, but look for other information and correspondence soon!

See you at the 50th reunion!!

Edith

7/26/2007

Class Reunion

Dear Classmates,

Mary Ann Brooks Ferguson sent me this newspaper article which I want to share with you as it seems appropriate at this time. Even though it relates to a different class year, it could apply to any year's reunion, but especially those 40+!! Thanks for sharing it, Mary Ann!

Edith

The Class of ‘65

By TAD BARTIMUS

Do not waffle about going to your class reunion; do it.

In the six months before I swung open a hotel lobby door and walked 40 years into my past, I was ambivalent about reconnecting with people I barely remembered. What if I didn't recognize anybody? What if I didn't care when I did?

An uneasy sense of time passing got to me on the plane; who is this white-haired woman staring back from the mirror? Perhaps she won't be around for her 50th. At the reunion, it sometimes felt like I was watching a split-screen TV. Embracing a graying father of three daughters, I was also hugging, in my mind's eye, a sweaty 17-year-old basketball player in the euphoria of victory. That investment banker's sky-blue eyes were exactly the same, but where did all that thick chestnut hair go?

Life has roughed us up. Our brows are worried and our daring tempered. We scattered into a country dominated by Vietnam, Nixon and the Cold War. We reunited as suicide bombers blew up the London subway, a gallon of gas rose to $3, and a secure retirement is defined as a seven-figure savings account.

The quietest guy in the class now complains non-stop about public schools, television and electricity. Three star athletes who survived wartime service in the Air Force worry their decades of commercial flying won't yield them pensions if their bankrupt airlines go under.

My best pal in 1965 was widowed young. She raised two babies by herself and is now a grandmother who oversees a busy office, takes college courses and owns her own home.

Also circulating around the room was the tallest girl in the class, a once-awkward, now willowy and elegant woman who carried a baby boy in her graceful arms. "Your grandchild?" I inquired. "No, my new son," she replied. She took the biggest leap of faith of all of us when she adopted a Russian orphan last February at the age of 57. Her joy and his contentment made all of us feel younger.

Moving from empty chair to buffet table to bar stool, I connected not just with old classmates but with interesting, engaging people who've learned hard lessons, accomplished much good, and value their families and friends. Catching up and sharing photos, we slipped an arm around each other or held hands; our need for intimate connection went unspoken but deeply felt; we were aware it might be our last embrace.

The best part of the reunion was the absence of ego. It didn't matter where we'd gone or what we'd done; what was important was that we shared common memories and experiences from an out-of-focus time when we brimmed with optimism.

The person I enjoyed most at my reunion was myself. I, too, was on that split-screen TV in my mind. The awkward, driven egghead who couldn't wait to graduate had given way to a relaxed sentimentalist bursting with affection toward people she'd foolishly thought no longer mattered. I was shocked to realize my Belton (Mo.) High School classmates had exerted a greater influence on my character, career, values and attitudes than I'd recognized until I reunited with them.

They were the first to praise my fledgling writing efforts in the school newspaper. Many came from Air Force families who'd lived all over the world; their stories of different cultures and exotic locales fueled my imagination to see beyond my flat, midwestern horizon. The local kids who lived on farms never complained about milking cows before school and bailing hay after football practice.

Our collective pranks, SAT tests, homework, dances, football games, crushes, heartbreaks, dreams and fears also shaped our individualism. To embrace them was to embrace myself.

Log on to www.tadbartimus.com to order Tad's book, "War Torn," share your thoughts, read great stories and visit with her. You can also write to Tad c/o The Women Syndicate, P.O. Box 10169, Columbia, Mo. 65205.

© 2005 by The Women Syndicate

7/23/2007

From Digger O'Dell

I remember, I think, that my comment in the '58 annual was something about "being a success in whatever I choose to do." I'm not sure how close I came but my life has been good.

I graduated from North Texas in January '64 with a BBA; stuck around until May for a BS in psychology. I tried to join the Marine Corps but had a medical disability. Ironically, it would keep me from joining any of the officer programs but not from being drafted (remember the draft)? I had surgery to correct the problem but spent '64/'65 at North Texas getting my M.S. in psychology.

I joined the Marine Corps in May and attended the officer candidate course in the fall of 1965. I was commissioned a 2nd. Lt. on 18 December. After a short leave, I attended further training at Quantico, Va. and arrived in Vietnam July of 1966. I remained in Vietnam until November 1968, serving as an infantry platoon commander, force reconnaissance (the Marine equivalent of the Navy SEALS or Army Special Forces) platoon commander and an advisor with the South Vietnamese Army. I returned home and was released from active duty in December 1968.

I returned to North Texas and was admitted to the Ph.D. program in psychology. I lost interest after a semester and ended up working for the Central Intelligence Agency in the directorate of operations. After a year of training I returned to Asia, this time to Laos, and spent 26 months there. I returned home in December 1972 and worked at Langley for a brief time; went through more training and went overseas again, this time to the Middle East. I'd gotten married in August 1973 to an American Airlines flight attendant (in those days they were stewardesses) Dudney O'Guin but couldn't take her with me. I got back in the summer of 1975 and was assigned to Langley again.

Everyone has their own ideas about what it's like to work for the CIA but, believe me, it's much different from what people think. You can't discuss your work with your wife, you can't tell people who you work for and when you're overseas you sometimes use a different name. All in all, very hard on family life. After I got back from the Middle East I decided that I needed to make a change. After talking it over with my wife, I resigned from the agency and was fortunate enough to be accepted back into the Marine Corps in the fall of 1975.

For the next 17 years we lived in various places, Quantico, VA. Okinawa (just me), Hawaii, Ft. Bragg, NC and finally Camp Pendleton, CA. While commanding 1st. Reconnaissance Battalion at Camp Pendleton in 1986, Clint Eastwood made the movie "Heartbreak Ridge" using our battalion area as one of the main sets of the film. Dudney and I are actually in one of the scenes, the receiving line at the club just prior to the departure for Grenada. Eastwood is a really nice man but I can't recommend the movie.

I've traveled to some interesting places, in addition to Vietnam and Okinawa I was in Grenada and Beirut with the Marines and, with the agency, most of Asia and part of the middle east. Dudney and I have traveled much of the world and enjoyed many places. Next month we will go to Tahiti on our 14th cruise to celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary.

I retired from the Marine Corps in the spring 1992 and we decided to remain here. We live in a small beach community about 25 miles north of San Diego. Dudney continued to fly for American until 2000 when she retired. She now stays occupied being a docent at a local wildlife foundation and with various American Airlines groups. Naturally she spends a good amount of time supervising me. :-)

For a short time after retirement I worked as a defense contractor. I spent some time as a professional bodyguard (including doing one movie with Julia Roberts) and then, in 1995, went to Atlanta to be the transportation security manager for the athletes of the 1996 Olympic Games.

Following the games I returned to California and eventually went to work for a major company in San Diego. The company had a contract with department of state to train foreign police officers in antiterrorism matters. The actual training was done at the state police academy in Baton Rouge, LA. So, for the past 10 years, I've traveled to Baton Rouge several times a year to teach/train foreign police officers. It's been a great job and I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately we lost the contract and my last trip to Baton Rouge was November of last year.

About the only sour note in my life took place in January 2003. When I left Vietnam I never intended to go back for a visit. Well, in January 2003, Vietnam came to visit me; I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes) which is one of the "Agent Orange" diseases. I went through chemotherapy until July when I was told that I was in remission. I wanted to attend our 45th reunion but my Dr. advised against traveling at that time. I still go in for a form of preventative chemotherapy twice a year, January and July, but it doesn't make me sick and I fully intend to be in Borger for our 50th.

Edith, you're doing a great job with the web site and class news. I enjoy reading about our classmates.

Digger O'Dell

7/23/2007

Replies from Classmates

I am really enjoying reading all your updates, even though I don't know that many of the people involved. It is fun for me when I do know them. I remember Carlene Chester and Ronald Barnett from grade school days. Wish our group here in Lubbock had an Edith to do such hard work. You really deserve a big star in your crown. I am still looking forward to next summer. We had a smallish 49th here at our house a couple of weeks ago. We only had about 50 people here. Most people who have to travel are waiting for the big one next year. I find that the small ones are almost more fun than the big ones, because you can really get in some quality visiting time.

I am feeling much better these days. I really did appreciate the phone call from you, and I will be looking forward to next summer, too. I also got a call from Ruth Ann, Ann Bonafield, Carmen and Ruthie. It was almost worth it to be so sick just to hear from everybody.

Keep up the good work. Love you,
Kay Carmichal Kirkpatrick

You can tell Bob West, we have all intentions of being there next year.......... Pat Hay Stone

Edith it was interesting reading the last update. When Keith McNutt was mention, my ears stood up. Wayland and Allen ( my husband) are first cousins. Our son is also Keith McNutt, I know that was a little confusing when both of the boys were in school. Our Keith lives in Mobil Al. And works for Williams Oil and Gas company. Our Keith is blonde and blue eyes. Waylands son is dark haired. How funny is this. Love Pat Fuller McNutt

I've been looking at the last pictures. Are all the old people in that group, my class mates? Whoops, maybe gettin into trouble here---the Women look fine, the guys look like their dad's used to. Gerald Hazzard

Hi Edith, thanks for your note. And I have been enjoying your updates. My goodness you do keep busy! No, my mom was not a teacher. And no relation to Patsy Scott. No help on her. Don't think this will help find Naomi Lamar, but I recently found in an old diary the note that Naomi lived just few blocks west of us on Franklin St. We were at 510 and she lived between us and the park. For some unremembered reason, we called Naomi "PuttPutt". Also diary says her family moved to Okla. in '56. Take good care, Ann Scott Putts

Mike (Crouch)...I liked the resume (documentary)...I had several thoughts....Mike Crouch is a talented, confident and motivated writer. I just wonder how motivated everyone would be! Probably doesn't matter as it would serve those who are interested and no skin off the nose of those who aren't. Hopefully we would get good participation. All in all, A lot of people like myself are interested in hearing about the classmates personal and career paths, therefore I think it is worthwhile doing. But, who would collect and consolidate them....just maybe Edith would be interested in doing so. What would work...a file on the BHS58 website or hard copy bound/indexed? Mike Connelley

Edith, thanks for forwarding Sandra's email. We have made contact and I am hoping that we can visit with her while she is in Borger. She and Eddie were some of my closest and best friends. Her Mom was a jewel also. You are doing a great job with all the emailing that is coming your way. It is fun. Dennis Hood

Earline and I are doing very good right now. Sorry that you have missed us. We have been gone for a week to family reunion in Arkansas and had a lot to do when we got back. We are going to N.Mex. This Friday to visit our youngest sister Deloris. Thank you for thinking of us and tell every hello for us and we are really anxious to see everyone. Did I tell you that we talked to Martha (Griffin) and she was so happy to hear from us. I plan on going to see her here pretty soon. You all are doing such a great job contacting everyone. I talked to Jeff Back's sister Joyce and she gave me this on Jeff. Jeff was born March 11, 1938 and he passed away Nov. 5,1991. He lived in Marion Tx. where he taught mechanics in high school. He served 19 years in the army before going to college and becoming a mechanic teacher. He had 2 boys and 1 girl and 9 grandchildren. Joyce said that she has a more recent picture of Jeff if you wanted it to put in the memory section.She has a really good looking one of him in his army uniform if you rather have that one. Geri Platt

Thank you Edith, for all of the information you have gathered up. Thanks again. Ed Blackwell

Glad you pursued that Edith.....yes, we always thought Larry had died years ago, but glad to find he lived a much longer, and it sounds happier, life. Mike Crouch

This is so sad. Larry and I had gone to school together in Tucumcari. I moved to Borger first, then Larry. He was always one of my favorite people. If I had known he was that close, I would have gotten in touch with him. We go through Tracy at least once a month. Thanks for the update. Pat Hay

Thanks for the information on Larry. I surely did enjoy our meeting in Borger. It surely was good to get to visit with everyone while planning the reunion. Thanks Maxine Hillman Roy

I AM SO SORRY I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO VISIT. WE REALLY WERE ON A TIGHT SCHEDULE MAINLY BECAUSE OF BASEBALL GAMES. THAT PARK WHERE THEY PLAY IS REALLY NICE. IN FACT BORGER STILL HAS A LOT TO OFFER YOUNG FAMILIES. THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL OF YOUR DETECTIVE WORK. I KNOW IT TAKES TIME YET YOU LEARN SO MUCH AND MEET NICE PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY. THAT IS SO SAD ABOUT LARRY HENLEY. THE LITTLE STINKER. HE COULD HAVE LET SOMEONE KNOW WHERE HE WAS. MUCH LOVE MARY ANN BROOKS

I'm so glad to hear from you, Edith. Enjoyed looking at pictures, etc.Hopefully I'll be able to attend the reunion. Janice Jennings Olomon

I can't tell you how thrilled I was to get the list of people who graduated in 1958. Eventhough I did not graduate, all the pictures brought back memories. I live in Canton,Tx. home of the largest flea market in the world. I teach students who have learning disabilities and have taught for the last 34 years. I have three grandchildren. Two grandsons and one granddaughter. The oldest grandson has been drafted by the Dallas Stars. He was a Graduate of the Gunnery in Conn.this year. He will play hockey for a year in Penticken Canada and then go to Colgate college in New York. I am very proud of him and the other two grandchildren and their accomplishments. I am getting ready to retire in about two years I hope.I really do not know what I will do with my self but my Sister Diane assures me that there will be plenty for me to do.I love it here in East Texas with the exception of the flooding that we have had this year.I hope I get to come to the renunion next year. Better close for now, It has been good to read and see all those pictures. Barbara Garrard Marshall

Until later,
Edith

7/14/2007

Larry Henley - BHS Class of 1958

Dear Classmates:

Beginning with the 20th Reunion in 1978 and every reunion since that time, we have been reporting that Larry Henley had died. In 2004 the school district commissioned an Alumni Directory. Many of you probably purchased the directory when contacted by the publisher that contracted to publish the book, but I didn't sign up for it at the time. Last year I purchased the last extra one that the administrative office had on hand in hopes I would be able to locate some lost classmates either listed in the book or through siblings who might be listed. It was a good investment, since it has enabled me to locate several I might not have found otherwise.

But I was also surprised to find Larry Henley listed in the Alumni Directory showing him retired from General Mills and living in Minnesota. I started at that time trying to call Larry at the number listed in the book. I always got a voice machine, but no return calls when I left messages. I was still reluctant to report to you that Larry was still living since I had also found a few errors reported in the Directory. I hadn't, however, given up on finding out more information about Larry.

Last week, I was able to obtain an on-line obituary for Larry's mother, who died in 2001. It listed her surviving children, Carolyn Kissell of Tracy CA and Larry Henley of Plymouth MN. I called Larry's sister and learned that Larry is deceased now, but did not die until March 2007! I'm grateful to Carolyn for furnishing the picture of Larry and his wife (Since the 45th, Photo 121) and the obituary (In Memory on Larry's page) that was published in the Tracy CA newspaper since she and Larry and their parents were long time residents and well-known there. Carolyn sent the information immediately, and I received it about two days after having talked with her. Thank you, Carolyn!! In addition to the picture and obit, Carolyn also sent this letter:

Edith,

It was so nice to hear from you. The picture of Larry and his wife, Karen, was taken in the summer of '93. I wasn't sure how much, in any, information you wanted about Larry's activities after graduating, but here is a short history.

After Larry graduated from High School, he worked on the horserace tracks in Texas, New Mexico and other 'circuits' as a groomsman, eventually wanting to be a jockey. To his great disappointment, he shot up in height and became too tall to be a jockey. By that time our parents and I had moved to Tracy, CA. Larry moved here and enrolled in Humphreys Business College in Stockton, CA. He graduated with honors in Business Administration. He worked as an Office Manager for a construction company in Stockton for some time and then went to work for General Mills as a computer specialist and Office Manager.

Larry was diagnosed with cancer in February 2007 and died in March 2007.

Yours truly, Carolyn

7/5/2007

More Updates on 1958 Classmates

Dear Classmates:

First, I must correct misinformation I gave you in the last e-mail. I reported that Ettabelle Williams Herring graduated in Kansas. It's true she lived in Kansas for awhile (her sister Norma who graduated from BHS in 1953 still lives there), but she told me that they also moved to Shamrock, and she graduated from Shamrock HS. I am hoping that she will be able to shed some light on Randall King. As I said in the previous note, it is amazing to me the connectivity I find each time I learn about a classmate.

Those who attended the planning session were helpful in sharing facts they remembered about some of the missing friends and more classmates have been located as a result of that information. It just takes a spark!! Because those at the planning session remembered what neighborhood some of the missing lived in growing up, it narrowed the field of search.

Here are some of the stories: Somebody at the session remembered that Linda Wilson Kuroki was good friend of Anna Sue Hicks Johnson. Linda was then able to give me some more information about her family that enabled me to talk to Anne's daughter. She goes by Anne Johnson now, and is in a nursing home in Bay City. I had a wonderful visit on the phone with Vanessa, who has been taking care of her mother for many years.

Helen Yarbrough Martinez was a wealth of information on these classmates: She obtained Luette Hammons Matney's contact information from her cousin, Mildred Adams. Luetta was surprised when I talked with her that we didn't know where she was, since she had kept in contact with Jeanie Fauske Ratliff quite a bit through the years. She was also surprised that no one had notified her about Jeanie's death. Helen also had some leads on Nancy Ingram, but I have not been able to confirm further information yet. Helen also remembered that Phyllis Reams had died and was able to give me her married name so I could locate the obituary to confirm that information. She is now listed on the 'In Memory' section. Helen gave us an address for Retha Ann Stover Wallace (and her married name, since we didn't have it). I was not able to come up with a correct phone number for her, but when I called Helen back again to report, she remembered that Retha and her husband (now deceased) had been close to Jane Cooley Covington and her husband in the past. I called Jane and she was able to give me Retha's correct phone number and also told me that Retha's son lives next door to her! I enjoyed my chat with Jane and learned that she plans to be at the Class of '57 50th reunion this weekend. I hope to see her there. Retha and Helen have both reported to me that they have since talked to each other. Hoorah!!

Lynda Bonny Jackson said she works with Keith McNutt (Wayland's son) and could get Wayland's contact information from Keith. She called the next day to give it to me. Wayland was one of the classmates that Wendell Garrison asked about. As it turns out, they just live a few miles from each other!

A search of obits and news articles (primarily 50th wedding announcements of parents) in the library newspaper archives enabled me to locate Sherry Clements, Carlene Chester, Nora Faye Seger, Nancy Gibbons Helen Gutierrez and Ronald Barnett!

In the process of locating the classmate using those resources, I was able to make a lot of new friends - siblings, step-siblings, friends and neighbors of those classmates.

After talking with Sherry's sister-in-law to obtain Sherry's current information, I learned that Sherry's sister was married to Jerry Dawson, a Calvary Baptist Church boy whose family I knew from having grown up in that church.

Carlene Chester's location was given to me by the pastor of a church in her area. A family by the same family name given in her father's obituary that I cold-called referred me to him. Carlene has since re-married and her name is Walls. She was surprised to hear from someone from her school days in Borger. She now lives in North Carolina. She remembers Carolyn Harper and asked about her. Carolyn is one of our classmates that I have done a lot of looking for without success. I hope one of you will be able to help with Carolyn so we can let Carlene know.

Nora Faye Seger's brother, Roy, lives in Sanford and has been in this immediate area all these years, but I didn't realize he was her brother until reading it in her father's obituary. Nora Faye was also surprised to hear from an old classmate after all these years, but her sister-in-law will help encourage her to attend the 50th reunion so she can see her again, too! I remember them mostly from East Ward, so I hope both Carlene and Nora Faye will be able to travel the long distance required so we can see them after 50+ years!

I discovered from Nancy Gibbons' parents 50th wedding announcement that Nancy lived in Fritch at the time. The phone was still listed, but I didn't get an answer right away, so I called and talked to her sister who lives in Ballinger. Her sister confirmed that Nancy Gibbons Gideon does still live in Fritch and I talked with her later there. Because they lived in the area in Bunavista that Phillips moved houses from, they moved to Fritch and both Nancy and her sister graduated from Phillips. Nancy has lived in Fritch all these years, but they have a winter home in Kerrville so are there during those months. They both plan to be at the Phillips reunion in a week or so.

I visited with Ronald Barnett's two step-sisters before finally locating Ronald's sister. Ronald's dad and Lue and Alice's mother didn't marry until long after they were all grown and gone from home, so they hadn't kept in touch, but I had an enjoyable time visiting with them. I learned that Alice graduated from BHS in 1962 and plans to be at that 45th reunion in the fall. Eddie Page's wife, Sandra Zimmerman, was in that class as well, so I definitely hope to see them then. Finally I was able to talk to Ronald's sister and she gave me Ronald's phone, etc. While I was talking with her, she said that Thomas Hooper, who was a neighbor of mine for many years before I moved to Houston, lived close to her. Mr. Hooper was also principal at BHS for a number of years after our time! Ronald was out when I called, so I enjoyed a visit with his wife. He called back after he returned home, surprised to hear from a Borger classmate . He said they moved to Amarillo and he and his sister both graduated from Amarillo High School, but he remembered a lot of classmates from having played ball with them. He also said he got re-acquainted with Randy Hudson and his sister, Melissa, when he came back to Borger during the summers working during his college years at Texas Tech. Randy was glad to hear about Ronald and I hope they have since connected.

Helen Gutierrez Hernandez has lived in Amarillo all these years, but I was only able to locate her after learning her married name from her mother's obit. It was good to talk with Helen.

Mary Ellen Stevens Evans remembered some facts about Henry Mayo's family that enabled me to do a more intelligent search for him. I will report further when I've been able to finish that investigation, since I am waiting for some feedback from another source.

Harold Hooks has a couple of missing folks he thinks he will be able to obtain information on, so we hope to hear from him soon. Roy Cole also thought he remembered something about one of the missing classmates who may live in Amarillo that he will follow up on. Roy called yesterday to say that his sister is here, and they will drop by the Class of '57 50th reunion at some point. She graduated in '57, but hadn't expected to be here for the reunion and this visit with Roy was a spur of the moment one. Charles Trigg remembered that Larry Morris' folks owned a TV shop across from Heard & Jones. When I researched that shop, I was surprised it was Milt Morris. My daddy used to talk about Milt Morris all the time. I'm sorry I didn't listen better, as I might be able to find Larry now if I had! Some of the other clues that were given at the planning session have still not been followed up, but hopefully will yield some positive results.

After the meeting, Rosalie Mason Overbay called to report that she had talked with Vernon Huddleston and gave me his information. When I called, Vernon was out helping a neighbor with something, so I had a very pleasant conversation with his grandson Zachary, until Vernon could get back in the house. Very personable young man!! Vernon is interested in attending the reunion, so hopefully, we'll see him there. I enjoyed talking with him and learning what he's been doing.

I hope I have remembered to tell you everything I know!! If not, maybe I'll remember later and can report. It's taken me a long time to type this (typos and all), and in the meantime I received these two e-mails from classmates.

Edith, thanks so much for doing all the hard work that you have done for this reunion and thanks for going to so much trouble finding me. It will be a long year waiting to see everbody at the reunion, I can't wait. Thanks again, Linda Leder Levy

Hello Edith, I thought maybe I should send you my new E-mail address since I have changed it. Ed Blackwell

I don't remember whether I had reported finding Linda Leder to you, but she told me they had moved to Bellaire from Borger and she graduated from Bellaire High School. As you can see from her note above, she intends to come to the BHS 50th reunion even if it occurs at the same time as the Bellaire one!! We're gonna be happy to see you, Linda!

Love to you all!!
Edith

7/5/2007

Update on 1958 Classmates

Dear Classmates, OK Boys and Girls.....KEEP THOSE CARDS, EMAILS AND LETTERS COMING..... HOPE TO SEE ALL YOU'UNS AT THE REUNION. MIKE CROUCH

Edith: Several more photos are in the 'Since the 45th' section at www.borgerhigh1958.com as a result of my latest round of classmate visits yesterday. At least it was yesterday when I started this note almost a month ago!! I will attempt to bring you up to-date with all that has been going on since then. First, I will make some comments on the photos that have been added in the 'Since the 45th' section. Photo 99 was taken at Larry Black's mother's funeral. Photo 100-107 are the classmate visit pictures. Photo 108 was taken at Paula Collins Diamond's mother's funeral. Photo 110-119 are of the Planning Session on June 21, and Photo 120 of John Wilkinson and his family.

It was fun visiting with LeDona. Her cute little Pomeranian dog was interested in visiting, too, but pouted when he was ignored! I should have gotten a picture of that. LeDona has promised to see you at the 50th. I enjoyed seeing Mike again, and I caught Jerry in the process of mowing his lawn. His wife, Lenora, had come out to tell him I was on the way. I visited with Bob and Joyce Kenimer and headed on toward Fritch, stopping at Wendell Garrison's on the way. Wendell asked about several folks he remembered and gave me some ideas for contacting other lost classmates. It was fun talking with Wendell and I enjoyed meeting his grandaughter who was visiting from Odessa. She thinks her grandpa is pretty special!

I met Rebecca Yeager Murley's two grandsons while I was visiting with her and one of them took our picture. Rebecca also remembered that Joyce Dixon married a Dale Watts, and I was hopeful that would lead to finding Joyce, but so far have not been successful in doing so. Brenda Dixon May said that she is not related to their family. If any of you know anything about Joyce, please let me know. It was good to visit with Sue Earnest Kersey and Nellis Orr Schuster. It was good to see Glyndon Collins again. I don't remember which one, but one of these folks I visited had just told me that Glyndon was Paula's cousin and I had not taked the time to follow up on that lead when Rosalie called him to my attention at the funeral. I saw him again a couple of days later at a restaurant so had a couple of times recently to remind him about the reunion.

We had a great planning session which I will tell more about in another note. I know you will appreciate as much as I do the folks who participated and are helping to make this a special 50th reunion.

John Wilkinson contacted me on the Sunday morning following planning session day to let me know he was coming through Borger on his way to their summer home in Montana. It was a treat for Michael and I to have breakfast with him and his wife and grandaughter and catch up a little with their family. While we were in the restaurant, Brenda Haley Barringer came by the table and Jimmy and Ann Kesterson Hines also stopped to visit for a few minutes. Jimmy and Ann are involved with the 50th reunion for the Class of 1957 which is this weekend.

Edith, please forward to Pat Hay. Hope she makes the reunion. We had a great visit last reunion and look forward to seeing her again. Bob West

Thank you so much for keeping us informed on everything. I know you must be very busy. Would you have any information on Martha Griffin? We were best of friends growing up. The last time I saw her was in 1965 here in Amarillo. We worked and lived together, then she met this soldier and they moved away. That was the last time I saw her. I sure would like to find out about her. If you know any one that knows about her please let me know. Thank You Geri (Geraldine Platt)

Often think of our classmates and it seems to be getting harder to remember everyone. GOD BLESS AND WILL SEE YOU THERE. EARLINE PLATT

I just returned from Bennies. We had our usual golf game, Ben,Monty,Alvin and myself. We had a great time, and I know you won't believe the tall tales about how good a gooffer he his. That is not mispelled. Your Doing a great Job, We all Love you for spending so much time. Gerald (Hazzard)

Edith: I told Gerald that Bennie had not yet reported the golf scores, yet. But I did also tell him that Gary Horton had told me he was Randall King's cousin and I hoped he would be able to enlighten me on Randall's whereabouts. I also asked if maybe Loretta was related to the other three Griffins we were searching for. Here is his answer:

Loretta had no relations living in Borger. Randall is my cousin, but I have no idea where he lives. His family lived in Shamrock years ago. I think they were farmers. I think His Father(Randall), was the oldest son of Bill King. Maybe someone in Shamrock will know of his location. Sorry I don't have much info on Randall. Gerald

Edith: Thanks to Bob Poston, Shirley Thacker Hartman, Melvin Hegwood, Vernon Huddleston, and Mike Crouch for entering additional information at the 'Contact Center'.

Because of Geri's request about Martha Griffin, I focused on trying to locate her. I was able to locate a listing for Doyle Griffin and spoke to his widow (info is now 'In Memory' section). I learned that Doyle had died in 1986, and Patricia sent the picture for the memorial page. I failed to get other information from Patricia to enable completion of the memorial page, but will follow up with her on that later. She did give me contact information for Martha and I was able to talk with her. Martha was interested to learn about Geraldine and Earline, and also asked about Rosalie Mason.

Since Mary Kay Carithers' family was the only one by that name listed in the '53-54 Borger City Directory, I was able to obtain information that enabled me to locate Mary Kay's brother and get contact information for her. I had a great talk with James and subsequently, with Mary Kay. I learned that her dad had worked for Huber and was transferred to Baytown in 1954. He retired before I started working for Huber or I probably would have known about Mary Kay before now. Mary Kay said she returned to Borger for summer time visits with Beverly Summers and Jeanie Roper after they moved to Baytown. Here in her words:

Hi Edith,
Thank you so much for the web site and the directory you sent me about our class of '58. I spent hours looking at it and reminiscing. I have found one friend that you didn't have any information on. It is Ettabelle Williams. Her husband's name is Clyde Herring and they live in Glendive, Mt. I have tried to call her, but haven't been able to talk to her yet. I did talk fo her husband to find out that this is the right person from Borger. I also tried to call Jeanie, but haven't connected with her yet either. (Talked to her husband also). Hopefully, I will get to talk to both of them soon.

Thanks again and the web site is fantastic!!! Your son did a wonderful job on it.

Take care,
Mary Kay Carithers Bush

After I learned that Mary Kay and Jeanie had visited after junior high, I contacted Jeanie to let her know about Mary Kay. Here's what she wrote:

Thanks so much, Edith. Yes, Mary Kay and I were buddies; I have pictures of us together. I will look forward to hearing from her. I will write to you for the web site some day soon when I have time. Busy summer. Love, Jeanie

After I learned about Ettabelle from Mary Kay, I talked with her. I learned that she had moved several times due to her father's work, even coming back to school in Borger for two weeks, but they eventually lived in Kansas where she graduated. She told me that Mary Kay had also visited her in Kansas and it was because of information Mary Kay remembered about Ettabelle living in Kansas that she was able to locate her and pass the word along to me. It is so amazing to me the connections I am learning about from all these classmates. Ettabelle said she has now talked with Mary Kay and learned about the web site. It is my prayer that all these friends and their families will be safe and well and can attend the 50th reunion. Won't you be glad to see them, too?!

This is getting over-long, so will send and start another to give you all the rest (a lot!) I have to report. I hope you all are taking the opportunity to contact classmates you have thought about over the years. E-mail addresses, phone numbers, and mailing addresses are not being reported in these notes since the notes will be posted on the web site and I want to protect privacy of our classmates. You may have received the class contact list before some of the mentioned classmates have been found, so let me know if you want that information. You can call or e-mail me requesting it.

Later,
Edith