MAIL CALL
from Jan Russell in Houston
March 11
I arrived home today from a 7 day Royal Caribbean cruise to Cozamel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica. What fun! And what a wonderful surprise to run into Linda DeCuir and my growing up next door neighbor Buddy Ball and his lovely wife and daughter. I was with a group of 72 really fun people from my church. Great shows including ice skating (on a moving ship), a Beatles impersonation group, a Neil Diamond tribute, and a Cirque de Soleil style show. And the shopping!!!! Oh my goodness! Let’s just say that Jan was a very, very bad girl and invested heavily in the Caribbean economy! But, I got some very pretty bling!
WEBSITE DONATIONS
I received some very nice surprises in REUNION envelopes in the last 3 weeks.When opening the mail from Lynn Eldridge , Sara Little and Linda (Olivier) and Rex Meyers , they not only sent their checks for the reunion, but also added a donation for the website.MANY, MANY THANKS.
RETIREMENT
Our webmaster, Mike Lawson and his wife, Meredith both retired in the last few days. Mike worked at Phillips in the West Columbia area for 33 years. Their actual retirement will be June 1 st for both but they are using their vacation days to finish up.HAPPY, happy for both of them.
NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
Besides working non-stop on the upcoming reunion, there isn't too much drama going on here. Murphy did have a bout of bronchitis for two weeks right when he was finishing up his 9 month course (RCIA) for turning Catholic.He graduated March 31 st (Easter Vigil).It was very special.
Dad would be turning 102 this weekend if he had survived the hurricane evacuation.I think I will go to the Holland Place Assisted Living and bring a cake and we will celebrate his heavenly birthday with his wonderful caregivers and friends he made in the 3 ½ years he stayed there.
My brother in Friendswood is finished remodeling his home that was flooded during Harvey.They are beginning to put furniture back in this week.
Bailey's high school soccer team made it to the playoffs. They won district, bi-district, and lost in the area round to Lorena High School.It was a fun season.
Drew is trying out for officer for drill team this week for her upcoming 8 th grade year.
NOW GO GET A PENCIL/PEN AND WRITE NOTES FOR THE FOLLOWING SECTION:
REUNION NEWS
The committee worked for several months trying to reach everyone to confirm addresses and other contact information for our class spreadsheets.Since I mailed the invitations on on March 21 st, 63 envelopes have been returned. IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN INVITATION BY NOW, THEN PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT lindaDmcfadden@yahoo.com and send me your contact information.
I am THRILLED to have had a great response so far.We already have 94 classmates and guests on the list so far coming to reminisce and enjoy the friends from so long ago. Mike Lawson will soon have the ongoing list on the front page of the website under REUNION NEWS.We have classmates that have bought tickets for the event and this will be their FIRST reunion !!So, get your $ in soon.
Reunions are not for everyone.That is okay.We have had to put “ not interested ” by a few names on our spreadsheet.They didn't care to be contacted via e-mail, newsletters, reunion invites, etc.So, it is to our best interest to no longer take the time and effort try to update their information.If you know of someone that would rather not be contacted anymore, please inform us.We will take their name off of our class list.
I followed up and found information for several of those classmates that had a problem getting their invite.Now, here is how you can help.The following is a list of classmates that we don't have a good contact or NO CONTACT period.Look over the list and jot down any that YOU know how to contact and YOU send me any information you have on them that may help us.We call these “missing” for lack of better term.
“MISSING CLASSMATES”
Bobbie Achord
William Bruce Bailey
Mary Jean “Jeannie” Ballard Michon
Jimmy W. Bean
Mary Blanks Kaiser
Thomas “Tommy” Hayden Bradford
Carroll Paul Cashat
Linda Coates Cousins
Charles “Bruce” Collins
Caroline Colunga Puente
Providencia “Rita” Dangerfield
Cynthia Daris
Linda Marlene Davis Smith
Laura Devillier Macha
Sandra Downey Dearman
Linda K. Draper
Kathleen Dumas Wyatt
Gwendolyn Edwards Franklin
Diana Frances Elizondo
Linda Espinosa Wyatt
Sally Fitch Strunk
Glen Lloyd Flohr
Cheryl Eileen Freeman
Margaret Gaines Wilder
Amelia Gandy Thompson
Willis Joseph Gary, Jr.
Patricia Diane Graves
Billy Gray
Elaine Hammers Barnes
James “Jimmy” Harrison
Gary Lynn Hebert
Robert Christopher Hickson
Sylvia Huffy
Stephen Michael Hursh
Tommy Charles Jenkins
Eduardo “Eddie” Roy Jiminez
Patsy Ann Johnson Hawks
Peggy Ann Johnson Baskerville
Susan Ketcherside
Thomas “Tommy” King
Mary Lou Martinez Shillings
William “Clyde” McManus
Marilyn Mires
Charlotte Moore
James “Jimmy” Mouille
Karen Pardue Davis
Willie Ray Patin
Vicki Peterson
Linda Dianne Petry
John Preston
Ronald Glen Prince
Marie “Yolanda” Reyes Bourque
Sharon Richard Barnhill
Robert T. Richmond
Patricia “Pat” Romero
Lois Ann Root Borel
Ralph “Craig” Runyan
Carlos Huberto Semino
Susan Ann Sherrer Daigle
Rebecca Ann Simon White
Robert Singleton
Gary Smith
Charles Allan Tate
William I. Taylor
Robert Earl Teufel
Gerald A. Theriot
Pamela Thibodeaux Price
Lynette Marie Thigpen Calvert
Kerry Thomas Yeates
Don Wilson Toups
Mary L. Waldrep
Linda Weisense
Clarence Williams
Rodrick Williams
We won't be surprised if someone on this list has since passed away and we weren't aware.It has happened for each reunion as we searched.At this time, we have 124 KNOWN deceased classmates.We have had 31 to pass away since our 45 th reunion in August, 2013!
HOTEL CHANGES
The Holiday Inn Park Central
2929 Jimmy Johnson Blvd.
PA, TX 77642
$119 (not $109 as listed on invitation.We were given wrong information.)
(409) 724-5000
Hampton Inn and Suites
7660 Memorial Blvd. (OOPS.address incorrect on invitation)
PA, TX 77642
$119.00 King
$124.00 Suite
(409)722-6999
Due to demand, we have added another hotel:
Holiday Inn EXPRESS
3115 Central Mall Blvd.
PA, TX 77642
$119.00 for Kg. or Dbl.
(409)853-4114
ALL THREE HOTELS HAVE BLOCKED ROOMS.TO GET THE RATE LISTED, YOU MUST TELL THEM “TJ, Class of 1968”. Availability is limited in the area, so please do not wait until the last minute.
REUNION TICKET COST
per person $35.00 (1 night)
per person $50.00 (both nights)
The committee has voted to allow free tickets for any classmate that you feel needs some type of financial help due to medical issues, loss of income, storm problems, etc.You may contact me privately via e-mail for yourself or if you know of someone that could use this help.
There is NO DEADLINE for buying the tickets, but you will NOT receive a t-shirt if payment is not received by June 30.
T-SHIRT INFORMATION and DEADLINE
You received a t-shirt order form with your invitation.Please include this form when paying for your reunion ticket.
We must have your information for the t-shirt orders by June 30 (one month before the reunion.)
ONLY the GRADUATE gets a FREE t-shirt.Your guest(s) have the opportunity to purchase one for an extra $15.00 each.
Please send in your selected LOGO and the SIZE for each t-shirt.
SPECIAL TREAT
Reunion committee member, Bart Darby
, has designed a blanket for our
special occasion.It is a plush
fleese blanket measuring 50” x 60”.The material is maroon
on
both sides.The front has our
Thomas Jefferson 50 th
logo on it and also b&w photos of the school
building and the front of the football stadium.The back side is the school song imposed on top of a picture of the
gymnasium/auditorium building.He
was able to get a bulk price that will include shipping. Any TJ graduate from
ANY class might also want to order one.
It
is a generic 50 th
class reunion logo without a class year on it.It is the same logo as the t-shirt.
The
order information is below:
$52.00 check or money order (price includes shipping and handling)
Make sure to include your mailing address
DEADLINE to order is JUNE 30 th .
Make the check out to:
Bart Darby
24606 Heirloom Ln
Katy, TX 77493
SUPPORT
from Jan Russell
February 7
I always enjoy reading your newsletters and website and catching up on everyone. It seems like many of our classmates are having surgeries on various joints. My doctor told me I have bursitis in my left shoulder. His words were “When you reach a certain age, these things happen.” A certain age!!! Seriously??? The next time a doctor tells me that I’m going to hit him with my cane!
Billy Caldwell
is having surgery for a melanoma at MD Anderson April 16.He has had several surgeries such as this due to exposure to Agent
Orange.He also has a heart issue
due to the exposure.
403 S. 14 th St.
Nederland, TX 77627
from Liz Tieskens Ellis
March 31
Prayer warriors..asking for your prayers for my husband, Butch Ellis (TJ '69). He has had a stroke..no brain bleed...and is in the hospital - being given the meds to address this. His symptoms were significantly improving on his own, even before the meds. Scary, scary..but we know our Lord has him.
April 1
Update: Butch had a good night...language skills seem to be back in tact, still some weakness on right side-especially arm, but able to move it, squeeze hand, touch his nose- with some effort.. All vitals are good. They will be doing an MRI later on. Your loving prayers and concerns are priceless to us and we thank you with all of our hearts.
April 2
Update!! Progress continues as Butch gains strength and prepares for an acute rehab program. He is out of ICU and now on the rehab floor..will be going to the rehab facility in Boulder soon for a period of time until they deem him safe and more independent..hopefully soon. We so appreciate your concern, prayers, wonderful contacts..we are so blessed by you!
April 7
Butch arrived at rehab facility late afternoon on Thurs. He is gaining strength daily and very motivated to work hard with his therapists and on his own..he just wants to go faster than is probably prudent. I am very proud of him!
April 14
Got a pass last night for Butch to leave rehab to join Dave and Chels and family at Chuy's to celebrate their birthdays! What a treat and what good medicine for him!
358 Elk Trail
Lafayette, CO 80026
Diane Barker Foreman's sister, Patricia Barker Koziuk (TJ '74) is battling salivary duct cancer.
5541 Garfield
Groves, TX 77619
Darlene Turner Landry's husband, Steve , is taking treatment for lung cancer.They are just getting back into their home since Hurricane Harvey.Prayers are appreciated.
3195 Williamsburg Ln.
Port Neches, TX 77651
Cheryl Thibodeaux Pitre had extensive spine surgery in Houston April 9 th .
9672 Beverly
Orange, TX 77630
Robbie Greig has had several serious health issues in the last year and a half.
5429 32 nd St.
Groves, TX 77619
Randy Blanchard has had a stroke.He was first sent to St. Joseph's Hospital in Houston.Now, he is having therapy in Huntsville.
3810 Lexington
Port Arthur, TX 77642
from Vicki Plaia Michaels
Jan. 14
I finally got my renewed drivers license! I am still not able to drive. The last cat scan shows my neck/ spine is healing well. Also, left knee replacement is healing well, too. Now, again I am calling all of you prayer warriors to pray January 22nd for a successful surgery, replacement of the right knee. 5 major surgeries in 18 months!! It has been a long journey! I am determined to make the 50 th reunion! God bless you all and thank each of you! Sending love.
23731 Eagle Bend Ln.
Parker, CO 80138
(Vicki was the FIRST person to send in her $$ for the reunion tickets.If she can, so can YOU.“-)
from Joyce Marceaux Abate
(Mar. 22)
I want to thank family and friends for all of the prayers for Ronnie surgery. The surgery was a success. The doctors took out all of the cancer. Lymph nodes to be sent to the pathology lab to make sure. Thank you all again for all of your prayers and support. The Lord does answer our prayers. Amen, Lord
6305 Mable Falls Dr.
Lumberton, TX 77657
from Pat Trahan Knox
March 12
I met yesterday with Dr. Bennett, my hand specialist, at Fondren Orthopedics in Houston. I have to be at the hospital for my surgery next Monday, March 19, at 8:30 a.m.He will reroute tendons in my hand and do another procedure on my thumb. My fingers on my right hand will never be straight, but the tendons on my right palm will be moved to allow my hand to be much more functional. My pinkie and ring finger on my right hand are in a claw position presently. All of this is a result of severe damage to my ulnar nerve at the ER Dec. 9, 2016 when getting my dislocated shoulder back in place. Breaking my wrist 2-1/2 months after shoulder surgery messed up our schedule. Dr. Bennett wants me to stay in the hospital overnight to ensure the pain can be managed (not sure about that) and he will be close if anything were to go wrong. I will not be able to get any therapy for 4 to 6 weeks. I hope you will all pray for my husband, Ray, as 2017 really was not our best year. He has definitely gotten the raw end of the deal!!
March 31
I had the surgery on my hand on March 19. I go back to Fondren on Tuesday to get dressing off and I think be fitted for a splint. What I was hoping to be a non-invasive surgery had a few complications. Our Dr. called Ray and I in to meet another specialist. They used big medical terms, but we could understand that some tendons were to be routed. I haven't seen my hand since before surgery, but I have a pin holding my second and third fingers together. Dr. Bennett tried showing me with his hand what I possibly will look like. My fingers will never be straight, but we're really hoping that I will have a functional hand on some level. They kept me overnight. I found that I was allergic to the anesthesia (Fentanyl, as in Michael Jackson's enormous amount.) The pain was uncomfortable, but I'm allergic to the pain pills. I was itching so bad.......I still have a few scabs in my ears, scabs on my arm, my back and nose. I didn't even realize I was scratching. These past 17 months have been difficult. Ray does everything, but is happy to do it. I'm trying to stay hopeful. I also need to try a new CPAP, as this one keeps leaking. I hope you all have a wonderful Easter!!
April 5
I went to Dr. Bennett at Fondren Clinic in Houston on Tuesday and got the dressing removed. Ugly fingers, but they're wonderful to me. I got a splint that day and on the way home, shooting pains were so bad. Ray called and we went back today, adjusted the splint and made an appt. for next Tues. a.m. to probably remove the pins in my joints of my middle, ring, and pinkie fingers. He may let me start rehab exercises, but not sure. Since I'm in a semi-schedule, I'll start sleeping with my CPAP machine again (alien from outer space). These past 17 months have been full of activities, but I think I was in a painful fog. I do know that I am so very grateful for all of my friends that prayed for and with me. God bless you all!
925 Brandywine
Beaumont, TX 77706
CONDOLENCES
two classmates gone too soon
Lizbeth “Libby” Branick
July 14, 1950 – February 24, 2018
Sharon Marie Hebert Montgomery
January 10, 1950 – April 12, 2018
You have a lot of homework:get your hotel reservations, check over MISSING LIST, send in $ for the reunion, send in order for t-shirts, contact via e-mail or snail mail the classmates mentioned in the SUPPORT list and add them to your prayer list, order (if you like) a blanket to commemorate our special event.Not too much to do.Smile.
Stay in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden
