Monday, February 25, 2008

......LHS News......
Originally sent Feb. 20

I was informed that '59 classmate Jimmy Strickland had a heart attack...I believe on the 12th. He has had some bad days but understand he is doing better. Jimmy lives in Lawton and is brother to '57 grad Jerry Strickland and sisters Ella & Reba - also LHS grads. I know the family would appreciate you keeping Jimmy in prayers. So hope he continues to improve.

Have emailed back and forth past week with '59 classmate Jovita "Jody" (Reinwand) Weeks. Jody disappeared off my radar screen some time ago so am very happy to be back in contact. She is living in Arizona and we have had fun getting caught up!

Had an email from Jim Andrews, class '58. Jim is also a February baby and he said his friends were throwing him a "17th" party! I always knew he was older than me!!! Happy Birthday Jim.....on 29th! Hey...what do you do about this Leap Year thing?

That was all I have this time.....Georgia
......LHS News......
Originally sent Feb. 17

So sorry to have to tell you that another classmate has passed....Floyd W. Teague, 67, of Tulsa passed on Feb. 14. Floyd was born in Lawton and graduated LHS in 1959. He had retired as V-President of Commercial Distributing in 1990. He was a motor sports enthusiast. The way his obit reads, he apparently had cancer. He has two sons, Michael and Richard. He was preceded in death by wife Linda. Services will be at 10:30 Monday morning Feb. 18, Southern Hills Baptist church in Tulsa. I had a little trouble with funeral home 'link', but try this: : <http://www.legacy.com/Obituaries.asp?Page=OBITFINDERRESULTS>

Reunion Update: Loretta Hartline said the committee for the 1958 - 50th reunion had a meeting last week at the Music Hall at Medicine Park and have decided they will have a Friday night event there (August 15). Saturday night event will be at the Best Western in Lawton. They are also trying to work out a bus tour of the Wichitas and the Medicine Park area so everyone (those not here in a long while) can see what a tourist attraction the mountains and Medicine Park have become. Details soon.

And some great news.....Johnna (Gordon) and Wayne Parks are proud new great-grandparents!!! First great-grandchild. Milo Wyatt, born last night, Feb. 16. Proud parents are Johnna's grandson Brady & Becca. Little over six pounds, Johnna said hes "really cute" and "long and skinny".!!! Mom, Dad, and baby doing fine!

All for now......Georgia
......LHS News......
Originally sent Feb. 14

I am so sorry to report yet another loss of an LHS -er, John William "Bill" Shanklin, 77, of Lufkin, TX. Bill passed away Feb. 11. Bill had been fighting cancer for several years. I know he graduated LHS but not sure of year. From age would have to be '48-'49? Bill is brother to other LHS classmates: Robert - "Bob", Jack, Jerry, sisters Jane & Jean and sister Judy (Shanklin) Dodson (she is deceased). Bill is survived by wife Mary, a son and a daughter. Bill was also preceded in death by his parents, first wife Wanda (Burt), and a daughter Monta Lee. Services will be Friday Feb. 15 at First Presbyterian church in Lufkin, 11:00am.There is a lengthy obit and picture at: <http://www.carroway-claybar.com/obituaries.html> Click on KTRE Obituaries.

Wednesday I had lunch with a dear friend Shirley (Brittain) Russell. We are both February babies so we get together at least once a year! Actually...several times a year! We have been friends a long time and always have a great time talking about the good 'ol days!!!!

Thursday I had lunch with other friends at the Tea Room in downtown Lawton. I'm blessed to have so many good friends! Food was very good, lovely atmosphere, and Loretta Hartline is the manager! She said they loved to have friends, groups, whomever, meet and eat and visit! She said plans for the '58 reunion are going great! Obviously I am eating too much!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Valentine's Day filled with love and chocolate!SWAK. Georgia

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

......LHS News......
Originally sent Feb. 11

Memorial service for Rosalie Raibourn, 66, lifelong Lawton resident will be at 2:00pm Friday February 15, at the First United Methodist Church of Lawton, (2602 NW Ferris) with Reverend Derrek Belase, pastor of Highland Park United Methodist Church of Stillwater, OK officiating.
Private family interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of Lawton Ritter Gray Funeral Home. Mrs. Raibourn died on Monday, February 11, 2008, in Lawton. (her birthday) She was born in Lawton on February 11, 1942. Rosalie was united in marriage to Delmer Dee Raibourn, Jr. on January 11, 1969. After the death of her husband in 1972, she continued to operate his business for several years. In addition, she became a volunteer for the American Cancer Society and received numerous awards for her fund-raising events in Comanche County. She established the first Business Crusade and Century Club which became models for American Cancer Society units across the nation. In 1990, she became a realtor and tirelessly served her clients until her death. Survivors include her son, Delmer Dee Raibourn, III of Dallas, Texas; her sister-in-law, Linda (Raibourn) Langmacher and husband Ron, of Carnegie, Oklahoma; her cousins, Lehrie Hayes, Oakland, California; Don Long and wife Barbara, Wichita Falls, Texas; Bea Brock and Evelyn Tuck and husband Vernon, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Mary Lou Ketchum and husband Troy, Stuart, Florida; Cynthia Bradley and Marsha Goller and husband Ingo Seattle, Washington; and many beloved friends and neighbors.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James Wesley Kepler and Della Margaret (Melrose) Kepler and her husband Dee. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to a charity of the donors choice.
On line guest book available at: <www.grayfuneral.com>

I received this wonderful memory of Sgt. Charles Rom from '59 classmate Charles Narmore:
Sgt. Rom and his family lived across the street from us in the early fifties and he was a wonderful man. My parents moved to southern Oklahoma when my dad retired in '72. Sgt Rom remained a good friend and forthirty three years he called my mother every year on her birthday.The streets around our house in those days were just dirt. No pavement, no gravel. Sgt. Rom had a brandnew green Dodge with carpet on the floor. One cold, rainy spring day I was walking to grade school and had mud up to my ankles. The Rom's car pulled up beside me and stopped. Sgt. Rom asked me if I would like aride. I looked at my feet then at that nice clean carpet and said that I should just walk. Sgt. Rom looked at my feet and then with his official Master Sgt. voice said "get in boy." That is the kind of man he was.

So much sadness with the loss of friends, family, classmates. But fortunately, so many wonderful memories to comfort us and remind us of those so dear to us and who had a positive influence on our lives.

Regards to all........Georgia
......LHS News......
Originally sent Feb. 11

Just received this email from Norma Jean (Tompkins) Bowers - LHS '56:

I just wanted to inform you of the passing of Chad Payne on February 9, 2008 in Duncan. He is my brother-in-law--married to my sister Pat (Tompkins) Payne, class of l959. He was in LHS class of 1955.
Funeral will be at 10:00am this Wednesday Feb. 13, at Heritage Oaks Church of the Nazarene, inDuncan. He is survived by his wife, two sons, Scott and Rick, six grandchildrenand two great-grandchildren. Would appreciate thoughts and prayers for the family.
Guest book available at: <http://granthamfuneralhomes.com/funerals.asp>
Chad has another sister-in-law, Mary (Tompkins) Wright, Lawton - LHS class '52.

I neglected to mention that Sharon Strait is also a sister to our '59 classmate David Hillis. The Montague/Strait families will receive guests on Tuesday evening, Feb. 12, from 6:00 - 8:00pm at the Lawton Ritter Gray Funeral Home, 632 SW C Ave (7th & C - downtown Lawton). <www.grayfuneral.com>

Services for Rosalie Raibourn are still 'pending'.

Regards......Georgia
......LHS News......
Originally sent Feb. 11

I almost hate to send this 'news'.....lot of sad news.....

So very sorry to let you know that Rosalie (Kepler) Raibourn passed this morning (Monday - 11th). She is survived by son Dee. Rosalie was a friend and she will be missed by so many. I have no details on funeral services but will pass along when I do. Rosalie was LHS class '60.

Also the passing of Susan Kelly (Montague) Britton - Surls, 45, Lawton. Susan is a graduate of Eisenhower High, she is daughter of Dr. Burt Chelsey Montague (LHS '52) and step-mother Jeannie (Lee) Montague (LHS '65) and Sharon (Hillis) Strait (LHS '55) and step-father Richard Strait. btw.....Sharon Strait is sister of '52 LHS grad - Dr. Robert Hillis. Susan Surls was mother of six children, one deceased. Services will be Wednesday, Feb. 13, Lawton Ritter Gray Funeral Home Chapel, 1:00pm.
An online guest book at: <www.grayfuneral.com>

And another....grave side services this afternoon at 3:00pm, Post Cemetery at Fort Sill for (retrd) Command Sgt. Maj. Charles J. Rom, 86, of Lawton. Mr. Rom passed Feb. 9. I was told his children had attended LHS, been after 'us' in '60's. Pat - LHS '61? Jo - LHS '63-'64? and John Rom. Sorry that is all the info I have.Guest book at: <www.beckerfuneral.com>

Sorry I did not get this out before today. Also passing, Sandra Jean (Carter) Zumwalt, 66. It says Sandra attended Central and graduated LHS but does not give the year and I cannot find her in yearbook I have. Should have been '59 or maybe '60? She is survived by four children and spouses, two sisters, Sherry and Bettye, brother Robert. Services were this morning at Becker.
Guest book available at: <www.beckerfuneral.com>.

I hope you will join me in remembering all these families in prayer at this difficult time.

This update from Dean Henderson - class '57:.....Let the class of '57 know that my revamped website <www.hendersonassociatesinc.com> is back on line now and the link to the LHS '57 Memories video is active again. My IT guy is still tweaking the site, but it's basically operational. The link (LHS 57) is located at the very bottom of each page. Just in case, for those who are using a Mac or a PC with Vista - you may have some difficulty viewing or downloading the video. If you need help, let me know. I can always burn a CD and send it to you - no charge.
I hope nobody thinks I'm using the website to try to sell something. I'm not. It's just the most convenient way I know to make the video accessible to anyone who wants it.Dean

Great email and reminiscence from Mike Johnson - class '66 and shows how email 'circulates'...:
GEORGIA, GOT YOUR NEWSLETTER FROM BOB LOONEY AND OLD FRIEND OF MINE FROM LAWTON. I REMEMBER YOU AND OF COURSE BILL FROM THE DRUG STORE AND YOUR PARENTS AND SIBLINGS AS MY BROTHER AND I WENT TO WASHINGTON GRADE SCHOOL. [yea! Washington]
MY DAD WILLARD AND MOTHER HELEN WERE IN [some civic organizations] WITH YOUR PARENTS AND WERE FRIENDS. THEY HAD THE TAGUE LUMBER COMPANY AT 6TH AND "F" STREETS. MY GRAND PARENTS (MILO AND EDNA TAGUE) WERE "1901-ERS". INEZ MANNING WAS A NEIGHBOR ON BELL STREET. I NO LONGER HAVE ANY RELATIVES IN LAWTON EXCEPT SOME 3RD OR 4TH COUSINS SO I GET BACK VERY LITTLE.
DID COME BACK FOR MY 40TH CLASS REUNION IN 2007 (CLASS OF '66) AND ENJOYED SEEING EVERYONE. I HAVE BEEN IN DALLAS FOR 25 YEARS BUT STILL AND AVID OU FAN. SAW JOHNNY MACKEY SEVERAL YEARS AGO AT A DELTA TAU DELTA REUNION IN OKLAHOMA CITY. DALLAS HOWARD WAS ALSO IN ATTENDANCE AS WAS JERRY PORTER AND SEVERAL LAWTON "DELTS". PLEASE PUT ME ON YOUR MAILING LIST AS I IKE TO HEAR ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON. THANKS MIKE JOHNSON


An email from Tommye (Boudreaux) and Ray Hobbs - class '52. They are in Arizona for the 'winter' and report its warm and sunny! And I know Kay & Stric are in valley, others also headed to warm climes. Like those of us in cold, drizzling rain, overcast Oklahoma care!!!!!
Just kidding...glad some are in sunshine today!!!

Classmates...that's it for now.......regards to all......Georgia

Sunday, February 10, 2008

......LHS News......
Originally sent Feb. 9

I am so sorry I overlooked the passing of Dan Wesley Weaver, Sr., 77, of Groves, TX. Dan is sister to our '59 classmate Sharon (Weaver) Burgamy. Dan was born in Lawton and was probably a LHS grad...maybe '48 -'49? He passed away on Feb. 5 and funeral services were Thursday Feb. 7 in Groves with a grave side service to be held later.
In addition to Sharon, Dan is survived by brothers Jerry and Warren, two daughters and a son.Our sympathies are with Sharon and her family at this difficult time.

I have received this info from Pat White - class '52 - about reunions coming up:
In regard to LHS Reunions, it's a bit confusing for Class of '52 because there are two reunions this year. The classes of '52, '53, '54 have been having a 5 year reunion and this is the year for that, which will be July 25-26th.
Running $50 each, but that pays for Fri night BBQ at Ramon John's and banquet Saturday night at upstairs ballroom at Best Western. If I understand correctly, the ones planning this event are saying it is all or nothing...can't divide the cost and just come to one or the other event. This runs $100 per couple whether you attend one or both events.

The other event is the reunion for the LHS classes of '49 through '52 that have been meeting each year for a reunion and this one is scheduled for Saturday Sept 13th at Museum of the Great Plains with catered meal and I think this one is $25 each. The LHS Class '52 is tentatively planning on Fri night get-together for Friday night Sept 12th with no reservations and each pay for their own meal in a private room somewhere like we did last year.
Also, Best Western will have some suites a class can reserve for Saturday morn on their own for July 26th if desired. Lengthy explanation and committees are still meeting before notices are mailed.
For more info on these events: Johnna (Adams) Hopper at: jomama@sbcglobal.net or Pat (Banks) White: petepat@att.net

Class 1958 - 50 Year Reunion is scheduled for August 15-16. kennetheeaston@yahoo.com

I visited briefly with '59 classmate Ernest Godlove this very day while lunching at Burgess. (THE place to be on Saturday).We discussed our "50th" which will be here before we know it. Anyone interested in heading up an early exploratory committee?

Don't forget your sweetie this V- Day!

Beautiful weather has moved back in.......Georgia

Correction: Caught it just after I sent it (above email). The email I gave for reunions classes '49-'54.......I said was Johnna Hopper...actually...email is for Jo (Van Stone) Riley...one for Pat is correct. Sorry 'bout that!!!!! Jo Riley: <
jomama@sbcglobal.net > or Pat (Banks) White: <petepat@att.net> Or can call Richard Hopper at: (580) 529-2158.
......LHS News......
Originally sent Feb. 6

So sorry to report the passing of Janet “Jan” (Gartrell) Munn, 77, of Lawton. Jan passed away Tuesday Feb. 5. She married Jack Munn in 1952. Many of you lifetime locals will remember Jack from Security Bank where he worked many years. Jan was a 1947 grad of LHS. Services will be this Saturday Feb. 9 at Centenary United Methodist Church here in Lawton, 10:30am. Burial will be at the Walters Cemetery. Jan is survived by Jack, two sons, a sister, and several grandchildren.Online guest book at: < http://www.grayfuneral.com/>

And the loss of a longtime Lawton resident - pioneer, Inez Manning, 95. Ms. Manning passed away on Feb. 4. Again, many of 'us' longtime locals remember Ms. Manning. She came to Lawton in 1913 at the age of about one year and was a grad of LHS. From her dob (1912) would have to have been about class of '29-'30? She also attended Cameron, Oklahoma College for Women, and the Oklahoma Law School. She taught English for Elgin and Lawton High Schools, was admitted to the Oklahoma Bar Assoc in 1952 and practiced law in Lawton until her retirement.Grave side services will be this Friday Feb. 8 at Highland Cemetery in Lawton, 11:00am. Online guest book at < www.beckerfuneral.com>

Sue Briggs and I went to visit Rosalie Raiborn this afternoon at Memorial Hosp. Although she said she was having a 'bad-day' I thought she looked good & was very alert. We had a good conversation about some old days and some long ago friends we had in common. I had not realized she was able to have company until yesterday, but she is and would enjoy it if friends could come by and say 'hi'. I wouldn't stay long and I would do it right away.

Hope you will keep Rosalie and others with critical health problems in your prayers.

Regards from 'home town'....... Georgia

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

......LHS News......
Originally sent Feb. 5

I received a call this morning from Mitch Braley, class '57. Mitch told me that his brother Hiram T. "Tim" Braley passed away on Sunday Feb. 3.
Tim, who had not been ill, apparently suffered a heart attack. Tim was a '62 grad of LHS and worked with Mitch on a family farm/ranch spread near Simms, TX. The family will receive visitors on Thursday evening, Feb. 7 at the Bates - Rolf Funeral Home in New Boston, TX. Services will be in the funeral home chapel on Friday Feb. 8 at 2:00pm. Bates - Rolf is located at 502 S. McCoy in New Boston. So very sorry for this loss of a dear brother and friend.
< http://www.batesrolffuneralhome.com/>

Also another loss that I just heard about.....Billy Edward Dees, 75, of Snyder, OK. Billy died Jan. 28 and a private service was held or will be held at Fort Sill National Cemetery at Elgin. Billy grew up in Lawton and should have been LHS grad but not sure of year? 1950? He married Helen Jean (Krebbs) in 1959. He served in the Army for 22 years, in the Korean and Vietnam wars. He is survived by Helen and a daughter and two sons.

Received an email from '59 classmate Jerry (Sasser) Childs who is still living in Niger, Africa:.... Have heard it is quite cold in many parts of the US. Right now it feels like winter to us -- this is our cold season. We need long sleeves and many people are wearing wool hats. The mornings feel quite cold with the wind blowing and howling, bringing lots of dust in the air.

.....regards to all, Georgia

Sunday, February 3, 2008

......LHS News......
Originally sent Feb. 1

I am so sorry to report that Rosalie (Kepler) Raibourn is very ill. She has been fighting cancer since last fall and her sister-in-law Linda (Raibourn) Langmacher has just let some know that her cancer has advanced significantly and Rosalie is in Comanche County Memorial here in Lawton.
The family has stated her time is very short and have asked for your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Rosalie was married to Dee Raibourn, class '57. Dee passed away in 1972. They have one son. Rosalie has been a friend many years, since our days in high school & she worked at Stedhams (later J. Wiley Richardson's). Rosalie is LHS class 1960.

Received this Thursday from Dean Henderson:

I wanted to let the Class of '57 know that my website
( www.hendersonassociatesinc.com ) is currently under construction. My I.T. guy is making a complete change in its appearance. That's the site that has the link to the video I put together for our 50th reunion last June. It appears that some people are still using that link to view the video. Right now that link is not available. However, the site will be fully restored in the next 2-4 weeks and it will have the video link on it.

I am not much on sports but I do know that Super Bowl XLII is this Sunday. I know that if you don't already have tickets, you probably aren't going to find any...even with money. I heard 'tail-gate' spots were going for $150. Don't know how close to the action that is? Most of what I have heard has been about .....what gonna eat, drink, food, recipes! MY kinda thoughts! So, I am renaming the Super Bowl the 'Chip and Dip Bowl' and I'll see you at the buffet table. Go team WIN!

btw....the Ground Hog at my house has on a fleece lined jacket!

Regards from a cold home town......Georgia