......LHS News......
Originally sent May 26

Classmates....a lot of 'news'.......sadly, some is not good....

I had recently reported that Sue Ann (Alltizer) McCracken was critically ill. Sadly, Sue Ann passed away Saturday May 24. There will be a memorial service this Thursday, May 29 at Becker Funeral Home chapel, 10:00am. She is survived by husband James "Jimmy" McCracken, daughters Chris Stamps and Misty Neal, and brother Jim Alltizer. Several grandchildren and nieces and nephews. An online guestbook is at: <www.beckerfuneral.com>

Also passing, Col (ret) Walter T. "Walt" Belland, 96, in Lansing, KS. Walt is father of our '59 classmate, Kathleen "Tink" Glenn. Services are pending with Becker Funeral in Lawton. <www.beckerfuneral.com>

I thought many of you - especially if you went to OU - would remember Jack Mildren. A native of Abilene, TX (Cooper High Cougars), he made football history at OU. He was also said to have been a "straight-A" student. Mildren, a quarterback, was a freshman in 1968 and was considered the "godfather" of the wishbone.
Don Jimerson had a nice article in this past Saturday Constitution about Mildren, saying that they arrived at OU at just about the same time.If you recall, Mr. Jimerson was a coach at LHS and I took business ed from him my senior year. Mildren was later elected Lt. Governor of Oklahoma. Mildren was diagnosed with stomach cancer two years ago and passed Thursday, May 24. He was 58.
Services will be will Tuesday May 27, 1:00pm at McFarlin Methodist Church in Norman.
I hope you will join me in extending sympathy to these families who have lost loved ones.

'59 classmate Joan (Lee) Houghton and hubby Jerry are celebrating their golden 50th!!!Married May 31, 1958 in Lawton, they have two sons, John and Gerald. These two are just super sweeties! Wish you 50 MORE guys! Congrats!

Several nice comments on Mr. Burris:
Georgia, I have Mr. W C Burris date of death as September 21, 2003, age 74. This was in the Lawton paper. (Not sure who sent this?)

I remember Mr. Burris very well..and knew he was over the college at Altus.........thanks ......Nancy Herrit

Barbara (Ramey) Wiseman, class '57:
Mr. Burris was my typing teacher and one of my favorites at LHS, but I think he had already left Lawton High before I took my first teaching job there the school year of 1962-63. When Eddie and I moved to Altus in 1985, I filled a position as adjunct faculty at Western Oklahoma State College. I did not know at the time that Mr. Burris was President of WOSC until I ran into him in the halls. What a nice surprise, and he looked really good--much like I had remembered him from high school. I later heard that he and his wife had moved to Lake Texahoma and that he had passed away. I was sorry to hear this--he was a neat man.

Mike Wyant, class '57, sent a long email about Mr. Burris...here is one excerpt:
Mr. Burris was a true friend. He was very smart, likable and really worked diligently to help all his students, even if they weren't "photographers" When you look at his educational career and his upward climb to obtain his degree, master's degree and doctorate degree, it is very impressive. What very few people knew, though, was that to obtain all those degrees and raise his family at the same time, Mr. Burris worked in a large traveling carnival each summer and made enough money each time to continue his education. His uncle owned the largest traveling carnival in the US at the time in the 50's and 60's and Mr. Burris would run stands or rides or the photo concession. He always knew how to make things work out and he was not afraid of working to take care of his family and further his education. I learned a great deal about life's challenges from him.

I was most disappointed that I missed seeing Ella and Stella and Melvina (Price). I did get to visit via phone with Stella on Sunday afternoon. She said they were having a great time & lunch with classmates and friends on Saturday was super. I know Carlana came up from Wichita Falls, and Gwen Phelps, Kay Strickland there and I understand about 15-20 others! Hope someone has pictures to share and prove it!!!?

Phone conversation w/Stella: They were staying with longtime good friend Betty (Hennessee) Watts here in Lawton. Betty is sister of Carolyn (Hennessee) Bass (deceased), class of '57, and Mikel Hennessee class of '73, lives in Lawton.
Stella said out on Betty's patio watching the cows in the quiet of the morning sure beat listening to the Dallas traffic. Stella has been in working in Peace Corps last 3 1/2 years, last (almost) year in Philippines. Home now to stay...Dallas area.
She said Ella is retiring after this year. Ella is still teaching nursing in Lexington, KY. Sister Melvina lives in Tulsa and I think she is just retired & relaxing!

Yours truly has been in Texas this past week. Houston was VERY hot and VERY humid!!! In spite, had a wonderful time with dear friend Johnna Parks and also traveling with me.....sister-in-law Chris Gill (brother Georges' wife) and another good friend Sue (Chalk) Briggs, class '64. We did our best to inventory all shopping areas/malls/boutiques and we had some fabulous lunches/dinners.This was a 'maybe last-opportunity' visit as Johnna and Wayne are moving home (Lawton) this summer.
btw...we were living vicariously in the 'fast-lane' as Sue had several phone reports from her daughter who was in Cannes, France, for the film festival. She works in film production. Currently looking at 'projects' with new best friend....Don Johnson! (Miami Vice).

Hope everyone managed to stay cool this Memorial Day! Regards......Georgia