......LHS News......
Originally sent December 31

Hate to close the year with losses but.....
Dixie (Price) Evilsizer Bowen, 77, of Doddridge, AR, passed on December 29 in Texarkana, TX. Dixie was LHS class 1951. Funeral services will be at 2:30, Sacred Heart church, Saturday January 1 under direction of East Funeral Home in Texarkana.
Extended obit and guest book at: http://www.eastfunerals.com/

Roy O. Wicker, 82, of Lawton, passed on December 24. Services were held December 27 with burial at Highland. Roy was LHS class 1946.
Extended obit and guest book at: http://www.grayfuneral.com/

Just received word that '59 classmate Bobby Huddleston passed this last August (2010). Lived last few years at a VA Center in Clinton, OK. We looked for him for our 50th reunion in 2009 and were unable to locate him. Wish we had known he was so close.

We lost a long time and dear friend on December 23. Originally from Tahlequah but many of you will know him, Dr. William 'Bill' Scearce. He moved here in late 60's and practiced dentistry here for some 40+ years. Bill had been fighting bone cancer for several years.
Friend, neighbor, one of the 'lunch bunch' guys. Great person. Bill will be missed by so many. He is survived by wife Barbara; daughter Kelley; son Joe David. Services were December 28.
http://www.beckerfuneral.com/

From the eMail bag:

'59 classmate Glen Fite wrote to say he's recently recovered from a late -life appendectomy but couple months ago was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Writes that he is currently in Watchful Waiting, will have some additional tests in January to determine next step. Glen asked for your prayers as he continues treatment. Glen & wife Milly live in Georgia.

Sorry I put John Mercadante in class '64...actually he's much older. Class '63!!!!!

'59 classmate Richard Densley is re-cooping from post Christmas surgery. He writes all is going well.

Kelly Stinnett, All-State catcher at LHS (class '88), spent all or part of 14 seasons with the major leagues. Stinnett, now 40 and 'retired' in 2007, has just been given a managerial position with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. Stinnett will oversee rookie-level D-backs. Kelly lives in Mesa so short drive to job at Diamondbacks new facilities in Scottsdale. For more, read Herb Jacobs, 'Where Are They Now' in Sunday Constitution, December 26, page 1-C.

Luther and Barbara Green just became great-grandparents for first time! Parents Dan & Jennifer have a new baby girl, Emilie. A chip off the ol' Green block as "prettiest girl in the hospital" according to Greens. I'm sure it's true!

And, Wayne & Judy Kniffin - Wayne is class '52 & they live up in snowy Michigan - just found out their middle daughter, Lisa, is going to make them grandparents again next April. Lisa has two teen-age children, so can only assume this later addition will be most spoiled! haha!

And, '59 classmate Julie (Ashlock) Weedn is grandma for first time!

Congrats All!!!!

Enjoyed all your emails over the Christmas holiday!!!!

Guy Lombardo first played 'Auld Lang Syne' on New Years eve in 1929. Just 2 months after the BIG crash! It's been the annual 'end-the-old, begin-the-new-year' song ever since. My favorite rendition of song, just for you..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrhKkDyXFdg&feature=related

Hats ~ Horns ~ Confetti

Never a Christmas Morning,
never the old year ends, but someone
thinks of someone, Old Days,
Old Times, Old Friends.
Happy New Year ~ 2011!

......LHS News......
Originally sent December 24

I am so sorry to once again have losses to report.....

Hugh Glass, 91, husband of Dee (Vanderpool) Glass, '52, passed on December 19. Hugh had been in declining health for some time and was living at the local VA Center. We knew Hugh personally and he was just such a great guy. Very faithful to remember birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions with his elaborately decorated cards & envelopes for recipients. Always enjoyed & appreciated my 'Hugh art' cards, letters.
There will be no service at this time. The family will receive friends at the home anytime. Dee lives at 4 NW 55th, Lawton, OK 73505; phone: (580) 357-2371.
Extended obit and guest book at:
btw...Dee continues treatment for cancer and I know she would appreciate your prayers.

Also passing, John Hilliard, 68, Cleveland OK. John passed December 16 after complications from a stroke back in July and recent discovery of a brain tumor. He was LHS class 1960. He is survived by wife Joyce; 2 sons; a step-daughter; extended family. A Memorial service was held December 19.
There is extended obit and guest book at:

I know our thoughts and prayers are with these who have lost loved ones.

From the eMail bag.....

John Mecadante, '64, had a hip replaced on December 13, is home & doing good most days!!!! Wishing John a full & speedy recovery!

Several have emailed they would like to have one of the LHS buckles I pictured in the last news...but, so far, no info as to when, where, or why the buckles were made.

Allan Johnson and Bill Drewry emailed that Wikipedia indicates Leon Russell was indeed born in Lawton, grew up out and around Medicine Park, but graduated high school in Tulsa. So, great musician but no Wolverine!

This Christmas has just reunited me with two old friends...one, I have not 'talked' with in over 55 years. Have looked for her in past but didn't not know where she ended up after she moved mid term freshman year. And did not know married name. Ironically turns out to be 'Williams'. She attended 6th grade at Washington, then 7-8th and half 9th at Central.
She came across the WolverNet blog, contacted me & made my Christmas very Merry. Belva Jean (Hollingshead) Williams. Living in Texas. Great to make contact after all these years.

And '59 classmate Richard Densley who 'disappeared' in fall 2009. Moved from Washington state to Texas & vanished! haha! He has re-appeared, none the worse for traveling and moving.
Thank you Santa!

Hope Santa is X-tra good to you too! Mistletoe! Georgia

......LHS News......
Originally sent December 19

Never a good time but so sorry here at the holidays we have more losses:

Inez (Pannell) Bridwell, 95, of Grove, OK passed on December 17. Inez is the mother of classmate Karen (Bridwell) Parsons Richmond; and (I believe) aunt of classmate Deloris (Pannell) Mansell.
Services will be at 10:00 in Lawton on Monday December 20 at First Baptist church Memorial Chapel, burial will follow at Highland cemetery.
Extended obit and guest book at: http://www.beckerfuneral.com/

Alma Lee (Fisher) Pahdoco Parks, 91, of Lawton, passed on December 16. Alma is mom of 3 daughters (LHS classmates) Jo Vickers; Linda Elzie; Wanda McDaniel; a son Lt. Col. James Albert Pahdoco.
Services will be 2:00pm, Wednesday December 22, Becker Funeral Home Chapel
Extended obit and guest book at: http://www.beckerfuneral.com/

Margaret Jean (Inman) Turner, 78, Lexington, KY passed on December 12. She was LHS class 1949. Services were December 16 in Lexington.
Extended obit and guest book at: http://www.clarklegacycenter.com/obits/obituaries.php/obitID/419647

CW4 (Retired) Billy R. Mathis, 83, Lawton, passed on December 12 & services with full military honors and burial at Ft. Sill National Cemetery were held on December 15. Billy was LHS class 1949, where he played various sports. He married Billye Ann (Strain) in 1951. He had a very distinguished career in the US Military. He was an original inductee when the Parachute Riggers Hall of Fame was established at the Airborne Department of the Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Virginia. He is survived by his wife; a daughter; 2 sons; many grand and great grandchildren.
Extended obit and guest book at: http://www.beckerfuneral.com/

Also passing, Doris Christine (Moore) Bone, 80, El Paso. Doris passed December 10 and services were December 16 in El Paso. Doris was LHS class 1948. She married Fred A. Bone in 1951. She is survived by 2 daughters and extended family members.
Extended obit and guest book at: http://www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net/index.cfm

We also lost a couple of teachers that some of you may have had.....
Pauline (Kirklen) Vanis Herner, 96, of Lawton. She passed on Dec. 15 and grave side services were held December 16.
She graduated Fletcher High School but she taught for many years in Lawton at BC Swinney elementary before retiring in 1976.
Extended obit and guest book at: http://www.grayfuneral.com/

And, Gussie Marie (Blasdel) Barnett, 85, Grandfield, passed on December 5 in Wichita Falls at a care center where she had been since breaking a hip back in the summer. Services were December 8. Susan (Hankins) Ellington wrote me with this information and said that Mrs. Barnett taught shorthand for a brief time (2-3 years) at LHS in mid 50's.
Extended obit and guest book at: http://www.grayfuneral.com/PastObituary.aspx?did=f9ed5113-1e37-4f6a-8fc5-9be7ae09c89b

Our thoughts are always with those who have lost loved ones.

From the eMail bag:

I appreciate Karol Zea for letting me know Gen. Randy Rigby is class '64 NOT '63 as I had written.

Question from Bruce Justice, '59, wanting to know if any remember when these belt buckles were made? (photo above). Anyone?

Frances Sue (Jacks) Wehner, '64, was recently elected State President of the Professional Photographers of Oklahoma (PPO), an organization of several hundred working photographers. She plans to host the organization's spring convention in Lawton in March 2011. This convention will bring up to 200 professional photographers from across Oklahoma to our city for the first time. Fran has been a professional photographer for almost 20 years and had a portrait studio on the Medicine Park highway for many years.
http://www.photosbyfran.com/

Lawton native, Leon Russell, will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next March 14 in NYC. I believe Leon went to LHS?

May not be any more news before Santa comes calling so I want to wish each and every one of my classmates and friends who receive the 'news'....all my best to you for a very Merry Christmas with family and friends and a healthy and peaceful New Year! Georgia

......LHS News.....
Originally sent December 13


Several have 'inquired' about not receiving any 'news' lately and I appreciate that you have missed it. Really hasn't been much news last few weeks and I've been busier than usual too!
Sadly, more losses to report....

Bobby A. Hunt, 79, of Lawton passed on December 6. He is LHS class '50 and is brother to classmates Dorothy Kensell; Nancy Herritt; brothers Billy Hunt and Johnny Hunt - both deceased.
Services were December 9 with burial at Ft Sill National Cemetery, Elgin.
Extended obit and guest book at: http://www.grayfuneral.com/
She is survived by husband of 47 years, Don White in Austin, TX.

So very sorry to report the passing of Sharon Lynn (Stafford) Walker, 60, of Wichita Falls, TX. Sharon passed on Nov. 26 and services were in Lawton on November 29.
Sharon grew up in Lawton, worked here over 30 years before moving with her husband to Shawnee & then Wichita Falls. I grew up going to church with Sharon and her family. She was a lovely person. She is LHS class '68.
She is survived by husband Russell; daughters Sheri; Jennifer; brother Lindsey.
Extended obit and guest book at: http://www.grayfuneral.com/

Rose Marie (Bowman) White. Rose passed on November 28. Rose had suffered from dementia for years and was just diagnosed with stomach cancer 3 weeks before she passed. She is LHS class '54. A memorial service was held in Amarillo, TX on December 3. Rose donated her body to Texas Tech medical research.
She is survived by husband of 47 years, Don White in Austin, TX.

And, Naomi Ilene (Gigoux) Scott, 94, Lawton. She passed on December 4 and services were December 7. She is mom to classmates Ronnie Scott; Joan (Scott) Boyles, '59; Carol (Scott) Hartline.
Extended obit and guest book at: http://www.beckerfuneral.com/

From the eMail bag:

David Whitwell, '55, has been elected into the California Music Education Association Hall of Fame. He as also recently created a new website, which can be seen at www.whitwellbooks.com, where eventually some 50 of his books will be made available.
Note: great site.

Also, one of the novels by Marilyn Celeste Morris, '56, 'Once a Brat, Always a Brat' is now 'live' on Amazon.com.

Lt. General (rtd) Randall Rigby has been elected to the board of directors of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the nations largest veteran's organization for active duty, National Guard, reserve, and former and retired military officers. I think Randy is LHS class '64.

Brad Rushing, '68, had sent me an email weeks ago and sorry I wasn't able to get it out in timely fashion. Brad had suggested that if you wanted to see some good football, attend the LHS games as they journeyed to the State Championship. Randy Breeze, also class '68, is head coach & doing a tremendous job.
Sadly the Wolverines made it to the semi-finals but lost there. They are however District champs and always winners in our book!!!

Visited with '59 classmate Rex Givens and he asked me to pass along that the Museum of the Great Plains here in Lawton is putting together a cookbook to celebrate their 50th Anniversary (and hopefully raise a few funds for the museum). They are soliciting recipes from anyone who would like to contribute and Rex says..'the older the better', ie: old family favorites. And perhaps, if a short story to tell about origin or history of the recipe, include that. They can always edit. Deadline for recipes is February 1, 2011.
Please send to attention of Rex at the museum, 601 NW Ferris, Lawton, OK 73507.
When books become available next year, I will pass it along.

Appreciate emails from: Homer Pitts, '47; John Smith, '60; Bert Click; Wayne Kniffin, '52; Lou & Barb Green; Shirley (Ray) Blowers, '53; Phil Carson, '54; Barbara (Ramey) Wiseman; Lewis Chandler; PR Ramey, 63.

Several of you inquired about my mom & her recent move. I appreciate your sharing similar experiences and sending encouraging words. I'm happy to say, things are going 'better'.

Well, this little Elf has gotta go get busy! Those stockings aren't gonna hang themselves... by the chimney with care!! Georgia