......LHS News......
Originally sent March 1

Guys, again, a lot of sad news here.

I apologize I mis-read, mis-typed & messed up. In last news, the obit about Shirley Newsom, her husband, Garland Newsom preceded her in death. As several pointed out, Garland Newsom was killed in the tornado that ripped through Lawton back in 1979. Sorry for the mix-up.

So sorry to report the passing of Eric Lawrence Choney, 67, of Lawton. Eric passed on February 15. Eric graduated LHS in 1963 & is brother of our '59 classmate Karen Choney Culloty. He was also brother to classmate Errol Choney (deceased). Eric is survived by wife Nellie Ruth; 2 sons - Byron and Carden; a brother Cloyce; numerous grandchildren.
Grave side services for Eric were February 18 at Ft. Sill National Cemetery with Comanche Nation Funeral Home.

Also passing, Gladys Hope (Stothard) Wickliffe, 86, of Lawton. Hope passed on February 11. Hope was voted DeMolay Sweetheart and was class 1942. She is survived by a son Al; grand and great-grand children.
Services were February 18 in Lawton.
Extended obit and guest book at: www.grayfuneral.com

We also lost Dwight David Stodola, 58, of Lawton, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Dwight passed on February 17. He was LHS class 1970. A Memorial Service was held February 20.
Extended obit and guest book at: www.beckerfuneral.com

And, [Rtrd] Lt. Col Frederick S. Beck, 76, of Lawton. Fred was originally from PA but with the military he ended up at Lawton where he married '57 classmate Adele (Skrdle) in 1961. They traveled the world but 'retired' back in Lawton years ago. Adele passed in April, 2010. Service with full military honors was held February 25.
Extended obit and guest book at: www.beckerfuneral.com

My Bill visited with '52 classmate and old fishing buddy, Ralph Purvis about a week and half ago & he was moved that same day to the hospital & then moved a few days later to a Hospice Care Center. An email on Feb. 26 from Ralphs' sister Kay & his brother Gene, says....." He is very weak and has trouble getting enough air. I talked to him this morning and bless his heart he is still upbeat but you can tell it is hard for him to talk.
We just ask for everyone's prayers that he doesn't have to suffer. He is our big brother and has influenced our lives in the best of ways."
Kay Purvis Cunningham and Gene Purvis - All proud LHS grads!!

I received an email from Ed Harp, '54, who does the newsletter for that class. He said that '54 classmate Barbara (Barclay) Stapleton is very ill and in CCU 106 at Memorial Hosp in Lawton. Prayers are asked on her behalf.
This info dated Feb. 26.

I know thoughts and prayers are with all who have lost loved ones or have others ill and undergoing treatment.


From the eMail bag:

A friend is trying to reach Sue (Grimes) Ott, '56. They have tried her phone & no answer & no return of calls. Sue is taking a second round of chemo & if anyone knows her current status, please let me know & I will pass it along.

"I too enjoyed Empire of the Summer Moon. When I was born in 1938 my parents were the only teachers in a two room country school outside Fletcher and taught some of Quanah Parker's grandchildren. For the rest of their lives my parents received Christmas cards from those grandchildren. I must confess that I had no idea of the significance of Quanah Parker or the Comanches until I read this book.
Another more academically oriented book on the same subject is Comanche Empire by Pekka Hamalainen. This book won numerous awards and prizes including the 2008 Great Plains Distinguished Book Prize and the 2009 Bancroft Prize. But, for me, it was a difficult read and not as much fun as Empire. It is also much longer."
Mike Keeran '56

"Edd reading Empire of the Summer Moon about Quanah Parker now and highly recommends it. He has retired from his massage business and is now taking art classes. He's really talented even if I say so myself. Even though he's retired now, we're still married. As long as he stays out of my way, we should make it to our 52nd anniversary in May."
Beverly (Gaston) Shelton, 59; hubby, Eddie Shelton, '56.

"Goofus must have popular in the 40s and 50's because my tap class in Okla City performed a version for our recital. We were in black pants and shirts with a skeleton painted on them that glowed in the dark. The music we danced to was the song Goofus that started "....I was born on a farm down in I-oway," etc. The Carpenters sang a version later that you can hear on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yfqMCJXg2M
Marilyn (Thompson) Seely, '60"

I knew there were other February birthdays.....Patsy (Sheppard) Holcomb; and Jim Andrews whose bday is February 29 - Leap Year! Good news, bad news for Jim.....bad news is he only gets to celebrate bday every four years, but good news is he's younger than the rest of us! haha!
And March 1.....my bro, Tim Gill, '70. Many happy returns guys!

Regards from the home-town..........Georgia