Originally sent March 29

So very sorry to report the passing of Kathy Bea (Holsinger) Reese, 60, of Lawton. Kathy passed March 26 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Kathy was LHS class 1968 where she was Lore Queen. She is survived by her husband Tony; sons Brandon and Heath; 6 grandchildren. She was sister to LHS classmates Preston Holsinger and Jayne (Holsinger) Schumpert, who is also deceased. Visitation will be from 5:00pm ~ 7:00pm on Wednesday March 30, Becker Funeral Home. Graveside services will be at on Thursday March 31, 2:00pm at Highland Cemetery followed by a 'Celebration of Life' Memorial service at 4:00pm, First United Methodist church. Extended obit and guest book at: www.beckerfuneral.com

Also passing, Catherine Kay (Allison) Ingham, 81, of San Antonio, TX. Catherine passed on March 19 and a Memorial service was held in San Antonio on March 27. Catherine was LHS class 1947. After graduation she went to work for the law firm of Burton, Jennings, and Jones. Later she was the secretary for the Mayor of Lawton. She is survived by her son Chip; her husband Ray preceded her in death as did her sisters Maxine Cruse and Jo Williamson.

There was a Memorial service for '52 classmate Ralph Purvis on March 19 in San Antonio, TX (Ralph's home). Ralph is survived by his wife Jackie; four children; brother Gene Purvis and wife Jeanne and sister Kay (Purvis) Cunningham and her husband Don.

I was sorry to receive this news from '59 classmate Narnie Rust..... "On March 8th, after a seven year battle with cancer, my lil' sis, Yvonne 'Vony' (Rust) Esteban (class of 64), left this life with a smile on her face surrounded by her family. A Celebration of Life Service was held Saturday, March 12th at the Lakewood Church of Christ, Lakewood, CO. She will be missed by my brother, 'Ernie' Trent Rust, her husband, Jim Esteban, her daughter and son-in-'love', Ani and Max Martinez and their 3 children, her son and daughter-in-'love', Bert and Kara Esteban and their two daughters, myself and many other family members and friends."

I also learned from Narnie that her brother Trent lost his wife about two years ago. I grew up with them at school and also attending church. So very sorry for their losses.

After weeks of tests my sister-in-law Terri Gill (my brother Tims' wife) has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She had surgery on the 11th in OKC, it went well; she will begin chemo in next 2-3 weeks.

I know Dee (Vanderpool) Glass, '52, continues with treatment for ovarian cancer and will be having a surgical procedure Wednesday (30th); also, Connie (Zumwalt) Mathis, '77, daughter of Janet (Tague) and Gene Copeland continues with treatment.

I know there are other classmates fighting health issues and they would all appreciate you remembering them in your prayers. From the eMail bag......

Ed Harp, class '54, continues with his monthly '54 newsletter. More focused on LHS class '54, but always chopped full of classmate news. If you would like to get on Ed's email list, contact him at:

This item is from Ed's latest newsletter (Sunday, 20th)....... Peggy (Elledge) Long, is continuing her interviews with LHS classes(mates), and has worked her way up through the years to the early fifties. If you don't live in Lawton, but will be visiting here sometime soon, please contact Peggy to see whether she can schedule a time to interview you. Here is the rest of her contact information: 3321 NW Atlanta Drive, Lawton, OK 73505; 580-248-4680; Cell: 580-695-6625. She has taken on a massive task, and we’re looking forward to seeing what LHS grads had to say.

Great article in the Saturday March 26 Lawton paper, page 2-B. Story on LHS grad Juanita Mitchell Perkins who turned 100 on Sunday, March 27. Juanita tells great story of being born the 8th of 9 children on a small farm near Faxon, OK. She attend the first 8 years of school at Blue Beaver School in rural Comanche County and then her freshman year she and her friend Monta (Sanders) enrolled at LHS. She tells more about those years and its a fun read if you can access the paper.

To show how intertwined our lives are..... Juanita is mom of LHS classmate Bob Mitchell, '54, who sadly is deceased. Bob married LHS classmate Janice (Callicot), '58. Janice still lives in Lawton. Juanita lives across the hall from my mom at Brookridge Retirement Center. Monta (Sanders) Burt married Roy Burt and is mom to LHS grads: Wanda (Burt) Shanklin (deceased); R.A. Burt; Janet (Burt) Terry. btw.....Monta will be 99 on April 27.

Geneva (Harris) McIntosh '62, who along with 2-3 others 'founded' the All Class Reunion, says the annual reunion has been "put on hold" due to health problems of two of the girls, her self included. Geneva is asking someone else to take the responsibility of getting the reunion together. So...if...anyone wants to assume this project, will let you know how to get in touch with Geneva. The reunion was begun in 2009 and met again in 2010, both events at Medicine Park. Geneva lives in Ft. Worth area so was a x-BIG effort/job to get it together long distance and she did a fabulous job! Sorry she isn't able to continue!

Kaye (Thompson) McCarley says if anyone wants info, has info, on the 2012 - 50th Reunion for LHS class 1962, contact her: The reunion is in early planning!

Someone is asking...... any plans for a reunion for class 1971? Anyone?

Talked with Doyce Grayson the 'old fashioned' way Monday (land line)! Doyce called to chat and also for me to remind you classmates out there about the 55th reunion of the class of 1956 coming up soon - June 9-10-11-12. He wants everyone to make plans to be here!!! They have a LOT of fun things planned! The class has sent out a really nice multi-page flyer on the reunion and the events. Contact Susan (Hankins) Ellington to receive the info - susanke@comcast.net

Regards to all............Georgia