......LHS News......

Originally sent March 17

Since the last news.......

Jim Andrews, '58, also celebrated his '18th' birthday on February 29. That's why they stress math in school. Gotta be able to figure out how old you are if born on Leap Year! Lets see, count all those fingers and toes, and Jim is 72! Happy belated to you!

Ronnie Scott and wife Marlene (Clements) just celebrated their 60th anniversary with a family dinner.
Ronnie is LHS class '51 and Marlene is class '52. Major congratulations guys. (see pix).

REMINDAR: Class 1962 will be celebrating their 50th reunion on June 1 & 2. NEED to get those reservations IN! Contact Kay Lee (Thompson) McCarley for details/information or if you know where- abouts of '62 grads. Email: kayetmc@copper.net

Couple of corrections. David Whitwell wrote to say his name is misspelled on the website...needs TO BE: www.whitwellbooks.com

And Mike Morris, who recently passed, was LHS class 1960, not '62.

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Mary Lou (Holt) Daniel, class of 1941, was in Edmond hospital with pneumonia, has been moved to rehab I believe.

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So sorry to report the passing of Mary Helen (Pursley) Miller, 81, of Lawton. She passed on March 7 and services were March 12. She attended Lincoln, Central Jr High & graduated as Valedictorian of her LHS class of 1948. She attened Cameron and went on to teach in LPS. She was married to Jimmie Miller who also taught in LPS. (was my 7th grade science teacher). He is deceased.
She is survived by two daughters; several grandchildren; a sister, June (Pursley) Barnett.
Extended obit and guest book at: www.grayfuneral.com

So very sorry to report this tragic loss.....Lt. Col. Daryl Loftis was one of the two advisors shot in the head February 25 by an Afgan Officer they were training. Daryl was the son-in-law of classmate Loretta (Osborne) and David Brewer; and other family, Lorettas sister Mary Jane (Osborne) Hogard. Services were March 5 in Florida. Below is link to the memorial service.


Please join me in keeping in prayer these who are ill or lost loved ones.

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A Happy St. Paddys to ye all............Georgia

......LHS News......
Originally sent March 9

Tom Bullock, '50, and wife Barbara were recent recipients of the 2011 Roma Clift Montgomery Citizen of the Arts Award. An excerpt from the presentation was..."if you want a job done and done well, call Tom and Barbara Bullock". Congratulations guys!

In 2011, David Whitwell (PhD. 1963), received the California Music Education Assoc Hall of Fame Award for lifetime achievement in music education. David has received many awards and honors throughout his distinguished career as a conductor, composer, and scholar. He retired in 2005. He has published more than 127 articles and 39 books, some of which are still available on Amazon.com.
David and wife Giselle (a fellow CUM alum and music therapist (BA 1963) have moved to Austin, TX to be near one of their sons. David continues to conduct across the country and foreign countries as well.
Great article can be found in the Catholic University (Wash DC) School of Music Newsletter - Feb. 2012 or visit www.whitewellbooks.com>
David says....." ... I forgot to mention that officially I am Class of '55, but I went through school with the kids of the Class of '56. The reason for this confusion is that in the summer before my Jr year I received a scholarship from the University of Michigan and, on the principle of "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," I telescoped my Jr and Sr years into one year and thus left Lawton a year ahead of time."

Don't forget....Gale McCray, '60, will join several other storytellers of renown at the Duncan Storytelling Festival on Friday March 9, TONIGHT! 6:30pm at the Seniors Center, 1101 7th Street in Duncan, OK.

Had nice visit with Anna Clare (Swanson) Kuchta....we swapped stories about school and classmates.
Her mom was principal at Washington for year or two during my tenure there! Anna Clare said her mom left Washington & taught for several years.
btw....discussing incidents at Washington, Anna Clare said she was responsible for breaking the leg of classmate Woody Wolverton!!! Zow! I told her most I had was a scar on back of my head from Nick Garrett! He hit me with a metal buckle on a cap! (Nick is now an attorney here in Lawton). I may sue!

Sonya (Reynolds) Holman writes that her brother - Rocky Patterson, '44, and his wife Ferne (Schrader) '42, have been happily married for 67 years! Rocky gave Ferne 67 roses for the celebration! BIG bouquet and major congrats!

Pat (Sheppard) Holcomb also celebrated a February bday - 23rd. And, Byrl Hunt, '62 turned '17' on 29th. (Leap Year) That's like 68 in our years!!!!!!! And Tommy Lynn (Powers) Johnson, '51, celebrated her bday on the 20th of Feb. with a week in Cabo San Lucas, MX with hubby Bill.

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Craig Hadley, '60, has been in hosp with very serious heart problems. He is 'better' and has gone home.

Sue (Otis) Wigington is home but still cannot have company.

Wes Hamm, '63, was recently diagnosed with sarcoma and had a malignant tumor removed from his upper thigh. He has also had some other surgery procedures to prepare him for radiation treatment.

Linden Riley, '51, is now a resident at the VA Center here in Lawton. He has difficulty walking but has good attitude and enjoys friends visits. His wife Jo (VanStone) has had several falls lately, the latest caused a fractured skull, concussion, and hospital stay. She is doing rehab and says she is 'doing better'.


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Mike Morris, 70, Lawton, passed on February 28. He was LHS class 1960. He is survived by two sons; numerous grandchildren; several siblings and extended family.
Services were March 6 with burial in Highland Cemetery.
Extended obit and guest book at: www.beckerfuneral.com

Also, William Eugene "Bill" Cofer, 84, of Lawton, passed on February 27. Services were March 2. Bill was a teacher/coach at LHS and Tomlinson Jr. High. I was told he coached tennis at LHS.
Extended obit and guest book at: www.grayfuneral.com

Please join me in keeping in prayers all these with health issues and loss of loved ones.

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Have enjoyed some beautiful spring days, but winter returned with [needed] rain & strong winds before dawn Thursday! Cold....but short duration expected! Regards to all.....Georgia

......LHS News......

Originally sent February 29

'59 classmate Ed Adams called recently to say 'hi' and shhhhhh....wish me a happy bday. He holds down the world over at Poteau. Always nice to talk with classmate friends.

NEW contact: those wishing to contact Dan Collier about the class of 1972 reunion need to use THIS email:

Classmates Johnna (Gordon) and Wayne Parks and Sue (Chalk) and Scott Briggs took a few days with others to enjoy food, shows, and shopping in VEGAS! No details.....what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!

And, Bettie (Mowery) Vail and hubby Dick recently took a "fabulous" Panama Cruise. The picture (see above) was taken at an Indonesian luncheon where they were guests of the Captain.

Betty (Wood) Boyce, '55 and hubby Louis Boyce, '50, are proud new great grandparents of #4 and expecting another in April. His name initials spell BMW and they are calling him 'Beemer'. Betty says he has long fingers & toes they hope he will be a pitcher!

Numerous February birthdays (that I am aware of)......Alice (Aurell) Choice on the 4th; P.R. Ramey, myself, Semi (Stein), Bob Atkins, all on the 16th; Belva (Hollingshead) Williams on 22nd.
And March 1...the BIG 6-0 for my bother Tim Gill. Way to go bro!

btw.....while dining at Biancos, I was recipient of an impromptu serenade of 'Happy Birthday' by quartet of Dick and Carol Neptune, my Bill, plus sister Princess. So *fun* - thank you! They actually sounded pretty good!
I partied the whole week! I am a firm believer in having as many 'parties' as your family and friends can stand!

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Many of you may already know, Sue (Otis) Wigington has serious health problems. She is in Mercy Hosp in OKC, can not have visitors at this time.

Bob Shanklin is (or has been) in Memorial Hosp in Lawton with heart problems.

I visited with Dee (Vanderpool) Glass who continues with chemo. She is doing 'OK'.

Appreciate Barbara Richards for sending this info:
Jack Forbess, class of 1955, was found to have a tumor next to his liver and was told that they thought they would be able to remove it all....however, surgery on 21st, they found cancerous tumor in his gallbladder, bile duct, part of liver, down into the color..so nothing was removed. Radiation/chemotherapy will now be done....they would appreciate your prayers. FYI: Jack Forbess & Patty, 3205 Bandolina Lane, Plano, TX 75075-1749; (972) 867-5313

My mom continues pretty good. I appreciate so many who expressed concern for her. Please keep her and others with health issues in your prayers.

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Betty Jean (Ludrick) Mahaffay, 89, of Lawton passed on February 12. Services were February 17. Betty graduated LHS but I do not know what year. She taught at Jefferson Elementary for many years. She married Don Demo Mahaffay (deceased). She is survived by 4 children; numerous grand and great-grand children; siblings and extended family.
Extended obit and guest book at: http://www.grayfuneral.com/

Very sorry to report the passing of Lillian Myrtle (Stotlar) Ewing Couch, 99, of Wichita Falls. Mrs. Couch passed on February 20. Services were February 27. Mrs. Couch taught at Lincoln school in Lawton and also Douglas. She is mom to classmates Leigh Ewing; Ellen (Ewing) Jahnke; Linda (Ewing) Wilson. Numerous grandchildren and great grand children.
Extended obit and guest book at: http://www.fallsfuneralhome.com/

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Greetings to all.......Georgia

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Cruise pix, l-r: Captain, Bettie, dancer, Dick Vail, ships hotel manager.