Monday, January 14, 2013

......LHS News......
Originally sent January 14 ~ 2013

Bruce Knowles, class of '62, has lived in Alaska the past 30+ years. He took a beautiful picture of the moon the day after Christmas. He said it only lasted about 5 minutes.

Genie (Blewett) Kelsey, '71 and brothers Tom , '69; Charles, '63; Bill, '64; and all the spouses, had a great holiday trip to Disney World!

Also taking a family trip to Disney World for Christmas treat - Johnna (Gordon) '59 and Wayne Parks, '60, kids and grandkids!

Had short visit with Steve Klos recently. Steve is the new manager at the Lawton Country Club and LHS class 1974! Good luck Steve!

I know many of you will be interested in this news.....Chris Bianco - son of Bianco's Restaurant founders John and Rose - had surgery on January 9 and received a new kidney and a new liver. Long time health issues have hampered Chris for years. So happy to say...so far so good. We certainly hope he continues to recovery and while it will be a long road, it is hoped he will be back in Lawton one of these days. We miss him and Jann and the great pizza!

Award-winning actor/director Ken Webster will be performing his show 'My 1966 & 1967 Seasons With The Houston Astros' this Tuesday at FronteraFest at Hyde Park Theatre in Austin, Texas. Webster's Twitter Feed @1968Astros started as a diary of the 1966 Astros as seen through the eyes of his favorite player from childhood, John Bateman. The diary, part fact and part fiction, has been featured in several stories by sportswriters.

Friday I'll [Gale] be performing my show, 'The Last Inning, at FronteraFest'. I'll mention finding baseball in 1949 when my parents and I moved from Apache to across the street from Tommy and Johnny Bateman in Lawton and how we played baseball on that "tiny" lot in the 600 block of McKinley Street.

Gale McCray, '60

Note: Johnny Bateman was LHS class 1958 and sadly is deceased.

The reunion planned for next summer - August 2-3-4, 2013 is picking up steam and attendees! Janette (Hanes) is organizing the reunion for class 1954 has just added classes of 1952 and 1953 after they asked to be included. Also, open to any others who want to attend!!! Contact Janette at: jhanes@stellar.net
Janette also reports that she has been playing a LOT of tennis!

Others who sent greetings/news recently: Bobby Newton; Stan Young; Gordon Griswold; Gloria (Lamb) Ervin; Ron Jones; Karelin (Cole) Seitz; Connie Pollner; Ellen (Ewing) Jahnke: Bunny (Brittain) Lavender; Sue (Lacy) Williams; Murdoch Matthew; Bettie (Mowrey)Vail; Fred Cooke, Jr.; John Smith; Susan (Hankins) Ellington; Dr. Jim Hill; Bill and Sharon Stamps; John Mercadante.

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Doyce Grayson, '56, just out of the hospital (4th). Got him 'tuned-up' and ready to go a while longer! Doyce is a LHS icon....take care of yourself Doyce!

Ben Ansley, '59, has had several parts replaced [thanks to modern medicine] and is doing real well.

Joel Boyd, '59, had cancer surgery (August), some set-backs, longer recovery than usual, but is at last, on road to recovery and no more treatment needed at this time. Good news indeed!

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Mary Sue (Lowry) Silk, 93, of Lawton, passed on January 11. Mary Sue was a graduate of LHS and spent her life in education. She and husband Wesley Silk were both with the LPS for approx 40 years. Wes died several years ago. I know Mrs. Silk was a counselor and mentor for many who passed through LHS. Friends may call from 5:30pm ~ 7:00pm on Monday January 14, at the funeral home.

Services will be 10:00am, Tuesday January 15, Centenary United Methodist church with burial to follow at Highland Cemetery.

Extended obit and guest book at:  www.grayfuneral.com

Jacqueline Jean 'Jackie' (Lemons) Mitchell, 71, of Fletcher passed on January 12. Jackie was LHS class 1959.
Jackie married Jack Mitchell in 1960, he died in 2007. She worked in Elgin the past 50 years, running the Tag Agency. She is survived by a son Scooter; 3 grandsons; a granddaughter; extended family. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00pm ~ 8:00pm on Tuesday evening, January 15.
Services will be 2:00pm, Wednesday January 16 at the Crossroads Baptist church in Elgin. Burial will be at the Old Elgin Cemetery.

Extended obit at:  www.fletcherandelginfuneral.com

Glenn Harris, 71, of Geronimo, passed on January 12. Glenn was LHS class 1959. Glenn was involved in farming most of his life but also had a construction company and worked as a realtor and appraiser, serving on the Lawton Board of Realtors. He married Carol Sue 'Susie' in 1961. She passed in 2011. He is survived by 3 children; 10 grandchildren and extended family. He was also preceded in death by a brother Mike Harris and a sister Geneva McIntosh - Geneva is the one who started the 'all-class' reunions some years ago. There will be visitation from 5:00 ~ 7:00pm on Tuesday at the funeral home in Walters.

Services will be at 2:00pm Wednesday January 16, Hart Wyatt Funeral Home.

Extended obit and guest book at: www.hart-wyattfuneralhome.com

Clarence Avery, 82, of Lawton, passed on January 3. Clarence was LHS class of 1949. Clarence married Wilda Robinson in about 1952; he later married Jo Nan Rose in 1977. He was quite active in sports, playing football, baseball, and basketball at LHS and some football when he attended Cameron. He is survived by his wife Jo Nan; a son Mark; a daughter Jamie; a granddaughter; extended family. Services were January 7.
Extended obit and guest book at:  www.beckerfuneral.com

I just received word that Dan Glascock passed on Christmas eve. Dan was recovering from a stroke and heart attack. Dan was my class - 1959. He was a classmate and a friend. Dan had a great sense of humor and we had such fun, especially in Mrs. Wickmans and Opal Fords speech classes. He was in Lawton couple years ago and we had a lunch and visit and reminisced about so many good times. Dan was living for many years in the Los Angeles area and a memorial service was held there on January 9.

Have to tell this story....Dan worked in the funeral business here in Lawton and after he moved to CA. Janey (Johnston) Scott recalls that Dan and another '59 classmate - Sidney Wright - would 'borrow' the hearse from the funeral home, swing by her house, pick her up and 'go riding'. One such time, Janeys mom, Sara Johnston, decided to go with them. She commented ...'this is so much fun'..."I am so glad I got to ride in a hearse while I am still alive". Many of you will remember Mrs. Johnston from freshman English and Latin. Sadly, classmate Sid Wright is also deceased.

I know our prayers are with those who have lost loved ones and those with health issues.

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Flu, respiratory, stomach, and other unwanted 'bugs' are reigning in Oklahoma right now. Hope YOU are well. Spring can't be far away! Regards to all.....Georgia