......LHS News......
Originally sent November 19


Bob Keiningham wites......"Sorry to hear about my buddy Jack Shanklin ... he tried to teach me how to dress all the way through High School! I turned 78 in April, but reading about old friends being that old still provides a little shock and awe!"

Ron Poole & wife Marilyn are now at home in Austin, TX. I have his contact info for those who may need it. He also wants to know if other '55 grads in the Austin area??

Myrna Kay (Langley) Daley, '56, writes...."After 25 years with a local accounting firm I finally retired. I spent the month of September in China. Had not planned to stay quite so long, but a typhoon arrived while I was in Hong Kong and the airport closed so my departure was delayed for 5 days. The best part of any trip is getting home."

Janette (Hanes), '54, has just helped Peggy (Elledge) Long, '54, move the last of her (Peggys) belongings to Santa Fe. Peggy has been in process of moving for some time, but now has it done!!

And with Peggy settled, Janette (Hanes) headed back to Lawton to begin her own move back to the home town. So, we lose one, but gain one. Welcome home Janette.

Also, Susan (Hankins) Ellington will be leaving her long time residence in Las Cruces, NM. She will be moving to Santa Fe in next few months. She describes her new SF home as "territorial style with a small front courtyard." Picture looked great! Getting to be a nice 'community' of former Lawtonians in SF. Some full time, some part-timers.

Gerda (Keas) Campbell, '60, won the State title & traveling trophy in a 36 Hole Net golf tournament played at Lake Hefner-North Golf Course in Oklahoma City. This tournament was for any woman 50 & over in the state of Oklahoma. The trophy has been 'traveling' since 1959. Congrats Gerda! Photo.

David Whitwell did a 30 minute interview with Moscow (yes, Russia) via Skype back in October. Oct. 14 is the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Leipzig, in which the Russians played a big part. It was the biggest political event of the 19th century, as it ended Napoleon's attempt to take over all of Europe. They asked to interview David on the subject of the military bands involved. btw...David has 38 books listed on Amazon (centered on music).
Note: didn't know about the battle of Leipzig, but October 14 is a very special day as was my Moms birthday...she would have been 92.

My Bill and I traveled to BIG D on OU/TX week-end. While the outcome of the game wasn't as we hoped, we did have opportunity to connect with several former Lawtonians/classmates now living in Dallas. Bob Drewry, '52, and wife Karen were doing great as was Ron Jones, '55, who had just returned (literally 2:00am that Friday morn) from a tour of Italy. He came home with a bad case of laryngitis so made it difficult for him to tell us what a great time he had! Also visited with Nancy (Klass), '55, and hubby Bryan Medlock.

Great article in Lawton paper of October 15, page 8-A ....Jerry Strickland, '57, and his collection of vintage cars. Jerry is 'Strickland Racing of Cache'. Great color pictures showing his '66 Corvette Stingray Convertible; a '73 Dodge Dart Swinger; a '57 Chevy Bel Air hardtop. Also a history of Jerrys collecting and restoring the cars. Super cars, good read, and if you are in Cache the cars are nicely displayed on Cache Road in a building next to the Dollar General store.

'59 classmate George Bridges, my Bill, '52, my brother George Gill, '63 and several others spent 8 days in Costa Rico fishing for Tarpon. Big time had by all and since catch and release.....no messy cleaning of fish! Photo.

Also fishing, Mitch Braley, '57, and his son David just made a major haul while at Corpus Christi. Photo.

Great front page article about classmate Edward Charles Ellenbrook, '56, and his love of the Wichita Mountains. Charles has written numerous articles, trail guides, and maps of the Wichita Mtns and area. He writes a monthly column for the Lawton paper as well. Lawton Constitution, November 18.

Belated Happy (October) Birthdays: Hankins (Ellington) and Mary (Harris) Thompson, both '56ers; Earl Barton. Happy (November) Birthdays: Dee (Vanderpool) Glass, '52; George Gill, '63; Barbara (Ferguson) Perry, '50; Judy (Matthews) Johnson, '58.

Don Merrick, '53, and bride Saundra (Buzbee), '60, just celebrated their Golden 50th (Oct). They live in Lawton, but an army career saw many moves for the family over the years. FYI - Saundra is the artist who created the wonderful 'Old Lawton' watercolor prints featuring the old landmarks of Lawton yesteryear. Major Congrats!

Am attaching several photos to this email of above mentioned classmates.

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Burt Chesley Montague, '52, of Lawton, is dealing with renal cancer and is currently at home with hospice. Don Sherry, '52, Lawton, is ill and currently at home with hospice.

Edith (Lawrence) Caha, '52, had a freak accident resulting in both her legs being broken. She is currently at Cedar Crest Manor here in Lawton.

Darlene Dean, wife of Eugene Dean, '52, is quite ill and with hospice.
Numerous other classmates are experiencing health issues and your prayers would be appreciated.

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Tommye (Boudreaux) Hobbs will host a 'Celebration of Life' for hubby Ray Hobbs and will welcome friends at her new Lawton home. The celebration will be on Saturday November 30 at 4105 NW Meadowbrook, 2:00pm ~ 5:00pm. Tommye says there will be no program or service, just an opportunity for friends and family to get together, reminisce, and celebrate Ray's life. Light lunch, lots of memorabilia, pictures, DVD. Ray passed August 20 in Lawton.


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Jim Warkentin, 76, passed November 8 in Florida after a short battle with cancer. He was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia this past August. Jim was LHS class 1955. He is survived by wife Carmen; a daughter Keri Lynn & family; a son Ted & family; sister Judy (Warkentin) Bryan; a brother Jack Warkentin. There was no service. Obit in Lawton paper November 18. www .swoknews.com

Shirlene Marie (Boyd) Pinchback, 74, of Lawton, passed on November 5. Shirlene is LHS class 1957. She is survived by husband Larry; three sons and their families; extended family. Service was Nov. 8 in Lawton. Obit and guest book at: www.beckerfuneral.com

Julie (Kent) Mays, 69, of Lawton, passed on November 1. Julie was LHS class 1962. She is survived by a daughter Clea and family including a granddaughter; a cousin Joan Williams& husband Clancey; extended family. Julie was a lovely person, she will be missed by many.
Obit and guest book at: www .grayfuneral.com

Theadore F. "Teddy" Wise, 70, of Lawton, passed on October 19. A memorial service was held October 24. Teddy was LHS class 1961. Teddy was an 'army brat' and later had a distinguished career of his own in the military and also as a freelance photographer.
Extended obit and guest book at: www .beckerfuneral.com

David L. Davis passed at his home in Dallas, TX. His daughter Michelle sent that he had died peacefully in his sleep. She did not send exact date or if any service, but his passing has been very recent (October). Believe David was class 1952 or may have left before graduation? He was married to Claudette (Palmer) - also class of 1952 - and she passed several years ago.

Charlene (Lewis) Wigington, 93, Lawton, passed on November 7. She is mom of classmates Dan Wigington, Ron Wigington, and Sylvia (Wigington) Crockett. Services were November 12 in Lawton.
Obit and guest book at: www .grayfuneral.com

Our sympathies and prayers are always with those who have lost loved ones.

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Lawton High once again 'Home of Champions' as [under coach Randy Breeze] they finished the season 10-0, sewing up the District football title and finishing off the Wolverines 11th unbeaten regular season in school history. Go Wolverines!

Halloween was scary, now we press on to turkey and dressing, then in no time.....Santa Claus! Time flies! Regards to all.......Georgia