Originally sent January 30
Its been a while for the news (don't ask), so some of this few weeks old, but thought LHS'ers would still want to know. Also have new mail program I am not used to...sigh!
Remembering......
Marilyn Morris writes....."I remember standing in line with my mother to buy my schoolbooks, [at Ratcliffes] I think for the 3rd grade, the first time my dad was stationed at Fort Sill. That must have been 1948. I'm amazed that it was there for so long."
Mary (Harris) Thompson writes...."Always enjoyed going into Ratcliffes, thought all that paper and books smelled good. As I recall that's where we bought our school books."
"Very sad closings of two Lawton businesses. I remember we bought all our school books at Ratcliffes when I moved to Lawton in 1960 and started school at Tomlinson Jr. High School."
Nancy Jane Long, '65
"I got a job helping out during a summer between high school terms with preparations for the school-book rush at Ratcliffe's. They needed more help, so my mother, Sylvia Matthew, went to work there as well. She stayed on for thirty years, retiring as assistant manager. When we buried her on her 88th birthday in the family plot in Walters Cemetery, Gale and Martha Sadler came to say good-bye. Ratcliffe's -- part of the old Lawton."
Murdoch Matthew
Herb Jacobs - 'Where Are They Now' - Sunday Constitution, December 22, page 4-C: great story on the one and only John Tyree. Tyree was a character in his own right, but his career playing football for LHS and then continuing his education, illness, and coaching took him to many places. OSU, SW State, Cameron, Pomona, CA, Texas. It's a good story. John is LHS class 1957.
Herbs Sunday column of December 29, page 7-C is great read about 1954 LHS grad Ron Ramming. Ron was a great tennis player in school [he won 70 trophies during his Junior and Senior years at LHS], also playing during his time in the army. Ron came back to Lawton in the '60's and these days he plays golf. Another good story.
Richard 'Dick' Neptune is featured on the front page of the Monday Constitution, December 23. The article chronicles his profession as a photographer, entering the Lawton Public Schools as an instructor, eventually becoming Superintendent of LPS.
Richard is LHS class 1952. All good reads. Try getting these articles at www.swoknews.com
Wedding bells rang over the holidays for '57 LHS'er Ron Hartline and bride Leitha Lewis. Congrats guys!
And major congrats to good friends Jim Powers, '55, and his bride LuAnn (Cobb) who celebrated their 54th anniversary on December 28. And, they just welcomed their second great-grandchild on January 7. Baby girl!
Great to visit with Mike Lehew.......up from Texas for a holiday visit. Mike is LHS class '68.
Also a New Years day land-line from good friend Charles Darling. A surprise and most enjoyable visit! Charles and Jackie are doing well and smelling the roses.....[literally] as they live just around the corner from the start of the Rose Bowl Parade out Pasadena way!
'59 classmate Johnna (Gordon) Parks and hubby Wayne are just home from a Christmas cruise around the Mexican Rivera and Central America. It was a family affair with kids, grand-kids. Fun time had by all.
January 1, Lawton Constitution, front page, great picture of '59 classmate Joan (Lee) Houghton and hubby Jerry celebrating the arrival of the New Year. Too bad the paper messed up their name. But, 'we' knew who it was!!!
Jerry Boucher suggested looking at 'Lawton Then and Now' on face book to get lot of pictures of old Lawton and new Lawton.
Belated Happy (December) Birthday wishes to: Mike Thompson; Houston Gill - my great-niece (LHS Class 2016)!
Happy (January) Birthday wishes to: Beverly (Gaston) Shelton; Diz Martinez; Pat (Anderson) Lehew.
NOTE: I don't know if any of you watch American Restorations (Ricks Restorations - Las Vegas) on the History channel but we love old machines and it's fun to see the old 'stuff' people bring in and the great job Rick does on restoring them. On a recently aired episode, a fellow brought in something that stirred my memory - one of those old foot/shoe x-ray machines like the one that Dutchers Shoe Store had when they were over on D street. Supposed to try on new shoe, stick foot under there, and it 'lit-up' to show feet in shoes. Billed as 'accurate fit'.
I remember it well, sitting against the west wall. We [Gill] kids had been admonished by dad to not under any circumstances stick our feet under there as it couldn't be a good thing! Well, as it turned out, dad was right. It was x-ray and some years before we knew the damage that could be done. I never heard of anyone suffering any ill effects from the machine and I can now admit.... I did manage to stick my feet in a time or so and sneak a few quick glances.
Rick did great job on the machine, removed the x-ray element & fixed it with harmless x-ray photo of someones feet!? Enjoyed seeing the old machine.
I appreciate 'greetings' from LHS'ers: Charles Gilbert, '54; Bob Keiningham; Judy Lee Jenkins; Willie Guest; Susan (Hankins) Ellington; Jack Rhodes; Sherry (Asbery) Wiley; Ed Hesler, Jr.; Sharon (Godfrey) McLawhorn; Ron and Marilyn Poole; Wayne and Judy Kniffin; Phil Wilder; John Smith; Frank Gribble, lll; Karelin (Cole) Seitz; Don Wooley; Lou & Barbara Green.
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My dear and long time friend Shirley (Brittain) Russell, '58, is fighting a re-occurrence of cancer. She is at home with hospice. I know they would appreciate your prayers.
Another dear friend, Sue (Chalk) Briggs, '64, will have possibly surgery first part of February. Sue has been fighting cancer some years. She would also appreciate your prayers.
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Jacquline 'Jackye' Rose (Robinson) Cox, 79, of Lawton passed on January 24 after a several year battle with Alzheimers. Jackye was LHS class 1952. Services were on January 28. Jackye was married to Weldon Cox who passed in 1998. She is survived by two daughters and their families; a sister Martha.
Obit and guest book at: www.grayfuneral.com
Note: Jackye was a great gal. She & my Bill went to grade school together and he says she was a real 'hoot'. Jackye & I were provisionals together in the Lawton Junior Service League. She was fun!! Sorry to lose her.
Cherry L. (Ledgerwood) Porter, 88, of Lawton passed on January 1. She was a grad of LHS - 42 or 43? Survivors include 2 daughters, numerous grand and great-grand children, extended family. Cherry was married to Tom Porter who with his brothers was Porter Brothers builders here in Lawton area. He preceded her in death. Services were January 4.
Obit and guest book at: www.beckerfuneral.com
Lester Ray Suttle, 86, of Lawton, passed on December 27. Lester was LHS class 1945. Lester was a nice person and a familiar face at the Lawton post office for many, many, years. He is survived by wife Esther (Scherler); a daughter, a son, numerous grandchildren and extended family. A memorial service was held on January 4.
Obit and guest book at: www.grayfuneral.com
**Beverly (Beachamp) Shoffner, 75, Colleyville, TX, passed at her home on December 17 after a short bout with cancer (brain tumor). Beverly was LHS class 1956. She is survived by husband Dutch Shoffner; two sons Alan and Andy and their families; numerous grandchildren; a brother Barry Beachamp, Lawton. Services were December 22 in Grapevine, TX.
Obit and guest book at www.jefoust.com J.E. Foust Funeral Home - Grapevine, TX.
Sadly, Beverlys husband Lt. Gen (rtrd) Wilson A. 'Dutch' Shoffner, 75, Colleyville, TX, passed on January 3. He had been ill for some time. Dutch was from Ryan, OK, attended Cameron and OSU. His service was January 8 in Grapevine with burial to be in Arlington National Cemetery.
Obit and guest book at: www.jefoust.com
**This from a classmate: "It’s a terrible and very sudden loss. Beverly was on the Tatler staff, worked for the Lawton Constitution, graduated from Cameron and OU. She was undoubtedly the kindest person to any and all and will be incredibly missed."
Mary (Simpson) Milby
Janis Ann (Reese) Rich, 66, of Lawton, passed on December 18. Janis was LHS class 1965. She is survived by 3 sons and their families; a daughter and her family; a twin brother Don; numerous grandchildren and extended family. A memorial service was held December 28.
Obit and guest book at: www.OrrGrayGishfuneralhome.com> or www.Tiptonfuneralhome.com
Our sympathies and prayers are with these who have lost loved ones and friends.
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The New Year is off and running! I hope I can keep up with it! Regards to all............
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