In Memoriam
We will miss these classmates!
Mark White, classmate and former governor of Texas, passed away Saturday, August 5, 2017 of a heart attack.
More about Mark White's public service career:
Mark Wells White Jr. was an American politician and lawyer, who served as the 43rd Governor of Texas from 1983 to 1987. He also held office as Secretary of State of Texas, and as Texas Attorney General. Mark championed public education laws that limited class sizes, increased teachers’ pay and introduced basic skills tests for high school students -- a friend of learning!
He was buried in the Texas State Cemetery, Austin, Texas, after a memorial service in Houston and lying in state in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building in Austin the following day.
He was buried in the Texas State Cemetery, Austin, Texas, after a memorial service in Houston and lying in state in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building in Austin the following day.
Please see Mark's entry in the alphabetized listing that follows for further details and especially for memories of Mark shared by his Lamar '58 classmates. You can also view a video of Mark's funeral here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=03x4M2uJe3I.
Frederick Noble (Ted) Aldrich passed away in 1988 or before.
From Marilyn Brough Grim: "I dated Ted Aldrich in my junior and senior year of high school. He sat next to me in Mrs. Constance English class for three years. I was the one who gave him the name “Ted” because he was such a Teddy Bear (very nice young man) and I thought his real name was too formal for him. We doubled a lot with Chuck Beasley and Beverly Bratton. We also dated my first year in college when we were both at home. He went to Tulane – I went to Southwestern. I am sorry to hear that he had passed so early in his life. Glad he kept the nickname however."
John (Johnny) Joe Allen died December 21, 2017 in Huntsville, Texas. At Lamar Johnny was active in ROTC and Future Farmers of America. As his obituary points out (guestbook also available at that site) John subsequently graduated from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville and owned and operated Rainbow Roller Rink in Houston and four other rinks "throughout the Southwest, including Huntsville and Conroe." Services were held for Johnny in Huntsville December 26 and graveside at Elmina Cemetery in New Waverly, Texas December 27.
From Marilyn Brough Grim: "I dated Ted Aldrich in my junior and senior year of high school. He sat next to me in Mrs. Constance English class for three years. I was the one who gave him the name “Ted” because he was such a Teddy Bear (very nice young man) and I thought his real name was too formal for him. We doubled a lot with Chuck Beasley and Beverly Bratton. We also dated my first year in college when we were both at home. He went to Tulane – I went to Southwestern. I am sorry to hear that he had passed so early in his life. Glad he kept the nickname however."
John (Johnny) Joe Allen died December 21, 2017 in Huntsville, Texas. At Lamar Johnny was active in ROTC and Future Farmers of America. As his obituary points out (guestbook also available at that site) John subsequently graduated from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville and owned and operated Rainbow Roller Rink in Houston and four other rinks "throughout the Southwest, including Huntsville and Conroe." Services were held for Johnny in Huntsville December 26 and graveside at Elmina Cemetery in New Waverly, Texas December 27.
Richard C. (Dick) Ames passed away after a lengthy illness November 8, 2008. He was a Lamar and TCU grad and served in the Air Force reserves. A memorial service was held at West University United Methodist Church, 3611 University Blvd., on Saturday, November 22, at 10 a.m.
Obituary information from classmates and The Houston Chronicle (obituary no longer online). There is a guest book at legacy.com .
Elizabeth Anderson (McKinley) died 10/15/1998 (reported by a classmate).
Katie Anderson (Buller) "passed away peacefully at home [Buller, TX] with her daughter, Page, granddaughter, Angela, & great-granddaughter, PresleyAnn at her side" (Waller County Times Tribune obituary). At Lamar Katie was a Lancer representative and participated in Rodeo Club, Niwuana, CSU, and Choralettes. She subsequently attended Texas Tech, and joined husband Jim Page Buller (who passed away in 2015) in cattle ranching near Pattison, TX. Her daughter, Page Varner (aka Page Valentine) adds that "She was THE BEST Mom EVER! My very best friend. My brother John, died 21 years ago, after a double lung transplant - he had Cystic Fibrosis. And Dad died 2 years ago February 4th. I have one daughter, Angela, & her husband, Rusty, & they have a baby girl, Presley Ann Page Williams, who was born January 4th, 2017. Mom spent the past 3 months loving on her every minute she could! Thankfully we have lots of pictures of Mom with PA! ... She loved the updates you sent! Thank you for sharing with other Lamar friends -- she'd have liked that."
Maurice Angly, Jr. died peacefully in his sleep in Anchorage, Alaska on January 30, 2012.
Obituary information from the American Statesman (obituary no longer online).
Elaine Antill (Morelock) passed away Saturday, March 19, 2005.
At Lamar Elaine was an Office Assistant and active in Mirabeau, Lancer, Kachina, CSU, Quill and Scroll, and La Cinquantaine. Post-Lamar she attended TCU and the University of Houston. She lived in Tyler, Texarkana, and Shreveport before returning to Houston in 1976, where she was a "highly active" volunteer at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital for 21 years, receiving the Award of the Heart in honor of her service in 1988.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Memorial Hermann Foundation, 9401 Southwest Freeway, Suite 401, Houston, TX 77074, designated to Antill Morelock Symposium for Pastoral Care Endowment. Donations can also be made to the Chapelwood Foundation, 11140 Greenbay Drive, Houston, TX 77024.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle (obituary no longer online).
Robert Arbaugh Deceased September 13, 1994 (Social Security Death Index). Last residence Llano, TX.
Melbourne Brent Arthur Deceased June 2, 1994. (SSDI)
Obituary information from classmates and The Houston Chronicle (obituary no longer online). There is a guest book at legacy.com .
Elizabeth Anderson (McKinley) died 10/15/1998 (reported by a classmate).
Katie Anderson (Buller) "passed away peacefully at home [Buller, TX] with her daughter, Page, granddaughter, Angela, & great-granddaughter, PresleyAnn at her side" (Waller County Times Tribune obituary). At Lamar Katie was a Lancer representative and participated in Rodeo Club, Niwuana, CSU, and Choralettes. She subsequently attended Texas Tech, and joined husband Jim Page Buller (who passed away in 2015) in cattle ranching near Pattison, TX. Her daughter, Page Varner (aka Page Valentine) adds that "She was THE BEST Mom EVER! My very best friend. My brother John, died 21 years ago, after a double lung transplant - he had Cystic Fibrosis. And Dad died 2 years ago February 4th. I have one daughter, Angela, & her husband, Rusty, & they have a baby girl, Presley Ann Page Williams, who was born January 4th, 2017. Mom spent the past 3 months loving on her every minute she could! Thankfully we have lots of pictures of Mom with PA! ... She loved the updates you sent! Thank you for sharing with other Lamar friends -- she'd have liked that."
Maurice Angly, Jr. died peacefully in his sleep in Anchorage, Alaska on January 30, 2012.
Obituary information from the American Statesman (obituary no longer online).
Elaine Antill (Morelock) passed away Saturday, March 19, 2005.
At Lamar Elaine was an Office Assistant and active in Mirabeau, Lancer, Kachina, CSU, Quill and Scroll, and La Cinquantaine. Post-Lamar she attended TCU and the University of Houston. She lived in Tyler, Texarkana, and Shreveport before returning to Houston in 1976, where she was a "highly active" volunteer at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital for 21 years, receiving the Award of the Heart in honor of her service in 1988.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Memorial Hermann Foundation, 9401 Southwest Freeway, Suite 401, Houston, TX 77074, designated to Antill Morelock Symposium for Pastoral Care Endowment. Donations can also be made to the Chapelwood Foundation, 11140 Greenbay Drive, Houston, TX 77024.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle (obituary no longer online).
Robert Arbaugh Deceased September 13, 1994 (Social Security Death Index). Last residence Llano, TX.
Melbourne Brent Arthur Deceased June 2, 1994. (SSDI)
Barbara Bangeman (Childers) died January 17, 2002. Obituary information from the Social Security Death Index.
Phyllis Barnard (Chase) passed away August 26, 2015.
Helen Barnes Lindberg writes "Phyllis sat in front of me in Miss Anderson's home room for three years. Seems we could never finish our conversation before roll call and Miss Anderson got very annoyed at us . . . and over the years got to where she just shook her head and said 'Those girls again.' Any class we had together we sat that way— Barnard . . . Barnes—and we usually had the same problem!"
There is a Houston Chronicle obituary that mentions that "Throughout her life, Phyllis was highly engaged as a patron of the arts in the Houston area as a supporter of the Houston Grand Opera, the Alley Theatre and the Museum of Fine Arts."
Phyllis Barnard (Chase) passed away August 26, 2015.
Helen Barnes Lindberg writes "Phyllis sat in front of me in Miss Anderson's home room for three years. Seems we could never finish our conversation before roll call and Miss Anderson got very annoyed at us . . . and over the years got to where she just shook her head and said 'Those girls again.' Any class we had together we sat that way— Barnard . . . Barnes—and we usually had the same problem!"
There is a Houston Chronicle obituary that mentions that "Throughout her life, Phyllis was highly engaged as a patron of the arts in the Houston area as a supporter of the Houston Grand Opera, the Alley Theatre and the Museum of Fine Arts."
Helen Barnes Lindbergh passed away December 8, 2018. She was living in Tucson at the time. (Obituary and guestbook at legacy.com/Tucson/obituary.aspx?n=helen-ann-barnes-lindberg&pid=191008310 . Published in Arizona Daily Star.) At Lamar Helen was a lab assistant, a math assistant, and Sergeant-at-Arms of Tawasi, and a member of CSU.
After Lamar she earned a BA at Hardin Simmons University, taught at Los Alamos High School, and had a distinguished career in technical writing at Los Alamos Labs while raising a melded family before retiring with her second husband Howard (who died in May of 2017) to Tucson. There was a celebration of Helen’s life Thursday January 3 at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Tucson, beginning at 2 PM and followed by a reception.
After Lamar she earned a BA at Hardin Simmons University, taught at Los Alamos High School, and had a distinguished career in technical writing at Los Alamos Labs while raising a melded family before retiring with her second husband Howard (who died in May of 2017) to Tucson. There was a celebration of Helen’s life Thursday January 3 at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Tucson, beginning at 2 PM and followed by a reception.
Kelly (Wylita at Lamar) Baxter Wicker passed away on the 16th of November, 2016. Forest Park Westheimer's website has a one-line “obituary” and,a guest book in which condolences and memories of Kelly can be posted. In addition to the Lamar roles listed above, Wylita performed with a trio of Lamar classmates, the Angel Sisters: Wylita, Marcille Nerger (Magness), and Melinda Robinson junior year, Sheila Scott senior year – that, Jeremy Wicker (Kelly's former husband) reports, “often performed with Ed Gerlach's orchestra.”
Jeremy reports that it was Wylita's post-Lamar career as a performer that led to her name change: “Sometime during the 60's, Kelly's New York agent was able to arrange an audition for her with the successful and famous Broadway producer,David Merrick. ... Merrick selected her as the stand-in for Barbara Streisand in the Broadway production of Funny Girl. But Merrick insisted that she change her first name from Wylita to something else. (I remember her saying that Merrick told her agent 'Wylita' sounded too much like an 'Indian Princess'.) They came up with 'Kelly', which Merrick approved. (Wylita also adopted 'Kelly' as her legal first name. I don't recall if she used 'Baxter' or 'McKinley' as her last name. At the time, she was married to Chuck McKinley, who at one time was ranked the No. 1 male tennis player in the world [and was the 1963 Wimbledon champion]. Unfortunately for Kelly, Streisand never missed a performance, so Kelly never got the chance to perform the leading role.”
Jeremy adds that “I just remembered the following. Kelly told me that when she was married to Chuck McKinley (in the '60s), he was playing in an exhibition tennis tournament in Los Angeles. Kelly was sitting in the stands watching McKinley play. Not far from her was Charlton ('Chuck') Heston. At one point, Kelly stood up but fell. Heston immediately instructed his accompanying bodyguard to pick her up, place her in his limo & drive to the nearest emergency room. Turned out she was not injured. When Kelly introduced herself to Heston, he asked her if it was possible for her husband to give him some tennis lessons. She replied that, regrettably, he could not because he was on tour. Then she said, 'But I can give you lessons.' (A little known fact - Kelly was an accomplished amateur tennis player.) He agreed and invited her to come to his estate in Bel Air, where he had beautiful tennis courts. She stayed in the Heston's guest cottage for about a week. During that time, she became fast friends with Heston's wife, Lydia. Ever since that time, Charlton and Lydia often exchanged correspondence with Kelly. She had saved all the letters from the Heston's. (Kelly told me this history in 2006.) She showed me the last letter Charlton wrote her before he died. I could tell by the tone of the letter that he and Kelly were close friends. The letter was signed, 'Affectionately, Chuck.' All through the years, Lydia invited Kelly to attend Charlton's birthday celebration at their home in Bel Air. In the fall of 2006, Kelly received another hand- written invitation from Lydia. I read it and was blown away.
We divorced in 2010 but she kept my name.”
Barbara Ann Beardmore (Adams) passed away 21 January 2014. Her obituary provided a summary of Barbara's post-Lamar careers, which included homemaking in six different countries and over 11,000 hours of volunteer work (and a number of leadership positions within the Volunteer Auxiliary) at Texas Children's Hospital after she and husband Roy retired back in Houston. In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in recognition of Barbara's years of service may be directed to Texas Children's Hospital, Office of Development, 1919 South Braeswood, Ste. 5214, Houston, TX, 77030.
Allen Harrison Benbrook died in 1991; interred Memorial Oaks Cemetery, Houston. (Picture of marker at https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/144274038.)
Sally Bethea (Bonneval) died April 27, 1988. Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle (obituary no longer online) and an obituary of her mother.
John Bruner Bible died January 17, 2002 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Obituary information from the Social Security Death Index.
Jeremy reports that it was Wylita's post-Lamar career as a performer that led to her name change: “Sometime during the 60's, Kelly's New York agent was able to arrange an audition for her with the successful and famous Broadway producer,David Merrick. ... Merrick selected her as the stand-in for Barbara Streisand in the Broadway production of Funny Girl. But Merrick insisted that she change her first name from Wylita to something else. (I remember her saying that Merrick told her agent 'Wylita' sounded too much like an 'Indian Princess'.) They came up with 'Kelly', which Merrick approved. (Wylita also adopted 'Kelly' as her legal first name. I don't recall if she used 'Baxter' or 'McKinley' as her last name. At the time, she was married to Chuck McKinley, who at one time was ranked the No. 1 male tennis player in the world [and was the 1963 Wimbledon champion]. Unfortunately for Kelly, Streisand never missed a performance, so Kelly never got the chance to perform the leading role.”
Jeremy adds that “I just remembered the following. Kelly told me that when she was married to Chuck McKinley (in the '60s), he was playing in an exhibition tennis tournament in Los Angeles. Kelly was sitting in the stands watching McKinley play. Not far from her was Charlton ('Chuck') Heston. At one point, Kelly stood up but fell. Heston immediately instructed his accompanying bodyguard to pick her up, place her in his limo & drive to the nearest emergency room. Turned out she was not injured. When Kelly introduced herself to Heston, he asked her if it was possible for her husband to give him some tennis lessons. She replied that, regrettably, he could not because he was on tour. Then she said, 'But I can give you lessons.' (A little known fact - Kelly was an accomplished amateur tennis player.) He agreed and invited her to come to his estate in Bel Air, where he had beautiful tennis courts. She stayed in the Heston's guest cottage for about a week. During that time, she became fast friends with Heston's wife, Lydia. Ever since that time, Charlton and Lydia often exchanged correspondence with Kelly. She had saved all the letters from the Heston's. (Kelly told me this history in 2006.) She showed me the last letter Charlton wrote her before he died. I could tell by the tone of the letter that he and Kelly were close friends. The letter was signed, 'Affectionately, Chuck.' All through the years, Lydia invited Kelly to attend Charlton's birthday celebration at their home in Bel Air. In the fall of 2006, Kelly received another hand- written invitation from Lydia. I read it and was blown away.
We divorced in 2010 but she kept my name.”
Barbara Ann Beardmore (Adams) passed away 21 January 2014. Her obituary provided a summary of Barbara's post-Lamar careers, which included homemaking in six different countries and over 11,000 hours of volunteer work (and a number of leadership positions within the Volunteer Auxiliary) at Texas Children's Hospital after she and husband Roy retired back in Houston. In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in recognition of Barbara's years of service may be directed to Texas Children's Hospital, Office of Development, 1919 South Braeswood, Ste. 5214, Houston, TX, 77030.
Allen Harrison Benbrook died in 1991; interred Memorial Oaks Cemetery, Houston. (Picture of marker at https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/144274038.)
Sally Bethea (Bonneval) died April 27, 1988. Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle (obituary no longer online) and an obituary of her mother.
John Bruner Bible died January 17, 2002 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Obituary information from the Social Security Death Index.
Charles Dean Billings, 64, "passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2005. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Dean Billings to the Endowment fund at Gethsemane United Methodist Church at 6856 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, Texas 77074 or The Arbor School at 1635 Blalock, Houston, Texas 77080". (Published in The Houston Chronicle, but obituary no longer posted online).
Linda Blake Bonner Deceased (2000 Directory)
Robert Lamar Booker Died in 1970, interred Earthman Resthaven Cemetery in Houston. (Findagrave.com; birthdate on memorial registry matches HISD list.)
Robert Norman Booth, M.D. died 3/7/2011 in California. Obituary information from Contra Costa Times (no longer posted online).
Forrestine Boyd Sparks Died November 3, 1984; interred in Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, Houston.
(Findagrave.com; birthdate on memorial registry matches HISD list.) Forrestine married Leon Sparks on May 23, 1959 in Harris County.
Russell Boyker passed away October 27, 2012.
Obituary information from Galveston Daily News and Dignity Memorial (no longer posted online).
Robert Lamar Booker Died in 1970, interred Earthman Resthaven Cemetery in Houston. (Findagrave.com; birthdate on memorial registry matches HISD list.)
Robert Norman Booth, M.D. died 3/7/2011 in California. Obituary information from Contra Costa Times (no longer posted online).
Forrestine Boyd Sparks Died November 3, 1984; interred in Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, Houston.
(Findagrave.com; birthdate on memorial registry matches HISD list.) Forrestine married Leon Sparks on May 23, 1959 in Harris County.
Russell Boyker passed away October 27, 2012.
Obituary information from Galveston Daily News and Dignity Memorial (no longer posted online).
Martha Breedlove Kahn "passed away peacefully in her home in Los Altos on June 14, 2018, surrounded by her family after a six-month battle with cancer." (Obituary and guestbook at
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/mercurynews/obituary.aspx?n=martha-kahn&pid=189335769&eid=sp_ommatch&eid=sp_ommatch.) A memorial service for Martha was held at the Los Altos United Methodist Church Tuesday, June 26.
Martha entered Lamar spring semester of 1955, on track to graduate in January of 1958 (thus qualifying her as a member of the Class of 1958), but she sped her way through Lamar, graduating in June of 1957. At Lamar Martha was a Student Council Representative, a Gym Leader, an Office Assistant, and a member of Mirabeau, Kachina, Christian Student Union, and the National Honor Society.
A native Houstonian, she stuck around Houston long enough to earn her BA in History at Rice, but then "They [Martha and husband Mike Kahn] moved to Pasadena, California for Mike's Naval duty and then to Palo Alto in 1964. Except for two short relocations they lived in the Bay Area ever since."
From Wendy Rainbow Germani: Martha and I both went to Rice together, where she was very active. She was Vice-President of the senior class at Rice.
Nancy Bullard Deceased (40th Reunion List)
John Gates Burum (Spouse: Barbara Snell Burum, Lamar '58) Deceased July 27, 2011 (Chronicle obituary)
John Alexander Bynum, III Deceased November 30, 1986. (SSDI and VA Gravesite record cited on ancestry.com). Last residence was San Antonio. John served in Vietnam and was interred in Houston National Cemetery.
Aubrey Calvin died Tuesday, January 22, 2018 at the Houston VA Hospital. Barry says that Aubrey had been fighting Parkinson's Disease for 38 years. (Eleanor Powers Beebe found a Tribute and Tribute Wall for Aubrey at https://www.bradshawcarter.com/tributes/Aubrey-Calvin.)
At Lamar Aubrey was a member of Ramal and participated in Kachina, ROTC, the Texas Junior Historical Society, Radio Guild, and the National Forensic League.
A visitation was held Sunday, February 3 in Houston. A memorial service for Calvin was held February 4 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 5501 Main Street in Houston.
From James Collins: “Aubrey was my debating team partner for going on 3 years at Lamar. We weren't the best team, but we certainly had a good time at it. I still think of him with a smile.”
From James Collins: “Aubrey was my debating team partner for going on 3 years at Lamar. We weren't the best team, but we certainly had a good time at it. I still think of him with a smile.”
Charmaine Louise Cardenas Cornell passed away in April 28, 2008.
Obituary information from husband
Thomas Stewart Carl died January 7, 2001. He lived in West Columbia, Texas for many years prior to his death. Memorial contributions may be made to the Star of Hope, 6897 Ardmore, Houston, TX. 77054.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle (obituary no longer online).
Roland McKendree Chamberlin, Jr. died February 24, 2002 at home. Memorial contributions may be directed to M.D. Anderson Hospital for Cancer Research, Volunteer services-115, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, Texas 77030, St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, 2450 River Oaks Blvd., Houston, Texas 77019 or the charity of your choice.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle (obituary no longer online).
Sharon Chanslor Holt died January 20, 2001. (SSDI) Last residence was San Antonio. Sharon married Bob R. Holt on April 22, 1989. She is listed in Who's Who of American Women, 4th Edition, 1966-67.
Joan Christofferson Allison passed away March 19, 2011 in Houston. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The American Diabetes Association . Klein Funeral Home is located at 1400 West Main St (FM 2920), Tomball, Tex 77375. Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle.
James Howard Conner passed away August 23, 2004.
Obituary information from the Social Security Death Index. (Viewing online requires an Ancestry.com subscription.)
Evelyn Coronis Mallios Deceased December 27, 1990. (Reported by husband, Jimmy Mallios.)
Ann Corrigan Hovis Deceased 1995 (reported by classmate). Husband (Larry Hovis -- actor, writer, producer) deceased 2003.
Patricia Dean Couch Gunderlach Deceased 11/9/2005 (reported by her husband and Houston Chronicle).
Carolyn Gray Cox (Cocks at Lamar; changed name) Deceased (40th Reunion list; 2000, 2005 Directories)
Judie Craig Harrison (Lamar nickname: Craig, because there were so many Judy’s.)
Died April 14, 2011 in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. (Report from her daughter, Tracy Smith.)
Judy Crouch passed away "many years ago."
Information from classmate Jocelyn Hayden, 2010.
David Norris Dakin died February 2, 1963; interred Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, Houston. (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71379180)
Obituary information from husband
Thomas Stewart Carl died January 7, 2001. He lived in West Columbia, Texas for many years prior to his death. Memorial contributions may be made to the Star of Hope, 6897 Ardmore, Houston, TX. 77054.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle (obituary no longer online).
Roland McKendree Chamberlin, Jr. died February 24, 2002 at home. Memorial contributions may be directed to M.D. Anderson Hospital for Cancer Research, Volunteer services-115, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, Texas 77030, St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, 2450 River Oaks Blvd., Houston, Texas 77019 or the charity of your choice.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle (obituary no longer online).
Sharon Chanslor Holt died January 20, 2001. (SSDI) Last residence was San Antonio. Sharon married Bob R. Holt on April 22, 1989. She is listed in Who's Who of American Women, 4th Edition, 1966-67.
Joan Christofferson Allison passed away March 19, 2011 in Houston. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The American Diabetes Association . Klein Funeral Home is located at 1400 West Main St (FM 2920), Tomball, Tex 77375. Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle.
James Howard Conner passed away August 23, 2004.
Obituary information from the Social Security Death Index. (Viewing online requires an Ancestry.com subscription.)
Evelyn Coronis Mallios Deceased December 27, 1990. (Reported by husband, Jimmy Mallios.)
Ann Corrigan Hovis Deceased 1995 (reported by classmate). Husband (Larry Hovis -- actor, writer, producer) deceased 2003.
Patricia Dean Couch Gunderlach Deceased 11/9/2005 (reported by her husband and Houston Chronicle).
Carolyn Gray Cox (Cocks at Lamar; changed name) Deceased (40th Reunion list; 2000, 2005 Directories)
Judie Craig Harrison (Lamar nickname: Craig, because there were so many Judy’s.)
Died April 14, 2011 in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. (Report from her daughter, Tracy Smith.)
Judy Crouch passed away "many years ago."
Information from classmate Jocelyn Hayden, 2010.
David Norris Dakin died February 2, 1963; interred Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, Houston. (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71379180)
Ruth Elizabeth Day Huey died October 22, 2018. (Obituary and memories at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/austin-tx/ruth-huey-8032003.)
Ruth was very active at Lamar, including being an ROTC sponsor and member of the Officers' Club and rifle team, as well as being active in Niwauna, Choralettes, CSU, Wowapi, and as a library assistant. Post-Lamar she earned an Education degree from UT-Austin (where her non-academic accomplishments included being voted one of the 10 most beautiful UT students) and taught in south Austin for some years, then was a “stay at home mom” for several years before beginning a second career at City National Bank in Austin. The obituary cited earlier gives many more details and includes a number of pictures of Ruth at various stages of her life. Funeral and graveside services were held October 27 in Austin.
Marilyn Brough Grim recalls that "Ruth and I grew up together through elementary, jr.hi. and hi school. We were in Girl Scouts together in elementary and shared many a birthday party at our parents' homes. She was really a dear and a marvel with all she did."
Sandra Hancock Martin relates that "It is always a pang to the heart to read about the passing of classmates- even those we have not seen since graduation.
It was interesting to read that Ruth Day was a UT beauty. Those huge beauty sections were always a big part of high school and college yearbooks.( And depressing for those of us who were not considered. Much to my embarrassment my father personally carried my photo to the Lamar yearbook office because I would not take it in.) I have been told that that was only in the south. Of course, there weren't any serious women's sports pages till Title IX.
I immediately remembered being in Ruth's living room as a child and awed by the beautiful, large portrait her parents had had painted of her that hung in a prominent place. She was the only child I knew who had a real portrait."
Ruth was very active at Lamar, including being an ROTC sponsor and member of the Officers' Club and rifle team, as well as being active in Niwauna, Choralettes, CSU, Wowapi, and as a library assistant. Post-Lamar she earned an Education degree from UT-Austin (where her non-academic accomplishments included being voted one of the 10 most beautiful UT students) and taught in south Austin for some years, then was a “stay at home mom” for several years before beginning a second career at City National Bank in Austin. The obituary cited earlier gives many more details and includes a number of pictures of Ruth at various stages of her life. Funeral and graveside services were held October 27 in Austin.
Marilyn Brough Grim recalls that "Ruth and I grew up together through elementary, jr.hi. and hi school. We were in Girl Scouts together in elementary and shared many a birthday party at our parents' homes. She was really a dear and a marvel with all she did."
Sandra Hancock Martin relates that "It is always a pang to the heart to read about the passing of classmates- even those we have not seen since graduation.
It was interesting to read that Ruth Day was a UT beauty. Those huge beauty sections were always a big part of high school and college yearbooks.( And depressing for those of us who were not considered. Much to my embarrassment my father personally carried my photo to the Lamar yearbook office because I would not take it in.) I have been told that that was only in the south. Of course, there weren't any serious women's sports pages till Title IX.
I immediately remembered being in Ruth's living room as a child and awed by the beautiful, large portrait her parents had had painted of her that hung in a prominent place. She was the only child I knew who had a real portrait."
Susan Elizabeth Derby Purcell "passed away peacefully surrounded by family" December 11, 2016. (Classmate and San Antonio Express-News obituary.)
Joseph Louis Deutsch, III passed from this life October 19, 2001.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle (obituary no longer online).
Henry Conyers Dickens died in 1974. Death confirmed by brother.
Harry David Dickson, Jr. is mentioned as predeceasing his mother in her death notice.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle (obituary no longer online).
Joseph Louis Deutsch, III passed from this life October 19, 2001.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle (obituary no longer online).
Henry Conyers Dickens died in 1974. Death confirmed by brother.
Harry David Dickson, Jr. is mentioned as predeceasing his mother in her death notice.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle (obituary no longer online).
Mack Temple Douglas, M.D. ("Temple" at Lamar, "M. Temple Douglas" in his medical practice) died August 26, 2017 in Houston. At Lamar Temple was in Pow Wow. Post Lamar he was an emergency medical physician practicing in Monroe, LA who obtained his M.D. from UT-Southwestern, did his residency at a VA medical center, and held a Louisiana medical license from 1971 – 2015. Outside the professional realm, the obituary and many of the notes of condolence mention that Temple was an avid birder greatly respected in that community.
His classmates' memories of Temple include Bob Eikel's recollection that “In the early 1950's, portions of Richmond Avenue had been constructed, but not yet connected to one another; for example, Edloe to Weslayan, Drexel to the railroad tracks, from the tracks to Mid Lane. Since the paved sections were isolated, they were great for learning to drive, and, later, for drag races, as was the parking lot of the strip center just west of the tracks, where Ragin' Cajun is now located. (I remember that Steve Farson's mother's 1955 Olds 88 was particularly fast, probably faster than she ever knew.) Temple's father had a 1955 Chevrolet Nomad, a top-of-the-line station wagon. One night Temple was showing off its performance on the stretch of Richmond between Drexel and Mid Lane., neglecting to notice that no grade crossing had yet been installed across the tracks. Temple launched from end-of-pavement, and came to rest with the Nomad straddling the tracks, its frame hopelessly bent. I have no direct knowledge of what happened when Temple got home that night.” To which David Broussard (in a note to John Thorngren) adds that “I was sorry to see we lost our friend Temple. I saw him at the 2008 reunion for the first time in quite awhile. I have to chuckle remembering some of our high school antics. Riding around in those Hudsons was really cool! I remember one Halloween, Temple played a prank on a woman driving by at a slow speed and bumped her car. She thought that she had hit him and jumped out hysterical. Temple got up and we ran off and she called us every name in the book!”,
to which John replied that “Yes, I remember Temple’s Hudson. My mother had a similar vintage Packard. We used to have turtle races in these prehistoric monsters from his house for about eight blocks to Grady Elementary. It was always a tie – top speed at the finish was 45 mph. I am sure they could have heard the dual hiss from these straight-six hydromatics all the way to Conroe. We should send these to Richard in remembrance of Temple Douglas. As all our Lamar classmates, Temple was unique.”
His classmates' memories of Temple include Bob Eikel's recollection that “In the early 1950's, portions of Richmond Avenue had been constructed, but not yet connected to one another; for example, Edloe to Weslayan, Drexel to the railroad tracks, from the tracks to Mid Lane. Since the paved sections were isolated, they were great for learning to drive, and, later, for drag races, as was the parking lot of the strip center just west of the tracks, where Ragin' Cajun is now located. (I remember that Steve Farson's mother's 1955 Olds 88 was particularly fast, probably faster than she ever knew.) Temple's father had a 1955 Chevrolet Nomad, a top-of-the-line station wagon. One night Temple was showing off its performance on the stretch of Richmond between Drexel and Mid Lane., neglecting to notice that no grade crossing had yet been installed across the tracks. Temple launched from end-of-pavement, and came to rest with the Nomad straddling the tracks, its frame hopelessly bent. I have no direct knowledge of what happened when Temple got home that night.” To which David Broussard (in a note to John Thorngren) adds that “I was sorry to see we lost our friend Temple. I saw him at the 2008 reunion for the first time in quite awhile. I have to chuckle remembering some of our high school antics. Riding around in those Hudsons was really cool! I remember one Halloween, Temple played a prank on a woman driving by at a slow speed and bumped her car. She thought that she had hit him and jumped out hysterical. Temple got up and we ran off and she called us every name in the book!”,
to which John replied that “Yes, I remember Temple’s Hudson. My mother had a similar vintage Packard. We used to have turtle races in these prehistoric monsters from his house for about eight blocks to Grady Elementary. It was always a tie – top speed at the finish was 45 mph. I am sure they could have heard the dual hiss from these straight-six hydromatics all the way to Conroe. We should send these to Richard in remembrance of Temple Douglas. As all our Lamar classmates, Temple was unique.”
Herschel Mills Duncan, III passed away June 28, 2018. (Obituary and condolences at https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=hershael-duncan&pid=189443179&fhid=2879 .) I was unable to find an entry (other than in the “Not pictured” list) for Mills in the 1958, 1957, or 1956 Orenda, so it would be especially helpful if you can share memories of Mills before (e.g., Kincaid) or during his sojourn at Lamar. After Lamar he attended the University of Texas before enlisting in the Marine Corps (1962-1967) and then building “a successful career as a commercial real estate broker. And, as his obituary relates, Mills was “the driving force behind and involved in every detail of the foundation of the non-profit Texas Licensed Child Placing Agency, Adoption Information and Counseling Services Inc [aka “AdopTexas”], in 1981”, and served as president of this nonprofit's board until his death.
J. C. Whitten (who alerted me to Mills' obituary) mentions that “Mills was from Houston where his family created the Duncan Coffee Company now the Maryland Club Coffee Company,” and overlapping-classmate Pat Feagins (Lamar '60) added that “I'm drinking some of their coffee right now.”
John Thorngren recalls that "Mills lived down the street from me. He, Tom Dyke, Richard Murray, and I formed a carpool to Lamar our senior year. We always made it to school on time, often just as the tardy bell rang. We always took extraordinary efforts to be punctual. One such effort involved a traffic problem just beyond the second ninety-degree curve on the then single-lane San Felipe after crossing Post Oak. Every morning, bumper to bumper cars, but our churning adolescent minds had developed a solution. Looking down the wrong lane about a mile, one could see the railroad tracks, U-tote-M on the left, and hidden by the line of cars, a golf driving range on the right. And there was never any traffic in the wrong lane. Whoever was driving that morning, would pull out into the oncoming lane, floor it, enter the exit to the U-tote-M, weasel up to the entrance, and beg to get in line. Worked every time except the morning Mills picked us up in his brand-new Ford Fairlane. He had almost reached the U-tote-M when a car from the golf range crossed through the gridlock and tried to turn into our special lane. The intruder, who should have looked both ways and known that we were racing by at over 60 mph going the wrong way, sheared the whole passenger side of the Fairlane, and we skidded along in the ditch at a 45 degree angle. Fortunately, no one was hurt except the car, and if I remember correctly, that was the only day that we were late to school. See you soon, Mills
Family and close friends held a private memorial service for Mills July 3, 2018.
J. C. Whitten (who alerted me to Mills' obituary) mentions that “Mills was from Houston where his family created the Duncan Coffee Company now the Maryland Club Coffee Company,” and overlapping-classmate Pat Feagins (Lamar '60) added that “I'm drinking some of their coffee right now.”
John Thorngren recalls that "Mills lived down the street from me. He, Tom Dyke, Richard Murray, and I formed a carpool to Lamar our senior year. We always made it to school on time, often just as the tardy bell rang. We always took extraordinary efforts to be punctual. One such effort involved a traffic problem just beyond the second ninety-degree curve on the then single-lane San Felipe after crossing Post Oak. Every morning, bumper to bumper cars, but our churning adolescent minds had developed a solution. Looking down the wrong lane about a mile, one could see the railroad tracks, U-tote-M on the left, and hidden by the line of cars, a golf driving range on the right. And there was never any traffic in the wrong lane. Whoever was driving that morning, would pull out into the oncoming lane, floor it, enter the exit to the U-tote-M, weasel up to the entrance, and beg to get in line. Worked every time except the morning Mills picked us up in his brand-new Ford Fairlane. He had almost reached the U-tote-M when a car from the golf range crossed through the gridlock and tried to turn into our special lane. The intruder, who should have looked both ways and known that we were racing by at over 60 mph going the wrong way, sheared the whole passenger side of the Fairlane, and we skidded along in the ditch at a 45 degree angle. Fortunately, no one was hurt except the car, and if I remember correctly, that was the only day that we were late to school. See you soon, Mills
Family and close friends held a private memorial service for Mills July 3, 2018.
William D. (Bill) Edman passed away July 13, 2015 (Chronicle obituary). A memorial service was held for Bill July 18, 2015 at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church in Houston. Bill was a fellow officer in ROTC at Lamar. Subsequently he put his Master's degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M to work at Chevron.
James Edward (Jim) Elliott Deceased (2000 Directory)
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Jerry Lee Engel died November 25, 2018. (Obituary and condolences at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/webster-tx/jerry-engel-8070236.) At Lamar Jerry was in Irari (Sergeant-at-Arms 1957) and on the track and B-team football teams.
After Lamar Jerry attended Texas A & M and the University of Houston. He subsequently founded Patio Pools and had a half-century career of designing and building custom pools in the Houston area. A visitation, celebration of life, and commital service were held for Jerry December 3rd and 4th in Webster, TX (about 30 miles southeast of the Lamar campus). |
Several of Jerry's '58 classmates shared their memories of Jerry:
Garrett Waddell recalls that “I was a good friend of Jerry Engel at Lamar. We did gym class and worked out together. Jerry and Alwyn (Buck) King were the healthiest guys I ever knew, so I can’t believe they are gone. After Lamar, my understanding is that Jerry attended Texas A&M, and learned to design swimming pools. Then he founded a small business and built custom swimming pools for Houstonians for the next 50 years or so. At the 25th reunion, he was telling us about his business and life since 1958, but I have not seen nor heard from him since (I think) our 25th reunion in (um) 1983.” Garrett also provided contact information for Patio Pools, the business Jerry founded – which is located (according to my map app) 82 ft from his last residence. Garrett also relayed the following “UPDATE: I just received a call from Patio Pools which confirmed that Jerry Engel has passed away and 'cause of death' was inconclusive, so an autopsy is being performed. She did say that he had 'previous Crohn’s Disease history', so they are looking at that.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news…….again.”
Bill Spangler adds that “I knew Jerry [Engel], as I was in Irari , was on the track team, and on the B football team. As I vaguely remember, he was a great friend and wonderful person.”
From Joe Keathley: “I've known Jerry since Woodrow Wilson days. He lived 2 or 3 houses down from Lanier on Harold. I kept up with him until 3 or 4 years ago.... We were lifelong friends. He was in the swimming pool business and put in a lot of pools for our class mates.”
And from Sally Euwer Lavine: “Sorry I do not have any info about Jerry after Lamar.Since he was 'En' and I was 'Eu'…I sat behind him in homeroom for many years. We were good buddies.”
Don Hanna shares that “My Mom, sister and I came to Houston in 1947 as we were starting school and my father was traveling the United States with a circus and carnival, which my Mom didn’t want us raised on, but schooled appropriately. We lived in a duplex, above Jerry on Hawthorn, three houses down from Lanier. Jerry and I became friends, but never “ran together”, but saw each other at various functions after college. In our earlier days, he was enamored with magic, using my sister and me as his audience. From limited knowledge, his pool business was a success. He was a great guy.”
Garrett Waddell recalls that “I was a good friend of Jerry Engel at Lamar. We did gym class and worked out together. Jerry and Alwyn (Buck) King were the healthiest guys I ever knew, so I can’t believe they are gone. After Lamar, my understanding is that Jerry attended Texas A&M, and learned to design swimming pools. Then he founded a small business and built custom swimming pools for Houstonians for the next 50 years or so. At the 25th reunion, he was telling us about his business and life since 1958, but I have not seen nor heard from him since (I think) our 25th reunion in (um) 1983.” Garrett also provided contact information for Patio Pools, the business Jerry founded – which is located (according to my map app) 82 ft from his last residence. Garrett also relayed the following “UPDATE: I just received a call from Patio Pools which confirmed that Jerry Engel has passed away and 'cause of death' was inconclusive, so an autopsy is being performed. She did say that he had 'previous Crohn’s Disease history', so they are looking at that.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news…….again.”
Bill Spangler adds that “I knew Jerry [Engel], as I was in Irari , was on the track team, and on the B football team. As I vaguely remember, he was a great friend and wonderful person.”
From Joe Keathley: “I've known Jerry since Woodrow Wilson days. He lived 2 or 3 houses down from Lanier on Harold. I kept up with him until 3 or 4 years ago.... We were lifelong friends. He was in the swimming pool business and put in a lot of pools for our class mates.”
And from Sally Euwer Lavine: “Sorry I do not have any info about Jerry after Lamar.Since he was 'En' and I was 'Eu'…I sat behind him in homeroom for many years. We were good buddies.”
Don Hanna shares that “My Mom, sister and I came to Houston in 1947 as we were starting school and my father was traveling the United States with a circus and carnival, which my Mom didn’t want us raised on, but schooled appropriately. We lived in a duplex, above Jerry on Hawthorn, three houses down from Lanier. Jerry and I became friends, but never “ran together”, but saw each other at various functions after college. In our earlier days, he was enamored with magic, using my sister and me as his audience. From limited knowledge, his pool business was a success. He was a great guy.”
Judy Estes Hall died November 24, 2015 (https://www.nationalregister.org/farewell-to-a-force-of-nature/).
At Lamar Judy was active in the National Honor Society, the National Thespian Society, La Cinquantaine, and Future Teachers of America.
The obituary cited earlier was a tribute to Judy from her colleagues at the National Register of Health Service Providers, where she was Executive Officer for almost a quarter of a century. Among many other professional accomplishments, she “was the author of more than 60 journal articles, book chapters, and professional publications.” Although the focus of this tribute was of course on Judy's professional accomplishments, it does mention that she was “a passionate advocate for the advancement of women in psychology and other healthcare professions, a devoted mother and grandmother, a connoisseur of wine, a bon vivant and international traveler extraordinaire.” If any of you have memories of Judy that can help expand on that last quote, please send them to me (rjhabq@gmail.com) or to Louise.
Linda Fahey died March 25, 1965, of a cerebral hemorrhage a week after an operation to remove a brain tumor. It was her second tumor, the first having been removed in October of 1960, and following that surgery, she was partially paralyzed for the next 4 ½ years, and lived at home unable to work or go to school. Her brother Denny adds, "I have many memories of her talking about her time at Lamar, and how much she enjoyed it and wanted me to go there, but my parents had moved out to Spring Branch, so I didn't go myself. However, I was recently surfing the net, and out of curiosity I went on your site, and noticed the lack of information on her...Interestingly, while going to Spring Branch, my main girlfriend was a Lamar girl, so between my sister and my old girlfriend, I feel some affinity for your school."
Information from Denny E. Fahey, brother of Linda, July 25, 2008
At Lamar Judy was active in the National Honor Society, the National Thespian Society, La Cinquantaine, and Future Teachers of America.
The obituary cited earlier was a tribute to Judy from her colleagues at the National Register of Health Service Providers, where she was Executive Officer for almost a quarter of a century. Among many other professional accomplishments, she “was the author of more than 60 journal articles, book chapters, and professional publications.” Although the focus of this tribute was of course on Judy's professional accomplishments, it does mention that she was “a passionate advocate for the advancement of women in psychology and other healthcare professions, a devoted mother and grandmother, a connoisseur of wine, a bon vivant and international traveler extraordinaire.” If any of you have memories of Judy that can help expand on that last quote, please send them to me (rjhabq@gmail.com) or to Louise.
Linda Fahey died March 25, 1965, of a cerebral hemorrhage a week after an operation to remove a brain tumor. It was her second tumor, the first having been removed in October of 1960, and following that surgery, she was partially paralyzed for the next 4 ½ years, and lived at home unable to work or go to school. Her brother Denny adds, "I have many memories of her talking about her time at Lamar, and how much she enjoyed it and wanted me to go there, but my parents had moved out to Spring Branch, so I didn't go myself. However, I was recently surfing the net, and out of curiosity I went on your site, and noticed the lack of information on her...Interestingly, while going to Spring Branch, my main girlfriend was a Lamar girl, so between my sister and my old girlfriend, I feel some affinity for your school."
Information from Denny E. Fahey, brother of Linda, July 25, 2008
Norma Fannin Barnett died March 3, 2010 in Houston. Texas. Classmates Memories of Norma Fannin Barnett:
From Suzanne Wood: "Norma was my very best friend all through high school - and boy did we have fun. She was always a delight to be around and made everyone laugh and lifted all our spirits. I was so sorry to hear of her passing. Even though I haven't seen her for several years - somewhere in the 80's - I have thought of her often. I wish her sister Carol all the best and all my sympathy."
From John Thorngrern: "I remember Norma Fannin from Lamar High School and the University of Texas at Austin. Her sorority was across the street from my fraternity. She was quiet and private but a neat and fun person. Pat Boone did well in choosing her as a Lamar Beauty for surely he could see her inner loveliness as well."
Leonard Stephen "Steve" Farson, (LCDR, US Navy, Retired) died suddenly Thursday, December 22, 2011 in Yucca Valley, CA after visiting family; he was 71. He was born December 27, 1939 to Naomi Elizabeth Humphrey and Lloyd McLain Farson in Kansas City, MO. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Ann S. Farson of Albuquerque, NM; daughter Julie A. Craig and husband Glenn of Spring, TX; son CWO3 James S. Farson, USMC, wife Wendy and granddaughter Kayla of 29 Palms, CA. Steve grew up in Houston, TX; graduated from Lamar High School January 1958 and earned a BBA in General Business from the University of Texas at Austin in 1963. He entered US Naval service February 1963 and served 21-1/2 years (active and reserve) retiring in 1984 with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He was a resident of Albuquerque since 1973 and retired from American Home Furnishings in 2002.
Cremation has taken place and his ashes will be buried in the family plot at Forest Park Cemetery Westheimer in Houston, TX. Friends who wish may send contributions to the charity of their choice . Photo of Steve and wife Ann (courtesy of Eleanor Powers Beebe) Obituary information fromThe Houston Chronicle
Florence (Fisher) Parker died on February 5, 2005. Donations may be made to the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, the Albuquerque Museum or the charity of your choice. French Mortuary 1111 University Blvd. NE 843-6333
Published on February 08, 2005 in The Houston Chronicle (obituary no longer online).
A goodbye note to the class from Flo's husband, Judge James A. Parker:
Dear Richard,
I report, with great sadness, that your classmate, my wife Florence Fisher Parker, died February 5, 2005 after a 14 year battle with ovarian cancer. Flo had so much wanted to attend the reunion in November, 2003. We had made plane reservations to travel to Houston and had arranged to have dinner with several of Flo's close high school friends. Unfortunately, Flo ended up in the hospital (one of many, many times) and we had to cancel the trip. Miraculously, Flo recovered from that episode and after further chemotherapy was able to enjoy life during most of 2004. Flo had many good high school friends with whom she stayed in touch, even though we moved to Albuquerque in 1962. On Flo's behalf, I send a loving goodbye to her classmates.
Judge James A. Parker
Adolph Cordona Flores, Jr Died 3 August 2014. (Baytown Sun and Dignity-
memorial.com obituaries; dob match with HISD records)
Martha Rose Foreman Blevins Died March 13, 1985 in Seguin, TX. (Reported by a classmate and https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/37006193 .) Martha married Robert L. Blevins, Jr. May 18, 1969.
John Funk Died March 2, 1997 in Brooks County. (Texas Death Index) John was born in Beltrami, MN.
From Suzanne Wood: "Norma was my very best friend all through high school - and boy did we have fun. She was always a delight to be around and made everyone laugh and lifted all our spirits. I was so sorry to hear of her passing. Even though I haven't seen her for several years - somewhere in the 80's - I have thought of her often. I wish her sister Carol all the best and all my sympathy."
From John Thorngrern: "I remember Norma Fannin from Lamar High School and the University of Texas at Austin. Her sorority was across the street from my fraternity. She was quiet and private but a neat and fun person. Pat Boone did well in choosing her as a Lamar Beauty for surely he could see her inner loveliness as well."
Leonard Stephen "Steve" Farson, (LCDR, US Navy, Retired) died suddenly Thursday, December 22, 2011 in Yucca Valley, CA after visiting family; he was 71. He was born December 27, 1939 to Naomi Elizabeth Humphrey and Lloyd McLain Farson in Kansas City, MO. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Ann S. Farson of Albuquerque, NM; daughter Julie A. Craig and husband Glenn of Spring, TX; son CWO3 James S. Farson, USMC, wife Wendy and granddaughter Kayla of 29 Palms, CA. Steve grew up in Houston, TX; graduated from Lamar High School January 1958 and earned a BBA in General Business from the University of Texas at Austin in 1963. He entered US Naval service February 1963 and served 21-1/2 years (active and reserve) retiring in 1984 with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He was a resident of Albuquerque since 1973 and retired from American Home Furnishings in 2002.
Cremation has taken place and his ashes will be buried in the family plot at Forest Park Cemetery Westheimer in Houston, TX. Friends who wish may send contributions to the charity of their choice . Photo of Steve and wife Ann (courtesy of Eleanor Powers Beebe) Obituary information fromThe Houston Chronicle
Florence (Fisher) Parker died on February 5, 2005. Donations may be made to the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, the Albuquerque Museum or the charity of your choice. French Mortuary 1111 University Blvd. NE 843-6333
Published on February 08, 2005 in The Houston Chronicle (obituary no longer online).
A goodbye note to the class from Flo's husband, Judge James A. Parker:
Dear Richard,
I report, with great sadness, that your classmate, my wife Florence Fisher Parker, died February 5, 2005 after a 14 year battle with ovarian cancer. Flo had so much wanted to attend the reunion in November, 2003. We had made plane reservations to travel to Houston and had arranged to have dinner with several of Flo's close high school friends. Unfortunately, Flo ended up in the hospital (one of many, many times) and we had to cancel the trip. Miraculously, Flo recovered from that episode and after further chemotherapy was able to enjoy life during most of 2004. Flo had many good high school friends with whom she stayed in touch, even though we moved to Albuquerque in 1962. On Flo's behalf, I send a loving goodbye to her classmates.
Judge James A. Parker
Adolph Cordona Flores, Jr Died 3 August 2014. (Baytown Sun and Dignity-
memorial.com obituaries; dob match with HISD records)
Martha Rose Foreman Blevins Died March 13, 1985 in Seguin, TX. (Reported by a classmate and https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/37006193 .) Martha married Robert L. Blevins, Jr. May 18, 1969.
John Funk Died March 2, 1997 in Brooks County. (Texas Death Index) John was born in Beltrami, MN.
Joan Elaine Garrett (twin sister of John Willard Garrett, II '58) passed away in Houston November 27, 2017. (Obituary and guest book at http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Joan-Garrett&lc=2492&pid=187372355&mid=7657190 .)
In a message that preceded publication of the obituary, Joan's twin brother John provided some details of Joan's last year with us:
“Friends,
It is unfortunate that I have to bring news that Joan Elaine Garrett passed away on Monday, November 27, 2017. She had been affected by kidney failure this last year and put up a vigorous defense against the disease. She fought until the last few days when she passed away in her sleep at home in Houston with her cat "Kitty". She looked forward to returning to Houston after being unable to tolerate her dialysis treatments in Keller, TX. She had postponed her treatment in Houston many, many times and this is the reason for her deciding to come to Keller on her own when she knew that a very nice facility was waiting for her. She had a tough time adjusting to the dialysis treatments. She had always been an independent person and had her mental capacity to make her own medical decisions, even after coming to Keller It came to a point that she had to do something and she tried. She had her fighting spirit to the end.
She graduated from Lamar HS in Houston, TX - Class of 1958; she graduated from University of Houston with a teachers certificate, and obtained a Master of Library Science degree from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX. We will always miss Joan.”
A memorial service was held for Joan Saturday morning, December 2 in Houston.
Gerald W. Gay Passed away August 20, 2011 in Houston area. (Chronicle obituary, matching year of birth, Woodlands funeral home.)
William Phillips Gay died August, 2005, of brain cancer. The family respectfully requests contributions to Houston Hospice at the Texas Medical Center, 1905 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle (obituary no longer online).
In a message that preceded publication of the obituary, Joan's twin brother John provided some details of Joan's last year with us:
“Friends,
It is unfortunate that I have to bring news that Joan Elaine Garrett passed away on Monday, November 27, 2017. She had been affected by kidney failure this last year and put up a vigorous defense against the disease. She fought until the last few days when she passed away in her sleep at home in Houston with her cat "Kitty". She looked forward to returning to Houston after being unable to tolerate her dialysis treatments in Keller, TX. She had postponed her treatment in Houston many, many times and this is the reason for her deciding to come to Keller on her own when she knew that a very nice facility was waiting for her. She had a tough time adjusting to the dialysis treatments. She had always been an independent person and had her mental capacity to make her own medical decisions, even after coming to Keller It came to a point that she had to do something and she tried. She had her fighting spirit to the end.
She graduated from Lamar HS in Houston, TX - Class of 1958; she graduated from University of Houston with a teachers certificate, and obtained a Master of Library Science degree from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX. We will always miss Joan.”
A memorial service was held for Joan Saturday morning, December 2 in Houston.
Gerald W. Gay Passed away August 20, 2011 in Houston area. (Chronicle obituary, matching year of birth, Woodlands funeral home.)
William Phillips Gay died August, 2005, of brain cancer. The family respectfully requests contributions to Houston Hospice at the Texas Medical Center, 1905 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle (obituary no longer online).
Judy Gayle Greenwood (aka Judith Lesesne Gayle Greenwood) died "peacefully, surrounded by friends" April 26 in Dallas. (Obituary and Condolences at https://obits.dallasnews.com/obituaries/dallasmorningnews/obituary.aspx?n=judith-lesesne-gayle-greenwood&pid=192741791.)
Sandra Johnson informs us that she and Judy "had been best friends since we were 10 years old at Grady Elementary School. She and Bobby, her husband of 58 years had lived in College Station, Houston, Mozambique, Rome and Dallas. They have four children; 2 Lawyers, 1 Methodist Minister and a Heart Specialist. She wanted to make it until Easter so she could be with her children and 7 grandchildren. She did, plus five more days. She told me that Easter was wonderful. Judy was an active member of several
organizations, traveled extensively, and an active member of their church in Dallas where they had lived for 38 years. She wrote a book that chronicled their life, a cookbook and gave each of their children a picture book of their life on their 50th birthday Her sister Glenda Nicholson and husband, and her brother George Gayle and their children still live in Houston."
Her obituary points out that Judy's death came "after a twenty-month battle with ovarian cancer and eight years living with Myeloma." Judy didn't let that battle interfere with staying involved with friends and family, including the Class of '58. In August of 2011 she shared with us that "I am in preparation for a bone marrow transplant in early September. I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer, in March. So far so good.... I would love to hear from Lamar classmates through this difficult time. Thanks." A few weeks later she wrote that "I have received 15 emails from classmates some of whom I have not seen in 50 years. I have loved every message."
Judy was very active at Lamar, as seen in the caption to her Orenda senior photo.
As her obituary points out, Judy's post-Lamar trajectory included attending UT-Austin and graduating (in History) from UT-Dallas, followed by marriage, four children, extensive travel (including a two-year stay in Mozambique courtesy of Gulf Oil), and a litany of involvements with family and in a litany of civic and charitable organizations.
A celebration of Judy's life was held at Saturday, June 1 at Arapaho United Methodist Church in Richardson, TX.
Pat Bray Jones remembers that "Judy's mother and my mother were friends when we were small. We lived in West University Place and went to each other's birthday parties. Her mother was one of the most beautiful women I ever knew and Judy followed her in that regard. We were not close at Lamar but I always liked her. I contacted her several years ago after seeing her name and address on the Lamar site and we kept in touch. She was a special lady and I was very sorry to see your notice of her long illness and passing."
Sandra Johnson informs us that she and Judy "had been best friends since we were 10 years old at Grady Elementary School. She and Bobby, her husband of 58 years had lived in College Station, Houston, Mozambique, Rome and Dallas. They have four children; 2 Lawyers, 1 Methodist Minister and a Heart Specialist. She wanted to make it until Easter so she could be with her children and 7 grandchildren. She did, plus five more days. She told me that Easter was wonderful. Judy was an active member of several
organizations, traveled extensively, and an active member of their church in Dallas where they had lived for 38 years. She wrote a book that chronicled their life, a cookbook and gave each of their children a picture book of their life on their 50th birthday Her sister Glenda Nicholson and husband, and her brother George Gayle and their children still live in Houston."
Her obituary points out that Judy's death came "after a twenty-month battle with ovarian cancer and eight years living with Myeloma." Judy didn't let that battle interfere with staying involved with friends and family, including the Class of '58. In August of 2011 she shared with us that "I am in preparation for a bone marrow transplant in early September. I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer, in March. So far so good.... I would love to hear from Lamar classmates through this difficult time. Thanks." A few weeks later she wrote that "I have received 15 emails from classmates some of whom I have not seen in 50 years. I have loved every message."
Judy was very active at Lamar, as seen in the caption to her Orenda senior photo.
As her obituary points out, Judy's post-Lamar trajectory included attending UT-Austin and graduating (in History) from UT-Dallas, followed by marriage, four children, extensive travel (including a two-year stay in Mozambique courtesy of Gulf Oil), and a litany of involvements with family and in a litany of civic and charitable organizations.
A celebration of Judy's life was held at Saturday, June 1 at Arapaho United Methodist Church in Richardson, TX.
Pat Bray Jones remembers that "Judy's mother and my mother were friends when we were small. We lived in West University Place and went to each other's birthday parties. Her mother was one of the most beautiful women I ever knew and Judy followed her in that regard. We were not close at Lamar but I always liked her. I contacted her several years ago after seeing her name and address on the Lamar site and we kept in touch. She was a special lady and I was very sorry to see your notice of her long illness and passing."
Donald Michael (Don) Gerrard "passed away in early January, 2017 in southern California. I learned this from his sister, Suzanne Gerrard Milner, also a Lamar grad [Class of 1959]. Suzanne's husband [and Don's brother-in-law], Larry Milner, passed away late November of 2016." (Hugh Gainey,Lamar '56, Elaine Hocott Gainey's husband.) At Lamar Don was a member of Irari, the Astronomy Club, and the Texas Junior Academy of Science. Hugh reports that he and Don "roomed together one year ... while we were at UT in Austin." Don was married for more than 40 years to Eugenia Rush Gerrard before her death in September of 2010. (See a memorial for Eugenia here.)
Richard Ferguson adds that "Don Gerrard and I were in the same class at Roberts Elementary School. While there, we were friendly rivals for various things, but mainly for the attention of Sally Hannon, one of the Hannon twins. Don was a very bright person. I once phoned Sally and impersonated him to try and find out if he was making more headway than I was. A few years ago, I read where Don had been the publisher of The Whole Earth Catalogue. I wrote him and said I was envious that he had done something so unique and had known the people involved.
I don't think he'd mind if I gave a little of his response:
'Yep, you got the right Don. How are you? I remember you fondly. We were always competing for the attention of the Hannon twins - Sally and Sandra.
I had the great good fortune to have a small hippy book wholesaling business in Berkeley. To back up, to pay my way through college in Austin I worked in the campus bookstore. When my first wife pulled us out of Texas, we moved to the Bay Area in 1964. All I was trained to do was work in a bookstore. So I did. After 3 years in retail books I spent another 3 wholesaling through my tiny company in Berkeley. Stuart Brand liked us for our low prices and our passion. We ended up selling a lot of books, which put us on the map.'
Don also said he had Parkinson's Disease which made it difficult for him to get around. He was one of the outstanding people of my life."
Michael Eugene (Mike) Gooldy died October,10,2004 in Sparks, Nevada. (Ex-wife and SSDI.) John Nemeth, Barry Leigh, Mike Gooldy, and Bobby Bell were running buddies; all now deceased.
David H. Goncharoff passed away unexpectedly on March 22, 2004. David was active in environmental issues in San Mateo County – so much so that the county commission adjourned its first meeting after David passed away in his memory.
An obit was ublished in the San Mateo County Times on 3/25/2004.
Camilla Gramp Deceased (40th Reunion List)
Richard Ferguson adds that "Don Gerrard and I were in the same class at Roberts Elementary School. While there, we were friendly rivals for various things, but mainly for the attention of Sally Hannon, one of the Hannon twins. Don was a very bright person. I once phoned Sally and impersonated him to try and find out if he was making more headway than I was. A few years ago, I read where Don had been the publisher of The Whole Earth Catalogue. I wrote him and said I was envious that he had done something so unique and had known the people involved.
I don't think he'd mind if I gave a little of his response:
'Yep, you got the right Don. How are you? I remember you fondly. We were always competing for the attention of the Hannon twins - Sally and Sandra.
I had the great good fortune to have a small hippy book wholesaling business in Berkeley. To back up, to pay my way through college in Austin I worked in the campus bookstore. When my first wife pulled us out of Texas, we moved to the Bay Area in 1964. All I was trained to do was work in a bookstore. So I did. After 3 years in retail books I spent another 3 wholesaling through my tiny company in Berkeley. Stuart Brand liked us for our low prices and our passion. We ended up selling a lot of books, which put us on the map.'
Don also said he had Parkinson's Disease which made it difficult for him to get around. He was one of the outstanding people of my life."
Michael Eugene (Mike) Gooldy died October,10,2004 in Sparks, Nevada. (Ex-wife and SSDI.) John Nemeth, Barry Leigh, Mike Gooldy, and Bobby Bell were running buddies; all now deceased.
David H. Goncharoff passed away unexpectedly on March 22, 2004. David was active in environmental issues in San Mateo County – so much so that the county commission adjourned its first meeting after David passed away in his memory.
An obit was ublished in the San Mateo County Times on 3/25/2004.
Camilla Gramp Deceased (40th Reunion List)
Jack Ronald (Ronnie) Grant passed away Saturday morning of 60th Reunion weekend, 21 April 2018 in nearby Lake Jackson, TX. (Obituary and guestbook here.) Ronnie was a frequent contributor of nostalgia and senior humor items to the monthly updates to the contact information list and attended many of the Lamar '58 reunions.
At Lamar he participated in Mixed Chorus and was a member of Irari. He was a UT graduate and, with his wife Jan (deceased 2014), very active in cultural and civic affairs in the Clute/Lake Jackson/Surfside/Brazosport area to which he retired after a long career with Houston Light & Power.
Ronnie's Lamar '58 classmate Tom Tomlinson remembers that "I knew Ronnie at Lamar and he was my supervisor at HL&P for awhile. RIP, Ronnie.”
Bob Gartner recalls that “We started 1st grade at West U Elementary, then to Pershing junior high, then to Lamar. Always in the same room. Richard, sorry I did not make the 60th.... Hope to see some of you when we go to Texas in October.”
Lolly Guthrie Layton adds that “ I was sad to learn that Ronnie Grant has passed on. My one memory of him was that he went with me to my sister’s hay ride in Hermann Park and gave me my very first kiss!”
Alvin Horne adds that “Ronnie was a friend of mine at Lamar, but we lost track of each other until my wife and I bought a house (6331 Vanderbilt) in West U. in early 1971. We raised our family there; it was an idyllic time. Somewhere along the way, I discovered that Ronnie and his wife had been our neighbors in, I believe,the 6600 block. It was great to see him. To this day, I remember his smile, an unchanging feature in the Orenda photograph.”
A visitation with Ronnie's friends and family was held Wednesday, April 25 and funeral services Thursday, April 26 in Lake Jackson; and interment next to Jan in her family's cemetery (Bethuel) in Millington, Tennessee Saturday, April 28. From Pat Breidstein Looper: “I was saddened to learn of Ronnie Grant's death. He was such a nice young man. I was glad to see him and meet his wife at the 50th reunion. I mentioned to them that one of my favorite Lamar memories was Ronnie driving Sharon and Melanie Feeney and me to school. I think he drove a Plymouth. He had put a Bermuda Bell in the floorboard of that car. My dad was not too thrilled to hear that bell early on weekday mornings; but, he laughed about it, too. At my mother's request, Ronnie also taught me to drive a stick shift. We practiced after school in the Rice parking lot. I pray and am sure he rests in peace.
Blessings,
Pat (Breidenstein) Looper
United Methodist Clergy Elder, Retired”
Jo Lynn Grasse Eslik died January 14, 2006. (Obituary at
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=jo-lynn-elsik&pid=16408872&fhid=2879.) Jo Lynn was listed as a High Junior in the '56/'57 Lamar student directory and was thus on track to graduate in January '58, but she instead graduated in the summer of 1957.
At Lamar Jo Lynn was active in La Cinquantaine and in the Texas Junior Historical Socierty. Jo Lynn's obituary doesn't mention her post-Lamar education and/or career; perhaps some of you can help fill in the blanks.
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=jo-lynn-elsik&pid=16408872&fhid=2879.) Jo Lynn was listed as a High Junior in the '56/'57 Lamar student directory and was thus on track to graduate in January '58, but she instead graduated in the summer of 1957.
At Lamar Jo Lynn was active in La Cinquantaine and in the Texas Junior Historical Socierty. Jo Lynn's obituary doesn't mention her post-Lamar education and/or career; perhaps some of you can help fill in the blanks.
Carol Haaksma Cude passed away sometime between September 2015 (when Helen Barnes Lindberg last heard from her) and December, when a Christmas card Helen sent Carol at her Houston address was returned with the handwritten notation: “Deceased”. No details (e.g., date of death or any plans for a memorial service) or even official confirmation of Carol's passing are available, as the manager of Carol's apartment complex (Hollyview Apartments) cites privacy concerns preventing him from revealing who collected her mail when they closed out her apartment (and was therefore the probable source of the “Deceased” notation) or even from confirming whether Carol is or isn't a current resident of the complex. Similarly, the Harris County Vital Statistics Department won't confirm whether or not a death certificate has been issued for Carol. I spoke to Carol's ex, but he has had no contact with Carol for several years. Helen recalls that Carol had several siblings, but neither Helen nor Carol's ex recall their names. Please let me know if you remember the names (and, even better, phone numbers or email addresses) of any of Carol's relatives or have any other suggestions for finding more information about her passing.
Robert Maddox Haigler died 6/5/1991 in Orange County, California
Information from Social Security Death Index as listed in Ancestry Library Edition
Tarrant M. Hancock died Saturday, January 26, 2002. Those wishing to make contributions may do so to the M.D. Anderson Hospital, Breast Cancer Center or the charity of your choice.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle (obituary no longer posted online)
Katherine Hankamer Norris Succumbed to cancer August 15, 2016. (Reports from a classmate and from Katherine's daughter Vivian, and Chronicle obituary.)
Katherine was very active at Lamar, as evidenced by her Orenda entry. Richard relates that "Katherine has also been very helpful in keeping the class informed and in touch in the past decade, often bringing to my attention obituaries, intra-class family trees, and classmate post-Lamar accomplishments I was unaware of. (I count over 60 class-related emails from Katherine since 2006.) Katherine often made her contributions anonymously – at one point she said that she was beginning to feel like an Angel of Death for reporting so many classmates' demises, so I want to be sure to acknowledge her help here."
Information from Social Security Death Index as listed in Ancestry Library Edition
Tarrant M. Hancock died Saturday, January 26, 2002. Those wishing to make contributions may do so to the M.D. Anderson Hospital, Breast Cancer Center or the charity of your choice.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle (obituary no longer posted online)
Katherine Hankamer Norris Succumbed to cancer August 15, 2016. (Reports from a classmate and from Katherine's daughter Vivian, and Chronicle obituary.)
Katherine was very active at Lamar, as evidenced by her Orenda entry. Richard relates that "Katherine has also been very helpful in keeping the class informed and in touch in the past decade, often bringing to my attention obituaries, intra-class family trees, and classmate post-Lamar accomplishments I was unaware of. (I count over 60 class-related emails from Katherine since 2006.) Katherine often made her contributions anonymously – at one point she said that she was beginning to feel like an Angel of Death for reporting so many classmates' demises, so I want to be sure to acknowledge her help here."
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Mary Sue Hanks Reuther (Vice President and Most Popular Girl of the Class of 1958) passed away on May 28, 2019 at her residence in Hamilton, Ohio. (Obituary and Condolences at https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dayton/obituary.aspx?pid=193033336).)
Mary Sue appears on a dozen pages of the 1958 Orenda, as necessitated by her long list of activities and honors at Lamar. She was in my homeroom (along with a lot of other H's), a frequent math-class study buddy, and just as perpetually cheerful as her Orenda pictures suggest. As her obituary details, Mary Sue's post-Lamar trajectory included earning a Ph.D. In Romance Languages and serving as an Associate Professor in the Spanish and Portugese department at Miami University of Ohio for 10 years before making the obvious career switch to the ministry within the United Methodist Church. Larry Freeman reports that Mary Sue attended SMU before going on to graduate school in Oxford. A visitation with family and a Mass of Christian Burial were held for Mary Sue June 3rd at St. Mary Catholic Church in Oxford, Ohio. |
Virginia Sue Hartgrove (Doell) died August 15, 1993.
Information from the Social Security Death Index.
Jay Henry Harris Deceased (40th Reunion List)
Marsha Harris Solomon passed away 17 April 2015. Her obituary mentions only that she “was a resident of Bellaire, Texas at the time of her passing” and that a funeral service for Marsha was held 4/7/2015,Along those lines, many of you will recall that Marsha was a well known watercolor artist (see a list of watercolor society memberships and positions at http://prabook.org/web/person-view.html?profileId=674118), "including, to my good fortune, having pieces accepted for an exhibition at the Albuquerque Museum of Art a few years ago and a two-artist exhibit at the Archway Gallery in Houston in 2011."
William Eugene (Gene) Harris passed away July 29, 2013.
John Focke writes August, 2013: "After graduating from Lamar, Gene attended North Texas State University where he graduated. After completing his military obligation in the Army Reserve (during the Vietnam era) he joined Storer Communications, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1967 he relocated to Boston with Storer as the news director for their local affiliate. At the time, I was a graduate student at MIT and we briefly shared an apartment in Cambridge. Gene married Brenda (Milan) while in Boston and they subsequently relocated to San Diego with Storer Communications where Gene was the news director for their local affiliate. He retired from that position and relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. All his life Gene had marvelous creative abilities and after retiring he took up art seriously. His work has been displayed in art galleries in Phoenix. I've attached several images completed recently (see below). Gene and Brenda had two children, Jack and Laura, and two grandchildren, Jackson and Carter, who were the joy of their lives. Gene was also very close to his sister Susan who lives in Phoenix with her husband and three children. Gene died of natural causes in his home (heart attack or stroke) at age 73 years"
<-- This "historic" photo of Gene and the gang with an old "hotrod jalopy" taken in 1957 was sent by John Focke.
Obituary information from John Focke, August, 2013
John Focke writes August, 2013: "After graduating from Lamar, Gene attended North Texas State University where he graduated. After completing his military obligation in the Army Reserve (during the Vietnam era) he joined Storer Communications, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1967 he relocated to Boston with Storer as the news director for their local affiliate. At the time, I was a graduate student at MIT and we briefly shared an apartment in Cambridge. Gene married Brenda (Milan) while in Boston and they subsequently relocated to San Diego with Storer Communications where Gene was the news director for their local affiliate. He retired from that position and relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. All his life Gene had marvelous creative abilities and after retiring he took up art seriously. His work has been displayed in art galleries in Phoenix. I've attached several images completed recently (see below). Gene and Brenda had two children, Jack and Laura, and two grandchildren, Jackson and Carter, who were the joy of their lives. Gene was also very close to his sister Susan who lives in Phoenix with her husband and three children. Gene died of natural causes in his home (heart attack or stroke) at age 73 years"
<-- This "historic" photo of Gene and the gang with an old "hotrod jalopy" taken in 1957 was sent by John Focke.
Obituary information from John Focke, August, 2013
Rebecca Sue Harrison (Baker), wife of Gerald Lee Baker, of Bandera and Paige, TX, passed away Monday, March 9, 2010. Donations can be made to the Bandera United Methodist Church at PO Box 128, Bandera, TX 78003.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle.
Sharon Harrison Dunson Died October 7, 2014 in Houston of “mutliple organ failure” after a long fight with cancer. (Report from daughter.)
Gail Hart (Collins) died on July 27, 2009 and is buried in San Saba, Texas. Married for 50 years to James Collins She lived in Austin and Georgetown, had three children and a brother Steve Hart.
Information from Katherine Hankhamer Norris June, 2013
Carolyn Heath (Muncy) passed away August 6, 2008. She had been looking forward to the reunion but was in hospice care with cancer.
Information via Katherine Hankamer Norris via Carolyn's daughter, Kelly Fox August 6, 2008
Obituary in Houston Chronicle will remain active for some time.
Brenda Heid Burdg Deceased Dec 21, 2005 (SSDI including birth date match)
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle.
Sharon Harrison Dunson Died October 7, 2014 in Houston of “mutliple organ failure” after a long fight with cancer. (Report from daughter.)
Gail Hart (Collins) died on July 27, 2009 and is buried in San Saba, Texas. Married for 50 years to James Collins She lived in Austin and Georgetown, had three children and a brother Steve Hart.
Information from Katherine Hankhamer Norris June, 2013
Carolyn Heath (Muncy) passed away August 6, 2008. She had been looking forward to the reunion but was in hospice care with cancer.
Information via Katherine Hankamer Norris via Carolyn's daughter, Kelly Fox August 6, 2008
Obituary in Houston Chronicle will remain active for some time.
Brenda Heid Burdg Deceased Dec 21, 2005 (SSDI including birth date match)
- Carol Lynn Henderson passed away August 18, 2008. Carol lived in Cypress, Texas. Many of us followed her long battle with cancer with notes from son Kevin Wallace.
Obituary in the Houston Chronicle will remain active for some time.
Carol Ann Herbsleb Maignaud Deceased about 1999. (Reported by her daughter-in-law.)
Alan Thomas Hill of Evergreen, Texas passed away on November 30, 2003.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online.)
Sydney Cartwright (Corky) Holloman Deceased (40th Reunion List)
James Elmore (Jim) Holt, Jr. died in an automobile accident in Simonton (near Richmond), Texas on December 15, 1956 -- a little more than a year from when he would have graduated with the midtermers of the Class of 1958.
Eleanor Powers Beebe saved a number of newspaper clippings on the accident and on Jim's notable four-year career on the Lamar and YMCA swimming teams:
Several of Jim's Lamar '58 classmates shared their memories of Jim, including
Richard Ferguson: "Jim Holt … was a member of our class at Lanier and Lamar. If he hadn't died in an accident, he probably would have graduated in the class of '58. I remember him as one of the nicest and best people I've ever known. I'll recount something he did that makes him a special person in my mind and heart as long as I live. Mrs. Deaver, our English teacher at Lanier, decided one day to have students say if there was a classmate they admired. Not many students volunteered anyone, and I was stunned when Jim held his hand up and said I was someone he admired. I'll never forget that kind gesture and I'll always appreciate it."
Eleanor Powers Beebe: “Jimmy Holt was a mid-termer and was one of the kindest, best loved members of our small class. It was a terrible shock to hear of his death, and many of us attended the funeral services. I am attaching newspaper clippings of his death, caused when the car in which he was riding missed a curve during a heavy fog in the early morning and crashed into a cotton gin. What I understood was that at the moment of impact, a beam came through the car window and crushed Jimmy. Fortunately, the other boys survived, but were very much affected by the accident.”
Mike Hill: “Jim was one of my best friends at Lanier and Lamar, being in many classes together, being part of Ramal social club and also we were on the Lamar High swim team together. He and I were on the State Championship relay team (Jay Harris on conventional breast, Bob Taylor ['57] on butterfly, Jim on back stroke and me on free style). We traveled to lots of meets together. On that tragic early foggy morning of December 15th, 1956, on our way back from a meet (Richard F.'s memory is right) Bob Taylor was driving, Jim in the passenger seat (the rest of us were in a separate car). On a slick road they hit a sawmill building, the loading dock of which protruded out practically into the street in Richmond, TX. Bob Taylor really never recovered from his feelings of guilt although it could have happened to anyone and I, along with our friends and Jim's parents (who we were close with) tried our best to dissuade Bob of those feelings but that effort was never really successful. Jim was a REALLY good friend and I am not surprised with Richard Ferguson's story of Jim's comment in Mrs. Deaver's English class about Richard being his "admired" classmate. He was a special guy. His girlfriend at the time was Laurie Rayburn and after Jim's death, she and I (having been very close friends with her and Jim) commiserated together for many months ... and then became even better friends till I went on to The University of Texas. We instituted the "Jim Holt Award" which was given to the outstanding member of the swim team by Jim's parents for the first couple of years, the first recipient was Jay Harris. I don't know if the award is still being given; I hope it is so his memory is not lost. Thanks to ... Richard Ferguson for bringing up the subject of Jim Holt. I still miss him today.”
Neal Davidson:”Jim Holt was on his way to a swim meet in Austin when he was killed. He was in a car driven by Bob Taylor who was also on the swim team. It was a very foggy early morning and Bob failed to make the 90 degree turn at Simonton where 1093 crossed over the railroad tracks. The car slid sideways into the loading dock of a building located at the turn. One of the support beams for the dock came through the rear window on the driver’s side and struck Jim. He was taken to Richmond where he died. Bob Taylor also died in an auto accident sometime later. He was a wild man behind the wheel. That building stood for years after Jim was killed and was a painful reminder whenever we went past it. This was a dangerous area and several others lost their lives at this corner.”
Cathryn Carmen (Cathy) Hornbuckle Bosick (Lamar ’58) died “about 10 years ago,” according to her husband, Michael Bosick (deceased 2015), whom she married December 20, 1980. Findagrave.com pins this down to January 11, 1984. Cathy is the sister of Tom Hornbuckle (Lamar '58).
Mary Flo "Cookie" Hrdlicka (Charlton) passed away October 22, 2010.
Obituary information from the Sherman Herald-Democrat.
Diane Stomner responded to the news about Cookie's passing in October 2010: “I was so saddened to hear about Cookie. I've known that girl since 5th grade at Grady Elementary. I know that she is now at rest, but the world is a loss without her. I did put a message in the Funeral Home website. So sad ….”
Judith Louise Huggins Deceased (40th Reunion List)
Several of Jim's Lamar '58 classmates shared their memories of Jim, including
Richard Ferguson: "Jim Holt … was a member of our class at Lanier and Lamar. If he hadn't died in an accident, he probably would have graduated in the class of '58. I remember him as one of the nicest and best people I've ever known. I'll recount something he did that makes him a special person in my mind and heart as long as I live. Mrs. Deaver, our English teacher at Lanier, decided one day to have students say if there was a classmate they admired. Not many students volunteered anyone, and I was stunned when Jim held his hand up and said I was someone he admired. I'll never forget that kind gesture and I'll always appreciate it."
Eleanor Powers Beebe: “Jimmy Holt was a mid-termer and was one of the kindest, best loved members of our small class. It was a terrible shock to hear of his death, and many of us attended the funeral services. I am attaching newspaper clippings of his death, caused when the car in which he was riding missed a curve during a heavy fog in the early morning and crashed into a cotton gin. What I understood was that at the moment of impact, a beam came through the car window and crushed Jimmy. Fortunately, the other boys survived, but were very much affected by the accident.”
Mike Hill: “Jim was one of my best friends at Lanier and Lamar, being in many classes together, being part of Ramal social club and also we were on the Lamar High swim team together. He and I were on the State Championship relay team (Jay Harris on conventional breast, Bob Taylor ['57] on butterfly, Jim on back stroke and me on free style). We traveled to lots of meets together. On that tragic early foggy morning of December 15th, 1956, on our way back from a meet (Richard F.'s memory is right) Bob Taylor was driving, Jim in the passenger seat (the rest of us were in a separate car). On a slick road they hit a sawmill building, the loading dock of which protruded out practically into the street in Richmond, TX. Bob Taylor really never recovered from his feelings of guilt although it could have happened to anyone and I, along with our friends and Jim's parents (who we were close with) tried our best to dissuade Bob of those feelings but that effort was never really successful. Jim was a REALLY good friend and I am not surprised with Richard Ferguson's story of Jim's comment in Mrs. Deaver's English class about Richard being his "admired" classmate. He was a special guy. His girlfriend at the time was Laurie Rayburn and after Jim's death, she and I (having been very close friends with her and Jim) commiserated together for many months ... and then became even better friends till I went on to The University of Texas. We instituted the "Jim Holt Award" which was given to the outstanding member of the swim team by Jim's parents for the first couple of years, the first recipient was Jay Harris. I don't know if the award is still being given; I hope it is so his memory is not lost. Thanks to ... Richard Ferguson for bringing up the subject of Jim Holt. I still miss him today.”
Neal Davidson:”Jim Holt was on his way to a swim meet in Austin when he was killed. He was in a car driven by Bob Taylor who was also on the swim team. It was a very foggy early morning and Bob failed to make the 90 degree turn at Simonton where 1093 crossed over the railroad tracks. The car slid sideways into the loading dock of a building located at the turn. One of the support beams for the dock came through the rear window on the driver’s side and struck Jim. He was taken to Richmond where he died. Bob Taylor also died in an auto accident sometime later. He was a wild man behind the wheel. That building stood for years after Jim was killed and was a painful reminder whenever we went past it. This was a dangerous area and several others lost their lives at this corner.”
Cathryn Carmen (Cathy) Hornbuckle Bosick (Lamar ’58) died “about 10 years ago,” according to her husband, Michael Bosick (deceased 2015), whom she married December 20, 1980. Findagrave.com pins this down to January 11, 1984. Cathy is the sister of Tom Hornbuckle (Lamar '58).
Mary Flo "Cookie" Hrdlicka (Charlton) passed away October 22, 2010.
Obituary information from the Sherman Herald-Democrat.
Diane Stomner responded to the news about Cookie's passing in October 2010: “I was so saddened to hear about Cookie. I've known that girl since 5th grade at Grady Elementary. I know that she is now at rest, but the world is a loss without her. I did put a message in the Funeral Home website. So sad ….”
Judith Louise Huggins Deceased (40th Reunion List)
Mary Elizabeth Iiams Died in childbirth in 1963 (40th Reunion List and classmates' reports.)
At Lamar Mary Lib was a Student Council Representative, a Gym Leader, Vice President of the Modern Dance Club, on the Irari Court, and participated in Mirabeau, CSU, and Choralettes.
At Lamar Mary Lib was a Student Council Representative, a Gym Leader, Vice President of the Modern Dance Club, on the Irari Court, and participated in Mirabeau, CSU, and Choralettes.
Edward John Jamail, Jr. died May 17, 2017 in Cypress, Texas. (Obituary and guestbook at http://www.kleinfh.com/sitemaker/memsol.cgi?user_id=1965499 .) As the obituary points out, Johnny's post-Lamar trajectory included a lot of drag racing and bull riding, followed by joint operation (with his brother) of a sand hauling business and of Jamail Plumbing with his son, John. Johnny didn't have an entry (other than “Not pictured”) in the '58 Orenda, so please let me or Louise know if you have memories of Johnny at Lamar (or before or after Lamar, for that matter) that you're willing to share with the rest of the class. Our overlapping-classmate Rick McDowell, '59 remembers Johnny as “a regular winner at the local drag strip back in those days”.] A visitation and a funeral service were held for Johnny in Tomball May 21 and 22, with a committal service and interment at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston on the 22nd.
Susan Carol James (Allen) died of cancer in August 17, 1998 in Wimberly, Texas.
Obituary information from classmate Dorothy Malone Gumpert and the Social Security Death Index (SSDI). Susan married Bert Clinton Allen May 2, 1958 -- in time to be listed in the 5/18 graduation program and the HISD official list of graduates as Susan C. Allen
Susan Carol James (Allen) died of cancer in August 17, 1998 in Wimberly, Texas.
Obituary information from classmate Dorothy Malone Gumpert and the Social Security Death Index (SSDI). Susan married Bert Clinton Allen May 2, 1958 -- in time to be listed in the 5/18 graduation program and the HISD official list of graduates as Susan C. Allen
Johnnie Bell Janosky Macha “peacefully ended her courageous battle with cancer on 7-15-2004 at her home in Rockport, Texas.” (Quote from https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=johnnie-bell-janosky-macha&pid=2431263.) Johnnie was listed in the 1955-56 Lamar directory as “Johnnie Janoski” (a misspelling of her maiden name) and in the 1956-57 directory as “Johnnie Macha”. (Macha was also her maiden name, in that the Texas Birth Index lists George Leo Macha as her father, while her initial Social Security application and her obituary named Wallace Janosky as her father.) Johnnie's daughter, Andrea Martin says that she believes her mother graduated from Lamar in '57. A memorial service was held for Johnnie July 20 of 2004 at the VA Houston National Cemetery Chapel. (Johnnie served in the U.S. Air Force.)
Elaine Johnston Tarver died in Houston. May 12, 2013. Her memorial service was held in Houston May 17.Her obituary mentions Elaine's career in education included teaching at Lanier and stints as registrar at Bellaire and Sharpstown. Obituary and guest book
Charles Allen Jones died at home in San Antonio Friday, September 27, 2013.
Obituary.
Sheila Lee Jones (Horne) died August 2, 2005 in Houston.
Gail Kemp (Sheffield) born Sept. 6, 1940, in Houston, died Oct. 4, 2012, in Kalispell, after a brief illness. Gail grew up in Houston, graduated from Louisiana State University with a master’s degree and was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority, then became a flight attendant for Pan American Airlines. She then married Charles Harwell Sheffield. Gail continued her education with a law degree from Louisiana State University and a Ph.D. in anthropology from Tulane University. She was a published author and an accomplished artist. Gail and Charlie lived in the Virgin Islands for two years before moving back to Kentwood, La. She became an assistant district attorney in Tangipahoa Parish. Gail was very active with the Feral Cat Consortium. Feral cats and rescue became her passion. After moving to Kalispell, she became active in Flathead Spay & Neuter Task Force which also deals with feral cats. Gail was known as “The Cat Lady” to many people.
Information from The Times-Picayune from October 8 to October 10, 2012; additional obituary published in the (Baton Rouge?) Advocate (article no longer available online).
Barry Gentry Kidd Deceased October 18, 1976 in Houston. Interred Oakwood Cemetery, Waco. (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/103799136)
Alwyn Penn (Buck) King Passed away July 23, 2013 in The Woodlands, TX. (Report from daughter-in-law and Houston Chronicle obituary.) His obituary mentions that Buck served in the Air Force, was a “lifelong Realtor and Investment Advisor”, and attended the University of Houston. At Lamar he was in ROTC and Ramal.
Mike Bettis shares with us “a humorous anecdote. 'Bucky' and I were visiting at the Reunion at Susan Ray Mayfield's home and he reminded me of my always stepping on his feet in church league basketball games. [I] think he played for First Presbyterian Church and I played for South Main Baptist, along with Howard Lee and others. [I] also remember his powder blue T Bird that was the envy of us of all. [He] was a really good guy and friend.”
Garrett Waddell adds that “I knew Suzy LaMaster casually, but I was great friends with Buck King, who was always in incredibly good shape, so I am astonished that he preceded me in death!
Alwyn P. (Bucky) King was a great guy. We both attended 'The Oaks' nursery school during WWII. We had some of the same friends, including John Mecom Jr, and Craig Christy. We were classmates at Lamar, and both entered the USAF on the same day (June 9, 1958) after graduation. We both completed basic training at Lackland AFB at the same time, and ran into each other several times during our enlistment. We both exited the USAF at the same time, and after our USAF years, both married, entered college, and became avid 'Car guys'. Buck had always been a 'Car guy', owning a 56 T-Bird during high school. After the USAF (we even briefly shared the same apartment building on Westheimer) he bought a tri-carb Pontiac GTO, followed by a Plymouth Satellite 426 Hemi, and later an E-Type Jaguar. He 'raced', or successfully autocrossed a dune buggy with a Corvair engine. We all competed and partied together back in the day. He was always so much fun, and so full of life, and so unbelievably healthy, that I guess I am saddened and floored that he died before I did.”
James Ryan Kirkpatrick, Graduate Gemologist, passed away April 13, 2007. Click here for classmates' memories.
Obituary information from Jim's wife and The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online.)
Bert H. Kivell died suddenly at home in Austin on October 21, 2007. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that a memorial donation be made to the Elgin Humane Society. Click here for classmates' memories.
Obituary information from Bert's wife and Austin American-Statesman.
June Ann Koch Powell Died Oct 10, 2012 In her brother Jerry's home (Jerry and Madisonville, TX Meteor obituary)
Thomas (Tamas) Kokovay Oct.6, 2002 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. According to his cousin, Tom had a car accident at the age of 42, (front-right, the "death-seat", no seat belt, right through the wind shield, broke his neck), became a quadriplegic and spent the last 21 years of his life in a wheelchair. "I think He should be remembered for his indomitable spirit of overcoming adversity, that in spite of this horrible accident he continued to actively participate in life and society, both by offering spiritual counsel to fellow accident victims and being an officer of the paralyzed veterans organization." Classmates’ Memories of Tom Kokovay:
From Monroe Luther: I remember Tamas/Tom Kokovay. I remember when he came to Lamar. He was helped by Dr. Beto, the German professor at Lamar who had been a famous leader in the Hungarian Revolution. Through Dr. Beto we learned all about that event and so were on point when Tamas came. I ran track and for a while Tom ran on the track team. Long distance I think. I can still picture Tamas in my mind. He was kind of tall and lean. He had been wounded in the Hungarian Revolution. He had his picture in Life Magazine around a Russian tank. In our German class under Dr. Beto, we had many lectures on the apathy of the U.S. at the time and the unanswered cries of the Hungarians for U.S. assistance. It was also the time of Sputnik, the first satellite. The Russians were ahead of the U.S. in space. I do not know where Tamas went after Lamar but by far Dr. Beto was the most influential and best teacher I had at Lamar. I remember when he walked into the room each day we all had to stand up. It was the East European way. It was actually pretty neat. I am sure that Dr. Beto who arranged for Tamas to come to Houston and Lamar arranged for his accommodation etc. there. I think Dr. Beto later became a member of the HISD School Board, but not sure about that. .
From Tom’s daughter Erzsebet Kokovay: Dad didn't talk about himself too much so I would have liked to hear about what he was like BK (before kids). ... I didn't even know Dad was in Texas much less high school after he came here to the US. I thought he was in Washington then moved to Texas later (he met my Mom in Houston). So any facts would be greatly appreciated. So, if any of you do have memories of Tom you'd be willing to share with his daughter, please get in touch at erzsikokovay@nynsci.org.
Here’s a further e-mail exchange between Monroe and Tom’s daughter, Erzsi From Monroe Luther: Erzsi, Also, you should search the archives of Life Magazine because my memory is that photo of your Dad with the tank was on the cover around 1956/57. Also I should say that The Prague Post has been a joint effort with my wife Kay and that on that first trip I made to Prague was my son, Monroe, Jr. who was a college student at the time. The point is your Dad's life touched directly and indirectly many other people. Monroe Erzsi replies Dear Monroe, I thank you for taking the time and sending information about my dad. I had no idea he went to Houston for high school. He talked about being in track and running the mile, but I thought that was in Hungary. You are right in your memories; I have an old black and white photo of him very lean and tall with a cigarette in his mouth. It’s quite a classic. He talked often of the revolution much in the same way your Dr. Beto did, wishing the Americans would have honored their promise to get involved. They both sacrificed a lot and ended up here. My Dad made the most of it and started a new life. I can't even imagine what their lives were like. But it must take an impressive drive to start all over and find happiness. Thank you again; I can't express what it means to me to hear what you had to say. Sincerely. Erzsi Erzsebet Kokovay, PhD New York Neural Stem Cell Institute
Thanks to James (Tom) Tomlinson for the photo.
From Monroe Luther: I remember Tamas/Tom Kokovay. I remember when he came to Lamar. He was helped by Dr. Beto, the German professor at Lamar who had been a famous leader in the Hungarian Revolution. Through Dr. Beto we learned all about that event and so were on point when Tamas came. I ran track and for a while Tom ran on the track team. Long distance I think. I can still picture Tamas in my mind. He was kind of tall and lean. He had been wounded in the Hungarian Revolution. He had his picture in Life Magazine around a Russian tank. In our German class under Dr. Beto, we had many lectures on the apathy of the U.S. at the time and the unanswered cries of the Hungarians for U.S. assistance. It was also the time of Sputnik, the first satellite. The Russians were ahead of the U.S. in space. I do not know where Tamas went after Lamar but by far Dr. Beto was the most influential and best teacher I had at Lamar. I remember when he walked into the room each day we all had to stand up. It was the East European way. It was actually pretty neat. I am sure that Dr. Beto who arranged for Tamas to come to Houston and Lamar arranged for his accommodation etc. there. I think Dr. Beto later became a member of the HISD School Board, but not sure about that. .
From Tom’s daughter Erzsebet Kokovay: Dad didn't talk about himself too much so I would have liked to hear about what he was like BK (before kids). ... I didn't even know Dad was in Texas much less high school after he came here to the US. I thought he was in Washington then moved to Texas later (he met my Mom in Houston). So any facts would be greatly appreciated. So, if any of you do have memories of Tom you'd be willing to share with his daughter, please get in touch at erzsikokovay@nynsci.org.
Here’s a further e-mail exchange between Monroe and Tom’s daughter, Erzsi From Monroe Luther: Erzsi, Also, you should search the archives of Life Magazine because my memory is that photo of your Dad with the tank was on the cover around 1956/57. Also I should say that The Prague Post has been a joint effort with my wife Kay and that on that first trip I made to Prague was my son, Monroe, Jr. who was a college student at the time. The point is your Dad's life touched directly and indirectly many other people. Monroe Erzsi replies Dear Monroe, I thank you for taking the time and sending information about my dad. I had no idea he went to Houston for high school. He talked about being in track and running the mile, but I thought that was in Hungary. You are right in your memories; I have an old black and white photo of him very lean and tall with a cigarette in his mouth. It’s quite a classic. He talked often of the revolution much in the same way your Dr. Beto did, wishing the Americans would have honored their promise to get involved. They both sacrificed a lot and ended up here. My Dad made the most of it and started a new life. I can't even imagine what their lives were like. But it must take an impressive drive to start all over and find happiness. Thank you again; I can't express what it means to me to hear what you had to say. Sincerely. Erzsi Erzsebet Kokovay, PhD New York Neural Stem Cell Institute
Thanks to James (Tom) Tomlinson for the photo.
Suzy LaMaster Box died Friday morning, March 4, 2016. (Obituary, guest book, and a video displaying half a century of photos of Suzy in the Houston Chronicle.)
Donald B. Langston "is deceased, having died around 2002" reports his brother, Robert Bruce Langston (Lamar '59).
At Lamar (based on entries in the '57 Orenda) Don was Treasurer of Future Farmers of America. (Brother Bruce was on the swim and golf teams.)
(James) Barry Leigh died on the 3rd of September 2006 in Houston. In lieu of usual remembrances, contributions in memory of Barry may be directed to St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Rd., Houston, TX, 77056; or to LifeGift Organ Donation Center, 5615 Kirby Dr., Ste. 900, Houston, TX, 77005.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online.)
Myra "Molly" Loveless (Zillox) passed away January 18, 2004 in Houston, Texas. Funeral services were held January 21, 2004, with interment in Memorial Oaks Cemetery. If desired, donations can be made to the Houston Hospice.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online.)
Sydney Patton Lumpkin, Sr. Deceased 11/11/98. (Houston Chronicle death notice.)
Michael A. Lurie passed away September 8, 1992.
Obituary information from the Social Security Death Index (requires Ancestry.com registration to view) and confirmed by classmate.
Mary Ruth Magruder Deceased (40th Reunion List)
At Lamar (based on entries in the '57 Orenda) Don was Treasurer of Future Farmers of America. (Brother Bruce was on the swim and golf teams.)
(James) Barry Leigh died on the 3rd of September 2006 in Houston. In lieu of usual remembrances, contributions in memory of Barry may be directed to St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Rd., Houston, TX, 77056; or to LifeGift Organ Donation Center, 5615 Kirby Dr., Ste. 900, Houston, TX, 77005.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online.)
Myra "Molly" Loveless (Zillox) passed away January 18, 2004 in Houston, Texas. Funeral services were held January 21, 2004, with interment in Memorial Oaks Cemetery. If desired, donations can be made to the Houston Hospice.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online.)
Sydney Patton Lumpkin, Sr. Deceased 11/11/98. (Houston Chronicle death notice.)
Michael A. Lurie passed away September 8, 1992.
Obituary information from the Social Security Death Index (requires Ancestry.com registration to view) and confirmed by classmate.
Mary Ruth Magruder Deceased (40th Reunion List)
Robert K. Maddox, M.D. As pointed out in a note from classmate Judy Canada, Dr.Robert Kelley (Bobby) Maddox (Lamar '58) died November 15, 2016 – four days short of his 76th birthday. (See funeral home obituary.) Judy added that “Bobby was a wonderful, kind person and will be missed by all who knew him.” And Joe Keathley adds that “I rode many miles at 'shotgun' in his 1950 Ford back in the day. I've got a ranch in South Texas north of Laredo and was going to look Bobby up. Guess what, I never did. Heard that before.” And Betsy Pearson Griffin recalls that “ Bobby was a gracious and gentle young man – the kind you would want your daughter to marry.” Further, “Bobby served Laredo as a general surgeon for forty years. He touched many families with his life-saving hands” (obituary). A memorial visitation and service were held for Dr. Maddox November 18 in Laredo.
Mary Ruth Magruder Deceased (40th Reunion List)
Mary Ruth Magruder Deceased (40th Reunion List)
Barbara Malin Riddle passed away 10/29/2016. (Obituary and guestbook at http://www.millerfuneral.com/obituaries/Barbara-Ellen-Riddle?obId=2845464#/obituaryInfo .)
At Lamar, Barbara was active in Christian Student Union.
After Lamar, Barbara “graduated from Jefferson Davis Nursing School in 1963, and continued her education at Texas Christian University where she earned a bachelor of Science in Nursing.” Her subsequent career as an RN lasted more than 50 years.
A visitation and funeral service were held for Barbara November 1, 2016 in Houston. She is buried at Rosewood Cemetery in Humble.
At Lamar, Barbara was active in Christian Student Union.
After Lamar, Barbara “graduated from Jefferson Davis Nursing School in 1963, and continued her education at Texas Christian University where she earned a bachelor of Science in Nursing.” Her subsequent career as an RN lasted more than 50 years.
A visitation and funeral service were held for Barbara November 1, 2016 in Houston. She is buried at Rosewood Cemetery in Humble.
Arlene Marshall Newman died May 21, 2012.
(Obituary and guest book at http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Arlene-Marshall&lc=1772&pid=157757210&mid=5113277.)
At Lamar Arlene was active in the Texas Junior Historical Society, the Radio Guild, CSU, La Cinquantaine, Tawasi, and Kachina. Her obituary jumps from birth to her marriage to Norman L. Newman in 1983, so it would be especially helpful if you can share any memories you have of Arlene in the 25 years between graduating from Lamar and 1983. In the Port Lavaca area Arlene was very active in various volunteer and govermental roles, including being a Calhoun County Judge.
A visitation was held for Arlene at the Richardson-Colonial Funeral Home in Port Lavaca on May 23, followed by a private graveside service at a later date.
Crawford Reed Martin died September24, 2010 in Houston. An attorney, he focused his legal career working to improve the rights of developmentally disabled children. A memorial service was held Saturday, October 9 at St. Philip Presbyterian Church in Houston. Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle.
Richard Harris writes that "a memorial for Reed in the Autism Society and Special Education Advocacy newsletter is here. I had been aware of his work on behalf of the educational needs of disabled children, but didn't know until I read the Special Education Advocacy memorial about his work on behalf of civil rights while attending Rice and UT Law".
Indeed, Suzy Rhodes Casey points out that Reed's commitment to desegregation was shared by (some of) his fellow Lamar debaters. "Perhaps you will remember our Lamar civics teacher Mr. Grover who ran for the Republican party (then the liberals!) [nomination for ...?] while we were seniors. Thus began a legacy of Lamar debaters (not all of us, I assure you) who became more and more vocal about implementing the 1952 [sic] Supreme Court decision." Suzy also mentions Reed's -- and Lamar debating's -- influence on her floral preferences: "So sorry to hear of Reed's passing--I'll never forget my Cotillion 'date' with Reed when we were briefly debate partners (both of us were snarly about the whole deal), and his mother (whom I adored) made a corsage from sweetheart roses in the form of a 'strap' for my strapless gown (believe me--there was nothing else to hold up the dress!!) I have planted sweetheart roses at every property I have owned since that day, and always think of Reed when I see them. Sorry to have lost touch so soon after graduating from Rice, but thrilled to hear that he made such a positive impact on our world. Rest in peace, Reed."
Nancy Thornall Burch fleshes out the Rice story with some 1962 Thresher articles [ReedMartin1, ReedMartin2, ReedMartin3, ReedMartin4]. She adds “Oddly, they are not dated but I think they must be from 1962. Note that one was written by Larry Moore, a fellow Lamar alum. Nancy also recommends a book (Desegregating Private Higher Education in the South; Duke, Emory, Rice, Tulane, and Vanderbilt (October 2008)) by Melissa Kean, Rice Centennial historian, on the process(es) by which five private Southern universities (including Rice) came to desegregate; Reed is mentioned by name in a footnote. I emailed Dr. Melissa Kean, Centennial Historian at Rice University, to see if she had additional material on Reed's role beyond what appeared in her book; she said she and her staff would cull the Rice archives for such material.
Gloria Laura Masterson (Used “Laura” at Lamar.) Passed away January 15, 2012 in Houston. (Dignity Memorial obituary, with date of birth matching HISD records.)
(Obituary and guest book at http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Arlene-Marshall&lc=1772&pid=157757210&mid=5113277.)
At Lamar Arlene was active in the Texas Junior Historical Society, the Radio Guild, CSU, La Cinquantaine, Tawasi, and Kachina. Her obituary jumps from birth to her marriage to Norman L. Newman in 1983, so it would be especially helpful if you can share any memories you have of Arlene in the 25 years between graduating from Lamar and 1983. In the Port Lavaca area Arlene was very active in various volunteer and govermental roles, including being a Calhoun County Judge.
A visitation was held for Arlene at the Richardson-Colonial Funeral Home in Port Lavaca on May 23, followed by a private graveside service at a later date.
Crawford Reed Martin died September24, 2010 in Houston. An attorney, he focused his legal career working to improve the rights of developmentally disabled children. A memorial service was held Saturday, October 9 at St. Philip Presbyterian Church in Houston. Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle.
Richard Harris writes that "a memorial for Reed in the Autism Society and Special Education Advocacy newsletter is here. I had been aware of his work on behalf of the educational needs of disabled children, but didn't know until I read the Special Education Advocacy memorial about his work on behalf of civil rights while attending Rice and UT Law".
Indeed, Suzy Rhodes Casey points out that Reed's commitment to desegregation was shared by (some of) his fellow Lamar debaters. "Perhaps you will remember our Lamar civics teacher Mr. Grover who ran for the Republican party (then the liberals!) [nomination for ...?] while we were seniors. Thus began a legacy of Lamar debaters (not all of us, I assure you) who became more and more vocal about implementing the 1952 [sic] Supreme Court decision." Suzy also mentions Reed's -- and Lamar debating's -- influence on her floral preferences: "So sorry to hear of Reed's passing--I'll never forget my Cotillion 'date' with Reed when we were briefly debate partners (both of us were snarly about the whole deal), and his mother (whom I adored) made a corsage from sweetheart roses in the form of a 'strap' for my strapless gown (believe me--there was nothing else to hold up the dress!!) I have planted sweetheart roses at every property I have owned since that day, and always think of Reed when I see them. Sorry to have lost touch so soon after graduating from Rice, but thrilled to hear that he made such a positive impact on our world. Rest in peace, Reed."
Nancy Thornall Burch fleshes out the Rice story with some 1962 Thresher articles [ReedMartin1, ReedMartin2, ReedMartin3, ReedMartin4]. She adds “Oddly, they are not dated but I think they must be from 1962. Note that one was written by Larry Moore, a fellow Lamar alum. Nancy also recommends a book (Desegregating Private Higher Education in the South; Duke, Emory, Rice, Tulane, and Vanderbilt (October 2008)) by Melissa Kean, Rice Centennial historian, on the process(es) by which five private Southern universities (including Rice) came to desegregate; Reed is mentioned by name in a footnote. I emailed Dr. Melissa Kean, Centennial Historian at Rice University, to see if she had additional material on Reed's role beyond what appeared in her book; she said she and her staff would cull the Rice archives for such material.
Gloria Laura Masterson (Used “Laura” at Lamar.) Passed away January 15, 2012 in Houston. (Dignity Memorial obituary, with date of birth matching HISD records.)
Nancy Mayfield Bowyer died in Austin on the Fourth of July, 2017. Nancy spent her first three years of high school at San Jacinto, but graduated in '58 from Lamar. As her Chronicle obituary reports, a memorial service and a private burial ceremony for Nancy were held July 19th in Houston. Nancy transferred to Lamar after the '58 Orenda went to press, so the only senior photo of her I could find was in San Jacinto's 1958 Oroso. As an aid to remembering Nancy at Lamar, I'm posting that picture here.
Mary Anne McCall Van Coutren died February 13, 2018 “after a long illness” (https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/citizen-times/obituary.aspx?n=mary-anne-van-coutren&pid=188192186&fhid=21642&eid=sp_ommatch&eid=sp_ommatch ).
After graduating from Lamar, Mary Anne attended the University of Texas. A funeral was held Monday, Feb. 19 at St. Eugene Catholic Church in Asheville, NC.
Don E. McClure passed away January 10, 2008 in Galveston Texas, from complications of COPD. Don was an attorney in the Houston area and is survived by four children and two grandchildren. Services were held Sunday, January 13 in Webster, Texas. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations to Gulf Coast Conservation Association.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle.
(Herndon) Alvis McConnell Deceased (2000 Directory)
Douglas McCulley passed away in May 2008. A memorial service was held from 6-8pm Tuesday, 21 May 2013 at Messinger Indian School Mortuary in Scottsdale. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Doug's name to one of the charities he supported
Obituary information from the Arizona Republic; Guest book
(Herndon) Alvis McConnell Deceased (2000 Directory)
Jerry McDaniel passed away in the mid 1960's. Reports Stephanie Bender Leggett, "He was a friend of my late husband Eddie Gough and we were shocked at Jerry's passing because he was the first of our friends to die. I don't remember the circumstances of his death. I believe he died in Houston."
After graduating from Lamar, Mary Anne attended the University of Texas. A funeral was held Monday, Feb. 19 at St. Eugene Catholic Church in Asheville, NC.
Don E. McClure passed away January 10, 2008 in Galveston Texas, from complications of COPD. Don was an attorney in the Houston area and is survived by four children and two grandchildren. Services were held Sunday, January 13 in Webster, Texas. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations to Gulf Coast Conservation Association.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle.
(Herndon) Alvis McConnell Deceased (2000 Directory)
Douglas McCulley passed away in May 2008. A memorial service was held from 6-8pm Tuesday, 21 May 2013 at Messinger Indian School Mortuary in Scottsdale. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Doug's name to one of the charities he supported
Obituary information from the Arizona Republic; Guest book
(Herndon) Alvis McConnell Deceased (2000 Directory)
Jerry McDaniel passed away in the mid 1960's. Reports Stephanie Bender Leggett, "He was a friend of my late husband Eddie Gough and we were shocked at Jerry's passing because he was the first of our friends to die. I don't remember the circumstances of his death. I believe he died in Houston."
Aaron Wright Mertz (Ron or “Burger Man” to his family) died January 29, 2018. (Obituary and guestbook at https://www.waltersfh.com/notices/Aaron-Mertz ; see also https://www.gofundme.com/RonMertz .) At
Lamar Aaron was a member of Pow Wow. After Lamar, to quote from his obituary, Ron “was a member of Phi Gamma Delta at SMU in 1962, and has served as President of the Lafayette Texas A&M Club for the last ten years.” (I'm awaiting clarification from Aaron's daughter Valerie as to whether he earned degrees at both SMU and A&M.) It's clear from the obituary and the appeal, however, that the most memorable aspects of Aaron's life were his passions for family, Southern Louisiana music, and coaching youth sports.
A memorial service for Aaron was held at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Lafayette on Saturday, February 17 followed by a reception at Don's Seafood and Steakhouse downtown.
Maurice Joseph Meynier, III, died October 27, 2003. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that a memorial donation be made to the Make a Wish Foundation of the Texas Gulf Coast, 1604 Bissonnet, Houston, Texas 77005.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle (obituary no longer online).
Russell Bryan Miller, M.D. died October 29, 1998 in Los Angeles, CA. (Social Security Death Index, accessed via Ancestry.com.)
Margaret Mills (Eldridge) passed away Friday, March 20, 2015. Husband Bill reported, "she fought so hard for so long, and was just worn out." A memorial service is scheduled for March 24. 2015 at Park Cities Presbyterian Church is at 4124 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX.
Obituary information from the Dallas Morning News
Dennis George Milon Died October 9, 1995 In Boston. (SSDI: Last residence Maynard, MA.)
Jon Montague Deceased July 12, 1979 in Houston. (Texas Death Certificates, accessed via Ancestry.com)
Lamar Aaron was a member of Pow Wow. After Lamar, to quote from his obituary, Ron “was a member of Phi Gamma Delta at SMU in 1962, and has served as President of the Lafayette Texas A&M Club for the last ten years.” (I'm awaiting clarification from Aaron's daughter Valerie as to whether he earned degrees at both SMU and A&M.) It's clear from the obituary and the appeal, however, that the most memorable aspects of Aaron's life were his passions for family, Southern Louisiana music, and coaching youth sports.
A memorial service for Aaron was held at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Lafayette on Saturday, February 17 followed by a reception at Don's Seafood and Steakhouse downtown.
Maurice Joseph Meynier, III, died October 27, 2003. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that a memorial donation be made to the Make a Wish Foundation of the Texas Gulf Coast, 1604 Bissonnet, Houston, Texas 77005.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle (obituary no longer online).
Russell Bryan Miller, M.D. died October 29, 1998 in Los Angeles, CA. (Social Security Death Index, accessed via Ancestry.com.)
Margaret Mills (Eldridge) passed away Friday, March 20, 2015. Husband Bill reported, "she fought so hard for so long, and was just worn out." A memorial service is scheduled for March 24. 2015 at Park Cities Presbyterian Church is at 4124 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX.
Obituary information from the Dallas Morning News
Dennis George Milon Died October 9, 1995 In Boston. (SSDI: Last residence Maynard, MA.)
Jon Montague Deceased July 12, 1979 in Houston. (Texas Death Certificates, accessed via Ancestry.com)
Robert Beecher Montgomery died February 10, 2016 (Houston Chronicle obituary).
Interment in Lima Cemetery, Ozona, TX. (Do any of you know what Robert's connection to Ozona is?) Robert was a letterman on Lamar's bowling team and was an alum of SMU.
Sam Montgomery Died April 2, 1997. (SSDI)
Doyle Lee Moore, who lived in Ontario, California was "age 45, [and] died Friday, 3/21/86 at Yavapai Regional Medical Center [Prescott, AZ]. Born 10/9/1940 in Amarillo, TX he had worked as a design engineer in the aerospace industry in Dallas, TX. He was also a U.S. Air Force veteran.” “He is survived by his parents Doyle V. and Ann Moore; three sons, Donny, Kevin and Brent Moore; five daughters, Laura, Pamela, Christine, Tina and Maryann, all of Dallas; a brother, John of Ontario, CA; and a sister, Jo Ann Dulaney of Garden Grove, CA [aka Verna Joann Dulaney, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA]. Burial will be in Mt. View Cemetery.”
Obituary information from Prescott Courier
George Harvey Moore Deceased November 30, 1967 in Houston. (Texas Death Certificates accessed via Ancestry.com)
William F. Moreland Spouse: Emily Hamrick Moreland ('58). Deceased Jan 23, 1987; interred in Ater Cemetery, Gatesville, TX. (Emily and Findagrave.com) The Findagrave bio
includes a photo of Bill in the UT ROTC in 1959.
Linnie Mower (Garner) died of complications following treatment for cancer Monday, April 18, 2011 in Hattiesburg, MS where she lived.
From Barbara Thompson Day: "Our '58 classmate Linnie Mower Garner died of complications following treatment for cancer Monday, April 18th in Hattiesburg, MS where she lived. Marilyn Mott Cameron and I were at the hospital shortly after she died and spent a couple of days with the family afterwards. Fortunately Sara Ince Hamilton, Terrylin Gregory Neale and I had also visited her earlier when she was still up and about. Here is the information about her memorial service sent by her daughter Patricia Garner Burns. Those of us who knew Linnie understand that the world will be a little less full of light and laughter for her passing. In her last 5 or 6 years she was teaching voice at Alcorn State University in Mississippi. She was a wonderful teacher and she and her students shared a great love of music and love and respect for each other. She will not be soon forgotten”
Richard adds: "While I never had the pleasure of hearing Linnie perform in an opera (though she performed at the Santa Fe Opera in the 60s), those of us who were at the 50th Reunion will remember how her aria there overpowered the din of ongoing conversations".
From Mike Hill to Ms. Patricia Burns – sent by email: "Ms Burns, I was sorry to hear of your mother’s passing thru our classmate Richard Harris (who has assumed the position as our official 'historian' and who also keeps us current with news about Lamar High graduates we knew and loved). Your mother was certainly one of them. I lived as a child across the street from Linnie May and probably would say she was my first girlfriend. Our house was on Dora Lane and your mom’s house faced in Institute Lane. We lived there till I was 11 years old and the entire time Linnie and I were pals. Her dad Lowell was my Boy Scout master and her older brother Kendall was friends with my older brother. I spent many hours at her house with her parents and her brother doing whatever kids did back in those days with the considerable freedom we had as compared with today. Her mother was an elegant lady, almost regal and was a very kind and gentle with me. I loved being there with Linnie’s family because they were interesting people and had interesting things in their wonderful house. They did fun things which always captured my imagination as a child. It was automatic that I would be in Mr. Mower’s scout troop and I remember with great affection our Monday night meetings and many camping trips. I generally was recruited along with Kendall to gather together all the equipment from Mr. Mower’s garage for the camping trips. I remember the smell of the army surplus tents we slept in and the musty bed rolls. Mr. Mower was a large man, not in size necessarily, but in presence. He had lots of hair, a bushy mustache, a great smile and always had time for me. I loved him. Kendall was tall and thin and had the same kind demeanor as did the rest of the family. Linnie was my pal. She and I were the same age and she was my first playmate. We chased fireflies, swam in the flooded streets, built forts on the vacant lot next to our house and were pretty much inseparable till I moved away. I don’t ever remember a time when she wasn’t at my house or me at hers. There were no other kids our age in our neighborhood so we were all we had. You don’t think much about these busy days as children growing up. I didn’t think, really, much about it when my parents moved us to Afton Oaks, a brand new neighborhood next to what would be called the Galleria. Not sure WHY we moved, I loved the old house (still standing, by the way) on Dora. I do remember the last time I went by there, I went back to the alley which joined Dora and Institute Lane and looked for a tree where Linnie and I buried a “treasure” at the base of a tree and carved an “X” on the tree so we knew where the burial site was. The “X” is still there. The treasure isn’t. I hope Linnie dug it up! I lost touch with Linnie when she moved to Germany. I did know about her opera career and I never had any surprise at her success. She was energetic, smart and pretty. She will leave a big hole in the living world which will be difficult to fill. I wish I had stayed in closer touch! She was my pal, my first memory of a girl and will always occupy that place in my life where there is only one! Please convey my greetings to Kendall, who I am sure will remember me and my brother Dennis. Warm regards, Mike Hill"
Mary Mulitz Deceased (40th Reunion List)
Nancy Murphy (Murphy) died May 30, 2003. A memorial service was held Sunday, June 1, 2003. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that those desiring make memorial donations to MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle.
John Julius Muth (Entered with Class of ’58 but took enough summer courses to graduate with the Class of ’57.) Passed away February 16, 2014 in Highlands, TX (Report from family and Baytown Sun death notice.)
Interment in Lima Cemetery, Ozona, TX. (Do any of you know what Robert's connection to Ozona is?) Robert was a letterman on Lamar's bowling team and was an alum of SMU.
Sam Montgomery Died April 2, 1997. (SSDI)
Doyle Lee Moore, who lived in Ontario, California was "age 45, [and] died Friday, 3/21/86 at Yavapai Regional Medical Center [Prescott, AZ]. Born 10/9/1940 in Amarillo, TX he had worked as a design engineer in the aerospace industry in Dallas, TX. He was also a U.S. Air Force veteran.” “He is survived by his parents Doyle V. and Ann Moore; three sons, Donny, Kevin and Brent Moore; five daughters, Laura, Pamela, Christine, Tina and Maryann, all of Dallas; a brother, John of Ontario, CA; and a sister, Jo Ann Dulaney of Garden Grove, CA [aka Verna Joann Dulaney, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA]. Burial will be in Mt. View Cemetery.”
Obituary information from Prescott Courier
George Harvey Moore Deceased November 30, 1967 in Houston. (Texas Death Certificates accessed via Ancestry.com)
William F. Moreland Spouse: Emily Hamrick Moreland ('58). Deceased Jan 23, 1987; interred in Ater Cemetery, Gatesville, TX. (Emily and Findagrave.com) The Findagrave bio
includes a photo of Bill in the UT ROTC in 1959.
Linnie Mower (Garner) died of complications following treatment for cancer Monday, April 18, 2011 in Hattiesburg, MS where she lived.
From Barbara Thompson Day: "Our '58 classmate Linnie Mower Garner died of complications following treatment for cancer Monday, April 18th in Hattiesburg, MS where she lived. Marilyn Mott Cameron and I were at the hospital shortly after she died and spent a couple of days with the family afterwards. Fortunately Sara Ince Hamilton, Terrylin Gregory Neale and I had also visited her earlier when she was still up and about. Here is the information about her memorial service sent by her daughter Patricia Garner Burns. Those of us who knew Linnie understand that the world will be a little less full of light and laughter for her passing. In her last 5 or 6 years she was teaching voice at Alcorn State University in Mississippi. She was a wonderful teacher and she and her students shared a great love of music and love and respect for each other. She will not be soon forgotten”
Richard adds: "While I never had the pleasure of hearing Linnie perform in an opera (though she performed at the Santa Fe Opera in the 60s), those of us who were at the 50th Reunion will remember how her aria there overpowered the din of ongoing conversations".
From Mike Hill to Ms. Patricia Burns – sent by email: "Ms Burns, I was sorry to hear of your mother’s passing thru our classmate Richard Harris (who has assumed the position as our official 'historian' and who also keeps us current with news about Lamar High graduates we knew and loved). Your mother was certainly one of them. I lived as a child across the street from Linnie May and probably would say she was my first girlfriend. Our house was on Dora Lane and your mom’s house faced in Institute Lane. We lived there till I was 11 years old and the entire time Linnie and I were pals. Her dad Lowell was my Boy Scout master and her older brother Kendall was friends with my older brother. I spent many hours at her house with her parents and her brother doing whatever kids did back in those days with the considerable freedom we had as compared with today. Her mother was an elegant lady, almost regal and was a very kind and gentle with me. I loved being there with Linnie’s family because they were interesting people and had interesting things in their wonderful house. They did fun things which always captured my imagination as a child. It was automatic that I would be in Mr. Mower’s scout troop and I remember with great affection our Monday night meetings and many camping trips. I generally was recruited along with Kendall to gather together all the equipment from Mr. Mower’s garage for the camping trips. I remember the smell of the army surplus tents we slept in and the musty bed rolls. Mr. Mower was a large man, not in size necessarily, but in presence. He had lots of hair, a bushy mustache, a great smile and always had time for me. I loved him. Kendall was tall and thin and had the same kind demeanor as did the rest of the family. Linnie was my pal. She and I were the same age and she was my first playmate. We chased fireflies, swam in the flooded streets, built forts on the vacant lot next to our house and were pretty much inseparable till I moved away. I don’t ever remember a time when she wasn’t at my house or me at hers. There were no other kids our age in our neighborhood so we were all we had. You don’t think much about these busy days as children growing up. I didn’t think, really, much about it when my parents moved us to Afton Oaks, a brand new neighborhood next to what would be called the Galleria. Not sure WHY we moved, I loved the old house (still standing, by the way) on Dora. I do remember the last time I went by there, I went back to the alley which joined Dora and Institute Lane and looked for a tree where Linnie and I buried a “treasure” at the base of a tree and carved an “X” on the tree so we knew where the burial site was. The “X” is still there. The treasure isn’t. I hope Linnie dug it up! I lost touch with Linnie when she moved to Germany. I did know about her opera career and I never had any surprise at her success. She was energetic, smart and pretty. She will leave a big hole in the living world which will be difficult to fill. I wish I had stayed in closer touch! She was my pal, my first memory of a girl and will always occupy that place in my life where there is only one! Please convey my greetings to Kendall, who I am sure will remember me and my brother Dennis. Warm regards, Mike Hill"
Mary Mulitz Deceased (40th Reunion List)
Nancy Murphy (Murphy) died May 30, 2003. A memorial service was held Sunday, June 1, 2003. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that those desiring make memorial donations to MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle.
John Julius Muth (Entered with Class of ’58 but took enough summer courses to graduate with the Class of ’57.) Passed away February 16, 2014 in Highlands, TX (Report from family and Baytown Sun death notice.)
Billy Titus Nelson passed away February 4, 2013 in Kingwood, TX. As his Houston Chronicle obituary indicates, "A casual service celebrating Bill's life will be held at Kingwood Funeral Home at 22800 Hwy 59 N, Kingwood, TX 77339 on Friday February 8th between 2:00pm and 5:00 pm.. Per RH, the obituary says " 'Billy graduated from Lamar in 1959.' Nope. HIS records and my [Richard's] copy of the commencement program confirm that he was a May '58 graduate. Billy was a Redskin football and basketball player.
John Reed Nemeth, Barry Leigh, Mike Gooldy, and Bobby Bell were running buddies; all now deceased. John died January 30, 1990 in San Diego; interred Mount Moriah Cemetery, Kansas City, Missouri. (SSDI)
(Cecil) Allen Nichols Passed away on June 23, 1998 of heart failure. (Confirmed by his daughter,
Stephanie Nichols Pancioli.)
M. Stuart Nimmons, III, of Atlanta passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2002. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Our Lady of Perpetual Care Hospice at 760 Washington Street, SW, PO Box 6805, Atlanta, Georgia 30315
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online.)
Charles A. Norman "of Edmonton, AB/ Houston Texas passed away [April 3, 2010] at the age of 70.... Charles was a dedicated professor of Education Psychology at the University of Alberta for over 30 years." Quote is from the Edmonton Sun obituary.
From Bill Edman: I knew Charles while at Lamar, although it wasn't a close relationship until I started dating his sister, Sara Norman, Class of '62. We got married in 1961, when I was at Texas A&M and later had three children. Charles and I developed a close relationship and we visited each other on many occasions. He was particularly good to my children. A few years ago he and I took a raft trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. We had a great time and enjoyed the scenery. As a professor of child psychology at the University of Alberta, he taught a lot of students and wrote a number of papers. Sadly he developed Alzheimer’s shortly after retiring. We laid his ashes to rest in Houston today, May 10."
John Reed Nemeth, Barry Leigh, Mike Gooldy, and Bobby Bell were running buddies; all now deceased. John died January 30, 1990 in San Diego; interred Mount Moriah Cemetery, Kansas City, Missouri. (SSDI)
(Cecil) Allen Nichols Passed away on June 23, 1998 of heart failure. (Confirmed by his daughter,
Stephanie Nichols Pancioli.)
M. Stuart Nimmons, III, of Atlanta passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2002. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Our Lady of Perpetual Care Hospice at 760 Washington Street, SW, PO Box 6805, Atlanta, Georgia 30315
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online.)
Charles A. Norman "of Edmonton, AB/ Houston Texas passed away [April 3, 2010] at the age of 70.... Charles was a dedicated professor of Education Psychology at the University of Alberta for over 30 years." Quote is from the Edmonton Sun obituary.
From Bill Edman: I knew Charles while at Lamar, although it wasn't a close relationship until I started dating his sister, Sara Norman, Class of '62. We got married in 1961, when I was at Texas A&M and later had three children. Charles and I developed a close relationship and we visited each other on many occasions. He was particularly good to my children. A few years ago he and I took a raft trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. We had a great time and enjoyed the scenery. As a professor of child psychology at the University of Alberta, he taught a lot of students and wrote a number of papers. Sadly he developed Alzheimer’s shortly after retiring. We laid his ashes to rest in Houston today, May 10."
Margaret Oakes Deceased March 12, 1999; last residence Houston. (SSDI)
Patrick Henry O’Brien Deceased (classmate report that “He died years ago in the L.A. area”; SSDI gives June 16, 1987 as date of death). Findagrave.com bio says Patrick was “SKC, US Army" and is interred in the Riverside National Cemetery.
Patrick Henry O’Brien Deceased (classmate report that “He died years ago in the L.A. area”; SSDI gives June 16, 1987 as date of death). Findagrave.com bio says Patrick was “SKC, US Army" and is interred in the Riverside National Cemetery.
Elaine Osborn Steitz "passed away peacefully on April 9, 2019 with two of her children by her side" (http://charleswsmith-sachse.tributes.com/obituary/show/Elaine-Steitz-107001360).
As can be seen from her '58 Orenda senior-picture entry, Elaine was very active at Lamar. After Lamar she attended the University of Texas. At UT, in Singapore, and in Dallas Elaine and her husband Walter worked with the Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU).
A celebration of Elaine's life was held Tuesday, April 16 at Redeemer Bible Church in Dallas. A graveside service for family followed on Wednesday in Houston.
As can be seen from her '58 Orenda senior-picture entry, Elaine was very active at Lamar. After Lamar she attended the University of Texas. At UT, in Singapore, and in Dallas Elaine and her husband Walter worked with the Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU).
A celebration of Elaine's life was held Tuesday, April 16 at Redeemer Bible Church in Dallas. A graveside service for family followed on Wednesday in Houston.
John Osborne Pickett passed away August 2010 in Deridder, Louisiana. Obituary information from son John Pickett and the Beauregard Daily News.
Lollie Guthrie Layton shares the following memories of John Osborne Pickett: "I am very sad to learn that John has passed on. He and I used to eat our lunches on the steps of one of the temporary buildings before math class, and I always thought he was a very nice kid! Anyone who would jump out of a plane on a regular basis doing his duty tells me that he continued along doing the right things during his productive lifetime. Even though I haven't thought of him since probably high school days, he WILL be remembered with great fondness and respect! I will miss those positive memories I formed in our youth."
Jo Nell Owers (Hintner) of Houston, formerly of Austin, died March 14, 1998. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the M.D. Anderson Foundation or The Hospice at The Texas Medical Center.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online.)
James Mack (Jim) Peery Deceased sometime before July 2004 (wife and mention as
predeceased in mother’s Chronicle death notice).
Judy Polinski Franklin (wife of Bill Franklin, Lamar '58) died Monday, December 18 in Bellingham, WA. A celebration of Judy's life was held Friday, December 15 at the Acme Presbyterian Church in Acme, WA (near Bellingham), where Bill and Judy have owned land since 1975 and where they have built a second home, as related in the obituary written for Judy by Bill (posted, along with a guest book and a post-Lamar picture of Judy at http://mtbakercremationsociety.com/tribute/details/18/Judith-Franklin/obituary.html#tribute-start ).
As attested by her Orenda entry, Judy was very active at Lamar. As related in the obituary written for her by Bill, Judy's post-Lamar trajectory included degrees from Texas Women's University and Western Washington University, teaching in HISD's elementary-school Spanish program, re-certification in general elementary education at the University of Houston, and nearly 20 years teaching 4th and 5th grades in the Spring Branch ISD, during which she “collaborated on a series of Spanish textbooks and on elementary curriculum”. After retirement and a move (with Bill, of course) to Waco, she became very active in the local arts community (especially watercolor).
Elaine Potter (Bradbury) died March 16, 2004 in New York City, as reported in the Social Security Death Index, which listed a Texas-issued social security number and the same birthdate as in the Lamar Alumni Association records. At Lamar Elaine was President of Sequoyah, Program Chair of La Cinquantaine, and active in Kachina and CSU. Post-Lamar she was involved in the Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund, which funds community-development projects intended to improve conditions for women and girls in low per-capita income countries. Nita Brown Gardner recalls that "The last time I saw her was at the 10 year reunion...not that long ago, right? She had married an editor of Time-Life Magazine and lived in one of the fashionable warehouse style apartment districts of NYC. She was enjoying a semi-hippie kind of lifestyle. (This to get even with her father, I think). She was proud of not owning a car and not being a part of the increasing pollution problem. I guess this made a lasting impression since Bill and I have a farming operation and guzzle the deisel with each and every necessary machine." And from Sally Euwer Lavine: "I was so very sorry to hear the news about Elaine Potter.We had been friends in high school. I believe she had moved to Houston from Pennsylvania
during our high school years and she went back to Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. She was a really nice person…I have some pictures of her somewhere. Had lost contact with her and had been trying to locate her to no avail. Another reason to try harder!"
Lollie Guthrie Layton shares the following memories of John Osborne Pickett: "I am very sad to learn that John has passed on. He and I used to eat our lunches on the steps of one of the temporary buildings before math class, and I always thought he was a very nice kid! Anyone who would jump out of a plane on a regular basis doing his duty tells me that he continued along doing the right things during his productive lifetime. Even though I haven't thought of him since probably high school days, he WILL be remembered with great fondness and respect! I will miss those positive memories I formed in our youth."
Jo Nell Owers (Hintner) of Houston, formerly of Austin, died March 14, 1998. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the M.D. Anderson Foundation or The Hospice at The Texas Medical Center.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online.)
James Mack (Jim) Peery Deceased sometime before July 2004 (wife and mention as
predeceased in mother’s Chronicle death notice).
Judy Polinski Franklin (wife of Bill Franklin, Lamar '58) died Monday, December 18 in Bellingham, WA. A celebration of Judy's life was held Friday, December 15 at the Acme Presbyterian Church in Acme, WA (near Bellingham), where Bill and Judy have owned land since 1975 and where they have built a second home, as related in the obituary written for Judy by Bill (posted, along with a guest book and a post-Lamar picture of Judy at http://mtbakercremationsociety.com/tribute/details/18/Judith-Franklin/obituary.html#tribute-start ).
As attested by her Orenda entry, Judy was very active at Lamar. As related in the obituary written for her by Bill, Judy's post-Lamar trajectory included degrees from Texas Women's University and Western Washington University, teaching in HISD's elementary-school Spanish program, re-certification in general elementary education at the University of Houston, and nearly 20 years teaching 4th and 5th grades in the Spring Branch ISD, during which she “collaborated on a series of Spanish textbooks and on elementary curriculum”. After retirement and a move (with Bill, of course) to Waco, she became very active in the local arts community (especially watercolor).
Elaine Potter (Bradbury) died March 16, 2004 in New York City, as reported in the Social Security Death Index, which listed a Texas-issued social security number and the same birthdate as in the Lamar Alumni Association records. At Lamar Elaine was President of Sequoyah, Program Chair of La Cinquantaine, and active in Kachina and CSU. Post-Lamar she was involved in the Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund, which funds community-development projects intended to improve conditions for women and girls in low per-capita income countries. Nita Brown Gardner recalls that "The last time I saw her was at the 10 year reunion...not that long ago, right? She had married an editor of Time-Life Magazine and lived in one of the fashionable warehouse style apartment districts of NYC. She was enjoying a semi-hippie kind of lifestyle. (This to get even with her father, I think). She was proud of not owning a car and not being a part of the increasing pollution problem. I guess this made a lasting impression since Bill and I have a farming operation and guzzle the deisel with each and every necessary machine." And from Sally Euwer Lavine: "I was so very sorry to hear the news about Elaine Potter.We had been friends in high school. I believe she had moved to Houston from Pennsylvania
during our high school years and she went back to Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. She was a really nice person…I have some pictures of her somewhere. Had lost contact with her and had been trying to locate her to no avail. Another reason to try harder!"
Thomas Wade Pounds died 10/8/2015 at St. Lukes Hospital in Houston. (http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?pid=176073408 )
At Lamar Wade was active in the Astronomy Club.
After Lamar he obtained a degree in Biology from the University of Houston and a J.D. (magna cum laude) from the South Texas College of Law. After serving as Captain in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission he was recognized as "an expert in all phases of the [oil and gas industries] and continued writing contracts for his clients long after retirement".
Services for Wade (including burial with full military honors at Houston National Cemetery) were held October 14, 2015.
At Lamar Wade was active in the Astronomy Club.
After Lamar he obtained a degree in Biology from the University of Houston and a J.D. (magna cum laude) from the South Texas College of Law. After serving as Captain in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission he was recognized as "an expert in all phases of the [oil and gas industries] and continued writing contracts for his clients long after retirement".
Services for Wade (including burial with full military honors at Houston National Cemetery) were held October 14, 2015.
Lee A. Raesner, Jr., of San Antonio,Texas, died July 29,2003.
At Lamar Lee was a Student Council Representative, a Fire Patrol Chief, and a player on the varsity football, baseball, and basketball teams. Richard Harris remembers a playoff game at Baytown where, early in the game, Lee disappeared into a swarm of Baytown tacklers, only to emerge on the other side and continue on to a touchdown. (The then-Redskins nonetheless lost the game.) Post-Lamar, Lee spent "29 years each as a group insurance representative and a ... teacher for South San Antonio High School - West Campus."
A funeral service was held August 1 in Marble Falls, with interment in Lakeland Hills Memorial Park. Donations may be made in memory of Lee and his beloved son to the Texas Methodist Foundation, in care of The Jack Frederick Raesener Scholarship Fund #1009, 11709 Boulder Lane #100, Austin, Texas 78726-1808.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online.)
Susan Ray Mayfield passed away May 20, 2015 in Houston.. Katherine Hankhamer Norris reports "[Susan] was a member of our church, St. Martin's Episcopal, sang in the choir and was very active. She had some small problems recently, aphasia, but she was at breakfast club last month. Friends had been driving her places. I spoke with her; and she knew me and we had a good conversation. They made the announcement at my breakfast club this morning. I talked with another friend who said Susan had a major stroke yesterday and died about 12:45am today [5/20]."
Obituary in The Houston Chronicle.
Laurie Kathleen Rayburn passed away with her family by her side on Friday, November 18, 2011.
Obituary information from YourConroeNews.com.
James Howard Read, owner for 38 years of Read's Automotive Service in Spring Branch, died July 26, 2008 of lung cancer. James was a founding member of the Northwest Houston Radio Control Club.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online.)
Boynton Dill Reed died October 21, 2005 following a 15 year struggle with Hodgkin's disease. We were alerted to Boynton's passing by a close friend of Boynton’s who had gone to Bellaire with him before Boynton transferred to Lamar and who visited him in the hospital shortly before his death. There was no memorial service or obituary in the paper. Boynton willed his body to medical science and his remains were cremated.
Obituary information from the Social Security Death Index (registration required to view SSDI listing online).
Sandra S. Reed Harvey died Tuesday September 16, 2014 in Texas City. (Galveston County Daily News obituary)
Kay Reese passed away May 16, 2011. From Ford Smith: "Kay Reese was a good friend of mine while attending Lamar. She always had a beautiful smile, outgoing, and cute. She will be missed by all who had the opportunity to know her."
Judy Beth Reeves Hubbell Died at Memorial City Medical Center in Houston June 22, 2016.
(Classmate report and funeral home obituary.)
Martine Lucie Reichenbach/Messager died of cancer 10 January 2007 in Neuilly sur Seine, which is an upscale western suburb of Paris. Obituary information via Mary Kay Manning Smith and Lamar Inactive Student Records Department Office
Notes from Mary Kay Manning Smith January 2011: "She became an actress, using the name Martine Messager. She became best known for doing the French voices on television soap operas and in movies and animations. One was a character in The Young and the Restless. She also might have been in The Bold and the Beautiful (?) , but that was not perfectly clear, there being on the first website just a reference to B&B. French Wikipedia credits her with five films, two with French titles and three with English ones. The first movie (La Menace) was released in 1960, very soon after being at Lamar (if this is she). In 1961 she was in a television program or series, 'Le temps des copains.' The last film in which she acted was released in 1974 (OK, Boss). By 1981 she was doing voices and voice-overs in several categories: movies (including Mask) , animations short and long (including Asterix chez les Bretons, Lady and the Tramp, and two The Little Dinosaur films), and seven more television series (including 'Dynasty' and 'Falcon Crest'). She also 'adapted' two movies from unnamed sources. Martine Messager is on three short sites on the Internet, all with the same photograph. The face shape is right, and the tilt of the head is similar -- but one cannot say for sure that the woman is Lamar's Martine. Those three sites describe her as 'the widow of Claude Mulot', 'married since 13 October 1986,' and say that they had one child. ( ?? Yes!). I Googled Claude Mulot and learned that he was an actor and filmmaker, born 21 August 1942, and that he is credited (at least in France) with writing and directing 'the first ever sex horror movie.' He has numerous film credits for acting, writing, and directing. French Wikipedia states that he 'contributed to the "golden age' of French erotic cinema," with films such as Sex Which Speaks and Woman [As] Object. He was also screenwriter for several films of Max Pecas, including [translated directly and therefore stilted] One Calms Oneself and Drinks Cool at Saint-Tropez [maybe You're Calm and Cool at Saint-Tropez]. He directed at least 20 films and was screenwriter for two dozen. He sometimes used the pseudonym Frederic Lansac. Now the plot thickens (whoever these people were!). Claude Mulot died in a swimming accident at --- Saint-Tropez --- on ---13 October 1986 ! Now, either there is a mistake on two different sites--or-- he died the day he and Martine married. Then, either they already had the child or he left her 'with child'."
Judith Kay Robinson (Ussery) passed away November 28, 2013. Writes, Sandra Stone Johnson "She was living in her home in Kerrville but had been paralyzed and bed ridden for over five years due to a back surgery gone bad...Kay really hadn't been ill, When her caretaker left Wednesday evening they were talking about what she was bringing her to eat for Thanksgiving and Kay seemed fine, When [the caretaker] arrived Thanksgiving morning, she was gone so it was a peaceful passing.... Kay was cremated and her ashes will be spread over the Guadalupe River. Kay is survived by her husband
Richard Carlisle Roten Deceased October 10, 1989; interred Forest Park Cemetery, Houston. (Findagrave.com, accessed via Ancestry.com)
Stanley Rowe Died March 27, 2003; last residence Cypress, TX. (SSDI)
At Lamar Lee was a Student Council Representative, a Fire Patrol Chief, and a player on the varsity football, baseball, and basketball teams. Richard Harris remembers a playoff game at Baytown where, early in the game, Lee disappeared into a swarm of Baytown tacklers, only to emerge on the other side and continue on to a touchdown. (The then-Redskins nonetheless lost the game.) Post-Lamar, Lee spent "29 years each as a group insurance representative and a ... teacher for South San Antonio High School - West Campus."
A funeral service was held August 1 in Marble Falls, with interment in Lakeland Hills Memorial Park. Donations may be made in memory of Lee and his beloved son to the Texas Methodist Foundation, in care of The Jack Frederick Raesener Scholarship Fund #1009, 11709 Boulder Lane #100, Austin, Texas 78726-1808.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online.)
Susan Ray Mayfield passed away May 20, 2015 in Houston.. Katherine Hankhamer Norris reports "[Susan] was a member of our church, St. Martin's Episcopal, sang in the choir and was very active. She had some small problems recently, aphasia, but she was at breakfast club last month. Friends had been driving her places. I spoke with her; and she knew me and we had a good conversation. They made the announcement at my breakfast club this morning. I talked with another friend who said Susan had a major stroke yesterday and died about 12:45am today [5/20]."
Obituary in The Houston Chronicle.
Laurie Kathleen Rayburn passed away with her family by her side on Friday, November 18, 2011.
Obituary information from YourConroeNews.com.
James Howard Read, owner for 38 years of Read's Automotive Service in Spring Branch, died July 26, 2008 of lung cancer. James was a founding member of the Northwest Houston Radio Control Club.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online.)
Boynton Dill Reed died October 21, 2005 following a 15 year struggle with Hodgkin's disease. We were alerted to Boynton's passing by a close friend of Boynton’s who had gone to Bellaire with him before Boynton transferred to Lamar and who visited him in the hospital shortly before his death. There was no memorial service or obituary in the paper. Boynton willed his body to medical science and his remains were cremated.
Obituary information from the Social Security Death Index (registration required to view SSDI listing online).
Sandra S. Reed Harvey died Tuesday September 16, 2014 in Texas City. (Galveston County Daily News obituary)
Kay Reese passed away May 16, 2011. From Ford Smith: "Kay Reese was a good friend of mine while attending Lamar. She always had a beautiful smile, outgoing, and cute. She will be missed by all who had the opportunity to know her."
Judy Beth Reeves Hubbell Died at Memorial City Medical Center in Houston June 22, 2016.
(Classmate report and funeral home obituary.)
Martine Lucie Reichenbach/Messager died of cancer 10 January 2007 in Neuilly sur Seine, which is an upscale western suburb of Paris. Obituary information via Mary Kay Manning Smith and Lamar Inactive Student Records Department Office
Notes from Mary Kay Manning Smith January 2011: "She became an actress, using the name Martine Messager. She became best known for doing the French voices on television soap operas and in movies and animations. One was a character in The Young and the Restless. She also might have been in The Bold and the Beautiful (?) , but that was not perfectly clear, there being on the first website just a reference to B&B. French Wikipedia credits her with five films, two with French titles and three with English ones. The first movie (La Menace) was released in 1960, very soon after being at Lamar (if this is she). In 1961 she was in a television program or series, 'Le temps des copains.' The last film in which she acted was released in 1974 (OK, Boss). By 1981 she was doing voices and voice-overs in several categories: movies (including Mask) , animations short and long (including Asterix chez les Bretons, Lady and the Tramp, and two The Little Dinosaur films), and seven more television series (including 'Dynasty' and 'Falcon Crest'). She also 'adapted' two movies from unnamed sources. Martine Messager is on three short sites on the Internet, all with the same photograph. The face shape is right, and the tilt of the head is similar -- but one cannot say for sure that the woman is Lamar's Martine. Those three sites describe her as 'the widow of Claude Mulot', 'married since 13 October 1986,' and say that they had one child. ( ?? Yes!). I Googled Claude Mulot and learned that he was an actor and filmmaker, born 21 August 1942, and that he is credited (at least in France) with writing and directing 'the first ever sex horror movie.' He has numerous film credits for acting, writing, and directing. French Wikipedia states that he 'contributed to the "golden age' of French erotic cinema," with films such as Sex Which Speaks and Woman [As] Object. He was also screenwriter for several films of Max Pecas, including [translated directly and therefore stilted] One Calms Oneself and Drinks Cool at Saint-Tropez [maybe You're Calm and Cool at Saint-Tropez]. He directed at least 20 films and was screenwriter for two dozen. He sometimes used the pseudonym Frederic Lansac. Now the plot thickens (whoever these people were!). Claude Mulot died in a swimming accident at --- Saint-Tropez --- on ---13 October 1986 ! Now, either there is a mistake on two different sites--or-- he died the day he and Martine married. Then, either they already had the child or he left her 'with child'."
Judith Kay Robinson (Ussery) passed away November 28, 2013. Writes, Sandra Stone Johnson "She was living in her home in Kerrville but had been paralyzed and bed ridden for over five years due to a back surgery gone bad...Kay really hadn't been ill, When her caretaker left Wednesday evening they were talking about what she was bringing her to eat for Thanksgiving and Kay seemed fine, When [the caretaker] arrived Thanksgiving morning, she was gone so it was a peaceful passing.... Kay was cremated and her ashes will be spread over the Guadalupe River. Kay is survived by her husband
Richard Carlisle Roten Deceased October 10, 1989; interred Forest Park Cemetery, Houston. (Findagrave.com, accessed via Ancestry.com)
Stanley Rowe Died March 27, 2003; last residence Cypress, TX. (SSDI)
Ronald Ewing (Ron) Rowland, Sr. died Wednesday (July 5,2017) in Houston of pancreatic cancer. As his obituary reports, a visitation and funeral services were held Sunday, 7/9 in Galveston, and graveside services were held Monday, 7/10 at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston. At Lamar, Ronnie was active in CSU and in the Cartoonists' Association.
Marcia Selby Weiss died October 12, 2018. (Obituary and condolences at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/conroe-tx/marcia-weiss-8023068.) At the time of her passing, Marcia was a resident of Brenham, where she moved in 2014 after having lived in Huntsville since she and her husband Clair retired there in 1997. (Clair preceded her in death in 2011.)
Marcia was very active at Lamar, having been on the Lancer staff (including as Advertising Manager) and in Choralettes, Lamar-O-Liers, Future Teachers of America, Quill and Scroll, Kachina, and Mirabeau, as well as having been an Office Assistant. The obituary is silent on Marcia's post-Lamar trajectory (college, work experience, etc.), so it would be especially helpful if you could share with your Lamar '58 classmates any memories you have of Marcia by sending them to rjhabq@gmail.comfor inclusion in Marcia's In Memoriam entry and in the November update. Sally gets us started by reporting that "I last spoke with (Marcia) about three years ago. She was an accomplished golfer and when I retired and took up golf...she gave me some great tips that I think about every time I play."
From Bill Spangler: “I had my first date with Marcia…. My mother drove us…..amazing isn’t it…..gosh, some memories you bring back…..again!!”
Marcia was laid to rest in a private family service. Her honorary pallbearers were her sons and grandsons.
Marcia was very active at Lamar, having been on the Lancer staff (including as Advertising Manager) and in Choralettes, Lamar-O-Liers, Future Teachers of America, Quill and Scroll, Kachina, and Mirabeau, as well as having been an Office Assistant. The obituary is silent on Marcia's post-Lamar trajectory (college, work experience, etc.), so it would be especially helpful if you could share with your Lamar '58 classmates any memories you have of Marcia by sending them to rjhabq@gmail.comfor inclusion in Marcia's In Memoriam entry and in the November update. Sally gets us started by reporting that "I last spoke with (Marcia) about three years ago. She was an accomplished golfer and when I retired and took up golf...she gave me some great tips that I think about every time I play."
From Bill Spangler: “I had my first date with Marcia…. My mother drove us…..amazing isn’t it…..gosh, some memories you bring back…..again!!”
Marcia was laid to rest in a private family service. Her honorary pallbearers were her sons and grandsons.
Albert (Al) Edward Sheppard Jr. passed away November 18, 2008 in Houston.
Mike Bettis recalls that "at Lamar we nicknamed Albert 'Chip' and 'Chipper'."
Obituary information from classmate and The Houston Chronicle (no longer online). Additional information at Legacy.com.
Patrick Sherrill Deceased October 4, 1982 in Nassau Bay, TX. Last residence Kemah, TX. (Texas Death Certificates)
Harold (Harry) Richard Shipp (Lamar '58) passed away June 4, 2015 in La Grange, TX. (Very minimal obituary and guestbook at http://www.lagrangefunerals.com/sitemaker/memsol.cgi?page=services&user_id=1604464 .) We have very little information about Harry's life at or after Lamar; he appears on the May '58 graduation program and in the Houston ISD official list of 1958 graduates of Lamar, but there is no entry for him in the '58 Orenda. That would seem to indicate that he transferred to Lamar in our senior year after the deadline for Orenda copy had passed. Mylife.com does say that he attended the University of Texas – Austin 1958-59. If you have memories of Harry to share with the class, please send them to rjhabq@gmail.com for inclusion in his In Memoriam entry.
Rush Warren reports that "Richard was a friend since we were in middle school. I am grieved that we lost track after he moved away from the Clear Lake/Friendswood area. I always enjoyed his sense of humor. The last time I saw him was at our wedding October of 1990
Robert Henry Sick Died September 15, 2015 in Thornton, CO (Obituary on Olinger-Highland Mortuary website.) Bob swam for Lamar's team. We haven't been able to find any information as to his post-Lamar education and career trajectories. However, Eleanor Powers Beebe remembers that “Bob Sick was a very witty and friendly young man who kept us all entertained in Mrs. Perry’s algebra class and also at lunch on the front lawn. He drove a distinctive ’49 Dodge or Plymouth businessman’s coupe. For years, the reunion committees tried to find an updated address for him but we never could. I’m sorry to hear of his passing and the two-line obituary"
James E. (Jimbo) Simmons passed away January 31, 2011 in Lubbock, Texas. Jimbo pastored Clear Lake Presbyterian Church from 1969 to 1974, where he influenced his congregation and his youth group.
Obituary information from Resthaven Funeral Home & Cemetery.
Mike Hill writes: "So sad to hear of Jimbo's passing. Jumbo and I came to know each other in high school and at First Methodist Church. We ran around together during those years, then went on to The University of Texas where we were fraternity brothers in Delta Tau Delta as well as working together as table waiters at the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority house for 4 years. He met Annie Wyatt there and I also met my first wife there; both of us married these girls and we were in each other’s wedding. We stayed close friends after while I went to the Navy and he went into the Presbyterian Ministry and afterwards when he was in the Houston area and Clear Lake as a preacher. I lost touch with him when he moved to Dallas and on to Lubbock. We shared the love of music and a spiritual side most folks do not know about me. We long discussed "organized" religion and shared many late nights playing guitar and piano, singing our favorites. He was a key part of my early life and although I lost him 30 years ago, I miss him still!"
Ann Lipscomb Witt writes: "Jimbo, Betty Knauth and I were in a trio for a while (our career was short) and Jimbo was so sweet and so much fun to be around. Liz Sherar Gammon adds After you(Richard Harris)sent out that information about Jimbo Simmons, I was thinking about him, and although I was in the mid-term class (i.e., shared few classes with him), I remember that he was just so likeable. It was interesting that he was voted most handsome but I don't remember that at all..... what I do remember is that he was always kind, respectful, interested, fun and sweet. He was a good friend to everyone.I n reading the Obit. I saw coincidences in our lives. (1) I worked for the Presbyterian Seminary Library in Austin 1961 & '62, but never met Jimbo there, the timing probably didn't coincide, too bad that we didn't cross paths. 2) Jimbo was a "man of the cloth", and Sam and I have been longtime Lay Eucharistic Ministers. 3) Sam and I have enjoyed backpacking or hiking in the Rockies, the Sierra Nevada and the Tetons, etc., since the 70's, and one of our most memorable moments was on top of Long's Peak, and a vivid memory of running through a boulder field (huge boulders), attempting to escape an unexpected, dangerous sleet and lightening storm on Long's Peak in 1974. (All the while trying to keep from spraining our ankles or stumbling and knocking out teeth). Let's raise a glass to Jimbo!"
Richard Braun Sivley died in February of 1988 in New York City, New York.
Alice Deanna Smallwood (Reaves) passed away June 14, 2004 in Houston Texas. Alice was a native Houstonian (September 13, 1940). At Lamar Alice was active in Lancer, Red Cross, Choralettes, CSU, and Future Teachers of America. A funeral service and interment in Memorial Oaks Cemetery took place June 18, 2004.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online.)
Conrad Michael Smith died of Alzheimer's in 2012 (July 26, according to the Social Security Death Index). No obituary, but Conrad's widow, Lamar '59 overlapping-classmate Kathy MacMahon Smith, has supplied a lot of information about Conrad's career as an engineer, while John Phillips (who counted Conrad and Bill Williams among his running buddies) has shared tales of Conrad at Lamar.
At Lamar Conrad was a member of Irari and participated (along with Bill Williams and John Phillips) in Band. He was also one of the Class of 1958's 21 National Merit Semifinalists – not surprising, given Kathy's report that his IQ was measured at 186.
All of Conrad's academic degrees, including his PhD in Mechanical Engineering, were earned at Rice University. His engineering career included working for four different companies, as well as owning his own business and doing freelance consulting on engineering projects. He was very active in ASME (the American Society of Mechanical Engineers), including serving as head of the Petroleum Division and President of the 5,000-engineer Southwest Section. He was active as well in the American Petroleum Institute, where he and Kathy conducted professional-development seminars for practicing engineers, with the proceeds going to fund scholarships. He also served for two years in the U.S. Navy, mostly on the USS Guadalupe, and four years in the Naval Reserves. His hobbies were woodworking and shop, to the great benefit of their home in Briargrove Park (out Westheimer, past Gessner).
John Phillips related to me a tale of an escapade at Lamar involving Conrad and Bill Williams (whose deaths are reported elsewhere in this In Memoriam section), as well as overlapping-classmate Jim Vick (Lamar '59; deceased 2002). Here's my condensed re-telling: At Lamar John, Bill Williams, Conrad Smith, and Jim Vick were running buddies. One Friday night Ruth Denny was putting on a drama (“Pajama Game”) at Lamar. The four buddies decided to attend, bringing along their pajamas. John picked up Bill first, then Conrad. As they headed towards Jim's house, Conrad said “Pull into this U-Totem. I know this guy. He'll give us a 6-pack for $5.” Then on to Jim's, accompanied by the 6-pack. Jim lived near what was then the dead-end of Richmond, a couple of blocks west of Kirby. In one of Jim's neighbors' yard they saw a Radio Flyer wagon, which they “borrowed” and tied behind John's car. John got in the wagon, six-pack between his legs, and they headed on to Lamar at a rather low speed with the Radio Flyer and John bumping and careening behind (John advises that you NOT try this yourself; the Radio Flyer's cornering and stability are atrocious at anything near street speed.). As they pulled into the gated parking lot on the west side of Lamar, they were stopped by the police, who confiscated the beer and told the four buddies to see then-Principal (J. Herbert) Wright, who was standing at the entrance to the auditorium. Mr. Wright told the boys to report Monday morning to Assistant Principal K. Lamar Camp's office, which they did, fully expecting that at least suspensions would be the result of that meeting. However, on Sunday afternoon Mr. Camp died of a heart attack, so on Monday morning the school was in mourning, and no one was in Mr. Camp's office to take their report (confession?). Eventually Lee Keding walked in. (Mr. Keding knew John very well, as John's two sisters were in Choralettes.) He looked at John and asked, “What are you doing here?”, to which John replied (perhaps not entirely accurately) “I do not know”. Mr. Keding then told them “Well, get to class, and don't let me see you in here ever again”, and nothing more ever came of the incident. (John's recollection is that no Radio Flyer wagons were harmed in execution of the prank.)
From Phil SantaMaria: “Just to know about Conrad Smith's life means so much. I always regarded him as one of our class geniuses. We were privileged to go to school there.”
At Lamar Conrad was a member of Irari and participated (along with Bill Williams and John Phillips) in Band. He was also one of the Class of 1958's 21 National Merit Semifinalists – not surprising, given Kathy's report that his IQ was measured at 186.
All of Conrad's academic degrees, including his PhD in Mechanical Engineering, were earned at Rice University. His engineering career included working for four different companies, as well as owning his own business and doing freelance consulting on engineering projects. He was very active in ASME (the American Society of Mechanical Engineers), including serving as head of the Petroleum Division and President of the 5,000-engineer Southwest Section. He was active as well in the American Petroleum Institute, where he and Kathy conducted professional-development seminars for practicing engineers, with the proceeds going to fund scholarships. He also served for two years in the U.S. Navy, mostly on the USS Guadalupe, and four years in the Naval Reserves. His hobbies were woodworking and shop, to the great benefit of their home in Briargrove Park (out Westheimer, past Gessner).
John Phillips related to me a tale of an escapade at Lamar involving Conrad and Bill Williams (whose deaths are reported elsewhere in this In Memoriam section), as well as overlapping-classmate Jim Vick (Lamar '59; deceased 2002). Here's my condensed re-telling: At Lamar John, Bill Williams, Conrad Smith, and Jim Vick were running buddies. One Friday night Ruth Denny was putting on a drama (“Pajama Game”) at Lamar. The four buddies decided to attend, bringing along their pajamas. John picked up Bill first, then Conrad. As they headed towards Jim's house, Conrad said “Pull into this U-Totem. I know this guy. He'll give us a 6-pack for $5.” Then on to Jim's, accompanied by the 6-pack. Jim lived near what was then the dead-end of Richmond, a couple of blocks west of Kirby. In one of Jim's neighbors' yard they saw a Radio Flyer wagon, which they “borrowed” and tied behind John's car. John got in the wagon, six-pack between his legs, and they headed on to Lamar at a rather low speed with the Radio Flyer and John bumping and careening behind (John advises that you NOT try this yourself; the Radio Flyer's cornering and stability are atrocious at anything near street speed.). As they pulled into the gated parking lot on the west side of Lamar, they were stopped by the police, who confiscated the beer and told the four buddies to see then-Principal (J. Herbert) Wright, who was standing at the entrance to the auditorium. Mr. Wright told the boys to report Monday morning to Assistant Principal K. Lamar Camp's office, which they did, fully expecting that at least suspensions would be the result of that meeting. However, on Sunday afternoon Mr. Camp died of a heart attack, so on Monday morning the school was in mourning, and no one was in Mr. Camp's office to take their report (confession?). Eventually Lee Keding walked in. (Mr. Keding knew John very well, as John's two sisters were in Choralettes.) He looked at John and asked, “What are you doing here?”, to which John replied (perhaps not entirely accurately) “I do not know”. Mr. Keding then told them “Well, get to class, and don't let me see you in here ever again”, and nothing more ever came of the incident. (John's recollection is that no Radio Flyer wagons were harmed in execution of the prank.)
From Phil SantaMaria: “Just to know about Conrad Smith's life means so much. I always regarded him as one of our class geniuses. We were privileged to go to school there.”
Barbara Snell Burum passed away Wednesday, June 7, 2017. As her Chronicle obituary announced: "Friends and family [honored] Barbara's memory Saturday, June 10th, at 10 am, in the Chapel at Holly Hall Retirement Community [in] Houston" (Barbara's husband, John Gates Burum, also Lamar '58, died in 2011.)
At Lamar, Barbara was on the staff of the Lancer as well as being on the bowling team and participating in Rodeo Club and CSU. In addition to working for the Texas Department of Agriculture while Johnny was studying engineering at UT and then focusing on raising their four children, Barbara later worked at a bookstore and at the Harris County Psychiatric Center. She was also, the author of the obituary attests, a dominant hearts player.
At Lamar, Barbara was on the staff of the Lancer as well as being on the bowling team and participating in Rodeo Club and CSU. In addition to working for the Texas Department of Agriculture while Johnny was studying engineering at UT and then focusing on raising their four children, Barbara later worked at a bookstore and at the Harris County Psychiatric Center. She was also, the author of the obituary attests, a dominant hearts player.
Lucy Snyder Hanley passed away March 5, 2017 “due to complications following a stroke she had one month ago” (Matt and Julie Tupen). At Lamar Lucy was a Library Assistant and a Lancer Representative and participated in Tawasi, Wowapi, Kachina, and the Texas Junior Historical Society.
Lollie Guthrie Layton relates that "I should use blue [ink], because I am upon hearing your news about Lucy Snyder’s stroke and subsequent demise!!! Her Mom had a stroke that ended her life as well .... (Her Mom was a teacher who taught science at Pershing, my first acquaintance with the Snyders, but it was Lucy I spent the most time with, and who truly was my best pal!!!)
Lucy bought a new ’57 black Ford, and would stop by to pick me up for going here and there, whether we were a daring duo, or other friends joined us. We used to smoke en route to school (or perhaps to Jr. Achievement), which at the time we knew was risque but part of growing up.
Jr. Achievement was a wonderful way for Lucy and me to learn about business. Our group came from schools all over Houston, and we made a useful, hand-manufactured product - bottle/cup caddies, and then sold them door-to-door, $.50 apiece. We had a thriving business indeed, enjoying our new friends and making money for the company. Part of our success came from Lucy’s talents to manage a company so well!
After graduation, we stayed in touch. She moved to the Seattle area and I was in Boulder, CO. The last time I saw her, she was driving back to TX for a visit, and stopped in to meet my husband & see my new son. From there we stayed in touch infrequently with emails - she told me of her marriage, her family’s move to CA, her marvelous trips abroad, her very talented children, and her many activities in gardening, cooking, CA politics, and so much more. She is a friend of my youth, and I will always miss her more than I can say!!!"
Another classmate relates that "Lucy and I were in Tawasi and Kachina at Lamar and after graduating, we wound up moving together to San Francisco, California in 1960. We were roommates for three years, working and enjoying camping, traveling, and other activities together. After we each got married, we eventually wound up living not far from each other in Southern California from 1974 onward and remained close friends, often getting together with each other and our families. Lucy was creative, well-organized, a great cook and gardener, loved animals and birds, and devoted much of her time to helping her favorite organizations. She was great at entertaining, had a wonderful sense of humor, and above all loved her family. We enjoyed attending our Lamar Class of ’58 reunion together."
~ Virginia Secor Shabaik, classmate, Lamar Class ‘58
As an obituary for Lucy in the Ventura County [CA] Star relates, Lucy “moved to Westlake Village in 1974 and for the next 40 years … dedicated her talents towards many community organizations such as United Methodist Church, National Charity League, Republican Women's club and Westlake Village Garden Club among many others.” A memorial service for Lucy was held March 25 at the United Methodist Church in Westlake Village, CA.
Lollie Guthrie Layton relates that "I should use blue [ink], because I am upon hearing your news about Lucy Snyder’s stroke and subsequent demise!!! Her Mom had a stroke that ended her life as well .... (Her Mom was a teacher who taught science at Pershing, my first acquaintance with the Snyders, but it was Lucy I spent the most time with, and who truly was my best pal!!!)
Lucy bought a new ’57 black Ford, and would stop by to pick me up for going here and there, whether we were a daring duo, or other friends joined us. We used to smoke en route to school (or perhaps to Jr. Achievement), which at the time we knew was risque but part of growing up.
Jr. Achievement was a wonderful way for Lucy and me to learn about business. Our group came from schools all over Houston, and we made a useful, hand-manufactured product - bottle/cup caddies, and then sold them door-to-door, $.50 apiece. We had a thriving business indeed, enjoying our new friends and making money for the company. Part of our success came from Lucy’s talents to manage a company so well!
After graduation, we stayed in touch. She moved to the Seattle area and I was in Boulder, CO. The last time I saw her, she was driving back to TX for a visit, and stopped in to meet my husband & see my new son. From there we stayed in touch infrequently with emails - she told me of her marriage, her family’s move to CA, her marvelous trips abroad, her very talented children, and her many activities in gardening, cooking, CA politics, and so much more. She is a friend of my youth, and I will always miss her more than I can say!!!"
Another classmate relates that "Lucy and I were in Tawasi and Kachina at Lamar and after graduating, we wound up moving together to San Francisco, California in 1960. We were roommates for three years, working and enjoying camping, traveling, and other activities together. After we each got married, we eventually wound up living not far from each other in Southern California from 1974 onward and remained close friends, often getting together with each other and our families. Lucy was creative, well-organized, a great cook and gardener, loved animals and birds, and devoted much of her time to helping her favorite organizations. She was great at entertaining, had a wonderful sense of humor, and above all loved her family. We enjoyed attending our Lamar Class of ’58 reunion together."
~ Virginia Secor Shabaik, classmate, Lamar Class ‘58
As an obituary for Lucy in the Ventura County [CA] Star relates, Lucy “moved to Westlake Village in 1974 and for the next 40 years … dedicated her talents towards many community organizations such as United Methodist Church, National Charity League, Republican Women's club and Westlake Village Garden Club among many others.” A memorial service for Lucy was held March 25 at the United Methodist Church in Westlake Village, CA.
Ted Molhusen Sparks Died 23 May 2015 (Longview News-Journal obituary)
As the obituary points out, Ted was a US Navy veteran and subsequently with the US PostalService through 2000. A memorial service was held in Longview May 29.
As the obituary points out, Ted was a US Navy veteran and subsequently with the US PostalService through 2000. A memorial service was held in Longview May 29.
Thomas Jeffrey Stevens, M.D. (“Jeff” at Lamar) passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2008.
He was a resident of and maintained a psychiatry practice in Coeur D Alene, Idaho at the time of his death. Indeed, Jeff still appears in online listings of (supposedly current) physicians in Idaho, though the links to appointment requests lead nowhere. (Very brief obituary and memory book at http://idobits.tributes.com/condolences/leave_memory/82949508#obituary .)
At Lamar Jeff was a letterman in Tennis. Any information on and/or memories of our classmate (e.g., where did he attend college, get his M.D., do his residency?) would be greatly appreciated.
Susan Stubbs passed away September 23, 2012. A memorial service was held last Friday, September 28. To quote from the obituary, "As a student at Lamar High School, Susan was active in Ruth Denney's theatrical productions and was also an apprentice at the Alley Theatre. She remained a devotee of the theatre throughout her life. Her first teaching position was as the drama teacher at Furr High School. After teaching for five years, Susan embarked on a new challenge in her career by accepting a position as a curriculum consultant in the Houston Independent School District's central office. She rose quickly through the ranks to become the executive assistant to two superintendents."
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle.
Charles Summers passed away July 5, 2009 at Methodist Hospital due to a recurrence of endocarditis, and while awaiting further evaluation for surgical replacement of the prosthetic valves he received last November. His brother Jesse reposts, "I was with him when he died and can tell you that he was peaceful and he did not suffer." There was an informal service for him at the Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in Bay City, Texas on July 11, 2009.
Obituary information from brother Jesse Summers.
He was a resident of and maintained a psychiatry practice in Coeur D Alene, Idaho at the time of his death. Indeed, Jeff still appears in online listings of (supposedly current) physicians in Idaho, though the links to appointment requests lead nowhere. (Very brief obituary and memory book at http://idobits.tributes.com/condolences/leave_memory/82949508#obituary .)
At Lamar Jeff was a letterman in Tennis. Any information on and/or memories of our classmate (e.g., where did he attend college, get his M.D., do his residency?) would be greatly appreciated.
Susan Stubbs passed away September 23, 2012. A memorial service was held last Friday, September 28. To quote from the obituary, "As a student at Lamar High School, Susan was active in Ruth Denney's theatrical productions and was also an apprentice at the Alley Theatre. She remained a devotee of the theatre throughout her life. Her first teaching position was as the drama teacher at Furr High School. After teaching for five years, Susan embarked on a new challenge in her career by accepting a position as a curriculum consultant in the Houston Independent School District's central office. She rose quickly through the ranks to become the executive assistant to two superintendents."
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle.
Charles Summers passed away July 5, 2009 at Methodist Hospital due to a recurrence of endocarditis, and while awaiting further evaluation for surgical replacement of the prosthetic valves he received last November. His brother Jesse reposts, "I was with him when he died and can tell you that he was peaceful and he did not suffer." There was an informal service for him at the Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in Bay City, Texas on July 11, 2009.
Obituary information from brother Jesse Summers.
Elizabeth (Betty) Taylor Frantzeskaki Died 24 November 2002 (brain tumor). (Classmate report and Social Security Death Index)
'58 classmate Kenneth Wayne Thelander died July 28, 2015 in Houston (http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?pid=175440960 ). Kenneth was a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne and after leaving the military earned his J.D. at the South Texas College of Law (now the Houston COL) preparatory to an over 50-year career as an attorney in Houston. I haven't found any record of his having graduated from Lamar, but as of fall semester 1957 he was on track for a summer '58 graduation.
Marcus Thomas died 3/1/2019 in Oaxaca, Mexico. (Step-daughter Ann Nehto.)
Marc was a junior at Lamar in the fall of 1956 and was thus on track to graduate sometime in 1958. (I only noticed this a few months before his death, having concentrated before then on classmates who were listed in the 1958 Orenda -- the Lamar yearbook.) Marc explained that he believes he graduated in 1959, "probably from Lamar but maybe Bellaire" and that he enlisted in the Marines right out of high school. His step-daughter Ann adds that "Marc was an amazing man. He died on 3-2-19, in Oaxaca, Mexico where he and my mother lived for the past 1.5 years and had spent the previous 5 years living a few months out of each year. Marc was cremated immediately. I am working on an ‘obituary‘ to share with several of the organizations to which he belonged and volunteered, taught and studied. i don’t have a timeline, but it will be forthcoming and I’d be honored to have you share it with your list."
Linda S. Tixier of Pembroke Pines, Florida passed away August 13, 1999.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online.)
Patricia Ann Todd Deceased (40th Reunion List)
Betty Lou Tomlinson Suman Passed away Friday May 30, 2014 in Houston. (Classmates and Chronicle obituary.)
Micaela Torres Kane died October 25, 2005. Her last residence was in Webster, Texas.
Joan Turpin Deceased (40th Reunion List)
'58 classmate Kenneth Wayne Thelander died July 28, 2015 in Houston (http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?pid=175440960 ). Kenneth was a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne and after leaving the military earned his J.D. at the South Texas College of Law (now the Houston COL) preparatory to an over 50-year career as an attorney in Houston. I haven't found any record of his having graduated from Lamar, but as of fall semester 1957 he was on track for a summer '58 graduation.
Marcus Thomas died 3/1/2019 in Oaxaca, Mexico. (Step-daughter Ann Nehto.)
Marc was a junior at Lamar in the fall of 1956 and was thus on track to graduate sometime in 1958. (I only noticed this a few months before his death, having concentrated before then on classmates who were listed in the 1958 Orenda -- the Lamar yearbook.) Marc explained that he believes he graduated in 1959, "probably from Lamar but maybe Bellaire" and that he enlisted in the Marines right out of high school. His step-daughter Ann adds that "Marc was an amazing man. He died on 3-2-19, in Oaxaca, Mexico where he and my mother lived for the past 1.5 years and had spent the previous 5 years living a few months out of each year. Marc was cremated immediately. I am working on an ‘obituary‘ to share with several of the organizations to which he belonged and volunteered, taught and studied. i don’t have a timeline, but it will be forthcoming and I’d be honored to have you share it with your list."
Linda S. Tixier of Pembroke Pines, Florida passed away August 13, 1999.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online.)
Patricia Ann Todd Deceased (40th Reunion List)
Betty Lou Tomlinson Suman Passed away Friday May 30, 2014 in Houston. (Classmates and Chronicle obituary.)
Micaela Torres Kane died October 25, 2005. Her last residence was in Webster, Texas.
Joan Turpin Deceased (40th Reunion List)
Ann Josephine VanDemark Willenborg died January 24, 2015 in Columbus, TX. (Obituary and guestbook at http://www.hennekefuneralhome.com/services.asp?locid=1&page=odetail&id=650#.WlPeHjdG1PY .) At Lamar Ann was active in Tawasi, Choralettes, and Christian Student Union.
The year after her Lamar commencement she married Philip Willenborg of Columbus. Besides raising a family, Ann was for 22 years a partner in Calico Hens Gift Shop in Columbus. A memorial service was held for her in Columbus Saturday, February 7, 2015.
The year after her Lamar commencement she married Philip Willenborg of Columbus. Besides raising a family, Ann was for 22 years a partner in Calico Hens Gift Shop in Columbus. A memorial service was held for her in Columbus Saturday, February 7, 2015.
Simeon Monroe Wade, Jr. ("Sim" at Lamar) "died at home in Oxnard, California on October 3, 2017, from a myocardial infarction. He was 77.
Born July 22, 1940 in Enterprise, Alabama, Wade attended public schools in New Orleans and Houston (Lamar Class of 1958) and graduated from the College of William and Mary with a B.A. in History in 1962. Wade then attended Harvard University on a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, earning his Ph.D. in the intellectual history of Western civilization in 1968. Wade taught at Harvard from 1968-1972. During this time, Simeon’s relationships included Miss Alabama 1962 Pat Bonner, French intellectual Danielle Bohler, and French actress Catherine See. Simeon assumed an assistant professorship at Claremont Graduate School in 1972 where he taught through 1977. He fell in love with pianist Michael Stoneman in 1974.
Simeon also taught history and art history at California State University Northridge, 1978-1980, and at Otis College of Art and Design, 1982-1998, and taught the history of medicine at Samra Acupuncture School, all in the Los Angeles area. Simeon and Stoneman operated Circa Gallery in Northridge, California (a suburb of Los Angeles) in the early 1980s. Voluminous correspondence demonstrates the lifelong impact Simeon had on his students both graduate and undergraduate. Letters from his high school comrade Larry Moore and his fellow grad students at Harvard demonstrate a similar impact on them. Stoneman preceded Simeon in death in 1998.
In 1985, Simeon obtained his nursing license and worked full time as a psychiatric R.N. at USC Los Angeles County Hospital and psychiatric R.N. supervisor at Ventura County Hospital from which he retired in 1994. At USC Hospital, Simeon was Director of Clinical Education. At Ventura, Simeon undertook the first computerization of the psychiatric unit’s records. Simeon treated his patients the same way he treated his students – with dignity, constant instruction, and encouragement.
In all of his university and nursing positions, Simeon emphasized the teachings of French philosopher Michel Foucault. The peak of Simeon career came in 1975 when he and Michael Stoneman spent three days with Foucault at Claremont and in Death Valley, an experience Foucault called one of the most important of his life. Foucault also documented the significant impact Simeon had on Foucault’s thinking, thus altering the course of continental philosophy to this day. Foucault visited Circa Gallery in 1981 and Simeon and Foucault corresponded until Foucault’s death in 1984.
After retiring, Simeon concentrated on playing his Steinway grand piano, learning all the Preludes, Etudes and Nocturnes of Chopin. Until about the age of 72, Simeon swam laps in the Pacific Ocean. And he continued to read voraciously until he died.
Next Spring, Heyday Books in Berkeley will publish Simeon’s book Foucault in California. Simeon’s papers will be preserved at the ONE Archives at the University of Southern California.
Besides his siblings [Wyatt, Lamar class of 1964; David, Lamar '69, and Susan, Lamar '73], Simeon is survived by his 101 year old Mother Ruth Wade and his constant companion Mike Mahurin." (Obituary penned by David Simeon.)
As Sim's senior Orenda entry indicates, he was very active at Lamar: National Honor Society, Student Council, May Fete, Quill and Scroll, Mixed Chorus, CSU, and as Business Manager of the Orenda. Larry Moore (who was the first classmate to notice the New York Times obituary) comments that "Sim was special and conflicted. There is a long story that includes French philosopher Michel Foucault, and a simple story that he was the funniest person in our class. He was my companion on my first trip to Europe and the first person I saw do the Twist." And David Redford recalls that he and Sim arrived together as newbies at West University Elementary in sixth grade.
Sandra Hancock Martin adds that
“I was very sad to read about Sim Wade's death, and glad that you did find him several years ago. Sim was brilliant. Mrs. Ford used to ask, 'And what do you think about that, Old Sim?'. I knew Sim from Second Baptist as well as Lamar and William and Mary. He was one of three boys and a little sister, who was special before there were any classes for special education. I remember him as always being kind and as a gentleman. He was definitely not 'out' at Wm and Mary and dated a female friend of mine.
The revelations in the book about Michel Foucault were certainly not the Sim I knew in Baptist Sunday School nor as president of the college Student Religious Union. However, in a later published interview just before his death I did see that his spiritual side was still very much there.
Sim never came to a Lamar or a William and Mary reunion that I remember, though, like several of our classmates whom we never see again, we would have loved to have seen him.” From David Wade, Sim's brother:
In the Summer issue of Artforum magazine there is a spread on “What is Enlightenment” led off by one of Simeon’s photos of Foucault and Michael Stoneman at Zabriskie Point in Death Valley – see the Contents page and page 196. Several other publications in Germany, Korea and France have featured or will feature other Simeon photos of Foucault in Death Valley.
Simeon’s book Foucault in California is currently set for publication in Spring 2019. And German artist Olaf Nicolai is including Simeon’s chapbook Chez Foucault in his exhibit July through November 2018 in the Kuntsmuseum St. Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland, alongside Antonioni’s movie Zabriskie Point.
Finally, Simeon’s papers, including the 8 revealing letters from Foucault that my spouse Nancy found in Simeon’s Rubix Cube storage units, are being delivered to the ONE Archives [cf. Www.onearchives.org] at USC this summer.”
Sandra Hancock Martin adds that “Our Wm and Mary magazine came today [May 15]. I had informed them of Sim's death and had sent the Times obit. They found out more information; I don't know from whom, [including that] he held a doctorate from Harvard University. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate and Merit Scholar of W&M, he was President of the Baptist Student Union, Chaplain for Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and a member of “Seminar,” the Dorm Council, Phi Alpha Theta history honorary, the Philosophy Club, the Student Religious Council and W&M Choir. Survivors include his mother, a sister, two brothers, a niece, a nephew and his companion, Michael Mahurin.”
Perry Leroy Walker passed away December 25, 2006 in Mount Belvieu (near LaPorte), Texas.
Obituary information from the Social Security Death Index. (Registration necessary to view online.)
John Clayton Walling died peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, October 24, 2010
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle.
D. Ann Watts (Hinkle) died July 1991 of pancreatic cancer. While D. Ann spent most of her school days with the Lamar Class of 1958, she went to summer school and graduated with the Class of 1957.
Information from husband Keith (Kit) Hinkle, Lamar 1958 graduate.
Ernest Preston Webb passed away March 29, 2011, as reported by his widow Kathleen on the 55th Reunion RSVP form.
Obituary and guest book are available at the Houston Chronicle.
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Robert Adams (Bob) Wallace, Jr. died Tuesday, May 14, 2019. (One-sentence obituary and Memories/Condolences at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/dallas-tx/robert-wallace-jr-8713077.) Bob had made an effort to stay in touch with the class; just a few months before his death he notified us of his change of address to Raeford Drive in Dallas.
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At Lamar Bob was a member of Irari and a B Team track letterman. As detailed in his obituary, Bob attended SMU and the University of Houston, obtaining his BA in 1962, and then obtained his law degree from the UH Law Center. Bob was an attorney for Getty Oil, the Louisiana Land and Exploration Company, and Hunt Oil, primarily serving as an international petroleum attorney. He also was active in many civic, charitable, and church organizations.
Tom Dyke remembers that "Bob and I ran track together. He was a gentle and genuinely good guy! Hard to find ‘em like Bob…” And Joe Keathley adds “Sorry to hear. We shared many fun times while at Lamar.”
Rita Rice reports that "My family lived down the street from the Wallace’s. Bobby and I entered 5th Grade in the brand new Will Rogers Elementary School. We (along with a large group of neighborhood friends) enjoyed many hours of exploring the undeveloped Pin Oak Stables property, playing endless games of Capture the Flag, Hide ‘n Go Seek, sand lot football and baseball. For several years, I took piano lessons from Bobby’s sweet mom. We attended dance classes at Miss Fantham’s Dance School then went together to most of the dances in 6th and 7th grades. I vividly remember the corsages his mother made for each occasion (dyed carnations). He was always a “good guy” and I remember him fondly."
A memorial service for Bob was held Tuesday, May 21 at St Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas.
Tom Dyke remembers that "Bob and I ran track together. He was a gentle and genuinely good guy! Hard to find ‘em like Bob…” And Joe Keathley adds “Sorry to hear. We shared many fun times while at Lamar.”
Rita Rice reports that "My family lived down the street from the Wallace’s. Bobby and I entered 5th Grade in the brand new Will Rogers Elementary School. We (along with a large group of neighborhood friends) enjoyed many hours of exploring the undeveloped Pin Oak Stables property, playing endless games of Capture the Flag, Hide ‘n Go Seek, sand lot football and baseball. For several years, I took piano lessons from Bobby’s sweet mom. We attended dance classes at Miss Fantham’s Dance School then went together to most of the dances in 6th and 7th grades. I vividly remember the corsages his mother made for each occasion (dyed carnations). He was always a “good guy” and I remember him fondly."
A memorial service for Bob was held Tuesday, May 21 at St Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas.
Mark White, classmate and former governor of Texas passed away Saturday, August 5, 2017 of a heart attack. The Houston Chronicle obituary for Mark is of course just one of many forms and instances of media coverage of Mark's passing -- e.g., this Newsweek article and this piece by Taylor Goldenstein of the Austin American-Statesman. Most of this media coverage focuses on the period from Mark's entry into politics through his post-governorship continuing involvement in educational reform. The memories of Mark contributed by his Lamar '58 classmates provide a broader picture:
David Beale writes: Here are some of my fond memories of Mark which could be put wherever reminiscences are going to be posted if appropriate.
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Mark's death Saturday. Just Friday I had mentioned to friends up here in Oregon that Mark was the most accomplished or famous of our very large class at Lamar. I considered him a friend.
In high school Mark played basketball and hung out with some of us basketball players. Back then there was a Southwest Conference pre-season basketball tournament, in which every team played three games, so there was even a game to decide 7th and 8th places, and a group of us, including Mark, would watch every game. Baylor had a flashy red-headed guard named Charley Pack who looked just like Mark, and we took to calling Mark "Charley Pack," and he took the kidding good-naturedly, as he always did.
A group of us also had a regular poker game. Mark did not play poker, but sat in once or twice. If you don't fully understand the rules of the game, you tend to lose, and Mark did, and we kidded him about that, too, for the next 50 years or so. Mark got his revenge when at one of the recent Lamar reunions we had a reunion poker game, and Mark won.
I suppose that during high school Mark was in my house maybe twice and met my parents briefly, and never after high school. Some 25 or 30 years later my father was in a men's clothing store in The Village, a place he rarely visited, and there was Mark. My father said hello and Mark, without missing a beat, said "Hello Mr. Beale." He barely knew my father, had not seen him in 25 years, was seeing him in an unfamiliar place, yet still instantly recognized him. Amazing. My father was very flattered to be recognized by a governor of Texas.
Mark's recognizing my father may be a result of his paying attention to others, being empathetic. He cared about others and their problems and tried to solve them. He was self-effacing, considerate, balanced, effective and a "the buck stops here" Governor. He was the anti-Trump.
From Mike Bettis: Sorry to hear about Mark. We had been friends since 11 years old.
From Charlie Church: So sorry, We have lost another good guy and always a Redskin. God Bless.
From Gus Comiskey: What a great guy!
David Beale writes: Here are some of my fond memories of Mark which could be put wherever reminiscences are going to be posted if appropriate.
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Mark's death Saturday. Just Friday I had mentioned to friends up here in Oregon that Mark was the most accomplished or famous of our very large class at Lamar. I considered him a friend.
In high school Mark played basketball and hung out with some of us basketball players. Back then there was a Southwest Conference pre-season basketball tournament, in which every team played three games, so there was even a game to decide 7th and 8th places, and a group of us, including Mark, would watch every game. Baylor had a flashy red-headed guard named Charley Pack who looked just like Mark, and we took to calling Mark "Charley Pack," and he took the kidding good-naturedly, as he always did.
A group of us also had a regular poker game. Mark did not play poker, but sat in once or twice. If you don't fully understand the rules of the game, you tend to lose, and Mark did, and we kidded him about that, too, for the next 50 years or so. Mark got his revenge when at one of the recent Lamar reunions we had a reunion poker game, and Mark won.
I suppose that during high school Mark was in my house maybe twice and met my parents briefly, and never after high school. Some 25 or 30 years later my father was in a men's clothing store in The Village, a place he rarely visited, and there was Mark. My father said hello and Mark, without missing a beat, said "Hello Mr. Beale." He barely knew my father, had not seen him in 25 years, was seeing him in an unfamiliar place, yet still instantly recognized him. Amazing. My father was very flattered to be recognized by a governor of Texas.
Mark's recognizing my father may be a result of his paying attention to others, being empathetic. He cared about others and their problems and tried to solve them. He was self-effacing, considerate, balanced, effective and a "the buck stops here" Governor. He was the anti-Trump.
From Mike Bettis: Sorry to hear about Mark. We had been friends since 11 years old.
From Charlie Church: So sorry, We have lost another good guy and always a Redskin. God Bless.
From Gus Comiskey: What a great guy!
Mary Kay McFarland Gaedcke writes that Mark's passing was "Such a shock, ran into him at Central Market & had a nice talk, seemed as full of life as ever. He will be missed."
From Andy Horne: Mark and I never talked politics, but we shared a heartfelt respect for two people. He correctly thought that ALLEN SHIVERS was the best governor of Texas since SAM HOUSTON. JOE REYNOLDS, his one-time law partner, good friend and mentor was for me, a true hero of Texas, a WWII Marine officer called back in for Korea--the kind of guy BRIDGES OF TOKO-RI was written about. He left his family and blossoming law practice to serve his country. Texas was truly blessed for his safe return. You know a man's character by those he admired.
MARK WAS THAT KIND OF GUY. WE WILL MISS HIM.
From Andy Horne: Mark and I never talked politics, but we shared a heartfelt respect for two people. He correctly thought that ALLEN SHIVERS was the best governor of Texas since SAM HOUSTON. JOE REYNOLDS, his one-time law partner, good friend and mentor was for me, a true hero of Texas, a WWII Marine officer called back in for Korea--the kind of guy BRIDGES OF TOKO-RI was written about. He left his family and blossoming law practice to serve his country. Texas was truly blessed for his safe return. You know a man's character by those he admired.
MARK WAS THAT KIND OF GUY. WE WILL MISS HIM.
From Helen Barnes Lindbergh: I was so surprised when Mark became governor because I knew a different Mark. He was in our youth group at South Main Baptist Church, so I knew him there. And he and I often rode to bus home from school, down Westheimer, getting off at Dunlavy. He only lived two blocks down, and I lived 8 blocks down, so we walked together till he turned off. He was such a quiet boy, and he didn't every have a lot to say, though he always politely acted interested in what I said.
From Monroe Luther: Ouch! We will really miss him.
Mark was a regular guy who made it big in Texas politics and always lit up the room with his presence.
A very special person but never more so than at our Redskins lunches at Becks.
Thank you David Redford for allowing us all to have fresh memories of Mark.
Blessings
From Carole Stevens Mattingly: So sad to hear this morning of the passing of our classmate, Mark White. I, like a number of you, did not know Mark at Lamar, but got to know him and Linda Gale later.
He was the only classmate who agreed with my recall of 563 in our graduating class.
May he now have eternal rest.
Sabbath Blessings, Carole
From Barry Moore: I met Mark White the first day of Kindergarten at Wilson elementary – we were a couple of very scared kids! So glad we had overcome that by the time we got to Lanier – well by 8th grade, anyway! When Mark was governor, my parents invited him to a community event in Chappell Hill, Texas, where they lived in retirement in the 1851 Stagecoach Inn, which they had restored. Governor White arrived in the back garden in a HELICOPTER, thus conveying great prestige to Mom and Dad! He loved doing that.
Wonderful man with a humor unequalled!
From Monroe Luther: Ouch! We will really miss him.
Mark was a regular guy who made it big in Texas politics and always lit up the room with his presence.
A very special person but never more so than at our Redskins lunches at Becks.
Thank you David Redford for allowing us all to have fresh memories of Mark.
Blessings
From Carole Stevens Mattingly: So sad to hear this morning of the passing of our classmate, Mark White. I, like a number of you, did not know Mark at Lamar, but got to know him and Linda Gale later.
He was the only classmate who agreed with my recall of 563 in our graduating class.
May he now have eternal rest.
Sabbath Blessings, Carole
From Barry Moore: I met Mark White the first day of Kindergarten at Wilson elementary – we were a couple of very scared kids! So glad we had overcome that by the time we got to Lanier – well by 8th grade, anyway! When Mark was governor, my parents invited him to a community event in Chappell Hill, Texas, where they lived in retirement in the 1851 Stagecoach Inn, which they had restored. Governor White arrived in the back garden in a HELICOPTER, thus conveying great prestige to Mom and Dad! He loved doing that.
Wonderful man with a humor unequalled!
From David Redford: Mark’s death was a big blow to his many friends and I am glad I was one of them. My father grew up with LBJ. No one in Johnson City thought he would be a Senator or President. We grew up with Mark and did not picture he would be attorney general or governor. I have great respect for LBJ but I think we had a better deal than my father to have known Mark.
So how did Mark get his break and be so successful in politics? He was not really active in party politics at the attorney general’s office or when he starting working for Joe Reynolds’ law firm. As Mark like to say it would not have happened without the battle of Iwo Jima in WW II. His boss Joe Reynolds fought in that battle with another man(I cannot recall his name but lets say it is Bill Smith). Smith helping Dolph Briscoe when Briscoe was running for governor. Mark did not know Briscoe. Smith called his friend Reynolds and said “ Joe we need some help in Austin with the campaign can you loan up one of your lawyers for a few months”. Mark said he was a little bored going to school board meetings as Reynolds represented school districts. Mark agreed to go to Austin to help and worked with Smith and Briscoe. Briscoe won. When it was over Briscoe said to Mark: “Why don’t you stay in Austin at the Secretary of State’s office”. Mark says his reply was that he would rather go back to Houston rather than work for the Secretary of State. Briscoe then said “No I mean do you want to be the Secretary of State”. Mark said yes and in the next few years traveled the state making many speeches for Briscoe and perfecting his natural political skills. He then ran for attorney general and beat Price Daniels Jr who had much more name identification. In the general election he beat Jim Baker. In later years Mark and Baker agreed that this defeat was a favor to Baker since he was more than great at appointed offices in the federal government. He then went on to upset Clements.
Mark was expecting to die of cancer as he had it and was working to contain it for many years. Then on Saturday he had a heart attack and died quickly. He had no heart trouble before nor did his parents.
From Phil Santamaria: May he rest in peace.
From Kerry Shawell: Sorry to hear-we had fun with our bantering!
From John Thorngren: I remember sitting next to Mark White in a math class at Lamar. During that semester we had a long conversation, maybe two or three words. When Mark was elected Governor of Texas, I was flabbergasted as to how this very reserved, auburn-haired, freckled-face boy could ever be a politician, so much so that I wrote a Letters-to-Editors at the Dallas Morning News: published and reading something about still waters that run very deep. Not long thereafter, I learned that Mark was indeed not a politician; he was a statesman who did what he believed was best for Texas. In 2013, I asked Mark for a favor on a personal matter, and I then learned that he was also the kind of man that would help anybody when requested, even someone who ignored him in high school. I know someday that I will get to thank Mark again.
Emily George Tinsley alerts us to a tribute to Mark by three alums of his Alma Mater (at least one of whom has himself received the Founders Medal for “service and contributions [that] have been unusually significant to the life and future of Baylor”) in the form of a guest editorial in the Waco Tribune-Herald suggesting to Baylor's President and Board of Regents that leading Baylor through its current troubles with transparency and accountability “would serve as a fitting tribute to Gov. White’s legacy and his passion for Baylor and Texas”.
From Ron Woliver: Wonderful write up in the Chronicle this morning on Mark! We will miss his warm and bright personality! As Monroe said he would light up the room wherever he would be! May he Rest In Peace! Blessings
Priscilla Ann Whitehead (Nelson) died January 13, 2005.
Obituary information from the Social Security Death Index. (Registration on Ancestry.com necessary to view SSDI entry.)
From Bob Wright: "I was saddened to learn of Priscilla Whitehead, but having positive information about friends is much better than not knowing. Prissy & I had the same birthday and dated for a while."
Bill Bertner Williams passed away Monday, April 16, 2018 in Ingram, TX -- a few days before the Class of 1958's 60th Reunion. Cremation was at the Grimes Funeral Home in Kerrville. John Phillips had talked to Bill on the phone while at our 55th Reunion but had never managed an in-person visit; he was determined to see him at the 60th, but ....
At Lamar, Bill was a member of the marching band.
There was (at his request) no memorial service or obituary for Bill (whose wife Wincey died June 2016 ). However, Bill's daughter Shannon informs us that Bill's post-Lamar trajectory included stops in Bryan, then Houston, and then Ingram and careers as a professional gunsmith and owner of a unique machine shop that made specialized parts for oilfield work. He and Wincey met at Sam Houston State in Huntsville, then married on the Texas A & M campus (where Wincey had transferred) in September of 1964. Shannon says that her father's principal hobbies were reading and figuring out how to fix things. Bill suffered from c.o.p.d. (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
While there was no memorial service, a private service will be held for Bill as he is interred above Wincey in the family plot in Caldwell, about 25 miles west of College Station, once the headstones for the couple have been completed (probably in early June, 2018).
Please see (in the In Memoriam entry for Conrad Smith above) John Phillips' story of a close encounter with suspension involving both Bill and Conrad Smith, as well as himself, overlapping-classmate Jim Vick (Lamar '59; deceased 2002) and a red Radio Flyer wagon.
John Wesley Williams passed away May 9, 2004. Click here for classmates' memories.
Obituary information from the Social Security Death Index. (Registration on Ancestry.com required to view entry.)
From Kelly Martino: "I was saddened by the listing of Wes Williams. We were close friends at Lamar and in college but I lost track of him and had wondered of his whereabouts. He was one of the finest musicians I knew. And while he was given a full music scholarship to North Texas in the jazz program he chose not to use it. Majored in engineering I believe. If fact he went to Lamar, paying to go there since he was in the Austin HS district, so he could participate in the stage band and was one of the stellar musicians along with Ned Battista who became a well know jazz trumpet player and conductor of the Houston Pops Orchestra. We had a talented bunch under Eddie Trongone, a truly great teacher and later colleague. We were both orchestra teachers in Houston after I graduated from North Texas. Wes received the scholarship because in our senior year he was chosen the outstanding soloist musician at the Brownwood Stage (Jazz) Band Festival. I still have a recording with him playing solo tenor saxophone in that very performance. It was cut on shellac in those days. We had many memorable trips driving to and from Houston in those days at North Texas for holidays. Wes had a car and we shared the cost of the trip, usually with a couple other Houston musicians in school with us. From Bob Wright I was saddened to learn of John Wesley Williams, but having positive information about friends is much better than not knowing. John played tenor sax in the stage band and my big band dance band during our days at Lamar. He was one of my closest friends. He played a fantastic tenor sax in both the State Championship winning Stage Band under director Ed Trongone [and] in my 10-piece dance band, The Rhythm-Aires. We met & started playing together around age 12 or 13 when we (John, Dave Barry, Bob Whatley) became members of the first Harris County Junior Deputy Sheriff marching band."
Richard Crain Williamson passed away November 3, 1991.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online.)
Frank Winterhalter Deceased August 17, 1986; interred Memorial Oaks Cemetery, Houston. (SSDI)
Frank served in the U.S. Navy February 1963 - February 1965.
A. Scott Witter passed away on Tuesday, May 24, 2005. He was born in Eagle Lake, TX to Edward Albert and Anne Strickland Witter. After Lamar, he attended UT. Professionally he focused on farming and oil and gas exploration. Survivors included his wife, Norma M. Kunze; his sister, June Witter (Charles) Gillman, and his step-son, Steve (Flora) Kunze. A memorial service was held for Scot 27 May 2005 in Houston. The family requests donations be made to The Salvation Army, 1500 Austin, Houston, Texas 77002. Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online, but a Legacy.com obit is.)
John Joseph Wohman passed away "suddenly and unexpectedly" (Ruth W. Gerum, John's sister) July 31, 2002. For those desiring, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online.)
Gene Everett Wood of Branson, Missouri, formerly of Houston Texas died May 21, 2005 in Springfield, Missouri. Gene was an engineer and a mechanical contractor in Houston for over 30 years. A memorial service was held for Gene May 29 at Cypress Creek Christian Church in Spring, TX.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online, but a Legacy.com obit is.)
Patricia Wren Eaves "died on the 26th of May 2009 in Houston, Texas. Patricia was born in Houston on the 18th of March 1939. Patricia was a wonderful, compassionate, and caring person. She was always there for anyone who needed a helping hand. Patricia loved her family and friends with great passion. She loved to cook, travel, and read. She especially loved the time she spent in Galveston with her family and "beach friends". She taught many of us how to find sharks' teeth and spot a passing dolphin.....In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the charity of your choice."
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle.
William Yancey Died December 14, 1995; last residence Blount, TN. (SSDI)
Zoe Ann Zedler Deceased (40th Reunion List)
Ronald Gene Zilliox of Sealy died August 14, 2003. Memorials can be made to First Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 526 Hardeman, Sealy, TX 77474.
Obituary information from The Sealy News Online.
Obituary information from the Social Security Death Index. (Registration on Ancestry.com necessary to view SSDI entry.)
From Bob Wright: "I was saddened to learn of Priscilla Whitehead, but having positive information about friends is much better than not knowing. Prissy & I had the same birthday and dated for a while."
Bill Bertner Williams passed away Monday, April 16, 2018 in Ingram, TX -- a few days before the Class of 1958's 60th Reunion. Cremation was at the Grimes Funeral Home in Kerrville. John Phillips had talked to Bill on the phone while at our 55th Reunion but had never managed an in-person visit; he was determined to see him at the 60th, but ....
At Lamar, Bill was a member of the marching band.
There was (at his request) no memorial service or obituary for Bill (whose wife Wincey died June 2016 ). However, Bill's daughter Shannon informs us that Bill's post-Lamar trajectory included stops in Bryan, then Houston, and then Ingram and careers as a professional gunsmith and owner of a unique machine shop that made specialized parts for oilfield work. He and Wincey met at Sam Houston State in Huntsville, then married on the Texas A & M campus (where Wincey had transferred) in September of 1964. Shannon says that her father's principal hobbies were reading and figuring out how to fix things. Bill suffered from c.o.p.d. (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
While there was no memorial service, a private service will be held for Bill as he is interred above Wincey in the family plot in Caldwell, about 25 miles west of College Station, once the headstones for the couple have been completed (probably in early June, 2018).
Please see (in the In Memoriam entry for Conrad Smith above) John Phillips' story of a close encounter with suspension involving both Bill and Conrad Smith, as well as himself, overlapping-classmate Jim Vick (Lamar '59; deceased 2002) and a red Radio Flyer wagon.
John Wesley Williams passed away May 9, 2004. Click here for classmates' memories.
Obituary information from the Social Security Death Index. (Registration on Ancestry.com required to view entry.)
From Kelly Martino: "I was saddened by the listing of Wes Williams. We were close friends at Lamar and in college but I lost track of him and had wondered of his whereabouts. He was one of the finest musicians I knew. And while he was given a full music scholarship to North Texas in the jazz program he chose not to use it. Majored in engineering I believe. If fact he went to Lamar, paying to go there since he was in the Austin HS district, so he could participate in the stage band and was one of the stellar musicians along with Ned Battista who became a well know jazz trumpet player and conductor of the Houston Pops Orchestra. We had a talented bunch under Eddie Trongone, a truly great teacher and later colleague. We were both orchestra teachers in Houston after I graduated from North Texas. Wes received the scholarship because in our senior year he was chosen the outstanding soloist musician at the Brownwood Stage (Jazz) Band Festival. I still have a recording with him playing solo tenor saxophone in that very performance. It was cut on shellac in those days. We had many memorable trips driving to and from Houston in those days at North Texas for holidays. Wes had a car and we shared the cost of the trip, usually with a couple other Houston musicians in school with us. From Bob Wright I was saddened to learn of John Wesley Williams, but having positive information about friends is much better than not knowing. John played tenor sax in the stage band and my big band dance band during our days at Lamar. He was one of my closest friends. He played a fantastic tenor sax in both the State Championship winning Stage Band under director Ed Trongone [and] in my 10-piece dance band, The Rhythm-Aires. We met & started playing together around age 12 or 13 when we (John, Dave Barry, Bob Whatley) became members of the first Harris County Junior Deputy Sheriff marching band."
Richard Crain Williamson passed away November 3, 1991.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online.)
Frank Winterhalter Deceased August 17, 1986; interred Memorial Oaks Cemetery, Houston. (SSDI)
Frank served in the U.S. Navy February 1963 - February 1965.
A. Scott Witter passed away on Tuesday, May 24, 2005. He was born in Eagle Lake, TX to Edward Albert and Anne Strickland Witter. After Lamar, he attended UT. Professionally he focused on farming and oil and gas exploration. Survivors included his wife, Norma M. Kunze; his sister, June Witter (Charles) Gillman, and his step-son, Steve (Flora) Kunze. A memorial service was held for Scot 27 May 2005 in Houston. The family requests donations be made to The Salvation Army, 1500 Austin, Houston, Texas 77002. Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online, but a Legacy.com obit is.)
John Joseph Wohman passed away "suddenly and unexpectedly" (Ruth W. Gerum, John's sister) July 31, 2002. For those desiring, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online.)
Gene Everett Wood of Branson, Missouri, formerly of Houston Texas died May 21, 2005 in Springfield, Missouri. Gene was an engineer and a mechanical contractor in Houston for over 30 years. A memorial service was held for Gene May 29 at Cypress Creek Christian Church in Spring, TX.
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle. (Obituary no longer online, but a Legacy.com obit is.)
Patricia Wren Eaves "died on the 26th of May 2009 in Houston, Texas. Patricia was born in Houston on the 18th of March 1939. Patricia was a wonderful, compassionate, and caring person. She was always there for anyone who needed a helping hand. Patricia loved her family and friends with great passion. She loved to cook, travel, and read. She especially loved the time she spent in Galveston with her family and "beach friends". She taught many of us how to find sharks' teeth and spot a passing dolphin.....In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the charity of your choice."
Obituary information from The Houston Chronicle.
William Yancey Died December 14, 1995; last residence Blount, TN. (SSDI)
Zoe Ann Zedler Deceased (40th Reunion List)
Ronald Gene Zilliox of Sealy died August 14, 2003. Memorials can be made to First Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 526 Hardeman, Sealy, TX 77474.
Obituary information from The Sealy News Online.
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