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"CLASSMATE NEWS"
ARCHIVE JUNE 1997 - DECEMBER 1997
The Continuing Adventures of the 'Original' Mighty Mustangs
JOHN JAY HIGH SCHOOL
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, U.S.A.

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DECEMBER 1997:
I want to start out the December "Classmate News" by thanking all you wonderful people that have been sending in Christmas cards. It's nice to be remembered that way during the holiday season! THANK YOU and MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

CHRISTMAS CARD & E-MAIL GREETINGS- DONNA BARNES ('70) sent me a lovely Christmas card and a generous donation to the class reunion stuff. She and the family are doing well in McKinney, Texas. -FRED BUTLER ('70) is still coaching high school baseball and he and his family are doing great in Austin, Texas. -RUSTY ATKINS ('70) is still making progress on getting his home rebuilt after the fire.-CATHY BACON ('70) loves her new job at the Pentagon and sends Christmas wishes to all. -WES BENDELE ('70) still enjoys racing and running his high performance auto supply shop. -KATHI BROWN ('70) sends us all Christmas greetings from Okinawa, Japan. Be sure to check out her picture in the Photo Gallery link further down this page. -PAMELA CHABAK ('70) has moved from Dripping Springs to Austin and says, "Merry Christmas to all." -JON DAVIS ('70) has best wishes to all for a wonderful holiday season all the way from Oregon. -DON HARING ('70) is also in Oregon working on a government project and sends his, "Happy New Year!" greetings to all. -JOHN & ELVA (GARCIA) POWERS ('70) are living in New Braunfels, Texas and send their best holidays wishes. -GERALD GILES ('70) has moved from Washington state to Moscow, Idaho. (He didn't send a Christmas card. His newsletter came back with the new address.) -CHARLOTTE GLISSON ('70) has moved to Floresville, Texas where she is a physical therapist. -DON GOODMAN ('70) sent his Christmas card in from his new home in beautiful Nashville, Tennessee, home of the Oilers! -CHARLIE & STARR (LENHART) SIMS ('70), in San Antonio, are having a wonderful holiday season and send prayers and best wishes to all. -CLAIR NEYLAND ('70) has had a busy, busy holiday and it's not over, yet. Clair is the events coordinator for a catering service in Austin and this, of course, is the busiest time of year. -BILL MIZELL ('70) lives in Boerne, Texas, and is still busy building his new race car! -PATTI MILWARD ('70) who is married to LARRY YOUNG ('69), lives in Lytle, Texas, as does her brother, DALE MILWARD ('70) who is a carpenter. -KAREN MORRIS ('70) loves the snow in Virginia and looks forward to flying to europe as her husband, who is an airline pilot, will now be flying routes there. -ALEXANDRA PUTSKA ('70) lives here in San Antonio where she has a very successful real estate career and wishes everyone the best of the holidays. -CAROLYN SPARKS ('70) is a part time nurse and enjoys her career in San Antonio. She hopes that everyone has the best Christmas ever! -MICHAEL TAYLOR ('70) may have even flown your Christmas gifts to you or for you, as he is a pilot for Federal Express and wishes peace and love to all this Christmas. -DONNA STEPHENS ('70), in Corpus Christi, and twin sister, MONNA STEPHENS ('70) in Grapevine, Texas, send all of us double greetings! -TERRY WILHELM ('70) sends love and holiday greetings to you and yours, from San Antonio. RAY FERGUSON ('70) and his wife, SHIRLEY HARDEN ('71) in San Antonio send all their best to all the classmates. -TONI WILSON ('70), here in San Antonio, wishes the peace and joy of Christmas be in the hearts of all. -STEPHANIE COPAS ('71) sends Christmas peace to everyone. -MASON WRIGHT ('70) in Corpus Christi sends out gulf coast Christmas greetings!

DALE TREFF ('70) sent me an e-mail today, after receiving his December newsletter. He writes, "I have been rather busy the last 30 years. After 22 years in the Air Force, I retired in 1992 and went to work up here at Scott AFB, Illinois. The first four years, I worked as a contractor to the government doing various jobs, such as installing LANs. Last February, I was offered a GS-12 position with the Department of Defense and still working at Scott AFB, and that's what I am doing, today. I agree with CARL JENSEN, when he said retirement from the military clipped his wings. It did mine to some extent. The only time I travel now, is for one or 2 days for the government to such exotic places as Washington D.C. or San Juan, Puerto Rico. I have a daughter who graduates from college this coming May and in September 1998, my son will start college." (12/27/97)

MARY LOUISE CLAYTON ('70) sent me a beautiful Christmas card along with her second donation this year toward the reunion stuff. In an e-mail, the other day, from her husband, Jose, he tells me that Mary Louise still practices her baton twirling! But when she starts doing it in the house he has to send her outside before she breaks something! Mary Louise has also been one of the faithful who have financially supported the class reunion efforts on an annual basis since I began way back in 1987. She has never failed us, and yet, because of various circumstances, she has not been able to attend any of our reunions. But, she still sends in her support all the way from California. That's the kind of MUSTANG SPIRIT we need! (12/27/97)

KENNETH & VICKI (GREEN) ELKINS ('70) have become grandparents! Their son, Mike and his wife, Lori, have presented Ken and Vicki with their first grand-daughter, Brooke, who was born on July 29th. I spoke with Ken, today, and he is so happy and excited about his grandchild. He said he spoiled her this Christmas and looks forward to spoiling her for many, many more! Our sincere congratulations to Ken & Vicki! Ever since I first started this reunion stuff, way back in 1988, Ken and Vicki have sent a check to me every single year to support the reunion activities and they did so again this year in their Christmas card to me. I want to offer my most sincere and heartfelt thanks for their 9 straight years of donations. Ya'll are just GREAT! (12/26/97)

CARL JENSEN ('70) and his wife Carol, came to spend Christmas with family in San Antonio, for the first time in 15 years. Carl is retired from the Air Force, but now as a civilian, he still works in the exact same office he did when he was active duty! He lives in Newport News, Virginia, and send Christmas wishes to everyone. In his Christmas card he promises to get in tocuh with me while he's in San Antonio. We'll see. (12/26/97)

RUSSELL & PHYLLIS (FORTENBERRY) GRIFFITH ('70) sent me their annual Christmas letter all the way from Saudi Arabia! This is their 6th Christmas in the desert and they have decided that it will be their last.They had intended to stay in Saudi Arabia for 10 years, when Russell took the job with Saudi Aramco Oil, but they say they've done some soul searching and looked at the priorities of their lives and have decide to return to the U.S. in the summer of 1998. Here's what they had to say, "We miss our grown kids and families back in the states and the freedom of being Americans. Having lived in the Middle east, we have a new found love and appreciation for what it means to be an American. While proceeding with the plans to return, we sold our house in Georgia during our spring visit to the states. The job market looks real good for Russell in Houston. We plan to spend this coming spring repatriating, job searching, and scping our neighborhhods and school districts. Amanda graduates from high school in May 1998, and our daughter Tracy, will finish the 9th grade. We hope to be back in the states by July. Ou time in Arabia has been a positive experience and we have learned a lot about ourselves, while learning about another culture. We ask the lord's blessings in our job search and plans for the future-- and that our next Christmas will be spent with all our kids in our new home. Our wish for all of you is a joyous and blessed Christmas and a New year filled with hope and promise." Well, Russell and Phyllis, I have only two words for you from me and all your classmates, "WELCOME HOME." (12/19/97) Update: Russell and Phyllis received their copy of our class newsletter and saw that we have a web page and they e-mailed me all the way from SAUDI ARABIA! They love this website and will stay in touch with us as they get closer to returning to the good old U.S. of A. (12/23/97)

JON DAVIS ('70) out in Springfield, Oregon, sent me an almost mystical letter for Christmas. He claims that my newsletter and web page writing inspired him to take pen to paper. In his Christmas letter to his family and friends, Jon writes, "I have recently found out, from a truly Supreme Being, that my high school reunion organization now has a web page that was designed, for the most part, by that truly Supreme Being." Whoa, Jon! I appreciate the compliments, having never been referred to as a "Supreme being" but the REAL Supreme Being might get angry! Thanks, anyway! Jon is still the coordinator for the paper recycling program at the University of Oregon and, in addition to that, he is an independent dealer for BowFlex Strength Training Systems. Jon's program at the university recycles over 60 TONS of paper per month!! That was a great enough accomplishment to win Jon the State of Oregon, General Services Administration, "Recycler of the Year" award, and the award of "Best Institutional Recycling Program" in the whole United States!!! Singlehandedly, Jon is gonna' save this planet for us! Way to go, Jon! As if those two jobs didn't keep him busy enough, he is also involved in developing a new TV game show! Tendonitis and middle age have made Jon slow down on his running, volleyball, tennis and soccer, so he's been turning his attention to computers and his music. Hey, Jon! Send me a cassette of your music! (12/20/97)

WANDA DARLEY ('70) sent me two of the funniest Christmas jokes, by e-mail. The one about how the Christmas Angel came to be, is hilarious! I spoke with Wanda a few weeks ago and she's doing just great and enjoys being a grandmother. Wanda also told me that she attended the funeral of Dot Clark, the week of December 5th. Wanda send her Christmas greetings to all classmates. (12/20/97)

CHARLIE & STARR (LENHART) SIMS ('70) are on the internet and dropped me a line, which I am happy to share with everyone- "Hey Dennis- We think this is a great way to keep up with everyone. You have always done an absolutely fantastic job, and this website and e-mail jazz seems like a wonderful way to keep it going! Please accept our contribution to keep the "Class of 1970" on-line. This past year was an eventful one for us. My Dad had bone cancer and died in November 1996. With both of Starr's parents passed away, that only leaves my Mom. It feels strange going through these life changing experiences. When you're young, it seemed like your parents would always be there. Old oldest daughter, Janell started her first year of college at UTSA. She's going into English composition and is planning a career in a writing field. Any advice you can give her, Dennis, would be greatly appreciated! Last night, we went to see our youngest duaghter, Sarah, perform the lead in her high school play, 'The Best Christmas Ever.' She seems to enjoy the spotlight. I kind of got bitten by the 'drama bug' myself this past summer. Did you hear about the movie they were filming in the San Antonio /Austin area called, 'The Newton Boys' ? Well, I got to be an "extra" in a couple of scenes with Matthew McConoughey and Ethan Hawke. You'll have to look closely as I'm just another 'face in the crowd.' It was a fascinating experience to see first-hand how a movie is made and all that goes on 'behind the scenes.' I got to be on the movie set for about four days, but the funniest thing happened to me on the second day. They needed someone about my size to be a "stand-in" for one of the stars. So, I became a stand-in for Dwight Yokum! What that involved was just being in the scene before it was shot, so the actors didn't have to sit around under the hot sun while they set up the lighting and camera angles for the next shot. It was tough work, but, hey. somebodys got to do it!! By the way, the moive is supposed to be released around March 20th, so I'll send you a mug from the L.A. premiere! Ha!! Well, Dennis, Starr and I think so much of you and we hope that you have a wonderful Christmas and pray the Lord's goodness and blessings will be yours for the new year. Love ya', Charlie." - Well, Charlie my life was blessed some 30 years ago, when it was my good fortune to come to John Jay High School and meet wonderful people like you, Starr, and all our classmates, who have been my lifelong friends. So, the check is in the mail? Great! Merry Christmas to you, as well, my friends! (12/19/97)

MIKE TAYLOR ('70) out in Memphis, Tennessee, sends Christmas wishes to everyone! Mike is a pilot for Federal Express, and says, "Greetings from Memphis! Dennis, you are doing an outstanding job keeping everyone in touch and up-to-date. Thanks for anchoring the team!! I'll be checking in, from time to time, to the website. By the way, I'm planning to make it to our 30-Year Reunion in 2000! Keep up the great work. I'll be sending a donation towards "the cause" in the next or so. Merry Christmas!" - Hey, Mike! If you're ever flying your Fed-Ex plane into San Antonio, let me know ahead of time, and fly over my house, circle once or twice, and beep the horn! (Do planes have horns?) (12/19/97)

KATHI BROWN ('70) sent me a second Christmas card, this week, that took my breath away! She and her husband, Tom, sent in a HUGE and VERY GENEROUS donation to help keep this web page on-line and our bi-annual class newsletter in production! On the card, she writes, "Dennis, here's a little something to help you keep our class together. GO MUSTANGS!" Now that's school spirit! On behalf of the entire class I say, THANKS SO MUCH for your kindness, Kathi. You're wonderful and deserve a salute!! (12/17/97)

LINDA HUGHES ('69) is excited, as all get out, about this web page. That's not surprising since she lives in Ohio! Linda, who goes by "Lin," these days, says "Happy Holidays" to everyone! Her e-mail address is listed on the chart linked further down this page. (12/17/97)

EUGENE BARNARD ('70) is just one of the many, many people who have explored this web site after reading about it in our latest newsletter. Eugene sent an extremely brief e-mail, just to list his e-mail address with us. You'll find it also listed on the e-mail chart linked further down this page. Drop him a line or two. (12/17/97)

TERRY WILHELM ('70) is a newcomer to our web page. He got the address from our recent newsletter and lost no time in logging-on to check it out. Terry tells me that he was with his father when he passed away on October 23rd, of this year. We send our prayers and best wishes out to him, his mom and family. I guess we're all at that age where such things will happen with more frequency. It's a part of life that we must all deal with eventually. But knowing it's inevitable, doesn't ease the pain and sorrow. Hang in there, my friend. He sends his Christmas greetings to everyone for a safe and healthy holiday season and a great 1998! As for this web page, Terry says he thinks it's a great idea and to keep it going. Will do, Terry! And you keep going, too! (12/17/97)

STEVE KELLEY ('70) voted "Most Likely To Succeed," by our class back in 1970 and the person with whom I shared "Honor Thespian of the Year" honors in 1969, is at Purdue University, where he is involved in cancer research. Steve contacted this week me to ask a favor. One of his students, a Senior biochemistry major, is coming to San Antonio, December 29-30, to go to the Alamo Bowl football game that Purdue is playing in. The student (a female) is driving all the way from Illinois, and needs to keep her travel costs down. So, guess what? I told Steve that she was welcome to stay in my home during her visit. I have an extra furnished bedroom. Well, she has accepted the invitation and of course, my mind goes wild thinking I got a female college co-ed, a total stranger, coming to spend two days in my home. WOW! So, after I extend the invitation and it's accepted, Steve e-mails me back and asks if it's O.K. that she bring a friend? Of course it is! Two co-eds in my home? I'll go crazy. Then Steve informs me, the friend is a "guy." That figures!! It's the story of my life! Ha! But I do look forward to having them as guests. (12/17/97)

JIM DAVIS ('70) one of my old drama buddy's at Jay, was in San Antonio this week, visiting from Florida. Unfortunately, we ended up playing phone tag and never had the chance to get together while he was in town. Sorry we missed one another, Jimbo! Maybe next time. (12/17/97)

BOB BROUSSARD ('70) (formerly Bob Wilkinson), another drama compatriot, dropped me a few lines by e-mail. He is the principal of a Junior High School in Lousianna. Bob is a devoted environmentalist and over the years has been presented numerous awards and accolades for his work. (12/16/97)

MARIE "TONI" WILSON ('70) called me out of the blue, Sunday morning, 12/14/97, and it was a wonderful surprise. Just hearing her voice brings a smile to my face. She was so kind in praising my work on behalf of our class that she made me blush so many times, that I could have fried eggs on my cheeks! I hadn't heard from Toni since about a month after our 25-Year Class Reunion in July 1995. At that time, Toni was headed to Washington D.C. to accept a position with the Federal government. She had been living and working in California, where she was a bilingual speech therapist. Her new job in Washington was going to take her away from working directly with children, so she reconsidered and decided to stay in San Antonio. She did go to Democratic National Convention and got to meet Vice President Albert Gore and First Lady Hillary Clinton. While the hustle and bustle of Washington politics is fascinating to Toni, she decided that she loves working with children too much to give it up. She now works with the Edgewood Independent School District, here in San Antonio, and loves her work. Toni tells me that her brother, Rick Wilson, is taking a job in London, England and she hopes to make a trip to Europe to see him. Toni and I have made a promise to get together for lunch during the Christmas holidays and she sends her best wishes out to all the classmates for a Merry Christmas filled with the true meaning and joy of the season. Thanks for calling, Toni, you have made my holidays EXTRA SPECIAL! By the way, here's something ya'll probably didn't know- Toni and our classmate, LINDA ANDERSON ('70) are related! Toni's brother is married to Linda's sister. (12/14/97)

KATHI BROWN ('70) has sent me a Christmas e-mail all the way from Okinawa, Japan, where she is stationed. Kathi is still on active duty in the U.S. Navy, and her husband, Tom, is a retired Navy officer. They both really enjoy Japan. Let me share her e-mail with everyone, "Hey, Dennis! Wow! Just got to your homepage! Excellent job! Tom and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving, here on Okinawa. We sat around OUTSIDE in shorts and t-shirts, taking in the rays. This is a really beautiful island. However, the language barrier is tremendous. There are plenty of military bases here, so if language is a problem, you just bounce from base to base. We picked up a LIVE Christmas tree a couple of days ago. The military ships them in from CONUS, slightly brown, but they still give off the fragrance of evergreen. It makes us feel like we are home! It's really busy here, I have been fortunate enough to do some deployments to Australia and Thailand... quite an experience. Got lots of goodies! Tom and I are very happy... Dennis, it is such a joy to read about everyone's fortunes of life, whether they be good or bad, it only means that life goes on, but we do it together. You know, as I tell Tom, some of the people that you keep us all in touch with through the newsletters and internet web page, were not close friends of mine during school. However, as the years pass, all our differences have disappeared and they all feel close to me, now. It's so amazing how closed minded we could be in those days. Immaturity, maybe? Thank you, Dennis, for all your efforts. You are doing a great job of keeping us together. Love, Kathi Denise (Brown) Shusta. Kathy, thanks for the very kind words. It's because of wonderful people like you that I enjoy doing all of this. You expressed the feelings of so many, many classmates in talking about how you, now, feel close to so many of people that you may have only barely known back in school days. It's been that way for me, too, and I think that's what makes the "Class of 1970" so very special. We all shared a special and unique moment in time, together, and nothing can ever take that away from any of us. Incidently, I checked with the "World Alamanc" and it says that Japan is one of the major sources of the world's trade in COFFEE MUGS and BEATLES items! (I just thought you might like to know that.) Let me know if you come across any for my collections! On behalf of myself and all your former classmates, I send our best wishes and love to you and Tom in Japan! (12/14/97)

CHARLES "CHUCK" OGIER ('70) sent me an e-mail the same day that I got Kathi's. Chuck was writing from Reno, Nevada. He says, "Dennis, I just finished reading the web site. You have done an exceptionally fine job and I thank you. I have always had fond memories of JJ, even though, being only 5 feet tall, I literally had to look up to everyone! I had been 17 for three whole months, when we graduated, and was a little behind in the development game. If only I knew then, what I know now. One day, I would like to share a bottle of wine and good conversation with some of those who have stayed close in my heart and on a list in my mind over the years. Dennis, you have always remained at the top of that list. So, for many of us, I, again, wanted to say, 'Thank You,' for the job you have done." Well, folks, I guess I just received two of the finest Christmas gifts a person could ever receive- the praise and kind words of lifelong friends. Thanks, Chuck. Remember, no matter what your height ever was, then, or is, now, you stand TALL in the hearts of your classmates! Have a wonderful Christmas and an awesome New Year, my friend! (12/14/97)

DOROTHY "DOT" CLARK ('73) died from cancer on Friday, 12/5/97 at the age of 42. She had been diagnosed with cancer in April 1997 and in the last several months, she underwent a series of treatments and remained strong and courageous throughout. Dot was the sister of our classmates, GAIL CLARK ('70) and JOHN CLARK ('69). She is also survived by her daughter, April Marie Murphy, and her mother and father, as well as her younger sister, Melanie. I got a phone call Saturday morning (12/6/97) from CARY MAESTAS ('69) who was in Las Vegas when he got word from John. I will never forget how kind, warm and generous Dot always was. She had a sense of humor that wouldn't quit, and that's one of the things that I will remember best about her. Throughout her life, she was honest and forthright and expected truthfullness and honesty, in return, from her friends. Qualities we all should strive to put into practice in our own lives. Dot gave more than she ever received from this life and always thought of others and their needs before she ever thought of herself. She was living here in San Antonio, at the time of her death. The last time I saw her, she was undergoing surgery about 10-12 years ago, or so. I saw her the morning of her operation and brought her a teddy bear. As serious as her surgery was going to be, she insisted on asking me how I was doing. She had no desire to dwell on own her problems, but instead, wanted to ask how others were doing. I know my life and the lives of hundreds of other people is richer for having known her and she will be dearly missed by those whose lives she touched. In her own written last words, Dot said, "Live each day to the fullest, as life is much too short. The flower that shattered the stone." (12/6/97)

GARY and CARY MAESTAS ('69) both drove to San Antonio for Dot Clark's funeral and I have had the opportunity to talk to the both of them. Gary lives in California and Cary lives in Nevada. What I find most amazing is how these two guys have mellowed over the years. My high school memories of the both of them are as pranksters, laughsters, and the kings of partying. I, for one, just thought they would be PARTY-DUDES, their entire lives, but not so. That's not to say they don't enjoy having a good time, today, but both Gary and Cary have taken life and business seriously, pursued their education, and have done very well for themselves. It's good to have touched based with the both of them and they promise to stay in touch with us and look forward to coming to the reunion in 2000. I'm sure everyone looks forward to seeing them, as well. (12/6/97)

DONNA STEPHENS ('70) sent me a holiday letter from her ranch near Corpus Christi and brought me up to date on what's going on in her life. This past May, she and her husband, along with her mom and dad, went on a trip up the Mississippi River and really enjoyed themselves. Donna's grandmother, Pearl Stephens, died on July 15th at the age of 100. When her family gathered for the funeral she was able to see cousins and relatives that she had not visited with, in over 30 years. Donna says her twin sister, Monna, is doing well. Donna wishes everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a NEW YEAR of Peace, Health and Happiness. (12/6/97)

CLAIR NEYLAND ('70) is doing just great up in Austin. I was there the week of December 1st for a Secretary of State conference and touched base with her. Clair is in the catering business, so you can well imagine just how busy she is. She sends her love to all! (12/5/97)

BONNIE POLK ('70) has sad news- her mother passed away on December 4th. Bonnie's parents live just a few houses down from my mom and dad, on Meadow Bend in Meadow Village. Our prayers and best wishes go out to Bonnie and her family. Bonnie was the first classmate to become a GRANDPARENT! If memory serves me correct, Bonnie's daughter gave birth the same weekend of our 20th Year reunion back in July 1990. (12/5/97)

MATT DELANEY ('70) stopped by my house for his annual Thanksgiving visit. Matt lives in California and this one amazing dude! He sees more of the U.S., during the year, than a team of National Geographic photograpahers! This guys travels, hikes, climbs, runs, walks, crawls, hops, skips, and jumps all across the country in his spare time. And he always finds the time to come and pay me a visit to tell me of his adventures! (12/2/97)

NOVEMBER 1997:
CAROL LIPSEY ('70) sent me a lovely invitation to Thanksgiving dinner at her beautiful home in Bulverde. I had already made plans to have Thanksgiving at my cousin's house in Houston, so I was not able to accept Carol's gracious invitation. But, she has given me a rain check for dinner during the Christmas holidays! Carol has been one of my most caring friends over the years, and she and her husband, Richard, are two of the finest people you will ever have the pleasure of knowing in your lifetime. (11/28/97).

BILL PARHAM is a name that many of you will recognize if you ever worked for Harold's Pizza, like I did back in the '60s. Bill owned Harold's Pizza and gave me my second job, ever. (My first job was in the summer of 1968, when I worked for 85 cents an hour busing tables for 10 hours a day at the old Embers Restaurant next to the Casa Manana Motel, on Old Hwy 90. Just a block down from the Pendulum Lounge.) Anyway, one week after getting my driver's license, I quit at the Embers and went over to Harold's Pizza. The twins, STEVE BEAVERS ('71) and LELAND BEAVERS ('71) already worked there, as did their older brother and our classmate DANNY BEAVERS ('70). It was my ambition to deliver pizzas. To haul ass all over our side of town using someone else's car and gas was my idea of fun! Mr. Parham hired me and I loved the job, especially delivering to the barracks on Lackland. Boy, the filthy photos and pinups those airmen had hanging on their barracks walls were unreal! Whew! I went through puberty every time I delivered out there. I also learned that when you deliver pizza to the women's barracks, you DO NOT go upsatirs or down the halls without permission! Hell, I had no idea and just waltzed through a women's barracks one evening and saw all sorts of naked women in the halls and got my ass jumped BIG TIME. From then on out, I went to the orderly room and waited for whomever ordered the pizza! After a year or so, Mr. Parham sold the business to Harold Justice, whose daughter, JOLENE JUSTICE ('71), also worked there. She would later marry and divorce Steve Beavers. One night, while I was working, along with QUENTIN BILES ('71), Harold went home and shot himself dead. Bill Parham returned to run the business for a while, before selling it, again. I mention this story, because this past week, I had run an ad in the paper to sell my old Apple IIE computer. I got a call from a man, who wanted to buy it for his son, who is confined to bed from illness. Last night, the man shows up at my doorstep, and guess who it was- Bill Parham! I had not seen this man in some 30 years, and here he was buying my computer for his son. He said the name, "DuPriest" sounded familiar to him, but he couldn't place it. We talked for a long time. He and his wife, Martha, still live on Easy Valley. We swapped stories about those old days, and some recent tales about MIKE and PAT CAFFEY ('69) and others. He hasn't changed all that much. Gosh, what a small, small world we live in sometimes. (11/20/97)

GARY MAESTAS ('69) didn't waste any time getting in touch with me, once I sent him an e-mail and told him all about this web page. Gary has already contacted several classmates from the e-mail directory listed below. What's Gary been up to? Well, here's what he had to tell me in his e-mail... "Dear Den Den, Finally climbed out of my paleolithic lair into the Internet age! I'm living in L.A., waiting to get back in as an aerospecae engineer in an aircraft company. Not much different than when you last saw me. I went for two degrees- eight full years of college. Did my Navy thing. Very well educated and traveled. Visited Texas last summer, for one month, nice, but too humid and the bugs! Lived all over the West, Washington, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and California. Prefer to think of myself (happy), as verbal contortionist, unemployed commodian, happy as a clam. Stay in touch." Well, those are his exact words. Gary sent me a photo on the internet and he's right, he hasn't changed a bit. It's good to hear from him after 20 some odd years. (11/20/97)

KAY COMPTON ('71) dropped me an e-mail, today (11/18/97), to be, as she put it, "the 257th person to wish me Happy Thanksgiving." Thanks, Kay! She and the family are off to Disneyland for Thanksgiving and she promises to bring me back a coffee mug. Kay is all in favor of a three-class reunion ('69-'70-'71) in the year 2000 and urges me to consider it. Well, I'll give it lots of thought, dear. I promise. (11/18/97)

TIM INGRAM ('70) and I spoke this past Monday (11/17/97), when I called him about a mutual friend of ours. Tim tells me that JERRY SIKORSKI ('70) called him recently and said that Jerry is making plans to move back to San Antonio. Jerry presently lives in Hawaii and is in the luxury car business. Then, Tim asked me about my health and I told him that I'm doing fine, as long as I am taking my 11 pills a day. He told me that he has been working at University Hospital for the past 12 years and I told him that's where I was treated for my series of strokes, back in October 1995. He reminded me that it was his wife who took care of me in the Intensive Care Unit. I have a very limited memory of that time, but I am grateful for Tim's wife taking care of me. Another classmate's wife , JoAnn Mizell also works at University Hospital and looked in on me during that time. She's the wife of BILL MIZELL ('70). Even during my illness, my classmates touch my life in one way or the other. (11/18/97)

LOUIS FIGUEROA ('70) e-mailed me, yesterday, and sent out HAPPY THANKSGIVING wishes to everyone. Louis owns his own insurance agency up in Fort Worth. He also told me that GARY MAESTAS ('69) can be found on America On Line and I have listed his e-mail address in the directory further down this page. Man, as I look back over the first years at Jay, I seem to recall that anytime something weird happened at school Gary and his twin brother, CARY MAESTAS ('69) had something to do with it. These guys loved nothing better than to cause a small disruption to the school day, one way or the other. Hell, I think they each had a resevred seat in Mr. Spikes' office. I'll give these two brothers credit for one thing though, no one threw a better party than they did. Their house was always PARTY CENTRAL, back in the '60s. Gary was involved in the drama department and was always a laugh. Cary attended our 20-Year reuion back in 1990 and, at that time, he was in the cookie business, marketing a brand out of California. Knowing Cary, as I do, I wasn't sure about biting into one of his cookies, as one never knows what he's put in them! Gary's screen name on AOL is: "ArtBroker2", which leads me to think that he's in the art business, but who knows? (11/12/97)

MR. DAN SCHREIBER, our John Jay "Marching Mustang Band" Director for umpteen years, was walking out of a computer store, as I was walking in, on Monday 11/10/97. I hadn't seen him since our 25-Year reunion. I told him that he looks as young. now, as he did when he was teaching at Jay. He's enjoying retirement and stays in touch with many of his former band students. We talked about some of his more "mischievious" band students the first years of Jay, like JOE HAZEL ('70), RIP DOUVRY ('70), The Verbeck brothers, and others. He has nothing but fond memories of those days and asked me to be sure to send out his best wishes to everyone. (11/11/97)

DOUG CRAWFORD ('70) and I ran into one another on Saturday, 11/8/97, at the Blockbuster music store at Evers Raod and Loop 410. I hadn't seen or heard from Doug since our 25-Year Reuion in July 1995. Doug was walking rather gingerly and slowly and as he reached out to shake my hand, he said, "Careful" and raised his right hand which was all bandaged up. His face had a few scratches and his left arm was covered in scratches and scabs. I asked him what happened? "Violent sex with a bear?" He laughed and said, "No, I was up a tree with a chainsaw and fell out of the tree!" Someone tell Doug we're all too old to be climbing trees with chainsaws! Doug and his oldest son, who is entering the U.S. Navy, were shopping for some music. Doug still looks the same, skinny, relatively young looking, though his once brown locks of hair have long turn to gray. We swapped a few stories and he wondered what CARL JENSEN ('70) is doing these days. I told him that Carl still lives in Newport News, Virginia and is with some international business that takes him around the world. We both came to the conclusion that with Carl's military background, (he's a retired Air Force colonel and flew James Bond type AWAC missions) his experience in the hot spots of the world, that Carl is now a HITMAN for the CIA. Doug mentioned that the longtime pastor of Lackland Baptist Church (whose name escapes me, now) had recently died and that he saw SAMMY SARRAZIN ('70) at the funeral. Doug still lives in Helotesand enjoys the country life. I gotta' tell ya'll, if there is anyone in our class that is still as laid back and mellow, as they were back in school, it's Doug. He always has a smile and a positive thing to say about life. (11/8/97)

FRANK "RIP" DOUVRY ('70) e-mailed me to wish me a "Happy Thanksgiving." Rip lives in Frisco, Texas up near Dallas. He'll be on a business trip to Philadelphia next week and hopes to be in San Antonio to visit his folks for Thanksgiving. I understand that Philadelphia is PRIME coffee mug country. Rip has sent me many mugs over the years, one of the most treasured of which is carved in the image of a mythical forest spirit mug designed by an aborigine in Australia! That's the one I use at my office. People are always telling me how weird it looks, but it's one of my all-time favorites of the mugs that many of you have sent me over the years. Rip's e-mail address is listed in the e-mail direcory further down this web page, if you'd like to get in touch with him. (11/7/97)

CATHY BACON ('70) sent me a postcard to let me know that she has settled into her new home in Woodbridge, Virginia. After graduating from the U.S. Army War College in June, Cathy was stationed back in Las Vegas. She is a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force. In July, she received her orders for duty at the PENTAGON Directorate of Air & Space Operations! She enjoys her new job and has made a lot of new friends, as well as being reunited with old ones, also on duty at the Pentagon. Cathy is involved with the Campus Crusade Wednesday Morning Prayer Breakfast, the Women Officers Noon Bible Study, and is an avid badminton fanatic and plays a match nearly every day at the Pentagon Athletic Club. Hey, Cathy, how about sending me a coffee mug from the Pentagon to go along with the one's you sent me from Okinawa and Las Vegas! Cathy's new address is: Lt. Col. Catherine Bacon, 16107 Kennedy Drive Woodbridge, VA 22191-4507 and her phone is (703) 878-6089. Her e-mail address is listed in the e-mail directory further down this web page. Cathy asks us to keep her in our prayers and for God to use her in reaching others with His love. Will do, Cathy, will do! (11/6/97)

CHUCK OGIER ('70) e-mailed me the other day to let me know that he's waiting for the results of his bar exam in California. You'll recall that Chuck graduated from law school last year. While waiting for those results, he's not letting any grass grow under his feet, Chuck is still a charter pilot and has contacted MIKE TAYLOR ('70), who is a pilot for Federal Express. Mike is trying to open a few doors for Chuck to become a pilot for Fed-Ex. If memory serves in correct, Mike lives in either Kentucky or Tennessee, but I'm pretty sure it's Kentucky. Good luck on the bar exam, Chuck. (By the way, Chuck is on America On Line quite a bit and goes by the screen name of "FLYLAW", which is a very appropriate name!) (11/6/97)

DON HAYNES ('70) has become the General Manager of Alamo Toyota at 2119 N.E. Loop 410 at the Starcrest Exit. The phone number is (210) 657-6100. Don has made quite a name for himself in the automobile business in South Texas and has always given Jay grads (especially the "Class of 1970") the best of deals. If you're in the market for a new or used car, be sure to visit with Don and tell him you're a member of our class. Speaking of Alamo Toyota, that's where JACK MATTHEWS is one of the Chief Mechanics and he runs the auto repair shop there. (11/6/97)

JACK MATTHEWS graduated from Holmes, way, way back in 1965, and his dad, MR. MATTHEWS taught math at Jay the first several years of its existence. If you remember the movie "American Graffiti," there was a character named, "John Milner" he was the cool guy with the yellow hot rod that everyone wanted to race, but could never beat. Well, Jack was like that for the John Jay area. Jack was five years older than the rest of us and he knew everything there was to know about cars. He owned an orange-colored 1957 NOMAD and it hauled ass! It was the fastest car on four wheels (and often just two!). One time, when ED HOBBS ('70) was in basic training at Lackland, in the '70's, Hobbs got word to Jack and asked him to sneak on base in the wee hours of the night and drive his Nomad by the barracks for all the troops to see. Never one to miss an opportunity to show off his car, Jack got word back to Hobbs as to what day and time he would drive by the barracks. One night, around midnight, Jack, along with ED HOLLEY ('72), drove his Nomad onto the base towards the barracks that Hobbs was in. Jack looked up and saw dozens of faces pressed against the windows. Jack pulled the car directly in front of the barracks and began revving up the engine. It roared like a rocket and the noise bounced off one building after another until it was so loud the walls and windows of the barracks began to shake. Then, Jack floored it and burned rubber. It looked like the start of a dragster race! The tires screamed in pain and smoke billowed from the tires like a plane had crashed and burned. Holley began seeing his life pass in front of his eyes because he thought they were going to die! Jack raced down the street at a blinding speed, as he approached the speed of sound!! A mushroom cloud of smoke enveloped the barracks area and as it began to clear Jack could see the military police headed towards him! When Holley saw the police, he paniced and tried to climb out of the passenger-side window. By now, the Nomad was travelling at about 650 mph and the force kept Holley from climbing completely out of the car. He hung half-way out screaming his lungs off, while in another burst of screeching tires and smoke, Jack hauled ass off base. Hobbs later said the rest of the other guys in basic training couldn't believe what they saw. Today, almost 30 years later, the Legend of Jack Matthews and his Nomad continues. Only one car ever beat Jack in a race- the Chevy of JOHN FIERS ('70). Even today, late at night, when everyone has gone to sleep, if you're really quiet and really lucky, you can hear the ghost of Jack's Nomad racing around the Westwood Village / Valley Hi / Lackland area. Once a month, Jack, Hobbs, Fiers, WES BENDELE ('70), WILLY LOWE ('71) many others and me have dinner together and tell the same old stories of our glory days in the '60s. (11/6/97)

JIM GRIFFIN ('69) was the subject of a minor manhunt by ROSS RAYMOND ('69) back in July. Ross asked me if I knew where he was and I told him I wasn't familiar with Jim Griffin. Ross explained that they were friends back at Jay and went to college together. He had lost touch with Jim and was hoping that I could help track him down. Then Ross said he thought that Jim had a sister named Joy and that's when it dawned on me that Jim and Joy Griffin were brother and sister. JOY GRIFFIN ('71) married JOE MARTINEZ ('71) and they along with Joe's brother JOHNNY MARTINEZ ('69), who married MINDY ESCAMILLA ('70) operate ALAMO DRAGWAY. I called the racetrack on a Saturday night because I knew Joy would be there. I got in touch with her and she gave me Jim's address and phone number in Atlanta, Georgia and I was able to forward it to Ross. Glad I could help two good friends get back in touch with one another. Ross got back in touch with me, when he and Jim got together, and he says they had a great time catching up on things. Ross has asked that I consider making the TYPE SIZE on this web page a bit LARGER. Seems that his eyes are having trouble reading the computer screen. Hey, Ross! It's not the computer screen, it's the fact that you're OLDER than the rest of us and your vision is going!! It's one of the hazards of being in the "Class of 1969" OLDMAN! (11/5/97)

"THE GUYS" held their second annual 'Day After Halloween' party at the home of CHARLES 'BUBBA' ABLE ('70) out near Calaveras Lake. What a blast! Bubba and his wife, Faye, were the perfect hosts. Bubba even got a backhoe and dug a huge pit in his backyard for a BONFIRE!! BILL MIZELL ('70), RUSTY ATKINS ('70), WILLY LOWE ('71), ED HOLLEY ('72), MARK MOLPUS ('71) and many others were there. Wow, what a blast!! (11/3/97)

RUSTY ATKINS ('70) kept it a secret, but I recently learned that Rusty's house caught on fire over the July 4th weekend, while the family was in Corpus Christi for the holiday. Electrical wiring shorted out and caught the house on fire. Rusty and his family live on Rasa Drive in Rainbow Hills. They lost a lot of their possessions and are presently living in a rental home in Heritage until their house is rebuilt. Our best wishes go out to Rusty and his family. They are a great bunch of folks. (11/3/97)

OCTOBER 1997:
ED HOLLEY ('72) has been teaching me new stuff about making web pages and you may notice a few changes in the layout of this page. Bit by bit, I am learning this stuff, though I must admit, it gives me headaches! If you need to have a web page designed, I encourage you to give Ed a call. His e-mail link is listed further down this page in a convenient directory. Ed is one of the most talented web pages designers that I have ever met. He really knows his stuff and his rates are the BEST in the business. (10/1/97)

STEVE JONES ('70), whose real name is John Jones has been found in a most unique way. I was having dinner at my next door neighbor's (James & Maudie Lueck) and another of their dinner guests were Mr. & Mrs. Jones. They asked me if I knew their son, Steve Jones, who also graduated from Jay in 1970. I told them that the name didn't ring a bell. But when I came home, I found Steve's picture in our yearbook, listed as John S. Jones. Now, I remember him! Steve's mom said he has his own upholstery shop off Bandera Road and specializes in car & truck headliners. Man, mine is ripped to shreds! I can't wait to get a "1970 Mustang discount." (10/3/97)

SEPTEMBER 1997:
CATHIE BOOTH ('70) dropped me a line and brought me up to date on her life. On August 23rd, 1996, Cathie and her family moved up to East Glacier Park, Montana, where her husband was offered a Special Education teaching position with an elementary school. Just before they left their home in Louisiana to move to Montana, her husband's (J.C.) horse kicked him and broke 4 of his ribs. The first week that they got to Montana, her J.C. ended up having to have surgery for the broken ribs. The second week of life in Montana, found Cathie's daughter, coming down with a case of hypothermia! Life in Montana just didn't agree with the family, after J.C. was diagnosed with high blood pressure and after a 9-month stay in Montana, they decided to move back to Louisiana. Their house had never sold, so they just moved right back in. They have started to do a make-over on the house and are happy to be back. Cathie revived her therapeutic massage business and things are returning to normal. She says she does miss the 40 degree summers back in Montana, though! (9/9/97)

MATT DELANEY ('70) sent me a post card from "Old Faithful" in Yellowstone National Park. He was there on vacation with his parents, who came up from San Antonio. (Matt lives in California.) He went on three hikes while in the park and got "up close and personal" with some mountain goats and grizzly bears. (Is Matt weird or what???) He also went hiking in the Tetons. Later, the family went camping in Idaho. Matt will be back here in San Antonio in November for his annual Thanksgiving visit. As always, he'll stop by my house for a two hour visit, so we can tell the same funny stories about growing up, that we always do. He's a good friend. (9/9/97)

AUGUST 1997:
MASON WRIGHT ('70) recently brought me one of the most unique coffee mugs, ever! A few years back, he was in Los Angeles, right after that massive earthquake that devastated the area. He was riding his motorcyle taking a look at all the damage and destruction, when all of a sudden he spotted a coffee cup amongst the debris of an earthquake damaged building, and he recalled that I collect coffee mugs! Mason went over and picked it up to bring to me. For the last two years, it's been sitting on a shelf at his house in Corpus Christi and he just kept forgetting to bring it to me. At this month's meeting of "The Guys," Mason brought it with him and this ceramic survivor of the Los Angeles earthquake is now part of my collection! Thanks, Mason! That's got to be one of the most interesting stories that come with these mugs that ya'll send me! (8/30/97)

ROBERT SPRADLING ('70) stumbled upon our web page and sent me some e-mail. Rather than condense it down, I thought, what the heck, I'll just print it exactly as he sent it to me. So here is exactly what Bob had to say to us, fellow classmates,..."Greeting and salutations to the Class Klown of 1970 and his mates. I just discovered the HOME PAGE of the "Class of 1970". What a groovy idea. Its far out, man. I will be sending you some heavy "green" to support the cause. Let's run through some history. No one probably remembers me, but I did finish out my last two years of High School at John Jay. I did my first two at Caprock High in Amarillo. After graduation, I fooled around for three years before finally taking off for San Marcos to obtain my College Degree, which I did from Southwest Texas State in 1977. I double-majored in Microbiology and Chemistry. I went into the oil business (Safety, Quality Control, & Distribution) in 1978 down Corpus Christi way until the "oil crash" in 1986. I then went into the Environmental Health & Safety field, running that show for The University of Missouri-St. Louis until 1996. I left my heart in St. Louis, but do to family concerns, I have relocated to San Antonio. I've been in and out of this city since 1973. I've only spent a total of three years in San Antonio since 1973. Anyway, I'm baaaaaack!! I am sorry to mention that I have lost two wives along the way. But you must note, I was awarded by Mrs. Nichols for "perseverance" while enduring her Algebra 2 class as a Junior. I've still got "it", so if there are any 1970 John Jay female type Graduates out there that may be interested, please give me a ring at 366-5025. By the way, I'm a hell of a lot better looking now than I was in 1970. I don't weigh 135 pounds at 6'3" anymore. I'm at 6'3" and 275 pounds of hardened steel now! Even still have all my hair! Amazing! Anyway, I'm back in town and looking to make contacts. Give me a holler. I ain't no wallflower no more!! If anyone cares to reach me, and I know that everyone does, especially all those beautiful single gals from the Class of 1970, they can do so by phone: 366-5025 or by E-Mail: rkspradling@signtech.com All my love to all!!! Bob (8/20/97)

CARL JENSEN ('70) sure didn't let any grass grow under his feet after retiring as a Colonel from the U.S. Air Force after 22 years of service! He's already back at work in a new career. I got a letter from him on 8/8/97, and here's a bit of what Carl had to say... "Dennis, thanks for keeping the newsletter alive. I look forward to hearing where the class has come and gone, over the years. I don't seem to get to San Antonio, as much as I should, even with my mother, sister and brother still living there. We seem to alternate with them coming to see me here in Virginia. We are tentatively planning on a trip to San Antonio for this Christmas. Well, in other news, I enjoyed almost every minute of my Air Force career. The separations from my wife where the down side, but it usually meant that I was going to some location that I had never seen before. immediately upon my retirement, I was blessed with a job opportunity with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). This, however, really messed up my post retirement plans. I wanted to take several months off and travel the world, one more time, by utilizing the USAF "Space Available" plan. No such luck! And the new job does not afford me the same business travel opportunities that the USAF did. My wings have been clipped. I have been asked to go to Kuwait on a consulting trip, which I'm looking forward to. I'll get the rest of the mugs from the Ambassador's set to fill out what I sent you! Ambassador Crigger was a very understanding guy, especially after I told him it was being sent to the world's number one coffee mug collector! I wish I had known years earlier that you collected mugs, Dennis, I could have sent you some from about 30 different countries. Of course, some of those countries make mugs out of bamboo or hardened cow dung!" [Carl sent me some beautiful coffee mugs from the Middle East, one of which, was from the U.S. Ambassador's office at the Embassy and one from the "Hard Rock Cafe" in Kuwait City!! (8/10/97)

JULY 1997:
DONNA STEPHENS ('70) loves to go skinny-dipping in the moonlight! That's what she told me, tonight, when I called her to thank her for her very generous donation for our newsletter and web page. She and her husband, Calvin, have finished building their house on their ranch near Corpus Christi, and she just adores country living. They had a pond built on the property for the cattle and then decided to fence it off, seal the pond and turn it into an old fashioned swimming hole. Donna loves to go skinny-dipping in the moonlight to the sound of croaking frogs and mooing cows. She told me that when the cows saw her husband naked and going skinny-dipping, they were so scared that their horns fell off! Donna says that knowing how much I (Dennis) love the BEATLES, that anytime she hears a BEATLES song on the radio, she thinks of me! That's nice!! Donna loves being a grandmother and will be going up to San Angelo this weekend to see her grandson. She tells me that her twin sister, MONNA STEPHENS ('70) is doing well and that Monna's daughter, Alicia, will become a doctor on August 16th at ceremonies in Dallas. She will be chiropractor. Both Donna and Monna are on the internet and their e-mail addresses are listed in the directory further down this page. (7/30/97)

MARY LOUISE CLAYTON ('70) has gotten in touch with me after I got her new address from classmate DEBBIE PASCHALL ('70) who is in Idaho. (See story below.) Mary sent me a hilarious card and in it she says after reading the class newsletter, she and her husband never laughed so hard and much at one time! Their son, Nick, turned 13 in July, and now she's the mother of a teenager. Our prayers and sympathies are with you, Mary! Hang in there! At least you're not a GRANDPARENT, yet, like many in our class are! My appreciation to Mary Louise for sending in a donation for the newsletter and this web page. (7/25/97)

DON GOODMAN ('70) surprised me out of the clear blue sky this week. I came home from work and there was a big package on my front porch from Tennessee! When I opened it up, there were two beautiful coffee mugs, one- from Nashville with a handle shaped like a guitar, and the other- was a coffee mug with the emblem of the new NFL team, the TENNESSEE OILERS! Wow! I have to be one of the first people in Texas to have one. Thanks, Don! These are wonderful additions to my collection. Don enclosed a note bringing me up to date on his life. He says he's lost most of his hair, now, but not his heart! He will definitely be at our 30-Year Reunion in July 2000. If anyone is ever planning a vacation to the Nashville area, be sure to give Don a call. He has a spare bedroom in the new house he just bought and all classmates are welcome! He would be more than happy to show you around Nashville. Don's mailing address is: 821 Heritage Circle, Nashville, Tennessee 37115-5913. He says the town is growing like San Antonio did in the 70's and 80's, and that there are lots of jobs there. He can also get people on the dance show that's taped at the "Wild Horse Saloon." He has met Dallas Cowboy's quarterback TROY AIKMAN there. Stay in touch Don! (7/24/97)

DEBBIE PASCHALL ('70) is a lifesaver! With the mailing of the newsletter, this past June, several have come back with no forwarding address. It dawned on me that Debbie was good friends with DEBBIE SULLIVAN ('70), whose newsletter was one of those that was returned, so I called her to see if she had Debbie's new address. She did! Not only that, she also had an updated address for MARY LOUISE CLAYTON ('70) and gave that to me! So my sincere thanks to her for the updates! Debbie has an e-mail address which I have added to the directory listed at the end of the page. Speaking of updates, DANIEL HARRISON's ('70) newsletter also came back, Does anyone have his new address? If so, please call me! (7/16/97)

DENNIS DUPRIEST ('70)- I GOT THE JOB!! As of September 1, 1997, I will be the Public Information Officer for the Somerset Independent School District and I am super excited about it! (7/12/97)

MATT DELANEY ('70), who lives in California, dropped me a postcard from the "Big Apple" to let me know he spent his summer vacation back east, in New York and Pennsylvania. He has many relatives there and had a great time. He'll be in San Antonio for his annual visit here in November. Matt always drops by my house for a three hour visit to talk about his latest adventures, discuss religion and politics, and to laugh about the good old days at Jay. (7/11/97)

ROSS RAYMOND ('69) was searching the web on "Yahoo" and came across my name and is elated to know that I have this page going. Ross is trying to find a fellow 1969 Jay graduate, JAMES P. GRIFFIN. If anyone has any information, please contact Ross at 21407 Park York Drive, Katy, Texas 77450, phone: (281) 492-1235. Ross is a member of America On Line (AOL) and I have listed his e-mail address in the directory at the end of this column. (7/10/97)

GLENN HUTTO ('71) called me from his home in LaPorte, Texas to wish me a "Happy Birthday." He also wanted to let me know that he had nothing to do with the recent explosion and fire at the Shell Oil refinery in Houston, where he works. He swears that he was home at the time! Glenn works in the laboratory where they test water quality to ensure that the Shell refinery isn't putting pollutants into the water and air. (Glenn says he will swear that Shell doesn't pollute until the day he retires with full benefits from the company!) He has been a good friend of mine ever since he started giving me homework and test answers in DR. STEVENS' physics classes back at Jay. If anyone would like to contact Glenn (which is extremely unlikely) his e-mail address is listed in the directory at the end of the column. (7/6/97)

JOHN CAMPBELL ('69) continues to stay in touch with me and our class. He's the one to contact if anyone is looking for former friends in the "Class of 1969." (7/5/97)

RONNIE WAGNER ('70) sent in a donation for the newsletter. He's always there for us any time we need his help. Most importantly, and appreciated by me, is the fact that he does it without being asked. Thanks, Ronnie! (7/5/97)

TINA PIERCE ('70) called me on the 4th of July to wish me a happy holiday. She is doing fine. It continues to be a struggle with her Multiple Sclerosis (MS) but she is fighting it tooth and nail. She denies that she is suffering from "Furniture Disease"- that's where your chest falls into your drawers! She sends out her best wishes to everyone, especially to JANICE SAMS ('70) in Los Angeles. (7/4/97)

BOB SHAFFAR ('70) was hard to get in touch with, but I finally did. You will see further down in this column that I tried to reach both Bob and JIM CAPPS ('70) ever since the floods took place in Pipe Creek, back in June. I reached Bob, who works at the San Antonio Express-News, (210-225-7411) on Thursday, 7/3/97. Bob told me that his home is a total loss. Within 10 minutes of being called by phone that the river was rising in his area, in Pipe Creek, the flood waters were lapping at his back door. A two-foot wall surrounding his patio was being run over by the water and he and the family had very little time to escape. They were almost trapped in a ravine when their escape route was flooded out. Bob said they finally had to drive through a barbed wire fence in the thick darkness of night to get out of there. When Bob was finally able to return to his home a few days later, there was over 18" of flood water in his home. He opened the door and saw their belongings floating throughout the house. Irreplaceable items like family photos and heirlooms were lost. Bob did not have flood insurance on the house. He and his wife, Sandy have decided to move to Boerne. Bit by bit, Bob is tearing down the wreckage of his home, hoping to someday rebuild. Friends in Boerne have been so kind as to offer Bob and his family a place to stay until they can get back on their feet. Are prayers are with you, Bob, and if there is anything that we can do, please contact us. Bob's e-mail address is listed in the e-mail directory further down this page. (7/4/97)