James A "Jim" White

As I prepare to leave Houston, I thank those classmates that took time out of their busy, and sometimes, grandparenting schedule, to visit. Let me say "It was BUTCH COLBERT that was the first to write and say 'hi'" when I announced I was coming toward Houston. Thanks, Butch. I see some very special friends are having birthdays soon but since I will be on the road to New Orleans, then Mississippi Gulf Coast to see BOBBY ALLISON, I want to wish these friends a very Happy Birthday. But first, when I am in New Orleans next week I will think about the late JUDY SHOWS BROWN who, while serving as a health care provider, stayed with her patients all during Hurricane Katrina to make certain they each survivied, then, without returning to her home which, I believe was under water, immediately left New Orleans for her family in Texas. Judy was courageous beyond measure. We truly have classmates that make us proud to be in their world.

SANDRA ANAYA JONAS birthday is March 15th and I wish this wonderful, young Albuquerque lady a very happy birthday and a great year ahead. Loved dancing with you at reunions.

Another March 15th birthday is HERKY VEATCH, who I was fortunate to catch up with last week in Houston. Herky, best wishes for continued success in your business and may you and Mary have many more blessed years together.

On March 16th, NANCI MAYS SACKMAN will change decades. Nanci is a very avid reader so years ago when I started writing a novel, Nanci was the one I chose to proofread and to offer edit comments. I respect and trust Nanci that much. Have a Happy Birthday and best wishes for continued good health, Nanci.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day to my classmate friends (which includes all of you). 

P.S. 

Seattle is dying

Interesting piece by a local Seattle TV station. If left coast media is putting out stuff like this, maybe there is hope. Then again, when the truth is in your face like it is in Seattle, at some point you have to recognize it.

Looking at you, San Fransisc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b53uiRFq4Ds

Mardi Gonyea (Nicklin)

Hi and a very Happy St. Patrick's Day to all.

Thank you for posting the GREAT pictures of the mini-reunion in Houston, Jim. Everyone looks super and I am so glad you got to see that many classmates and that you all had such a super good time!! Love it.

We got a email from Tami Westbrook. Her email is tamiw4realestate@yahoo.com. She had a question, Does anyone know Sharon Sue Clark? I sent her an email back and let her know that Sharon had passed in 1992 and that she passed having cancer. If Marianne Coons McCullough and Mary Mauldin Garcia would like to send her an email, I think she might appreciate that a lot. It's always sad to learn somene you have thought about over the years, or someone you have thought of, has passed.

Sending my love and thinking about you all. Luv N Hugs from Mardi

James A "Jim" White

Our own BOBBY ALLISON, a recording artist for Columbia Records and Epic Records has performed all over the country by himself and often with bands you might recognize. BOBBY is an incredible fellow and classmate and showing courage beyond measure fighting his neurological disease. I have enjoyed my time with Bobby and Ernie (Ernestine) for the past week. Tomorrow we say our good byes. :(

L/R My wife, Kathy, Bobby Allison, Wolfgang or whatever the dog is named and Ernie, an artist. There is Bobby's famous guitar sitting nearby. Bobby was the house band for a Mississippi casino for 13-years until Hurricane Katrina took it away. Enestine is so sweet and nice. We love her. Bobby met her at the Playboy Club in Denver. This shy girl raised in a very strict household in Denver, upon turning 18, moved to New Orleans and found a job as a Bunny for the Playboy Club. How courageous she must have been. She also worked at the San Franciso Club then Denver, where her first husband also worked as a comedian before he died in the same plane crash as singer/songwriter Jim Croce. Anyway, these two wonderful, talented artists are very, very interesting people and love visitors if you ever come to the Mississippi coast.

 Sheryl Sandberg is not the only person that "Leans In."  :)

 As Kathy and I chase that perverbial clock (we all are chasing), we may see RONNY WESTENBARGER ('65) next Wednesday, then KAREN McCARTY FINK around the 10th of April, then BILLY SLOAN around the 20th of April (then we go to Florida Keys - Long Key - Fiesta Key RV Resort) than start back up the other coast of Florida to see CHIP & BONNIE KING around the 17th of May. We will love the Space Coast. Who knows? We may be coming your way. Watch for us as we head up the east coast to Connecticut.

Finally, let me add that this Class Website is not a Jim White blog. We have a travel blog. The website is for your input so please, please send in your pictures and comments and thoughts (except political). If you or your family member need prayer, just ask. Many of our classmates are suffering. Let us not forget them.

Jim White 

Margaret W. "Peggy" Ware (Koger)

i love the Jim and Kathy travel blogs on both FB and our HS site. Keep them up! 

Oh,  Doris (Dee) and Garold Burton, please let us know you’re not flooded up there in Nebraska!

Charles J. "Chip" King

Jim,

Watched the KOMO documentary on the death of SEATTLE.  Eye opening and very brave of KOMO to tell the truth while in the enemy camp.     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b53uiRFq4Ds

We can't wait to see you and Kathy.  I have butterflies already.  We'll have a blast.

Chip

--Merritt Island, FL

Robin E. Lostetter

Bobby Allison holds a special place in my heart. (Hi, Bobby!)  I was the bookish, serious, rule-following (at least to all appearances!) chorus person and Bobby was the rock musician - in my mind a bit of a "bad boy", I guess . . . and he graciously agreed to accompany me singing the Byrds "Turn, Turn, Turn," in high school.  I had major stage fright for any solo singing, and he was really supportive.  
So I was happy when we re-connected on the class website a number of years ago and he shared some of his music with me. 
Sorry I didn't know you were in the Mississippi Gulf area when I was down there doing post-Katrina work, Bobby!  I would have looked you up!  Keep up the fight - for health and for the arts!

James A "Jim" White

James A "Jim" White

William Samuel "Bill" Sloan

Jim -Margie and I are very glad you Kathy are traveling through central Florida. We will be at home in April so your timing is impeccable! Just remember April 21st is Easter Sunday so let me know if I need to hide eggs for your entertainment. Give me a call about a week out for coordination. Looking forward to seeing you.

Deborah Pike

Bill, 

Thanks for the jokes  I love telling them to my granddaughter and have her roll her eyes while trying not to laugh

Debbie

Deborah Pike

Bill,

You have outdone yourself. Keep up the god work!

Debbie

James A "Jim" White

 This week in Destin, Florida, I met with USAF Lt. Col. (retired) RON WESTENBARGER, class of '65 and older brother to RODNEY in our class who I met with in Arizona in January.

With our sweet wives, KAY and KATHY.

LuLu Buffett (yes, sister to Jimmy) is a wonderful restaurant with small children's beach on the water in Destin, Florida.

Sipping iced tea with my swimming friend given to me by BOBBY ALLISON for the 5th-Wheel.

 BOBBY ALLISON is a really great guy and I am thrilled that Kathy and I had an opportunity to spend several days and visit Bobby and Ernie (Ernestine). It is wonderful to get to know classmates far better than one did as a teenager. What a gifted and really nice persons both Bobby and Ernie are.

Karen McCarty (Messina)

James A "Jim" White

A very happy birthday to a wonderful young lady, LOUISE YBARRA CHRISTENSEN. From this point forward, Louise, you only have to celebrate your birthday every decade. Keep travlin'

Walton Taylor "Wally" Reynolds

hello out there!  just letting you allknow im alive and well  still kicking

James A "Jim" White

Thanks for checking in, WALLY REYNOLDS. It has been a couple years since you have. Let us know about your Chevy Nova (if I remember) and your grandchildren. I also missed MIKE HAMMONDS birthday a couple days ago. Mike was such a great class leader and also helpful with our 50-year reunion banquet. The families Mike has helped, both as a pastor and as an insurance agent, are innumerable. Talking about the reunion banquet, how about today's birthday girl, BRENDA RIDENER BRADLEY, who organized and led us in the class song. What a wonderful and talented lady you are, Brenda. Thank you for taking the leadership in the music department. You are the best!  I met Randy Sparks three months ago. He is 86 years young and the leader of The New Christy Minstrels and song writer of "Today." I told him "Today" was our class song ... then I told him I was from Roswell. ha While Kathy and I are in Florida, next week we will be seeing KAREN McCARTY FINK and BILLY and MARGIE SLOAN the following week. CHIP and BONNIE KING, see you in May after we visit the Keys. Hugs to all.

RANDY SPARKS, founding member of The New Christy Minstrels.

JIM and KATHY in New Orleans. Have you been there lately?

James A "Jim" White

First, today we wish MARY SUE GAINES DePASS a very happy birthday! Mary, you were a delight in high school, so funny and friendly. Perhaps, that is why (if memory serves me) you were selected the first African-American Homecoming Queen at UNM. You are a leader and have been all your life. 

Classmates may wonder "why" I try to locate classmates as Kathy and I travel (currently in our 19th state) in the 5th-Wheel BOYCE McFARLAND gave us.  Speaking of Boyce, he is currently in Sweden on a short ten day trip. I recognize I have a weird affinity for clasmates I grew up with (yes, similar to MARDI GONYEA NICKLIN) so try to find people I have history with. One of the stupidest comments I have heard from a classmate that doesn't care about people he grew up with was, "I am so past high school." Duh, aren't we all? Everyone has new friends, battle buddies, colleagues and experiences but to shun people that share your history makes you a fool in my eyes. 'Nuff said.

When I meet classmates they are such gracious hosts. Take KAREN McCARTY FINK, for example. This sweet lady grew up in an AF family like many of our classmates. Although in Roswell a fairly short time, she loves her Roswell friends and this class. Karen lost her husband unexpectedly just six weeks ago, but that did not keep her from making certain Kathy and I have a wonderful time in this area, north of Tampa. Thank you, Karen. You are the best and so much FUN!  .

KATHY, JIM and KAREN having dinner on the deck overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. 

 JIM and KAREN wondering "Where are the dolphins?" Actually, they came back around sunset.

 JIM and KATHY looking at the sunset from Pine Island, Florida. KAREN was the photographer.

 Pine Island approaching sunset. I wonder if RICK MARCUM, who has a birthday in three days, misses the Gulf Waters ('tho not the hurricane that destroyed his lovely home on the water)?

May each of you be blessed as much as Kathy and I are with friends, family, health and travels.

Jim W.

Terry Michael Boone

.HI Jim,  Thanks for your many posts. I really enjoy seeing where you are traveling, your pictures, and the classmates you run into.  You're having a wonderful experience full of memories you'll have for the rest of your life.  It was really generous of Boyce to give you that 5th wheel, which allowed you to make this special lifestyle happen. Please keep posting.  where are you traveling to next?  Hopefully you will be able to come through DFW on your way back west.  Would love to have you and Kathy come out to Possum Kingdom and stay at my lakehouse.  I know Jim Brown wants to come out too.  Would like to coordinate you and he and maybe a couple others visiting.  I know it's a little far off, but please let me know the dates you might be here when you figure it out and I will get going on putting something together.  Don't know I could show you as good of a time as some of our other classmates, but I'll really, really try.

Doris Flood (Burton)

Hey, Terry.  I was surprised to learn in your post to Jim that you are living in a lake house at Possum  Kingdom Lake in Texas.  I live in Breckenridge, Texas (just a 45-minute drive) from PK for almost 40 years.  Don't get back to BRK very often; however, both my kids are living in Breckenridge.  May get there after our remodel is done at our home in Kimball, Nebraska.  It's a 19-hour drive to BRK.  I made the drive in one day about 10 years ago, but not sure I can push it that much anymore! - Doris Flood Burton

Mardi Gonyea (Nicklin)

Hello sweet classmates,

I am trying to do some catch-up, as I have been gone for the past couple of weeks.

Been trying to call you, Bill, and so far havent made the connection. I hope you are recovering well after such a serious surgery. You are in my thoughts and prayers dear friend.

For the first time in five years I was able to travel. I get tired pretty quickly, but just to be able to go on a "road trip" with my son and his wife, was just a huge blessing.

Love all you're postings Jim and Kathy, and love your stories.

Sending Luv and Hugs to all of you.

Terry Michael Boone

HI Doris,  Yes, I remember that you lived in Breckenridge for many years.  Nice little quaint town.  We still live in Southlake, but bought a house on the peninsula.  We really love it here and I imagine we'll spend more and more time here as the years go on.  The location is as close to our house in Southlake as anywhere on the lake.  Takes us 1:45-2:00 hours to get here.  Next time you are in Breckenridge, let me know ahead of time.  We'd love to have you come visit-as you know it's not that far from Breckenridge.

Karen McCarty (Messina)

First of all, a BIG shout out to Bill Leggett. So glad the surgery is over and now on the recovery time. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you navigate through the healing period. Be kind to yourself and don’t overdo. Mardi, how very special to travel with your son and his wife! What part of our great country did you travel to? I’m so happy that you got to spend time with your son. To Jim and Kathy. I had such a special visit with you for two days you were in my area. It was a bittersweet visit as my husband is now passed and he was also looking forward to the visit. We caught up on most of the happenings of the last 55 years and traveled back (in our minds) to 1963–65 and our fun high school shenanigans. Some of us had a harder time getting through high school than others, but you know what, it was our life and made us the people we are today. I don’t regret a single minute. It is extra special to be able to reconnect with those high school memories once again and realize how quickly this life will pass us by. Don’t waste a single minute folks! Be kind to others and enjoy what time you have left on this earth. No one knows how long they may have here. Thank you Jim and Kathy for sharing your travels with us. As Roy Rogers used to say, “Happy trails to you until we meet again!”

Mardi Gonyea (Nicklin)

Bill, even though you might not see yourself as one TOB (tough old bird!!) you really are. A very invasive surgery and you are functioning...I am proud of you.

Karen, I am so glad you had such an amazing visit with Jim and Kathy. I have always said, "Jim is the glue that holds our class togethe." He is too modest to admit it. But, the memory stories are just the best. I get a kick out of sometimes the "different versions" of the same story. One thing I've learned at this age is that there are just a bunch of different versions, different perspectives, sometimes on the same event. It happens with friendships and it happens even in families. I can bring up a subject in my family, an event, and each of my sister's and brother will tell a different version of how they saw the event. It used to make me mad because I thought my version was the correct version. Know, I am able to listen easily and enjoy that person's version. I am so much more easy going at this age then I ever was....ha!! You are so right, life is so very short, especially when you lose someone you love.

My son is living in Bryan/College Station, TX., home of the Texas Aggies. The entire twin city rotates around everything Aggie. It reminded me of Salt Lake City, UT how the entire city has most of their main streets circling the Tabernacle. In "Aggie-ville" if you aren't associated with the college in some way, there are some beautiful ranches. Their country-side was so green from all the great rains we have had this year. He lives on a ranch in a tiny area, Millican, TX. Just a very cool area.

Be well and love each other with kindness. Luv N Hugs

Terry Michael Boone

Bill,  Good luck on your recovery.  Back surgeries are never easy, but they can sure make a big difference in quality of life.  You are just fortunate that they are able to fix what is wrong with you.  I have scoliosis in the pelvic area.  Two specialists have told me best not to operate.  Instead I take a drug cocktail of a nerve relaxer, a muscle relaxer and a pain medicine.  In the last three years I've shrunk from 6'2" to 5'10"-with no end in sight.  Who knows, I may be a midget in a few years.                                                                                                  

On a more positive note, I just had my second total knee replacement a little over two weeks ago.  For anyone having serious knee problems, I highly recommend this surgery.  The results of my first knee replacement  is that I have the knee of a teenager-no pain, full flexibility, and very stable.  The downside is that recovery/rehab is very painful and prolonged.  Also important to have a qualified surgeon.  Mine does 400-500 knee replacements a year.  A third-party nurse called last week to see how I was doing.  She asked what was my pain level.  I told her right now about a 3.  She said she just got off the phone with a guy who had his operation about the same time as me and his pain level was a 9-but he had a different surgeon.  Anybody thinking about this surgery-my adivice is to have it now, rather than later.  No sense in going through the misery any longer than you have to.                                                                                           

Karen McCarty (Messina)