James A "Jim" White

Donna Birkenbuel

Hello everyone!

FYI Jim White, I just updated my address information (again.) After losing my home in Ruidoso to the fires this summer, I am currently living in a 55+ senior's gated community in Las Cruces. I really like the security provided here,  but I don't know yet if this is going to be my last landing place. Time will tell. I think I should qualify for a "Golden Sneakers" award because of how many times I've moved in the last 5 years. *L*

Update for those that know my sister Sharon Birkenbuel - RHS Class of 64 - and her battle with Alzheimer's Disease. She has been declining rapidly, and I have been in Albuquerque to spend more time with her. I am going back to Albuquerque this Monday to go with her to her neurologist appointment on the 12th, because I'm sure there are going to be changes in  the level of her care.  She is always asking for me, but I don't mind because the day will come when she won't know me, or call me her "baby sister," either. 

Margaret W. "Peggy" Ware (Koger)

Gosh, all our classmates with Alzheimer's is so hard. God bless all you caretakers and spouses. You have the hardest job in the world! Jill and HD, God bless you! I'm so sorry. 

Jim, we look forward to visiting this week!
 

Julia "Jill" Webster (Reed)

Hi RHS- GHS family,

I hate to add to Jim White's duties but I need let you know that Jill Webster Reed passed away Friday afternoon from complications with dimentia.  It has been a long 4 and a half years but I know that she is in a better place today.  I'm sure that she and her mother are back together giving Charlie hell.

We had a good 55 years together.  We were able to do lot of traveling in both Europe and Asia.  Probably her biggest joy was spending time with her 6 granddaughters.

One of the highlights for me with our marriage has been getting to know all the RHS-GHS classmates and hear about their high school escapades.  My senior class were such deadbeats we had 2 reunions in 30 years and the last one was split between two locations because people couldn't agree.

Roswell will always be like home for me.  Be at peace that Jill is in the loving arms of our Lord and Saviour.

Harold Reed

Doris Flood (Burton)

Our condolences to you and your family, H.D.  Truly, Jill is now in a better place.  I know the void you have felt these past years is somewhat lifted.  Hopefully, knowing that Jill is in heaven and in a better form must be of some comfort.  Know that you will always be in our hearts.  You are truly one special man, and I know Jill loved you so  much.  We will all miss her smile and her laugh, but it is in our hearts, as well.  Take care, my friend.

Terry Michael Boone

H. D., I remember you well as you joined several mini-get togethers in the Fort Worth area in years past.  The way you fit in, if somebody didn't know better, they would have thought you had graduated with us.  You've been awfully good to Jill for so many years.  She was certainly lucky to have a man who stood by her thorugh such difficult times as you did.  You both have been through a lot.  My prayers are with both you and Jill and I  now hope that the two of you can now be at peace.

Charlotte Howell (Nix)

HD, Tucker, Anne, Paige and Granddaughters,

Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with each of you.  We know that these last few years have been most difficult but you all honored Jill with your presence and patience.  How blessed she was to have you in her life!

What a wonderful classmate Jill was.  She was witty, loyal and loving to each of us in the class of 1966.  Jill and I drove home for lunch everyday from RHS and had many adventures along the way.  Choir was a true joy and she was a marvelous part of that joy.  

Rest in Peace my friend.  Rest in the loving arms of your Lord and Savior.  See you later.........

Robin E. Lostetter

H.D. - You've been the definition of faithful to Jill, and you've won over all our hearts as you kept us abreast of Jill's situation.  You brought us to tears both of sadness and of joy, for the tender care you gave our "Roswell sister" Jill.

You're one of us now, just as you've been for the last several years.  We want to know what's going on with the kids and grandchildren and any travel or adventures you find yourself on.   Please know that we will welcome any family news from you, and that many Roswell/Goddard folk will be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

With great sadness and also gratitude,

Robin

Mardi Gonyea (Nicklin)

R. E. Herky Veatch

Are you still in Kerrville?

Mardi Gonyea (Nicklin)

James A "Jim" White

From very chilly McGuire AFB (Joint Base MDL) in New Jersey at the moment, Kathy and I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas.

PEGGY WARE KOGER and Fred met with us last week in Mesa, AZ area. We had a delightful meeting and a few stories were told. 

We are sorry we missed CAROL NORMAN but wish her the best. As some of you know, Carol is a fairly recent widow. Now I have barely missed Carol from Enumclaw, WA to Phoenix, AZ. Hugs to you, Carol.

IF schedules work, we will be meeting with JIM NAPIER in Casa Grande, AZ January 2nd. Sadly, we will miss seeing ELIZABETH GWARTNEY LOWNEY around that time. It seems she and Walter would rather go see her children then meet with us. Imagine that. However, I give credit to ELIZABETH and JUDI ADAMS MORRIS for talking over Facetime several times a week while they each put on their makeup. What a cool idea for great friends.

Our deepest sympathy go out to BARBARA BUZBEE who lost her daughter this week. Barbara, please accept our deepest condolences from the class. We were fortunate to meet with Barbara this past month. I hope to find our picture together we took .... among gazillions on my phone.

Do you have memory hooks from your earlier days? Kathy and I saw Englebert Humperdinck our first or second year of marriage. While in Palm Springs, for our 54th-anniversary we went to see 88-year young Englebert's "Last Waltz Final Tour." It was good, he was open, very sad and emotional at times; but with the emotional ties we have with him, we enjoyed our evening.

Did I mention we got together with MARY HUSEMOLLER this summer? Mary is doing well and selling her absolutely stunning home in Durango, CO area to move fulltime to their other absolutely stunning custom home in southern California close to the ocean.

ROGER CARL, are you back in the country? LOUIS BAGWELL and HERKY VEACH, Kathy and I hope to see you on the Island Feb-Mar-Apr when we are there.

Doris Flood (Burton)

Thanks for the update, Jim.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the RHS/GHS Class of 1966 and beyond.  Gary and I send our regards to all.

Roger Carl

Jim, Thanks for remembering.  We are slowing way down on our travel, but we went to Michigan in the spring, Germany in the fall, and Texas for Thanksgiving.  We are staying home this Christmas and expecting our son and his son and family from Chicago to arrive Christmas afternoon.  That includes an 18 month little ball of energy that should wear us all out with her first real Christmas experience.  It's been a couple of years since I have been in NM.  I really need to get there this spring to visit sister Rada in ABQ and older brother Gary in TorC.  I really miss going through Roswell to see Jim Gill since his passing; and it's always a treat to touch base with Dickey Davis when I get a chance.

Best wishes to all for the holidays!!

Karen McCarty (Messina)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my classmates!  We are doing well in Florida. We don't travel as much as I used to as my new husband, John, has had some challenging health issues since we got married two years ago. We are still going out to listen to music and the many tribute groups that pass through our area. My daughter and only child will be visiting for Christmas from Dothan, AL.  We are taking life one day at a time and enjoying what God has given us. May each of you enjoy your family and friends always. I enjoy hearing the news of each one even if I don't remember all the details of my high school exploits!  Enjoy life and be kind as a songwriter once wrote! 

James A "Jim" White

Karen McCarty (Messina)

Karen McCarty (Messina)

Here we are this past Christmas.  Unfortunately, the last time we were able to go out. Since then John has been suffering from a recurring sarcoma brain tumor. The first time it occurred, he had surgery after which the surgeon announced they had removed it all. Then a year and a half later, it has returned with a vengance in the same area. This time the neurosurgeon says it is inoperable because it has encroached into the brain tissue where the main artery enters the brain. Therefore chemo will not work either. They are going to try radiation next week for five days.  If that does not shrink the tumor enough, then he will go on palliative care and next will be hospice.  So far John is receiving the best care possible through VA Community care at the University of Florida Neurology Dept which is one of the highest rated cancer centers in the US.  The doctor has him on morphine for pain management.  I don't share this information for sympathy but to remind everyone we are not guaranteed tomorrow on this earth but to hold your loved ones close. Enjoy each moment you have together here and tomorrow will take care of itself. We covet your prayers for safe passage through this life and onto the next.  I love to hear and read about others and the fun things each of you are doing. Keep us all posted! 
 

Keith Burke

Doris Flood (Burton)

Thanks for sharing your story with us, Keith.  You will be in my prayers as you continue your journey.  Best wishes. Doris Flood Burton

James A "Jim" White

Beatriz Valadez (Ferreira)

Hola Everyone! 

Firstly, I send good healthy and happiness thoughts to all those in the classes of 1966 for both Roswell and Goddard High Schools as most of us started as Coyotes.  Secondly, I send extra strong healing thoughts to all those facing health challenges and visualize you recovering as soon as possible so that you may continue enjoying what you like to do the most. I was unable to make the 51st Reunion as I was out of country which is what I like to do the most!.  It's good to see that many of you are, like me, living the gypsy life!  It keeps our minds active and for me, lifts the spirit!  I can't recall when I last posted any thoughts, but I do try to read the messages!  I have mourned those that have left us and rejoice in those who are busy and continuing to enjoy life. 

International economic developement and human rights issues and projects keep me busy!.  And, I love  experiencing the many wonderful curltures Planet Earth offers.  So, I try to combine work, learning and some fun wherever I end up. The last few years, my husband and I and on accasion a grandchild who has been free to accompany us, have concentrated our travels in Europe with an a break to touch on Asia, Canada  and Latin America.  So, we have been fortunate to travel in almost all of the United Kingdom (England, Wales Scotland), parts of Sweden, Denmark, Finland (where we spent time with my friend, Tapio who I met in Moscow in 1975), then Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Croatia, Austria, Germany, Italy, France,(spent time with two friends)  the Netherlands (where my husband's godson lives/works), Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland, the Canary Islands (spent time with friends who now live in Maryland), Guatemala, El Salvador (friends), Costa Rica (friends), Venezuela (friends who I just reconnected with after 35 years) , Ecuador (friends), Bolivia (friends), India, Phillipines and this summer, we will head to Poland and Leichtenstein and back to the UK, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. I hope to visit the UNICEF headquarters in Geneva.  

I have been busy with unity-building and peace-efforts that are unfortunately still so badly in demand in too many parts of the world. Humanity tends to adopt the latest in technology and autos, tv's, but, for me, a bit too slow in advancing the human virtues of respect, equality, unity, justice and peace. (note: my personal opinion based on my personal experiences). Suffice it to say that I am not a fan of the word "retire"  Like I say to my husband, the word sends the message that I may not only be "tired" but more than "tired" as the prefix "re" indicates "again" and "again" or "backward".  And, being either one of those is not in my life style!  Lots to do, so never a boring moment.

At the moment, just having come in from the outdoors where I witnessed the birth of three baby curved bill thrashers in a large nest built between the spiney arms of a cane sholla cuctus. I was intrigued by the complicated pattern of the nest starting with quite thick branches on its exterior and finer dried grass in its interior making it cozy where mama had laid her three beautiful eggs. 

Then I came inside and checked emails and saw the most recent message on the Roswell-Goddard high message board. One of the message encourages classmates to share. 

So as I sit in this quiet, peaceful room in my Las Cruces home, able to look out toward the Majestic Organ Mountains, no overpowering windy dust, enjoying the perfect termperature, our English Oak enjoying its new Spring leafs, the irises launching their purple, white and yellow blooms and the birds sharing their different melodies as they make our back yard their temporary rest stop before they take off to their next destination, I have treated myself to reading as many high school messages as time has permitted. Many brought joy, others sadness. Those leaving us to the next worlds have become more common as the years go by.  I miss so many of them! 

I don't know when I will have another opportunity to have a day like this, as I get ready to "hit the road again"...but I am  that so, so glad that I caught up with those of you who have posted.  And, I encourage as many others to share, both the happy and the sad about our experiences since 1966! 

Be healthy and be happy, Beatriz  

Karen McCarty (Messina)

Hi Keith, thank you for sharing your experience with your recent health journey. I know how difficult these challenges can be, but remember several of us are right there with you!  You are blessed to have family who have been able to come and help support you emotionally as well as physically. You are in our prayers as well. 🙏💕

Karen McCarty (Messina)

Dear Beatriz, thank you for sharing your life stories with our classmates. I believe you and I had a class or two together during those impressionable high school years. I am happy for you that you and your husband are able to continue sharing life experiences and traveling together. Many happy trails to you, (as Roy Rogers and Dale Evans used to sing at the end of their tv show that I loved as a kid!), sincerely, Karen McCarty Messina 

Roger Carl

I recently spent most of a week in Abq with my little sister Rada [RHS70].  She is a great tour guide for NM and took me to a different Mex food place every day.  Man I miss green chili and sopapillas!

She was a friend of Sandra Spangler's little sister Shirley and has never been able to track her down after school.  I just remembered to send her the DOD for Sandra with her married name to attempt getting a handle on where Shirley might be.  Anybody on this sight have any memories or clues of where Shirley might have lived or if she was married?  Thanks in advance...

Paula and I will leave Charleston this week to spend a while in Greece.  It has become one of our top Europe destinations.  Food, people, weather, culture just seem to work for us.  We do slow travel and it gets slower every year!  We will have a car and spend a few nights in places we have been and also try some new places.

We did the same way in Germany, France and Austria last fall.

Good to hear from folks!  God bless!