James A "Jim" White

A super Thank You to SUSAN SLEPICKA HALVORSON checking in a letting us know she is alive. While in Denver, Kathy and I have tried to contact Susan. JUDI ADAMS MORRIS and ELIZABETH GWARNEY LOWNEY also tried to find her in downtown Denver towers. Susan, and everyone else, please update your profile and contact information. We had nearly 200 reunion announcements returned to us for incorrect addresses.

Once again, my most trusted obituary finder, JON PELLEGRINI, has helped us find and report on the passing of MARY ROSE ESCAMILLA GRAHAM in 2020. Thank you, Jon. If you knew "Rose", please tell us a story.

LAURIE SHUEY ANDERSEN has relocated but not certain where, for certain. She has been terribly busy trying to find a new care facility to move, keeping her home up to date, having her husband's Sunbeam Tiger restored, trying to bury her husband at sea, and the continual health problems and billing corrections that must be made. Why don't you try it sometime with only the limited use of one arm? Laurie, or prayers are with you.

Yes, we wait with baited breath to hear if RICK MARCUM has a new novel coming out or if one of his has been adopted for a limited TV series.

And where did that dang TERRY BOONE go recently? Was it Peru, Chile or someplace else far down south? JIM BROWN decided to stay and work on his museum rather than go on this fun trip with Terry.

I phoned to get an update on JILL WEBSTER REED but have not heard back. Her alzheimer's struggle has really been a battle for Jill and Harold.

Kathy and I are in Yuma for one more week. Between physician appointments and more, we (sadly) could not connect with MARY MAULDIN GARCIA. MIKE TURNER, we will be in El Centro for one day (Nov 8) IF that is close enough for you to come and visit. Of course, BARBARA BUZBEE has been hard at work to help us figure out our airport delimma when we get to Palm Springs. Thank you, Barbara, and looking forward to seeing you again. We will be in Illinois (Scott AFB) to visit with our AF son, Kevin, who just returned from deployment. Kevin and Sandy think we are just coming to see our 5 darling, cute, smart and fun grandkids that he fathered. Do your children think the same, you only visit to see the grandchildren? Then we fly to Seattle to see our other 3 grandchildren .... er ... I mean our other two children.  :-)

Christmas will be in Palm Springs this year, then Quartzsite for 3 days (if you know what that is about), then New Years in Yuma before we start the long haul to visit MARDI GONYEA NICKLIN (near San Antonio) then onto Galveston Island for the spring where we hope to catch up with BOB and KAREN REAM, LOUIS BAGWELL, BARBY MITCHELL STAGNER, KAREN PATTERSON NICHOLS, RHONDA BERNING, HERKY VEACH and a few more classmates who I can picture now but with my mind, do not recall their names. Why don't you drop the class a note and let us know what is going on with you.

James A "Jim" White

Happy Birthday KAREN MOORE WILSON, NANCY TRAYLOR NIVENS and ROGER PRICE.

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R. E. Herky Veatch

Jim White, I want to thank you for keeping everyone abreast on the goings and comings of all our classmates. It is only since we are getting up in age that we need to go back to our upbringing. 

Love you and Kathy. Can't wait to see you this spring. We found a petter place to meet here in Kemah. I know you two will like it. It does get loud!

Herky

Roger Carl

I agree completely with Herky --  Jim has done a Herculean job trying to rally this group of wayward cats!!

Our first big outing in three years  Bo Greece was a big success.  No problems in airports and no encounter with the Covid monster.  We loved the food, the people and the sites.  It may be the last time with a rent car since most rental companies don't deal with those of us who are now mostly at that magic 75-year mark.

Thinking about driving in foreign countries using a GPS, Google Maps, prompts me to get on a little soapbox.  Google Maps changed everthing when it became available.  It was wonderful to not need the detailed road Atlas and a stack of Michelin maps.  Just look it up, program it in and away we go.  Ninety-plus percent of the time, that works and all is well. 

But there are times that I regret being so trustful of its guidance.  One of those times on this trip we were beginning to worry a bit as we slowly drove on a rough, one lane, partially-paved track through an olive grove in the big middle of nowhere.  It probaby was the shortest, or most fuel efficient route, but please just give me the option to stay on paved roads with a center stripe. 

A few years ago we ended up in a small Italian village where the street just kept getting narrower.  The stone walls made us fold in the rearview mirrors and then we had to just stop-seeing that it was still getting tighter.  Then I had to try backing out without the side mirrors. but fortunately a couple of amused local residents were happy to assist me with smiles and hand signals.  It cost $200 for the extra scratches on the bumpers.

So anyway, I will get off that little soapbox and just say it really is great when you survive life's little challenges-isn't it?

Safe travels,

Roger

Terry Michael Boone

Roger,

I can relate to your experience driving in a foreign country and trusting your GPS.  I was in the Lake District of England a few years ago and wanted to go see Hadrian's Wall-a northeasterly direction.  The trouble is there was no direct route, so I just took off trusting my Garmin.  After a while the two-lane blacktop turned onto a gravel road.  I was driving along when the gravel road disappeared and I suddenly realized I was on a small dirt path in a field surrounded by sheep.  I figured I had taken a wrong turn and was now lost, but decided to continue following the Garmin directions.  I drove about 5mph up and down hills for about 10 minutes, occasionally honking my horn to get the sheep to move off the path, and eventually came to a black top road and recognized a town that was not too far from where I was at.  All ended up good-besides getting to Hadrian's Wall, I got an unexpected adventure!

Jim White, 

We all owe you a debt of gratitude for all the work you do in keeping the class informed and together.  You are appreciated.

Please don't retire!

James A "Jim" White

James A "Jim" White

James A "Jim" White

James A "Jim" White

James A "Jim" White

Dennis R. Hunter

First let me say thanks for the Birthday "Shout Out" ... getting closer (next year) to that ripe old age of 3/4 of a century is a milestone that many of us Veterans don't get to!

On Veterans Day 2022, let us all reach out and say "Thanks for your service" to the millions of living Veterans today from as far back as WWII and including many from the Korean War and of course the Vietnam War.  However we have many that are Veterans of the most recent ones like Gulf, Iraq and Afganistan War's.  When the World had needed us, the US and it's allies have always made sure they are there to support FREEDOM!  And please, take this day to also pray for those that are still fighting or supporting their coutries like Ulkraine in conflicts/wars that were not of their making! 

Happy Birthday Sharon too!!!

Sharon Wishard (Christian)

Jim thank you for the Happy Birthday wish, and to say I enjoyed doing lth 50th Class Reunion. I Wish everybody a Happy Thanksgiving!  Happy Birthday, Dennis!

Karen McCarty (Messina)

Just a short note to classmates to let you know we had no damage on the East coast of Florida from the tropical storm Nicole. We had winds up to 40 mph with lots of rain but nothing of substantial damage. It took more of a toll on our dog who decided she did not want to go out in the wind and rain to go potty. Fortunately, Amazon had delivered rain gear the day before so the day was saved!  My heart and prayers go out to the people on the east coast of Florida who lost homes due to wind and storm surge.  Always difficult to cope when a home is lost even if insurance covers most of the loss.  Hopefully this season of hurricanes and storms is over! 
 

James A "Jim" White

James A "Jim" White

We hope all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We did in Illinois (Scott AFB) with our son and family. Next week will find us in Seattle and the following week back in Palm Springs.

Will you share with your classmates what is going on in your life? I really feel that many classmates have dropped out of touch because they do not hear enough from you. They are tired of the Jim White blog, as I would be. Only six classmates, including me, have signed onto the class site in the past seven days. Think about it.  Also, if you have contact with other classmates, bring us up to date with those too bashful to tell us what is going on, such as:

- TERRY BOONE went to South America recently. Sometimes I think he has more excursions than Fed-Ex.

- BOYCE McFARLAND is getting pretty good on the guitar and is amazing when you think he is a 70+ year old teaching himself.

- DONNA BURKENBULE is working hard preparing her Ruidoso home for sale and, sadly, will soon be caretaker for her sister who is having memory issues.

- BILL SLOANE will soon be going to Austrailia and other locations.

- LAURIE SHUEY ANDERSEN'S son, David, brought his wife and Laurie's youngest granddaughter from Washington, D.C. to have Thanksgiving. If anyone knows a nursing home caretaker seeking additional hours, let us know. Laurie needs more help, especially on weekends.

- JILL WEBSTER REED is about the same. Our hearts are still with she and H.D. as they go through this memory care decline. By the way, H.D. is volunteering out at D/FW so you might see him there sometime.

- MARDI GONYEA NICKLIN is still dreaming about her recent trip to the beaches of California and would like to live there.

- ROGER CARL has not had any assignments lately (he teaches English in foreign countries) that I know of but he did report on one trip on this site.

TOMMY HOLLINGSHEAD use to check in but has not lately and the number we had for him is disconnected. Folks, do not make it difficult to reach you, find you. Update your profile .... please. PETE GARTON did not pick up my call but would you? An unknown, possibly Spam, number from Seattle? MARIANNE COONS McCULLOUGH, you have been way too silent and you know more than most what is going on. EVERYONE, what do you have planned for the Christmas holidays?

Robert Scaling

Jim and all classmates - I don't often post any messages but I sure enjoy reading everything that is posted. Beverly and I celebrated our 51st wedding anniversary this past July and are both doing well. We have lived in Las Cruces since 1988 and really like it here. We have three daughters, one in Albuquerque and two in the Dallas area, and seven Grandchildren. I still play golf a couple days per week and shoot my age or better regularly.

If you are ever in Las Cruces, we would love to see you. Take care and stay safe.

Robin E. Lostetter

James A "Jim" White

Our classmates have some wonderful spouses. JILL WEBSTER REED'S husband, HAROLD (H.D.), is a loving and caring husband and loves our class as much as his own. PAM LISTON RICKS' husband, BILL, is so much fun we asked him to attend reunions even if she can't. Another great spouse is LAURA KNIGHT ATKINS' widower, JESSE ATKINS, which we can report great news. After Jesse's loss of Laura, he somehow reconnected with his first love from high school years. She was also a widow. The short story is they are now married and living parttime in New York and parttime in Santa Fe. Isn't young love great, evidence by some of the long marriages we have in our class? Miracle of all miracles, Kathy and I celebrated 52 years yesterday ... but please ... no sympathy cards for Kathy ... okay?

As I write this, one of our classmates is undergoing an expected 8-hour back surgery ... and he does accept prayers.

ELIZABETH GWARTNEY LOWNEY recently moved from north of Denver to southern Arizona. She loves it thus far but I suspect she has not been there in summer yet. I'd prefer a house both places, depending upon the season. Anyway, Kathy and I hope to connect with she and WALTER in early January as we pass through Arizona. Sadly, we will be passing through on I-8 vs. I-10 where we could connect with PEGGY WARE KOGER. Sorry to miss you, PEGGY.

We will be connecting with BARBARA BUZBEE in a couple weeks in Palm Springs. Hugs to everyone.

James A "Jim" White

PETE GARTON checked in and is doing well ... er ... as well as can be expected (lol). His wife, PATTY, had foot surgery similar to JERRY ROBBINS and it has been no fun, right JERRY? PETE is quite an advisor for me. He and his wife RV'd for over ten years before they bought their sticks and bricks in NE Texas.

Our site renewal fee comes up in January. I will keep you informed since they have my credit card on file.

We use to be the most informed class in our era. We are no longer but I commend the Class of '65 who seems to report classmate passings at a rate of one or two per week. Someome is keeping all in the loop. Have you notfied your children or caretaker to partner to notify us if/when you pass?

HERKY VEACH and LOUIS BAGWELL, heading your direction in February. Early February will find us at Lake Conroe. Talk with all of you soon.

Margaret W. "Peggy" Ware (Koger)

Jim,  thank you for the updates....what great news about Jesse Atkins!   We will be here in January, so give us a buzz if you're coming through! 
I am going to be a great-grandmother in the next couple of weeks! Cannot wait to have a another female in the family    Still putting off the foot surgery as it's going to be such a beast to recover from....any tips from those who have had navicular cuneiform surgery, please let me know.  
 

Congrats to you and Kathy on such a long a wonderful marriage and journey ; she is a saint, obviously.  Lol! 

Happy Holidays to all! 

James A "Jim" White

Here is what little I know about classmates having UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

James A "Jim" White

I am fortunate in my RV travels to be able to see close friends along the way. I will see BARBARA BUZBEE again in about 7-10 days. I may get a chance to see MARY MAULDIN GARCIA in Yuma early January, will miss PEGGY WARE KOGER by about a hundred miles, will miss MIKE TURNER by about 150 miles but may catch up with ELIZABETH GWARTNEY LOWNEY in Arizona 2nd week of January, and MARDI GONYEA NICKLING the 3rd week. Around Galveston Island Mardi Gras time I will be close to BOB and KAREN HARRINGTON REAM, KAREN PATTERSON NICHOLS, RHONDA BERNING ZINN, LOUIS BAGWELL, HARKY VEACH and a couple others. Here are some of our classmates I have seen.

I am so greatful that because of our travels, I got to spend time with CHIP KING and Bonnie shortly before he died. I had never met Bonnie and we are now close friends. I had not seen Chip in years and it meant so much to see him before he passed away. Thanks for being my friend, Charlie J "Chip" King.

Yes, BARBARA BUZBEE is a crazy and funny as ever.

Evidence that LOUIS BAGWELL and I do not always drink beer together. We have iced tea too.

Kathy and I will be back on the Island from middle of February to the end of May.

Barbara Dell Buzbee (Thompson)

Fantastic Info, Kathy & Jim. Each visit is wonderful. Let's swim & jacuzzi this next visit. Meet this holiday wet before dancing with Will downtown Palm Spriings. The very best sax in the country. 

James A "Jim" White

Walton Taylor "Wally" Reynolds

Howdy all classmates    just a up date   still alive   still in washington  recovering from broken ankle and replacment of left knee  planning on being on the move in motor home come spring  no solid destination as of right now  hope you all have a great Christmas and happy new year   living live as it comes