IN MEMORY OF A TEACHER AT BHS

This morning NANCY THOMPSON BAKER called me to let me know that MIKE FOY's brother had passed away. She didn't have a lot of information other than he had been a teacher at BHS when we were in school. As I was unable to gain information regarding services, I emailed MIKE my condolences. He sent me the following:

"I am saddened by my brother's passing. It was quick and unexpected. He was so full of life and loved to go when he could. The following is the schedule as I know it.

Ronald LaVelle Foy passed on 4/27/15 at the age of 80 in Pflugerville, Tx. Ron was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma cancer only a month ago. Arrangements have been made with Cook-Walden/Capital Hill Memorial Park in Pflugerville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cal Farley’s Boy’s Ranch in Amarillo, Texas or to Hospice Austin in memory of LaVelle Foy, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin, TX 78759.

LaVelle was an Industrial Arts teacher in Ballinger from 1956 until he moved to Snyder in 1967. He loved each and everyone he taught while in Ballinger and Snyder. He moved to Austin in 1971 and worked for the Austin Public School System until retirement."

Foy Home on Ninth St., Ballinger

I know you will all join me in sending our sincere condolences and prayers of comfort for the family.

After I received the above from MIKE, I found the following obituary online:

In Memory of

Ronald LaVelle Foy

May 12, 1934 - April 27, 2015

Obituary

Howdy, Pilgrims!

Ronald LaVelle Foy, DTE passed away at the age of 80 in the comfort of his home in Pflugerville, Texas. Ron was diagnosed with stage 4, melanoma cancer only a month ago.

Ron had a passion for educating students in a way that was not "one size fits all." He never really enjoyed reading for fun himself, but co-authored books and dedicated his life's work to providing education that was fun and interesting for the student. He taught skills that would enable them to support families and be superior contributors to our society. He was a member of the Romeo Club, American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Ron served in the US Army in Germany as a radar specialist after attaining his Associate of Science at Tarleton State College in 1953. He went on to attain his Bachelor of Science at North Texas State University in 1959, his Masters of Education in Industrial Arts in 1963, and attended the NDEA Institute at Illinois State University in 1968. His certifications include Texas Secondary Teaching- Industrial Arts, Texas Secondary- Administrative, Texas Secondary- Supervisor and Distinguished Technology Educator and Science Coordinator.

Ron was a founder of the Texas Industrial Arts Association and a contributing member of the American Council Industrial Arts Supervisors, the American Institute of Design and Drafting, Association of Texas Technology Education, Hill Country Industrial Arts Association, International Technology Education Association, Science Teachers Association of Texas, Texas Council of Industrial Arts Supervisors, and Texas Science Supervisors Association. Ron co-authored the textbooks Drafting Fundamentals published in 1985 and Drafting Fundamentals and Practical Application in 1987. His honors and positions include the Texas Distinguished Teacher Award, TIAA President, TCIAS Secretary/Treasurer, TCIAS Man of the Year, TCIAS President, TIAA Executive Secretary, ACIAS Planning Council, ACIAS Treasurer, ACIAS Outstanding Local Supervisor, TIAA President Award, ITEA President, TIAA Distinguished Service Award and the ATTE Hall of Honor. His awards are many and would cover several walls if all were displayed.

In addition to Ron's distinguished career he was also a magnificent husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather brother, friend and confidant. He made sure his family learned about camping, fishing, hunting, and oh yes, morals, ethics and religion.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents Marlin Arthur and Luna May (Haskins) Foy, who both passed over 20 years ago. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Bonnie Jean (Vick) Foy; brother, James Michael Foy and wife Sondra Foy; daughters, Dawn Gamache and husband John Gamache, and Marti Freitag; and his son, Brian Vick and wife Tina Vick; grandchildren, Candyce and husband Lane Eskew, Cord and wife Amanda Edwards, Phillip, Daniel, Julia, Liz and husband Clint Christianson, Heather, Ashley, Kristin, and Anthony; great-grandchildren, Aspen, Lucian LaVelle, Allmarie, Faith, Colin, Caitlyn, Brooklyn, Peyton, Jude, Caroline, Jacob, and Iliana; niece, Michele and husband Steve Ashby; nephews, Blake and Kyle and wife Bliss Foy; and other extended family and friends.

Ron's family will greet guests at a visitation to be held Friday, May 1, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville, Texas. Services to celebrate Ron's life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at Hill Country Bible Church, 303 East Pflugerville Parkway in Pflugerville, Texas. Burial services will follow at Cook-Walden Memorial Hill Cemetery.

Flowers may be delivered to Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Ronald LaVelle Foy to either Cal Farley's Boys Ranch or Hospice Austin at 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin, TX 78759 or at their website, www. hospiceaustin.org/donate.

As Ron would say: Auf Wiedersehen, Amigos!"

There are some great family photos at the funeral home website:

Cook-Walden Funeral Home

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It seems this was the day for hearing of family challenges. NANCY emailed me a little later to tell me that her cousin's husband died this morning. Her sister Shirley called after that to tell her that their 90-year-old brother, Claude Thompson, Jr., fell, breaking some ribs and puncturing a lung. They were told to "keep him moving" to prevent pneumonia from setting in. Prayers for a safe recovery for this beloved brother are in order.

NANCY told me that she had only heard the name LaVelle twice. Her late brother, Robert LaVelle Thompson, and Ronald LaVelle Foy. They both lived in Ballinger, and both were in the service, stationed in Germany at the same time.

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We have all heard that melanoma is a deadly form of cancer. TER COTHRAN had many, many melanomas removed from his face and head. I don't know for certain if the melanomas were responsible for the brain tumor he eventually succumbed to, but he had the last round of melanomas removed not long before the tumor was discovered.

My daughter and her family have full-body checks yearly for any abnormalities. Of course, there are dermatologists in her husband's family so it is a little easier for them to do this. She really recommends it though. When I think of how many of us slathered ourselves with suntan oil - and even cocoa butter - and sat in the hot Texas sun for hours when we were teens, it's a wonder more of us haven't had skin cancers! Maybe it's time for one of those skin screens!

Peace,
Marilyn

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Even with the crazy up and down weather we've suffered the past couple of months, most of us are now experiencing spring fever. One couple took 

Nancy & Jake Baker

advantage of it with a trip to the casinos in Biloxi in February. As their flight left from Austin, I was delighted when they stopped by for lunch. I snapped a picture as they were preparing to leave. Then I noticed what NANCY had in her hand. I named this photo "Who's the pitcher thief?" She had always coveted my little green pitcher that was given to me several years ago by IRENE. Luckily I caught her before she and Jake went out the door!

PEGGY

NANCY THOMPSON BAKER is my "senior correspondent" for the happenings in and around Ballinger. She is friends with June Harris Koch (Class of '56), cousin of our classmate PEGGY BRANHAM KRUMLINDE. It is via June that NANCY relays the medical updates to me. This morning she called me to tell me that PEGGY is going home tomorrow. She has been walking some in the rehab center, but still has a long road of recovery ahead of her. Home Health will come twice weekly to help with her rehabilitation, but the family will bear most of her care. As her husband is to have hernia surgery very soon, you can imagine the stress on all of them. Please continue to pray for this family. We never know if we might be in a similar circumstance someday.

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JAMES HAYS sent me the following email a few days ago:

"I went to Amarillo this past week-end for the West Texas Historical Association annual meeting and presented a paper entitled 'Walthall and the Settlement of Runnels County'.  This tiny hamlet was actually on the map in 1883 and is where I grew up.  This may be published in a year or so in the yearbook and the one I did last year should be out soon, about a failed cattle drive in SW Coleman County.. 

I guess you could call this an unpaid second career but I have had fun putting these things together."

I have never heard of Walthall, but I was a late-comer to Ballinger. JAMES is to send me a copy of this paper. I understand it is pretty long, but if any of you are interested, when I receive it I will forward it to you. Just let me know.

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I haven't been out and about much so far this spring, but I took this photo on a country road around Burnet a few years back. I keep it as a screensaver on my P.C. It is a cheerful reminder that we are blessed with "new life" every spring - some years are more abundant than others.

Peace and love,

Marilyn