ANOTHER CLASSMATE PASSING

I have waited a few days to post the following about JIMMY GAMBLE, as I was hoping to get a more complete obituary, and perhaps a photo. I remember most of our classmates from school, but I cannot place JIMMY. More than likely, it's because we didn't have any classes together. In looking through Google articles pertaining to him, I noticed that he was a City Alderman in Junction. I also saw a photo of his son Kevin, who was a local firefighter. If any of you would like to share a memory of JIMMY, just email me and I will post it.

From the San Angelo Standard Times:

"James “Jim” Gamble, 77, of Junction, died Monday, April 25, 2016. Private services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Shaffer Funeral Home/Sherwood Way.

Survivors include his sons, Kevin Gamble of Kerrville, Darron Gamble of Rosenburgand and David Gamble of New Mexico; daughters Penny Elaine Stewart of Junction and Kelly Scioneaux of Junction; brother Robert Gamble of San Bernard; sister Wanda Binder of Ballinger."

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JUNE HASH CURRY continues to improve after knee replacement surgery. This week she said that she is able to walk on her knee without pain now. Thanks for all the prayers. JUNE said she knows they helped.

GLENN SMITH, who was in a nursing/rehab facility in Ballinger recovering from surgery on his broken leg, is now at home. He indicated he was not happy at all while in the nursing home, and says it feels great to be home at last.

NANCY THOMPSON BAKER is relieved that hubby Jake is finally home. He was dismissed from the hospital last weekend, and spent the first full day home tending to paperwork that had piled up. NANCY spent so much of her time with him at hospitals in San Angelo and Ballinger, she barely had time to tend to her aching feet! She says that they are finally healing from the plantar fasciitis. Now, with the assistance of home health, her wifely duties include keeping track of the 17 medications Jake is on, as well as remembering to take her own.

NANCY has always been one to "be there" for others when illness or worse happened in a family. Her favorite dish to make enough to share is chicken spaghetti. Once made, she makes the rounds of anyone she knows is in need. It would be nice if others return the favor so she will be spared a lot of cooking in the first few weeks of Jake's recovery. NANCY, I wish I lived close. However, nothing I cook compares to your spaghetti! (Even using your "recipe"). Small towns are known for their coming together in times of crises.

All of this healing is noted under "good stuff" happening. Let me hear from you if you have more.

(Dreamtime)

Marilyn

LOST NO MORE

I was unable to reach TRUMAN CONNER to include him in our handbook for the 50th class reunion. Thanks to JANICE AMARINE and her trusty phone, she captured the photo above when she saw him at his sister Karen Bethea's graveside service held this past week in Ballinger. Karen resided in the Austin area, and was also a BHS graduate. JANICE said TRUMAN now lives in San Antonio. She encouraged him to come to one of the reunions.

Curious, I found TRUMAN's information on the internet, and emailed him condolences at the loss of his younger sister. To my delight, he answered me today and sent the following information. I told him I will send him a handbook, and gave him the blog address so he may catch up with all of us as well. TRUMAN, feel free to send photos and information about some of your trips!

"After BHS, I attended TCU graduating in 1961. After that I worked in San Francisco for Levi Strauss & Co until retiring in 1999. Then lived in El Paso, Dallas, and now San Antonio for about 14 years. I spend most of my time playing golf, travel when the mood strikes, and trying to make the most of life. As it turns out, we have all discovered the truth that life really is short like our parents always told us."

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GLENN SMITH had a fall recently. It seems he tried to continue walking, only to discover he had a bone break. After an ambulance trip to Shannon in San Angelo, he had surgery yesterday. At first they thought his hip was broken, however, it is the bone right below the hip. The femur? I haven't heard today how he is doing, but NANCY told me he is in Room 545. Luckily he had his young friend visiting from Uruguay, Stephanie. She called the ambulance. I am assuming she will be there to take care of GLENN's two beloved dogs. Someone might call and see if he needs any assistance in that regard if she is to be going home.

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Our other patients, JUNE HASH CURRY, and NANCY's husband Jake Baker (Class of '54), are still recovering. JUNE is home this weekend, and will start more rehab with Home Health this next week. She is not looking forward to that, as the knee is still very painful I'm sure. Tonight she wrote that she had a new great-grand baby, born yesterday in Utah to her granddaughter Karen. Karen had a very difficult delivery, and JUNE asked for prayers for her and the new baby.

Jake is still in the Ballinger Hospital, and would welcome any visitors. He is still on antibiotics, but is not contagious. He's exercising and probably getting bored, if I know Jake! NANCY said she goes there about 5 times a day. She's still suffering with her feet, and also tending to their dog, Beans, who has been sick as well. She told me a story of how Jake has received the same funny get well card from three different people - from different parts of the country. When she asked one why he chose it, he said the man walking down the hall with his gown flapping in the breeze reminded him of Jake. Must have been some card! Jake loved it.

Until next time, let the good stuff happen!

Peace and love,

Marilyn

NEWS AND NEWS

NEIL BROUSSARD sent me the following video. I sent it to JUNE CURRY, hoping to cheer her on to a good recovery. She liked it so well (she has her iPad with her), I decided to share it with all of you. This will get your toes to tapping down memory lane!

JUNE is in rehab, and since she has her iPad with her, you might send her good wishes, funny e-cards, or just a note of encouragement -- especially from any of you who have gone through the same surgery. You should have her newest email address in the back of your handbook, if you've made the changes I've sent. If not, email me and I will send it to you. I don't want to put personal emails on the blog for all the world to see.

I know I sent you an update on NANCY BAKER's husband Jake. I haven't had more news from her as yet, but will forward anything I receive on his and JUNE's conditions. So far, prayers appear to be working for both of them. Keep it up.

I recently had lunch with MARTHA NORTHINGTON. She was kind enough to bring us a delicious meal from Whole Foods, complete with cookies for dessert. We chatted our heads off, often talking at the same time! I'm afraid I might have bored her with my talk -- and photos of my children and grandchildren. She was too polite to say so. MARTHA's enjoying living back in Austin, close to her son and grandchildren. 

Yesterday I had a real treat. I saw my youngest grandson play golf for the first time. Travis has been in the South Texas Junior PGA Tournament league for the past 4-years. He's been taking lessons from a golf pro at a local Country Club for the past year. He's 13, but the 14- and 15-year-olds he plays with make him look so much younger. He holds his own with these older boys. I got to cheer for him on the last nine holes of a tournament yesterday in Lakeway -- near my home. He didn't do as well this time, but recently placed 5th in a group of 25 or more. I was afraid that this Grandmommy made him off his game. His dad had to shush me when I said "Ohhhhh, no!" at a missed shot. I promise to do better next time.

Daughter Carajean's son Tanner has taken up running, as well as still playing tennis -- now on the Amarillo High School tennis team.  Like his grandfather, BOB BURTON was at BHS. I wish I had a photo of you, BOB, while playing tennis. Somewhere in my many moves I lost all of my BHS annuals. Maybe someone could scan a photo and email it to me? This photo was taken of Tanner running a half marathon in Dallas, but he's looking forward to his 18th birthday this summer so he can enter full marathons.

Which reminds me, NEIL, I cannot find a recent photo of you. Please send one. Google is doing away with Picasa soon -- makes me so very mad! I have at least 5,000 photos stored on it. They have transferred them to their new Google Photos, but none are in the order they were in on Picasa. I have a horrible time finding what I want.

Enough rambling for today. I always look forward to hearing from any of you -- for whatever reason. Please don't wait until someone is ill or has died to communicate with me and our classmates.

Until next time..

Peace and love,

Marilyn