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

As time goes by...

We may find our families shrinking in size. This is true of at least two of our families in the month of March. My condolences to PAT SMITH MULLINS and GLENN SMITH. And my sincerest thanks to all of you who sent condolences to me on the death of my dad. It means a lot to know people care.

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Margie Jane Smith Strother Hallmark Mar 23, 2015   12:46 PM

Margie Jane Smith Strother Hallmark, 79, of Ballinger passed away Monday, March 16, 2015 in Coleman County.  She was born March 29, 1935 in Ballinger to James and Leora (Bowen) Smith. After graduating from Ballinger High School, Margie worked as a credit manager at Sears. She married Samuel Max Strother. Max passed away in December of 1991. In 2010, she married Clarence Hallmark. Her family was her greatest joy in life and she was loved by many friends. She loved the Lord and enjoyed listening to Southern Gospel Music. Margie was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Delbert Smith, Bobby Smith and his wife Sharon.  She is survived by her husband Clarence; a daughter Sharilyn Prideaux and husband Bret of Malaysia; a son Gayland Strother of Ballinger; grandchildren Glenn Strother and wife Mindy, Jason Strother and wife Patty, Kyle Strother, Dustin Strother, Mallory Prideaux, and Matthew Prideaux; two sisters Jean Stewart of Cedar Hill and Pat Mullins of Blanket; and a great-granddaughter Eleanor Grace Wilson. Margie is also survived by 3 children by marriage, Beverly Everett and husband Randy, Elaine New and husband Tommy, and Danny Hallmark and wife Mickie and their families. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:00-7:00 pm on Saturday, March 21 at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on March 22 at 9th Street Church of Christ in Ballinger with Max Pratt officiating.  In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite charity in memory of Margie. Editor:  Margie is also our classmate Glenn Smith's cousin. *************************************************************** Jarvis Frank Moragne Mar 23, 2015   02:17 PM Jarvis Frank Moragne, a long-time resident of Mineral Wells, died peacefully on March 8, 2015 at a Mineral Wells nursing facility.  Jarvis was born November 4, 1918 in Laurel, Mississippi. Jarvis joined the U.S, Army at the tender age of 17.  During this time, he began boxing, and won the title of Regimental Lightweight Boxing Champ at Ft. Sam Houston.  While doing his first tour of duty in San Antonio, Texas he met and married Viola Mae Varga, mother of his two daughters, Jean Louise and Marilyn Gladys. Jarvis volunteered again for the Army after Pearl Harbor.  Although his Unit never made a combat jump, after paratrooper training in New Guinea they made a jump onto Okinawa, where they did a cleanup action on the caves in the mountains, looking for anti-aircraft guns.  They were there when the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Japanese surrendered.  His Unit was the second one sent into Japan for the Occupation.  He said he was horrified and saddened by the appearance of so many prisoners of war they were there to release. These were mostly Chinese and Koreans, as the first U.S. Army Unit into Japan released the American POWs. Jarvis served in the Army again during the Korean Conflict, having been called up with a small Army Reserve unit from Bronte, Texas.  He served with the 4th Army Headquarters at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas during Operation Longhorn, remaining there until the end of the war.  After the war, Gen. Dwight Eisenhower was appointed first commander of S.H.A.P.E., an integrated military structure for NATO, which was to be headquartered in France.  As Eisenhower established his staff, Jarvis was chosen as one of two Master Sergeants from the U.S. Army.  Being anxious to start his own business, and this appointment would mean signing on for another tour of duty and a year in Europe before his family could join him, Jarvis turned down the offer and moved to Ballinger, Texas in 1952.  For the next ten years, Jarvis owned and operated Jarvis Sand & Gravel and Ready-Mix Concrete Company in Ballinger.  In the early 60s, Jarvis married Dorothy Kennemer, who preceded him in death, and together they owned and operated The Red Poodle, a private club in Mineral Wells, Texas, until his retirement.Jarvis was an active member of the VFW and the American Legion in Mineral Wells for over 30 years. He also served as President of the Lions Club in Mineral Wells. Jarvis is survived by one daughter, Marilyn Moragne, of Austin, Texas, his first-born grandson Craig Young of Dallas, and four other grandchildren – Carajean Archer, Matthew Rider, Terry Edwards, and Gigi Lavergne.  Also surviving are many great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and several nieces and nephews. Family members will have a private memorial for Jarvis at a future date. *********************************************************** As some of our older family members are leaving us, we can rejoice at the births of new grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even some great-great-grandchildren. Please let us know of any new additions to your family so we may celebrate with you! ************************************************************ Some good news as well! PEGGY BRANHAM KRUMLINDE has now been sent to a rehabilitation facility. Her cousin June Harris Koch was able to speak with her on the telephone. PEGGY told her she "never expected it to be so hard learning to walk again". We should have a new address shortly for those of you who would like to send a card. Until next time, tell the ones you love how much you care. You never know if you will get the chance to do so again. Peace and love, Marilyn

Article on Glenn Smith, PhD

Those of you who live in Ballinger have probably seen this in this week's edition of the Ballinger Ledger. Those of you who haven't may be surprised to read that that shy Glenn Smith, lurking in the back row of the recent reunion class photo is a prolific author! Here is the article:

"Local man announces third novel to be released soon through Amazon.com. The title is Ultimate Thirst.  Authored by Glenn Smith, a Runnels County native who graduated from Ballinger High School in 1957, the book features a retired American Airlines pilot who travels the world if he must to help a friend in trouble.

The first novel in this series, titled Erotic Resolution, appeared in 2010. The second, called Texas Tango, came out in 2012. A third book featuring Flint Rock will be issued through the Kindle book store and also will be available in print format from Amazon’s Create Space division. They are easy to find on Amazon.com and are inexpensive. The Carnegie public library in Ballinger has the books as well.

Smith spent 40 years teaching at five universities, including Iowa State in Ames, the University of Oklahoma in Norman, and the University of Houston in Clear Lake City. He retired in 2003 from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb after having chaired for 10 years the largest of 46 departments in the university. Marquis’ Who’s Who in the World listed him in 2004.

What led Dr. Smith to start writing novels? When the Ledger asked, he said, “I had written nonfiction for St. Martin’s in New York and Allyn and Bacon in Boston. Living in Georgia after retiring, I had time to try something challenging. I wanted to draw on my west Texas roots. I had skipped lunch in high school to (secretly) take flying lessons and ended up owning four airplanes. And I’d travelled in 33 countries and lived in Latin America. I invented a character named Flint Rock—in honor of the Comanche arrow points I found on Elm Creek where I grew up north of Ballinger.”

“Flint was a rifle expert in the U. S. Marines, owns his own plane, and wears cowboy boots made by Mike Jass at a boot shop on Hutchins Avenue in Ballinger,” Smith said. “Flint Rock has attitudes with which I identify,” he added, “because Flint grew up in West Texas.”

The Ledger asked Smith what brought him back to Ballinger after an absence of 50 years. His reply: “I was living on Mansa Beach in Punta del Este, a resort town in Uruguay. Got an email reminder from Marilyn Moragne that the Class of ‘57 was having its 50th reunion. I flew back for that and decided to stay.

I’d seen a lot of nice places in Latin America and the south Pacific, but there’s no place like home. I bought a 63 year-old house on the bluff overlooking the park. In winter, with leaves gone from trees, I can see from my back deck Hugh Campbell’s beautiful statue celebrating Native Americans. In summer I hear kids splashing in the pool as Waylon Jennings sings from someone’s portable radio. Turns out I traveled a lot of miles and saw a bunch of great spots but none better to live in than Ballinger.”

The Ledger’s reporter asked Dr. Smith about another of his interests, namely hypnotism. He said he initially learned (in 1957) how to hypnotize people from Dr. J. Dexter Eoff, a Ballinger dentist who used it in lieu of anesthesia for patients who feared needles. We pushed for more information and learned that Smith graduated in 2003 from the National Guild of Hypnotists certification training and that he sees clients for individual or group appointments on a limited basis. He uses hypnosis only therapeutically, not for entertainment, and does not charge because insurance rarely covers it.

“I used hypnosis in the story told in Texas Tango, the second Flint Rock story,” he told us. “In that plot, a character, a psychiatrist, hypnotizes a woman to foil a diabolical plan and thereby saves a lot of lives.”

The Ledger reporter asked if a fourth novel is in the works to follow Ultimate Thirst.

“Yes,” he replied. “The fourth story is called Stolen Gold. A shipment of valuable bullion disappears in Ballinger, and Flint gets involved in sorting out rumors of a cave (or a network of caves) said to lie underneath the town with an entrance on the bluff above the park. After twists and surprises, including lies, ambushes, gunfire, and a Satanic plot, Flint and friends solve the mystery. In the end, Flint sells his house in San Marcos and moves to Ballinger. Because of the people there and because he likes to listen to the bells of St. Mary’s church as he walks down Crosson Avenue for a morning stroll in the park.”

When will Stolen Gold be available from Amazon?

'Some time before 2013,' Smith replied, then added, 'unless Flint Rock can’t find his way out of the cave under Ballinger.'"

Everyone can now go online to Amazon and purchase his books! This is really good stuff happening, just like the recent 55th Class Reunion!

Peace,

Marilyn