NEWS AND UPDATES

NANCY THOMPSON BAKER's husband Jake is still hospitalized in San Angelo in critical condition with sepsis. The blood infection has spread throughout his body, and among his many symptoms is hallucinating. This makes it very difficult for NANCY, as when she leaves the room he sometimes thinks she is "lost", and he wants to go look for her. He struggles hard with nurses, who of course need him to stay hooked up to his IV and monitors. NANCY said he will have to be on IV antibiotics for at least six (6) weeks. The doctors prepared her for the possibility that the infection might get on the connections to his pacemaker. If that happens, they may have to remove it. That surgery is more difficult than implanting one, and it would have to be done here in Austin.

I caught NANCY at home this morning. She is already exhausted from going over every day.. sometimes spending the night there. She is also suffering from bone spurs on her feet. She told me that Jake's infection is extremely contagious, so they must "gown up" and wash their hands every time they enter and leave his room. Her children are trying to talk her into bringing him home and putting deadbolts on the doors so he would not wander off. Jake doesn't think he is sick, and pulls out tubes from time to time. NANCY told the nurses that he was a WWP. When asked what that was, she said he is the "World's Worst Patient". I was happy to hear a bit of humor in her voice during such a terrible time. Please hold her in your prayers as well as Jake. She asked that we please don't call her. She has enough family to keep informed that just talking wears her down. Cards would be in order. I told her to let me know if there is a drastic change for the better or worse.

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My favorite prayer warrior, JUNE HASH CURRY, is due for some heavy duty prayers herself. Next Monday, March 28th, JUNE is going to have knee replacement surgery. She still has difficulty with her back, which she has had surgery on as well. This may complicate her rehabilitation from the knee surgery. Let's send her strength and healing prayers that all goes well both with the surgery and rehab.

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Now for a little good news. JIMMY COWLISHAW sent news that his daughter, Kristi, who was Senior Master and Second in Command of the Medical Unit on Hurlburt Air Force Base in Okaloosa County, Florida, has received another advancement and will move to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. There she will be the "Anatomical & Clinical Laboratory Flight Chief and Squadron Superintendent" over autopsies, and reading biopsy exams. Her husband and daughter Paris will join her. He finished his medical training in Orlando, and is now a registered nurse in Cardiac I.C.U. Granddaughter Paris, age 14, now has an opportunity to get Olympic training to put her swimming talents to use.

JIM and Betty also have three sons.. Their oldest one travels a lot with an insurance company, working with disputed claims. Their middle son works from home, but JIM said he is not certain what he does. (Probably similar to a lot of my younger son's work from home..Today's technology gives opportunities to have your own business at home - with no overhead!) He said their youngest son heads up an oil company somewhere in the San Antonio vicinity.

A funny note.. JIM said his daughter called him several months ago and said, "Guess who I met today? PRESIDENT OBAMA!" He said she was really excited, but "I won't say anything more here." I took that to mean he's not a big fan of our President! Oh, well, different strokes for different folks.

May all of you and your loved ones be healthy and happy. Spring is here, and the bluebonnets are already blooming!

Peace and love,

Marilyn

Urgent Prayers Needed

Jake and Nancy Thompson Baker

NANCY just called to inform me that her husband Jake (BHS Class of '54) has been in the ICU (422) at Shannon Hospital in San Angelo for the past week. She is staying in a motel there, but was home briefly. Jake has multiple problems going on, but a blood infection is what caused him to need hospitalization in a hurry. He has been upgraded from "critical" to "serious", but needs lots of care right now. 

Please hold NANCY as well as Jake in your prayers, and share this with anyone you know who doesn't have email.

Peace and love,

Marilyn

         Morris Eugene Sweeney

          

Philippians 3:20-21 - For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly wait for our Savior, Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of HIS GLORY.

After traveling this earth's sod for over 95 years, Morris Eugene Sweeney, better known as Sweeney, Dad and Boo-Boo, claimed his citizenship in heaven on Jan. 26, 2016, where he resides with his Heavenly Father.

Sweeney was born July 15, 1920, in Denver, Colorado, to Nellie Elizabeth Morrell and Elbert Morris Sweeney. He lived through the depression and graduated from East Denver High School in 1938. He went to Colorado School of Mines, majoring in Chemical Engineering, leaving school in 1942, to join the Air Force. While training at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo and spending time at Bruce Field in Ballinger, he met Julia (Judy) Sorrells. After a brief courtship, they married on Jan. 1, 1944. The war ended before Sweeney had a chance to go overseas, but he spent three years in various positions training other pilots who joined the war effort overseas. Like many others, Sweeney joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve immediately upon his discharge and retired in 1969, as a lieutenant colonel. After the war ended, he began his teaching career in Ballinger. He received his BA degree from Hardin-Simmons University in 1949, and his MA from Hardin-Simmons in 1952. He taught hundreds of BHS students science and mathematics, he sponsored the yearbook for over 30 years. He also sponsored the science club from 1948-1983, and was a senior sponsor from 1948 until his retirement in 1983. He and his wife, Judy, went as sponsors on over 30 senior trips. Over the course of time in the teaching field, Sweeney was awarded many grants to study advanced science. Among those being a grant to study Radiation Biology at New Mexico University and an engineering grant to develop a transistor from titanium oxide to be used as a strain gauge for the engineering department at New Mexico University. He received a grant from the Atomic Energy Commission to monitor the radioactive Zinc in the Columbia River, resulting from waste water from the nuclear power plant at Hanford, Washington. He also received credit from Angelo State University for developing a laboratory manual on radiation for high school and college students. After his retirement, he pursued his favorite hobbies: golf, fishing, hunting and being a photographer. Sweeney loved the land. He fished every lake, river, and tank around Runnels County plus the Rio Grande in Colorado, the Gulf Coast and many others in various states. He cataloged all his fishing and hunting trips. Sweeney had taken over 500 weddings when he closed his photography business in the early 1990s. The last years of his life he devoted to serving others. From 1994 until 2010, he faithfully ministered to both nursing homes in Ballinger, where he brought a devotional every Sunday morning at what once was Heritage Oaks, now Ballinger Healthcare and Rehab Center, as well as visited residents twice a week. He and his wife, Judy, delivered Meals on Wheels every Wednesday for many years and he continued this mission after Judy passed away. He was dedicated to distributing the book, Truth for Youth, to many organizations throughout Runnels County. He became a Christian at the age of 28 and was baptized in First Baptist Church of Ballinger. In 2002, Sweeney was selected as Citizen of the Year by the Ballinger Chamber of Commerce.

Sweeney was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 59 years, Judy; his daughter, Patty Dunn; and his sister and brother in-law, Dorothy and Paul Russ.

He is survived by one daughter, Judy Pleasants and husband Tommy of Weatherford; five grandchildren, Brad Dunn and wife Mary Ann of Duncanville, Kelly Werner and husband Greg of Arlington, Stacy Wilson and husband Myron of Melissa, Scott Pleasants and wife Buffie of Fort Worth and Jennifer Wade and husband Jon of Rockwall. Boo-Boo was blessed with ten great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. He is survived by his sister, Nancy Chandler and husband Denis of Arvada, Colorado; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He has not gone away, his journey has just begun. Life holds many facets this earth is only one. He will be missed by all those who loved him.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Fellowship Hall at First Baptist Church in Ballinger. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at First Baptist Church in Ballinger with Lynn Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in Ballinger.

Arrangements are with Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger. Guests may register online at ballingerfuneralhome.com.

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Until we meet again, goodbye Sweeney..

Love and peace,

Marilyn

FLY, SHIVER, AND SHAKE

Our part-time resident of Warsaw, part-time resident of Port Jefferson, New York, DENNY HILL, just returned from spending the winter break at his home in Warsaw. He sent lots of interesting facts and articles about the politics happening there, the people he met, and friends he made. This email I received today I thought would take our minds off the political arena in the U.S, today, as well as make us who still live in Texas appreciate our weather. That is, unless you live in the Panhandle! Here in Austin it will be 69 degrees tomorrow, and 73 on Monday. 

"On my flight from Warsaw to New York, on LOT (Polish Airlines) 026, our captain was a female pilot! (I have had female captains before on smaller planes, like from Atlanta to Shreveport, but this was the first time I had one on an international long haul jumbo jet.) She made a perfect landing at JFK.

While waiting for the flight in Warsaw, I got to talking to some guy, who is an American, but was born in Lithuania, so has dual citizenship. He now lives in Manhattan and in Florida. He told me he retired early (was in finance, an investment banker, so probably made tons of money). Anyhow, after retirement, he returned to Lithuania, entered politics there, and was elected to their parliament for 4 years. He was financial advisor to the president there, and eventually became Finance Minister of Lithuania. But now he has given it up, because as he told me, the Soviet mentality there is so firmly ingrained, that it is impossible to change anything. Bribes are still standardly accepted to get anything done, and the establishment resists any attempt to clean up the corruption.

I barely made it home before it started to snow. New York City is now totally shut down because of the snow. Already I have a foot of snow in my yard, and it is still snowing heavily, so I might end up with 2 feet" ...Denny

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Not to burst your bubble, Denny, but I heard on the news you will probably get 30 inches! The worst blizzard to hit New York in 90-years, it has caused the City to shut down the buses and subways, closed tunnels and bridges, and threatened to arrest anyone who is driving on the streets tonight. 

There was a massive shutdown of highways in Kentucky, leaving thousands of motorists stranded overnight. However, even in the worst of times there are those who manage to have a little fun. Of course, this band happened to be in (I assume) a toasty warm RV, with food and drink. Tap your toes.

On that note, I'm going to say "good night", and may your home be warm and peaceful this winter.

Love,

Marilyn

P.S.

I need new photos of many of you! Please send me recent ones via email or snail mail (I'll scan them and return them to you.) Along with them, why not share some news with us? Good stuff still happens.

A couple of days ago I received the following from DOROTHY BISHOP ROGERS. It is very moving and wise, so I thought I would share it with all of you.

Dear friend, 

As I watched this video, with tears in my eyes I thought of our class and the upcoming milestone in this class’s life. I thought of you, Marilyn, and all you do to keep us in touch. Life is much too sweet to waste. 

Love to all,

Dottie

We have started the New Year, and may it be with optimism and hope for the future as we continue our journey.

Love and Peace,

Marilyn

Happy New Year

Look For The Good

(by Joanna Fuchs)

In the New Year, let's resolve
to get less stressed, upset, anxious
about things over which we have no control.
Lets have a narrower focus on our lives,
loving and helping our family and friends,
making our community a better place to live,
to create peace and contentment.

In the New Year, let's resolve
to pay less attention to depressing stories
on TV, in magazines and newspapers,
and to stop focusing on what we want
that we haven't got,
instead of appreciating
the many blessings we do have.

In the New Year, let's look for the good.
We may have to search
through a mass of negative media,
but the good is there,
all around us.

I wish for you a New Year filled with good,
engulfed in serenity and happiness!

Much love and peace to you all,
Marilyn

2015 BHS ALL-SCHOOL REUNION (CLASS OF '57)

NANCY and Jake Baker stopped by after the All-School Reunion, on another excursion to Reno and Lake Tahoe to participate in their hobby - casinos! She dropped off the photos she took at the reunion. She said she later realized she didn't get pics of everyone in attendance. Gene Routh and Harold Hudgens are two she named. She took some of our class before attending Jake's Class of '54 and the Bethel School reunions.

Unfortunately, the quality of the photos didn't take well to scanning, and the color was off, leaving some folks looking like they had bad sunburns. I did what I could to improve them, but some were resistant to my efforts, so I changed them to black and white. The slideshow below is the result.

You'll notice in the last picture of BOB BURTON, he is in the company of two of our favorite Bearcat cheerleaders, Delle Tisdale Reed (Class of '56) and Emilie Burton Morris (Class of '54 - BOB'S sister).

Front Row: Jimmie Stubblefield, Peggy Virden Sharp, Virginia Harral Egan, Patsy Berry Bomar, Janice Amarine, Janette Amarine Bradshaw, Ann Keele Ellis, Doris Stokes White Second Row:  Jerline Piel Steel, Nancy Thompson Baker  Back Row:  Bob Burton, James Hays, Don White, Don Simmons, Rodney Flanagan, Neil Broussard, Bill King, Buddy Wilkins, Gene Routh, Harold Hudgens

This looks like a smaller group than years past, however, considering we know of at least 17 classmates who did not show up this year -- and are still alive and kicking -- it seems like a pretty good crowd for some pushing 80 years old! I know, I know, we still have a few years to go. Considering how, according to my daughter Carajean this past weekend, 60 is the new 40, we may have a lot more years than we think! 

The lady on the first row in the red blouse said her name is (Whoops! See below..**) Mildred Tabor, but no one remembered her as being one of our classmates. Do any of you recognize her or her name? I remember a Doug Tabor who moved to Ballinger while in the Class of '56. The only reason I remember him is he applied for a job with a company for which I was Assistant Security Officer in 1967 in Dallas -- Brainpower, USA. No joke, that was the name. We were what was known as a "job shop" in the technical industry. We provided temporary employees to government contractors like Texas Instruments, LTV, General Dynamics, NASA, etc. Doug was a technical writer.

Thanks to Nancy for supplying the photos for this post. Many of us didn't get to attend this year, and it's fun to see how everyone is holding up! (Or not.) I would still like to hear what you all have been up to. Share your news with us. 

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JAMES HAYS and JERRY EOFF sent information to me recently that a BHS Class of '58 member, Ellis Mendiola, died a few weeks back. JERRY said "he retired as a lab tech at Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas, possibly well up in the ranks."

JAMES wrote, "I knew Ellis well. He was in the class of 1958 according to my memory and JERRY’s. We had gone on a boy scout sponsored trip to Laughlin Air Force Base at Del Rio together. The Air Force thought that all of us were explorer scouts, but only 4 or 5 of us were, but they had to have at least 12 to send an airplane for us."

GLENN SMITH about his cousin, PAT SMITH MULLINS: "We have lunch or chat every month or so. She is doing fine. She walks, swims, and sings in the choir of one of Brownwood's big Baptist churches. Her husband James is on heart meds. Terry, one of James's and PAT's four daughters, lives with them and helps care for James and also works full time as a court transcriber. Pat is always upbeat when I talk with her."

JUNE HASH CURRY sent me an email on my birthday with the following news: "my granddaughter KayLe (Martha's youngest daughter) is in labor right now with my youngest great-grandson, to be named Austin. We are anxiously awaiting his arrival." He was born that night, and made nine great-grandchildren for JUNE! "Born at 11:37 tonight by cesarean section, 7lbs, 6 oz, 19 inches long.  Mom and baby doing well." JUNE has one more due in April."

Here's wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! 

Peace and much love,

Marilyn

 **Seems Nancy and I both had trouble recognizing ANN KEELE ELLIS in the class photo. VIRGINIA EGAN helped clarify for us that this is indeed, ANN, not Mildred Tabor. Mildred was there, but not in the class photo. We'd still like to know if anyone remembers her. She said she is moving back to Ballinger, so perhaps someone will update us.

Notes for Marilyn

Anyone who talks to NANCY THOMPSON BAKER soon discovers her sense of humor, and ability to exaggerate! The above photo was taken on her birthday when I last lived in Ballinger. She put the candles off of her birthday cake in her ears. (You are lucky I didn't use the photo with your finger stuck up your nose, Nancy!)

At the recent class reunion, NANCY put out a notebook for folks to write something to me for our blog, entitled:

Notes for Marilyn

(Doesn't have to be true.)

Here are the entries:

NANCY BAKER - Jake and I went to Las Vegas recently and won lots of money! Over the years we've financed a whole new casino! 

VIRGINIA HARRAL EGAN - Mike and I are still in Ballinger. We are getting older and I'm not sure that we are doing it gracefully. It doesn't take much to entertain us. We won the lottery, but spent it all in 6 months. Oh, well, easy come - easy go. 

DORIS and DON WHITE - We've lived in the country for the last forty-six years, and love it. We enjoy being with our four children and twelve grandchildren. We attend the games they participate in. They are a joy to be around. We raise goats, and keep busy with work around there. We have spent the last 56 - almost 57 years together.

 

PATSY BERRY BOMAR - After losing my husband Rex in 2013, lots of things have changed. Have our lake house for sale - no fun anymore. House at Midland for sale because the town is so different. I am ready to relocate. My life is real undecided now. Our class reunion has been real fun. 

BUDDY WILKINS - Marilyn, thanks a lot for keeping us informed. My wife, Merry Lou, and I celebrated 50 years of marriage this year. (Congratulations!) I retired as a University professor of about 40 years in 2005. We full-time RV'd for eight years, and now live in Mission, Texas. Have a son and daughter and four grandkids.

 

JERLINE PIEL STEEL - Still living around Blanket. Very involved in church and Extension Club. Lots of supportive people around. Family growing every year. Have enjoyed the school reunion. 

ANN KEELE ELLIS - Lived in Bronte 30-odd years. Have two daughters, four grandchildren, and one great-granchild. Am retired. Have a pretty comfortable life. Am proud to be alive. 

I saved these until last:

JANICE AMARINE - I have been retired five years, and trying to find an old codger so we can start a family. (Ha!) I am enjoying my retirement, and just doing what I want to do. I still live in Ballinger, and will be here 'til the "Father" calls me home. I am still in pretty good health. I go a lot while I can, and enjoy going to Abilene and being with JANETTE. We go see her kids in the Dallas - Fort Worth area. Having a good time at our reunion. Miss you. Thinking of you. (Ahhhh.. I miss you all as well.)

JANETTE AMARINE BRADSHAW - I've lived in Abilene, Texas since 1966. Didn't want to move from Ballinger because I loved going to town and waving at people. So, first day in Abilene I went to town and everybody was waving at me! I was on a one-way street, so instead they were giving me the one-finger wave.

I'll leave it to you to guess which ones (if any) were "not true"! 

By the way, as I have not been to a reunion since our 50th, I don't have enough current photos of you all. Why not send me your recent ones? If you can't email them to me, send them by snail mail and I will scan and return them. 

Until next time..

Love and giggles,

Marilyn

2015 BHS ALL-SCHOOL REUNION

Before the Homecoming Reunion I asked NANCY to be sure to let me know how it went, who was there or who was missing. I really didn’t expect her to send me much, as I know she was planning to spend a good part of the time with hubby Jake’s Class of ‘54. I was delighted to get the following in the mail yesterday, with a promise to send me the class photo that was taken so I could publish it on the blog as well. If any of you took photos that you could send me via email, I would love to post them for all to see.

Class President JAMES HAYS called the meeting to order. Observers NANCY THOMPSON BAKER and PEGGY VIRDEN SHARP (troublemakers) should have been told to keep quiet! (By the way, several of the guys have really put on weight – just an opinion!) The topic of the meeting was to come up with a plan for a big blowout in two years for our 60th reunion.

We were all having a good, comfortable time at the House of Grace, hosted by RODNEY FLANAGAN and his wife Carolyn, where the price is right, there are plenty of bathrooms, wheelchair access, and air conditioning. Treasurer RODNEY offered his home place three miles out in the country. He also said that no one would want to drive from Colorado for a one day affair. (GENE?) DON SIMMONS never stated his opinion. The girls – worker ants, and planning committee – PATSY BERRY BOMAR, VIRGINIA HARRAL EGAN, DORIS STOKES WHITE, PEGGY VIRDEN SHARP, JERLINE PIEL STEEL, the AMARINE twins, and ANN KEELE ELLIS (and maybe more that I cannot remember) will all work on the food.

President JAMES HAYS read off a list of the deceased members of the class, the most recent ones first, and after looking through the annuals, the list became quite extensive. Hoping in two years, there are at least a dozen of us left to attend!

All in all, the women are quite nice looking still, even if some of it is due to makeup covering up the scars of old age creeping up!

It should be noted that a lot of the people do not have computers. Because no mailers were sent for some of the activities, no one knew where to go at what time. Therefore, in my opinion, the whole 5-year reunion was not as well organized as previously done. New teachers, new crop of students do not recognize those of us who have been around for 75 plus years. Tradition also has been forgotten!

There is too much walking to do at the big new high school (Junior High building complex.) People were continually turning off their hearing aids as the noise level was terrible. The most frequently spoken words were “what?” and “huh?”

They need less parking lots, more automatic sidewalks at BHS, or better access to medical assistance! There was actually one person in attendance from the Class of 1942. I saw a couple of people over age 90 – still able to walk unaided!

Some mention of enjoying the Class Blog was acknowledged. Some of the ones missing from this reunion were named, i.e., JUNE HASH CURRY, DOROTHY BISHOP ROGERS, MARTHA NORTHINGTON, PATI COCKRELL PRITCHARD, BARBARA SHARPES BROOKS, SHEILA GREGORY DANKWORTH, JERRY EOFF, MIKE FOY, GLENN SMITH, PAT SMITH MULLINS, WALTER THOMAS, ROSALYN URBANTKE HOELSCHER, MACK WOOD, and RUTH ANN HENNIGER WOOD. (I’m thinking NANCY forgot a few like JIMMY COWLISHAW, DENNY HILL, and PAUL MOTA.) Hoping to see these people in two years!

A few of the ones who were in attendance were RODNEY FLANAGAN, BOB BURTON, NEIL BROUSSARD, JAMES HAYS, GENE ROUTH, JIMMY STUBBLEFIELD, DON SIMMONS, BILL KING, HAROLD HUDGENS, and a woman nobody remembers came as well. Her name is Mildred Tabor. (Anyone out there have a clue?)

BOB BURTON brought a few old photos, and we played “Who is this one?” for awhile. And “Wonder where they are now?” DR. JAMES HAYS, our go-to for medical advice, was told he needs to cut back on carbs as he is expanding in girth along with the rest of us. As far as I know, no politics were discussed at the reunion.

When our class picture was taken at the high school, there were not enough chairs for the women so I stood up in front of HAROLD HUDGENS – the shortest in the class in front of the tallest in the class!!

Although Jake and I did not go to the ballgame, I understand the highlight was the arrival of the Shannon MedVac Helicopter transporting Jim Slaughter (former BHS football player and coach) and the game football! Thankfully, the helicopter was not needed to transport any patients. Wonder who paid for the helicopter? It cost $9,000 to $10,000 for transportation to Shannon Hospital from Ballinger eight (8) years ago! (I remember that cost as well!)…All of this was written between 2 and 4 am.. Good night all.. Nancy

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Editor: I’ve tried to put all of my comments in italics. I cannot believe NANCY wrote all of the above and more in longhand. She also included notes to me from some attending (a couple will tickle your funnybone). I’ll publish them in the next blog post. In the meantime, if any of you can, please forward photos for those of us who were unable to attend. Any other incidents of importance (or fun) that might have taken place when NANCY was absent that you wish to share, please feel free to let me know.

Peace and much love,
Marilyn

REUNION NEWS FOR CLASS OF '57

I received the following from Class President, JAMES HAYS:  

"We had a small meeting 2 weeks ago to make some plans for the reunion. Six classmates from ‘57 present. All agreed with Rodney’s offer to hold a get-together at the Grace House, 607 9th street, at about 1:30 PM Saturday following the meal at the school at noon. There will be class photos Saturday morning at the school. Rodney reported $500.00 plus in the bank in our account.

All present agreed that we should have a bigger blowout for our 60th, and should plan on it at the meeting at the Grace House as 'old business'. This proposal was tabled until the next meeting for discussion. Note also, the class of ‘56 will meet at Pete and Ginger Bryan’s house after the game Friday. Meeting adjourned – we ate at the Beefmaster."

I hope everyone has already made their plans (and reservations) if you are attending the All-Class Reunion during Homecoming Weekend, October 9-10.

Peace and love,

Marilyn