MERRY CHRISTMAS

This time of year, DENNY HILL looks forward to his annual winter vacation in Warsaw, where he has a flat in an historic building. He spends his time there between semesters at Stony Brook University and every summer. He left last week and will return to teaching January 18th. Before he left, he sent me the following videos.

"This is what it is like now...some of these scenes are from my neighborhood:"

"And this is what it is like at night, when the Christmas lights are on:"

I remember one year GENE ROUTH sent some beautiful photos of the snow around his home at Christmas in Colorado. As the high temperature today in Austin will reach 75 degrees, and tomorrow 76 degrees, our Christmas pictures to share would be a little depressing.. dying leaves or bare trees amid all the sunshine. (Definitely not some tropical island.) They do have Christmas lights on Zilker Park's Trail of Lights every year. Minus snow of course. The city skyline is also pretty spectacular. Cooler nighttime temperatures and darkness hide the fact that one is in Texas.

However, it does snow in Amarillo, where my daughter Carajean and family live. (Carajean is also the daughter of BOB BURTON). Here is a picture of CJ and her husband Branch taken in February of 2013:

Lots of snow in their courtyard! I remember one Christmas, I believe it was in 2001, we all woke Christmas morning to a snowfall that rivaled the one in this photo. 

As the years pass, we might not be making the memories of holidays past that bring us such delight to recall. Maybe it's a good idea to make it a point to do something special with those special people in our lives...and capture those moments to remember by filming them. And share them with us, please.

Merry Christmas, and as Tiny Tim would say, "God bless us everyone."

Love and Peace,

Marilyn

ADDENDUM:

NEIL BROUSSARD sent some lovely photos of his place in San Marcos. I'm not certain when these were taken. Parts of the Hill Country had a light snowfall recently, but these look like a heavier snow. 

ANOTHER GOODBYE

Our condolences to JERRY EOFF on the recent loss of his brother, John. I saw that he died nearly three weeks ago, however, his obituary was posted today on the Ballinger News website. This does not mention the location of services or burial, so if you wish to express your personal sympathy you might want to send a card to JERRY's home address.

John Eoff                                       

by Ballinger News | Dec 7, 2017 | Obituaries

John Dexter Eoff passed away on November 16, 2017, in Kerrville, Texas. He was born in Dallas, Texas, April 30, 1932, to Dr. James Dexter Eoff and Robbie D (Jones) Eoff.

He graduated from Ballinger High School in 1950. Soon after graduating from Abilene Christian University in 1954, he and Diana Gay Hess, of Garland, Texas, were married. After having lived in Abilene, Snyder and Stamford, they spent a period serving as house parents at Medina Children’s Home at Medina, Texas. They then located in Kerrville, where he built their house. He found his earthly calling through doing that construction and became a professional builder. He was an astute student of the Word of God.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, James Dexter Eoff, Jr., brother-in-law, Jerome Wesley Campbell, Sr., and a daughter-in-law, Kimberly Britt Eoff. Survivors, besides his wife of sixty three years, are six children: sons, Jim and wife Judy, of Bandera, Texas; Benjamin Dexter and wife Kim of Farmington, Arkansas; Jonathan Samuel of Kerrville, and daughters, Linann Eoff, Peggy Sue Hindman and Carol Middleton, all of Kerrville; ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a sister, Bobbie Marie (Eoff) Campbell of Ballinger, and Jerry Len Eoff and wife Shirley (Fry), of Alpine, Texas.

Love and Peace,

Marilyn

Reunion 2017

Thanks to BOB HOLLIS, GENE ROUTH, and JERRY EOFF for the following photos. Any more from those in attendance will be welcome. Good reporting from NANCY THOMPSON BAKER as usual. 

Middle row: Bill King, Janice Amarine, Patsy Berry Bomar, Virginia Harral Egan, Peggy Virden Sharp 
Front row:  Don Simmons, Doris Stokes White, Janette Amarine Bradshaw, James Hays, Ruth Ann Henniger Wood 
Back row: Jerline Piel, Steele, Bob Hollis, Neil Broussard, Jearl Cunningham, Barbara Campbell Witte, Pat Mullins, (MILDRED CAMPBELL TABOR), Don White, Rodney Flanagan, Nancy Thompson Baker, Mike Foy, Gene Routh, Jerry Eoff 

Note: Mildred Tabor has been to the last two reunions. No one seems to remember her, but she says she was in our class. Will someone check old annuals to see if you can find her?

From NANCY:
"We had three memorial boards with two pictures of each deceased members and cards to send to members who had responded "yes", but unable to come at last minute, signed by all there. We had coffee, tea, lemonade, fresh fruit plate, donuts, and a decorated BHS cake. Several (classmates) were using canes, DORIS STOKES WHITE for one. (DORIS is still recovering from a broken leg.) RUTH ANN WOOD was using a walker. TOMMY BRANHAM and family left Saturday morning as he was tired out. BOB BURTON came Friday night, attended the ballgame, and left Saturday morning. Oh, yes, JAMES HAYS brought a bottle of wine from Ballinger winery made in 1985, which we all shared with a toast and prayer for those departed. Many brought old pictures from previous reunions and beyond (2nd grade). The next reunion is planned for 2020 with the All School Reunion.

BOB HOLLIS was great fun at the reunion - loved his humor. I spent hours talking to BARBARA CAMPBELL WITTE - we had a lot in common. Later I went outside and found a mouse snake crawling beside the wall right where we had been for the class photo. Rodney got his snake catcher from his car and carried it off." 

From GENE ROUTH:
All:

Lenna and really enjoyed the reunion this past weekend. I saw several classmates for the first time in time in 60 years, time flies. Thanks to all of you who put this together. Hope to see you in three years. This is what we arrived home to Monday snow and rain from Raton to Colorado Springs, and about two inches on the grass. But it is 70 today (Wed). Now we will hope for a long Indian Summer.

Best Wishes,

Lenna and Gene

From JERRY EOFF:

Note: Is the little girl marked Medlen by chance BARBARA MEDLEN? Wasn't she in our high school classes as well? If so, does anyone know what happened to her?

I'm assuming this will be PART I on the 2017 Reunion. Please send me your photos you'd like to share, and any comments or stories about your experiences. Until then... 

GO BEARCATS!

Peace and Love,
Marilyn

OUR CONDOLENCES

Our deepest sympathy and condolences to PAT SMITH MULLINS on the loss of her husband of nearly 62 years. 

(February 8, 1934 – August 24, 2017)

James W Mullins, 83, of Blanket, Texas, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 24, 2017 at Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton, Washington. Born in Eden, Texas to Frank and Kate Mullins he lived most of his life in Texas and California. James was an adventurous man who loved his God, his family, his fishing and all of the people he met along his journey. He earned his BA in Accounting at Texas Tech University and married his bride of almost 62 years in 1955. He was a man of courage, unafraid to follow his dreams of giving his family a rich heritage of love and priceless memories. The road was not always straight or smooth but he remained faithful to his death. James was devoted to his wife Pat Mullins and extremely proud of his four daughters, Terry Nelms of Blanket, Texas, Becky Pate of Mission Viejo, California, Cindy Glazier and her husband Scott of Bremerton, Washington and Patty Nielsen and her husband Don of Desoto Texas. He is also survived by his 10 grandchildren, his 7 great grandchildren, his brother Lynn Mullins of San Angelo, Texas, as well his many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger, Texas on Friday, September 8th. James will be laid to rest at the Old Runnels Cemetery in Ballinger Texas. A Memorial service for James will be held at 2:00 PM on September 9th at the Coggin Ave Baptist Church in Brownwood, Texas. Memorial donations may be made to the Coggin Ave Baptist Mission Fund 1815 Coggin Ave. Brownwood, Texas 76801.

Peace and love,

Marilyn

COMINGS AND GOINGS

Update: I was informed that the bridge in this post is NOT the railroad bridge that you guys used to ride on in your cars. NANCY informed me it is what we called the Clickety Clack Bridge, as it made that noise when a car drove over it. The railroad doesn't go through there. It's also one that we all signed or left our initials on! Forgive me. It's been a long, long time since I lived in Ballinger and shared its lore! Marilyn

In May, JUNE HASH CURRY told us about her granddaughter Morgan's summer trip to study broadcast communications in London, including a field trip to CNN. (Where In The World..) 

Braden and Morgan Curry

Morgan had a wonderful time in Europe as did Scott and Staci and Braden, her parents and brother, who joined her there her last week. She especially enjoyed her time at CNN, although it was a frantic time as they were there on the day of the terrorist attacks outside Parliament. 

Staci and Scott Curry

JUNE said that Staci was overcome by the beauty of the Eiffel tower in Paris. I think that is understandable.

It's a shame that so many people will put off touring in Europe due to the threat of terrorist attacks. There are some brave souls, though, like JUNE's family and my son-in-law Branch, who took my grandson Tanner to London in July for his high school graduation gift. They had a great time seeing all the sites, and experiencing the English weather!

By the way, Tanner is also BOB BURTON's grandson.

Branch and Tanner Archer in London

On another note, I noticed this article on the internet back in June. The bridge and railroad tracks looked very familiar to me. Looks like it might be gone for good now.

(Photo: Facebook: Jenny Edington Moore)

(Photo: Contributed photo by Todd Cleary)

"Firefighters from the Ballinger Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire called in about 9:20 a.m. Sunday. (June 18, 2017) When the firefighters arrived on scene, they realized it was the old 12-Mile Bridge, an historic wooden and steel structure that crossed the Colorado River alongside a modern bridge at County Road 129." (San Angelo Standard-Times)

I know you all remember this bridge. Didn't some of you actually drive your cars on the tracks and "ride the rails"?

This afternoon I got a call from PEGGY VIRDEN SHARP in regards to the reunion in October. We had a great visit, catching up. I asked about her grandson Tyce Green, who had such a wonderful voice when I heard him sing one Christmas at a small church in Bethel. He is very busy in his singing and acting career. His debut album is out entitled HERO. PEGGY said that he lives and works in NYC, but will open for Air Supply at a concert in Los Angeles in September. She and hubby Bobby have flown to watch him appear in plays in NYC and San Francisco. The following song is from the play Hamilton:

DOTTIE BISHOP ROGERS always has fun stuff to tell:

"I always look forward to the blogs, but it also saddens me. So many of us ('57s) are in ill health and so many losses. I almost hate to report about my busy and blessed life. I have finally let golf go except for once a month scrambles. Instead of golf I have converted my garage into a woodshop (I think I have told you this, but....) and I am making barnwood frames for my Indian art and for many of my artist friends. I do a lot of wine bottle decorations (gee, wonder where I get those bottles??) and neat barnwood signs. 

Recently Larry (Dottie's love interest) and I updated his kitchen and it looked so good, he talked me into doing the same. We did a total remodel. We took down old cabinets, redid cabinet doors, did new countertops and lighting, and I replaced all of my appliances. For two old guys, we did good. Even though my entire house was covered in dust and debris, it is almost complete. Backsplash will be finished this week after my microwave is installed along with the dishwasher. 

Healthwise I am doing well. Takes me a little more time to get up if I get down, but I can live with that. I had planned to come to the reunion, but I may have to change plans. Larry's youngest son and his wife are planning to be here that weekend from Bremerton, WA. I have to refinish a large buffet he has in his dining room and decorate a bedroom for them.

See, I told you, it is kinda boring, but I feel so blessed, even if my memory goes haywire some days. Please give my condolences to those who have lost loved ones, and my prayers for those who are ill or in the hospital. 

As always, dear friend, I cherish the info you send us."

Love to all, Dottie

Dottie was my very first friend when I moved to Ballinger in April of 1953. We touch base off and on - I even have a birth announcement she sent when her first child was born. It's always a joy to hear from her. See? Dottie, there is nothing sad in this post!

Peace and Love,

Marilyn

DEM BONES...AND MORE

A lot of you in the Class of '57 are probably on Facebook, so some of the news I put on here is old news to you. However, I am not on that site, so I have to depend on your letting me know when there is illness, death, or anything you wish me and the class to know. We especially need to know when prayers are needed for you or any of your family.

I did hear belatedly that DORIS STOKES WHITE broke a leg awhile back, and unfortunately, broke it a second time. I hope by now she is on the mend for good.

VIRGINIA EGAN's husband Mike has been on dialysis for quite some time. Recently he had a terrible thing happen to him while undergoing a dialysis treatment. When I emailed VIRGINIA to ask about him, she sent the following:

"It has been a rough three weeks. The dialysis center got air in the line causing an air embolism which is dangerous. This put him in ICU. The next day they decided to do more testing and did 4 bypasses. After being home a few days, we went back to the emergency room. He had developed 4 ulcers due to aspirin given after surgery. Had to have 7 units of blood. Stayed in hospital six days. During this time I tripped over our kitten in the garage and hit my head. After a Cat Scan the doctor said I have a hard head. Mike agreed. He's home recovering and we are praying for no complications.We have not been in the hospital in years. We are still coping with dialysis during this time. Looking forward to the reunion and catching up with everyone. ...VIRGINIA HARRAL EGAN

I had to laugh about VIRGINIA's "hard head". Let's join her in praying that Mike has no more complications, and that she steers clear of that little kitten.

"Alert!

The 60th reunion of the class of  '57 is getting close. Friday and Saturday, October 6 and 7. As this is not Homecoming weekend, there should be no problem getting motel reservations. There is a home football game Friday night with Mason.

I have a bottle of Ballinger Bluebonnet wine to toast those who have “gone West”, and those of us who are still here during the festivities. Anybody else have some?"... JAMES HAYS 

 

Back in June I asked JAMES how he was doing after the back surgery he had. He replied: "My back is doing well. I just have to keep wearing this corset for another 2-3 weeks. (Let the record show that there is no lace on it.) My biggest problem is that my right knee is too worn out to walk as far as I need to for back rehab. One should wear out in only one place at a time. I was told not to lift more than ten pounds but I snuck the old Sharps rifle that I just restored in as it weighs 11.5 pounds. But, alas, I cannot pick cotton anymore."  By now, I hope you are out of that corset, JAMES. Many of us might relate to worn-out knees!

I also heard through the grapevine that PATSY BERRY BOMAR had recent back surgery. I am hoping she has been recovering at least as well as JAMES.

Until next time, take care of dem bones!

Peace and Love,

Marilyn

ANOTHER GOODBYE

I'm sorry to get this on here too late for any to attend Mack's funeral, however, it didn't appear in the obituaries online until it was too late.

(November 1, 1938 – June 23, 2017)

"Charles McClanahan “Mack” Wood, 78, of Ballinger, Texas, passed away Friday, June 23, 2017, at his residence.

He was born November 1, 1938, in Ballinger to Curtis and Lottie Mae (McClanahan) Wood. Mack graduated from Ballinger High School in 1957. His distinguished career as a water quality surveyor with the US Department of the Interior Geological Survey lasted 37 years and covered areas of Texas and Colorado. Mack and Ruth Ann Henniger were married on June 12, 1988, in Ballinger. Mack had an abundant love for his family. He was a lifelong, avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He was also a passionate fan of automotive racing.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mack is survived by his devoted wife, Ruth Ann, of Ballinger; children, Terry Wood and wife, Charlene, of Burleson, Lori Pope and husband, Ken, also of Burleson, Rhesha O’Day of Dallas, Shannon Harrison and husband, Bill, of Weatherford; step-children, Becky Colvin and husband, Jeff, of Cedar Park, and Nila Pelham and husband, Gilbert Muniz, of Colorado; grandchildren, Chris, Matt, Keith, Ryan, Hans, Garrick, Colt, Chad, Katheryne, Breona, and Dusty; and great-grandchildren, Rylee, Alli, Sawyer, Jaxyn, Alexys, Jansen, Jordynn, Elizabeth, and Grant. Also surviving are his sister, Sue Farley of Louisiana, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Winton and Virginia Milliff of Robert Lee.

Visitation for family and friends will be on Sunday, June 25, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 26, at Lange Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Old Runnels Cemetery."

Our condolences to RUTH ANN HENNIGER WOOD and family.

Until next time,
Marilyn

ADDENDUM

I got an interesting email this morning from someone who served in the San Angelo Police Department with one of our former classmates, the late JOHN WAYNE WATKINS. I had posted his obituary at the time of his passing, and although I copied it from the newspaper, I was unable at the time to copy his photograph:

IN MEMORY

He went by his middle name, WAYNE, when he was in high school. His friend sent me the following photos:

 

He shared the above newspaper clipping that gives a little insight into Wayne's life in 1962-1964. This states that he was in shore patrol duty while in the Navy. He had served on the USS Princeton, and was stationed at the Barber's Point Naval Air Station in Hawaii. The years he served were oddly enough close to the time that BOB HOLLIS was in the Navy in Hawaii. Wonder if their paths might have crossed...?

My thanks to Joe Fields, who sent this information to me. He found our blog on the internet; and said he has a memorial for WAYNE on the website Find A Grave. I've used the site several times doing genealogical research.

Peace,

Marilyn

ANOTHER "LOST" BOY FOUND

As most of you know, BILL KING has been contacting everyone he can from the BHS Class of '57 in order to update our information, and to locate those we have thought we lost forever. Last month he located JEARL CUNNINGHAM, who kindly gave us a rundown on the years since he left Ballinger that I posted on the blog. BILL recently sent me contact information for the following smiling gentleman now known as BOB HOLLIS. He has led a full life indeed, and among his many accomplishments is his talent as a public speaker. I hope someone can convince him to give a talk to those who gather in the fall for the 60th Class Reunion. (Maybe one of those stories he mentions at the end of the first paragraph.)  

"The long-lost ROBERT HOLLIS here. (My friends call me Bob since my Navy days).

The shorter version of my long story since graduating from BHS in 1957 sounds like this:

Baylor University, BBA, 1961. Navy, 1961 to 1965. Commissioned in early 1962 and reported aboard the only LST home ported at Pearl Harbor as the Communications Officer and left as the Operations Officer (3rd in command) in 1965. Met a Missouri girl, educated at California Baptist University in Riverside, CA, who was working at the University of Hawaii. Dated her for two years in Hawaii and left her at the airport when I flew back to the mainland to get out of the Navy. I went to work for Van Camp Sea Food Company in Long Beach, CA. Margaret left Hawaii and went to work in Atlanta, Georgia. I dated that girl in seven states before she agreed to marry me in Atlanta in June, 1966. (Lots of stories in there).  

I have been a Regional Sales Manager for Van Camp Seafood Co., a Program Manager for McDonnell Douglas, A Regional Vice President for Great Western Savings, a Senior Vice President for Downey Savings and Loan, and I have run a small Real Estate Development Company in Anaheim, CA, for the last 30 years. We built properties (office buildings, apartments, condos, custom homes, shopping center, housing tracts, and even got involved in building and owning Health Clubs in Seattle). Five states from Texas to Hawaii. Oh yes, I did go back to school to get an MBA from Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA, in 1973.

All of our four partners in the Real Estate business got older and didn’t care to go into debt for any more projects, so I started selling our properties several years ago. When I got the company on a comfortable financial footing, it was a small manageable size. I still go to the office on a regular basis, but I have good people who could probably run the place without me, but I don’t let them know that.

Margaret & I celebrated our 50th Anniversary last year. We have three grown, married kids: Rick and his family (four of our grandkids) in Phoenix, Bill and his family (two of our grandkids) in Dallas, and Anita and her boys in Garden Grove, CA, three blocks from us. The grandkids range in age from 24 to nine. Two of our kids went to Baylor and Margaret was Baylor’s only employee in California for 15 years. She was a Regional Admissions Counselor traveling the state of California recruiting students to go to Baylor…and she was good. She retired several years ago and still gets Baylor calls. Margaret has us involved in Operation Christmas Child (a Division of Samaritans Purse), packing shoeboxes to send to kids in over 100 countries around the world. 

I have been in Toastmasters for years. I am a DTM (a Distinguished Toastmaster; Toastmasters highest award). With thousands of Toastmaster Clubs in over 126 countries around the world, they tell me that only about 2% of all those Toastmasters ever work their way up to DTM. But look who is bragging now, so I’d better quit this email stuff. I’ll try to send you a few pictures in a separate email or two. I am sure looking forward to seeing you folks in October."

********************************************************

What a wonderful life BOB has led. Congratulations on 50 years of marriage, and especially on such a large, lovely family. I have heard about Operation Christmas Child and the shoeboxes they fill to send to needy children around the world. Samaritan's Purse has one of the highest ratings for charities listed on Charity Navigator. What a great way to share the "good stuff" that happens in BOB and Margaret's lives. 

There are a few other folks that we obtained email addresses for the first time. You should receive a link to this blog. I hope reading what some of your former classmates have contributed here will prompt you to send me your own version of what you've been up to the past 60 years. And by all means, photos of yourself and family. Bragging rights are always in order here. Of course, if you scan through past postings you can see that for yourself.

JUNE HASH CURRY is recovering from knee surgery she had last week, and is supposed to be home from rehab today. I heard through the grapevine that JAMES HAYS has had back surgery, but so far I haven't heard anything else other than he is recovering. Warm wishes and prayers to these two.

An acquaintance heard me bemoaning my aches and pains a while back, and said to me, "Oh, Marilyn, once we reach 60 it's just patch, patch, patch!" I think it's great that so many of us are only now having to patch, patch, patch. After all, we are long past 60!

Take care... and remember to share the "good stuff".

Peace and love,

Marilyn 

IRENE'S AMY and MORE

I'm sure all of you remember Amy Batts. She's the daughter of the late IRENE PIEL and David Batts. She attended our class reunions, the last one with her dad after IRENE passed away. 

She is getting married to Gregg Havlak, of Abilene, on October 28, 2017. Even though this is one of the happiest events in one's life, Amy says it won't be the same without IRENE. She really wishes her mother could be here to lend much desired advice on the wedding plans, fashion, and even etiquette. I'm pretty certain IRENE and David will be with her in spirit. Our best wishes to Amy. 

***********************************************************

JUNE HASH CURRY sent the following, "I will be out of circulation for awhile after June 5th as I am getting my right knee replaced since it now refuses to function just like the left one quit doing last year. I will be in the hospital 3 days and then in a nursing home for awhile, but will go back online as soon as I get over the debilitating nausea that always seems to follow me for weeks because of the necessary pain drugs during and after surgery. I never dread the surgeries, only the nausea afterwards." Oh, June, I can relate to the dreaded nausea! 

***********************************************************

A group of Ballinger classmates got together today to go over some of the plans for the 60th Class Reunion to be held October 7th at the Community Center in Ballinger. PATSY BERRY BOMAR is Vice-President elect, and will be filling in for JAMES HAYS, Class President, as he is due to have back surgery soon. (Good luck, JAMES.) More details will be forthcoming. Probably via snail mail.  (PATSY, I need a new photo, please!)

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NANCY THOMPSON BAKER is still my go-to girl for Ballinger news. If any of you have something you wish to share, please drop me an email, or give her a call. Her number's in the book. (The handbook, that is.)

Until next time.

Peace and Love,

Marilyn