Jeff History

Recently, I posted a website that lists our class history. The website belongs to David Segura, Jeff class of ’67, who lives in Houston. I had lunch with David last weekend, and we reminisced about our days at Jeff. David is writing a book on Jeff history for the first fifty years, 1932-1982. I saw portions of the book, and it looks like a stellar effort.

One of David’s aims is to correct myths that have taken hold over the years. For example, I have always heard that Jeff was built as part of the WPA project during the depression. However, David points out that when Jeff was completed in 1932, Herbert Hoover was still president and that FDR did not create the WPA until 1935 (if my faulty memory is correct.)

David also mentioned that Mrs. Taliaferro was an original co-sponsor of the Lassos, though that has been lost over time.

I invited David to our lunch on April 11^th, as he indicated he would like to chat with any of our classmates for tidbits of history. He is particularly interested about book burning in 1953, when a member of the class of ’53 organized rallies against books being pulled from our library.

Reminiscing…

When I mentioned FDR, I knew you would all know exactly whom I meant. But today, probably 98 out of 100 under the age of thirty would have no clue. And there were plenty of phrases back then that mean nothing to kids today. Someone recently sent along a list of such phrases. Do you remember, And when is the last time you heard jalopy, hunky-dory, carbon copy, broken record, or Carter’s Little Liver Pills? And when did you last see a phone booth?

Those days are gone! So are the days when new model cars were introduced, and every guy I knew could immediately tell the changes on the new models. Cars were so distinct that every brand was easily identified. And for the girls, I bet most could identify every heartthrob on the silver screen (remember that term?). I used to wonder whether my parents were beyond help when they could not identify the latest model car and the latest movie star. I have reached that point now, and I realize they were not beyond help. They just did not care, because it was not important.

Realizing…

I had never thought about it until just the other day. When we went to Jeff, it was still relatively just nineteen years old in 1951. Wow. Seems like it had been there forever. Now it is almost 88 years old.

And Regretting…

I had lunch with Lon Carpenter recently, and we agreed that we children of the fifties grew up in absolutely the best of times. Think about how simple and honest life was then. Hugging someone did not become a federal case. No one felt compelled to carry a hidden (or open) gun for self-protection. We were patriotic and loved our country. Honesty, loyalty, and truth were virtues, and most everyone went to church on Sunday, often twice depending on your family.

I have concluded that the ways our culture is changing, I am just as happy not to be around in thirty years. I truly think that will be a totally sterile society by that time. No one will do anything that might possibly offend someone else, and caution and suspicion will surround everyone we meet. So I don’t want to be around in thirty years, though ten would not be so bad.

And back to happy…

Our lunch is next week, April 11. We will have some faces we do not see too often. Heinz Loth will be in from Canada and Glen Wogstad will be down from Grapevine, to name a couple. The Pattersons and Connie Dyer will be over from Houston, the Sweets down from Georgetown, Billy Crocker, and the Whartons from College Station. Come along and join us. It’s not too late.

And Back to Sad…

I did not know Bill Miller well, though I do remember him. I had heard some years back that he was afflicted with memory issues and recently discovered an obituary. I was surprised that Bill was a minister, but maybe that just shows that I did not know him well at all.

William Miller Jr.

MILLER, JR., WILLIAM (BILL) L. Born January 11, 1936 passed away April 15, 2006 in Dallas at the age of 70. Bill was a Minister and a devoted Man of God. He had a passion for reading and studying the Bible. This passion was extended into his missionary work where he helped start churches throughout Texas, Louisiana and Mexico. He is survived by his beloved wife of 26 years, LaNell; children Brian Miller, Cindy Odom and Karen Jackuback; brother, John Miller; aunt, Barbara Miller; 7 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; stepchildren Darin & Ryan Ferrier. He is preceded in death by his parents, William & Margaret Miller. A graveside ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2006 at 11:00 am at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas followed by a Memorial Service at the Fullness in Christ Church, 8895 Random Road, Fort Worth, TX at 3:00 pm.

 

I regret that I did not know Doris Roland at Jeff. Maybe some of her friends who have lost touch will remember her.

 

Doris Lucille Roland Roemer

 

Doris Lucille Roemer went to be with the Lord on September 26, 2015 at the age of 79. She is preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Roemer; parents, Grady and Lucille Roland; brother, Donald M. Roland, Sr. Doris is survived by her daughter, Darlene Burger and husband Willard; son, Randy Roemer and wife Charlotte; grandchildren, Justin and Jessica Burger, Jenna Maloy and husband Paul, Cole Roemer; great grandson, Aston Maloy; sister, Mary Mosier and husband Jim.
SERVICES
Visitation will be held from 7:00 – 9:00 PM on Friday, October 2, 2015 at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North. Chapel service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at Mission Burial Park North in the Mausoleum Chapel with interment to follow at Mission Burial Park North.