Blog 101: Another Loss
I had intended to post something light before news of another obituary appeared. But as you should know by now, I procrastinate. So here is the latest loss from out class
The Rest of the Story
I recall vividly one incident that occurred many years ago prior to one of our reunions, which would be our thirtieth. I had missed reunions number ten and twenty. As our thirtieth anniversary approached, I contacted Kay Gregory to find out about the plans. Kay told me that no one on the previous reunion committee had responded to her call to serve again, so we would not celebrate our anniversary. I asked Kay to recruit some volunteers and I would also find some, and we each did. At the organizational meeting, I became the chairman by default. No one else would consent take charge, even though they had some previous experience with the reunions and I had none. That is the rest of the story of how I became involved with each reunion since that time.
I must add that these stalwarts that we recruited for that reunion served again and again, for reunions 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th, 53th, our 75th birthday reunion in 2011, and our 65th. What a ride it was. A special thank you to all the faithful who gave so much time, energy, and love to planning those events. We had regular meetings, usually over lunch somewhere, and used the meetings to plan, visit, gossip, and develop strong bonds with some we scarcely knew at Jeff. For those who wonder, that was the bond that kept committee members serving again and again. I want to give each a shout out, but if I start doing it from memory, I will unintentionally leave someone out. If I do not procrastinate too much, I will go to the archives and post the names “soon.”
As an afterthought, those reunions became easier each time, because the same person did the same planning for each event and we became an awesome machine, once the venues were determined.
Remembering Joe Glicksman
I did not know Joe at Jeff, though I recall who he was from the yearbook photo below. The one incident that I recall and mentioned about involved Joe. Kay’s job was to receive reservations. When Joe’s reservation arrived, she noticed that the signature on his check was The Fox, rather than his name. As I recall, Kay contacted Joe and reported back to us that Joe had changed his official bank signature to The Fox, and it was recognized by the bank. That incident has stuck in some crease in my brain all these years, even when I can’t remember why I walked into the kitchen just now. As you will see from the obit below, Joe was known to all dear to him as The Fox. Sadly, I do not recall that Joe ever came to another reunion. If you want to see a gallery of photos and other info, visit this website. https://www.griffin-roughton.com/obituaries/Dr-Joe-Glicksman/#!/Obituary
My takeaway from the obit is that I wish I had the opportunity to know him both in school and later in life. I last spoke with Joe in 2015, when I was putting the class history book together. I gathered enough information to write a short blurb after Joe declined to send in his own happenings since graduation.
Obituary for Dr. Joe Glicksman
Joseph M. Glicksman, known to his friends and family as The Fox, passed away on October 30, 2019. His memorial service will be held graveside at 3pm on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at Oakwood Cemetery in Corsicana with a come and go reception to follow at Across the Street Bistro, 123 N. Beaton Street, Corsicana, Texas from 4 – 7 pm.
Dr. Joe was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 18, 1936. His family later moved to San Antonio where he completed high school at Thomas Jefferson. He had a lifelong love for his alma mater Texas A&M University where he served in the corps of cadets and graduated in 1958 Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his medical doctorate at University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston and interned there at John Sealy Hospital. He served in the United States Public Health Service from 1964-66 in Houston, Texas and later did a dermatology residency at Baylor Medical Center in Houston. In 1969, he was the 13th doctor to join the Medical Arts Clinic in Corsicana where he faithfully served his community for over 40 years.
The Fox was a self-described renaissance man who was larger than life. The nickname he earned on a hunting trip stuck with him and he used it to sign checks, make dinner reservations, and as a moniker throughout his life. He knew a few phrases in many languages. He had a passion for gourmet food and wine. He was a member of the Commandrie de Bordeaux. His dinner parties were legendary including being sought after auction items at several charity events. He was raised in the Jewish faith but the thing that resonated most for him with his heritage was the food. Travel was another hobby he enjoyed, especially to wine country regions in France and California where he befriended some of the world’s greatest winemakers. He was a pilot in his younger years. He also had a love for dance and most especially push dancing, also known as whip or west coast swing. Blues music was an all-time favorite genre. He never met a stranger and was a loyal friend to people from all different walks of life over the years.
His greatest pride of all was for family, his small-town community of Corsicana, where he served on many boards and commissions over the years, and the fighting Texas Aggies. He loved to be home and surrounded by family more than anything in life. He is predeceased by his parents Aaron and Daisy Rosenbaum Glicksman, his sister Joan Glicksman Wish and his wife Gloria Glicksman. His is survived by his brother Leon Glicksman, his wife Judy and family; his son Kyle Glicksman, his wife Rockie; and daughters Paige Mims and her husband Jeff Mims and Brooke Lipscomb and her husband Dr. Jody Lipscomb. He also is survived by grandchildren, Lauren Norch, Sloan and Coco Glicksman, J, Merideth, Elizabeth and Margaret Mims, and Jackson, Savannah Grace, and Lilly Claire Lipscomb and great grandchild Jackson Mims.
A special thanks to Carol Johnston Burnett who was a loving friend and companion and brought so much joy and happiness to Joe’s life. Also, thanks to the wonderful people who took such great care of him recently when he needed it most, LaTonya Nathan, Diana Reese and Susana Terez. A big thanks too to his doctors, especially Kent Rogers, and his son, Kyle, who also provided great support to him in his later years.
The Fox’s favorite quote was to love is nothing, to be loved is something, but to love and be loved is everything. He loved and was loved and he lived life on his own terms with no regrets. As he frequently said, be brave.
Donations may be made to the Navarro County Aggie Mom’s Club https://aggiemoms.org/donor-recognition/ or the Navarro County Humane Society https://www.thehsnc.org/memorial-plaque
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