Blog 107 Comments from you fine readers. With “stay at home” orders in effect, people are having time to communicate more. I have received so many jokes, graphic jokes, pictures, and political diatribes that are all easy to forward, that the daily inbox is much fuller than usual. In the coming days, I may post a few on here that offered a hearty laugh, though everyone’s sense of humor is different. Today is a sharing day.
The privilege of posting this blog and of watching after our class over the years is that I hear from so many classmates—some of you I knew, some slightly, and some not at all. For a long while, I have not passed along comments from you because it is not my intent to make this a gossip sheet. However, as time is passing for us, it feels appropriate to pass along comments of a non-personal nature for others who watch the blog. A few of you post comments here, but if any wish to email directly you can always write to me at jeff-54@satx.rr.com
The recent email with reminisces about the current virus, the polio epidemic of 1946 or 47, and mention of Jack Davis’ obituary resulted in these comments: From Bill Finch One thing to remember … The polio epidemic was much more epic than this current event … the differences were we had just come out of WWII so we were conditioned to strife. Also we didn’t have the internet and 24 hr cable news. Polio lasted for years at one point with DC 3s flying through our neighborhood at 100 feet spraying DDT. It was really a more naive time. DNA and RNA didn’t exist and no one quite knew what a virus was. In the later days we also had Walter Cronkite to keep us calm. The world was just different back then. From Rudy Alvarez I remember well the polio era in San Antonio. Perhaps the relative calm resulted from fact that the culprit was a clearly visible mosquito which government attacked by spraying neighborhoods with DDT. While folks understood that the mosquito was a “carrier” that injected the disease-agent into people, their focus was on preventing contact with it as a non-human carrier. One felt safe in taking measures to avoid contact with the mosquito or, indeed, to kill it.
Today, COVID-19 is invisible to the naked eye and, importantly, the “carrier” is another human who might even be unwittingly an unsuspecting loved one. The professionals (physician, nurse etc) that one trusts and on whom one depends, might unwittingly be the carrier that infects us. The carton one receives in the mail might have been infected unwittingly by one of perhaps hundreds of handlers as the package moved through the supply-chain. The virus can live on cardboard for over 24 hours. A restaurant doorknob, countertop, or table could be a source of infection. The clerk at the grocery store might unwittingly be a carrier. The “invisible threat” is potentially everywhere. Hence, the high anxiety.
From Patsy Hatch Patterson I remember the polio scare too. I also remember running behind the DDT trucks that were spraying for mosquitoes. Why aren’t we all dead from breathing that stuff? I took the time to read the obit for Jack. Not only was he a nice fellow but he did some fantastic work in his community. There are some really wonderful folks from the Jeff Class of ’54. Violet Allen London So sorry to hear about Jack. Thanks for keeping us informed.
I, too, have talked with my sons about the polio epidemic in SANANTONIO when we were young. What I remember is that we could not go to the Uptown Theatre ! We will, however, get thru this if we can be patient. From Bruce Cassel Sad to read about Jack Davis. His Mom and my Mom attended Grace Presbyterian Church at the same time. Forgot to comment: what an obituary on Jack’s professional life. He gave so much to his community and to others! Forgot to comment: what an obituary on Jack’s professional life. He gave so much to his community and to others! Polio: In 1947 our family lived in Palo Alto, CA. Near our neighborhood an entire family died from polio. Not an epidemic but close.
From Ben Williams: remember Spring of 1958 at Texas A&M. So many got sick the entire school was quarantined. No one could or leave. I round around with a thermometer taking temperature, and when anyone got over 102 I took them to the hospital. Later I had some up to 104. Then I had some over 104 and took therewith others, and the hospital was only accepting those over 104. The head nurse asked me how I was doing and I said fine. She took my temperature and I was at 104. She panicked as the person helping was at that high. She and I broke the law. She gave me take a candy flavored penicillin and then gave me a large jar, more than a gallon, of the candies and told me to give one to anyone up to 102, and give 2 to anyone up to 104 take 2. If they were over 104, then bring them to the hospital. By law those candies were to only prescribed by a physician. We lived through it. From Pat Hileman Sparks: Sorry about the lunch postponement but life happens! Just heard about something called Google Hangout for Groups. I do no know how to set one up but maybe one of our bunch knows how to get this going. Teachers use it constantly. Just a thought to get us together.
Also, thanks for the words about Jack Davis. Quite a guy! Note: If anyone knows are wants to set up Google Hangout, please do it and let me know so that I can apprise all. From Ruth Hernandez Stewart: Interesting that you would think of the polio epidemic of 1947! I was born in 1937 & was probably in Providence, RI ’45-6 when my dad came home from the Navy & liked it there. Man, your memory is just outstanding if you “recall” those years!! Good for you! Hope all is well with you & yours as it is for me, God has been gracious unto us, and I am more dependent on Him than ever before. God bless….Ruth From Barney Cline: Thanks for Jack’s obit. A good man indeed! From Bill Crocker: Many thanks again for all you do to maintain communications among those of us who were part of the golden year of 1954 in San Antonio. Sorry about having to postpone the lunch this year. I hope it is just a postponement, for all of us.
Here is a shoutout to others who commented on the lunch postponement or who sent selections that I was unable to lift and copy to this communique.
Bob Blake, Lon Carpenter, Deanie Conklin Willman, Warner Fassnidge, Bobby Hunt, Richard Kaufman, Robert Huff, and David Chester (with an updated address.)
Thank you, David for the address notice. Too many have gone on the lost list because of not forwarding information on their move.
If I missed any of you, my apologies. It was unintentional.
This is a bit long, so I will post the obituary for Graydon Lewis tomorrow.
Marsha Davis called yesterday to tell me that Jack Davis died on February 29th while wintering in Tucson. This is still another sad occurrence but one that stirs good memories.
Jack and I have been in relatively close contact since I located him in Montana in 1989 and convinced him to come to our five-year reunions. We exchanged a lot of emails over the years, especially in 2018 as we co-planned a trip to Glacier National Park for Penny and me. Sadly, a large forest fire broke out in the area; part of the park closed and heavy smoke saturated the air, so the trip was cancelled.
For the past few years, Jack and Marsha have been wintering in Tucson, finally giving up on the harsh Montana winters. They last passed through San Antonio in time for the April lunch a year or two ago.
Over the past several years, Jack had some health issues but bounced back with vigor. He had fallen late in the year and spent a week in the hospital, then rehab, but he did not dwell on that. I last spoke with Jack on January 29th. He did not disclose that as we spoke, they were waiting for an ambulance to come for him for one more hospital trip. Marsha said that was his last call with a classmate. Jack spent a month in the hospital, where he fought with his usual vigor but did not win this time.
One amusing memory from 1989: At reunion planning committees, some of the “girls” were wishing we could find Jack and get him to a reunion. I recall vividly that they raved about Jack’s generous blonde curls that they wanted to see once more. After locating Jack, I mentioned this. Jack chuckled and said, “Well, they will be sadly disappointed, because there is not much up there anymore.”
Here is Jack’s obituary. It is followed by a front-page article from the Kalispell newspaper, extolling Jack’s many contributions to the Kalispell area. If that is not satiation, I have included the article from our class history book of 2015.
Jack Davis
March 7, 2020 9:11 PM
On Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, Dr. Jack Davis made his exit from this world. It makes sense that he passed on a leap year, as Jack has always marched to the beat of his own drum. Jack was equal parts rancher and doctor; his love for the great outdoors matched by only by his passion for medicine.
Jack grew up in San Antonio, Texas, his childhood filled with Boy Scouts, ranch visits and good friends. After completing his undergraduate at the University of Texas in Austin, he ignited a lifetime love for medicine at UT Galveston, going on to Parkland Hospital/UT Southwestern in Dallas, then to the University of Arkansas Medical Center where he met the love of his life, Marsha, who, in Jack’s words, was the “cutest little RN and the spunkiest one, varying little over (their) 54 years together.”
When the Vietnam War broke out and duty called, Jack served as a physician in the Air Force at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska, where he met lifelong friends who later followed him on to “paradise” in Montana.
Jack spent his life fighting to make a difference. From practicing internal medicine and cardiology in Kalispell for more than 35 years, to helping to create the hospital’s Advanced Life-Support and Emergency Rescue Team (better known as ALERT— for which he served as medical director for 17 years). Jack was a leader in advanced cardiac life support, gathered the equipment for the Cath Lab, focused on training nurses in ICU and relentlessly developed innovative programs to educate and further the medical community in the Flathead Valley. Jack was a hard guy to keep up with as his hunger for service never ceased. He served on the board of the American College of Cardiology and was the president of the Montana Medical Association and was, understandably, the recipient of their lifetime achievement award.
Jack savored life. He loved a good meal and relished every bite, from the gourmet feasts his wife Marsha prepared, to crispy fried chicken, Texas barbecue, and any Mexican food he could find. He loved to soak up the warmth of the sun on his face, take in the spectacular beauty of the mountains in Glacier and soulfully sing along to George Strait and Johnny Cash. Jack had an insatiable hunger for learning. For most of his life he awoke at 4:30 a.m. to read journals, articles, business and finance magazines and the newspaper. He studied with an intensity that few could match and saved clippings from his readings for everyone he loved — anointing each one with a personal note. Even after retirement, he kept himself current on the latest medical research and continued to attend association meetings and conferences. He re-ignited his lifelong passion for the Spanish language and guitar, practicing both for hours on end each day. He approached Rotary and his gardening club with serious commitment that few professionals could match. Jack modeled growth and development for everyone around him. His hunger for knowledge was contagious.
Jack cared deeply for people. He knew no titles and valued everyone he met. Having served as the secretary for the Montana Limousine Association (cattle, not cars), Jack would travel the state going to bull sales, chatting it up with the other ranchers, bonded by their love of hard work and wide-open spaces. Jack would have rich conversations with complete strangers, maintained a lifelong connection to his classmates, and would spend hours on end reaching out to old friends to let them know he was thinking about them.
Jack is reunited with his father, Lavern, who was also his Boy Scout troop leader and who taught him the importance of doing the hard work and not disappointing himself; and his mother, Mabel, who left him her love for dancing.
He is survived by his loving wife Marsha, his son Todd, daughter Kimberly, son-in-law Tim, and he’s passing the torch on to his grandson, Jeremy.
Along with a lifetime of remarkable accomplishments and a legacy that helped build the Kalispell medical community, he will be remembered for his smile, twinkling blue eyes, signature whistle that you could hear an acre away, incredible bear hugs, love of life, and his huge heart.
A celebration of Jack’s life will take place this summer in Kalispell (details to be published at a later date).
Donations in his memory can be made ALERT, the Kalispell Regional Healthcare Foundation, Flathead Valley Community College, or Kalispell Rotary.
From the Kalispell Inter Lake News front page article:
By Lynnette Hintze Daily Inter Lake | March 4, 2020 1:00 AM
Dr. Jack Davis, who helped create the ALERT emergency helicopter service based at Kalispell Regional Medical Center and was integral in developing the hospital’s cardiology program, died Saturday in Tucson, Arizona.
“His contributions were absolutely incredible,” said Tagen Vine, president of the Kalispell Regional Healthcare Foundation.
In addition to his long tenure with ALERT, Davis led the development of Kalispell Regional’s cardiology program and had a hand in developing the research component of the program that offers clinical trials in cardiology, Vine pointed out.
Another part of his legacy at Kalispell Regional are the “countless hours” he devoted to educating nurses, physicians and other health-care professionals in the latest treatment protocols, said Pat Wilson, executive director of education services for Kalispell Regional Healthcare. Wilson worked alongside Davis as a flight nurse for ALERT, and recalls how he started ALERT critique meetings.
“Every ALERT flight was reviewed with the goal of what can we do better next time,” Wilson said. “He dedicated his whole career to providing the very best patient care possible for Flathead Valley residents. He was passionate about patient care.”
Wilson recalled one time in the 1980s when Davis asked her to train a patient’s wife in how to use a home defibrillator.
“I had never seen one before; it was cutting edge back then. Now they’re everywhere,” Wilson said, adding that Davis was a pioneer in embracing new technology to help patients.
In a Daily Inter Lake interview in 2016 to promote the annual ALERT fundraising banquet, Davis recounted the specific incident that led to the founding of the Advanced Life-support and Emergency Rescue Team that today is known simply as ALERT. He was making his rounds at Kalispell General Hospital in 1975 when a nurse pulled him aside and told him there had been a logging accident in the remote area of the South Fork drainage along the Hungry Horse Reservoir, and crews were working to evacuate the 26-year-old logger.
A helicopter was in the area, assigned to a Forest Service project. It wasn’t equipped for such a wilderness rescue, but using a wire basket dangling from the chopper they flew the young man out. His injuries were too severe, though, and he died en route to the hospital.
“I know that they did everything they could for him, and we did, too,” Davis recalled in 2016. “But we knew there had to be a better way.”
Desperate for a solution, Davis worked with the pilot who transported the injured logger, emergency officials, hospital employees and the logging community to help create ALERT.
“It was an energetic time,” Davis noted in that interview. “Medical workers around the country were learning together how to make this tool better. It was such a new concept.”
Davis went on to serve as medical director for ALERT for 17 years, and following his retirement served on the ALERT board for another decade or so.
When other ALERT backers have passed away in recent years, Davis humbly shined the spotlight on their contributions. After ALERT charter board member Dr. Van Kirke Nelson died in 2015, Davis told the Inter Lake Nelson “was probably the most amazing man I’ve ever known … a sort of godfather, the guy that would arrange everything.”
Following the death of Clyde Smith in 2008, Davis lauded Smith’s role in the air ambulance program, remembering him as “Mr. ALERT” and noted how Smith and his family stepped up and backed the loan for the first helicopter with the equity in their logging business.
In addition to his work with ALERT, Davis was a leader at Kalispell Regional, practicing internal medicine and cardiology for more than 35 years.
From our class history, submitted by Jack Davis in 2015:
Senior Class (Treasurer)
Student Council (reporter)
Declaration (Sports Editor)
Football (Manager) J club Hayne Hi-Y Quill and Scroll (The above from the yearbook) Following graduation from Jeff, I attended UT Austin and UT Med Branch, Galveston. During a couple of the summers, old friends and classmates, Dick Brusenhan, Bob Tate, and I worked at an SA church furniture manufacturer. Having not lost digits planing wood, we completed medical school. Graduation for med school in ’62 was followed by an internship at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, then internal medicine/cardiology (Im/Card) residency at the U Arkansas Med Center. That is where Marsha and I hooked up during sailing and bass fishing. The Viet Nam War was cranking up and, as for many of our classmates, military service loomed. Stationed for 3years at USAF Hospital Elmendorf in Anchorage, Alaska we were the first off-load site coming out of Nam which led to the development of critical care units for service personnel to ill to complete the trip back to hospitals in the lower 48. There was off duty time for loads of out-of-door adventures and conceiving our two children in the land of the midnight sun. With that experience, I returned to the med center in Little Rock with the goal to create a med/surg intensive care units and develop courses for cardiac care for hospitals throughout Arkansas. Although the tasks were completed, there was virtually no time for family thus, when out of the blue, I heard from a former colleague from Alaska that he had found paradise in Kalispell, MT, only 30 miles from Glacier National Park. The kicker was that we would be the first board certified Im/Card specialists in NW Montana. Thus began a life changing experience for over 40 years. The team that eventually joined us there was able to develop a regional referral center with all medical and surgical specialists and a nationally recognized clinical research institute. Life was never dull. As I had worked on ranches in Texas, we were able to fulfill a boyhood dream of owning and operating a cattle ranch and farm. Marsha’s folks relocated from Kentucky dragging a big truck and 4020 John Deere tractor. The Lazy Three Ranch continued for almost 20 years and morphed into a purebred cattle operation-a feat possible as we were located less than 10 miles from town. Both of our children grew up on the ranch. Finally, at the end of 2005, I retired and we became snowbirds and bought a second home in Green Valley, just 30 minutes S of Tucson. I am still involved to a small extent with the research program and med center in MT. We are constantly on the go. Marsha, as an artist, has a studio in AZ and MT and gallery representation there and Laguna Beach,CA (marsha@marshadavisstudio.com). There is a myriad of out-of -door activities. Both of us volunteer for the MT Rotary Club in a very rural area of western Mexico in projects, primarily to improve the education of children and the first medical clinic in 2010-11. While never able to pursue music for many years, since retirement I now have time to play the guitar and sing ballads, country-western songs, and even Mariachi music with a small group in AZ and MT. For all of us who are able to attend this 60th Jeff reunion, George Strait sings a song on his album-Love is Everything- that signals how lucky we are: “I believe there is someone who’s looking after me, someone beside me, night and day to light the way. It’s hard to conceive something you can’t see, but I BELIEVE”
Billy Dube passed last Saturday, February 15th. I had a long chat with Henry Coy (class of ’55), who provided some detail. Henry is in touch with Billy’s daughter. Ten minutes before Henry’s call, I was speaking with Sarah Yates and commented that I needed to call Billy and see how he was doing. What a shock.
July, 2018 at a farewell lunch before moving to Idaho.
I had heard very recently that Billy was suffering health issues. Here is the gist of Henry’s update:
Billy was hospitalized some weeks back with a hip infection, and while hospitalized, had issues with oxygen levels. He was moved to a pulmonary hospital in Boise and was improving—even scheduled a hip replacement three weeks out. However, Billy had a stroke while hospitalized. He was undergoing surgery for a blood clot and had two more strokes while on the operating table and did not survive.
There will be a service in Boise and interment somewhere in Washington state, where he lived for many years. If further information becomes available, I will send it along.
Bettye Sue is in poor condition and was moved to a memory care facility not too long ago. She has not been told of Billy’s death, given her condition, per Henry, who thinks that Billy’s daughter will watch after Bettye Sue.
Here are a few of my thoughts. I did not know Billy in high school, but I do recall that he had a reputation as a hotshot who thought very highly of himself. This is said not to be mean, because any number of fellow jocks have laughed and joked about his ego.
When Billy and Bettye Sue became engaged, some classmates advised Bettye Sue against the marriage, but Bettye Sue said that Billy had become “a fine Christian gentleman.” I will certainly agree with that comment, because as I came to know Billy in recent years, he was as nice as anyone could be, no sense of self-importance.
I asked Billy about being a caregiver for Bettye Sue, and I will share his reply. He told me he and his first wife were married for forty-two years. He said that been her caregiver as she recovered first from ovarian cancer, then from breast cancer, and finally from brain cancer, from which she did not recover. He said he was well-prepared to care for Betty Sue.
It is so sad to see the passing of another classmate, but the time is coming for all of us. Other memories of Billy are welcomed here.
True Confession: I wrote this around New Year’s and forgot to post it. As always, I will be interesting to see how the formatting has changed when it is published.
Not Trivia: Patsy and Tom Patterson have moved from Houston to Tulsa to be surrounded by children and grandchildren. Moving that far at an advanced age sounds daunting. Patsy has been one of our most faithful classmates, never missing a reunion. For the past five years, Patsy and Tom have trekked over from Houston for the semi-annual Jeff lunch. At the lunches and reunions, Patsy was always seen wandering the group with camera in hand. Many of her photos have appeared in this blog. Memo to Patsy: look up Munson Fuller, also in Tulsa. Munson is one of those we rarely (never) hear from, so send us a report.
Laugh or Cry? Today I purchased a replacement light bulb for our bedroom. When I got home, I was examining the box and noticed that it will last for 22 years…longer than I will.
Triviality: Here we look at our standing class committees. Who knew? And what did some of them do? If you all have any thoughts, sing out.
Social:
Susan Crawford, Chairman
Lon Carpenter Jane McRoberts Pete Sweet
Peggy Frazier Patricia Padgett Ben Williams
Courtesy: Really? I bet those serving do not have a clue.
Sarah Belcia, Chairman
Dick Brusenhan Patty Ramby
Publicity:
Billy Crocker, Chairman
Carol Corn Mike Esparza Heinz Loth
Jack Davis Ann Hinnant Dot Putnam
Membership Card:
Patricia Trimble, Chairman
Harvey Clouser Betty Davis Pat Fry Dorothy Crawford
Senior Picture Show: Now we know whom to blame! It was With A Song In My Heart, the Jane Froman story. I think it was supposed to inspire us, but for most, it was an opportunity to take the afternoon off.
Alex Trevino, Chairman
Carolyn Edgerton Paul Medley
Senior Gift
Douglas Campbell, Chairman
Jane Cooney Joel Hoechstetter
Ann Hundley Richard Kaufman
We polled our class a few years back about what our class gift was. Two responses were from David Mills and Ben Williams. David thought it was a curtain for the stage and Ben thought we bought a refurbished grand piano. I vote with the former.
Next time I will include the contents of the class program, complete with songs, poems, dance, and a mime and skit. We did have a lot of talent. Some of it did not emerge until this program.
It is that time when we approach the end of the year and ponder the one coming. Dolly Parton’s hit song comes to mind because the opening lines are so appropriate:
Here you come again Just when I’ve begun to get myself together You waltz right in the door Just like you’ve done before And wrap my heart ’round your little finger…
As I waited, I thought about Christmas seasons past. I bet most can remember your grade-school class singing Christmas carols and no one thought that it was unconstitutional. Back then the USA was a predominantly Christian nation. We overlooked the Jewish faith and probably did not know anything about atheism or the other major dominant religions observed around the world.
That is not the case today. While I feel comfortable with my Christian upbringing to wish each of you a Merry Christmas, I am attuned to the fact that it is politically incorrect. To any of you who practice another religion, I wish you the best of this holiday season and that the longing for peace and brotherhood is part of your wish also. In the greater sense, I wish that all of you do have some faith to practice and believe in, whether Islam, Hindu, Shinto, Buddhism, Jewish, or other.
Nostalgia: Driving my errand, I listened to some of the soundtrack of American Graffiti. What a fun movie that was. I had forgotten many of the early rock and roll songs that were on that sound track and how many I could hum along with. When we were still at Jeff, rock and roll was just coming on the scene. I don’t know if we, our class, and San Antonio was behind the times, but at the school dances, the bands played mostly slow ballads made popular by singers like Patti Page, Jo Stafford, Perry Como, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Kay Starr, Teresa Brewer, and bands like Percy Faith, Hugo Winterhalter, and so on.
When I arrived at UT as a wet-behind-the-ears freshman, the buzz was all about rock and roll, sung by the likes of Little Richard, Buddy Holly, and the Big Bopper, to name a few. This was about ten years before The Beatles appeared on Ed Sullivan. I recall seeing Black Board Jungle during final exams week when I should have been studying and hearing Rock Around the Clock. I recommend that you get your hands on the sound track of American Graffiti (or crank up the movie on Netflix) and enjoy all the old songs you have forgotten, like Chantilly Lace, That’ll Be the Day, Love Potion Number Nine, and about forty more.
Resolutions? If any of you are making any, hit comment and tell me what they are. It could be interesting.
That said, I am signing off, probably for the year. We will be in Frisco with our son and family for a few of the holidays. All of you drive carefully, watch your step out if it is icy or slippery, and take care. We have lost too many of our class to lose another from recklessness or rambunctioness. My spell checker does not like that word and does not offer a correct spelling, but you know what I mean. Maybe Professor Priscilla Tate can offer a correction.
It’s time to lighten up after a stream of obituaries as we continue to lose classmates. But as well as deaths, we have other losses as well, just not the six-feet under kind. Each time a class blast email goes out, one or two names bounce back each time, indicating that the email address is no longer valid. Several reasons come to mind—mainly, a move to be closer to children and grandchildren, a move to a retirement center, a change of email providers, or, sadly, their demise. Some of our class have been very faithful in reporting changes, others, not at all. In the not too distant future, I will send out a list of those falling through the cracks, in case their whereabouts are known. It also occurs to me that some have just reached the point of not caring about our class after 65+ years. That is understandable as we all continue to unload excess baggage, physical and mental.
Trivia for fun:
I bet almost no one remembers who our class officers and committees were. I certainly did not, but I was unloading excess stuff and came across papers that had accumulated here over time—papers that classmates have sent to me over time and were stuffed away into a folder. So, here goes:
Our Officers: Probably everyone remembers that Tommy French was our class president. Beyond that, probably only the officeholder remembers who he or she was.
President: Thomas Booth French
Vice President: Sarah Jane Belcia
Treasurer: Jack Layton Davis
Recording Secretary: Dorothy Jane Crawford
Corresponding Secretary: Patricia Ann Trimble
Historian: John Gilbert Jones
Parliamentarian: Shirley Inselman
Chaplain: Paul Medley, Jr.
Reporter: Sammie Lee Kindrick
Sergeant-at-arms: Harvey H. Clouser
Sergeant-at-arms: William Griffin Hundley
Class Sponsor: Mrs. Bess McIntyre
Were there any surprises there? I listed the middle names as found in the graduation program. Why did our class need two Sergeants-at-Arms?
This is enough for today. In the next few days, I will send along who was on our standing committees, how we celebrated Class Day and the Senior Movie.
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.
Robert (Bob) Atchison Tate MD age 83, of Austin passed away on October 11, 2019. Bob was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather who used his talents and abilities to serve his family, patients and community. He was born to parents Robert B. Tate and Gertrude E. Tate on May 23,1936 in Sweetwater, Texas. He spent his youth in San Antonio. During his senior year at Thomas Jefferson High School, he served as Student Body President.
In 1954 he attended the Rice Institute in Houston, Texas and then went on to earn his Medical Degree from The University of Texas at Galveston in 1962. A chance meeting of Bob and Phyllis Wright of League City, TX in the kitchen of the AKK medical fraternity house resulted in a loving match that lasted 59 years. They married in 1960.
His career in Austin started in 1962 with his internship training at Brackenridge Hospital. As a Captain in the United States Army, he served as a General Medical Officer at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri from 1963-1965. He completed General Surgery training at Brackenridge Hospital and Thoracic Surgery training at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
In 1970 he joined Drs. Hood, Calhoon, Arnold, and Kirksey as the fifth partner of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons of Austin where he practiced until his retirement in 2001. He was distinguished as a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
He was a member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, Travis County Medical Society, Society of Thoracic Surgery, Texas Surgical Society, and Texas Transplant Society. Bob had a passion to help others not only with his training as a surgeon but also serving through the medical institutions and care providers dedicated to the Austin community. At Brackenridge Hospital he served as Chief of Staff, Chief of Surgery, Chairman of the Trauma committee, and was Physician of the Year. He also held positions on the Central Texas Medical Foundation Board of Directors and the committee on Trauma for the American College of Surgeons.
The City of Austin commended Bob for over 20 years that he dedicated countless hours to improving and enhancing the EMS (Emergency Medical Service). He was also instrumental in organizing kidney transplantation in Austin.
A founding member, Bob faithfully served Shepherd of the Hills Christian Church in Austin for over 35 years. He enjoyed mentoring youth at church camps, rafting and camping trips and many times served as camp physician. He liked coaching little league baseball, playing golf at Austin Country Club, snow skiing, and weekly lunches with his ORGS, Turnips, and Intern friends.
If not in Austin, Bob could be found traveling around the world with his family and friends. Taking each grandchild to Disney World and riding the Tower of Terror was a favorite family tradition. He loved watching his grandchildren grow and mature. Bob enjoyed spending time at the ranch in Cisco and admiring a Texas sunset after a day in the field with friends, family and a good dog.
Bob is survived by his wife Phyllis; daughter Lynn T. Teel and husband Bruce; son Robert W. Tate and wife Sherri; grandchildren Lauren D. Whitson and husband Hood; William L. Dunlap and wife Audrey; Emily T. Evans and husband Jacob, Robert M. Tate, and Wesley M. Tate; great grandson William G. Dunlap; sister Flolynn Stover; brother Rev. Dr. John Tate; and many beloved nieces, nephews, step grandsons, step great granddaughter, extended family, and life-long friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law Doris Tate and brother-in-law Howard Stover.
The family wishes to extend our gratitude to Dr. Richard Helmer and staff of Texas Oncology, Dr. Stephen L. Brown, The Arbour at Westminster staff, and Hospice Austin.
Visitation will be held at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78705 on Friday October 18th from 5:00- 7:00 PM. The Memorial Service will be held at Shepherd of the Hills Christian Church, 6909 W. Courtyard Dr., Austin, TX 78730 on Saturday October 19th at 1:00 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to Shepherd of the Hills Christian Church (shccaustin.org) or Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs road, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78759 (hospiceaustin.org) Bob led a life of service and integrity. He is loved and will be missed. Remembrances may be shared online at www.wcfish.com.
Published in Austin American-Statesman on Oct. 16, 2019
Notice came today that Doug and Nola Campbell have died within a week of each other. Doug passed away on August 20th and Nola on August 26th. This information was passed along to me by Fritzi Connolly. Doug’s daughter texted some detail to Fritzi.
Quoting from the daughter’s text message that Fritzi passed to me:
“With a broken heart💔, I need to share that on 8/20, my Daddy went to Heaven suddenly while visiting my sweet Momma in the hospital. She was the patient, he was the guest. My dear beloved Momma gained her angel wings today, 8/26, and joined Daddy in Heaven. This has been the saddest week in my whole life. My Parents celebrated 64 years of marriage on 8/13. They lived a committed, loving marriage with many more happy times than hard or sad times. They walked with each other in faith with so much grace. I can’t imagine days without my Parents. God knew if he needed one they were a package deal. He took Daddy instantly and had him waiting for the love of his life at the pearly gates so they could enter their eternity together, as Forever Loves.”
I had a good phone chat with Fritzi this morning. Fritzi said that Nola had been in ill health for the past several years. We both agreed that passing as quickly as Doug did is better than a long and lingering death. For those who do not remember, Doug was one of the cheerleaders
On a brighter side, Fritzi and Byrne are getting along well. Fritzi still manages 400 acres and 100 cows, so he has plenty to keep him busy and occupied. Other travel plans will keep them away from the lunch on September 26th.
I recall first knowing Alex at Travis Elementary, along with his sister Elsa. I was a mid-termer, half a grade behind Alex. Mid-termers at Travis only filled half of a class room, so we always shared a teacher and class room with a third of the class ahead or behind. Accordingly, Alex and I were in the same class room for several of the years. Even then, Alex was a go-getter and known throughout the school.
Alex had battled cancer for the past few years. When I spoke with him 6-8-10 months ago, he was in good sprits and left me with the impression that he was cancer free. We had a cordial conversation, and he recalled all the good memories he had of our days at Jeff. Just recently, the thought of needing to call him to check flitted through my mind, but while the thought was there, the action was not. As old as I am, I still have not learned to act on a thought or jot it down for later action.
Alex will be remembered and missed by many from our class.
Alex Trevino, Jr.
1936-2019
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Alex Trevino, Jr., loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, on Wednesday, the 21st of August 2019. He was 83 years of age. Forever the optimist, Alex approached a tough cancer battle with the same strength and spirit he displayed in everything he did.
Born on the 22nd of June 1936 to Ofelia and Alex Trevino, Sr., Alex grew up in San Antonio. In his youth, he was passionate about Boy Scouts, at one point having the distinction of being the highest-ranking Eagle Scout in Texas, earning every merit badge except snow skiing. After graduating as class valedictorian from Jefferson High School, Alex attended Rice University, earning a degree in mechanical engineering. Continuing a passion started in high school, Alex earned the rank of Colonel in the Army ROTC at Rice.
Alex’s college years were rewarding, but challenging, made especially so because Henrietta, his high school sweetheart and love of his life, was back in San Antonio. They beat up Highway 90 going back and forth on weekends to be together. When they couldn’t stand being apart any longer, they married in 1958, and started a 61-year journey together – forever the romantics, serving as each other’s strength and inspiration.
After graduation from Rice and completion of his active Army duty in Virginia, Alex returned to San Antonio and began his engineering career. While he found the work interesting, he soon realized that it didn’t satisfy his need to be with people. Alex was the consummate people-person. He entered the HVAC industry, which he had learned from his dad, where he could spend his days with employees, customers and vendors. Alex started, bought and sold several companies until his retirement in 2007. He was a tough negotiator, but always with a smile. Alex loved his work.
Alex was a born leader, had a very quick wit and a great mind for numbers. But more importantly, he was genuinely kind. He loved getting to know people, hearing about their families and careers, or just talking sports. He wanted everyone to be happy, and if they weren’t, he tried to help. Alex will be deeply missed.
Left with lasting and loving memories of this fine man are his devoted wife, Henrietta; his daughter, Diane Shillings and her husband Scott; his son, Steve Trevino and his wife Marybeth; his grandchildren, Clayton Shillings and his wife Emily, Emily Trevino, Grant Shillings, Alex Trevino, and Conrad Shillings; and great-grandchildren, Barret Shillings and Carson Shillings, sons of Clayton and Emily.
The family is forever grateful for all the prayers and support over the past several months, and thanks the nurses who took special care of Alex in his final days, especially Lanai, April and Ann.
A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 26th of August, in the Chapel of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road in Houston, where Rev. Bill Denham, Pastor of Caring Ministries, will officiate.
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the nearby Hines Baker Room.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in his name be directed to The 100 Club, Inc.; 5555 San Felipe St., Ste. 1750, Houston, TX, 77056-5527; The Shriners Hospitals for Children, 6977 Main St., Houston, TX 77030; The American Cancer Society, 2500 Fondren Rd., Ste. 100, Houston, TX, 77063; or to the charity of your choice.
Please visit Alex’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with his family
Noted in Passing
I was asked to pass along that Jimmie Holloway also passed away in Austin a couple of weeks ago. Jimmie was class of 1955 and succeeded Bobby Tate as president of the Student Council.
jeffclassof54 