Today is a dreary, overcast day with the temperature at 46⁰. Who remembers way back when the city slogan was “San Antonio…where the sunshine spends the winter.”? Our English professor, Priscilla Tate needs to educate me on proper punctuation at the end of a quote. I believe the end punctuation goes inside the quote mark. In the preceding sentence, however, the sentence is a question, and the quote is not. Too much time on my hands, eh?

Willie Gonzalez
has been on our lost list for years, maybe decades. I believe he was a mid-termer and left in January of ’54 rather than waiting until May. Who can confirm? From time to time, someone will ask about Willie and finally my fuzzy brain connected a chance comment that Willie was related to Henry B. Gonzalez, who was a long-time, many term re-elected Congressman from San Antonio. Henry’s son, Charles, later spent several terms as the successor Congressman till he quit of his own accord. Making a short story long, I contacted Charles and asked about Willie. Charles told me that Willie is retired and living in Bend, Oregon after a career in the Army. Charles sent along my contact info, but so far, I have not heard from Willie. I did not know Willie personally, and I have not attempted to locate him via the Internet. Charles did not share contact info with me. Incidentally, Henry B. was in the first graduating class from Jeff in 1932.

Dumbo While shaving this morning, I noticed my ears and thought of Dumbo. Recall, Dumbo was an early movie from Walt Disney about a baby elephant whose ears were so large that he learned to fly, using the ears as wings. Probably it was on my mind because I recently read that Disney is going to do a remake of the classic.

Some more photos
from the lunch last October

Bob Blake, Harry & Cerene Wharton

Nancy Pierce, Tommy Patterson, Beverly Hime, Pat Sparks to left of Nancy

Warner Fassnidge

Next time: A picture essay on changing hair styles.

2019 is here!

As the Russian peasants working in the fields stopped to say, “Here’s to a glorious year.” Let’s hope for a good year with good health, although for some it will not be.

Harvey Clouser

Lon Carpenter called to tell me that Harvey Clouser passed away on December 19^th. Harvey had been ill for a very long time, even predating our sixtieth reunion in 2014. At that time, Harvey’s wife, Judith, said she would ask Harvey, but she doubted that they would attend. Then she called to let me know that Harvey definitely wanted to attend, and they did.

No obituary has been published, but a brief listing for Harvey is on line at

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/glendora-ca/harvey-clouser-8093870 should any of you care to add a memory of Harvey.

The Student Council Fountain is rededicated

The renovation of the fountain in the Student Council patio has been completed. The fountain is a gift from the Class of 1932, the first graduating class. The renovation project was undertaken by the TJHS Historic Preservation Society. The effort covered several years from the glimmer of an idea to fruition. Many from our class participated in this project by buying one or more bricks with a brief inscription on them. Probably 99% included our name and class year, while a few commemorated other classmates, teachers, or good wishes.

Incidentally, more bricks were emplaced in December. When the weather is pleasant, I will take a trip over and photo recently laid bricks and send them along to donors. And should you finally to stop procrastinating and order a brick, you can do so. Don’t remember the details? Email me.

On a bleak Saturday morning on November 10^th, a rededication ceremony celebrated completion. Our class reps were Dorothy McGraw, Betty Russell, Johnny Coyle, and me. Nobody elected us—we just heard about it and showed up. After a ribbon-cutting, the fountain switch was turned on and water flowed. This renovation restores the fountain exactly as it was, with some new tiles that color match. One surprise to us is that the original fountain had three frogs perched on the interior fountain spewing water. The frogs were long gone by 1951, when we started out.

There is a dearth of photos because someone forgot the camera and the phone. Tas (Dorothy) took a couple that she forwarded to me, and one other was not flattering to either party, so below are the two usable photos. The top photo shows the frogs.

Also new is a low curb to keep people from tripping into the fountain. Back in the day, without the curb one of the rites for initiation into the Senate Club was to stand at the edge and lean over to the inner rim and do pushups. That was not a problem. The issue was to get back from that position to erect without falling in the fountain.

And here is the program for the day.

With Christmas past and the new year waiting, probably with holiday gorging still taking place, perhaps a small intrusion is not out of place.

First and foremost, I wish for each of you a grand 2019. Grand probably has many definitions, depending on where you are. For those in good health, may it continue! For those whose health is declining, may it remain constant where it is right now or, better yet, improve. Most importantly, may we all still be erect when 2020 rolls around. Sadly, not all of us will be.

Homer Shanks–and so it was with Homer, whose obituary follows. I did not know Homer well at Jefferson. What I do recall is that his sense of humor was one of the driest I have ever enjoyed. Homer was droll, witty, and fastest on the draw with a sly or uproariously funny comeback. Homer worked with the reunion committee at various times since we graduated.

Homer Kuykendall Shanks, Jr.

July 17, 1936 – November 4, 2018

Homer Kuykendall Shanks, Jr., beloved husband and father, passed away on November 4, 2018, after a long illness. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mickey Anne McKee Shanks; his daughters Eleanor McKee Shanks, Rebecca Pauline Shanks, and Barbara Anne Shanks Geerdes; sons-in-law Donovan Buck and Gregory Geerdes; and grandchildren William Alexander Geerdes, Catherine Anne Geerdes, and Harrison Jacob Buck. 
Homer was a proud graduate of Texas A&M College, Class of ’58, and participated in the Fightin’ Texas Aggies Band. He served his country in the US Army after graduation, then came home to Texas and married Mickey in 1962.

He was an avid reader, sharing his love of books with his children and grandchildren. He was known by many for his quick wit and clever sayings.

The family will gather to reminisce about their lives and times with Homer at a later date.

You are invited to sign
the Guestbook at
www.porterloring.com

Where are we now?
As I hear from classmates, I will include comments herein.

Bill Robinson
is in Tennessee! He sent along the following update in November:

I want to thank you for keeping me up to date over the years.  My mother passed away in ’06 and I haven’t been back to S.A. in over 10 years, but I do enjoy your newsy emails.  Good to know our numbers are still holding up. We left Cincinnati three years ago and now live in Franklin, TN –just a skip down the road from Nashville– and we are loving it here.  Huffinton Post lists it as a primo place to retire, and every new comer wants to be the last son of a bitch to move in.  Can’t blame”em.  Wishing you and yours happy holidays and good health.  With warmest regards,  Bill

Mike Gill
has lived in Germany for decades. Last time Mike was in town, he and I were joined by George Pierce and maybe Bob Blake for lunch on the patio at Crumpets (now closed.) That must have been at least 10-12 years ago. Mike also wrote in November:

Have not heard or seen any news about our class except for your (Jack) conducting the luncheons.  I just saw the  obit ON Homer’s passing from the Texas A&M  Former Students Assoc which maintains a blog  – “Silver Taps”- which sends out a list of recent deaths 2-3 times a month. Do you have any rrore recent names from, our  class to add to the last blog?

All is gang smoothly in Germany – I am comfortable in my little suburban village, Kirchheim, outside of Heidelberg, and we  only one hour from Frankfurt AP (world-wide connections) and just 5 hours from Berlin or Paris on high speed trains-(a treat I indulge in two or three times a year!).  I am holding up pretty well against the Parkinson’s mainly feeling fatigue in trying to write family history or taking short walks in the local forest. Otherwise no real issues – as long as I stick to my daily medications (12 tabs  from 07000 to 22.00 daily ).

“bout all the news for now……

Michael

A few Pics

From the lunch last October, our intrepid photographer, Patsy Patterson, shot a bunch of photos. I will dribble a few of them into upcoming blogs. I will cull out the really awful ones, though if I exclude all those with eyes closed, it will be a small collection.

Larry Byrd and Fritzi Connally with Susan Byrd and Byrne Connally

Bob Blake with Harry and Cerene Wharton

Nancy Driesslein Pearce, Tom Patterson, and Beverly Graham Hime

Let’s close with a song: Yesterday When I Was Young as sung by Roy Clark

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQIAcztYjbc

“But it’s a long, long while
From May to December
And the days grow short
When you reach September.”

That is from September Song by Kurt Weill, who is far more famous for writing Mack the Knife.  I quote this ditty because I last posted on the blog site in May.  Now, September is past, December is upon us, and the days are definitely shorter.  In the broader picture, it reminds me that our days, metaphorically, are definitely growing shorter as we age.  I hope that all of us can look back and enjoy all the good things that have happened to us over the years.  If you want to listen to the September Song, click here or copy and paste into your Internet browser.  This version is sung by Walter Huston and is probably the original version.  If you want someone younger, you can listen to Vic Damone or a clutch of others on YouTube.  (note that you may not be able to click on the below URL because I cannot do it in the edit mode.  So if you really want to hear it, copy and paste it into  your web browser.  Same for the on further down.  And if that sounds Greek to you, let me know, and I will walk you through what to do.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3mAT-4FdP4

Moving along, when you see pictures on here, you will know I have figured out how to get them posted again, so I can no longer use that as an excuse for not posting anything—just mark it up to procrastination.  And be forewarned that us older folks tend to repeat ourselves, so you may find some ramblings that seem familiar.  Without going back to review all previous 85 postings over five years, I promise to be repetitive.

In these forthcoming ramblings, I intend to pass along items from classmates who write, because I think many of you will want to know what is going on in the lives of those whom we knew in high school 65 years ago.  I promise not to turn this into a gossip sheet—just the facts, ma’am, or sir.

When I do see or hear from you all, one of the first questions usually asked is whether anyone has died.  All too often I need to reply affirmatively.  Sadly, we recently have lost Socrates (Soc) and Homer Shanks.  I will be posting the obituaries in the next blog or two, as I want to keep these reasonably short.  Thanks to Pete Sweet for notifying me of Soc and to Bob Blake, Mike Gill, Don Martin, and Pat Sparks for providing information on Homer.

So, coming to a blog near you in the foreseeable future will be obituaries, a report on the re-dedication of the fountain in Student Council Patio, pictures from the class lunch in October, news of classmates, and more, depending on what you all provide.

In closing, I recently heard a song that took me back to high school.  Do you remember Everclear and the jokes about it?  Clear and pure alcohol, it was a great way to get high, cheaply, and with no ID required.  (I have that on very good authority…)  If you want to hear the song, click here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t__SVLJdlYo

If you just want the words without going to YouTube, here they are, but without the tune, it is not nearly as clever:

Every day in lunch in high school,
And all of my senior year,
I’d drink my Coca-Cola with a touch of everclear.
I never had to study math, science or history,
I’d have a chemical flashback to jog my memory.
In my junior year I swore I loved sweet Miss Sherrie-Ann,
One night I put some everclear in her Dr. Pepper can.
I thought it’d make her easy, but she took it pretty hard,
I took her home and rang her doorbell, left her lyin’ in the yard.

Tequila dries me out, and beer just makes me fat.
Whiskey makes me nauseous, tell me who the hell needs that?
If you’re thinkin’ about drinkin’, then the answer’s crystal clear,
It’s the invisible intoxicant….it’s called everclear.

I remember my church picnic in the spring of ’89,
They had 4 fresh watermelon sliced right off the vine.
When they bowed their heads giving grace for the food,
Hey, I pulled out the bottle, and I soaked them melons good.
Well they never knew what hit ’em, when the potion went to work,
They had Grandma’s doin’ backflips, Grandpa’s lookin’ up their skirts.
They were singing Hallelujah and Willie Nelson songs,
Preacher said it was the best dang picnic,
That the Baptists had ever thrown.

Tequila dries me out, and beer just makes me fat.
Whiskey makes me nauseous, tell me who the hell needs that?
If you’re thinkin’ about drinkin’, then the answer’s crystal clear,
It’s the invisible intoxicant….it’s called everclear.

When I’m drinkin’ everclear, I think I’m king of this whole world,
I’m bigger and badder than John Wayne and cooler than Steve Earle.
Until I wake up and I’m face down in the hall, 
Hey, I’m completely naked, for a reason I can’t recall.
Well I’m kinda, sorta thinkin’ that maybe I met a chick,
‘Cause there’s perfume in the air, and there’s lipstick on my neck.
Well I hope that she was pretty and I hope that she was kind,
Enough to leave my clothes somewhere they’re easy to find.

Tequila dries me out, and beer just makes me fat.
Whiskey makes me nauseous; tell me who the hell needs that?
If you’re thinkin’ about drinkin’, then the answer’s crystal clear,
It’s the invisible intoxicant….its called everclear.

Okay, till next time.

Note: This is late, but I have encountered problems in formatting, inability to post pictures, and just trying to make this blog visually more appealing.  Am working on the issues.  More soon (no definition of soon) with hopes to post pictures of the April lunch.

Remembering Dixie Burd

Dixie Burd passed away recently.  Her obituary follows.  I remember Dixie from around nine or ten.  I don’t know recall where she went to elementary school, but we both went to Travis Park Methodist Church growing up.

One of the last times I visited with Dixie  was when I went by her home to pick up some letters she had addressed prior to our last big reunion.  She showed me a photo from those very early Travis Park days and identified some kids (then) who graduated with us.  Sadly, the only one I recall just now is Dick Brusenhan.  Dick just did not change at all from kindergarten to high school, except for getting taller.

Dixie Lee Burd

July 30, 1936-April 20, 2018

Dixie Lee Burd, age 81, passed away after a lengthy illness on Friday, April 20, 2018 in Carrolton, Texas. Dixie was born in Amarillo, Texas to Elmer Leslie Burd and Frances Wallis on July 30, 1936. Dixie was a native of San Antonio but made the decision to move to Rockwall 2 years ago to be closer to family due to her failing health.

Dixie graduated from Jefferson High School in 1954. She completed her bachelor’s degree at Texas A&I, Kingsville in 1958. Dixie completed her Master of Science from A&I in 1970. Dixie taught school at Northeast ISD in San Antonio for 14 years and served there for 19 years as an Assistant Athletic Director (first female ever in that position). The title was a milestone for Dixie due to her hard work and positive attitude relative to Title IX, which was the beginning for girls in athletics.

Prior to teaching at Northeast, she was employed in Orange Grove for 2 years and lived in a “teacherage”. A teacherage is a house provided by the school, rent and utilities included. The kicker was that it was a garage apartment in the principal’s backyard. Needless to say, she did not stay in that apartment the second year!

Dixie retired from teaching and as an administrator in 1993. On the 30th anniversary of Title IX, she was chosen as one of the 30 most influential South Texans in women’s sports by the San Antonio Express News. What a big surprise that was for Dixie as she was reading the morning paper and drinking her coffee!

An avid Spurs fan, she spent one year as a Baseline Bum supporting her beloved San Antonio Spurs and attended all the home games for that season.

Dixie loved travelling and outdoor activities. She enjoyed snow skiing, water skiing, mountain climbing at Yosemite National Park, camping in tents at Rocky Mountain National Park, camping at Yellowstone in an RV more than once and stayed at a bed and breakfast at Acadia National Park with a Maine Coon cat that was huge!

Dixie loved travelling across the border to Mexico from Laredo and long trips to Mexico City, Cancun and Acapulco. Texas State Parks were also a love in her life, scattered from one end of Texas to the other. She loved traveling to Alaska where she saw moose, bears, elk and even an eagle. Minnesota became her eagle haven as well as her fishing haven. What great fun she had, along with great proof with photos that showed her skills and great catches, which she then released for someone else to have a great fishing day!

Dixie is survived by a host of cousins and friends who are left to cherish a lifetime of memories. She is preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Frances Burd; Godparents, Buford and Frances Crawford; Cousin, Julie Ellis; Cousin, Beckie Collins and several beloved grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Graveside services will be Friday, April 27, 2018 at 10:00am at Mission Burial Park North 20900 IH 10 West San Antonio, Texas 78257.

A reception will follow at the home of Barbara Gray and Jan Dupree. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

You may sign the guest book at http://www.porterloring.com

Bricks

All orders for bricks placed by September of last year were put in place in December. Below are photos of those laid to date. If you ordered and do not see your brick, please let me know. The bricks are laid in no particular order…they ignored my suggestion to place bricks together by class, even though I offered to sort the bricks for them. Actually, that is not especially practical, as any number of siblings from several different class years ordered on brick for all of them.

Lunch, Open house, Bricks, Obituaries and so it goes…

Lunch

Our semi-annual lunch at Paesano’s is on the calendar for Thursday, April 5^th. Meet us at 11:30 for a fun event. You can check your email for details and reservation request.

Open House

I learned this morning of the annual Open House at Jefferson. It is on Saturday, April 7^th from 11AM til 2 PM. Last year we coordinated our lunch date so that those from out of town could stay overnight and attend. The planners have not yet published the information, so we did not coordinate.

FOUNTAIN DEDICATION

Money raised from the sale of bricks is dedicated to renovation of the the fountain in the Student Council patio. Restoration work began last year, with a dedication ceremony tentatively scheduled for some time in May. Word will be published when details are known. If you bought a brick in your name or honoring someone else and are able to attend, you will be acknowledged, though probably not by name.

Dottie Griffin and I went to view the recently installed bricks. I will publish those photos in the next blog. It is still not to late to purchase one if you have not. Surely, in that case, you will want to be remembered for posterity by posting your name and date. If so, contact me, and I will send the order form. It’s jeff-54@satx.rr.com.

OBITUARIES

It will always sad to learn of another death among our classmates. I appreciated any of you advising me when you learn of another as in these cases, Lavonne Kennedy and Jean Milam.

I did not know Lavonne at Jeff, but I have to give a special shout out for her. When I put together the class history in 2015, following our 60^th class reunion, Lavonne volunteered to scan in all the photos from the Monticello yearbook. She did that and then somehow separated and labelled each photo so that they could be used in the history. I know she spent countless hours experimenting and doing the job. Lavonne never attended any of our functions, to my knowledge, but I will always remember her for the help with the class history. It would never have been completed without her input.

Jean Milam I remember but did not know her well. My real recall is that her parents owned Milam Creamery, who delivered milk to our back door until individual milk deliveries went down the path to oblivion following the path of ice deliveries, Squibb toothpaste, and buggy whips. Recall is wonderful, as I had not thought about milk delivery for decades.

Here are the obits:

JEAN LOIS MILAM ATKINSON

August 4, 1936 – January 5, 2018
Jean Lois Milam Atkinson of Kenedy died January 5, 2018 in a San Antonio hospital following a brief illness. She was born August 4, 1936 in San Antonio to Ralph E. and Lois Knowlton Milam, Jr. She married Jim Tobe Atkinson on August 8, 1958 in San Antonio. Jean enjoyed hunting, traveling and bowling and was a retired bookkeeper and substitute teacher. She was a member of the Pawnee United Methodist Church.
Jean is survived by her husband Tobe, daughter Jamie & Larry Brown of Kenedy, grandson Dusty, wife Julie, and granddaughter Kate of College Station, sister, Ann and husband Tom Ransdell of Boerne, and brother- in-law Louis and Mary Ann Spreen of San Antonio, along with nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Mary Spreen, and her in-laws Marion and Annie Wallace Atkinson.
A Memorial Service was held Monday, January 8th at the Eckols Chapel in Kenedy with Rev. Sue Huntsman officiating. Memorials may be made to the Pawnee United Methodist Church P.O. Box 526, Pawnee, TX, 78145.

Jean’s obituary did not mention Jefferson, but here is an interesting note “from the files”:

1974 Jean received a BS from Trinity University and since then has been keeping books for Jim’s ranching interests. They enjoy hunting and fishing on the ranches and big game hunting in Wyoming and Canada. They are adult leaders of the local 4-H Horse and Pony Club. They show quarter horses and appaloosa horses, bowl in state and national tournaments and play golf. 1984 She is in the ranching business; dabbles in real estate; plays bridge; avid bowler. She went on a successful black bear hunt in Colorado. Realized her dream: roughing it for 13 days in below freezing temperatures to get a grizzly bear in Alaska. It measured 7 feet from tail to nose. Also bagged a nice moose and fished for salmon. She fell in love with Alaska and plans to return soon.

Lavonne Kennedy Bradshaw

Girls’ Cadet Corps (Second Lieutenant)

Lavonne Kennedy (Arburn) Bradfield

January 1, 1936 – February 23, 2018
Lavonne Kennedy (Arburn) Bradfield, age 82, of San Antonio Texas, passed away on February 23, 2018.
She was a graduate from Thomas Jefferson High School, and went on to attend The University of Texas at Austin. She received her M.A. in Education from University of the Incarnate Word. As an educator, she touched numerous lives in her 27 years of service in elementary education with Alamo Heights Independent School District. She was actively involved in genealogy research and was a member of The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Daughters of American Revolution, and The General Society of Mayflower Descendants.
She was preceded in death by her parents Robert Kennedy and Lola Von Roeder Kennedy, her brother William Kennedy, and grandson Nicolas Joseph Arburn. She leaves behind her loving husband of twenty-three years, Charles Magil Bradfield. Children, Donald Joseph Arburn, and wife Jennifer, Ginger Arburn Rogers, and husband Billy Rogers. Step-son Anthony Charles Bradfield and partner Kevin Black. Grandchildren, Abel Garcia Rogers, Rhiannon Arburn Rogers, and Jessica Lewis. Cousins Wade Welcom Finley and wife Diana, and George Finley. Beloved friend Ella Leggett Tietz, and godchildren Don Tietz and Rouchelle Tietz Burdick.
A viewing was held Monday, February 26, 2018 at 12 P.M. at Galloway & Sons Funeral Home with a private grave-side burial. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Daughters of the American Revolution.

Confessions of an…

Octogenarian

Even though I have passed the eighty mark, it only occurred to me the other week for the very first time that I am now an octogenarian. That was a sobering thought, when you put it in just those terms. I had felt that turning eighty was liberating in so many ways. It was a milestone reached that so many people do not have the privilege of accomplishing. I did not have to hide the fact that I was seventy-something any longer, but I could say with some pride, “I’m eighty.” But an octogenarian? Really?

So today, driving along, what came out over the radio speakers? It was Roy Clark singing “Yesterday, When I Was Young.” Slap me in the face with it, will you? I already get countless old-people jokes and cartoons. But it was good to hear old Roy. Mickey Mantle requested Roy to sing this song at Mickey’s funeral. I guess he made the request in advance. If you want to give a listen, here is the YouTube website.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEY4LxORCeo

Confessions of a…

Worried Man

As I read the paper each day, I feel I ought to be more concerned about the state of the world today. Maybe it is the ennui of being older, but I conclude that it is just as well that I will not be around thirty years from now to solve all the problems of the world. Of course, our grandparents probably felt similar concerns when our parents lived through the Roaring Twenties and our parents worried about us in the turbulent sixties, when we were still somewhat young and tender.

Does anyone remember reading 1984 by George Orwell? It seems to me that we are close to the all-seeing brother only twenty-four years later. Today I was reading how we are tracked everywhere we go via our cell phone and social networking. It almost pays to be un-sociable.

There is a lot to be said for looking back as well as looking back. Nostalgia for the times gone by with plenty of memories; presuming we focus on the good ones. Ah, memories. Jack Davis recently sent the following. I especially agree with number 24.

              Our Mothers & Fathers

Most of our generation of 60+ were HOME SCHOOLED in many ways

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL  DONE.

“If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.”

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.

“You better pray that will come out of the carpet.”

3. My father taught me about TIME TRAVEL.

“If you don’t straighten up, I’m going to knock you into the middle of next week!”

4. My father taught me LOGIC.

” Because I said so, that’s why   .”

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC ..

“If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you’re not going to the store with me.

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.

“Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re in an accident.”

7. My father taught me IRONY.
“Keep crying, and I’ll give you something to cry about.”

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.

“Shut your mouth and eat your supper.”

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.

“Just you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!”

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.

“You’ll sit there until all that spinach is gone.”

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
“This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.”

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
“If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times, don’t exaggerate!”

13. My father taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.

“I brought you into this world, and I can take you out…”

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION .

“Stop acting like your father!”

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.

“There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don’t have wonderful parents like you do.”

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.

“Just wait until we get home.”

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.

“You are going to get it from your father when you get home!”

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.

“If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way.”

19. My mother taught me ESP.

“Put your sweater on; don’t you think I know when you are cold?”

20. My father taught me HUMOR.

“When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me.”

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.

“If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up.”

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.

“You’re just like your father.”

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.

“Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?”

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.

“When you get to be my age, you’ll understand.

25. My father taught me about JUSTICE .

“One day you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!”

This should only be sent to the over 60 crowd because the younger ones would not believe we truly were told these “EXACT” words by our parents…

Carol Keeter
(August 14, 1936 – October 29, 2017)

Patricia Carol Hansen Keeter passed away Sunday, October 29th, at the age of 81. Carol is survived by her 2 children: Kimberly Stoner and husband Tim of Boerne; Jim Keeter, Jr. and wife Kim of Fredericksburg; brother Michael Hansen and wife Rita of San Antonio; sister-in-law Linda Masters of San Antonio; sister-in-law JoAnn Hansen of San Antonio and her grandchildren, Ashley Keeter, Mackenzie Keeter, James Edwin Keeter, III (Tres), Patrick Stoner and Andrew Stoner.

Carol was born in San Antonio, Texas, on August 14th, 1936, to Lawrence G. and Helen B. Hansen. She graduated in 1954 from Thomas Jefferson High School where she was a Second Lieutenant and Historian in the Lassos, Senior Representative to the Student Council, Historian for the MJR club and member of the Scribblers and Tri Hi Y clubs. Carol also played Annie Oakley in the Senior Frolic musical Annie Get Your Gun. Carol met her husband Jim while attending San Antonio College. They married at Grace Lutheran Church in 1955. Carol was active in the PTA at her children’s schools. As they got older, she looked for another way to give back to the community and became a member of the San Antonio Junior Forum. She formed many lifelong friendships in Forum and was proud of the many service projects they sponsored. From 1973 – 1974 she was the Woman of the Year, an honor voted on by the membership and bestowed upon a member who goes above and beyond to exemplify what Junior Forum represents. In 1976 – 1977, she was President, and was made an Honorary Life Member, one of Junior Forum’s highest honors in 1981. She enjoyed meeting Jim’s clients and made many life-long friends among them. When the ASLA held their annual conference in San Antonio, Carol helped with the planning of the social events, making sure everyone felt welcome and at home. Every Christmas saw rum cakes baked for family and friends alike. Her warmth, kindness and generosity will be missed.

Our family wants to extend our appreciation to Morning Star Memory Care Center for the outstanding care they afforded our Mother. Thank you Michael and Cody and all the excellent staff that so very freely cared for and loved our Mother while she was living there. All the generosity and love showed to Mom will not be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, we suggest donations be made to one of the many causes supported by the San Antonio Junior Forum https://www.sajuniorforum.org/?nd=donations or to the charity of your choice. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m., Friday November 3rd, in Fredericksburg Funeral Home. A celebration of her life will be held 10 a.m., Saturday, November 4th, in St. John Lutheran Church of Boerne. Graveside services will follow at 1:30 p.m. in Greenwood Cemetery in Fredericksburg.

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I remember Carol well.  She was one of the most gracious and warm people in our class and in later years.  Carol worked with our reunion committee for at least twenty years.  Her memorable contribution each time was a large poster board with the names of our deceased classmates in magnificent calligraphy.

The obituary mentions Carol’s husband, Jim, briefly, but I recall that she was totally devoted to him.  Jim was a noted landscape architect in San Antonio and died very recently.  I suspect her children will note that oversight and update the obituary.

I believe that Carol was actually one of the founding members of the San Antonio Junior Forum.  Another start-up was the Creekside Restaurant in Boerne, when Carol and Jim were in their sixties.  Restaurants have the highest failure rate of any new business, and I recall asking why they were starting up such a time-demanding venture.  I do not recall the answer, but the Creekside was an immediate success, which they subsequently sold; it is still going strong today—or was when we last dined there 2-3 years ago.

Before turning maudlin, I will close and suggest that you share any warm memories of Carol.  I may add a few more of my own.

Was attempting to use a new template on this blog, and it posted before I intended.  The handsome people that you see in the two photos are

Left:  Servando and Amelia de la Garza

Right: Sam Bell, Bob Tate, Bill Dube and Bettye Sue Conrad Dube

I have to add that this website changes its format about as often as Costco moves its stock around.