Linda Fight

thanks to all of you who have worked on this reunion.  How blessed we are to be able to make it this far.

Thanks again for all you have done

Sue Woodard (McMullen)

Just wanted to say a quick THANK YOU  to all of you who put in so many hours to make this week-end a real memory maker. Iwas only able to attend on Saturday night, but it was very enjoyable.  I know it takes a lot of work to pull off an event of this size, so thanks tons for doing such a great job.  I am looking forward to our next get together.  Sue Woodard McMullen

Jean Heberling (Bryson)

HWhat a fantastic reunion!  Lots of time to think about it as I drove home  to South Carolina.  So grateful for all the intelligent and warm classmates.  I was very moved by all of it!!   Thanks so much to the reunion committee.  This  was the best one ever..  Please stay in touch somehow!  Jean

Carole Ralston (Jenkins)

Yes, a big thanks to all who made this 50th reunion such a big success. It was great fun to renew friendships that were made so long ago. I was grateful that so many of our classmates traveled to be here for the reunion. It just shows that as a class we were very caring and close to each other. I thought everyone looked really wonderful and hope that we can all make it to the next reunion. Thanks again to the committee that made it all possible. The website is outstanding, and the event will be a very fond memory.

Carole

Lynn Hoffmann

James Gonatos

Great website

Kathy (Lisa) Ladd (Ladd-Kidder)

Dear Classmates who served in the Armed Forces,

     Today is a day of remembrance and recognition for your sacrifice and service to all of us.  We all live in the freedoms bought for us by people like yourselves.  THANK YOU!!!

     Sincerely and gratefully, Kathy Ladd (Lisa Ladd-Kidder)

Carol (Korki) Sherry (Haney)

Thanks, Kathy, for thinking of your classmates on a day for remembering!!  Wish I'd have thought of it first!!  LOL  We had quite a few who are veterans, but only John Burke (that we know for sure) from our class who gave his life for his country.  Again, THANKS!

James King

To all my classmates MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

To understand our Christnas story, you will have to read last years (2013) first.

Our Christmas story for 2013

I went to the refrigerator the other day after Thanksgiving to get something and stood there with the door open for the longest time trying to remember what I wanted.  I never did figure out what I needed in the refrigerator but I did realize that another year had come and gone and I needed to buy some Christmas cards.

So I told Judy that I was going to the store to buy some Christmas cards.  When I got there I couldn’t remember what I wanted so I bought some holy water and a box of chocolates for Judy.

When I got home Judy greeted me at the door asking where the Christmas cards were.  I told her I forgot them.  She then proceeded to get into my case for not closing the refrigerator door again.  I handed her the box of chocolates and she began to chill.

I went to the refrigerator to put the holly water in to chill and thought that the holly water is great with some chips and we didn’t have any.  Remembering to close the refrigerator door, I decided to make a list of what I needed from the store.

Upon completing the list I told Judy I was going to the store again.  When I got to the store I reached inside of my pocket to get my list only to realize I left it at home.  So I began walking the aisle of the store trying to remember what I needed when I saw chips.  So I bought some chips and another box of chocolates for Judy.  Did I tell you that Judy loves chocolates?

When I got home Judy greeted me at the door again asking where the Christmas cards were.  I had to tell her I forgot them again and she said something like “stupid you left the list on the kitchen counter top”.  I gave her another box of chocolates and she began to chill again.

I put the chips up and realized we didn’t have any salsa for the chips.  Hot salsa will put a bounce in your step and I can always use some getup stimulus.  I wish Obama gave us a stimulus package.

So I added salsa to the list and scratched the chips and was on my way out the front door when I hear Judy yelling something like “Oh no you don’t, I don’t need any more chocolates”, and I thought she love chocolates.  She told me that she would buy the Christmas card when she went shopping.

Now for over two weeks I haven’t had a bounce in my step while I patiently waited for Judy to buy some salsa and Christmas cards.  I ask you how difficult is it to remember to buy salsa? I remembered to buy her chocolates.  I was required to drink my holy water and eat my chips without salsa.  How stimulating is that?

Now it’s almost Christmas and I am trying to send out Christmas cards since Judy forgot to buy them and my salsa.  Now I am pressed to get them out in time and I don’t handle stress very well at my age so I hope you get a Christmas card in this envelope.  Just remember that it’s the thought that counts, right?  Our hearts were in this task of Christmas cards but our minds failed to cooperate.

And that folks is our Christmas story for 2013 and we’re sticking to it.

We sincerely wish you a safe and happy Holidays season.  May this story put a smile on your face and love in your heart.  God bless and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

James & Judy King

Our Christmas story for 2014

Well another Christmas is upon us and Judy and I are doing fine.  Except for the time I tried to fix the refrigerator door, this year has been uneventful.

As you may recall, last year I was having trouble remembering to close the refrigerator door.  Well that refrigerator door is again this year’s excitement.

Living on a fix income, I had bought what I hoped was my last box of chocolates for leaving that stupid door open.

Did I tell you that Judy loves chocolates?  Sometimes I buy her flowers and beg forgiveness.

Before I tell you my story about that refrigerator door, I need to tell you some things I forgot.  One is a disclaimer.  You know that warning which product   manufacture’s use to avoid responsibility when dumb people do stupid things.

The second involves some very important laws of physics like elasticity and objects in motion.  Specifically an object in motion tends to stay in motion and when an object in motion hits another object it will create an equal and opposite reaction.  I forgot all about these laws and the disclaimer.

Now being of a bright, astute and intelligent mind, I devised a simple and clever plan to fix that refrigerator door so it would always close.  All I needed was screws, a small bungee cord and for Judy to leave the house.  I knew Judy would have never approved of my idea.

“Now the rest of the story.”  “It ‘twas” not “the night before Christmas” and Judy had left to do some grocery shopping.  “Not a creature was stirring”, just me on a mission to fix that stupid refrigerator door.

When Judy went shopping, I seized the moment and attached one end of a bungee cord to the top corner of the door and the other end to the back of the refrigerator.  It didn’t take long and I was done in a jiffy.

My fix to the door was successful and worked regardless of what position the door was opened.  It would close without any assistance.

There was only one small detail which I needed to remember to tell Judy (the disclaimer).  Never let go of the refrigerator door when it is open.  This would prevent the door from closing at the speed of sound!

Now if you have a refrigerator like ours, the door has shelves where you can put milk, eggs, jars of condiments and bottles of holy water.

Since this was an easy and simple fix, it didn’t take long.  So I settled into a recliner and took a nap with “visions of sugar-plums dancing” in my head. 

When all of a sudden “there arose such a clatter”.  “I sprang” to my feet “to see what was the matter”?  “When, what to my wondering eyes should appear” was Judy in front of the refrigerator door.

Her eyes – how they starred and her “mouth was drawn up like a bow”.  I heard her exclaim; what have you done now?

She had returned home while I was napping and opened the refrigerator door before I could advise her of the disclaimer.  Never let go of the door when it was open.

When that door closed at the speed of sound, all those objects in the door were in motion.  When the door slammed shut, everything in the door launched like guided missiles on a mission of destruction to destroying everything in their path towards the back of the refrigerator.  The chain reaction of all those objects colliding with other objects in the refrigerator sounded as if it was Santa’s work shop.

There was chaos and pandemonium coming from inside of the refrigerator and it went on for what seemed to be an eternity!  What a mess it did make and I was in favor of buy a truck load of chocolates and a new refrigerator.  By now you can imagine who was tasked to clean it up.

Now I’ve been buying chocolates and flowers all year and Judy still has me in time-out.  She does not trust me and if I move, she watches me like a hawk.  As soon as I start to do something she is asking “what are you doing now?”

This is our Christmas story for 2014.  Hope it puts a smile on your face and brightens your day. 

God bless and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.   

James & Judy King

Shelley Silvania (Roberts)

Really enjoyed your tale of two Christmas'!!  I think that just about all of us 70's folks have senior moments now and then!!  Found yours quite enjoyable as they are always better when they happen to someone else!!  Hope that you and Judy have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!!  I will be looking forward to next years account of your Christmas mishaps!!   Shelley  P.S.  I love chocolates too!!

Bob Harris

Nice Job Bill, and thank you. Hey Bill, Your request for additional info on our deceased classmates brought to mind my good friend Rick Frazier. His death in the late 80’s early 90’s was not really understood by a close musician friend. It was either a suicide or murder. I believe it was ruled a suicide, but she was adamant it was murder. She said that he had fallen in with a dangerous crowd. I know Rick’s parents have passed. But I’m sure he had a younger sister in class of 63-64 CHS, Janice Frazier. I have tried in vein to locate her, but she has vanished without a trace. I’m wondering if anyone in our class, or on your mailing list may have a clue as to her whereabouts. 


Bob Harris
spongerbob.mail@gmail.com

Corey Snook

Many, many thanks to Bill Bassett for the work and thoughtfulness behind this site!

Hi to everyone!  My family and I moved from Meredith, NH to Mount Dora, FL, early in 2015.  I knew it would be stressful, but underestimated the impact of the stress!  Wow!  Feel like I'm just now recovering.

My work is currently focused on a unique form of neurofeedback, a kind of "direct" re-learning for the brain called Neuro-Gen.  I developed the technology to help my daughter with epilepsy.  It's especially helpful for symptoms of brain injury, anxiety and depression. There's more at mind-braintraining.com.

It's good to be back in Florida, and I look forward to visiting with classmates when the opportunities arise.

I have a special request.  A classmate and highschool friend, Bill Myers, seems to have dropped off the radar.  If anyone has information, please let me know.  csnook@mind-braintraining.com

Thanks,

Corey

Frances Johnson (Heffron)

Thank all of you for your birthday wishes.  That was so thoughtful and much appreciated.  I think I heard that if you just let the birthdays slip by without acknowledging them then you don't have to count that birthday - just trying to stay younger.  And traveling to try and help also - traveled 4-1/2 mos this year (mostly by myself) & planning a trip to Vietnam in Aug with a friend.  Again many thanks.

Carolyn Patton (Vernon)

Amen to Linda!  I think the site is wonderful.  Thanks to all who participate in making this possible.  I too remember becoming a Clearwater High classmate coming from Indiana for a new school year as a sophmore.  It was trying and difficult leaving my friends from high school at Connersville High.  I felt very alone at Clearwater until my senior year.  Now when you contact classmates on face book and through this site, everybody seems like family.

Jim Romine

For all of you who remember my cousin, Norma Romine McCollum, majorette in class of '62........please include her in your prayers as she has been admitted to a hospital in Alabama for breathing difficulties.  So far, tests are not explaining the cause of her health problems.  Both she and Glenn have had their virus shots and both have tested negative regarding the virus.  Norma's doctor told her this morning that he is not sure what is going on as it appears she does have the type of pneumonia that is associated with the Covid virus.  More tests are required, however, as he could not state that as a fact.  Her doctor did tell her that he does not see this issue as requiring any permanent supply of oxygen.

Jim Romine

Harry Ryder III

Prayers sent. Wishing Norma a speedy recovery.

Shirley Bowes (Johnson)

Thanks for your post Jim.  We have many prayer warriors in our class so there will be many prayers going to Norma.  

Elizabeth Alice Shemet (Rubright)

Myra Kohne (Elliott)

Hi Jim,  thanks for the message about Norma.  My prayers will be with her for a speedy recovery.
She has been such a wonderful supporter of all of us N.C. folks from '62.

Myra Kohne Elliott 

Mary Arliskas (Ehlers)

Sorry Norma is having health issues. My best thoughts and wish for her to recover soon. Norma is a friend whom has shared many fun experiences. Especially as majorettes !!😀Mary E

Cathie Skinner (Powell)

Praying with and for dear Norma.  What s beautiful lady!  Please keep

us updated as you learn more Jim?  Thanks for letting us know.  

Eric Tinnes

Margaret Ruth Tinnes, the love of my life, died unexpectedly on Thursday the 29^th of December 2022.  She was one of a kind.  She cared for herself and her friends and relatives.  She loved to have fun, go to plays and musicals, shop for clothes, gamble in Oklahoma, take vacations and raise her daughter.  Her daughter, Christine Culp, was the love of her life.  

We met in October of 1981 at the Belle Starr Club on Greenville avenue.  It was Sunday and I was there taking dance lessons and she was waiting for a date that never showed up.  I went to the bar to check on the Cowboys game and we started talking.  Hours later we left and went our separate ways having made a date for Monday night at the Cowboys Monday night roundup.  That led to another date for Halloween, both in costumes, and the weekend after Halloween.  We were the only ones dressed up.  We started seeing each other regularly.  And on April 27th of 1982 we were married by a Justice of the Peace on a Friday and we didn't tell anyone.  Then on July 2nd, 1982 we had a public ceremony and had all our friend there to witness the event.  We moved into our "new" house to begin our life together.  And now 40 years have passed.  We were each others friend and lover and we had each others backs.

Early on we played the role of world travelers.  I was already to go anyplace, any time, and she wanted to join me.  We traveled to Europe twice seeing 8 countries.  We went to Asia and saw 3 countries.  We went to Canada and Mexico.  We cruised the Carribbean more than once and did the Panama Canal, seeing 5 countries.  And we were always talking about the next place we would go. Places like Iceland, Monument Valley, New Zealand, Australia, to name a few.

And all this time we were raising our daughter Christine and taking care of Ruth's mother, Marion.  Ruth's father had died in 1978 and she and her mother and Christine were renting an apartment it Richardson when we met.  Marion was informed, conscientious and more than helpful.  She remained with us until she passed in 1996.  And Christine got through elementary, middle and high school with all of our help.  Ruth enjoyed having Christine and being able to talk to her and love her.

Ruth and I now call on you to celebrate her life.  I am going to miss her for she was my life.  She was the sun rise and sun set.  She knew me so well and I knew her.  We enjoyed doing things together, even cleaning the house.  Yes, I am missing her.

Joy Williams (Chappell)

Eric,

So sorry for you loss.  I enjoyed your tribute and hopefully your many travels and memories will be a comfort to you.

Bob Harris

It pains me to report that our classmate Jack Chamberlain has passed quietly with his family at his bedside.

Jack was a devoted husband, father and just all around good person. I visited Jack in the hospital this past November, where I met his wonderful grandson Justin. I knew then Jack was in good hands. Jack was admired by all who knew him at CHS. He was always quick to laugh, always positive, polite, loyal, genuine and helpful. Although he is a part of our graduation class, he did not graduate with us, as he had to pick up a few more credits in summer school. I only bring that up as a comparison to his later achievements.

The following is a very abridged recollection of several long conversations I had with Jack over the years. I wish I would have recorded or taken notes as his story is so unique, exciting and noteworthy that it deserves publishing. I was hoping that I would be able to have another long conversation when I visited him in the hospital this past November, but alas he was just too ill. He did tell me though, that most of the information in which I was truly interested, he still couldn’t reveal. I asked Jack, “Do you really want to take this important information to your grave?” He responded “I must.”

Jack and Pam Heniquin married after graduation (I believe within a year). He and Keith Willett together joined the army security agency (ASA) in 1962, where they both received their top secret crypto security clearances (a path I too followed in 1963.). After graduation from training as crypto intercept operators, Jack and Keith were assigned to different duty stations. Jack eventually ended up in Nam. Keith landed on a little island at end of the Aleutian Island chain just off the coast of Kamchatka Peninsula Russia called Shemya, Alaska. (I too followed a year after Keith.)

Shortly before Jack was to be discharged, he was offered the chance to become a warrant officer and go to flight school. We really needed helicopter pilots. He graduated initial flight training and went on to train on attack helicopters. Then because he had the top secret clearance he was assigned to the signal corps. The ASA had no aircraft. While in Nam he was involved in top secret extractions and insertions behind enemy lines. He was involved in many extraction of POWs. Jack said that his experience in Nam was very similar to what was portrayed in the movie Apocalypse Now. He also mentioned that the officer portrayed as the "I love the smell of napalm in the morning" character was based on a real guy and that he was a real SOB bastard. An article in the Stars and Stripes military newspaper noted the following decorations Jack earned for his service. A Silver Star, an Air Medal, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, three Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry with silver stars.

Following his Nam tours the army sent Jack to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical College in Daytona to earn a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering. He then became involved in training other pilots, and then later as an army liaison officer with Sikorsky to facilitate designing the next generation of helicopters. After discharge he was hired by Lockheed Martin Skunk-Works to assist in designing the next generation of stealth attack aircraft. He was well qualified because of his top secret security clearance, aeronautical engineering degree and combat experience. Pam was not a happy wife, because she did not want another move. She finally had that permanent home she always wanted and was involved with a successful career in real estate. So Jack ended up commuting from Texas to Nevada via unmarked unscheduled aircraft to Skunk-Works located at secure area 51 in the Nevada desert. Skunk-Works was responsible developing the U-2 Spy Plane, SR-71 Blackbird, F-117 Nighthawk, F-22 Raptor, and F-35 Lightning II.

In our conversations Jack spoke much about Skunk Works, yet he was always guarded about revealing too much. In our recent November conversation I pressed him for additional info. He said, I can’t say what they did there, but I can say if I told you there would be great risk to you and your family. Our government is not what it used to be.

His beloved wife Pam suffered a very serious brain aneurism a year or two after our 50^th CHS reunion. She was left unable to care for herself and Jack cared for her mostly on his own for several years until her death. Theirs was an inspiring love story.

Pam’s Obituary:

Pamela Jane Chamberlain, passed away on Thursday, June 28, 2018 at her home in Corpus Christi, TX surrounded by her family. She was 74 years old. Born in Hartford, CT on April 8, 1944 to Harry and Elizabeth Hennequin. She leaves behind, to cherish her memories, her beloved husband Jack Chamberlain, her daughter Kim Salyers (Fred), her son Jeffery Chamberlain; grandsons: Mathew Salyers (Kimberly), Justin Chamberlain, Randall Chamberlain; great granddaughter: Riley Salyers, brothers: Harry, And Gladys Hennequin, Marshall, and Donna Hennequin; brother in laws: Tamberlyn Chamberlain, Michael Chamberlain (Jean); many beloved nieces and nephews. Pamela is preceded in death by her father: Harry Charles Hennequin; mother: Elizabeth Rose Hennequin; father in law: Tamberlyn Chamberlain; mother in law: Agnes Chamberlain. 

Jacks obituary can be found here. https://www.guardianfhcremation.com/obituary/jack-chamberlain

Genevieve Gorton (Clevenger)

With deep sorrow I wish to report the death of Roger W. Jones on June 29, 2023. Roger is survivied by his daughter, Leigh, his two sons, Rob and Mark, and Rob's two boys, Matt and Bobby. Roger died peacefully in Tucson, AZ, after several years struggling with metastatic lymphoma. He was a fine man, and he leaves an empty spot in all our hearts.