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Pat Wilcox '65 (Prewit)

Prayers are needed for Linda Webster Jennings.  Linda. Is having major surgery this morning at 10:00 AM to have a cancerous tumor removed from her colon.  Please remember Linda in your thoughts and prayers.

Beau Wann, Jr.

     Just talked to Jimmy Hilscher and he was saying the surgery was postponed. Dont know if it was postponed to later today or another day.   When I saw her at the sprang flang, she looked positively radiant. What a beautiful smile.   We will be praying very hard for her.     Hey Pat, hows Lynn doing? Everything copasetic? 

      98 today so far. feels like 107.  If it feels like 107, then it is 107.  It was actually 107 in the man cave, and 98 outside.  Think I may have the garage insulated and add AC to it.  Whilst you are praying for Linda, pray for rain also.   Couldnt hoit!   My one eyed catahoula dog Jack, is mad at us, because we wont let him go outside.  Too hot for an old dog, and an old man as well.

     Ok, PRAYERS FOR LINDA WEBSTER, LYNN AND JIM AND ANYONE ELSE THAT NEEDS SOME SUPPORT. 

Teddie Jordan

Linda is out of surgery and in recovery. Dr. came out and talked to us. Said tumor was fairly small and found no others, and said she did well. Same dr that did her liver transplant 5 1/2 years ago. We are waiting now for them to bring her up to her room. Will be in hospital about 5 days or so then home. 

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Pat Wilcox '65 (Prewit)

Update on Linda Webster Jennings 

Linda’s surgery was pushed back to around 2:15 today due to her surgeon having another emergency surgery. Linda is now out of surgery. The surgeon told Teddie and Fran that the tumor was small and no other ones were found. He said that Linda did well. She is in recovery now but they will see her when she is back in her room. Linda will be out of it tonight and medicated until tomorrow afternoon. 

Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for Linda during her recovery. 

Pat Prewit

Beau Wann, Jr.

    GREAT NEWS ABOUT LINDA.  We will  continue to keep her in our thoughts. 

Ronna Brand

Prayers are being lifted for Linda - Ted and Fran, please let her know I am thinking of her and praying for a speedy, complete recovery!

Pat Brantley (Ross)

Praying for Linda.  Blessings on her recovery and her body.  Please keep us updated.  

Beau Wann, Jr.

     Good Sunday, er Saturday morning to youse youtes.  Another Saturday, after a grueling woik week.  Soon as my beloved wakes up, gonna have pancakes. Been waiting all week for some pancakes.  I know, I know, I can have them any day of the week, but, dont you find looking forward to an event is almost as fun as the event itself.  Then oncet (east texas for once) the event is over, look forward to it again.

    Last Saturday was customer appreciation day at our bank in Brenham.  Hotdogs and sausage dogs with all the trimmings, chips and drinks and ice cream.  HOTDOGS! ! ! !  I do love em!  Oncet again though,  we dont have them all the time, so it's another food event I look forward too, same as fried chicken etc.

     Yesterday, from sunup to sundown, was spent doing outside work, mowing, weedeating, tractor work etc.  I've heard that when you retired, you need to stay busy to sustain a long and healthy life.  That being the case, I'll probably live for at least another thousand years.  I dont really want to live that long and possibly see the total distruction of man and woman kind.  "it's been ten thousand years, man has cried a billion tears...."  Just rehard that song yesterday.  Never  could figure out if I liked it or not.  Give me another 10 thousand years and I will decide.

     Well, sleeping beauty is awake!   She was up at 4 checking on why Dixie Belle was barking, then again at six to give Jack his meds and feed the pups and cats. Then back to bed for Diane and it's up for me.   I finally got the forklift over to the bed and got my lazy bones up.  Oncet I am standing and walking about, it's not so bad.  Then comes the task of clothes putting on.  Oncet that chore has been accomplished, I'm pretty much good to go.

      Got the pancake skillet out and set up, batter made,  bacon crisp and hot, coffee hot and black, just waiting on my beloved, and lo and behold sleeping beauty doth appear.  yea!   Ok, time for chef beau yar de cephus to get a cookin.

    Happy weekend to youse and happy trails....

Larry Reid '63

I know I don't post that much but I do enjoy following all of you on this Message Forum. Please know that I think about all of you and send out affirmative prayers on a regular basis. After I retired, I never thought I would be this busy or doing something that I love more than Operation Red, White and Bike (www.redwhiteandbike.org) and working with these special families of our nations Purple Heart recipients. 

If any of you do Facebook, go to https://www.facebook.com/RedWhiteandBike/ and LIKE our PAGE. We are trying to get 1,000 LIKES. We are at 694 and could sure use your help.

You just cannot believe the joy it brings to folks and meet the special families and then to top it off, this year, with a bunch of Waltrip Alumni coming out and volunteering for our annual Bike for Little Heroes - Bike Ride/Fundraiser. What a special year. Thak you Ted and Fran and your all Waltrip Alumni crew!

We were all so blessed to attend Waltrip at the time we did and have such special classmates and teachers.

I think all of you might enjoy this short video of our latest little hero presentation at Heroes Night Out in Georgetown, Texas. We were guests of Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 1919 - Austin. Operation Red, White and Bike is an alliance partner with chapter 1919 and could not do what we do without their help and the help of other Purple Heart chapters around the country. Here the video link: https://www.facebook.com/RedWhiteandBike/videos/10155384095936056/

God bless all of you and God Bless our nations little heroes and their families.

Teddie Jordan

Larry, sincere thanks to you for all that you do for The Little Heroes. To see the smiles on their faces says it all. 

We as your classmates are proud of you and of this great charity that you co founded, and for all that you have done through the years to grow it. 

The classmates that helped us operate the rest stop this year we’re Johnny and Becky Sheffield, Ronna Brand, and Linda Bolton Roffall and Johnny Roffall. We hope to be able to add a second all Waltrip rest stop crew next year. 

Larry Reid '63

Thank you Ted and Fran for helping with my memory about Johnny, Becky, Ronna, Linda and Johnny assisting at the Reid's Prairie Rest Stop. I was so glad that we were able to bring little heroes and their families around to meet all of you so you could see the fruits of our labor. We would be honored to have another all Waltrip rest stop crew for next year! Just as soon as we get the date for our ride from the BPMS150 folks, we will be back with you. I think I can get Mike Batterson from the old neighborhood to make a big sign about Waltrip Alumni? Mike was my next door neighbor on Curtin Rd. and has a sister named Debbie. I think you would probably know one or both but I am not sure they graduated from Waltrip as they moved back to the Heights and probably graduated from Reagan?

By the way, I am developing a plan for how to grow Operation Red, White and Bike from a regional organization to a nationwide organization working throught the Military Order of the Purple Heart. More on that at a later date.

Teddie Jordan

Larry, I definitely remember the Battersons. They went to our family church Oaks Presbyterian, and my mom and Neva were good friends. Last saw them all at Tommy’s funeral service. I’ve got a picture of a young Mike in my FB album of wedding pictures, I’m sure his mom made him go. As with most of us you give me a street in our old Oak Forest or Garden Oaks areas and I can remember families that lived on them then. On those two blocks of Curtin also lived the Partons, the Hydes, Taylors, Montgomerys, the Keiths, Magers, and McNews. Given a little time I’m sure I could recall some more. I am an old Overhill boy. We are all so fortunate to have grown up where and when we did, our own Mayberry.

Larry Reid '63

Ted, You really brought back some memories. Tommy and Neva lived on one side and Herman and Juanita Taylor lived on the other. Tommy and Neva were really special folks. I worked for Tommy doing stripping during the summers. Mike stills does Stripping on a BIGGER scale and much much more. 

Our family went to St. Micheal's Episcopal Church next to Oak's. I bet you remember Monty Woodcock whose family were also Anglican's. The Clifton sisters and their family also attended. Like you if I had more time I could probably remember more but probably not. LOL

The Hydes lived across the street from us and we were there the day Mr. Hyde was electrocuted. I think the McNews owned Mc's Ranch??? I think Mr. Parton was working with Mr. Hyde when they hit the highline with the pipe they were pulling out of the ground and Mrs. Hyde is the one who saved Mr. Parton life.

Not 100% sure but I think Jim Mongomery and his sister lived on another Chamboard?

You probably remember Bruce Burns as well. Bruce married Meme Majors.

Do you know anyting about Ronnie Foster who lived on Thornton or Ronnie Eldridge who lived on Ebony?

Teddie Jordan

I’ve never heard any news on Ronnie Foster, but have stayed in touch with Eldridge. He married our classmate Cheryl Calmes and both of our families lived on the same street in Greenwood Forest for over 30 years and now both live near each other a little further out in Spring. A memory on Ronnie Foster, when Doyle’s Deli first opened back in the ‘50’s I was playing little league baseball at Oaks Dads club. Doyle’s offered a free pizza for anyone that hit a home run. Pizza was a new deal for all of us and at that time I didn’t care for it, I was a meat and potatoes guy, but the rest of my family did like it.  I thought if I could just hit one out I will be a hero in my family. Well I never quite made it, but Ronnie Foster hit three or four. I thought man he must really be a hero in his family!

And sorry to say we went to Bruce Taylor’s memorial service about two months ago. I had a good visit with his sweet wife Johanne Johannsen Taylor (WHS ‘63 I believe) and brother Howard. Bruce was a great guy and had a good life and great career and beautiful family, but lost the long battle with cancer.

Scotty Croom

have been oiut of touch since last wednesday...sharon and i traveled to baton rouge,biloxi, and daphne/mobile.ala...glad linda came thru surgery ok...well,we bought condo at mobile bay area....3 bdr./bath...upstairs w/ elevator ...final move this fall...houston traffic/congestion has gotten to be too much...will send pics later...

Teddie Jordan

Sounds like a good plan Scotty. We love that area and know that Sharon has family there. We will probably be by to see you once or twice a year, as we do love that part of the Gulf coast and Beau Rivage and get our fix of char broiled oysters at Oyster House in Biloxi, yum! 

Fran and I brought Linda home from the hospital to Judy’s house yesterday and she is making good progress day by day. Thank you all for your prayers and phone calls and cards of encouragement.

Linda Webster '65 (Jennings)

Thanks to everyone for your support and prayers during my surgery. I am truly blessed to have friends and family that helps me thru these health issues.

Thanks to all.

Love ya’ll,

Linda

Beverly Sanford (Bischoff)

I just spoke with Beverly Allen and Jim is being taken back to St. Luke's in The Woodlands.  He has pneumonia and two blood clots in his lungs.  Also did cultures to see if he has a staph infection.  Preliminary results will be back in 24 hours and final results in 48 hours.  Prayer warriors definitely needed for healing.

.

Beau Wann, Jr.

     Linda, glad you are recovering. Couldnt recover in a more wonderful setting, at Frans and TJs.  Will be praying for a speedy recovery for Jim. 

    Wow, Larry, you and Teddie remember so many folks, and their parents.   I hardly knew anyone from my end of Oak Forest.  Well, being from Transylvania, we were'nt allowed out til night time.   If they went to Oaks Presbyterian, my beloved knows them.  Her mom and dad were friends with the Battersons.

     Youse mentioned Ronny Foster!  He had an older brother James Foster.  As I recollect, all the girls my older sisters age, were all gaga over James.  He and his brother were just a couple years older than our group, yet I recollect thinking that they were almost the size of grown men.  James Holcombe also was as large as a full growed man, yet he was younger than me by a couple months. 

    Onliest (east texas for only) couple of kids I remember that lived on DuBarry by me was a Timmy Bell, and a mean kid named butch.  Gail and Eddie Morgan lived on the corner of Ebony and Dubarry. They had a fish pond in the front yard.   Their dad worked for Eastman Kodak.  Bill Morrow, Jeff ????,  Artie and Joey ????
Jeffs parents rented the house next door, Bills parents rented the house across the street and Artie and Joeys Parents rented a house a couple doors down from Bill.  Jeff moved out from next door, and a Michael ???? moved in.  His dad owned a plumbing business. 

    Janie Hartman lived east on DuBarry, other side of Ella.  Phil Young on the corner of DuBarry and McKinnly?  That's about all the kids I can remember that lived on DuBarry. Well, me of course.  Saw Ronny Eldridge at the Chappell Hill BBQ and Bakery last year methinks.  I said hi, and I'm pretty sure he didnt know who I was. 

       I do remember he and Robert Knox were buddies.  What hotrod was it that Ronny had. 37 chevy. It was as fine a restore job as I've seen.  Probably had a 283 punched out to 301 or something like that. I'll bet Ronny and Robert could tune a lawn mower to turn in the low 9s. I remember Roberts English ford, or was it a Henry J.?   I think it had a 302 something or other in it, with six duces.  He brought it up to Sam onetime and was going to race somebody, and all 6 carburators caught on fire. I remember Robert stuffing rags down the carbs to put it out.  Had huge slicks on it also.

    then there was Charlie Bresenhans (sp)  GTO, and that's about all I remember about those three young men.  Everytime I see a white 55 chevy, I think of Teddie. 

     I'm pretty sure I've covered the above ground on foks from our youtes, but it's still nice to remember old names and faces.

   Scotty, you going to Alabamy with a banjo on your knee?   Does that mean you wont be coming to the FLINGS anymore?  You and Teddie have got to have two of the keenest rememberers ever, yall remember everyone and everything.   I was just a dumb little kid that couldnt think past the dirt I was playing in. 

    Time to deplane. Got a menagerie to feed and then the big kids, us. More prayers and thoughts for Linda, and Jim and Beverly, and anyone else out there in need of a prayer or two.

Happy trails friens, happy trails.... 

Teddie Jordan

Continued prayers for Jim Allen and Beverly Hengst Allen. They have had a rough several weeks and are back in the hospital with this serious set back. Hopefully it will mark the beginning of complete healing for JIM.

Larry Reid '63

Beau, You are so right about Ronnie and Jimmy Foster the girls were crazy about both of them. Jimmy was much older than Ronnie and the last timne I heard anything about him he was driving a Beer Truck. Jimmy and Ronnie also had a sister but she was quiet and very low profile. The Foster Family owned Fosters Meats located on Nicholson in the Heights. Also, they moved fromn Chantilly to Ella Lee Forest in the early sixties. Would love to learn more about Ronnie if anyone knows anything of his wereabouts.

Jenny Taylor (Williams)

I lived a few doors down from RonnieFoster in Ella Lee Forest.  Beverly Hengst lived across the street.  Since you guys brought up Ronnie, I did a little research and I think I know what happened to him.  But first does anyone remember the name of either of his two sisters?  I have their names as Paula and Sharon.  Does that ring a bell with anyone? 

Teddie Jordan

Jenny, I remember her and for some reason Paula sounds familiar, but I’m not at all sure. 

Jenny Taylor (Williams)

You guys should know that when you say "I wonder what ever happened to......", I take that as a challenge!  So here is what I have found so far.  Ronnie (Ronald Blake) Foster (born 19 Oct. 1944) and Jimmy (James Lee) Foster (born 2 Dec 1941)  and sister Paula Foster Howk (born 9 May 1940)-  Parents- James Lee Foster Sr. and Harriet Bumgardner Foster.  They had an older sister, Sharon, who died when she was 6 in 1944.  I called a number for their sister Paula Howk and  left a message on her phone to call me.  Hope I have the right number.  I am pretty sure these are our guys. Anyway, this Jimmy Foster passed away in 2010 and this Ronnie in 2012.   Now remember, I have not verified that this is our classmate who graduated 1963.  Will let you know as soon as I hear from her or verify my info. 

Teddie Jordan

Sorry to say we just read on fb where Ronnie Peters’ reported that his wife Helga has passed away.