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Wayne Lake

Sweetie Marbury text me that Ronnie Peters, one of our ‘Cooley Elementary Elite’ had recently passed away. From google, I found the following obit clip on ancestry.com:  

“Ronald was born March 20, 1945 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, and died September 5, 2021. Ronald is buried in Magnolia Memorial Gardens in Magnolia, Texas, USA.”

I remember Ronnie to be an easy going guy from early on.  His family invited me for a boat ride on Galveston Bay when I was about 11 years old on their mahogany planked 28’ Chris Craft from Seabrook Shipyard. I vividly remember the boat and it started a lifelong appreciation for wooden boats, especially Chris Craft. I try to go to in-the-water boat shows every summer as there are many of these wooden classics on the Northern lakes.

I think Ronnie attended a recent Waltrip64 get together which regrettably, I missed.  

RIP Old Friend.

Attention Jenny Taylor: Chuck Gavin was a good friend of Ronnie (maybe roommates at Sam Houston) and I have not heard or seen Chuck since those notorious early days at Sam except for buying parts at his family business U-Plumb-It about 25-30 years ago. Is there any way you can search/locate Chuck as you seem to be very good at finding info on classmates?

All: Sorry I missed Beau’s celebration of life party on the hill, but had been visiting parks in Utah and Colorado for several days and was totally out-of-gas. While in Durango CO, Lora and I had an enjoyable evening with Sweetie Marbury, a longtime friend and Brook Woods neighbor. Sweetie is a strong, accomplished Rocky Mountain Woman with a very interesting/full life as after retiring from teaching school with one-way daily commutes as far as 45 miles (one way) while raising her son, a stint on city council and two term mayor – so happy to know Sweetie and proud to be her friend!

Speaking of accomplished, hard-working Waltrip class mates, we have two individuals that are giving back full tilt in demanding roles of a benevolent organization. Both Bradley Seals and Richard Meeks are the current sitting, major city Rotary Club Presidents, Austin and Houston respectively. The more I learn about you people, what you have done and what you are still doing, the more I appreciate being associated with the group.  

Dancin’ with Dolphins, wtl           

Jenny Taylor (Williams)

Wayne- so sorry to hear about Ronnie. His birthday was Sunday and I thought about him. Didn't know we had lost him.    I will see if I can find Chuck for  you.  

Johnny Sheffield

Sorry to hear about Ronnie peters. 
Last saw him at our 2019 waltrip fling. 
prayers go out to his family  

Johnny

Teddie Jordan

I always thought a lot of Chuck Gavin too. The last time I saw him that I remember was at Klein Forest High school when daughter Lisa was a student there. She graduated in 1986. He was a counseler there. 

Teddie Jordan

Fran and  I both wished Ronnie a happy birthday last week and, read on that actual day that he had passed away. We always thought a lot of him and he and Fran's cousin Sharon Smith dated At Waltrip and we used to do things together with them. . 

Jenny Taylor (Williams)

Teddy and Wayne.  Think I found Chuck Gavin.  Call me and I will give you his info.   

Teddie Jordan

Dear Classmates, for the last week or so when I get bored I go back and read posts back on the first 10 or so pages back in 2008-2009 when our Dear Jackie started this class gift. It is fun reading our perspective when we were first able to speak to and hear from those long lost friends from 40-50 years ago that we had no way of catching up with until this gift . Francine and I have sure enjoyed it!!

Beverly Hengst (Allen)

Well said, Teddie.  Jackie really pulled our class together with this website.  I am sure she is smiling when she looks down and sees that we are still carrying on with her gift.  Thank you, Jackie.

Diane Cunningham (Wann ('72))

Good morning everyone,

I am so glad to be a guest member of your website.  I feel like I am a part of the class of 64 even more than my own class (72). I am so grateful to all of you who read all of Beau's post over the years.  He enjoyed all the conversations and writing the stories.  Writing was therapeutic for him. All of you who called, put messages on the forum, sent cards, and made visits to the house this past 14+ months have no idea how much it meant to him and to me.  Thank you to everyone who came to visitation, graveside, memorial service and The Celebration/Party on the Hill!  Your support and presence meant so much to me.  The boys (men) Billy and Kevin have truly learned so much about their dad that they didn't know or understand until they met all of you! When Wayne and Frank told Billy about the writings and how much Beau's postings meant to everyone, he was truly surprised.  He immediately shared that with Kevin.  The postings Frank is sending have been a blessing to Billy, Kevin, their wives Juli and Kellie and the grandchildren Taylor and Haley.  Not only have all of you impressed and blessed them, but my dad, sister and other friends have been blessed by meeting all you.  They understand now when I said we have great support system and great friends!

Beau always told me, if I need any help let the Class of 64 know and help would come. A few special thank yous: So thank you to everyone. Thank you Jimmie Lee for being support on the phone so many times, to Jimmy Hilscher, Teddy Jordan, Dennis Hansel, Jimmy Stockton, and Johnny Sheffield for helping set up on Friday.  Thank you to Paige who came out and washed clothes, swept, dusted and ... many times this past year.   Thank you to Lynn Berry and Richard Meek who sent text messages almost daily to Beau and me just to say hello. Okay, I could go on for days. I guess Beau is still telling me to write more!

In case anyone missed the graveside or memorial and would like to see it, Beau's nephew recorded both services

Gerald Young

Robert Clooney's name should be added to the In Memoriam list. He died of cancer during the spring of 2021.

Thanks,

Gerald Young

Diane Cunningham (Wann ('72))

Hello to everyone,

Several people have asked me to post a story about how Beau and I met, especially since the lady who introduced us came to the Memorial Service and to the Party on the Hill. I'm not as creative a writer as Beau, but will do my best. In case you didn't meet her, Joyce Snell was the lady in the wheelchair.  She was the secretary at Allen Elementary, which is the school I taught at for 32 years. 

Saturday, July 17th 1982, I got a call from Joyce.  She started by saying she knew that I had dated a couple of guys with beards and wanted to know if the beard was why those situations didn't work out. I said "No, it was their personality, not the beard that was the issue"  She responded okay and then explained that her son-in-law's best friend had a beard, looked a little like Dan Hagerty, the TV mountain man, and she would like to give him my name and number.  She thought we might enjoy going to a movie or dinner sometime.  I knew Joyce well enough that I said "okay". I didn't think she would hook me up with a serial killer or crazy person.  (I'd had some terrible blind dates!) So an hour later she called back.  She said he had been at her house and couldn't talk when she called.Joyce then told me his name was Beau Wann and he had 2 sons who were the most important things in his life.  He had been divorced for a long time and was just interested in going out to dinner from time to time and that we might enjoy each other's company.

About an hour later Beau called, introduced himself and asked if it was okay that he called.  He used this very deep bass, sexy radio voice.  My first thought was he would either look like a nerd, weirdo or maybe for once a voice and person might match.  After explaining how he knew Joyce, he asked me to dinner that night.  He came to pick me up an hour later.  When he rang the doorbell, I looked through the peep hole and thought "Wow, he looks like the voice!)  We went to Sam Wilson's in Town and County Village.  After talking and ordering, Beau explained how Billy and Kevin (12 and 13) were more important than anything else to him.  He explained his ex-wife had been married and divorced twice since their divorce 10 years before.  He had been in a couple of 1 to 2 year relationships that didin't work out.  He did not want the boys to go through another breakup of his. So he had no intention of ever getting married or in another serious relationship.  He hoped I wasn't looking for anything serious. So honest, sincere and spoke so gently about the boys, that it had the opposite effect he wanted. Too late, little did either of us realize, I was already hooked and wanted to see him more and see what would happen. Thanks for asking and listening

Trying to follow his advice to Ride Boldly Ride! Diane

FYI I added a photo to my profile that was taken of Beau two weeks before we met. 

Wayne Lake

Diane, thanks for sharing and thanks to Joyce for making the ‘bold’ introduction.

Dancin’ with Dolphins, wtl           

Teddie Jordan

Diane, thank you for posting that story. I would say that you both and your son's won the super lotto and were richly rewarded and Blessed!

Kay Watters '65 (Greene)

Your story just made my morning, Diane.  Thank you to Joyce for having enough faith that this relationship might work.  I have enjoyed stories of how some of our baby-boomers met and married. I'm going to visit your profile, Diane, and hope you're doing as well as you can be after Beau's passing.  

Sure missing his wonderful blogs!

Jimmie Lee Smith (Brawner)

John Adams' sweet wife, Mary Lou, went to be with The Lord Sunday.  John's mailing address is: 

125 Red Bud Lane, Baytown, TX 77520

Obituary for Mary Lou Spurgeon Adams
May 6, 1947 – April 10, 2022

Mary Lou Spurgeon Adams passed peacefully into Heaven on April 10, 2022.  Born in Nacogdoches May 6, 1947, to John Thomas Spurgeon and Lucille May Ross Spurgeon, she lived her entire life in Baytown.  Mary Lou graduated from Lee High School in 1965, and attended Lee College for two years, before earning a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Texas in December 1970.  She spent the early years of her career working in the insurance and wealth management industries where she was eventually introduced to her future husband, John Adams, who proposed to her on their first date.  Mary Lou married John at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church within just over a year of meeting him.  They were dedicated members of St. Mark’s for most of their life together, and the couple remained faithfully married for 51 years.

The daughter of a career special education teacher, Mary Lou had never considered teaching as an occupation.  However, her interests began to shift, and while working for the State of Texas she began pursuing a teaching certification.  Mary Lou was hired by Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District in 1974, and taught expectant female students for two years, helping them complete their high school studies.  Later, she spent the majority of her 32-year public education career as the learning and language skills specialist at San Jacinto Elementary and later, Lorenzo De Zavala Elementary.  Mary Lou was known for her fierce loyalty to teaching and education, near infinite compassion for children, and tremendous dedication to her pre-kindergarten through second grade students.  After retirement, she remained in close contact with her many school friends.

Mary Lou adored her numerous cats and dogs, and no stray dog was safe from her loving embrace.  She and John enjoyed ski vacations together in their younger years, and she never tired of visiting family in Nacogdoches while eating their amazing cooking.  Mary Lou had a magnificent sense of humor, and John could always make her burst out with that beautiful laugh.

Mary Lou was a Phi Beta Kappa scholar and maintained memberships in teaching and social sororities, as well as the Baytown chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  She ultimately earned a Master’s Degree in education from the University of Houston Clear Lake, and was only 12 hours short of a Ph.D.  However, the love she held for her young students caused her to stop short because she didn’t want to leave them to work in school administration.  Even after retirement, Mary Lou couldn’t extricate herself entirely from education, and she found herself pulled back into the field, teaching learning and language skills for almost five more years at Saint Joseph private school in Baytown.

Left to cherish Mary Lou’s memory is her dedicated husband of 51 years, John, along with numerous family members and dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association:  https://www.alz.org/

Teddie Jordan

So sorry to hear this news dear friend John. You told me that her situation was in decline. I can imagine that your sense of loss is coupled With thankfulness for her life and the  many memories of good times with her. And thankfulness that her soul has been renewed in every way. Gods grace for and on you!

Love Teddie and Fran!

Jimmie Lee Smith (Brawner)

The service for Mary Lou Adams will be held on Tuesday, April 19

St. Mark's United Methodist Church

3811 N. Main Street, Baytown, TX 77521

Visitation begins at 10:00am and the service will be held at 11:00am.

Teddie Jordan

Fran and I attended the celebration of life service for Classmate John Adam's sweet wife Mary Lou at St.Mark's Methodist in Baytown today. It was a beautiful and inspiring service and she and John were well supported and loved by their many friends there. John suffered a bad fall recently, but is improving daily. And he is still the one with a sweet smile, and funny wise cracks still emit from him, just like in the old days. He knows that he was blessed by their 51 years of marriage. Their church sanctuary is beautiful and full of many great pieces of  very beautiful stained glass!

Johnny Sheffield

Hi everyone , just saw where Howard John cannon class of 1964

Pass away April 20th 2022 in azle Texas. His obituary is at lake worth funeral home

azle Texas. Gods blessings go out to Howard's family. 
johnny 

Teddie Jordan

Sorry to hear that news about Howard Cannon Johnny. I really enjoyed catching up with him at several of our Fudd's get togethers and as I recall a few flings too. I found that he was really a kind and fine man. Rest In Peace Howard.

Johnny your post was one of the first on this site for almost two months since Beau passed away. I think that many of us just quietly decided to Honor our dear friend and Poet Laureate Beau by pausing on our comments for a period to Honor him! And proud that without any formal plan that we did so!
 

Ronna Brand

I just wanted to let y'all know that Johnny Roffall passed away yesterday.  There will be visitation Monday the 16th between 5 and 8pm at Cypress Fairbanks Funeral Home, 9926 Jones Road and the funeral service will be Tuesday the 17th 11:00 AM at Christ the Redeemer Catholic  Church, 11507 Huffmeister Road.  Please keep The Roffall family in your prayers.

Johnny Sheffield

Prayers go out to Linda and her family in this time of need.

Gods blessings be with you all.

Johnny and Becky 

Frank Lynn

I would like to share a very heartwarming story of how one our classmates, Wayne Lake, worked with a young woman to turn her life around. This young woman grew up near Corpus Christi in a familial environment of drugs and alcoholism. Wayne met her through her father, a local handyman in the area, and recognized something in her so decided to see how he could help change her life. Wayne mentored, encouraged and advised her. He also put together a team of professional and personal mentors and role models who encouraged her to get her GED and enroll in junior college. This weekend, May 20^th, she receives her associates degree from a local junior college and is enrolled to begin her work on a business degree this Fall at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Her ambition is to work in human resources and provide other people like herself to have the opportunity to become contributing members to society.

If Wayne had not stepped up a couple of years ago and believed in her potential she most likely would have continued her downward spiral to a life of poverty and substance abuse.

Hats off to Wayne for caring and working hard to help someone! Changing the world one person at a time.

Diane Cunningham (Wann ('72))

Hello everyone,

I want to send my prayers to all your classmates families and their friends who have died recently. 

I would have responded sooner, but have had internet troubles.  I had to go to an AT&T coorporate store to transfer our phone and internet to my name, per instructions from AT&T.  However their employee didn't understand the process and cancelled the account, put in place a new one that cancelled Beau's phone and our internet!  Since he was a retiree it took 5 phone calls, lots of explanations, lots of time on hold and 3 weeks of fussing until I finally found the right person who understood the situation. After an hour of her working to solve the problem, she had to go up the chain of command two levels to get the account back to where it was.  I am waiting a couple of weeks before I call the number she gave me to officially transfer the account to my name. 

Frank, Thank you for posting about Wayne.  It is wonderful to hear that kind of story.  Wayne, what a great thing you did! 

Please remember that writing about what you or someone else is doing, sharing your joys and concerns are exactly what Jackie and Beau wanted.  Those of you who write have no idea how everything you post helps others.  I have heard from so many of you who tell me that you read all the posts, but don't write.  But it makes your day to read what is written. 

Stay cool! Pray for some rain!

Diane

Teddie Jordan

Sorry for the trouble with ATT Diane and hope it all clears up. What  you described going through must have been so frustrating. 
 

And Frank Lynn thank you for reaching out mentioning the sweet story about Wayne Lake and the help and mentoring, and encouraging that young Lady. Wayne you have definitely been a difference maker in her life and her future! Sincere Thanks and Hats Off  to  you old friend!