Roosevelt News

-- East Coast Edition –

 

-- Printed in Loving Memory of Wanda J. Jackson 1934 - 2011 –

 

News Center

Read old/current issues and send news or comments online at:

http://www.234enterprises.com/RooseveltNews/newscenter.htm

 

Editors:

E-mail: mmay@234enterprises.com

 Carolyn Niebruegge May                      Michael L. May

Vol. 1, Is. 12                                                                                      Oct. 7, 2011

 

 

From the Editor

 

As we prepare to “publish” this issue of the Roosevelt News -- East Coast Edition, we are in Elkhart, IN.  Yes, indeed, it is good this is an electronic newsletter available via email and the web since we are on the go so much.  We are taking a circuitous route from Oklahoma to Virginia as we needed to take our RV back to the factory for some repair work.  As I drove through Illinois this morning, I reflected on what a beautiful country we live in.  As one travels across the states, you see so many things.  The farm land especially drew my attention this morning.  Apparently this part of the country has had rain or water to irrigate as harvest was ongoing in fields of corn and soy beans.  We passed many fields where Pioneer Seed had test plots going and we also passed a Pioneer Seed plant.  That all made me think about how sophisticated farming has become over the years and raised some questions in my mind.  I am sure that our forefathers who founded this great country never could have imagined the “technology” that is used today to produce seeds with so many different characteristics.  I guess I definitely take after my dad as I remember how he often stopped as we traveled across different states to ask a farmer something about a crop he had never seen grown before.

 

Enough about my thoughts of today.  Mike and I certainly enjoyed the school reunion.  I especially enjoyed meeting face to face the many people whose names I have seen as I worked on the newsletter or some aspect of the Roosevelt Alumni files.  It is always nice to have a face with a name.  Mike certainly enjoyed visiting with all of his Roosevelt friends. 

 

We both appreciate all of the kind words of thanks and support given us for the work we are doing on the Newsletter.  First, I must say we enjoy working on the newsletter.  Yes, it is work but it keeps this mind (and Mike’s) working which is good.  Second, we have rekindled many friendships for Mike and made new ones for me.  Third, we hope we are providing a means for news and communication to flow among friends.

 

Last, but certainly not least, we want to say a special thank you to those who gave us monetary contributions to help with the costs of the newsletter.  The primary costs we incur are to keep the subscriptions for the Picture Trail and My Family sites active.  These sites contain pictures and historical information which are useful to all.  We appreciate the help in funding these sites for all to use.

 

cnm

 

PS  Give this issue to Carolyn--maybe not as complete as she would have liked, but pretty great in my opinion considering we’ve been on the road all week.  She’s driven, worked on this, and kept me in line.  What have I done?  I’ve worried a lot about things I can’t control.

 

mlm - Editor in absentia

 

 

Content Contributors for the Week

 

Jonna (Johnson) Shklar

All those who sent messages to the Email “Bag”

 

Thank you all!

 

 

Remembering Albert F. Johnson (1919-1989)

 

Although most of our family were born and reared in or near Roosevelt, neither my brother nor I ever lived there and we visited only 2 or 3 times a year as children.  Consequently, we missed out on much of the lives of our family and didn’t ask enough questions to know a whole lot more.  Nevertheless, some of you (in your 80s or 90s!) might remember or have heard of the Johnson boys, specifically Albert, our dad, commonly known as Ab down home.  He was the sixth of seven children of James L. and Nannie Johnson, the others being Opal Hill, Raymond, Marvin, Dewey, James Leslie (aka Tes), and Lloyd Johnson.  Our dad was born April 13, 1919, in a house near a creek southeast of town.  He attended District #61 grade school that was about 3 miles east and 1 north of town and then completed school in Roosevelt as salutatorian in 1936.  While there he excelled in class work, played all the sports, and developed an interest in electronics with a radio at home even before they had electricity (a Tes recollection).  Their class motto for 1936 was “We have reached the bay.  The ocean lies before us.”  Little did they know their motto would become personal for many of them with advent of World War II.

 

He’d worked on his folks’ farm and at several jobs, as everyone did then, and courted our mother, Laverne May (cousin of Charles, LeRoy and Don), in his spare time.  They married in 1940.  To their marriage were born Sharon Ann (1944), Wes (1948), and Jonna (1950).  As Laverne completed high school, Ab continued to work locally, at least some of it driving for Ed Kirkland (known as Uncle “Bus” to us), father of Ed Reece, Galen, and Carol.  Of course in 1943 after Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the 45th Infantry Division, 112th Cavalry with the 815th Tank Destroyer Battalion in the Pacific Theater.  One of the only things he told us about his active duty was that in the midst of the hell around them, when given the chance he’d flop down on a pier and stare at the gorgeous saltwater fish flitting among the sunken war machines and jeeps that never made it to land.  He said that that was as close to Heaven as he could get right then.

 

After being wounded more than once, he came home alive (thank God) and jumped right back into marriage and work in 1945, bringing home with him an enormous respect for and hatred of knives, elephants, and loud noises.  He and Laverne had the opportunity to start a new life up north in Alva, OK, where her Uncle Cecil Kirkland (Ed’s brother) lived, but they first had to find a way to get there, which meant going to the salvage yard and scrounging all the necessary parts to patch together an auto capable of lasting the 180 miles to Alva.  There he worked in heating and air conditioning and became an expert tin smith until he joined the ranks of the US Postal Service, first as a mail sorter, substitute carrier, full-time carrier, and finally as Assistant Post Master.  In the late 1960’s he witnessed the last local mail pouch being snagged and spirited away by the train service.  His comment:  “That’s the end of good mail service in America.”

 

During his 44 years in Alva he was a member of the Methodist Church, occasionally teaching classes and always enjoying singing in the congregation.  He likewise showed us more of his singing talents while he taught himself to play acoustic and 12-string guitar.  Also, he was an active member of the Lions Club, took a variety of classes at the area Vo-Tech school, and acted in and helped with several community theatre productions. Beyond work, one of his greatest passions was pond fishing with his family.  He was the first I’d ever seen fish from a float tube.  His tube was no swanky Bass Pro model!  His was a bare inner tube with canvas straps sewn across it for a seat.  What a balancing act with 2 poles, plus bait or lures, plus a stringer full of fish.  He was quite the fisherman.  He, too, assisted me at 3 or 4 in landing my first 5-pound bass by urging me to back up a hill, with my cane pole grasped in my grubby little hands, so I could pull the monster through the moss (with a little help from my daddy).  Also, along the way, he showed us how basketball should be played:  two-handed set shots and two-handed underhand shots.  I lost so many HORSE competitions!

 

Last, he and Mom, his wife of 49 years, did enjoy a few trips to New Mexico to visit his brother Tes, and they did some traveling around the US, something they’d never thought possible considering their meager backgrounds.  Despite the Oklahoma heat and the hard water, however, his favorite travels were back to his family and friends at Roosevelt.

 

Although he died at the young age of 69, he left us with a great work ethic, an enjoyment of dry wit, an interest in many types of music and arts, and a willingness to get our hands dirty.  He was an extremely quiet man, so we paid attention when he did speak, whether it was silliness or sternness, encouragement or reprimand, and, even though he seldom spoke of it, we knew he loved us as we did him.

 

 

Jonna (Johnson) Shklar

 

 

Thoughts from the Squirrel Lair

 

There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference.  The little difference is attitude.  The big difference is whether it is positive or negative. -- W. Clement Stone

 

*******

 

Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens. -- Kahill Gibran

 

 

Roosevelt High School Reunion 2011

 

The 2011 Roosevelt High School Reunion was a rousing success.  Old friendships were rekindled and in some cases new friendships were established as alumni met those from another era or spouses of other former classmates.  A large crowd of 90 turned out for the Friday mixer.  Friends visited and shared stories from both the past and present.  The alumni committee had a nice “spread” of very tasty food for the alumni and friends to enjoy while visiting.

 

Saturday found a much larger group of over 160 gathering to renew friendships, catch up on the lives of friends, and share stories.  Donuts, cookies, and coffee welcomed the early arrivals.  Lunch was available for purchase for those who didn’t want to leave for fear of missing one of their many friends who had returned for this event.  Saturday afternoon brought a very high energy auction.  OU memorabilia, Rough Rider memorabilia, a quilt, dolls, wood crafts, and many various other items were eagerly bid on by the alumni bringing over $1500 to support the reunion fund.  Chris Ankney, Class of 1985, willing donated his services as a professional auctioneer and did a great job insuring the items brought top dollar.

 

At the business meeting, Dan Hayslip was unanimously reelected president of the Alumni.  The group voted to continue to have the reunion every two years on the last full weekend of September.  Wanda Jackson was remembered for all of the work she did over the years supporting the Roosevelt Alumni, the Roosevelt Cemetery, and the Roosevelt community.

 

The dinner, catered by Klein’s Catering Service, was enjoyed by the group.  After dinner, a band played music for the group’s entertainment.

 

A full list of those who “signed in” will be included in next week’s issue.  The financial report after all expenses of the reunion will be published as soon as it is completed.

 

 

Alumni Website

 

We have renewed the account that Wanda Jackson had set up at the photo sharing website, picturetrail.com for the Roosevelt Alumni:  http://www.picturetrail.com/rooseveltalumni.  She had posted many pictures from past reunions, class panels, and old schools buildings along with write ups about them.  We thought you might find these interesting if you haven’t visited this site in the past.

 

 

News

 

Based on early reports the Southern Kiowa Chamber’s Fall Festival held in downtown Snyder on Saturday, October 1, was a rousing success.  We plan to have complete details from all of the activities and fun in next week’s issue.

 

 

 

 

Birthdays and Anniversaries

 

We have compiled all of the birthday and anniversary information we could from Wanda’s files.  We are sure we are missing some.  Please send us the birthdays and anniversaries for your family and friends so that we can have as complete as list as possible.  We are going to start with what we have from Wanda’s files so if we miss you, please send us the information so we have it for the news next year.  In addition, should any of the birthdays we list be wrong, also please let us know.

 

Happy Birthday To:

 

October 6 – Elizabeth Boydston Miller, Class of 1968

October 7 – Linda Files Jackson, Class of 1967
October 7 – Donnie Cain
October 7 – Pam Morris



Humor

 

These fit so well they should be in a dictionary...

 

 

ADULT:
A person who has stopped growing at both ends
And is now growing in the middle.

BEAUTY PARLOR:
A place where women curl up and dye.

CHICKENS:
The only animals you eat before they are born and after they are dead.

COMMITTEE:
A body that keeps minutes and wastes hours.

DUST:
Mud with the juice squeezed out.

EGOTIST:
Someone who is usually me-deep in conversation.

HANDKERCHIEF:
Cold Storage.

INFLATION:
Cutting money in half without damaging the paper.

MOSQUITO:
An insect that makes you like flies better.

RAISIN:
A grape with a sunburn.

SECRET:
Something you tell to one person at a time.


SKELETON:
A bunch of bones with the person scraped off.

TOOTHACHE:
The pain that drives you to extraction.

TOMORROW:
One of the greatest labor saving devices of today.

YAWN:
An honest opinion openly expressed.

And MY Personal Favorite!
WRINKLES:
Something other people have,
Similar to my character lines.

 

 

From the Email “Bag”

 

September 29, 2011

 

This is Peggy Watson Wallis in Odessa, Texas.  Wanda had my birthday but I will send it again. 

 

Peggy Watson Wallis - October 24. 

 

Have a good time at the reunion.  I so wanted to be there but my husband is not well so I needed to be here.

 

Peggy Watson Wallis (Class of 1950)

 

********

 

September 30, 2011

 

The story of Mr. and Mrs. Sims was wonderful. They both made a huge contribution in my life and career. Thanks to Steve for sharing.


George Farrar (Class of 1969)

 

********

 

September 30, 2011

 

Mike:

 

E.J. Whitlow was my stepfather.  He married my mother when I was eight.  He was a good man and a very good TV repairman.  They had one son, Ernest James Whitlow, Jr. (Jody), who was 10 when we moved to KC in 1968.  He died in 1976 and is buried in Roosevelt Cemetery.

 

Would you please add my sister, Pauletta Elix Easter, (I think she graduated in 1969 or maybe 1970 from Roosevelt High School) to the newsletter recipient list?  I would ask her but I am the only one who lives by night and sleeps by day (thanks to my daughter). 

 

Thanks, Mike.

 

Linda Elix Newson (Class of 1968)

 

********

 

October 3, 2011

 

Enjoyed the reunion and look forward to next one.

 

Bobby Miller (Class of 1965)

 

********

 

October 5, 2011

 

My name is Esther Alonzo.  I graduated in 1979.  I wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed the reunion.  I would also like to receive the Roosevelt News.

 

Esther Alonzo (Class of 1979)

 

 

Obituaries

 

Tanda R. Talley, 50, Class of 1979, died September 28, 2011

http://rayandmarthas.com/CurrentObituary.aspx?did=7bac86cd-ae96-49bf-a9fb-50b63316b653

 

 

Useful Links:

 

Becker Funeral Home of Snyder, OK

http://www.beckerfuneral.com/?page=snyder

 

Ray and Martha’s Funeral Home of Hobart, Mt. View, and Carnegie, OK

http://rayandmarthas.com/

 

Roosevelt Cemetery Layout

http://www.234enterprises.com/Roosevelt%20Cemetery%20Layout.htm

 

Roosevelt Cemetery Markers (Picture Trail)

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/listing/user/rooseveltcemetery

 

Roosevelt Cemetery on Find A Grave

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=99397&CScn=roosevelt&CScntry=4&CSst=38

 

Hobart Rose Cemetery on Find A Grave

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=99399&CScn=Hobart+Rose&CScntry=4&CSst=38

 

Hobart Resurrection (Catholic) Cemetery on Find A Grave

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2246374&CScn=Resurrection&CScntry=4&CSst=38

 

Mountain Park Cemetery on Find A Grave

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=99042&CScn=Mountain+Park&CScntry=4&CSst=38

 

Snyder Fairlawn Cemetery on Find A Grave

 

 

News Center -- Always Available Online

 

Remember--past, current, and all future editions of “Roosevelt News -- East Coast Edition” can be viewed online from any computer at: http://www.234enterprises.com/RooseveltNews/newscenter.htm.  We highly recommend that you bookmark this link.

 

In addition to viewing all copies of the paper, you can use this website to send comments or news items to us for publication.  Simply enter your name, your class year (if a Roosevelt graduate), your email address, and the comments you want to make or the news item you want to send and click on “Submit Information” button at the bottom left of the page.  The information that you submitted will show on your screen under a title of “Form Confirmation”—confirming that what you entered was sent to our email. 

 

 

Email Addresses

 

This newsletter is an email edition.  The only way for you to receive it and keep up-to-date with your friends from Roosevelt is for you to keep us informed of changes to your email address.  So please be sure to notify us at mmay@234enterprises.com should your email address change.  We also encourage you to send us email addresses for friends and family who might also like to receive the newsletter so that we can include them on our list.

 

 

Feedback

 

We welcome your comments and feedback on the “Roosevelt News -- East Coast Edition.”  Send comments and feedback to: mmay@234enterprises.com

 

 

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