-- East Coast Edition –
-- Printed in Loving Memory of Wanda J.
Jackson 1934 - 2011 –
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. 25 Jan.6,
2012
From the Editor
In an attempt to better keep
her “finger on the pulse” of the happenings in Southwest Oklahoma, Carolyn has
subscribed to the online editions of both “The Hobart Democrat-Chief” and “The
Lawton Constitution” -- both of which have provided vital information and hopefully
useful stories that we can reprint or reference while giving proper credit to
the appropriate source. To be quite
honest, neither has provided what I consider “current state of the art”
implementations of their online editions. They are useful, yet in need of
updating. That is until now! The “Hobart Democrat-Chief,” under the
leadership of Todd Hancock has very recently updated their online version to
what I consider to be “a killer” online implementation. This is very user friendly to both Windows based
computers as well as, and more importantly to some, both Android and iPhone
smart phones and Apple iPads. In fact, I
believe the mobile implementation may be slightly better--but all
implementations are current “state of the art.”
From now until February 1, 2012, access to “The Hobart Democrat-Chief”
is free at http://www.hobartdemocratchief.com. After that, an online subscription is
available for $34.95 a year (published on Thursday of each week). Details for subscribing can be found on their
website or by calling 580-726-3333.
A partial version of “The
Lawton Constitution” is available at http://swoknews.com/
free of charge. Full subscriptions are
available for $69.00 a year for 7 issues each week. To subscribe call 580-353-6397 or
1-800-364-3636. Regrettably, since their
online version utilizes Flashplayer it is not supported by the iPhone or
iPad--a major limitation (Apple products do not support Flashplayer). Windows implementation is adequate, but far
from pristine. An update is definitely
in order.
For those of you former
residents who have “spread to the four winds” I highly suggest that you
consider an online subscription to either or both of these two
papers--especially the
Do remember, if you
subscribe to one of these papers, there’s no need to drop you subscription to
the “Roosevelt News -- East Coast Edition” because our issues are FREE…
mlm
Content
Contributors for the Week
Charles
Curtis, Class of 1965
All
those who sent messages to the Email “Bag”
Thank
you all!
Remembering…
Remembering
my Dad (LeRoy May)
Like many of you, I no
longer have either of my parents--only the memories. Before I get into this article I want to
assure all that “Remembering my Mother” is forthcoming. No favoritism beginning with Dad, just the
fact that more thoughts of him are surfacing and “begging” to be put on
paper. One has to write when one is
inspired. At least for the time being, I
am inspired.
This is not a “flowery” all
things perfect story. It will depict the
reality of my life. My Dad was a good
man and a good provider for my Mother and me.
He was a little “crusty” to his family--not an openly affectionate
person, but a very caring, loving, considerate, and respectful individual. Was he what one would call a “perfect”
father--no, but how many of us are? He
had his faults and unfortunately, some of them must have been genetic as they
were passed on to me, and from me to at least one of my children (God bless you
Karen). I never questioned whether or
how much he loved my Mother or me. Later
in life when Carolyn and Grandbabies came along, he eagerly took all of them
into his “fold.” You could most likely
get by with saying something bad about me in his presence, but anything
negative about Carolyn would be “fighting words.” He adored her. His greatest two weaknesses were his
explosive temper and his inability to say, “I’m sorry.” Over his lifetime, those two nemeses caused
more discomfort to our family than they should have. When he passed away 20 years ago last
February, one of my college classmates told me that as with most he was sure
that I had both hurtful and pleasant memories of my Father, but not to worry,
that over time all the hurtful memories would “melt away” and only the good
ones remain. Thank you Jerry Lipsey, you were so right.
I am now there.
All that said, there
couldn’t have been a prouder Father and Mother than LeRoy and Gayle May when
their first (and obviously not known at the time to be their only child) was
born on January 30, 1947. As far as my
Mother was concerned, there were only two perfect people in the world--me and
Jesus. God bless her, as we all know,
she was only “half right.” Little did
they know at the time of the challenges they would face with my vision
issues. These worried both of them to
the core. I really think they may have
affected my Dad the most. I’ll never
forget the first time Dad saw Karen when she was just days old. I watched him lean over her crib and move his
finger back and forth to see if she would follow it. He was so worried that my vision issues would
be passed on to my children.
Fortunately, that was all “wasted worry time”--no issues at all.
Dad didn’t want anything
more for me than to be able to attend regular schools with other children that
did not have vision issues. He got that
wish through all 23 years of my education.
An early story (that I was told) on my Dad was when I started school, I
came home to announce that I was the only boy in my class wearing
overalls. Dad went “nuts” and told my
Mom to go to the store and “buy that boy some jeans. I don’t want him to feel that he’s
different.” So, she went to the store
and bought me some jeans. The next day
(after wearing the jeans) I came home to say, “I’m the only one in my class
that doesn’t have patches on my jeans.”
That night my Mother cut holes in the knees of the jeans and patched
them. Dad was then happy.
Dad instilled work ethic in
me early. I started driving a tractor
while he ate lunch when I was in the third grade and started driving all day
long in the fourth grade. I can remember
praying for rain so I could get a rest from that bouncing tractor seat. However, as I got older, we did stop early
enough two nights a week for me to go to
During the teenage years we
had more discussions over what kind of pickup he should buy than any other
topic. This discussion came up more
often than one would suspect as he usually bought a new pickup at least every
two years. I so wanted a Chevrolet and
preferred Fords. Admittedly, Chevys cost
more than Fords, so he ALWAYS won.
Interesting that when Dad passed away, all his vehicles were General
Motors and mine were all Fords. Go
figure.
Now let’s discuss the gentle
side--which he most certainly had. I can
remember seeing him sit in his chair reading the paper and saying to Mom, “I
see that (name) passed away. There
probably won’t be many sending food for the family, you need to send some. You probably should send flowers also.” He always butchered calves for our meat. I never remember him doing that and not
taking meat to a few little ladies in the “northwest part of Snyder” and the
“southwest part of
Dad loved animals--all
animals--dogs, cats, horses, etc., more than anyone you ever knew. He had an old Siamese cat that he loved to
fight with. The cat was pretty vicious
with his claws. Dad would sit in his
chair, put on his leather gloves and “go a round or two” with him every evening
when he came in from work--not sure which of the two enjoyed it more. He even had some “pet catfish” that he fed on
a regular basis. When they heard his old
pickup rattling down the road, they’d come to the edge of the pond and wait to
be fed. Interesting enough, on one of
his “fish feeding” trips, a cousin of his riding in the back of the pickup with
her boy friend was proposed to. One of
the most memorable stories is about a little sorrel horse that he thought the
world of. One frosty fall morning the
horse was “feeling his oats” running and bucking out in the lane outside the
corrals at Snyder, stumbled and ran his head into a granite bolder killing him
instantly. Dad was crushed. He went to town to find Harold Cronin to get
him to come out with his backhoe and dig a hole to bury the horse. Harold was digging while Mom and Dad were sitting
in the pickup watching. Harold stopped
the backhoe, came over to the pickup and told Dad, “LeRoy, I’m perfectly
capable of digging this hole and burying your horse, but I can’t do it watching
you sitting in that pickup and crying.
Would you please go to town, get a cup of coffee and I will come meet
you when I’m finished.” That was just
another example of his tender side. Cats
seemed to multiply out on the farm. When
they got too “thick” he’d call Earl May to come over and “thin them out a little.” Oh no, he would not be there to observe that
activity either. Time
for another cup of coffee.
In later years, Dad and I
talked often--me to him about purchasing decisions and him to me about the
same, plus many other random topics. We
had a solid relationship that started to be blessed with more affection as the
years waned. The most important thing
that my Dad ever told me--and he told it to me early in my life--was, “Son,
always be kind to old folks. So many
ignore them and they so want people to acknowledge
that they exist.” I have applied that
wisdom he passed to me throughout my life in dealing with people and have
passed it on to my children as well.
I worried as he got older
what kind of lasting impression he would leave with Karen and Kevin as he
became more cross and more easily irritated.
However, I now believe, from the kids’ actions and comments, made years
after his death, that they understood, and my concerns were unwarranted. Apparently, in their maturity, they have
managed to see beyond his “crusty behavior.”
I truly believe, regardless of what sometimes appeared on the surface,
that his love was unwavering and unconditional for all. The last few months with Dad were rough as he
battled cancer. We took the entire
family to see him on Thanksgiving of 1990--fearing that he would not last until
Christmas. Given that Carolyn’s parents
were going to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary in February
of 1991 and unknown to us, Dad had set that date as a personal goal to still be
with us. He made that goal, but within a
couple of hours after we arrived, he started to become distant and removed from
what was going on around him. It became
obvious to me that his goal had been accomplished--he had seen his family one
last time. During that last visit, as he
lay on the couch, he said, “Son, I wanted to live to see you graduate from high
school, college, get married, and have children. I’ve seen that. I’d love to see my Grandchildren grow up and
marry, but you can’t live forever.” My
Uncle Charles rolled him to the picture window in his wheel chair to wave
goodbye when we left for home. I knew
that was the last time I would see him alive and was the hardest time I had
ever had leaving. Fortunately, I did get
back before he passed away, but never really knew for sure if he knew I was
there. On the evening of February 23,
1991, with family and friends at his side and my hand on his chest, I felt his
heart’s final beat and saw those steel gray eyes slowly open and calmly close
for the last time. Dad, I love you and
miss you. Please continue to RIP.
mlm
PS For some of you grammarians who may have
noticed, I capitalize “Mother, Father, Mom, and Dad” which may not be according
to common practice, but is according to “May respect.”
Thoughts from
the Squirrel Lair
Happy New Year!
This is another video
courtesy of Junior Curtis. I have no
idea what else Junior does besides finding these wonderful videos and sending
them to us, but I want him to know that we certainly appreciate his efforts.
As we enter 2012, you’ll
enjoy watching this video tribute to the New Year featuring beautiful scenery
and a fantastic rendition of “Auld Lang Syne” by Norwegian Soprano, Sissel. Make sure you play this full screen (left
click on the little box at the bottom right of the You Tube screen) with the
sound on.
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.
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:
January 6 – Dolores (Eaton)
Earley, Class of 1959
January 7 – Brenda Saville
January 7 – Mijo Chard
January 9 – Heath Thompson
January 9 – Darian Thompson
January
10 – Linda Clark
January 10 – Betty Starcher
January 10 – Krystal (Mahoney) Lancaster, Class of 1991
January 10 – Glenda (Terry) Hebensperger
January 10 -- Robert Brown
January 11 – Shane Everhart
January 12 – Curtis Liles, Class of 1979
January 12 – Lisa (McCollom) Liles, Class of 1975
Humor
The Kohl’s
Shopping Trip
(This
is just too funny! This must be true;
you simply can’t make this stuff up.)
Clutching
their Kohl’s shopping bags, Ellen and Kay woefully gazed down at a dead cat in
the mall parking lot. Obviously a recent
hit--no flies, no smell. “What business could that poor kitty have had here?” murmured Ellen.
“Come
on, Ellen, let’s just go—“
But
Ellen had already grabbed her shopping bag and was explaining, “I’ll just put
my things in your bag, and then I’ll use this tissue…”
She
dumped her purchases into Kay’s bag and then used the tissue paper to cradle
and lower the former feline into her own Kohl’s bag and cover it.
They
continued the short trek to the car in silence, stashing their goods in the
trunk. But it occurred to both of them
that if they left Ellen’s burial bag in the trunk, warmed by the
They
decided to leave the bag on top of the trunk, and they headed over to K & W
Cafeteria. They went through the serving
line and sat down at a window table.
They had a view of Kay’s Chevy with the Kohl’s bag still on the
trunk. BUT not for long! As they ate, they noticed a big woman in a
red gingham shirt stroll by their car.
She looked quickly this way and that, and then took the Kohl’s bag
without breaking stride. She quickly walked
out of their line of vision. Kay and
Ellen shot each other a wide-eyed look of amazement.
It
all happened so fast that neither of them could think how to respond. “Can you imagine?” finally sputtered
Ellen. “The nerve of
that woman!” Kay sympathized with Ellen, but inwardly a laugh was
building as she thought about the grand surprise awaiting the feline thief.
Just
when she thought she’d have to giggle into her napkin, she noticed Ellen’s eyes
freeze in the direction of the serving line.
Following her gaze, Kay recognized the big woman in the red gingham
shirt with the Kohl’s bag hanging from her arm.
She was brazenly pushing her tray toward the cashier.
Helplessly
they watched the scene unfold:
After
leaving the register, the woman settled at a table across from theirs, put the
bag on an empty chair, and began to eat.
After a few bites of baked whitefish and green beans, she casually
lifted the bag into her lap to survey her treasure. Looking from side to side, but not far enough
to notice her rapt audience three tables over, she pulled out the tissue paper
and peered into the bag. Her eyes
widened, and she began to make a sort of gasping noise. The noise grew. The bag slid from her lap as she sank to the
floor, wheezing and clutching her upper chest.
The beverage cart attendant quickly recognized a customer in trouble and
sent the busboy to call 911, while she administered the Heimlich maneuver.
A
crowd quickly gathered that did not include Ellen and Kay, who remained riveted
to their chairs for seven whole minutes until the ambulance arrived. In a matter of minutes, the big woman with
the red gingham shirt emerged from the crowd, still gasping and securely
strapped on a gurney.
Two
well-trained EMT volunteers steered her to the waiting ambulance, while a third
scooped up her belongings. The last they
saw of the distressed cat-burglar was as she disappeared behind the ambulance
doors---the Kohl’s bag perched on her stomach!!
God does take care of those who do bad
things! And once in a while…He allows us
to witness!
From the Email
“Bag”
December 29, 2011
Would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! I really was shy in school, but I liked Mrs.
Edmondson too! But my most favorite were
Mrs. Curtis and Mrs. Sears. I liked Mrs.
Sims too. A few of the teachers helped
me with my reading. I could read what
they asked me to read in my head, but when they told me to read out loud, I
couldn't, my mind went blank. Keep up
the good work!! I love to read
everything that everyone sends in about
John and Bonnie (Pollard) Phillips, Class of 1964
********
December
29, 2011
I just wanted to comment on George Farrar's posting
about Naomi Edmundson. She was also my second grade teacher. I remember the pictures of wild birds she had
on the walls of the room. One in
particular was the Baltimore Oriole that I thought was the most beautiful bird
I had ever seen. She was a stern, but
kind teacher and we all loved her.
Brenda (Bagley) Phillips, Class of 1967
********
December 29, 2011
Mike and Carolyn:
Do hope you had a wonderful trip to see the "Granddaughter" and
her parents. I love
I was saddened to learn Lee Beth Funkhouser passed away. To
me, she is still a young girl. I knew her more as a school kid. But
Jack and
All is well in Norman OK. So enjoying the nice weather we
are having here. I am also enjoying a week away from work as OU is on
Winter Break. Too bad all we worker bees do not get the same break as the
students and faculty... lol but I will more than gladly take the 7
days away from the grindstone.
Enjoyed Jerry Hayslip's remembrances of
Mrs. Edmundson--unfortunately I did not have Mrs. Edmundson as a
second grade teacher. That is the only
year of school I did not attend in
Enough of my rambling.
Thank you for keeping us up on all the goings on around the
country and
Cheers.
Jennifer Moore, Class of 1968
GO SOONERS
********
We debated whether to include the following email
from our dear friend
January
2, 2012
Mike, I imagine that you
have heard my precious daughter, Lee Beth, is celebrating with Jack and Charles
and Freda. Her obit should be on Ray and Martha's. I am just coming back on line. She was
the most brave and courageous woman I have known. We realized she would
not survive but the miracle was the extended time granted as she should not
have come home from the hospital in Sept. Her goal was to spend Christmas
Eve at home with her family. Praise the Lord she came home from the hospital
that day and had their time to return to the hospital Christmas morning.
She was a blessing for all of her 54 nearly 55 years.
We are holding fast to FAITH but it will be difficult in the days to
come. Please include our family in prayer especially the young
grandchildren.
So many have held us up and loved us through. We love you and appreciate
what you are doing holding us
********
January 4, 2012
Hi Mike!!
I am feeling much better and
am catching up on my mail and newsletters. I still can't go anywhere but
the doctor's so far but maybe at my next visit he will allow me to go to
the grocery store. Jeff can never seem to remember to get what I ask for.
I haven't heard any more
about my cousin Larry's interment plans. Probably won't. My
stepmother acts as though she has no clue as to what is going on. I did
find out that she is keeping my father's ashes. I am trying very hard to
keep my composure. Oh what the heck, I am still laughing!!
My grandson Anthony enjoyed
his trip to
This was also his
first funeral, memorial, whatever. I find kids my grandson’s
age very interesting. He is
11. Maybe it's the video games, I don't know. He looked at the body
and asked my son why he looked like he did.
Of course, Jeff told him he didn't know and told him to look at the
picture they had there of him. I'm sure he had another stroke. At
that age I was probably screaming, crying and everything but things don't seem
to affect his generation. But then my son wanted to be a mortician, just
never picked his classes in time in four years to get what he needed to become one.
Guess the apple does not fall far from the tree.
I am really going to have to
get out of this house. I am getting extremely cynical. Or maybe it
is just my age, the real me. (SMILE)
Happy New Year to everyone
and take care.
Linda
(Elix) Newson, Class of 1968
Obituaries
Lee
Beth (Rutledge) Funkhouser, 54 (Class of 1975)
http://rayandmarthas.com/CurrentObituary.aspx?did=362b8c1b-a7d3-4610-93cd-375b690dc7cb
Useful
Links:
Becker
Funeral Home of Snyder, OK
http://www.beckerfuneral.com/?page=snyder
Ray
and Martha’s Funeral Home of Hobart,
http://www.234enterprises.com/Roosevelt%20Cemetery%20Layout.htm
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/listing/user/rooseveltcemetery
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=99397&CScn=roosevelt&CScntry=4&CSst=38
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=99399&CScn=Hobart+Rose&CScntry=4&CSst=38
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2246374&CScn=Resurrection&CScntry=4&CSst=38
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=99042&CScn=Mountain+Park&CScntry=4&CSst=38
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=98391&CScn=fairlawn&CScntry=4&CSst=38
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