Classmate Updates


Previous Classmate Updates

Appleby (Parker), Vernelle
Class of: '59
From: Sacramento, California
Attending the reunion? I'm looking forward to the reunion.
Update: I moved to Fresno, California, in 1977, where I began work in the legal profession and ultimately became a paralegal. I have a son in Fresno, who has three children, and a daughter here in Sacramento, who is expecting a baby next July. My grandchildren are the joys of my life.
Tennis is my passion, and I play almost daily. I play on USTA and interclub teams year-round. My husband, Eric, who I met on a brief sojourn back to Texas in 1984, is retired from the Department of Defense and works in the computer industry. We've been in Sacramento since 1985 and recently celebrated our 13th anniversary. I'm looking forward to the reunion and seeing classmates for the first time since 1959! [12.19.98]

Avery, Ron
Class of: '59
From: San Antonio, Texas
Attending the reunion? Yes!
Update: Received BS in Biology from Texas A&I and MS in Management Information Systems from the University of Southern California. Served in the U.S. Army from '64 - '84, and retired as a Major. Traveled to various military posts in the U.S. as well as to Vietnam, Korea, and Germany. Married girlfriend Nancy Rogers from Pleasanton, Texas. Two daughters - Shana Avery (Texas A&M '92) and Brooke (University of Texas '97). Hobbies: fishing (saltwater), and hunting. [12.19.98]

Creel, Gerald
Class of: '59
From: Savannah, GA
Attending the reunion? Yes
Update: Education - AA Del Mar College, BBA University of North Texas, MBA UT Austin. Career - Began with US Navy serving as Engineer Officer on a Minesweeper based in Charleston, SC. Resigning commission in Navy Reserves in 1969 upon finishing graduate school. Took a job in the marketing research department at Armstrong Cork Company in Lancaster, PA. Transferred to their sales organization and moved to Houston in 1972. Later that year, I took a sales job with Cryovac Div. W R Grace. In 1985, I resigned to buy Savannah Industrial Supply, Inc., which I sold to a multi-store group in 1987. I stayed on as store manager until 1990 when I resigned to start up Savannah River Cruise Line, Inc. where I still am. We handle charters and parties for up to 200 ppl and also handle events and catering for larger groups. I also have a small manufacturing company that makes drainage products which we sell all over the US. Family - Met and married Michele Peterman in Charleston, SC in 1967. Mickey taught high school math, later worked as a programmer and systems analyst until 1972. We have one son, Garner Haynes Creel who is scheduled to graduate from Brenau University this year. Halleluja!! In 1987 Mickey returned to teaching high school math and after earning her masters in 1994 is now a math instructor at Savannah Technical Institute. Personal - I spend a lot of time gardening (i.e. slave to yard) puttering in shop, and I enjoy brewing beer and I also make some wine. I am planning to attend the reunion but will be solo since Mickey will be teaching then. [2.5.99]

Dunham, Bill
Class of: '59
From: Austin, Texas
Attending the reunion? Look forward to seeing everyone.
Update: I went to the University of Texas in the fall of 1959 and by 1964 was still accummulating lots of credits, but no degree. I met my wife, Jean, there and married in 1965. We have 2 children, a daughter, Jennifer who is a psychologist, 31; and a 21 year old son, Trey, who is still "finding himself" (looking in all the wrong places, but we're hopeful!). No grandchildren, yet, but that's good, because neither of our children are married. But, since neither lives at home, we now have a 90's child, the furry kind...a 5 pound poodle, Sachee. My business career was in the health club field for 25 years. I owned and operated clubs in Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, Lubbock and Wichita Falls. As the industry changed, we focused on racquetball clubs and sponsored two world champions and 20 national amateur champions. The downturn in the Texas economy and failure of the banks that financed us took us along with them in the bust of the late 80's. We lost everything...including our home. We started over...in the telecommunication industry. I now own a
company which specializes in providing telecommunication services to hotels in Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the U.S. My wife and I have lived in Austin since 1980. Jean has her own design and manufacturing company which sells ladies boutique items to stores all over the United States. Our interests include snow skiing and houseboating. [4.2.99]

Flores, Joe J.
Class of: '59
From: Riverside, Calilfornia
Attending the reunion? Yes
Update: Attended two years of college at El Camino in California. Then I went into the retail industry and have been at the same job for 36 years. I did try to change and start my own business three times, but I never gave up my retail job. I have four kids (two boys and two girls), and four grand kids (three boys and one girl). I love to play racquetball and hand ball, buggie boarding, bike riding, camping, etc. I have just retired and have not decided what I'm going to do to keep myself busy. I know that gardening isn't what I want to do all day and everyday. Maybe I'll be a duffer at golf, like Joe Yardas, who knows maybe I'll be good at that. Have to wait and see. One of the best memories of my years in high school was when Emanuel (Wevo) Valdez ran 99 and a half yards in a football game against Dallas, for a touchdown - Go "Wevo" - Go Man! I'll never forget that as long as I live. [1.29.99]

Gallardo, Joe
Class of: '59
From: West Germany
Attending the reunion? Unable to attend this time.
Update: Joe Gallardo:
I attended Del Mar Jr. College and the University of Corpus Christi, majoring in music. Musical career includes having played with major jazz and Latin orchestras such as Luis Arcaraz, Stan Kenton, Mongo Santamaria and many others. Other credits with different types of music include making guest appearances as jazz soloist/section player with the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra under Maurice Peress, the Houston Symphony Orchestra under Nelson Riddle, and the Houston Pops Orchestra under Ned Battista. In 1978, the German Radio/Television orchestra from Stuttgart offered me a position in the orchestra as featured soloist and I played there for eleven years, finally deciding in 1991 to take a better offer in the Hamburg Radio/Television Orchestra, where I was a featured soloist as well as part time conductor. In 1978, "Amanecer" ("Dawn"), one of my compositions, recorded as title piece with Mongo Santamaria's orchestra, was chosen as a Grammy winner in the best Latin recording of 1978 category. [1.1.99]

Garcia, Toni (Lunoff)
Class of: '59
From: Corpus Christi, Texas
Attending the reunion? Yes
Update: BS degree from Texas A&I University with majors in English and Spanish. MS degree from Corpus Christi State University in guidance and counseling. Married (23 years), widowed for 9.5 years, 4 children - all in their 20's. Remarried in November '98. Interests - traveling, dancing, reading. Currently working at Roy Miller High School as a guidance counselor. [1.22.99]

Garcia, Ted
Class of: '59
From: Corpus Christi, Texas
Attending the reunion? You Bet! Helping plan for the reunion has been a lot of fun.
Update: After graduating from RMHS there was more and more school: Del Mar College (AA & Drum Major), the University of Texas (BMusic), and later Texas A&I (MS). My first assignment as a band director was in Somerset, Texas. I returned to Corpus Christi where I worked as a band director and then as a high school counselor. I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor. After many years I've gone full circle, for I'm a school counselor at our Alma Matre, Roy Miller High School. My wife and I are both employees of CCISD, for whom I have worked more than 30 years (WOW!). I have a daughter who lives in San Antonio and a son who lives in Corpus Christi. I am a licensed amateur radio operator, with the call sign N5ICU. As you may have noticed, another one of my hobbies is working with computers, and I enjoy creating and maintaining web sites. Watching our Class of '59 Web Site bring classmates together has been most rewarding. [12.26.98]

Gilleland (Ashmore), Ruth
Class of: '59
From: Paris, Texas
Attending the reunion? Unable to attend.
Update: In the summer of 1985, I went to the Eastern blocked countries of Europe to continue some post graduate work on the communist educational system. I must say everything that I had learned about communism proved to be factual. I would like to return to those countries to do a study of contrast -- the "before and after." My teaching career was cut short in 1989, when I quit the classroom to become my mother's full time nurse. When my mother died in 1991, I chose not to return to the classroom but to serve God and my country. I became a full time volunteer for God on the political field. In November, 1998, Jack and I moved to Northeast Texas -- Paris, Jack's hometown. As soon as we are settle into our new home, I will continue my service to country; my service to God is on going. Our family has grown since the last reunion. Our youngest son, Randy has married and has one son. He and his family live just outside of Frankfort, Germany. Randy is the new commanding officer of the US Air Force contingency hospital in Frankfort. Our oldest son, Scott and family (son 10 and daughter 5) live in Katy, Tx; he is with the Harris County Sheriff's Department. Jack and I continue to live life to the fullest, thanks be to God. Shalom [2.5.99]

Gonzalez (Escochea), Annie
Class of: '59
From: Corpus Christi, Texas
Attending the reunion? Yes
Update: I was married for 13 years and had three sons. My oldest is going on 38 yrs and has a 3 year old daughter; they live in Torrance, California. My second is going on 35 years and has a 5 year old son and a 3 year old daughter and they live in Phoenix. Irons, my youngest, is going on 33 years and has a 7 year old daughter (my oldest grandchild) and a 1 1/2 year old son ( my youngest grandchild); they live here in Corpus Christi. I like to sew and have a full time job with an Oil & Gas Appraisal Firm and work part time at the "Dog Race Track". I like to visit my grandchildren in California and Arizona, at least twice a year. [1.29.99]

Gonzalez, Homer

Hernandez (Gonzalez), Fela
Class of: '59
From: Corpus Christi, Texas
Attending the reunion? Yes!
Update: As you can see, we both are graduates of 1959. We started dating and attending functions during our Senior year. I joined the Marine Corps right after high school and spent 4 years in the military. Fela got her nursing education at Del Mar College and she has been a Licensed Vocational Nurse continuously since 1960. We were married in August 1962, while I was still in the service, after which I joined the U.S. Postal Service and spent the next 33 years (25 in management) with them. I retired in January 1997. Fela has worked in various medical facilities in town. I received my Associate Degree from Del Mar and am currently a senior a Texas A & M, Corpus Christi. I am also a real estate agent and am currently working with the Census Bureau for Census 2000. Fela and I celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary this past August. Our son , Jerry, was born in January 1965 and our daughter in November 1969. Sandra was married last year, but Jerry is still "eligible." We're not grandparents yet and we are empty nesters. We like to go to Las Vegas and Louisiana to gamble, or contribute to their economy. [12.12.98]

Irving, David Richard
Class of: '59
From: Portland, Texas
Attending the reunion? You Bet!
Update: I'm in my 26th year as director of jazz bands at Del Mar College and my 36th year of marriage to Jean (Ruyle, from Dallas). We have one daughter (Beverly) and one grandson (Joshua, age 6). [12.4.98]
Jones (Crider), Sandra
Class of: '59
From: Corpus Christi, Texas
Attending the reunion? Probably will not attend.
Update: Homemaker and antique dealer. Graduated from Del Mar College. Spouse is Mark Crider (Tuloso-Midway). One daughter 37 and one granddaughter 12 years old. Hobbies include: antiquing, traveling, safaris, wilderness adventure trips -- five safaris to Africa, five trips to Europe, numerous trips to Canada, Alaska, Central America, South America on hunting and fishing trips and just sight seeing; hunting arrowheads on our ranch. I will probably not attend the reunion but Mark will. He knows a lot of people from Oak Park and Savage, as he went to both of those schools. [2.12.99]

Jordan, Harold C.
Class of: '59 1/2 ("Ha")
From: League City, Texas
Attending the reunion? My wife and I definitely will be attending the "shindig."
Update: I have seen two classmates in 40 years and I can't wait to see more. [12.4.98]

Kelly (Rhew), Karen
Class of: '59
From: Corpus Christi, Texas
Attending the reunion? Yes!
Update: After Miller, I went on to college and married Don Rhew (Miller-class of '57), and began teaching school. At that time, the Vietnam War was happening, so all men joined the service or were drafted. So, Don joined the Navy after college and went thru Officer Candidate School in Rhode Island. From then on, I was able to teach in every place he was stationed. Teaching in all of these different situations has made me a better teacher. After the service, we lived in several different places, as he moved up the corporate ladder. Then in 1974, we moved back to Corpus Christi, and have lived here ever since. Presently, and for many years, I have been employed by CCISD . However, I have added a few more advanced degrees during this time. Currently, I work with students who have behavioral problems. This is very challenging and very rewarding. I love working with them and helping them to grow into well rounded and productive adults. I am one of the few that look forward to going to work every day. I am very fortunate . Also, to work with adults, I teach Dale Carnegie classes weekly, as I am a certified instructor. I have one son who just graduated from college and works for the great State of Texas. He has been and is a joy. Just as everyone has, I, too, have endured many disappointments, sad times, and a number of life's challenges. But with God's grace and love I
have grown through them and am a better and stronger person because of them. My life is full and I am very grateful for the blessings that I have been given. Thank you and all the committee for all your hard work and the time that you have given to this reunion. Come May, it will have all been worth the time and energy that you have given to it. We appreciate it very much. (Ted, it's nice to see that you remained a Buc!!! I crossed over and now support the Mighty King Mustangs -- except the times they play Miller and then I don't yell quite as loud! Ha!) [3.26.99]

Lacy, Les
Class of: '59
From: Corpus Christi, Texas
Attending the reunion? I'm looking forward to the reunion.
Update: I entered the Air Force immediately after graduation. I married and my son was born while I was still in the service. We returned to Corpus after being discharged and I was employed by a computer company as a service technician. The next twenty years were spent "climbing the corporate ladder" with the company in Ohio, Illinois, New York, and California. In 1985 I "dropped out" of the corporate world and returned to Corpus. For the last ten years I have owned and operated a small computer service business here. I have a son in Ohio and three grandchildren. I'm looking forward to the reunion and to seeing my classmates again. My thanks to the committee for all their hard work. [2.19.99]

Lopez (Urrutia), Elisa
Class of: '59
From: Salinas, California
Attending the reunion? I will attend the Class Reunion.
Update: I have three daughters (all married) and five grandchildren ages 7 to 15. I have lived in Salinas since 1972. Attended Hartnell College in Salinas, California and received my AA Degree. I have worked as an Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools for 22 years. I am a licensed floral designer and florist. Hobbies: ceramics and crafts, sewing, interior decorating, traveling, and dancing. In my spare time I work on my computer. [12.19.98]

Lucas, Linda
Class of: '59
From: Houston, Texas
Attending the reunion? I'll be attending with my brothers.
Update: I started working at Citizens State Bank in Corpus right out of high school. I came to the big city of Houston in 1971 to seek my fame and fortune. My brother Bill was living here and he heard about a new bank opening and gave me a call to come interview. I did and I got the job. That bank was First Bank and I was there for eight years. I then went to another bank that was opening called Gessner Southwest Bank and Trust. That bank was bought out and I moved on to another new bank called Williamstown Bank. That bank sold out and I headed for Texas Commerce Bank, now Chase Bank of Texas. I have been with them since 1990. My skills have always been with customer service and on the operational side of banking. I was the teller manager up until three years ago when I found a position in downtown Houston, working behind the scenes servicing all the branches in Texas with their teller corrections in what is called Branch Accounting. Doesn't that sound exciting? It's a great bank to work for and I guess I will retire here. I have a handsome son, Jason who is twenty three and is going to school at Lee College in Baytown. My brothers are my family and they too will be attending the reunion in May with the exception of Gordon. Bill lives here in Houston, George lives in San Antonio and Mike lives in Austin. They attended the 30th with me and look forward to attending again. My interests are following the World Champions Rockets Basketball, checking out the antique shops, movies and just flat doing nothing. I haven't been to Corpus since the 30th and looking forward to coming home. [2.19.99]

Lucas, Mike
Class of: '59
From: Austin, Texas
Attending the reunion? I wouldn't miss this one for the world.
Update: Just before my 16th birthday, I took a job with KRIS-TV as a cameraman. It was supposed to be a summer job, but I loved it and stayed with it while I continued going to school. During those years, I developed an interest in being an announcer, and consequently was taken under the wing of Gene Looper (I had moved to KZTV by then). Shortly thereafter, an announcing position opened up at KSIX Radio and I jumped at it. I spent the next twenty years as a rock jock in Victoria, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth and Waco. Later I moved into radio sales and on to an ad agency where I gathered a lot of experience in sales, marketing and promotion In January of '83 I joined Companion Vans, Inc as a territorial sales rep, while doubling as the guy who is responsible for all their marketing materials. Selling conversion vans to Ford dealers in the lower half of Texas, doing sales training in dealerships, and providing all of Companion Vans promotional support material (thanks to computer desktop publishing). I road raced sports cars (an Austin-Healey Sprite) out of Austin for several years, tournament bass fished, and managed, booked, produced and promoted shows for a bunch of rock bands (that was during the 'enlightening '60's). Currently, I manage the bookings for a wonderful Gospel singer by the name of Johnny Ray Watson, a truly blessed man with an incredible baritone voice. I escaped Waco for my birthplace Austin. What a wonderful place. I ain't leaving here again! I have three grown children from my first marriage, two married daughters, and a single son here in Austin, his birthplace, as well. He is a illustrator who draws comic books for DC, Dell, Marvel and other lesser known publications. Two years ago I married Colleen, who is a hair dresser in Round Rock and loves to decorate. She also has three grown kids, and between us we have four grandkids with one on the way. I am really looking forward to Colleen and I being at the reunion. [2.19.99]

McNeill (Moller), Judy
Class of: '59
From: Corpus Christi, Texas
Attending the reunion? Looking forward to seeing everyone.
Update: The last 40 years have been too short, but sweet. Turner and I married in 1962 and moved to Dugway, Utah - Turner was in the army. We moved from there to Washington, D.C. where Turner finished law school at George Washington and I attended University of Maryland. We moved back to Corpus in 1970, bought a house in Calallen and have lived there since. We have three children, three grandchildren and one on the way. I work with Turner in his patent law practice. I don't get paid, but my living is free - can't complain! Hope retirement is a long way off. Turner has been trying to teach me to play golf and I love it - not allowed to ride in the golf cart! [4.9.99]

Miller, Lee
Class of: '59
From: Orange Grove, Texas
Attending the reunion? Not sure.
Update: I entered the U.S. Army in 1958 and spent five years mostly in Germany. Got discharged in '63 and held several minor jobs before getting on the Corpus Christi Police Department. I woked there until retiring in January '98 with the rank of lieutinant with 33 years service. Married a local girl for 28 years. Have five kids (hers, mine, ours) and three grandchildren. Life has been good. [4.9.99]

Moreno (Villarreal), Yolanda
Class of: '59
From: Friendswood, Texas
Attending the reunion? I'm really excited about our upcoming reunion!!
Update: After graduating from Miller I attended Del Mar at night while working full time. In '64 I married Leo J. Villarreal (Ray '57) and moved to Virginia where he worked for NASA Langley Research Center. I attended the College of Wm & Mary until we transferred to the Johnson Space Center in '66. I then studied at the University of Houston and simultaneously enrolled in the UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center School of Cytotechnology. I was certified by the American
Society of Clinical Pathologists and have worked at the Center for 29 years progressing from entry level cyotechnologist to laboratory manager of the Cytopathology Laboratory. I earned a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from U of H Clear Lake. My husband took early retirement from NASA a couple of years ago and is now playing house- husband, is involved in church activities and takes care of a business venture. We have a 27 year-old daughter who teaches 4th grade bilingual education classes in the Houston ISD. I am seriously considering "throwing in the towel" this summer and am looking forward to not having to get out of bed at 5am every day to go to work! I still enjoy music very much but now instead of playing the clarinet, I play the piano at the "El Buen Pastor United Methodist Church" where we've been members for many years. God has been good to us and we are very thankful. [4.9.99]

Porter, Bill
Class of: '59
From: Houston, Texas
Attending the reunion? Yes!
Update: I've been an accountant for many years trying to escape into an adventurous life. I've also been in real estate and construction for over 10 years in Houston, and also hold two elective offices because people are easy: Board of Directors of a Municipal District, and Board of Directors of Harris County Appraisal District - both Big headaches with no pay!!! I currently help run a small general construction operation building the walls and gates around yuppie subdivisions along with their recreation amenities, etc. God, the Boomers have made a bunch of money for our age group. [12.12.98]

Saldana, Lupe
Class of: '59
From: Fairfax Station, Virginia
Attending the reunion? Only if Rey Cantu (La Jeringa) attends and sings "In The Still Of The Night," and Homer Mascorro (El Palio) makes a posthumous apology to professor "Snuffy" for changing the history grades of some of us in his grade book, while "Snuffy" was out of the classroom.
Update: Upon graduating, I married Zulema (Barrera), continued my paper route, and college studies, on a boxing scholarship, at the University of Corpus Christi. I received my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Economics in 1964 and immediately joined the United States Marine Corps as a regular Commissioned Officer. I served 7 years active duty in California, Japan, VietNam, Georgia and Washington, D.C. During my last tour of duty in Washington, D. C., I resigned my commission as a Captain in the USMC to accept a position with the U.S. Department of Commerce. I have resided in Virginia since 1970. I have also worked for the Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency, where I am now. Besides my Federal government career, I established a company in Real Estate Investments, and a small Home Improvement Co. While in Washington, D. C., I became involved with several National Hispanic Civic and Political Organizations, in particular, the American GI Forum, to advance the concerns and needs of Hispanics in this country. Three highlights of my involvement in this arena was when, I got elected National Chairman of the American GI Forum in 1978, President Jimmy Carter invited me to meet with him in the Oval Office on March 1979, and when I was invited to be one of three keynote speakers at the groundbreaking ceremonies for the VietNam Veterans Memorial on May 26, 1980. I had three wonderful!! Children during my marriage to Zulema. I lost my son, Jose Luis to a terrible disease on October, 1989. My two daughters, Nelda and Cindy are more than making up for Jose Luis with love and kindness. Nelda hates for me to remind her of our class of 59 Reunion, since she thinks I want to remind her that she will be 40 years young at that time. Cindy is still not married and very happy! Homer and Fela, did you say that your son, Jerry, is “Eligible”? My hobbies include participating in 10K, and 10 mile organized races. This year I will be running the Marine Corps Marathon for the second time while raising funds for the fight against AIDs. Congratulations to Ted for the outstanding Home Page and to the “Class of 59" Committee for all of the hard work that goes with this event. See you all muy pronto. [3.26.99]

Sanchez, Sabas B.
Class of: '59
From: Utah
Attending the reunion? I'm thinking about attending. It would be a long trip.
Update: Ted, thanks so much for the information about the Class of '50 Web site. Forty years has been an awfully long time without hearing from a fellow classmate. I can still remember our terrific fight song and the "Flying M." I spent 4 years in the Marine Corps. After I came home I got married and moved to California and attended college. I worked for a grocery chain for 30 years. Oh, we had three kids in the process. I retired 2 years ago and just started to enjoy my retirement here in Utah!!! We only have one grandchild, but I need to have a "father to son" conversation more often. [3.12.99]

Shelton, Leonard
Class of: '59
From: Houston, Texas
Attending the reunion? No - I have another commitment.
Update: After graduation from Miller, a bunch of us enrolled at Del Mar, where I was elected cheerleader. Southwest Texas State followed where I received my teaching certificate. My first teaching job was in San Antonio. I completed my M.Ed. at Our Lady of the Lake University. I moved to Houston and was the director of a newly forming child care company, Playcare Center. During a period of working in real estate in Houston, I returned to graduate school to become certified as a guidance counselor and I have been a guidance counselor at Scarborough High for the past nineteen years. Somewhere in there I managed to serve my church at the regional level as a lay administrator, also doing some preaching and some singing in the church choir. Life has been good to me. There are a few choices I would make differently were I to go around a second time, but growing up in the 50's in Corpus Christi, Texas, USA, would not be one of those changes. [12.26.98]

Valdez, Emanuel
Class of: '59
From: Gardena, California
Attending the reunion? Looking forward to seeing everyone.
Update: Graduated from Dominguez Hills University with a BA in Economics. Attended USC for a couple years doing post graduate work. Married and have three boys and one girl. All of our kids are working and are on their own now. My hobbies are working around the house and currently planning for my retirement. I have worked for a defense contractor for over thirty three years. My field of work has been in Information Systems, worked on both software and hardware for business applications and have managed a few scientific centers. [1.1.99]

Valles, John
Class of: '59
From: Pasadena, California
Attending the reunion? Yes
Update: Upon graduation I worked for a retail store in Corpus Christ. I attended Del Mar College for a year and a half. In 1961 I enlisted in the Marine Corp Reserves. In 1962 I met my wife, Anita and we were married in February 16, 1963. We have been married 35 years. We have three children: Angela Valles Edwards living in Yonkers, New York; John Mark Valles living in Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Tony Valles living in California. After a career in sales, in 1976, I returned to college to earn my B.A. after receiving what we in the church identify as "a calling" to enter the ordained ministry. I earned a B.A. from Huston-Tillotson College in Austin, Texas in 1978. In 1978 I was offered a position with General Telephone Company of the Southwest and went to work for General Telephone Company as a Communication Consultant. In 1984 I applied and was accepted to Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. It was in 1983 that I was called to and accepted an Associate Pastor position to a church in Plano, Texas. In 1988 I earned a Master of Divinity. That same year I was ordained a minister in the United Methodist Church. For a number of years I served churches in the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas area. In 1993 I transferred to California and have been serving as minister in the Pasadena and Burbank, California area. I enjoy playing golf and try to play once a week whenever church duties permit. My wife is also a Methodist minister. She is graduate of Texas Wesleyan College in Fort Worth, Texas and earned her Master of Divinity from the Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, California. While in Texas we have lived in Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, Bryan, Texarkana, Itasca, and Palmer. [1.8.99]

Yardas, Joe
Class of: '59
From: Houston, Texas
Attending the reunion? I am looking forward to seeing all you Bucs at the reunion in May
Update: Nancy Gootee (1961 RMHS graduate) and I have been "playing house" since 1961. Together we raised five children (four are daughters, all college graduates and one son, Joe
III who has been the one to make me pay for all the transgressions committed against my parents). In 1964, I graduated from Texas with an accounting degree and went to Houston to find my fortune and I have been searching for it ever since, (that fortune turned out to be well hidden). I didn't find the fortune during my five years in the CPA business, or during the 25 years in my current business of fire and casualty insurance agency business. I am currently about to finish law school at the University of Houston which hopefully will help me complete my search for that fortune. One of my friends expressed the opinion that I must be "one taco short of a Mexican plate" to go to school this late in life. Could be right. I stay in touch with many of my friends from RMHS when two of our most successful friends, Kemp and Freeman, invite Wells, Carew, Baggett, Gordy, Plemons, Vickers, Tucker, Bineham, Barclay and me to annual hunting and fishing trips to their Ranch and Beach Homes. It is good to have rich successful friends. Ted has certainly made this reunion a special one with our own web page. I am looking forward to seeing all you Bucs at the reunion in May. [1.8.99]

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