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I don’t know about the rest of my classmates but I am a long way from retiring and enjoying every minute of what I
do. I take care of three of my great grandchildren. Three little girls ages 12, 5 and three months. What fun. I
also have three more great grandkids – two girls and a boy with three more due after the first of the year – two
more girls and a boy. I will almost have enough for a girl’s softball team. What a joy they all are. They keep me
busy knitting Afghans, Christmas stockings and quilts. I am still active in my church. This past fall I moved to
Skiatook to be close to the little ones. My new address is 1002 S. Fairfax Ave, Apt. C-6, Skiatook, OK 74040
918 698 1107. I hope everyone has a very Merry and Special Christmas as I plan to. Bless you all.
Charlotte DUNBAR Hillenburg.
Greetings from your webmaster. I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Our traveling
has been limited this year but a 10 state tour last October was the highlight, including the Smoky Mountains in all
its foliage splendor. I have had several questions as statistician and monitor of the database of the class, so I
will try to respond to everyone who may be interested but reluctant to ask. There were 923 classmates of 1953,
including 60 non-graduates. We have 539 mailing addresses across the USA, one in England and one unlisted.
Be aware that I do not pass addresses, email or phone numbers to anyone. If I have a request I will contact the
recipient and let them respond to the request if they so desire. Since our last mailing we have lost 22 addresses.
We have 226 email addresses of which 31 are returned as “Demon Mail”. If you have changed your email
recently please pass it on so that I can keep our records updated. Respond to aeaton53brave@yahoo.com .
286 (29%) are known deceased. Since the last newsletter four are deceased. There are 96 lost with their status
unknown. The names of the deceased and lost can be found on our website at tulsacentral53braves.com.
Since the publishing of our website online March1 2008 we are experiencing an average of 621 page hits per
month (20 daily). Our first year produced 4 hits per month. So we are becoming more popular. All items on the
website are done with the permission of the involved individuals. And I want to thank those who have allowed
me to publish items and make this the best site on the internet: http//tulsacentral53braves.com Al EATON.
The big news for me is that I’ve moved from my Tulsa home of 40 years. I’m still in Tulsa at beautiful Guier
Woods at 71st and Harvard, even a new phone number which has been the most difficult change. I’m next to a
pond with fountains and a lovely yard. I absolutely love my new home. I don’t have to worry about yard crews,
pool maintenance security, etc. Wonderful neighborhood…a great decision and I feel so blessed to be here.
New address; 7212 S. Gary Ave, 74136, 918 494 2717. Both of my children still live in Tulsa. Paul took over
Brothers & Co. and now has over 60 employees and an office in OKC. He has a wonderful wife and five
children…3 in college and 2 boys in high school. My darling daughter, Suzanne, works at Brothers and has 3
children who are, of course, awesome kids. I have my dear golden, Bella. I had to put my constant companion,
Cody, of 13 years down just before I moved in September. He was the love of my life…a big beautiful golden.
Losing a friend like that is almost as hard as losing a human…such a void. Just before Jay died he said “Cody
will make you a good companion” and he did. He often went fly fishing with me and visited many of the galleries
in Santa Fe. (They loved him at the Fenn gallery…biscuits and treats) and all parts of Colorado. Great traveler.
Aches and pains seem to be a frequent intruder but, bless the Lord, they are mostly manageable. I pray for good
health, contentment and joy for all you dear classmates. Love and blessings to all.
Mary CAROLYN Brothers.
As we enter this special time of the year, it is only fitting that we count our many blessings and remember with
fondness our years at Central High School and the lives and memories we share together. Our family has
enjoyed reasonably good health and some very special adventures. After extended training during the very, very
hot Oklahoma summer, we joined our bicycle group from Harvard Avenue Christian Church for a ride in Slovakia
and Hungary. This was our fifteenth annual ride with the group and for this year we flew to Bratislava, rode by
the Danube River to Budapest with exciting side trips on the way. Seeing Budapest was a wonderful
experience. We are now making plans for a ride in the Galway area of Ireland. We continue to be mall walkers
and I play golf when time allows. We delight in four great granddaughters and one great grandson all located in
the Tulsa area ranging in age from 5 to 11 years. Carol and I wish each of you a joyous and blessed holiday
season. Daryl SOUTHARD.
I love Christmas! It’s such a great time to remember all the good times we ’53 Braves have shared. Sock hops,
football games, school plays come quickly to mind and to be thankful for the friendships that made those times so
wonderful. My life goes on its usual routine structured around taking care of my two grandsons, Chris and
Charlie who are all involved with school events and ice hockey games, practices, clinics and road trips. Happy
Holidays to all the Braves who continue to be a living community of support for each other!
JoCarol TEEL ROBB.
We have had a few things of interest this year in the Riggs family. Hank my husband celebrated his 80th
birthday in July (obviously he married a child bride). Another thing of note is that our son, Martin moved back to
KC from the metropolis of Jacksonville, Texas. He is Human Resources Director for Applebees. However the
star of our family this year has been our granddaughter, Courtney. She is at Ferris State University (Big Rapids,
Michigan) on a volleyball and academic scholarship. She was voted conference newcomer of the year (she is a
freshman) and second team all-conference. Go Courtney! Hope you all are well and survived the heat of last
summer. Harriet MARTIN Riggs.
While we did a Rhine River cruise in November with stops in Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris, it’s not as easy as
it used to be. Newsmakers these days are grandchildren. Our oldest, USN LTJG Carolyn received her
helicopter pilot’s wings in August and is training in San Diego. Kellie will be a junior at the University of Houston-
Clear Lake in January. High school senior Forrest and 10 year old Madison live on Bainbridge Island in
Washington. After 8 years with no pets, we adopted a very handsome dachshund/beagle mix adding a new
dimension to our lives. And so, grateful to still be here. We thank you for the newsletter and wish everyone
Happy Holidays! Jinny JONES Mason.
So what’s new? Not a whole lot. At our ages (74 year old wife and 75 year old me), we suffer the “…ills that
flesh is heir to ….” As Hamlet said. I try to play golf two times a week except when my wife, I, or either of my two
playing partners (a couple of old guys) and/or their wives have doctor’s appointments. I sold my company in
2002 and hung around as an advisor for a couple of years. Like all of our retired friends, we often wonder when
we had time to work, considering all of the chores, errands, appointments, etc. we have to attend to now. I saw
something from Andy Rooney recently, “ Some days, I have so much to do I can’t get anything done because I
have something else I have to do first.” Does that apply to any of you? I have that tacked on the wall by my
desk. We’ve lived in Austin since 1976….that’s long after both my wife and I graduated from UT here. Both sons
live in Austin. One grandson in community college here, another grandson a senior at Texas Tech in Lubbock
and a granddaughter a senior at Ft. Lewis College in Durango. Merry Christmas to all. Gordon ROSS.
I didn’t expect to be writing this on Thanksgiving day, but our plans were altered by a sick granddaughter. We
were invited to our son Johns and his wonderful wife Rebecca. However one of our 6 year old twin
granddaughters is sick and based on past experience she will share this illness with her sister and big brother. I
stuck the pies in the freezer and hadn’t started the casserole, so Don and I will be scrounging around for
something to eat. Still I have a lot to be grateful, not the least of which is those beautiful and brilliant
grandchildren. I know, I know everybody’s grandchildren are beautiful and brilliant. We are fortunate to have
them in the same town so we get to see them regularly. Our daughter, Betsy, is still in K.C. where she has her
own chiropractic practice. She is excited this year to be certified to practice on animals too. I had never heard of
such a thing and apparently it’s a big deal, particularly with race horses and show dogs. A lot of people have
their pets worked on too. So if you are in K.C. and need a chiropractor, she’s the one to see. Her mother says
she is very good. Don and I are doing fine. We are, at times noticing the advanced years….surprise, surprise! I
hope you are enjoyed a great Thanksgiving and that Christmas and the new year will bring abundant blessings.
Lee WHITE Blair.
Hi! Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the birthplace of Will Rogers….
Oologah, Oklahoma! Yes I am still here and am still working at Redbud Marina on Lake Oologah. I am on the
Board of Trustees for my wonderful town and on the Board at the church. So you can see I am very “bored”.
The big project for our town is a new Library, Media Center and Senior Citizen Center. I will be working with
Julia BRADY Ratliff from Friends of the Library. We hope to have it ready by the Fall of 2012. I am feeling fine.
My doctor says “You’re in great shape for as old as you are”. I am good for lunch on any Monday…my day off.
Hope to see you soon.
Janet STRADER (Hoofer) Miller.
I love you guys for keeping up with us and everything! Jodi – we have come a long way since 19th Street. I
have been a nurse like you and then a massage therapist for 20 years and now a writer! I am writing a book of
fun animal stories. The animals are all in Heaven – literally. I love to make up words! I have 27 stories to zing
out Do you know any millionaires who love animals who will give donations to animal groups like Guide Dogs of
America. My blind friend’s yellow lab guide dog Tressa is our main inspiration. You can contact me at 8622
Starcrest Dr., Apt.02, San Antonio, TX 78217. Ph: 210 590 0777. I would love to hear from you all!! Love, Love!
Joan HAMMAT Houser.
The past 18 months have been difficult ones for me. Our lake cottage in the Wisconsin Northwoods sold, my
husband Robert Don died last November and the Texas ranch is on the market. There is a light at the end of the
tunnel. It’s said right where you started from is right where you belong. So I’m moving to a patio home at
Methodist Manor in Tulsa on November 26. My address is 3209 South Pittsburg Court, Tulsa, 74135. Ph. 918
504 4356. Two major moves in 18 months will require a bit of getting settled but I look forward to renewing
relationships including participating in the activities of the class of “53. Sharline WAGNER Thompson.
This year has been very busy. Once we came out of winter hibernation in the spring my wife and I visited our
sons in Sarasota Springs, NY for the Easter Holiday. This included a tour of the horse museum and race track,
Skidmore College and the infamous hot spring resort of Franklin Roosevelt. We made a side trip to the home of
Orvis Outdoor Outfitters, visited a couple of colleges, the Norman Rockwell Museum and the home and mission
house of Cyrus Byington. Then it was time to plant the vegetable garden. In June we attended the Choctaw
days in Washington, DC visiting every display and event. This was a combination family reunion and visit with
cousins from Tulsa. We spent one afternoon at the National Congressional Cemetery and viewing the
monuments to Pushmataha and the Pictaltnns. After the Choctaw days we visited the National Botanical
Gardens and spent an afternoon at the new Air and Space Museum. Our sons came for a day and we were able
to visit with other relatives in the area. Upon arriving home the garden needed tending. A few weeks later we
began to get vegetables every day. The surplus we gave away or canned. In our spare time we do genealogy
research for both sides of the family. Fall arrived and we took a canoe trip to Upper Ontario Canada. While
there we visited the park, the Langford Canadian Outfitters and canoe repair shops. The trip ended with a visit
to the Canadian Canoe Museum. On the way home we stopped at numerous vegetable stands, orchards and
the historic Niagara on the Lake Village, wineries, a diamond mine and we took a canal boat cruise. At home we
had several weeks without power due to storms. One was a hurricane and the other was an early season Nor’
easter. We were able to weather both of them. However the storms resulted in many schools and businesses
being closed for weeks. The holidays are upon us already. They will certainly keep us busy. Wishing all of you
Peace on Earth, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. Roger KUCKERT.
I’m sorry I didn’t get a letter off, but do love hearing about everyone. My only news is I’M STILL TRYING TO GET
BACK TO OKLAHOMA !!!!! John’s class had a one night reunion…Preparty and nice dinner. Hope we can do it
to. (ED: We can do better than that!) Karen MOLER Lamerton.
Another year has passed with a number of our classmates no longer with us. May 2012 will hopefully be a little
more gentle than what we experienced here in Tulsa this year with the heat, cold, tornadoes and earthquakes. I
recently heard from an old Army buddy. He was celebrating 50 years as a practicing attorney in Del Rapids, SD.
Wow!!! It’s hard to imagine doing anything for fifty years. I’m still working a few hours a day. My partner and I
have been together for almost 25 years. We have been blessed with work during these economic downturns.
Ruth and I are going to be great grandparents late this year. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy
New Year!! Bob LADD
All is well with the Littlefield family here in the Woodlands. I am still playing tennis 2 or 3 times a week and
wondering how long the old knees will last. Fortunately our club has clay courts, so they aren’t as hard on the
body as hard courts are. Isabel is doing her best to help the sagging economy by shopping. Since her efforts
have not helped that much she is planning on doubling her efforts this year. Our son Dave is still a saturation
diver in the Gulf of Mexico. We now have a seven month old Viszla puppy that lives with him when he is onshore
and with us when he is working. I thought having a dog was supposed to lower your blood pressure instead of
raising it. Anyway since our bachelor sons don’t provide us with grandchildren, we have to settle for a very
energetic dog. Son Paul, 33, is working for Chevron in San Ramon, CA but is being transferred to Houston
shortly. Then we will have the whole family close again and we are looking forward to that. Best Wishes to All.
Larry LITTLEFIELD.
I hope this note finds all of you enjoying the holiday season with family and friends. Walter and I especially
enjoyed the Christmas holidays when we would decorate the golf cart and drive in the local Christmas parade
with fellow golfers. We retired to Arizona for several reasons, golf, of course was one of those reasons. We
spent many hours on the putting greens or the driving range and Walter was never without a foursome. Even I
learned to play golf. You can’t live in Arizona and not play golf! We considered ourselves blessed to have three
wonderful children, seven grandsons and, finally, a girl, when a great granddaughter was born. All of our
children and our grandchildren stayed in Oklahoma attending TU, OSU or OU. We have four Eagle Scouts in
the family. Walter and I spend the summers traveling with the children. Our children have literally traveled the
globe. Walt and I would have been married 56 years this December. We married during college and Walt
attended GMI where he obtained his Industrial Administration Degree. He worked for Buick Motors and then on
to OSU Okmulgee where he retired at 55. We were fortunate to travel during our retirement and complete our
“bucket List” before he died. Moving to Arizona kept us active the year round. Besides golf Walt kept a
workshop and tinkered on cars and motor homes. I have kept busy volunteering at community events and non-
profits. I currently volunteer at MD Anderson here in the Valley, various church activities and missions, golf and
five mornings a week in the gym. May the peace and joy of the holiday season be with you always.
Marilyn SUGGS Smith.
We’ve been living in Urbana, Illinois since 1960. My husband, Case is retired from being a Professor of
Economics at the University of Illinois and I’m retired from being Program Director of our local PBS station. Case
still teaches a few courses in the summer. In the winter we spend three months in Palm Desert, CA to escape
the Illinois winter. We both play golf and there is a lot to do there. We have a daughter, Amy, who lives nearby
and works at Wells Fargo Advisers. Our son Dave and his family live in Traverse City, MI where he and his wife
teach English at Northwestern Michigan College. Our son Peter is teaching English as a second language in
China. Our older granddaughter is a sophomore at Smith College and the younger is a second grader. I don’t
have any family in Tulsa anymore so it’s hard to find reasons to visit old haunts. We both are reasonably healthy
and keep up with our interests. Besides golf, I read, do needlepoint and sing in the church choir. I love the idea
of gardening but do more thinking about it than actual doing work outdoors. I’ll be looking forward to hearing
from everyone and hope for the best of health and happiness in the coming year. Thanks for all the time you
spend keeping people connected. Elaine JENSEN Sprenkle
Mother used to say that the older you get the faster time flies. Still living in Tulsa, Kathy and I have had a good
year. No exotic trips but several in the US. Our favorite was a trip to Boston for a few days. So many historical
things to see, including Plymouth Rock and even a cranberry harvest festival. A few years ago I retired from my
petroleum consulting business but I am still promoting Wanenmacher’s Tulsa Arms Show. For those who like
guns, knives and a little jewelry, etc. we now have 5.9 miles of exhibits twice a year in April and November. You
are invited to come. With best wishes. Joe WANENMACHER.
A very warm hello and Happy Holidays. my husband John and I are still living at Spring Hollow, the place
featured in my book ”DEAR EARTH: A Love Letter from Spring Hollow”, though we are beginning to think about
down-sizing to a place that takes less care. (We live on a clearing on twenty-three acres of forested Ozark hills
and hollows.) The seventh novel in my “Mysteries to Die For” series is on its way to publication, this time the
tourist destination featured is War Eagle Mill (a still-working grist mill originally built before the Civil War) and the
accompanying War Eagle Craft Fair. In 2010 I received the National Silver Falchion Award for best mystery
novel (JOURNEY TO DIE FOR), and this past June I was honored in Little Rock as the 2011 Inductee into the
Arkansas Writers’ Hall of Fame. Our travels consist mostly of attendance at mystery fan conventions around the
U.S.A. and trips to other bookish events. We have no children, grands, or greats to brag about, (probably a relief
to you) so I’ll just repeat my best wishes to all. Radine TREES Nehring
Brenda and I are doing great. Three children and four grandchildren. All doing great. I feel very fortunate. Life
has been good to our family. Thanks for all your hard work for our Class of ’53. Jimmy DUNN.
My post retirement monk-like and rather lonely existence has ended, at least for now. The economic downturn
has resulted in an upturn in the noise and activity level in my small town house. My daughter Susan, a social
worker specializing in Hospice care, lost her job two years ago and as a result her home. She has valiantly
taken part time jobs doing everything from dog sitting to working as a church janitor in order to support herself
and her 12 year old daughter, Hope. They lived with friends for a year and then I invited them to move in with
me. In addition to working occasionally and actively searching for a full time job, Susan is finishing up a Masters
in Forensic Psychology which demands much writing and reading. It has given me a chance to help out by being
in charge of Hope. Love it. It has been an adjustment for all three of us but there have been many unforeseen
benefits. To make space for two women and a preteen who loves clothes and shoes I had to gift Goodwill with
half of my stuff—too bad that beaded top I wore in 1984 had to go. I planned to wear it again any day now (Ha)!
My whole house has been organized and decluttered and I have found that I like listening to the mellow tones of
Taylor Swift wafting through the house in the evening when Hope is doing homework. Since I gave up serious
cooking years ago, I have learned from Hope that McDonald’s chicken fingers and fries and pizza on consecutive
nights will not kill you. It has been rewarding to be a party to the excitement of a 12 year olds first Girl Scout
installation ceremony and to witness her enthusiasm after her first soccer game on a school team. I still manage
to “do my thing”, which includes reading big thick books on religion and politics (Love my Kindle), trashy gossipy
articles in magazines and watching Independent films and documentaries. I had to cancel my planned trip to
Israel but maybe next year will be calmer both in the Middle-East and at my house. Fat chance. Life is GOOD
and certainly unpredictable. Carole SHAW Cleary.
Greetings to all the Braves around! It’s been a year of Ups and Downs for the Caverelys. The big UP for us was
our 50th wedding anniversary on April 15, and the celebration at Trout Lodge the 2nd weekend in June (you can’
t swim in the lake in April, Grandpa) for 19 family members. The really big Hi was the wedding of our younger
son (at 43 yrs.) atop Vail Mountain in Colorado. Up and Down in gondolas and living in the village for 4 days
were special. Back to Missouri and the leftovers of two tornados-surely the DOWN events of the year. Our two
St. Louis couples were in the path of the storm when it passed through north St. Louis County. There were 500
homes and businesses and 3 churches damaged in Maryland Heights where our son, Chuck, is a councilman.
And Joplin- What a disaster! We have a social calendar in place most every month - one or two doctor visits
and out to lunch, usually in Columbia. Our church and Scout involvements continue to take our time and
energies. I am enjoying a brilliant display of hybrid daylilies in my small garden each June; my herbs do well as
do the dandelions and the old friend, crab grass. I look forward to hearing from other class members and the next
reunion. Many thanks to the Tulsa people who keep us all in touch. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Nancy HOTZ Caverly… new email address: nicaverly@gmail.com.
Hello Classmates! Christmas notes and greetings are such a good idea. Thanks Bob and all the others that
make them possible. We have stayed home and enjoyed activities around here this year. We have a beautiful
big Performing Arts Building here in Broken Arrow that has many things going on each month. It’s fun to be able
to stay right here in BA on Main Street to see plays, musicals and a variety of things. Down the street a few
blocks is a neat little restaurant, Angus Inn that serves very good food. Any of you that are familiar with BA might
remember Jones Drug and then it changed to Petrik Drug years ago and now it is the Angus Inn. Everything is
near each other and not much traffic on Main Street. I’m recovering from hip replacement surgery—very glad to
have that over. Leland and I are looking forward to the Christmas Season—We feel very blessed. May all of you
have a wonderful Christmas. We pray for peace on earth. Regina BROOKS Sharp.
Greetings to all ’53 Braves: Don and I are still in Sapulpa, Ok. And have just celebrated our 57th wedding
anniversary, (and they said it wouldn’t last) HA! I am still playing Golf, still singing, still playing Bridge, and Gin
Rummy and doing a lot of reading. Don - instead of flying the “Big” planes, is flying the RC planes. At least
when he crashes, he is not in them. I enjoy hearing from all of the Braves and hope everyone has a Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year. Oh, yes, we had our first greatgrandchild this October, Maeve Liana, who
lives in North Carolina. Lots of Joy to all. Cleta Faye PICKLE Pittman.
do. I take care of three of my great grandchildren. Three little girls ages 12, 5 and three months. What fun. I
also have three more great grandkids – two girls and a boy with three more due after the first of the year – two
more girls and a boy. I will almost have enough for a girl’s softball team. What a joy they all are. They keep me
busy knitting Afghans, Christmas stockings and quilts. I am still active in my church. This past fall I moved to
Skiatook to be close to the little ones. My new address is 1002 S. Fairfax Ave, Apt. C-6, Skiatook, OK 74040
918 698 1107. I hope everyone has a very Merry and Special Christmas as I plan to. Bless you all.
Charlotte DUNBAR Hillenburg.
Greetings from your webmaster. I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Our traveling
has been limited this year but a 10 state tour last October was the highlight, including the Smoky Mountains in all
its foliage splendor. I have had several questions as statistician and monitor of the database of the class, so I
will try to respond to everyone who may be interested but reluctant to ask. There were 923 classmates of 1953,
including 60 non-graduates. We have 539 mailing addresses across the USA, one in England and one unlisted.
Be aware that I do not pass addresses, email or phone numbers to anyone. If I have a request I will contact the
recipient and let them respond to the request if they so desire. Since our last mailing we have lost 22 addresses.
We have 226 email addresses of which 31 are returned as “Demon Mail”. If you have changed your email
recently please pass it on so that I can keep our records updated. Respond to aeaton53brave@yahoo.com .
286 (29%) are known deceased. Since the last newsletter four are deceased. There are 96 lost with their status
unknown. The names of the deceased and lost can be found on our website at tulsacentral53braves.com.
Since the publishing of our website online March1 2008 we are experiencing an average of 621 page hits per
month (20 daily). Our first year produced 4 hits per month. So we are becoming more popular. All items on the
website are done with the permission of the involved individuals. And I want to thank those who have allowed
me to publish items and make this the best site on the internet: http//tulsacentral53braves.com Al EATON.
The big news for me is that I’ve moved from my Tulsa home of 40 years. I’m still in Tulsa at beautiful Guier
Woods at 71st and Harvard, even a new phone number which has been the most difficult change. I’m next to a
pond with fountains and a lovely yard. I absolutely love my new home. I don’t have to worry about yard crews,
pool maintenance security, etc. Wonderful neighborhood…a great decision and I feel so blessed to be here.
New address; 7212 S. Gary Ave, 74136, 918 494 2717. Both of my children still live in Tulsa. Paul took over
Brothers & Co. and now has over 60 employees and an office in OKC. He has a wonderful wife and five
children…3 in college and 2 boys in high school. My darling daughter, Suzanne, works at Brothers and has 3
children who are, of course, awesome kids. I have my dear golden, Bella. I had to put my constant companion,
Cody, of 13 years down just before I moved in September. He was the love of my life…a big beautiful golden.
Losing a friend like that is almost as hard as losing a human…such a void. Just before Jay died he said “Cody
will make you a good companion” and he did. He often went fly fishing with me and visited many of the galleries
in Santa Fe. (They loved him at the Fenn gallery…biscuits and treats) and all parts of Colorado. Great traveler.
Aches and pains seem to be a frequent intruder but, bless the Lord, they are mostly manageable. I pray for good
health, contentment and joy for all you dear classmates. Love and blessings to all.
Mary CAROLYN Brothers.
As we enter this special time of the year, it is only fitting that we count our many blessings and remember with
fondness our years at Central High School and the lives and memories we share together. Our family has
enjoyed reasonably good health and some very special adventures. After extended training during the very, very
hot Oklahoma summer, we joined our bicycle group from Harvard Avenue Christian Church for a ride in Slovakia
and Hungary. This was our fifteenth annual ride with the group and for this year we flew to Bratislava, rode by
the Danube River to Budapest with exciting side trips on the way. Seeing Budapest was a wonderful
experience. We are now making plans for a ride in the Galway area of Ireland. We continue to be mall walkers
and I play golf when time allows. We delight in four great granddaughters and one great grandson all located in
the Tulsa area ranging in age from 5 to 11 years. Carol and I wish each of you a joyous and blessed holiday
season. Daryl SOUTHARD.
I love Christmas! It’s such a great time to remember all the good times we ’53 Braves have shared. Sock hops,
football games, school plays come quickly to mind and to be thankful for the friendships that made those times so
wonderful. My life goes on its usual routine structured around taking care of my two grandsons, Chris and
Charlie who are all involved with school events and ice hockey games, practices, clinics and road trips. Happy
Holidays to all the Braves who continue to be a living community of support for each other!
JoCarol TEEL ROBB.
We have had a few things of interest this year in the Riggs family. Hank my husband celebrated his 80th
birthday in July (obviously he married a child bride). Another thing of note is that our son, Martin moved back to
KC from the metropolis of Jacksonville, Texas. He is Human Resources Director for Applebees. However the
star of our family this year has been our granddaughter, Courtney. She is at Ferris State University (Big Rapids,
Michigan) on a volleyball and academic scholarship. She was voted conference newcomer of the year (she is a
freshman) and second team all-conference. Go Courtney! Hope you all are well and survived the heat of last
summer. Harriet MARTIN Riggs.
While we did a Rhine River cruise in November with stops in Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris, it’s not as easy as
it used to be. Newsmakers these days are grandchildren. Our oldest, USN LTJG Carolyn received her
helicopter pilot’s wings in August and is training in San Diego. Kellie will be a junior at the University of Houston-
Clear Lake in January. High school senior Forrest and 10 year old Madison live on Bainbridge Island in
Washington. After 8 years with no pets, we adopted a very handsome dachshund/beagle mix adding a new
dimension to our lives. And so, grateful to still be here. We thank you for the newsletter and wish everyone
Happy Holidays! Jinny JONES Mason.
So what’s new? Not a whole lot. At our ages (74 year old wife and 75 year old me), we suffer the “…ills that
flesh is heir to ….” As Hamlet said. I try to play golf two times a week except when my wife, I, or either of my two
playing partners (a couple of old guys) and/or their wives have doctor’s appointments. I sold my company in
2002 and hung around as an advisor for a couple of years. Like all of our retired friends, we often wonder when
we had time to work, considering all of the chores, errands, appointments, etc. we have to attend to now. I saw
something from Andy Rooney recently, “ Some days, I have so much to do I can’t get anything done because I
have something else I have to do first.” Does that apply to any of you? I have that tacked on the wall by my
desk. We’ve lived in Austin since 1976….that’s long after both my wife and I graduated from UT here. Both sons
live in Austin. One grandson in community college here, another grandson a senior at Texas Tech in Lubbock
and a granddaughter a senior at Ft. Lewis College in Durango. Merry Christmas to all. Gordon ROSS.
I didn’t expect to be writing this on Thanksgiving day, but our plans were altered by a sick granddaughter. We
were invited to our son Johns and his wonderful wife Rebecca. However one of our 6 year old twin
granddaughters is sick and based on past experience she will share this illness with her sister and big brother. I
stuck the pies in the freezer and hadn’t started the casserole, so Don and I will be scrounging around for
something to eat. Still I have a lot to be grateful, not the least of which is those beautiful and brilliant
grandchildren. I know, I know everybody’s grandchildren are beautiful and brilliant. We are fortunate to have
them in the same town so we get to see them regularly. Our daughter, Betsy, is still in K.C. where she has her
own chiropractic practice. She is excited this year to be certified to practice on animals too. I had never heard of
such a thing and apparently it’s a big deal, particularly with race horses and show dogs. A lot of people have
their pets worked on too. So if you are in K.C. and need a chiropractor, she’s the one to see. Her mother says
she is very good. Don and I are doing fine. We are, at times noticing the advanced years….surprise, surprise! I
hope you are enjoyed a great Thanksgiving and that Christmas and the new year will bring abundant blessings.
Lee WHITE Blair.
Hi! Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the birthplace of Will Rogers….
Oologah, Oklahoma! Yes I am still here and am still working at Redbud Marina on Lake Oologah. I am on the
Board of Trustees for my wonderful town and on the Board at the church. So you can see I am very “bored”.
The big project for our town is a new Library, Media Center and Senior Citizen Center. I will be working with
Julia BRADY Ratliff from Friends of the Library. We hope to have it ready by the Fall of 2012. I am feeling fine.
My doctor says “You’re in great shape for as old as you are”. I am good for lunch on any Monday…my day off.
Hope to see you soon.
Janet STRADER (Hoofer) Miller.
I love you guys for keeping up with us and everything! Jodi – we have come a long way since 19th Street. I
have been a nurse like you and then a massage therapist for 20 years and now a writer! I am writing a book of
fun animal stories. The animals are all in Heaven – literally. I love to make up words! I have 27 stories to zing
out Do you know any millionaires who love animals who will give donations to animal groups like Guide Dogs of
America. My blind friend’s yellow lab guide dog Tressa is our main inspiration. You can contact me at 8622
Starcrest Dr., Apt.02, San Antonio, TX 78217. Ph: 210 590 0777. I would love to hear from you all!! Love, Love!
Joan HAMMAT Houser.
The past 18 months have been difficult ones for me. Our lake cottage in the Wisconsin Northwoods sold, my
husband Robert Don died last November and the Texas ranch is on the market. There is a light at the end of the
tunnel. It’s said right where you started from is right where you belong. So I’m moving to a patio home at
Methodist Manor in Tulsa on November 26. My address is 3209 South Pittsburg Court, Tulsa, 74135. Ph. 918
504 4356. Two major moves in 18 months will require a bit of getting settled but I look forward to renewing
relationships including participating in the activities of the class of “53. Sharline WAGNER Thompson.
This year has been very busy. Once we came out of winter hibernation in the spring my wife and I visited our
sons in Sarasota Springs, NY for the Easter Holiday. This included a tour of the horse museum and race track,
Skidmore College and the infamous hot spring resort of Franklin Roosevelt. We made a side trip to the home of
Orvis Outdoor Outfitters, visited a couple of colleges, the Norman Rockwell Museum and the home and mission
house of Cyrus Byington. Then it was time to plant the vegetable garden. In June we attended the Choctaw
days in Washington, DC visiting every display and event. This was a combination family reunion and visit with
cousins from Tulsa. We spent one afternoon at the National Congressional Cemetery and viewing the
monuments to Pushmataha and the Pictaltnns. After the Choctaw days we visited the National Botanical
Gardens and spent an afternoon at the new Air and Space Museum. Our sons came for a day and we were able
to visit with other relatives in the area. Upon arriving home the garden needed tending. A few weeks later we
began to get vegetables every day. The surplus we gave away or canned. In our spare time we do genealogy
research for both sides of the family. Fall arrived and we took a canoe trip to Upper Ontario Canada. While
there we visited the park, the Langford Canadian Outfitters and canoe repair shops. The trip ended with a visit
to the Canadian Canoe Museum. On the way home we stopped at numerous vegetable stands, orchards and
the historic Niagara on the Lake Village, wineries, a diamond mine and we took a canal boat cruise. At home we
had several weeks without power due to storms. One was a hurricane and the other was an early season Nor’
easter. We were able to weather both of them. However the storms resulted in many schools and businesses
being closed for weeks. The holidays are upon us already. They will certainly keep us busy. Wishing all of you
Peace on Earth, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. Roger KUCKERT.
I’m sorry I didn’t get a letter off, but do love hearing about everyone. My only news is I’M STILL TRYING TO GET
BACK TO OKLAHOMA !!!!! John’s class had a one night reunion…Preparty and nice dinner. Hope we can do it
to. (ED: We can do better than that!) Karen MOLER Lamerton.
Another year has passed with a number of our classmates no longer with us. May 2012 will hopefully be a little
more gentle than what we experienced here in Tulsa this year with the heat, cold, tornadoes and earthquakes. I
recently heard from an old Army buddy. He was celebrating 50 years as a practicing attorney in Del Rapids, SD.
Wow!!! It’s hard to imagine doing anything for fifty years. I’m still working a few hours a day. My partner and I
have been together for almost 25 years. We have been blessed with work during these economic downturns.
Ruth and I are going to be great grandparents late this year. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy
New Year!! Bob LADD
All is well with the Littlefield family here in the Woodlands. I am still playing tennis 2 or 3 times a week and
wondering how long the old knees will last. Fortunately our club has clay courts, so they aren’t as hard on the
body as hard courts are. Isabel is doing her best to help the sagging economy by shopping. Since her efforts
have not helped that much she is planning on doubling her efforts this year. Our son Dave is still a saturation
diver in the Gulf of Mexico. We now have a seven month old Viszla puppy that lives with him when he is onshore
and with us when he is working. I thought having a dog was supposed to lower your blood pressure instead of
raising it. Anyway since our bachelor sons don’t provide us with grandchildren, we have to settle for a very
energetic dog. Son Paul, 33, is working for Chevron in San Ramon, CA but is being transferred to Houston
shortly. Then we will have the whole family close again and we are looking forward to that. Best Wishes to All.
Larry LITTLEFIELD.
I hope this note finds all of you enjoying the holiday season with family and friends. Walter and I especially
enjoyed the Christmas holidays when we would decorate the golf cart and drive in the local Christmas parade
with fellow golfers. We retired to Arizona for several reasons, golf, of course was one of those reasons. We
spent many hours on the putting greens or the driving range and Walter was never without a foursome. Even I
learned to play golf. You can’t live in Arizona and not play golf! We considered ourselves blessed to have three
wonderful children, seven grandsons and, finally, a girl, when a great granddaughter was born. All of our
children and our grandchildren stayed in Oklahoma attending TU, OSU or OU. We have four Eagle Scouts in
the family. Walter and I spend the summers traveling with the children. Our children have literally traveled the
globe. Walt and I would have been married 56 years this December. We married during college and Walt
attended GMI where he obtained his Industrial Administration Degree. He worked for Buick Motors and then on
to OSU Okmulgee where he retired at 55. We were fortunate to travel during our retirement and complete our
“bucket List” before he died. Moving to Arizona kept us active the year round. Besides golf Walt kept a
workshop and tinkered on cars and motor homes. I have kept busy volunteering at community events and non-
profits. I currently volunteer at MD Anderson here in the Valley, various church activities and missions, golf and
five mornings a week in the gym. May the peace and joy of the holiday season be with you always.
Marilyn SUGGS Smith.
We’ve been living in Urbana, Illinois since 1960. My husband, Case is retired from being a Professor of
Economics at the University of Illinois and I’m retired from being Program Director of our local PBS station. Case
still teaches a few courses in the summer. In the winter we spend three months in Palm Desert, CA to escape
the Illinois winter. We both play golf and there is a lot to do there. We have a daughter, Amy, who lives nearby
and works at Wells Fargo Advisers. Our son Dave and his family live in Traverse City, MI where he and his wife
teach English at Northwestern Michigan College. Our son Peter is teaching English as a second language in
China. Our older granddaughter is a sophomore at Smith College and the younger is a second grader. I don’t
have any family in Tulsa anymore so it’s hard to find reasons to visit old haunts. We both are reasonably healthy
and keep up with our interests. Besides golf, I read, do needlepoint and sing in the church choir. I love the idea
of gardening but do more thinking about it than actual doing work outdoors. I’ll be looking forward to hearing
from everyone and hope for the best of health and happiness in the coming year. Thanks for all the time you
spend keeping people connected. Elaine JENSEN Sprenkle
Mother used to say that the older you get the faster time flies. Still living in Tulsa, Kathy and I have had a good
year. No exotic trips but several in the US. Our favorite was a trip to Boston for a few days. So many historical
things to see, including Plymouth Rock and even a cranberry harvest festival. A few years ago I retired from my
petroleum consulting business but I am still promoting Wanenmacher’s Tulsa Arms Show. For those who like
guns, knives and a little jewelry, etc. we now have 5.9 miles of exhibits twice a year in April and November. You
are invited to come. With best wishes. Joe WANENMACHER.
A very warm hello and Happy Holidays. my husband John and I are still living at Spring Hollow, the place
featured in my book ”DEAR EARTH: A Love Letter from Spring Hollow”, though we are beginning to think about
down-sizing to a place that takes less care. (We live on a clearing on twenty-three acres of forested Ozark hills
and hollows.) The seventh novel in my “Mysteries to Die For” series is on its way to publication, this time the
tourist destination featured is War Eagle Mill (a still-working grist mill originally built before the Civil War) and the
accompanying War Eagle Craft Fair. In 2010 I received the National Silver Falchion Award for best mystery
novel (JOURNEY TO DIE FOR), and this past June I was honored in Little Rock as the 2011 Inductee into the
Arkansas Writers’ Hall of Fame. Our travels consist mostly of attendance at mystery fan conventions around the
U.S.A. and trips to other bookish events. We have no children, grands, or greats to brag about, (probably a relief
to you) so I’ll just repeat my best wishes to all. Radine TREES Nehring
Brenda and I are doing great. Three children and four grandchildren. All doing great. I feel very fortunate. Life
has been good to our family. Thanks for all your hard work for our Class of ’53. Jimmy DUNN.
My post retirement monk-like and rather lonely existence has ended, at least for now. The economic downturn
has resulted in an upturn in the noise and activity level in my small town house. My daughter Susan, a social
worker specializing in Hospice care, lost her job two years ago and as a result her home. She has valiantly
taken part time jobs doing everything from dog sitting to working as a church janitor in order to support herself
and her 12 year old daughter, Hope. They lived with friends for a year and then I invited them to move in with
me. In addition to working occasionally and actively searching for a full time job, Susan is finishing up a Masters
in Forensic Psychology which demands much writing and reading. It has given me a chance to help out by being
in charge of Hope. Love it. It has been an adjustment for all three of us but there have been many unforeseen
benefits. To make space for two women and a preteen who loves clothes and shoes I had to gift Goodwill with
half of my stuff—too bad that beaded top I wore in 1984 had to go. I planned to wear it again any day now (Ha)!
My whole house has been organized and decluttered and I have found that I like listening to the mellow tones of
Taylor Swift wafting through the house in the evening when Hope is doing homework. Since I gave up serious
cooking years ago, I have learned from Hope that McDonald’s chicken fingers and fries and pizza on consecutive
nights will not kill you. It has been rewarding to be a party to the excitement of a 12 year olds first Girl Scout
installation ceremony and to witness her enthusiasm after her first soccer game on a school team. I still manage
to “do my thing”, which includes reading big thick books on religion and politics (Love my Kindle), trashy gossipy
articles in magazines and watching Independent films and documentaries. I had to cancel my planned trip to
Israel but maybe next year will be calmer both in the Middle-East and at my house. Fat chance. Life is GOOD
and certainly unpredictable. Carole SHAW Cleary.
Greetings to all the Braves around! It’s been a year of Ups and Downs for the Caverelys. The big UP for us was
our 50th wedding anniversary on April 15, and the celebration at Trout Lodge the 2nd weekend in June (you can’
t swim in the lake in April, Grandpa) for 19 family members. The really big Hi was the wedding of our younger
son (at 43 yrs.) atop Vail Mountain in Colorado. Up and Down in gondolas and living in the village for 4 days
were special. Back to Missouri and the leftovers of two tornados-surely the DOWN events of the year. Our two
St. Louis couples were in the path of the storm when it passed through north St. Louis County. There were 500
homes and businesses and 3 churches damaged in Maryland Heights where our son, Chuck, is a councilman.
And Joplin- What a disaster! We have a social calendar in place most every month - one or two doctor visits
and out to lunch, usually in Columbia. Our church and Scout involvements continue to take our time and
energies. I am enjoying a brilliant display of hybrid daylilies in my small garden each June; my herbs do well as
do the dandelions and the old friend, crab grass. I look forward to hearing from other class members and the next
reunion. Many thanks to the Tulsa people who keep us all in touch. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Nancy HOTZ Caverly… new email address: nicaverly@gmail.com.
Hello Classmates! Christmas notes and greetings are such a good idea. Thanks Bob and all the others that
make them possible. We have stayed home and enjoyed activities around here this year. We have a beautiful
big Performing Arts Building here in Broken Arrow that has many things going on each month. It’s fun to be able
to stay right here in BA on Main Street to see plays, musicals and a variety of things. Down the street a few
blocks is a neat little restaurant, Angus Inn that serves very good food. Any of you that are familiar with BA might
remember Jones Drug and then it changed to Petrik Drug years ago and now it is the Angus Inn. Everything is
near each other and not much traffic on Main Street. I’m recovering from hip replacement surgery—very glad to
have that over. Leland and I are looking forward to the Christmas Season—We feel very blessed. May all of you
have a wonderful Christmas. We pray for peace on earth. Regina BROOKS Sharp.
Greetings to all ’53 Braves: Don and I are still in Sapulpa, Ok. And have just celebrated our 57th wedding
anniversary, (and they said it wouldn’t last) HA! I am still playing Golf, still singing, still playing Bridge, and Gin
Rummy and doing a lot of reading. Don - instead of flying the “Big” planes, is flying the RC planes. At least
when he crashes, he is not in them. I enjoy hearing from all of the Braves and hope everyone has a Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year. Oh, yes, we had our first greatgrandchild this October, Maeve Liana, who
lives in North Carolina. Lots of Joy to all. Cleta Faye PICKLE Pittman.