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50th Class Reunion
Information

 


2009

50th CLASS REUNION
Mark your calendar for October 2nd and 3rd, 2009

(click  for full details)

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From Jo Anna 9/16/2009...

Barbara Jean Davies Schill has a new e-mail address.
Robert Staggs has officially moved back to Huntsville but I do not have his new address.
 
We have gotten in touch with most of our classmates and updated home addresses/phone numbers and received several new e-mail addresses (we have 123 classmates on our e-mail list). An updated address list will be e-mailed about Sept 25th so be looking for yours.  It will be in a much more readable format (adobe .pdf).
 
Also, we are going to e-mail a complete reunion schedule of events (locations, etc.) for you to print and bring with you.  We not only want you to know where you are going and what time to be there but we will also give you a name tag so you will know "who you are"! 
 
Another change we have had to make is the hiking time. Several have indicated they want to go to the breakfast and hike too and we have made arrangements for them to do so. 
Breakfast will be at the scheduled time at the new Huntsville High School at 9:30 a.m.  Those who want to hike will leave Huntsville High at 10:30 a.m. and drive across Monte Sano mountain to participate in the hike, then if you are scheduled to take the bus tour,  you will drive to the Embassy Suites (next door to the Civic Center downtown) and board the 2 p.m. bus.  After the bus tour (will last a little over an hour), you will have time to return to your hotel to freshen up for the big Saturday night event at Early Works Museum that begins promptly at 5:30 p.m.  Jan will have a sign-up sheet for the two bus tours (12:30 and 2 p.m.) at the Friday night event and Saturday breakfast.
Remember - All events are very casual dress! 
 
Due to family illnesses or other commitments, some of our classmates could not commit by the Sept. 1 deadline.  We have added in a total of 10 extra spots and extended our deadline to accompany those who might still be able to attend. The hike is free, the breakfast is pay at the door ($5). Fri/Sat nights and the bus tour will cost you $100 per person.  You must let me know by Sept. 25th and your check must be received absolutely no later than Sept. 28th. (make payable to HHS Class of 1959 and mail to Jo Anna Burkett, 653 Cap Adkins Road, Huntsville, Al. 35803).  Please e-mail me as to which events and the number of people who will attend.
Thanks,
Jo Anna 

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I was trying to contact some of the band members and talked with Tommy McDougal's wife.  She said she lost the contact information for the class so she did not tell you. Tommy passed away August 19, 2006. He had an autoimmune disease called "goodpastures".  

Julie McDougal has 7 grandchildren to keep her busy and is a piano teacher.    -  Jeanne

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I M P O R T A N T

Could you help us find these classmates?  If you know their friend or relative could you contact them to get a good address or email address?

4/20/2009 From Jo Anna...

The following reunion invitations have been returned as "non-deliverable".  If you know their whereabouts - please let me know.

Thanks,
Jo Anna

Pat Quick Marsalis (was in Kenner, La.)
Thomas Claybourne (was in Titusville, Fl.) 
Sharon Humphries White (was in Texas)

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Patsy Cunningham Pilgrim  Died July 7, 2009

Patsy Pilgrim of Huntsville passed away Tuesday. 
Mrs. Pilgrim was a devoted Christian lady who gave totally of her time, energy and resources to those in need.
She is survived by her son.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at noon at Maple Hill Cemetery with Pastor Lester Alexander officiating.

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Ray E. Marlow  [Husband of Mary Louise Germann Marlow]
Ray was born March 26, 1940 in Columbus, Georgia. He passed away on June 7, 2009 after a lengthy illness.

As a young man, Ray was a member of the Boy Scouts, where he achieved the rank of Life Scout. He loved football and played football in high school. He was on the rifle team at Florence State University.

Ray left college to join the United States Marine Corps. His experience in the Marines affected him greatly and he remained a proud former Marine throughout his life. After leaving the Marines, Ray worked as an air traffic controller as a civilian for the US Army Space & Missile Command in Kwajalein, Marshall Islands. During this time, Ray became Chief Divemaster for the Kwajalein Scuba Club.
After returning stateside, Ray graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. While attending Auburn, Ray was a scuba instructor for the university. Ray was a dedicated Auburn Tigers fan and loved the “War Eagle” battle cry.

In his early career, Ray worked as a contractor with Sperry Rand Corp. for NASA. Ray was an inventor and was awarded two U.S. patents for NASA, U.S. Pat. No. 3,907,312 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,922,930. 

After this time, Ray began an engineering career with Corning and lived with his family in Wellsboro, PA and in Gautier, Mississippi. Ray loved life on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where he enjoyed his past-times of golfing and deep sea fishing. 
Ray eventually moved his family to Brownwood, Texas where he was the Manager of Engineering for Superior Corp. He remained in Brownwood for 10 years and was a dedicated company man. In his later career, Ray moved to the corporate offices of Superior Essex in Atlanta, Georgia, where he retired after more than 20 years of service with the company. 

Ray actively volunteered in the Jaycees, the Lion’s Club, and other organizations. He also enjoyed playing handball and was an avid player until retirement.
After retiring, Ray and his wife settled in Rock Island, Tennessee, where he spent his final years enjoying the Rocky River and fishing and golfing.

Ray is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marylou Marlow of Rock Island, TN, daughter Ellen Berklite and husband David Berklite of Pittsburgh, PA and their sons Sam and Louis, daughter Leslie Marlow of Austin, TX and children Sky, Jeremy and Anthony, sister Reba Tidwell and husband Larry Tidwell of McMinnville, TN, sister Barbara Fletcher of McMinnville, TN, brother Bradley Fields of Knoxville, TN and a host of other relatives and friends.

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Dr. Charles M. Chambers

Dr. CHARLES M. CHAMBERS an innovative educator and visionary leader, passed away on May 20, 2009 at the age of 67, near his home in Alexandria, Virginia, where he had lived since 1970. He was an outstanding professor, lawyer, engineer and administrator who served as the fifth president of Lawrence Technological University (LTU), in Michigan from 1993 to 2006. At LTU, he oversaw the largest expansion of facilities, including solar panels and a Leed green building. He also headed the highest level of fund-raising at LTU for facilities and scholarships, the inauguration of doctorate degrees and the first wireless laptop campus in Michigan. For the ten years prior, he was president of the American Institution of Biological Science headquartered in Washington D C. He served on the faculties of Harvard University, The University of Alabama, and George Washington University where he was dean for graduate evening programs. In the 1960s, he participated as an aerospace engineer with NASA in the Apollo space program that landed men on the moon. An expert in accreditation, Dr. Chambers led numerous accrediting teams visiting universities for the North Central Association. He was a consultant to Congress and numerous federal science and education agencies, major foundations, and other organizations. He served on many professional and educational boards, including the Business Higher Education Forum of the American Council on Education, the Accreditation Review Council of the North Central Association, the Detroit Economic Club, the Engineering Society of Detroit, and the Oakland County Workforce Development Board and Business Roundtable. He was founding director of Automation Alley and served as a director of the Detroit Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He chaired the Education Foundation of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers nominating committee. He presented at international conferences in Bogotá, Colombia; Seoul, Korea; Tokyo, Japan; Brisbane, Australia; Bangalore, India; and Washington, D. C. among others. Dr. Chambers was often quoted as saying "Nothing can compare with the shaping of young minds". He was born in Hampton, Virginia where he lived for 14 years before moving to Huntsville, Alabama. He attended the University of Alabama where he met his wife and received a BS, MS and a PhD in physics. When he returned to Virginia, he received a law degree with honors from George Washington University, and was a member of the Bars of Virginia, the District of Columbia, Michigan, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He was a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and was president of the American Association of University Administrators and the Engineering and Science Development Foundation. He was a fellow of the Engineering Society of Detroit and in recognition of his accomplishments and service to higher education he was awarded a Doctor of Science degree from LTU in 2006. Dr. Chambers was a licensed commercial pilot with instrument and multi-engine ratings. In his spare time, he enjoyed flying his plane and working on projects around the house. His family swears that he could fix absolutely anything. Charles demonstrated great love and loyalty for his family. He had as much fun riding roller coasters with his children and grandchildren as they did. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Chambers, their four grown children and two grandchildren. There will be a memorial service for Charles Chambers at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan on June 18th at 10 am. His funeral will be held in Huntsville, Alabama at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church at 11am June 27, 2009. Memorial contributions may be made to Lawrence Technological University's Charles M. Chambers Endowed Scholarship Fund, Office of University Advancement, 21000 W. Ten Mile Rd. Southfield, MI 48075-1058.There will be a memorial service for Charles Chambers at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan on June 18th at 10 am. His funeral will be held in Huntsville, Alabama at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church at 11am June 27, 2009. Memorial contributions may be made to Lawrence Technological University's Charles M. Chambers Endowed Scholarship Fund, Office of University Advancement, 21000 W. Ten Mile Rd. Southfield, MI 48075-1058.

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4/30/2009

Sympathy is extended to Bobby Smith and Betty Smith Burney in the passing of their Mom on April 24th. Irmagean "Gene" Smith was 92 years old and lived in Huntsville

Irmagean "Gene" Smith 
(July 4, 1916 - April 24, 2009) 

Gene Smith, 92, of Huntsville passed Friday at her home. Born in Thomaston, Alabama in 1916 to Thomas Watson and Eliza Jane Alexander Hayes, she was one of seven children. 
She was preceded in death by her husband Robert T. Smith on January 24, 1988, her parents, two brothers and two sisters. She is survived by her children, Robert H. “Bob” Smith and wife Alice of Hoover, Alabama; Betty [Smith] Burney and husband Barry of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; brother, Calvin Hayes and wife Barbara of Santa Ana, California; sister, Doris Mixon and husband Albert of Birmingham; grandchildren, Brent Smith and wife Mandy of Charlotte, North Carolina; Ashley Stockard and husband Mike of Vestiva Hills; David Burney and wife Diane of Nashville, Tennessee; Amy Bates and husband Daryl of Huntsville; ten great grandchildren; and, special friends, Lem and Jo Tipton; Ed and Dean Mitchell; Bill and Jane Harris; Bonnie Harless; Rebecca Boteler; and, many other friends. 

She was a charter member of Mayfair Church of Christ, where her husband was a founding elder. She and her husband moved to Huntsville in 1949. She retired from work at Redstone Arsenal U.S. Army Missile Command. She was a devoted fan of the University of Alabama football team. 

Pallbearers are David Burney, Brent Smith, Mike Stockard, Daryl Bates, Will Bates, and Brad Bates. 

Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery. 

 - - -

4/17/2009
From Jo Anna...

Mickey called this morning to tell me Robert Stagg's wife Tammy passed away yesterday after a ten year battle with cancer. A celebration of life will be held Saturday at 2:00 PM in Kissimmee, Florida.

Please keep Robert in your prayers.

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3/20/2009
News from Jo Anna 

Welcome to Joyce McGehee Hillis. Her e-mail address is [listed].

 - - The only news I have to report is that the reunion will be October2 and 3. Your reunion committee is working faithfully to complete plans for a great weekend! A letter will be sent sometime in April. Thanks for your patience. Those who have provided us with an e-mail address will receive your letter by e-mail.

We have 17 "lost" classmates and would like your help in providing us with address and phone# and e-mail address where available. They are:

Arnold, Ray Jackson, Balisok, Robert Leon, Barnett, Sue Ann Swaim, Baum, Anne Fiveash, Black, Glenda McKnight, Blankenship, Jr Stuart M., Christian, Donald L., Corcoran, Guyula Marie, Lachar, Judith Carol, Lambie, Claiborne B., Landers, Gary Robert, Lowe, Saundra Anne, Neeson, Joy Lee. Siegler, Virginia Anne, Stone, Gary Wayne, Tracy, William F., Wilson, Kim Lee Martin Thanks for your help!

Jo Anna

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Edna Hirsch June 22, 1915 - March 5, 2009

Edna Kirker Hirsch, 93, of Huntsville passed away Thursday.
Edna and her husband, Col. Oliver Martin Hirsch along with their children moved from Japan to Redstone Arsenal in 1955. Edna was involved in many activities, including president of the Redstone Arsenal Officers Wives Club in 1956, founding member of the Huntsville Museum Guild, and held many different positions with the symphony guild.
Survivors include her son, Martin F. Hirsch and wife Nancy of Morganton, Ga.; daughter, Karen Hirsch Faulk Jackson and husband Alex of Atlanta; grandchildren, Martin F. Hirsch Jr., James Emory Hirsch, and Leslye Faulk Filicia; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Visitation will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Laughlin Service Funeral Home with the graveside service following at 2 at Maple Hill Cemetery with Dr. Darryl Goldman officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a favorite charity
.

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2/28/2009 
Note from Robert Staggs:

Jo Anna, for anyone who is interested, my grandson (Ryan Parker) is entered in the rodeo in Huntsville, they can watch him try to ride a bull. He is scheduled to ride on Sunday March 8th.

Robert

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2/20/2009
Sympathy is extended to Carole (Gingrich) Hedges and her family.
Carole's mother (Mary F. Gingrich) passed away Wednesday at the age of 94.

March 11, 1914 - Feb. 18, 2009
Frances Gingrich, 94, of Madison died Wednesday.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Gingrich.

She is survived by her son, John Richard Gingrich and his wife Linda; daughter, Carole A. Hedges and husband William; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church with visitation one hour prior to services with Valhalla Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

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2/6/2009
Sympathy is extended to Jeri Lynn (Jones) McAllister and husband Bobby in the death of their daughter (Andrea Jill McAllister Larsen) who passed away Wednesday. - Jo Anna

Larsen, Andrea Jill McAllister 

March 13, 1963 - Feb. 4, 2009

Andrea Jill McAllister Larsen, 46, died Wednesday at her home in Huntsville.
She was the daughter of Bobby and Jeri [Lynn Jones] McAllister and the granddaughter of the late Henry and Carolyn Jones and Mamie McAllister, all of Huntsville.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by three brothers, Joe, Jeff, and Jeremy; four nephews and nieces; and by two children, who were the joy of her life, Robert Angelo Larsen, 19, and Katherine Nicole Larsen, 16, who have alternated their time between Huntsville and Hawley, Pa., where their father lives.
Jill attended Madison Academy, Whitesburg Middle School, and Grissom High School. Although she was disabled and mostly confined at home, she had a host of friends who loved her and depended on her for moral support and encouragement. 

 


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