2003 Summer
Watsonville High School
Class Of 1957 Newsletter-"HIGH TIMES"
Vol.11 Original Newsletter written and edited by Betty Bjur
2003 Summer E-edition edited by John Higaki
Happy Summer to all of you. Hard to believe that June 2003 is here. It has
been fun reading about the reunions being planned in our local paper for
this year.Glad to hear that many of you are planning on coming to our 50th
at the Shady Oaks Rest Home in 2007.
News received: Mieko Hirahara retired from Lockheed Martin Missiles &
Space in January. Her retirement plans include yoga classes, golf, travel &
volunteer work. Last year, Mieko & her husband Howard took their first trip
to Japan & had a great time. In Hiroshima, she had the wonderful
experience of staying in the house where her mother spent much of her
childhood. She met many relatives for the first time. Her favorite places
were Kyoto, Miyajima & the countrysides along the Japan Sea. Tokyo was
like New York, so many people but a fun place to shop.
Jules Maderos writes that he is serving the Mayor for the City of Atlanta
as the Chief Information Officer. After leaving WHS he completed his
undergraduate work at the University of San Francisco. He had an
appointment to the Naval Academy but his family talked him out of it, too
far way, only child, etc., but later joined the Navy & became a Naval Flight
Officer Flying was always his first love.He completed 3 tours in Vietnam.
He escaped death 8 times, so he believes that God still considers him a
work in progress. After leaving the Navy he entered the technology field.
He married Grace from St. Louis & they have 3 children. In Watsonville he
was the kid who wanted to see & explore the world outside of his home
town. He was just too darn curious. Fortunately the Navy & the computer
business have accommodated his desires to see & explore. He hopes to
see y'all (Georgia talk) at the next reunion.
Ken Miller writes that he graduated from MPC & SJSU & enlisted in the Air
Force where he was on a missile launch team. While on military duty he
married his wife of 40 years, Catherine of New Orleans. He worked for over
20 years for General Electric in aerospace & power plant engineering. After
that, he worked as an engineering consultant & finished his career as a
project manager with the Sacramento Municipal Utility Dist. Ken & Cathy
have 2 daughters, & four granchildren. Ken retired 3 years ago & lives in
Rocklin, CA. He recently discovered that his neighbors are Marilyn Miller's
sister Barbara & her husband Wayne Holt, both WHS grads.
Bob Rackley retired from teaching last year. He has been golfing, fishing,
subbing & does a little volunteer coaching. Bob & his wife Pat Ackley, class
of '59 have traveled thru the midwest & southern states & took a cruise to
Costa Rica, Jamaica & the Panama Canal. All of this & being active with
their 5 grandchildren keep them busy, but it does beat working. Bob writes
that our classmate, Fay Len says hello to everyone. He is retired & living in
Fairfield. Bob says, when you are heading for Reno or Lake Tahoe on
Interstate 80, call him ahead of time & stop by. He would love to see you .
He is one turn off of 1-80 in West Sacramento. 916-371-6072.
Don Armstrong sends thanks for the newsletter. His sister Doris, WHS '54
doesn't receive a class newsletter & is surprised & envious that he gets one
from his class. His sister Doris is teaching in Budapest. Don is retired & is
getting a little bored wacking golfballs everyday & the Honey Do list so he
is considering a part time position with a former client of his company.
JoAnn Flores has a new great-grandchild Lillian Delphenium Flores. Her
parents are Joe & Susan & brother Michael. She was born in Seattle.
Jerry Gospodnetich died Dec. 7, 2002 in Columbus, Miss. Jerry was a
native of Watsonville & moved to Miss, in Oct. 2001.He served in the Navy
from 1961 to 1966. He is survived by his wife Carole; sons Tim & Larry;
daughters Cheryl & Lisa; brother Anthony & sisters Pat & Betty; nine
grandchildren.
Andy Yarne's mother, Mary Banning Yarnes died Dec. 15, 2002. She
was a native of Argentina & lived most of her life in Watsonville. She is
survived by her daughter Carolyn & son Andy; two grandchildren; two
great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 66
years, Lawrence Yarnes.
Jeanine Hubbard's father, Ellsworth Hubbard died Jan. 18 in
Watsonville. Mr. Hubbard had lived in our area for 75 years. He was
nicknamed "Hub" & "Swede".Mr. Hubbard is survived by his wife of 69
years, Edith; sons Garth & Donald; daughter Jeannine.
Manual Statua's wife Penny Rich Statua died Feb. 28 in Watsonville. She
was a lifelong resident of Watsonville & was in the WHS class of 1958. She
was a member of the Holy Eucharist Church .Penny is survived by her
husband Manual; a son, Michael; daughters Michele & Melissa; her mother,
Florence Rich; brother Timothy & 3 grandchildren.
Earl Rackley's brother Orville Rackley died Apr.16 He lived in Watsonville
most of his life. He served in the Navy after High School. He is survived by
wife Delores;sons,Ron, Rick ,Rex; a daughter Shelly & eight grandchildren.
Betty Jo Parker's father, Normand died May 16 in Watsonville. He had
lived in the local area for 60 years. He was an Army veteran of WWII. Mr.
Parker is survived by his wife Mary; sons Lee & Wilbur; daughters Betty Jo
& Connie; 13 grandchildren & numerous great-grandchildren.
Fred Cadiente's mother, Beatrice died May 24 at home in Watsonville. She
had lived here since 1937. She was a member of the Valley Catholic
church and belonged to the Watsonville Filipino Community. Mrs. Cadiente
is survived by sons John, Fred & Tony; 8 grandchildren; 9 great
grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband John & son
Ro b e r t.
WHS Hall of Fame
Roland Hegpeth, Ed's brother was named to the WHS Hall of Fame this
year. He has taught school in the Pajaro Valley School Dist. for 34 years.
He's also head varsity soccer coach at WHS & has won 26 league titles in
6 Central Coast championships. Of his players, more than 80 % have gone
on to college.
Local beauty queen Lupe Ramirez Flores, a 1967 graduate was honored
for her service to the community. She volunteers for the Look Good, Feel
Better Program to help cancer patients improve their physical appearance
& boost self esteem. Lupe is a cosmetologist.
Dr. Blayne Standage of Oregon was also inducted into the Hall of Fame. A
celebrated surgeon & professor at the Dept. of Surgery at Oregon Health
Services University, Standage has published more than 100 articles on a
wide variety of medical topics.
Colonel Edward Cardon received the award for his bravery & service in
the US Army. The 1978 graduate has served in many of the world's hot
spots, including Bosnia & Albania & was in Germany when the Berlin Wall
came down. He barely escaped with his life after the 9-11 attacks when
one of the hijacked planes destroyed his office at the Pentagon.
Bob Loftin moved to Atwater, CA. after his retirement here in Watsonville.
Bob & his wife Donna have 2 children, Vicki & Ray. His new address is
1621 Fairway Dr. Atwater, CA. 95301
A college roommate of Norman Davies is trying to locate him. If you know
where he is living, please let me know @ 831 7222267, Betty Sue.
Neal Holbrook had successful heart surgery in April. He is on the road to
recovery after the doctors had given him a very pessimistic opinion of
survival . Neal had thought when he went under the anesthesia that was
going to be it. Not a bad way to go but of course one always would like a
little more time. He was amazed when he awoke. We are all so glad that
Neal is doing well.
Don Vines has retired from trucking & sold his home in Long Beach & has
moved to Arizona. His new address is 12200 E. State Rt. 69 Box 345
Dewey, AZ. 86327
A little trivia:
*Most popular names for the class of '57- Betty & Robert (Bob)
*Ninety six classmates still live in the Santa Cruz County.
*Celebrating over 45 years of marriage are Arline Hansen, Bobbie Crisel,
Dave Downey, Sandra Fambrini, Pat Hewett & Yoshi Yoshida.
*Elizabeth (B J) Everton is the youngest in our class.A mere 62 years old.
*JoAnn Flores has the oldest child, 46 & oldest grandchild 26 & oldest great
grandchild, 7. You win the award JoAnn.
*We were 2 years old at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
*We were 13 years old at the end of the Korean War.
*We were 24 at the time of Pres. Kennedy's assassination.
*We were 50 during the fall of the Berlin Wall.
*We were 60 on the first day of Y2K.
*We are getting very close to Medicare insurance, others have arrived.
Maryella Jansen is going to be a grandmother. Her daughter Jenny &
husband Stan are expecting their first child Sept. 2nd.
Judy Johnson & Ted visited Maryella & Jerry in Olympia. They feasted on
salmon & meat from Jerry's grill. They fell in love with Maryella's,
Giuseppe, a wonderful Golden & romped among the herbs in their front
yard garden. Judy's granddaughter Jessica graduated from 8th grade in
Los Gatos. Judy also attended the 6th grade graduation of her last
kindergarten class. Neat kids that will be forever memories. Judy & Ted
keep very busy & love it.
Ed & Adrienne Fagalde, Sally England & Bill, Betty Sue & Allen visited
Virginia Powers Dickens & Bob at their beautiful home in St. George,
Utah. They were treated to a lovely dinner & enjoyed several rounds of golf
with them.
Grant Wrathall's nephew Reza will be married this month in San Diego.
Reza is an officer on a nuclear submarine & Grant was able to go on an
overnight tour on the sub. It was a real experience.
JEFF KLAY, STEVE LEWIS, KEVIN OSBORN
Pat Hewett's son, Lt. Colonel Jeff Klay, is a Squadron Commander at
Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Jeff is a graduate of
WHS, Class of 1983. Jeff was in the ROTC program at San Jose State &
became a Fighter Jet pilot in 1985. Jeff was in Saudi Arabia inside the
building when the terrorist bombed the living quarters there 10 years ago
where many lost their lives . Jeff has been in the military 19 years. He & his
wife Michelle have 2 children, Chase & Alexandra.
Marilyn Morgan's son, Steve Lewis a 1981 graduate of WHS is a Senior
Chief in the Navy Seal.He joined the Navy in 1983. He is the top ranking
officer in his platoon & is an instructor in the underwater training for the
BUDS. Steve is stationed in Coronado. He has served in the Philippines,
Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt,& Guam. He is a Veteran of Desert Storm.
Steve & his wife Misty have 3 children, Natalie, Zach & Luke.
Bob Osborn's son, Major Kevin Osborn, a 1981 graduate of Aptos High
is stationed at Fort Lewis, WA. He was appointed to West Point Academy
after graduation & served in Korea, Germany, Bosnia & Stateside. Kevin is
an advid hunter & fisherman. He trains black Labadors for hunting. Kevin &
his wife Sheryl have 2 children, Brandon & Danielle.
Don Beukers & Mary Ellen just returned from 3 1/2 months RV trip to
southern US, visiting many sights. They stopped at Ft. Gordon in Augusta,
GA where Don had been stationed in 1957 to see if it had changed, it had.
While in Florida, they took a cruise to the Panama Canal & then spent time
at Disneyworld. On the way home they stopped by Branson, MO & totaled
some 13000 miles on the trip. Their next adventure is a month in the UK &
a Baltic criuse to St. Petersburg in July.
Charlene Corrigan's youngest daughter Claire graduated from Hastings
Law School in SF. Claire will be joining the firm of Morganstein & Jubilaire
in SF in the fall. Claire's twin Carin is in her last year of a Masters program
at Dominican University. She plans to become a marriage & family
counselor.Charlene has added a female King Charles Cavalier to her
home, named Shelby, 11 weeks of energy. She joins her 5 year old
Cavalier Joey.Charlene seems to have a mop in her hand most of the time.
Gary Costa writes that nothing new to tell except his 3 year old grandson
Josh fell off thd' monkey bars & broke his arm. Josh thinks its coo! to have a
big cast on his arm.
Betty Sue's daughter, Kerri Barrick graduated from San Jose State
University in May. She majored in English & will begin her student teaching
in Sept. Kerri & her husband have two daughters. Kerri teaches private
piano lessons in her home. SEND NEWS FOR NEXT DECEMBER