LHS Class of 1959 Christmas Party - 2011

Fifty persons, including grandchildren and guests attended the LHS Class of 1959 Christmas party.  Ken Hughey, class of 1958 and his wife, Sonja, were first time attendees.  Ken, at hughey01@msn.com, is a member of a Gospel singing trio called Chapter III Trio.  As usual, the food was wonderful, and the camaraderie was even better.  Please enjoy the slide show.

John Hall Porte Passes Away at Age 70

Mr. John Hall Porte, 70, died 7/21/11 due to brain abscess. He is survived by his loving family.

Great News for Ed & Jayne Neel - Biopsies are Negative

I have just spoken with Ed Neel.  His surgery for removal of the upper lobe of his left lung was successful.  The really great news is that the biopsies of the surrounding tissue and lymph nodes were negative for the spread of the malignancy.  Ed wishes to express his thanks for the cards and calls he has received.

Ferrin Hicks Hospitalized With Pneumonia

Ferrin Hicks has advised me that he is hospitalized with pneumonia.  It seems that he has an epiglottal dysfunction that is allowing food particles to enter his larynx and thus the trachea.  He is being taught new swallowing techniques, and he hopes to be released on Tuesday, June 7, 2011.  Ferrin asks for your prayers and positive thoughts.

Jimmy Carling Passes Away From Lung Cancer

James Turner Carling

Marla Carling, Jimmy's wife, reports that he passed away in his sleep May 18, 2011, at about 9:30 PM.

About a year ago, Jimmy had the lower lobe of a lung removed and was told that the surgery was successful in removing all of the cancerous tumor(s).  However, four weeks later, to the day, he was stricken with a seizure.  The cancer had metastasized to two tumors in the brain.  Both tumors responded to radiation therapy and appeared to go away.  Then, a new tumor appeared on the other side of the brain.  In a period of two days, near the end of January 2011, Jimmy had five strokes.  He did somewhat recover from these strokes and seemed to be doing fairly well, despite being given about two weeks to live at that time.

Marla's prayers were answered in that Jimmy passed in his sleep and did not suffer excruciating head pain from the metastatic brain tumors.

Class Party May 14 2011

Forty-four classmates and guests attended this late spring, early summer party.  I managed to get a shot of everyone except Robert Wilson.  Robert, I offer my apology.  Please enjoy the following slideshow.

Ed Neel Fighting Early Stage Lung Cancer

Jayne Neel furnished to following information about Ed Neel.

"Ed was recently diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma Squamous Cell Carcinoma Link to Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the upper left lobe of the lung. It looks like we caught it early, but won’t know if we are out of the woods until after his surgery on 6/2/11 at which time they biopsy the lymph nodes and if they are clean, they will remove the upper left lobe of the lung. He is doing fine and had no symptoms, but was having a routine pre-op chest x-ray for a knee replacement when it was discovered. I think we may have been lucky in that the knee surgery was scheduled."

Ed and Jayne will appreciate your prayers and your thoughts in the upcoming days and weeks.

John Goddard Little Acres Farm BBQ

LHS Class members from 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, and 1961 attended a BBQ on Tuesday, March 8, and Wednesday, March 9, 2011, held at John & Kathy Goddard's Little Acres Farm on Wilder Road in Lakeland, Florida.  Please enjoy the following slide show, and let me know if you spot any errors.

William A. "Butch" Moody Loses Fight With Lung Cancer

Butch Moody passed away at 11:57 PM, March 3, 2011, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.  Butch is survived by his wife of 31 years and our classmate, Suzanne Deaton Moody.  Butch loved our periodic class parties and was often instrumental in scheduling them.  He always stood ready to offer others a helping hand, especially with mechanical things.  He will be missed around the Lakeland area.

A memorial service will be held for Butch at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, March 8, 2011, at the First United Methodist Church on Lake Morton.  The address is 72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland, FL 33801.

Butch's obituary and guest book can be accessed at the following links:
Obituary
Guest Book 

Butch Moody Update - February 12, 2011

Butch was hospitalized Tuesday, February 8, 2011, with respiratory distress and extreme fatigue.  Testing finally revealed that he has a blood clot in his left lung, the same lung in which the malignant tumors are located.  Butch has had blood transfusions and is currently receiving medication to dissolve the blood clot.  He is feeling a little stronger today and was released to go home.  He must, for life, take a daily injection, most likely Heparin, in his stomach area to dissolve and prevent blood clots.  Butch and Sue can use your prayers and positive thoughts.

Ray Olinger Loses Sister and Brother Within a Three-Day Period

Ray Olinger's sister, Wanda Green, passed away on January 21, 2011, of heart failure, and his brother, Dale Olinger, passed away on January 24, 2011, of pneumonia.  The following are links from The Ledger' obituary columns:
Wanda Green's Obituary
Dale Olinger's Obituary

Ferrin Hicks Hospitalized

Ferrin Hicks called from the hospital, asking that I let his classmates and friends know that he is hospitalized with an infection, possibly a wisdom tooth.  He is in room W351.  No more information is currently available.