Reunion October 25, 2014

Thanks to the excellent photography work of Rosemary Futch, I am able to publish below a slideshow of photographs taken at our 55th reunion of the LHS Class of 1959. Photographs are from the Hilton Garden Inn (October 25, 2014) and Cleveland Heights Golf and Country Club (October 26, 2014)

Lamar Baxley

Sadly, another classmate has passed away.  Roy Lamar Baxley passed away on Wednesday, July 16, 2014.  He was married for 54 years to another of our classmates, Luvenia Jones.  Our prayers and good wishes go to Luvenia and her family.

I have posted his junior class photo on our In Memoriam Page.

55th Reunion Invitation Form

If you were unable to successfully download the 55th reunion invitation form from the email that I sent, you should be able to get it from this link - 55 Reunion Invitation Form.

Eddie Gandy, Husband to Our Own Barbara Brantley Passes Away

Harold Edward Gandy

With sadness we acknowledge the passing of Eddie Gandy.  According to his obituary, he graduated from LHS with the class of 1958.  He was a very active and distinguished citizen of Lakeland, having a city pool named in his honor.  Eddie was married to our own Barbara Brantley.  You may view Eddie's obituary in The Ledger.

Fred Johnston

Fred Johnston passed away at age 74 on December 27, 2012, from heart failure, in Lakeland, Florida.  Here is his obituary.  His brother, Ted, still lives in Lakeland, Florida.

Ruby Lewis Excels in Polk County Track Meet

In the most recent Polk County Track Meet, Ruby Lewis competed in three events.

• She finished in 1st place in the 3200 meter race (1.99 miles).
• She and her 4 x 800 meter George Jenkins relay team finished in 1st place.  800 meters is essentially 1/2 mile.
• She finished in 3rd place in the 1600 meter race (.99 miles).

Ruby is the granddaughter of Ronnie and Carolyn Lewis.

Harrison Payne Passes Away

On the evening of March 7, 2014, Harrison Payne passed away.  Harrison’s wife, Marge, has advised that a memorial service will be held in Harrison’s honor on Thursday, March 11, 2014, at 11:00 AM.  The service will be held at Lake Gibson United Methodist Church, 424 West Daughtery Road.

Obituary and Memorial Service for Beatrice (Bea) Johnson

The obituary of Bea Johnson has been published, and her husband, Bill Johnson, has announced details of a memorial service for Bea.  Here is a link to her obituary.  The memorial service will be held on March 22, 2014, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.  The location will be Hugh Turbeville's facility on East Orange Street.  Bill invites you to celebrate Bea's life with him and his friends.

Bea Johnson, Wife of Bill Johnson, Passes Away

Bill and Bea Johnson at Our 50th Class Reunion

Bea Johnson, wife of our own Bill Johnson, passed away today, February 11, 2014, about noon time, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, from complications following a fall.

Bill and Bea have been adopted as our own. Bill played a huge roll in building our class website and blog. Bill and Bea also attended many of our class parties and our 50th class reunion.

Leon Futch and His New Hearing Aid Dog, Nickie

In Rosemary Futch's own words:

We are now back from Santa Rosa,Calif. and here is a picture of Leon and his Hearing Dog-Nickie. Leon graduated with only missing one question on his final exam. Nickie alerts Leon to all sounds-cell phone, door knock,timer and many more.  Learn more about these dogs by visiting Canine Companions For Independence.

LHS Class of 1959 - 55th Class Reunion

Charlyne Steele would like for all classmates to know that she has taken the initiative and is working to  organize a 55th reunion bash for the class.  It will neither be as big nor as formal as the 50th.  She has chosen Saturday, October 25, 2014, and is asking you to save the date and to 'spread the word".  Additional information will be forthcoming from Charlyne.

Larry (Tug) Hale - American Legion, Post 29

The American Legion National Commander visited our Post 29 in Marietta, GA, on January 24, 2014 for a luncheon, on his whirlwind tour of a few Metro Atlanta posts. I was privileged to present him with a token gift from our American Legion Riders family from that post, after the luncheon. 

National Commander receives his gift of a Motorcycle key holder.

Post 29 Commander and me, before the presentation to the National Commander.

Tug Hale
Post 29