Some of our people have written in their thoughts about the reunion and the enjoyment they experienced. Here are the ones I've received to date.
Fred Epperly:
Thank you!! Thank you to the
"Reunion Committee" for everything you did to make this reunion so great - from
the food, schedule, to the entertainment, all was done just right to make this
the "highlight" of our Pampa High School Class of '58 memories. The only thing I
missed was that all of our classmates could not be there ... those who have gone
on before, were sick, or just unable to be there for whatever reason. Only by
the grace of our merciful God were we able to be there, and I thank Him for
that.
To all the Committee Members: Loyd Waters, Joy Rice, Ralph Depee, Charles
Ritthaler, Dianne Meaker, Maynette Scott, Frank Snow, Roy Morriss, Wayne Slater,
Andy Epps, Melvin Wills, Margo Stanley, Karla Smith, John Mead, Jim Pendergrass
and his wife, Martha Tepera, and Mike Conway, we thank you so much for putting
everything together so well. The decorations, food, schedule, entertainment -
all of it was the best!
We were so thankful that Lloyd was ok. He put so much into everything and
especially the entertainment, he had to be worn out. Thanks, Lloyd! Thank you
Dianne Meaker and whoever else it was that went in with her to buy the beautiful
quilted wall hanging (that she had made) and for sending it to Priscilla. It
meant so much to her as the phone call did from everyone. And also, I won one of
the $50.00 door prizes. That was cool. However, I felt like I would like to
donate it back to the scholarship fund and did that. Maybe I can do more later
for that, as I think that it is a great idea.
I guess the thing that really impressed me the most, though, was how many of our
classmates seemed to be making God priority in their lives. I know that when we
were young, that didn't seem that important to so many of us, but as we have
grown older - and wiser - we know that "It is He that hath made us, not we
ourselves!" Without His Grace in my life, I would hate to think where I might be
now. So I want to thank Him for allowing me to serve Him daily.
One last thing, Mike you have done a terrific job in providing such a great web
site for our class. I have talked to others who can't believe what they see when
they look at it. I know you had some help with it so thanks to them, too. So,
thanks, buddy!
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Joy (Vanderburg) Rice. Would love to have time just to rethink of all the wonderful events of the reunion, plus would like to write a statement, testimonial, etc...regarding the event. I still feel like I'm coming off a "high" of some wonderful experience and of memories that I want to replay over and over. I've had some wonderful "thank-you notes"---including yours and LaVada's that make all the hard work even more enjoyable. ...just don't know how we can ever reclaim the character of our 50th.
Then later, Joy wrote:
I would like to share a little more regarding the "wall-hanging" and phone call
to Priscilla. My son, Ron, was in Del Rio, and I may have mentioned that
our place is next to Glen and Bobby Turnbo, two of Priscilla's brothers.
Anyway, Glen shared with Ron how much our call and what the "wall-hanging" meant
to Priscilla and the rest of the family. Ron said that as Glen shared the
experience of Priscilla having received it ... that there were lots of tears and
sobs. It seems the family was as appreciative as Priscilla. I've
passed this on to Dianne, Fred and Dana as I appreciated their part in it, too.
Its just a good lesson in life for me...we never know what the smallest thing
may mean to others.
I'm so proud to be a part of the Pampa High School Class of 1958. Aren't
we amazing! Just think how much we've grown to appreciate and care for
each other over 50 years. People that have missed these last reunions have
no idea of the joy that the rest of us have experienced. When you hear
statements like it's too bad this couldn't have lasted another day or I just
didn't get to visit with everyone, you know people have enjoyed themselves.
And on a personal note, to have received the many, many thank you notes - all
with such positive and appreciative comments. Well, it makes every minute
of the work involved worth it. I don't know the originator of our classes'
slogan, "We are great...we're the class of '58", but they should be credited
with tremendous forethought. (Editor's
note: I added the history of our slogan to the initial page of the website). So from one golden oldie to another, I look
forward to seeing everyone again in 2013, and thank you for coming. You
made it an event that my memory will replay many times.
Blessings
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Tany Brown. As an "in-law" (I married Bobby W. Brown) in the Class of 58, I want to give a testimonial about the 50th reunion. It was awesome! Thanks to all who worked so hard to make it a success. We have been to every reunion, and from the first I have felt a part of the class ... not an outsider. I wish I could have the opportunity to thank each of your mothers for raising such wonderful children. The love you have for each other is obvious and I am so thankful to be included.
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Larry Cruise. I wanted to tell you what a great job all of you have done. I know it takes a lot of time and energy but the rest of us are most appreciative. I regret that I wasn't able to stay for the rest of the reunion, but I thoroughly enjoyed the Friday gathering. What a great bunch we graduated with.
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Linda (Steele) Perry. I find myself drifting into memories of the reunion, seemingly at the drop of a hat, and then I want to rehash it all with you...again!! I do wish that I had thought to suggest that we all bring our senior yearbooks to read, pass around, and maybe write stuff to each other again! Wouldn't that have been fun?
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Jeannie Gaut (Wife of Bill Gaut). Here are the pictures I took at the Reunion. We sure had a good time and look forward to seeing you all again, sooner rather than later.
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Mary (Shaw) Denham. Had a wonderful time ... everything was GREAT ... I am glad you all had a good time, and yes, we will look forward to the 55th.
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Margaret (Derryberry) Bishop. I am so glad that he (Loyd) is doing fine. I just got home (to Oregon) and it was a wonderful time together and you guys really went all out ... I am so glad I came.
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Max Griggs. It was so great to so many people at one time, and they all were having a good time.
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Shirley (Hankhouse) Beauchamp.
When I can get "my act" together and take time to "think" (hard thing to do
sometimes), I am going to express my feelings about our recent reunion ...
needless to say it was and always will be a "special time in my life". I didn't
think they could get any better but WAS I WRONG. This past reunion was
awesome. I can't begin to find the words to express how wonderful the time
was. There is no way to express my thanks to everyone on the committee.
Words just don't express the feelings. I know it was a labor of "love"
because it showed in everything that was done and everyone who worked SO HARD
... to make it the outstanding event it was.
My family and friends here are probably tired of hearing me talk about it but
TOO BAD. I have just started. I'm kidding about them being
tired of me talking about it. Last week we were at my youngest son's
house, and I just HAPPENED to have the CD. They all watched it from
beginning to end and even asked questions when they could get a word in from me
telling them. Even my two granddaughter, 9 and 7, sat there and watched
and REALLY enjoyed the music.
Mike ... the entire Web Site is "outstanding" I am not really a good computer
person, but I do know that it is A LOT of work and you are so gracious to keep
it up for all of us to enjoy.
Memories are so wonderful and to be able to look at our Web pages is just
priceless.
Thanks again so much.
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The following are new testimonies since Friday, Sept. 26th
Loyd Waters. I
have reflected on and relived the 50th so many times, and each time I am
reminded that my life has been so blessed by having the privilege to have been
born and raised in Pampa and to have been in the class of 1958. What a joy it
was to have each of you return and be part of this memorable event in our life
... 50 years of memories. To see you, to cry with you, to laugh with you (and at
you!) will be a memory that I think will always be there when other things may
fade from my memory .
I can only say that the only thing missing was those that were unable to attend
or perhaps just chose not to do so. They just missed one heck of a time and will
never know and experience what each of us came away with from the reunion .
I have received so many cards and emails expressing your appreciation and also
your concerns and prayers for my health. I can't tell you how much I
appreciate each of those. I was so embarrassed and disappointed that my
night ended that way. I so much wanted to see each of you before you left.
I could go on and on about the things that I would like to express but will not
do so but must say one other thing. A young lady named Patricia knew something
early when she said "WE ARE DIFFERENT, WE ARE GREAT, WE ARE THE CLASS OF '58".
God bless each of you and may God keep you safe and healthy so that we can all
get together again soon. Loyd
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Ron Biggerstaff. (Ron is the webmaster of the class of '59 and one with whom I've maintained contact). Just got through taking a long look at Class of '58 web site. It's a great site.
I spent a lot of time looking
through it. Lot's of good time had by all back in HS. In retrospect,
I have no idea how we could have had a better growing up period. Lots of good
things back in "the old days". Teachers and town leaders you could look up
to. Good churches. Good parents. I remember we'd be gone out on bikes all day.
No one was upset. I knew plenty of places where doors were open, and Mom was
home. Etc, etc.
For whatever reason, I feel close to those we were in HS with. We actually
are living proof of something that seemed so casual back then were really
periods of greatness.
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