Robert E. Lee High School
1954 Class Page 24
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Baytown, Texas
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Class of 1954
The information and pictures we have is from several years ago. Please update your pictures and/or information and on anyone you know or who is deceased.  E-mail or mail to: Georgann Walker, 9662 Hickory St., Richards TX 77873 or call 936-851-2272. Please contact those you know and have them send updates. THANKS.
Joyce Ann Pauler Braus (James)  2007 Tangle Lake Dr.
Kingwood, TX 77339-3357  (281) 358-3526  joycebraus@embarqmail.com
My life has taken so many unexpected twists and turns, which a lil-ole girl from Baytown never expected that I’ll make this brief.
Mary Parker Morris (*Allen)
708 Oak Forest Rd.
Marble Falls, TX 78654-7875
  Married 1954 Allen West.  Divorced in 1977.
     Four children: Mark, Kirk, Kelly and Robyn West.
     Married in 1981 to Jim Braus.  Six children added to family: Joan, Sharon, Paula, John, David and Linda.  Retired in 1992
     2004 Update:  We are still enjoying retirement: traveling, visiting children and grandchildren and loafing.  Along with 10 children we have added 5 husbands (no wives), 10 grandchildren and one great grandchild. 2 grand daughters are married, one is expecting and 2 more will be married this year.
Frances Parkinson King (*Richard)  317 Rustic Ridge  Garland TX 75040
(972) 495-4925  rekfpk@verizon.net
Married September, 1955 to classmate Richard King.  I am presently employed at The Chicago Title Company as an Accounting Manager.  We have
four children: Pam, 36, Amy, 34, Scott, 31 and Chris, 23.
   We also have 5 grandchildren: Amanda, 16, Matthew, 13, Adam, 13, Chase, 6, and Addison, 6.  We have lived at 317 Rustic Ridge Dr. in Garland, Texas, since 1979, and prior to that at 913 Kingsbridge Dr. in Garland from 1965.
(D) Odis Perkins (Glen) 1998
(D) Frankie Sue Pfardrescher-Block 2/28/05
Pat Patrick Vestal  308 X. W. 16th Ct., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33315  myangelnet@yahoo.net
I left Robert E. Lee in my junior year to get married and move to Bermuda where I lived 6 months.  My husband was in the Air Force and upon leaving Bermuda, we were sent to Salina, Kansas (the absolute "jumping off place").  We lived there a year and we had a son born while we lived there. (However, I did have Texas dirt shipped to me
I went to college in San Marcos at SWTSTC, now Southwest Texas University.  I met and married Wilfred H. Block in 1956.  My husband played football and graduated in 1957.  We have a daughter Jackie and a son Marty.  Jackie is a RN, specializing in Obstretrics and Marty attended and graduated fro Baylor University where he received an academic and athletic scholarship. 
so he could be born "over Texas soil" so I definitely consider him to be a Texan.)  We moved back to Baytown and had a daughter.  Since I didn't actually graduate with the class, I went for my GED and then attended Lee College.  I worked for San Jacinto Hospital until my divorce in 1959.  I then moved to Pasadena where I attended San Jacinto Jr. College for a while and worked at Northshore Hospital in Greens Bayou.  During my "single years", I occasionally ran into a few old classmates from Baytown and even dated some of them.  Realizing I couldn't make a living working in the hospital, I went to work as a Private Secretary in Houston at Comet Rice Mills.  I worked there 2 1/2 years and then got offered an Executive Secretarial position with Brown & Root.   It was indirectly through this job that I met my present husband, Jim Vestal.   We have been married for 36 years.  A lot of things happened in between all these years, a lot of good and a fair share of them "challenging".  However, I've managed to make a lot of my lifelong dreams come true and truly feel blessed and fulfilled.  I have traveled to 13 different countries and always wanted to see where "Heidi" grew up and go to Venice and ride in a gondola.  I was able to do both as well as go to the top of the Matterhorn, see the real Mona Lisa,  Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and the Palace at Versailles.  We moved to Dallas where I graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in Psychology.  I've spent most of my working years after graduating as a Director of Marketing for various companies.  My husband, who spent most of his adult life in a career in upper management and finally got sick of it and decided to make a mid-life career change and become a massage therapist. He now has a very successful practice here in Ft. Lauderdale and we own a Wellness Center.  I became a Reiki Master in 1997 and teach Reiki classes and do private Reiki sessions.  Reiki, for those who don't know, is a form of "hands on energy healing".  We both love what we do.  I retired from the corporate world in 1999. I only work part time now and have just started learning to paint.
   As I said earlier, we've certainly had our share of "downs" as well as "ups".  My husband had a heart attack in 1984, had two angioplasties then and had by-pass surgery in 1997.  He is doing well now, though.  We both love and hate Florida.  It definitely isn't Texas but then again, I'm sitting on the beach of the Atlantic Ocean writing and it is a beautiful day so I guess you can't ask for much more.
I am still very much a Gander fan - I guess it's in the blood.  I came from Pelly so I'm a former Pelly Rat and I still have great love for Robert E. Lee.
  Marty also received a MA in Business and Accounting at the University of Houston.  He works for Artesia Data in Houston.  I retired from teaching after 32 years.  I have a BA and MA degree in Education.  My husband has taught and coached. He coached the Cuero Gobblers to the state football finals in 1973, ‘74 and ‘75.  My husband has served as Administrative Assistant to the Supt. of Schools for about 15 years.  We have a six month old granddaughter and our son and his wife are expecting their first child, a boy, in August.  My hobbies are sewing, crocheting, swimming, bicycling, traveling and country music.  I also enjoy keeping infants and small children.  My husband and I enjoy keeping infants and small children.  My husband and I enjoy going to rodeos, and I enjoy arts and crafts, painting, collecting semiprecious stones and rocks.  I breed and sell Maltese dogs and puppies.

Ed: Mar 2, 2005:  Frankie Sue Pfardrescher Block, 68, passed away February 28, 2005.
She was born March 18, 1936 in Houston, Texas, to the late John H. and Ella Marbary Pfardrescher. She was a volunteer at Hunt Elementary School and for the Cuero Community Hospital Auxiliary. She was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Wilfred H. Block of Cuero; daughter, Jackolyn Streety, and son-in-law, Philip Streety of Smiley; granddaughter, Karly Streety; daughter-in-law, Melissa Block of Overland Park, Kansas; grandson, Grady Block; and brother, John Howard Pfardrescher of Liberty.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Marty Block; and a sister, Sally Waters.
Visitation Wednesday, March 2, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Cuero. Burial at Memory Gardens of Cuero.
Harolyn Pickett Brundrett (Tommie) 2011 Mapleton Houston, TX 77043 (713) 464-0414
Brundyenergy@gmail.com
IN 1989:  After all these many years, I am still married to the same wonderful man. Both of our boys are out of college.  The oldest, 31, is living and working in Houston (never been married).  The  youngest is 26, married and living in San Antonio.  As for me, I am working very hard.  improving my golf, bridge and shopping skills.
(D) Sylvia Patterson-Davis (Charles) 05/20/2009
Sylvia Patterson Davis (Charles)  387 Elkins Lake,  Huntsville, TX 77340  (936) 295-3926  davis5213@sbcglobal.net
After graduation for REL went to Lee College, graduated in 1956.  Graduated 1957 from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.  While at SHSU, met husband, Charles  Smither Davis. 
Married August, 1957.  Moved to Waco, Texas where Charles attended Baylor Law School and I taught in the public schools for two years.  Upon Charles’ graduation, moved to New Orleans, La.  In 1961, returned to Huntsville, Charles’ hometown, where he
(D) Shirley Piwetz-Tynan
May 1975
joined his father’s law firm.  I returned to teaching in 1962--Taught 5th and 7th grade Texas History-- Retired in 1992.  Charles and I have two sons:  Charles Jr. (Charlie) born 1958 and Joseph Wayne born 1960.  Two Grandsons:  Cole Wayne (1988) and Dalton Smither (1993).  I am active with husband and sons in the 4D Cattle Company, a cow/calf operation, and I also serve as a member of the Huntsville Planning and Zoning Commission.
  It seems impossible that 40 years could go by so fast.  We did have fun in those days!  Let’s get together as long as we can!  May we all have happy, fulfilling years ahead.

Sylvia passed away May 20, 2005 after a long illness. Survivors include husband Charles, son Charlie Davis of Huntsville and wife Kay, son Wayne Davis of Huntsville and wife Kelly, grandchildren Cole and fiancé Reyann Lyde, Kirby, Dalton, Samantha and Daniel; one sister, Linda Lintz of Baytown and husband Ted, nieces and nephews, Charles, James and Ashley; brother- in- law, Joe Davis of San Antonio and wife Lou, nephews Joe and Mark.
(D) Edward Pillow Feb. 15, 1987
Bobbye Jean Pipkin Campbell (Gene)  8809 McCraw Dr. Dallas, TX 75209 (214) 522-3513 bcbella06@sbcglobal.net
And, so, it’s five years later---where did it go?  While some things have changed, many remain the same.  Changes:  Moved from home to town house – giving up greenhouses and gardening.  Loved the c
(D) Patricia Patton-Thompson  09/27/06
Lufkin, TX
2002: After high school I got my degree in 3 years from Sam Houston State University where I was in the A Cappella Choir, President of Modern Dance Club and Kappa Delta Sorority. I taught Physical Education in Tyler, Tex. 
onvenience,, yet when spring and fall come, my soul yearns to dig in the soil.  During the past 5 years we have added a daughter-in-law and two granddaughters who live I Austin.  Another granddaughter was born to my daughter in New Jersey, joining 2 siblings and bringing my grandchild count to 5!  My baby daughter is not married-she is a registered nurse and divides her time between hospital nursing in Dallas and working for Doctors Without Borders, an international humanitarian relief organization.  Her most recent assignment was 6
There I met an Aggie, Keith Thompson, and we married 2 weeks later.  That was 1957, and no one thought it would last. We have 1 Daughter and 2 sons.  Diana was summa cum laude in college, married a lawyer and has 4 children.  Lee (re-married to Julie), got his degree, (Naval Commission), from A&M and is career Navy, Lt. Commander, and has 3 children.  Lee's wife is a nurse/anesthesiologist. He will be retiring from the Navy in Jan ’05 with 20 years service.  Clay got his Art Degree from Illinois State U., married with no children.
  We also now have a great-granddaughter.  
weeks in Macedonia tending to the medical needs of Yugoslavian refugees.  I tend to live vicariously through her pursuits as this is something I would have loved doing. 
Remaining the same:  Involvement with a growing family, which has already been outlined.
Since we have given up our demanding yard, I’ve revived my dormant interest in photography.  Will take a travel photography trip (including instructions) to Italy in the fall with my baby daughter, as she also has an interest, and will probably have great opportunities for picture taking in the future.  Have maintained a primary focus on needlepoint-my creative outlet.  Discovered I can immortalize myself in the family by stitching Christmas stockings for everyone.  My husband, Gene, continues his custom home building business following a 9-month illness (meningitis) which rendered him unable to do any activities of daily living – his recovery has been miraculous and remarkable.
Hopefully, this 45th reunion year (can it really be?) finds all of you in good health and enjoying the fruits of your labors.
    Keith and I lived in Moline, Illinois, Schenectady, N.Y., and Peoria, Illinois, where Keith was Corporate Head of Industrial Hygiene for Caterpillar, Inc.  We retired and moved to Lufkin.  All these years I've been painting and am a self-taught artist.  The artist Albert Tauch of Baytown was my uncle.  (Some of you have his art.)  I've served on the Illinois Art League Board, the Illinois Arts & Sciences Council, Art League of Sabine, Art League of Baytown, the Lone Star Art Guild and the past 3 years I've been President of The Lufkin Art Guild. (I told them this is definitely my last year.) I use to ride an 1100 Yamaha Verago Motorcycle, but 2 new hips made me sell it.  Keith still has his Harley. ( Gosh, I miss riding!!)  It's hard to squeeze 66 years into one paragraph, but I've had a good life and love being happy with the hand in life that God dealt me.

ED: Pat had and operation for Colon cancer in July of 2006.  Then in the early part of Sept 2006,  it was found that the cancer had spread. She returned home from the hospital to have Hospice care and the care of her husband Keith until she passed away on Sept. 27, 2006.
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