Editors Note: The majority of my contact information has changed to:
Phone number (cell only, no land line (817) 845-1251
Personal email address: sswellborn@yahoo.com
AHS Website email address: sswellborn@AHS1962.com

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I was saddened to learn that two of our classmates, Bill Horsley and Donald Brett passed away recently. Donald was married to another classmate, Diane Havdra. Following are their obituaries. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to all the families and friends.

William (Bill) Harrison Horsley

May 31, 1944 to March 19, 2009

William (Bill) Horsley was born to parents Tip Alonzo Horsley and Dottie Jane Pierce Horsley. He was born and reared in Arlington, Texas where he attended public school through high school. He completed two years of work toward a bachelors degree in English at Texas Tech university in Lubbock, Texas. Bills working career was in direct sales, where his outgoing personality and cheerful attitude served him well.

Bill was living in New Port Richey, Florida at the time of his death. He was a member of the Shady Hills Methodist church in Spring Hill, Florida.

Family members have requested that donations be made to the American Lung Association, smoking cessation program in memory of Bill Horsley.

Bill is survived by his son, William H. Horsley Jr, brothers Patrick Horsley of Montogmery, Texas, Tip Horsley of Spring Hill, Florida and sister Frances McDonald of Irving, Texas.

Bill was always fond of literature and especially poetry. One of Bills favorite verses, penned by him, follows.

Love Sleep
by Bill Horsley, February 1988

Deep asleep we see different meanings,
Seeing creeds and deeds overcome greed,
But yet, vanity still rules our being,
What then do we really need?

We need god as sure as we will always be,
The meanings, then, are still the same.
Even though happiness comes in obscurity, poverty, wealth or fame,
If we learn to wade through the sins of lifes game,
The greatest happiness comes with love,
And God is the greatest love on earth or above.

Deep asleep we may sometimes have the great feeling of flying,
But even that soaring, high feeling is nothing like loves might.
Once in a dream I soared to an enormous mansion of stones,
And inside, I seemed to be flying into the vast unknown.
Once inside, I saw the powers of love in that unknown was a vanity zone.
Oh, but how great to be within heaven and all the real power of love.
Gods perfect love is much more pure: Have I said enough?

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Donald William Don Brett, loving husband, father, grandfather Pappy, brother and uncle, passed away quietly in the loving care of his family at home Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009.

Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church with Father Jim Gigliotti, TOR, as celebrant. Interment: Moore Memorial Gardens. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Moore Funeral Home with rosary at 7 p.m.

Memorial: American Cancer Society, 3301 West Freeway, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, in lieu of flowers.

Don was born Sept. 16, 1943, in Milford, Conn., the middle of three boys. The family moved to the Fort Worth area in 1949 and attended St. Ritas Catholic Church. In 1958 the family moved to Arlington and Don graduated from Arlington High School in 1962. Don was a longtime member of St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church where he was a eucharistic minister. Don was employed at Lockheed Martin for 43 years. In the later part of his career, he was a lead man in the missiles division.

Don married his high school sweetheart, Diana Havrda, in 1964. Don and Diana were born exactly one week apart at the same hospital in Milford, Conn.; however, they did not meet until years later in the halls of Arlington High School.

Don went to work for LTV (now Lockheed Martin) in January 1966. He was drafted shortly thereafter and proudly served his country in the Army as a Spc. 5 in the 10th Chemical Platoon at Fort McClellan, Ala. He served two years of active duty and returned to Lockheed Martin. During his long career he earned numerous citations for his valued contributions to the missiles division.

Don enjoyed family vacations to places as diverse as Salado, Las Vegas, Nev., and Shreveport. He had an uncanny ability to pick a winning slot machine. Don loved a good meal and a Crown Sour and looked forward to a Vegas buffet or dinner at the Stagecoach Inn.

Pappy was a quiet man who was happiest when surrounded by his children and their families. He was an uncomplicated man who took full advantage of lifes simple pleasures: family, food and fun. Don will be missed very much by everyone who knew and loved him.

The family wishes to express gratitude to Odyssey Healthcare for the support and compassionate care.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin J. and Evelyn Brett.

Survivors: His loving wife of 44 years, Diana Brett; sons, David Brett, wife, Heather, and their children, Callie, William and Presley, of Katy, and Army Sgt. Daniel Brett and his son, Wesley, of Mississippi; brothers, Ray Brett and wife, Pru, of Arlington and Jerry Brett and wife, Sharleen, of Trophy Club; uncle, Ray Secor and wife, Judy, of California; and sister-in-law, Babs Landon of Arlington. Numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends are saddened by his passing.

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The following was received from Dee Dee Mosby Winter:

This is a a picture taken at my house for a gathering we had when Suzie Deering Blackwell came into town in November...lunch and catching up with each others busy and fulfilled lives.

Top row...Bonnie Beebe Gore, Stevie Campbell Huff, Mary Tannahill, Kathy Dormier Hancock, Genie Culbertson Hermann, DeeDee Mosby Winter, Iris Roberts Johnson, and Dorothy Ibsen Zemler.

Second row...Dee Butler Moorehead, Kay King, Gayle Stark Hamrick, Eddy Bost Branch, Jackie Kelly Wells, Jill Jones Burnett, Suzie Deering Blackwell and Pat Walden Myrick.

Seated...Charlotte Moffit Mitchell

Judy OHalloran East took the photo!

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Linda Garner Gipson, Bubbas sister, really enjoys keeping up with her brothers class. She sent the following for those who were friends with and remember Bubba:

I feel so close to your class and enjoy hearing all the news. Im sending pictures of my family that were taken on vacation this past summer. We had such a great time spending a week together in a beach house on Navarre Beach, FL., that we are going back to the same house in July. I would like it if you want to use one or more of these in your next newsletter.

The names are (not necessarily in order of the photo): Britni, Marcie, Brock, Marc, Mitch, Michele, Baleigh, Bekah, Melinda, Luke, Linda and Jim.

Editorial Note: Kuddos, Linda for keeping all those people especially the children bright and shiny white for the photo session!

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This next message was received after sending out the January Newsletter:

I went through every month, and enjoyed getting updated...again.

The memorial page for Carol Sommers was really great. I will always miss her. She was a special and unique person.

I dont remember which month it was, but I was almost reeled in by the story about the mysterious life of Sonny Wooten! No wonder he had to escape to China.

And congratulations Mark! You look great....for an old guy! :)

Dorothy I. Zemler

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I suppose a great caption for this photo would be: THEY STEPPED IN WHAT?

L-R: Steve & Judy East, Sonny & Barbara Wooten, Tex & Connie Hook, Mark & Anita Lamkin. The eight of us met for lunch prior to attending the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo on Friday afternoon, 30 January 2009.

You might also add that among this group, weve accumulated over 174 years of marriage. Easts and Wootens 44+ years each....Lamkins and Hooks 43+ years each!

Everyone had a great time and were starting to brainstorm our next adventure.

Gerald (Tex) Hook Russellville, AR

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Editors Note: I received a note from Judy Pirkle Baskey following the article about visiting Hawaii: Gene and I are on the Big Island of Hawaii until 28 May and would love to see any classmates that might be visiting during this time. Our home phone number here is 808-326-7633. Normally, were here for the whole winter, but because I had foot surgery in Seattle in the fall, we arrived later than usual. Judy Pirtle Baskey

Until next issue - Caio, all!