HiLites

With much sadness I want to let you know that Cathy lost her battle with cancer on Saturday, July 5, only 10 days after her 70th birthday. After initially being denied experimental treatments, she did get one doctor to recommend her for a couple of programs, but none were able to halt the onslaught of this vicious disease.

Thanks to all of you that sent their support via heartfelt thoughts and prayers. That seemed to help her in some small way to mitigate the depression and hopelessness she was feeling.

Our older brother, Ed, died of cancer in 1992 at the age of 55. My dad died of cancer at the age of 77. The rest of us kids, Stan, Alex, Matt and Walt are being very vigilant now about our health and this disease and contributing whenever we can toward it's prevention and cure.

Tony Camerano '60 passed away in 2004. Tony was born in 1943, was a graduate of New Mexico State University, and served in the U.S. Army from 1965-2000.

Patricia D. Tampke
Patricia Dorothy Granger Tampke, age 66, passed away Friday February 1, 2008. Patricia was born May 27, 1941 to the late Joseph Wayne Granger and the late Eugenia Henrietta Slaughter Granger in Clifton, Ohio. She is survived by two daughters and a son: Betty Berlin and husband Drew, Linda Onisiphorou, and Larry Tampke. Grandchildren Crystal Stewart and husband Jim, Justin Berlin and wife Danielle, Holly Berlin, Michele Goldhagen and Husband Aaron, Effie Onisiphorou, John Jones, Four great grandchildren, three step great grandchildren, sister in law Margaret Watkins Granger of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, three nephews, two nieces. She was preceded in death by husband James Tampke of Boerne, Texas, brother Wayne Granger of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and grandson Michael Tampke. Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Vaughan's Funeral Home of Boerne, Texas http://www.vaughanfuneralhome.com/

Pat and I went to school together many years ago at Burtonwood AFB in England. We reconnected several years ago here in San Antonio after so many lost years in between. Pat was a gentle, sweet person who left her endearing mark on us all. I will miss her presence when all the alumni gather at Louis Berger's home to reminisce on the past and catch up on the present. I pray God will comfort her family members in their grief. May they find peace in their faith.

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I went to school with Pat at Burtonwood RAF Station, England. Pat is a very sweet person and I'm glad I had the opportunity to know her. We met again at several reunions stateside. Pat is now re-united with her beloved husband and both are with our Lord.

Pat Granger Tampke and I met at RAF Station Burtonwood in Lancashire, England, 52 years ago. What was not to love about her? From head to toe she was beautiful, but her real beauty was inside! Gorgeous redhead, pale skin with rosy cheeks, a face and body envied by all the girls. But the thing we loved most about her was that she was the sweetest person - a heart of gold, soft spoken, kind and would blush in an instant with any flattery. How lucky was I to get reacquainted with her when Jeanne and I moved to Boerne in 2001. And why was I not surprised that her good-hearted, kind, sweet, soft-spoken manner had not changed. The Alumni of Burtonwood High School who knew her, all remember her exactly the same way. George Wilson has posted a tribute to her on our website http://www.burtonwoodhigh.com. Larry Tampke helped Pat write a tribute to Tex (Jim) Tampke some years ago. It can be found by visiting our In Memoriam Page. Vicki and Larry Ahlemann, our alumni leaders, have emailed all of our members about Pat - it was a special time in our lives. Louis Berger

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Pat, Jim and I (George) went to school together at Burtonwood and Sealand, England over 50 years ago. We have kept in touch over the years and spent joyful times with Pat and Jim at their home in Boerne, and later with Pat alone at get-togethers and reunions with other Burtonwood alums reminiscing about our misspent youth in England and the wonderful memories we all shared. We absolutely agree with the descriptions of Pat in previous tributes and would add that she was a loving, selfless, giving, and gracious lady who will be missed by all and never forgotten. We grieved with Pat when Jim died and we grieve alone now. It hurts our hearts to have another of our friends go home. God bless you, Pat, and God bless Betty, Linda and Larry and the rest of Pat's family as they try to go on without her. George and Lin Wilson

To all Burtonwood Alums,

I would be remiss if I did not explain Marilyn's death. After 48 years of a
beautiful marriage on June 18, Marilyn had a seizure which I thought was a
stroke. She was subsequently diagnosed with a brain tumor and operated on
about June 21. The Dr. removed approximately 70 % of the tumor, but gave us the bad
news . It was a malignant tumor, one of the worst kind. The tumor was spontaneous.

They don't know what caused it. It originated in the brain and no one but God knows why.
She was in the hospital until July 20 going through rehab. We came home and started chemo
therapy and radiation.. She received 28 out of 30 radiation treatments.
Labor Day weekend she became somewhat lethargic as the tumor was growing and
pressure was mounting. After a MRI , the Dr. said the tumor had been
resistant to all treatments . They did put a shunt in to relieve pressure,
but since we had a living will they suggested we go to hospice where she
survived about ten days. I am sure she was in no pain in hospice . She had
nurses, etc around the clock. I even slept there several days. She died Sept
20 a day before my birthday. She fought this horrible "thing " for three
months, but God wanted her in heaven. We are all devastated with her loss.

Sincerely
Jim Emmons

Javelle Jech Carver, 71, of Springdale, Arkansas died Tuesday August 7, 2007 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She was born January 18, 1936 in Savannah, Georgia, the daughter of Robert and Blue Belle Brinson Zipperer. She had worked as an Office Manager and was a member of Trinity Fellowship Assembly of God in Fayetteville.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Rev. Paul R. Jech Sr. and her twin sister, Janette.

Survivors include her husband, Bill Carver of the home; her children, Paul R. Jech Jr. of Bloomingdale, GA; LaQuitta R. Jech of Fayetteville and Melanee Javelle Jech of Bear, DE; 2-brothers, Robert D. Barlow of Otto, NC and Frank D. Barlow of Chengdu, Shichuan, China.

Her children shall rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Proverbs 31:28

Dan Zuk '60 (now Langdon) has been located
with the help of one of his classmates
in Maine where he graduated in 1960.

Received word from Richard Hillman '59 that his wife, Suzanne, passed away on Nov. 14, 2006

Just a note to let you all know that I made my summer trip. I spent an afternoon with Sharon McDermott in Monett, Missouri and an afternoon with George Wilson and wife in Oklahoma City with a bonus of seeing Stan Mortimer at George's home. Thank you all for the hospitality. I had planned to go south to San Antonio but got a call from the nursing school my traveling mate will attend for her RN, so we beat it to New Orleans to spend a couple of days with my son and his family. Hope to see you all in Dallas next August. --- John McCormick

Charles "Chuck" Allen (Burtonwood ’56-’59) sang Elvis’ stuff in England as "Hound Dog" Heaton, but today he only does lip-syncing. Yet, doing that, he won a $1,500 trip-for-two to New Orleans and has entertained thousands for the last two decades by interpreting some songs of the great artists, Ray Stevens, Elvis, John Anderson, Johnny Cash and Kenny Chesney. This retired history prof/teacher and college/high school coach of baseball, basketball, bowling, football and golf has authored seven novels (Ace Rivals won an award) and two film scripts, as well as four books of short stories. Some are in Arkansas and Texas libraries under the name of Charles Heaton Allen. The University of Texas uses Buggy, Spanky & Beef Stories in its nineteen secondary charter schools. (His books are wholesome sports, outdoors, military, sci-fi adventures geared to teens, but most adults like them as well.)

Chuck has attended three Burtonwood HS reunions (Dallas, San Antonio and Las Vegas) and with Joyce – his bride of 42 years – hosted Vicki and Larry Ahlemann as well as George and Lin Wilson in their Hot Springs Village (Ark) home.

Since leaving England, Abe graduated from Colonial High, Orlando, Fla. in 1961.He was in the Navy reserve in his senior year. After graduating, he went on active duty and spent 6 years in the Navy and went to college for Mechanical Engineering. Has lived in Arkansas for the past 13 years. He will be missed by many.

Nine Oklahoma journalists will be honored April 7 during the 36th annual induction ceremonies of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Inductees this year are KTOK News Director Jerry Bohnen, FRIDAY executive editor Vicki Clark Gourley, Oklahoma Press Association Publisher editor Jennifer Duffy Gilliland, former Tulsa Tribune publisher Jenk Jones Jr., TulsaPeople magazine publisher Jim Langdon, Tulsa World columnist Danna Sue Walker, retired Oklahoman photographer George R. Wilson, OSU Daily O’Collegian manager Fritz W. Wirt, and Tulsa World assistant news editor John V. Young.

Sponsored by the UCO Mass Communication Department, the program will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the ballroom at the University Center in Edmond.

Tickets are available for $15 until March 31 by calling Sherry Sump at 974-5303.

Honorees are selected by a committee composed of members of the working press, Society of Professional Journalists and the Hall of Fame. Nomination forms are available from the Mass Communication Department.

Framed citations are on display in a Hall of Fame in the UCO Journalism Building. UCO Mass Communication is administrator of the hall and the Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation helped finance it. The Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation helps underwrite expenses for the ceremony.

Jerry Bohnen is news director of KTOK radio, Oklahoma News Network and Clear Channel Operations in Oklahoma City. He stumbled into broadcasting at Kansas State University while earning a degree in journalism, doing news at the student radio station. He founded the Association of News Broadcasters of Kansas, later serving as president. His awards include the Investigative Reporter and Editors Award and The Edward R. Murrow Award.

Vicki Clark Gourley is chairman of Nichols Hills Publishing Co. and executive editor of FRIDAY newspaper. She joined FRIDAY in 1974 and served as news editor and managing editor before becoming executive editor in 1980. Civic and volunteer honors include the National Conference of Christian and Jews Humanitarian Award, the JC Penney Golden Rule award and many others. She attended Oklahoma State University.

Jennifer Duffy Gilliland began work at the Oklahoma Press Association in 1984 and has been editor of The Oklahoma Publisher since 1990. A native of Mangum, she attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University before working at The Oklahoman and at Oklahoma County Newspapers in Midwest City. A member of FOI Oklahoma, she was president in 2000.

Jenk Jones Jr. spent 32 years at The Tulsa Tribune in jobs ranging from reporter to editor and publisher. He worked for the Colorado Daily while earning a degree from Colorado University. He worked at The Minneapolis Tribune and The Anchorage Times. He was treasurer and director of the AP Managing Editors’ Association. He taught journalism and political history in universities, served as docent at museums and received the Nature Conservancy’s conservation award.

Jim Langdon comes from an Oklahoma newspaper family. His parents, Francis and Gloria Langdon published The Tonkawa News. After graduating from OU in 1974 he worked for the Norman Transcript. He was associate publisher for The Tonkawa News, taught advertising at OU, managed OPA’s Oklahoma Newspaper Advertising Bureau and was president of American Newspaper Representatives in New York. He founded Langdon Publishing Co. and established Tulsa-People Magazine in 1986.

Danna Sue Walker has written the "People and Places" column in The Tulsa World for 24 years. A native of Tulsa, she graduated from the University of Tulsa. She joined The Tulsa World in 1962 as society editor and left to raise her daughters before returning in 1981 to write the column. She was inducted into the University of Tulsa Communications Hall of Fame in 2005, and received the Bill Crawford Memorial Award for commitment to the arts.

George R. Wilson grew up in a U.S. Air Force family that traveled widely and loved photography. After serving in the Air Force himself, he worked as a photographer for Pipkin Photo. He joined the Oklahoma Journal in 1968, becoming chief photographer in 1971. When that paper closed, he joined The Daily Oklahoman and Oklahoma City Times in 1981 and rose to director of photography before retiring in 2001. He set the standard for fine photography and aggressive news coverage and led the paper's conversion to digital photography in the 1990s.

Fritz W. Wirt worked for five years at The Clinton Daily News and a year at The Oklahoman. He worked for 19 years in Texas at the Temple Daily Telegram, El Paso Times, San Angelo Standard Times, Del Rio News-Herald, Huntsville Item and for Harte-Hanks in Dallas. He returned to his native Stillwater as general manager of the Oklahoma State University student newspaper in 1988. He built the paper into a money-maker and developed a self-supporting Web site.

John V. Young has worn many hats, from sports editor of his hometown Cushing Daily Citizen to United Press International in Dallas where he helped cover the Kennedy assassination. He has been UPI bureau manager in Kansas City, editor of the Sapulpa Daily Herald, news editor for the Tulsa Tribune and assistant news editor at The Tulsa World. He is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University.

Today we received word that Rodger (Hickel) Durfee was killed tragically in an auto accident on October 4, 2005.

The Costa Rica Mission Team (16 men, women, & young adults) from University UMC will be leaving Monday morning, June 27, for Alajuela , Costa Rica . We will be spending the first night in-country at Centro Metodista, which is a Methodist Seminary. During the summer they play host to many, many mission teams that arrive in Costa Rica. The next morning will we start our journey to San Isidro where we will stay for the next 7 days. San Isidro is in the central mountain region of Costa Rica . Our project is help build a building for a Costa Rican Methodist congregation in which to hold classes, services, and any other such church related functions.

We are all looking forward to working and worshipping with our fellow Costa Rican Methodists. There is an Internet cafe in San Isidro so my hope is to be able to send out progress reports when I can get to a computer. We arrive in Costa Rica on June 27 and leave July 7.

We have finished with the work project and will be leaving for Alajuela tomorrow morning. We have a free day in the San Jose area and will be going on a river-rafting excursion. The photo shows the progress that we made with the project.

We arrived back in Orange County yesterday afternoon after a fantastic trip. To back up a bit, we left San Isidro Tuesday morning at 9:00am and traveled to Cartago to see the Basilica de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles which is the most famous church in Costa Rica. Stopped for about 40 min. and then traveled to Alajuela to Centro Metodista where we spent the next two nights. We had time to do some shopping in Alajuela that afternoon and had dinner at a nice restaurant downtown. The next day was our excursion day and what a day it was! Costa Rica Expeditions picked us up and took us to breakfast at the Sanchiri Restaurant overlooking the Oroisi Valley. We had breakfast on their outdoor patio and marveled at the wonderful view of the valley with coffee plantations wherever one looked. While at Sanchiri we had the chance to see their Butterfly Farm as well. After that we went whitewater river rafting on a class 2 & 3 river. It was wet, wild and wonderful. The scenery was stunning. Wild rain forest, interspersed with small banana or coffee farms and sugar cane fields. The river rafting company had lunch ready for us when we reached the end of the rafting. There was a place there to shower and change into dry clothes. After lunch we drove to Morovia, which is known for its artisans to do our tourist shopping. I think we satisfied everyone's urge to spend money on tourist stuff. We drove back to CM, had our devotions and then everyone had to pack and get ready for a 4:30am bus pick up to take us to the airport. Our flight took us through Phoenix and then to Orange County and HOME!

I can't say enough about the team and the experience that we had. It was truly remarkable. We worked hard, met terrific people, had spiritual experiences with our new Costa Rican friends, and played hard. But I think the most satisfying was winning the respect and friendship of the Costa Ricans with whom we came in contact