Lamar Class of 1959

Houston Luncheon, 5 April 2017 April 2017 Lamar Lunch '59ers

[clockwise from left] Wendell Mendell, Rick Lilliott, Bette Azadian-Leonard, Dee Post Zook-Bell, Lou Parks Gorski, Tish Compton Hale, Frank Jones. Photo provided by Barbara Pickard.

most visited pages: Electronic Orenda Lamar Lunches Obits Panorama Photo

Dear Members of the Class of 1959,

Lack of money for college is the number one challenge facing many of the Lamar High School graduates and their parents today. Because these students cannot afford to attend college, our country is losing valuable “brain capital.”

In 2001, The Lamar High School Alumni Association started the Hope Scholarships for students who have financial needs and are generally “B” students. (It is much easier for “A” students to receive scholarships.) The recipients cannot afford college, but have the ability, character, grades, and motivation to pursue a higher education. Their family’s annual income ranges from $10,000 to $50,000, hardly enough to afford any funds for college expenses.

The impact of the Hope Scholarships is outstanding:
• Since 2001, 45 scholarships have been awarded.
• Awards began at $1,000 annually and are now $2,000 a year.
• If grades are maintained, the award is continued for 4 years.
• Among the graduates are four accountants, two engineers, a legal assistant, an occupational therapist, a teacher with a master’s degree, a nurse, two bankers, and a social worker
• Only 2 students have dropped out of college.

To ensure the long- term vitality of the program, class funds have been created to fund these scholarships. Already eight class funds have been started. The 1958 class fund has raised $17,000 from a few classmates.

Our class has already contributed $1700, but we can do better!

Let’s leave a lasting legacy for the class of 1959. The Lamar High School Alumni Association is a 501(c) (3) organization, and your contributions are tax-deductible within the limits of the law. Please put Hope Scholarship and “1959” on your check payable to the Lamar High School Alumni Association, 3325 Westheimer, Houston.

Thank you for helping these deserving students get the chance of a lifetime…. the opportunity to attend college.

Note to the Class: Our classmates Frank Jones, Frank Kelly and Larry Hitt attended the groundbreaking for the new construction at Lamar on 30 March 2017. It was well attended with representatives from every class beginning with some graduates from the class of 1938! A number of dignitaries spoke including former governor Mark White from the class of 1958, HC commissioned Rodney Ellis, who has had four children attend Lamar and the HISD superintendent. Here is a link to coverage in the Chronicle the following day: http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/bellaire/article/Seven-generations-collide-at-Lamar-High-11039742.php#photo-12638966.

Our Classmate Steve Ley has died in Houston

Our Classmate Don Grimes remembered in Argyle

Lamar of the Future

'59ers in Galveston: 24-26 October 2014 Click here

Our Lamar '59 classmates held a "Hill Country Rendezvous" the weekend of October 26-28, 2012 in Fredericksburg, TX. Photos are linked here; activities and attendees are posted here.

Redskins Controversy and History

Classmate Information
	Our most recent classmate news Hope Scholarships: Our classmates Frank Jones and Sukey Fenoglio are working with the Lamar Alumni Association to establish some scholarships for "B" students at Lamar to attend college ("A" students have little trouble obtaining financial assistance). Details here Dec 2016: Our classmate Steve Ley died in Houston on Thursday morning, 15 Dec 2016. His Celebration of Life will be in Colorado in the Spring. Please see the Obituary. Obituary Orenda Page Dec 2016: Our classmate Don Grimes died in Argyle, TX, near Denton, on 7 Dec 2016, following a heart attack. His wife Stephanie drove him to the hospital where his heart attack occurred. Don's body has been cremated, and Stephanie will host a Celebration of Life for him there at his home in Argyle in late Dec or early January 2017. Obituary Orenda Page Nov 2016: Our classmate Kenny Anderson died in Houston on Thursday evening, 3 Nov 2016, following a heart attack. Kenny's memorial service was held on Wednesday, 9 Nov 2016 at 2 pm at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road, Houston 77056. Obituary Orenda Page May 1991: Our classmate Kay Patton died in Norman, OK on 13 May 1991. Details at the links below. Our thanks to Jeremy Wicker for tracking down the information on Kay after all these years. FindAGrave Memorial for Kay Obituary Orenda Page Class Photo: Row 03, #49 Jan 2014: Our classmate Richard Browning died in Arlington, TX on 16 January 2004. Details at the links below. Our thanks to Jeremy Wicker for tracking down the information on Richard. FindAGrave Memorial for Richard Obituary Orenda Page Mar 2011: Our classmate Linda Darnell died in Houston on 14 March 2011. Details at the links below. Our thanks to Jeremy Wicker for tracking down the information on Linda. FindAGrave Memorial for Linda Obituary Orenda Page Aug 2016: Sig Byrd is in panel 1, Row 11, Number 12, standing next to Gene Clements.. Sig says: "Thank you for updating the class picture with my location. "I believe that Mike Busby is on Frame 3, Row 10, No. 28. "My wife and I moved to Simpsonville, South Carolina ten years ago from Houston, so I am not likely to be able to attend a luncheon. When I lived in Houston I was aware of these but I didn't ever have the time. Now that I have the time I am not in Houston. "Best wishes to all my classmates - Sig Byrd" Sigman Byrd 6 Rothesay Street Simpsonville, S.C.
Electronic Orenda	Our class directory based on our Orenda - even those folks who didn't get their photo in are featured here - with current hometown noted and a link to their Lamar memories and Class Photo location where known. Send in your information to Webmaster@Lamar59.org
Photos from Reunions	Photos from our recent reunions (Fredericksburg in 2012, 50th in 2009) are shared here - including a few from post-reunion activities. Includes some suggested free on-line storage sites for sharing your pics.
Reunion Video	Each (known) classmate received a letter from Raines Video Productions offering a DVD (or VHS tape) of our gala 3-day weekend with interviews of many attending classmates, for $29.95 plus $4 S&H. Their site (linked at left) contains the contact info for Raines.
Reunion Directory	If you did not receive the Class Directory at the reunion, you can order one (while they last) for $10 from Larry Hitt. Go to the Reunion home page, print and fill out the Reply Card, and mail it to the address at the top of the Reunion Page.
Reunion Report	Prepared as an article on our 50th Reunion for Fran Callahan to publish in the Alumni Assocation Newsletter, this (2MB) PDF file provides an overall summary of our Reunion and the events of the weekend, with a few photos of interest.
Reunion Activities	Our fun-filled weekend of November 13-15, 2009. These five events were packed into three fun-filled days! Click here to see the list of classmates registered to attend our 50th, from Anchorage to Naples.
50th Reunion Memories	The remarks (as a PDF file) presented by Lynn Zarr and Sherry Strater at our 50th Celebration (Saturday Night, River Oaks Country Club, 14 Nov 2009).
Facebook Group	Yes, our Class has its very own Facebook Group. First join Facebook.com (for free), then join the Lamar 1959 group (for free) to exchange news, photos, and event information with any of your classmates. Not familiar with Facebook? Click here for our helpful Facebook Tips.
Missing Classmates	This PDF list is dated Nov 2011. We now know that Neta Lois Frazier died 7/13/1998, Joe Lovelady died 9/22/2008, and Mark Spears died 1/4/2003. These deaths and the current missing are marked in our Electronic Orenda. If you can provide other data, please send to the Webmaster or to Wendell@Lamar59.org
In Memoriam	Provided obituaries and memorial sites. Includes link to the current (PDF format) list of deceased classmates.
59ers Lunch Bunch	Bette Azadian (Leonard) coordinates this monthly gathering of classmates at the Marathon Oil Building cafeteria in Houston. Send Bette your e-mail to receive a reminder each month. Or just show up!

Memories, Memories
Memory Album	A special collection where classmates are encouraged to share their memories of Lamar - and their life since. Send your info to Webmaster@Lamar59.org As needed: MS Word file or PDF file describing the Album and offering suggestions for submittals.
50th Reunion Cruise Journal	Ignatius Snigglefritz provides his personal journal from the 50th Reunion Cruise (September 16-26, 2009), New York City to Quebec City.
50th Reunion Reflections	The essay (as a PDF file) composed for the 50th Reunion by Jon Hugh Fleming as appearing in the Reunion Directory. "Through the loving union of our parents, we came to this good Earth during 1941...."
50th Reunion Memories	The script (as a PDF file) used by Lynn Zarr and Sherry Strater at our 50th Celebration (Saturday Night, River Oaks Country Club, 14 Nov 2009).
Class Photo	Where are you in this panorama photo from November 1958? Email your Row and Position number to Webmaster@Lamar59.org if you're not already identified. Click on one of the four sub-panels to actually see who is standing next to you.
Lamar Lancers	Here you have access to years of our Lamar Lancer papers, from Sept 19, 1956 to May 14, 1959. Fun reading!
Pershing Chatters	Not yet implemented. We hope to add this feature: PDF files of some of the Pershing Jr High School newspapers from 1953-1956.
Fun Photos	Collection of the Senior Interest Photos from our 1959 Orenda - click on any small photo to see the larger version.
Activities Photos	Clubs, Football Photos from our 1959 Orenda - click on any small photo to see the larger version.
Houston Photos	Provides link to some 40 historic photos of Houston during our formative years, plus comments and memories by classmates.
Commencement Exercise	Where were you on 2 June 1959 at 8 pm? Why, in the old Sam Houston Coliseum, of course! Click at left to display your Commencement Exercise program. This is the only version that doesn't list Janet Junker in the Cabinet twice!
Medicare Cruise	Remember that milestone in 2006 when we reached the magic year of Medicare eligibility? Here are photos and memories from some of the less mature members of our Class celebrating via a Medicare Cruise through the uncharted waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
45th Reunion	The Class of 1959 45th Reunion Weekend: Houston, April 30 - May 2, 2004
Stories from '59	Some of Jon Hugh Fleming's memories from our days at Lamar - as delivered at the 45th Reunion. [PDF file]
Roberts Elementary	Roberts Elementary was a feeder school to Pershing and Lanier, which fed Lamar. Here are photos of some of our classmates back in 1951-1953. Did we have a great childhood or what!
40th Reunion	One classmate's musings following the Class of 1959 40th Reunion Weekend: Houston, April 11-12, 1999.
The Reunion Poem	"Every five years, as summertime nears, an announcement arrives in the mail ..." Thus begins this summary of class reunions, author unknown. Kay Cole Segrato provided it for the Class of 1959. If you want a version with animated cartoons, go to this site and scroll down....
Back to the Fifties	Frank Jones suggests visiting this fun site that captures some of the spirit of our youth. (For the 'full songs,' visit our Memory Album. )
Lost in the Fifties	A large file to download (about 6 MB) yet worth the time - fun collection of slides (PowerPoint) of 'how it was' during our high school years.

Other Lamar Sites
Lamar Alumni	This site provides information for all graduates of Lamar Senior High School, to include upcoming reunions and events.
Class of 1958	Yeah, they're a lot older than us ... but didn't we date some of these people?
Class of 1957	At end of their directory, the site provides current information on some of our teachers, e.g., Ms Hollingsworth, Mr. Gentry.
Class of 1956	Nice job of integrating Class Bios and photos and videos where available - using myevent.com web site.
Class of 1960	They were so young back then ...
Class of 1962	This is the In Memoriam site for the Class of 1962
Wikipedia	Hey, you mean our High School is actually famous enough to have our own entry in Wikipedia? With the River Oaks Blvd joke? This is so cool!
Lamar High School	What is going on back at the mother ship? Lamar today is an International Baccalaureate World School .... say what?