Well here we are again Jan 9, 2000 for our second mini reunion trying to get the ball rolling for June 2001. This time we had eighteen people attend and give us a small detailed account of what they have done since graduating from dear old MC. Tom Steele came all the way from Weatherford,Tx., and told us his life was all around aviation as a pilot. It all started in the Air Force being a fighter pilot, then working for two different airlines putting in about 30 yrs. George Lynch came from Roseville Ca. And told us how he got involved in the tire business, and he said if anyone needs tires he will give you a good deal. George looks great! He probably is the same weight he was in high school, except for the Grey hair we all grow today. (except of course for John Smith who owns stock in Grecian formula).
Marty Butier was another new face from Lakewood Ca. Not far, but still happy to see him, he worked in the pipe business all these years. Tom O’Donnell was another newcomer, and he told us that He had worked as a CPA and worked for fortune 500 co, and now was working on his own. Jim Fitzgerald was another new face and told us how he became involved in the AeroSpace industry till it quit on him. He was over qualified for every job he applied for, and couldn’t even get a job at Macdonalds, until a friend got him a warehouse job from where he retired. Leo Fernandez another new face from cypress, ca. Who has worked for the social security for over 30 yrs. If you need help he said he would raise your ss payment!! Yeah right.
Then there was Frank Lee who was very much into cars and when he got out of the service, and he wanted to go back in to that industry. His father owned a brass metal foundry asked Frank if he would like a job till he got started. Frank said, ok just for a few months, today Frank owns and runs the Brass Monkey. Frank lives in Downey during the week and San Clemente on the weekends. Not too shabby huh!! Last but not least was Paul Hodkins who went to work for pacific Bell. He worked outside and was promoted to installation foreman, but He got so frustrated with the way Ma Bell was treating him and his people that he opted for and early retirement. Paul plays senior slow pitch baseball 3 nights a week and looks like he did in high school. He now lives in fallbrook ca. And chases flies and women.
You know that it has been 48 years since graduation, and frankly I don’t remember all our classmates. Maybe you look at the photo from our annual and it rings a bell. I know when I met Tom Steele I couldn’t remember and I don’t think he remembered me, but IM sure that if we started talking we would bring back old memories. That’s what is great about these mini-reunions and what ultimately will be the crowning achievement of our 50th reunion. We will see people from our past, and the conversations that ensue and all the war stories will take away the cobwebs and it will feel like old times once more. I can’t tell you how much these meetings have meant to me to refresh the mind and renew old friendships, and listen to all the different tales of success as well as woes we all go through. I thank the committee for making me newsletter editor, and I promise to keep you apprised of what is happening or going to happen.
In attendance was left to right back row Albert Tobey, Don Grime, Leo Fernandez, Bill Holmes, Tom Steele, Tom O’Donnell, Warren (I didn’t get a scholarship) Waterworth and Marty Butier. Middle row Garnett Boklage, George Lynch, John Coppin, Paul Hodgkins, Jim Fitzgerald and Don Powers. Front row Bill Hohn, John (no gray hair) Smith, Frank Lee and Tony Oviedo.
Added note: I received a letter from Mike Jungers after sending him a newsletter. Sorry, but I do not recognize any of the twelve in the picture…glad there was a caption… Seems that most of the found alumni stayed in Southern California all these years except me. I joined Continental Airlines in 1964, moved to Chicago, got married in 1965, one son now 33, moved to Washington D. C., divorced in 1978, had joined Korean Air in 1977 and retired to Las Vegas December 30, 1997. My brother, David, also divorced with one son (in LA) is now living with me. I stay very active with St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (Latin rite-traditional) and with receiving and housing guest from out-of-town. I look forward to joining the VIEJITOS….. CHEERS MIKE JUNGERS.
