City:  Nacogdoches
State/Prov.:  TX
Occupation:  Long time employee of 
Continental Airlines
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  1
Grandchildren:  0
What have you been doing for 40 years?:
Since I have worked for Continental Airlines for 21 years, I travel, travel, travel all over the world and love it. In May I went to Hawaii to celebrate my friends 61 birthday, which is a very big deal for the Chinese. In June, I went to Savannah to celebrate my sister Kathy's birthday at Paula Deen's restaurant. In July, Kathy (married to Ronnie Dement) and I went to London for the weekend and watched the time trials for the Tour de France; and the last week of July, my sister Debra and I went back to Hawaii. If everything goes as planned, Kathy and will be going to Beijing in October. After all of this, I still have 3 weeks of vacation left this year. I am married and have one son, Brad, 38, who is the head chef at Shelley's Restaurant, a tea house in Nacogdoches. I am looking forward to seeing everyone soon!
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City:  Martinsville
State/Prov.:  TX
Occupation:  Computer Technician
No. of Children:  4
Grandchildren:  13
From Clark Buster:

As some of you may remember, I was another one of those whose family moved during the summer of '66, so I attended Diboll High School for my final year and graduated in a class of about 25.  After graduation, I tried SFA for a couple of semesters without much success due to my own lack of direction or motivation.  In May of '69 I found myself in Houston, and for whatever reason also found myself in the US Marine Corps.  After approximately 10 years of that, and having seen the fairly good (and bad) parts of the world, I got out of the USMC with a 10% disability. 

I trained as an office manager and more importantly as a computer programmer.  I have been married three times, and had 2 divorces (the upside of those marriages is having 4 great kids).  I chased the almighty $$ for some years, ending up in Dallas for about 15 years (where I got my second divorce).  In November of '89 I tried the marriage thing one more time... and this time it took.  I have been with my bride Gina for 18 years now and I’m not looking at many more.  Between us, we have 6 kids ranging from 36 to 28, and they have 13 kids of their own (Gina has all the names and ages - I can never seem to keep up with them like she can).  We will probably be great-grandpeople before too much longer.  

In 2001, I was working at EDS when the IT world turned upside-down after 9/11, and I became one of the casualties of their corporate shakeup.  After many years in Dallas, we decided to pack up and come back to the Nacogdoches area.  My wife also wanted to return to care for her elderly father, so I had to make the best of it and find whatever work I could here.  I tried my hand at FedEx for a couple of years, worked at Bright Coop as a robot welder supervisor (supervisor of the people who operate the robots - and maintaining the various tech parts of the machines).  I ended up working as a computer tech for a company out of Lubbock - keeping the computerized point-of-sale (fancy talk for cash register) systems working - mainly for the Brookshire Bros grocery chain, but with minor contracts with others. The 'big bucks' are definitely NOT here, but the happiness that chasing the $$ lacks most assuredly IS here.  We are home at last and will probably be here for the duration.  I look forward to seeing all of you again after some years, and really hope to rekindle friendships that have been lost over the years.

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City:  Eugene
State/Prov.:  OR
Occupation:  Professor
Website:  jcomm.uoregon.edu/facstaf -
f/Profile.php?id=307
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  3
Grandchildren:  0
What have you been doing for 40 years?:
Eugene, Oregon, is a long way from home, but it has one beautiful thing in common with East Texas: tall, dark green trees that tower over us, soothing body and soul. Since leaving Nacogdoches 40 years ago, I’ve lived in many places: Waco and Austin, California and Mexico, and now the Pacific Northwest. When I interviewed for a position at the University of Oregon almost eight years ago, the old-growth fir and spruce (with a few distinguished pines) drew me close, reminding me of our Piney Woods. I’ve had the good fortune to work in a variety of jobs: newspaper reporter and editor, public radio and television host, documentary photographer and professor. The professor one took—almost 30 years in three universities, teaching everything from news writing to photojournalism to ethics to social science research in classes ranging from five to 160 students. I once tried to figure out how many students had gone through my classes—I stopped at 6,000. At Oregon (can you believe we’re called the Ducks?!), I get to focus my teaching and research on visual communication. My husband, Rick Williams, and I just published a book on visual communication--we’ve worked together on it during every spare moment of the last five years. You can find our books on Amazon.com if you want to take a look at them. We have three strong, beautiful and amazing children between us: Matt, 27, is a network systems consultant in San Francisco; Kate, 29, is a public relations account executive in New York; and Josh, 31, is in commercial real estate in Austin. Kate just got married (!) and Josh got married two years ago. No grandchildren yet, but Josh and Bryn bought a used Volvo station wagon, so we’re hoping…. My dear mother died about four years ago, and I miss her every single day. I truly wish I could be with you all for the wonderful weekend you’ve worked so hard to plan. As Lennijo suggested, I’m looking forward to the 50th re union! Love and many hugs to all of you, Julie
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City:  Larue
State/Prov.:  TEXAS
Occupation:  Finance 
Supervisor/Accountant
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  4
Grandchildren:  7
From Bill :

I think how you start your day says a lot about a person.  So don’t be offended cause this is just me.  I usually wake up a few minutes before the alarm goes off, man that’s annoying.  I spend a little quiet time reading scripture and praying to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Kinda gets the day started off on the right foot.  I’ve spent a lot of time bogged down in the mud on the side of life’s road, especially when I try to lead.  COFFEE!!  I kiss my wife of 37 years, best friend and mother of my children good-bye and head off to the office. I do sales reports, move a few hundred grand around in the banking, play cheerleader to my Accounts Receivable Ladies and encourage them to do more.  Then it’s more computer stuff, sales tax reports for nearly every state that collects it,……..  WAKE UP, it’s just the daily stuff.

Went to SFA and started a major in music cause they paid me $25 bucks a month and that bought a lot of beer back then.  Woke up and decided that I didn’t want to teach (probably a dumb move cause I’d be retired by now) and didn’t want to play professionally, had enough late nights with the Fraternity of Soul to do me for a while.  So I changed to accounting, not sure why, but here I am.  Pam says I should have been an engineer or an architect, don’t laugh, I built my own two-story gambrel log home, porches front and back, from the ground up with my own hands.  That was twenty plus years ago and it’s still standing.

First job was in Tyler at Tyler Pipe Industries for eight years, then decided to move to New York.  Whoa, not so fast, I’m talking New York, TEXAS, a church, feed store and a few dogs and cats.  Worked for a metal building company in Athens for eight years.  Then I sold insurance for two years making cold calls and did very well.  I discovered a new side of myself and learned that if you’re honest and talk to people on their level, success comes pretty easily.  Decided to go back to business and was purchasing agent for the Andrews Center in Tyler for two years.  I found out that was not really my thing.  I’ve been at Argon Medical Devices, Inc. in Athens for sixteen years.  We make a lot of the stuff they’ll use on you when you’re in the Cath Lab cause you didn’t exercise and eat right.

We’ve got four children and seven grandchildren:

 Angela, 33, RN, has three children (Justin - 12, Madeline - 9, Natalie - 7) who attend Grace Community School in Tyler and her husband Jeff is a National Guard Recruiter.

 Amy, 31, graduated from TAMU-Corpus Christi with a biology degree and a chemistry minor, a full time mother with two children, (Aaron - 3, Sara - 9 months), Her husband Rob is an environmental engineer in Houston.

Abby, 29, single and a nationally registered in sonography (you know, kid pictures in your tummy and clogged arteries, and stuff)

 Brad, 29, Flight Paramedic with ETMC – Tyler, has two children (Caity - 8, Ethan - 5) and his wife Cindy is a teacher of the really gifted and talented students.

 As you can tell, they’re all way smarter than me.  They get that from their mom.

My hobbies are hunting with a traditional bow cause I’m captivated by the arrow’s magical flight, fishing in fresh as well as salt water, organic gardening cause I like frogs and bugs and stuff not to mention the food is awesome, and spoiling the grandchildren.  Tried to join PETA but they didn’t like the photo of me and the black pig I arrowed, YUM!

 As I see it, life has been pretty good so far.  It revolves around God and family and I think that’s the way it ought to be.  I’ve hunted elk in the mountains of Colorado in the snow, prowled the mountains of New Mexico just enjoying nature and a waded the surf just soaking in the whole experience.  I’ve been there at the birth of my children and grandchildren. Wow!  Life is good, Yeah!

 By now most of you are thinking this dude is a real piece of work, but those who knew me in high school are probably not surprised in the least.  Thanks!

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City:  Lufkin
State/Prov.:  TX
Occupation:  Ag teacher
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  2
What have you been doing for 40 years?:
After graduatiion from NHS, I attended SFA where I got my BS degree in 1972. I then came back to the hallowed halls of NHS to teach Ag for 4 years before I went into full-time ministry, traveling, singing and preaching all over the U.S. I went back to SFA and got my Masters in 1978, teaching a year at SFA, and then I went back to teaching Ag in high school, and I have been doing that now for 31 years. I currently teach Ag Science at Huntington HS. Ministry continues to be an important part of my life as I recently had the privilege to preach in Haiti, and I go to Mexico on a mission trip about every 3 months. I have also minisered in Costa Rica and many places throughout the US. After 21 years of marriage, my first wife passed away. I raised my two boys as a single parent, and decided that I didn't like the single life. I have now been married to a wonderful lady named Charlotte for 11 years. I have 2 sons and she has 2 sons and 2 daughters so we have 6 children all together and it has been an adventure to say the least. My youngest son Jody is a Sgt. in the U.S. Marine Corp and is serving in Iraq for his 3rd tour of duty, and I ask your prayers for him. He was wounded in his 1st tour in Iraq and received a Purple Heart, and he has also been awarded a number of medals for Meritorious Service & service beyond the call of duty. He recently saved his entire squadron when he discovered an IED on a bicycle just prior to its explosion, but was able to get everyone with him to safety. He is my hero. My other son Joel is in full-time ministry and has traveled the world preaching. My hobbies are raising minature horses and I still enjoy hunting and fishing. My wife and I are very involved in our local church, and we keep the roads hot with our traveling. I am so excited about our reunion and so look forward to seeing all of you. My mom still lives in Nacogdoches and is still going strong at 86!
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City:  Garland
State/Prov.:  TX
Marital Status:  Divorced
No. of Children:  2
From Rhonda:
Ryan 32 & Erin 28. Neither are married.
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City:  Holland
State/Prov.:  TX
Occupation:  retired
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  2
What have you been doing for 40 years?:
My life has been a roller coaster ride of both good and trying times with me asking our good Lord if I could skip some of these tests he had prepared for me. After NHS I graduated from SFASU in 1972 while aquiring two loves that gave me both purpose and drive for the next 30 years. One was the love of my life, Cathy Petrie and the other was teaching in an elementary environment for 19 years. Cathy and I attended TAMU and graduated with our Masters of Education with superivors certification in Aug 1977. In Dec 1992 I received my Mid-Management Cetification from Tarleton Univirsty. The last 11 years I was in various administration positions. My goal to be an elementary principal wasn't what Jesus had planned for me. First, I was a K-12 principal in a Buckholts ISD, then 9th grade and AEP principal at Belton High School and finally I developed a District wide DAEP program for 5th - 12 grades(Director and Coordinator of DAEP) which I had the pleasure of running for 7 years. To be placed in my program, a child had to be incorrigible as decided by a court of law or commit a felony either at a school activity or on campus. Our program had a 92% success rate in both discipline and academics. My first rule was and is to show respect whenever and wherever you can to everyone. I never had a lawsuit filed against us or me. In those seven years, I was also appointed to be the District Textbook Coordinator ordering , receiving, sorting and transporting textbooks to various schools in the district. My biggest change was in mechanization. I used a system of pallets and fork lifts before it was done by manpower. In my spare time, I was a rancher with a cow/calf operation. I retired June of 2004 from education and ranching. I have no regrets. Cathy and I raised two wonderful children. Kristen graduted from TAMU with both BS and Master of Education in Special Education. She has taught 4 years and is married to Scott Zajicek who is a rancher. They lease my place. No kids. Her brother and my son Kyle graduated from Belton HS and Army Basic Training at Ft. Jackson in July. Kyle is in Bio -Medical training for 44 weeks at present. My roller coaster ride began when Cathy developed breast cancer in 1996. She lost her valiant battle on Jan 24, 2002. It devasted Kyle, my and Kristen's lives. We have traveled various routes since then in our grief. When we trust in our Lord, he protects us with a fog, light, and finally another love. Vela and I were friends who had lost our spouses. She always spoke of the freedom she felt from riding her Harley. When I was 56, I learned to ride my Harley, a Road King. I have now switched to a Electric Glide Ultra Classic Trike. I'm free!!!!!!!! Vela and I married in Nov of 2006. We both are living again with fond memories of loves gone by. We enjoy the open road either by RV, Harley or both. We are trying to blend her 4 and my 2 kids and her 6 grand kids. The effort spreads across Texas and Oklohoma by phone, truck, RV, motorcyle and email.
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City:  Kamuela
State/Prov.:  Hawaii
Occupation:  Applied logician
Marital Status:  Single
What have you been doing for 40 years?:
After graduating from NHS, I attended the University of Texas at Austin and got a BA degree in mathematics in 1971. Then I spent five years as a nuclear engineering and then communications officer on board the USS James Monroe, a fleet ballistic missile firing submarine home-ported in Hawaii and Guam. Upon my discharge from the Navy in 1976, I bought and built an Intel 8080 based micro-computer from a kit. This was well before Apple and IBM introduced personal computers in the early 1980s. At the same time Bill Gates and Paul Allen were implementing a Basic language interpreter on their micro, I was implementing a LISP language interpreter on mine. In 1979 I co-founded Soft Warehouse, Inc. with Professor David Stoutemyer of the University of Hawaii. That same year I married Joan Rich, my wife and partner of 18 years. Initially operating out of our spare bedroom, the three of us wrote and distributed the muMATH and later the Derive mathematical software systems. These "mathematical assistants" for personal computers were quite popular with students, teachers, scientists and engineers. In 1999 we sold Soft Warehouse, Inc. to Texas Instruments, who wanted to use our symbolic math technology in their new line of plotting calculators. Freed from having to run a company, in 2000 I moved from Honolulu to the Big Island of Hawaii. Here I continue my independent research to provide the basis for the next generation math system, without the constraints and deadlines of having to deliver a commercially viable product. In addition, I volunteer twice a week at the Pu'u Wa'awa'a State Forest Reserve where I help build trails and preserve some critically endangered Hawaiian plants. And last, but certainly not least, I love to travel, scuba dive, hike and snorkel with Gina Sullivan, my life partner for the last 7 years. Finally, I welcome any NHS classmates who should visit the Big Island and would like to enjoy a cold beer or glass of wine on my lanai (i.e. porch) while watching a Hawaiian sunset... Aloha, Albert (Dyck) Rich
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City:  Cody
State/Prov.:  Wyoming
Occupation:  retired
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  3
Grandchildren:  1
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City:  Nacogdoches
State/Prov.:  Texas
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  3
What have you been doing for 40 years?:
I married Sue Douglas from Missouri in 1971 and we had three sons. Our youngest, Blake , graduated NHS in 1996 and currently lives in San Francisco where he is a graphic designer for Macy's Our eldest, Kendal, graduated NHS in 1990 and lives in Nacogdoches and works for the Daily Sentinel. This Sunday, he celebrates the first anniversary of his marriage to Marty Prince (Phil and Nancy Prince's daughter). Our middle son, Heath, graduated NHS in 1993 and currently lives in Austin and works for UT. He is half of the Nacogdoches Duo "Fingers & Lips". Sue and I live in Nacogdoches still and I own my own business, Maycraft, Inc. And that about tells it all.
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