Randy Turner – December 19, 2020

“Randy” Turner was born Charles Redding Turner III to Vivian (Hickey) and Charles Redding Turner, Jr. on April 18,1942 in Waco, Texas. Randy passed peacefully from this life into Heaven on December 19, 2020 at 1:34 AM surrounded by his beloved wife Kathy and his daughters, Michelle and Stephanie.

Randy was a direct descendant of Texas earliest pioneers and loved his hometown. He was a proud graduate of Waco High School, Class of 1960. Randy matriculated to the University of Texas in Austin, Plan II to study Architecture but excessive revelry necessitated a transfer to Baylor University.

Within his first week at Baylor, Randy met the love of his life, Kathryn Lea Dunnihoo Young. They were happily married for almost sixty years.

Randy graduated from Baylor University with degrees in Economics and Finance; however, his love of architecture continued as a life-long passion. He became proficient with SketchUp and retained membership in the American Institute of Architects. Randy’s fascination with design influenced his vision as a residential and commercial developer and investor based in Dallas, with many projects across Texas. He served on the boards of several banks and a host of other businesses throughout his career.

Randy’s legacy continues through his devoted daughters, each with husbands who became like sons to him; Michelle (and Richard Unwin) and Stephanie (and Jon Schaeffer). He is also survived by his adoring grandchildren, David (and Emily), Alex and Knox; along with great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Luke and James.

Randy will be missed by precious members of his extended family and by an array of special, lifelong friends. We grieve but not without hope.

Some pictures of Randy in happy times with his fellow graduates

Circa 1954 (from Pat Payne) – “Randy sent me this photo from 1954 to use in my essay, “A Waco Boy.” This picture is of our dance class with was our mothers’ idea!

Charles Ray Miles – November 7, 2020

Charles Ray Miles passed away Saturday, November 7, 2020, in Arlington, Texas at the age of 78.

Charles was born March 11, 1942, in San Antonio, Texas, to Tommie Isaac Miles and Opal Mae Ramsey Miles. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert Jack Miles.

Charles Ray grew up in Waco, Texas, and had many friends in Waco he enjoyed keeping up with. He attended Baylor and Arlington State College and found his niche in marketing which he enjoyed his entire career. During his career, he made many friends and served in many positions of benefit. In 1988-89 he served as President of Specialty Advertising Association Metroplex. He later was a member of the Board of Directors of the national Awards and Recognition Association and in 2005-06 served as President of the Association.

Charles was an avid golfer and sports fan but his true joy was in gardening for which he truly had a major green thumb.

Charles was very much a family man and adored his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild, and enjoyed greatly his time spent with them all. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Janet Ellen Tune Miles, his son Charles Ray Miles, Jr., and his daughters Melissa Kay Henley and son-in-law Zane Henley, and Meredith Paige Young and son-in-law Preston Young. Grandchilden are Zane FitzGibbon, Jade Burrows and husband Ryan Burrows and India FitzGibbon, and special Granddaughter Mariah Blu Young. He had one great-grandson, Atticus Wade Burrows.

Jimmy McDonald – October 25, 2020

Jimmy Willard McDonald, 78, of San Marcos, Texas, passed away on Sunday, October 25, 2020, surrounded by his loving family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Alex McDonald and Laverne Barber, and his brother John McDonald.

He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Vivian Orndorff. He is also survived by his sons Jimmy McDonald, Jr. and wife Roni, Ron McDonald and wife Claire, Don McDonald and wife Staci, daughter Jennifer Hammersley and husband Eric, stepson Brian Baker and wife Ginny; brothers Jerry McDonald and Larry McDonald and wife Lou; grandchildren Krystin Ashley, Matthew Lynn, Mitchell Ryan, Harrison Carl, Grace Kathryn, Madison, Chase Jacob, Alexa Grace, Amelia Jane, Miles Ethan, and Kenna Elizabeth; great grandchildren Caden, Joey, Jackson and Heidi; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and dear friends.

Jimmy was born on February 7, 1942 in Waco, Texas. He graduated from Waco High School in 1960 and attended Baylor University. He worked for Stage Stores, Inc. as a retail manager for more than 30 years and retired in 1996. Jimmy moved to Wimberley in 1997 and enjoyed golf, reading, and drinking wine! He and his wife, Vivian, traveled and explored Italy, Croatia, the Greek Isles, and numerous island destinations. In 2002, he planned, designed, and built his amazingly beautiful dream home, Bella Vista. He loved landscaping and improving the 65-acre property during the 16 years that he lived there.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at michaeljfox.org/donate.

Donald Allen Cook – September 27, 2016

“Bull Dog” Bob Easter is at it again.  He located one of our graduates but unfortunately, this graduate died back in 2016.

Donald Allen Cook died September 27, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona.  An obit was not able to be located.

Donald was married to Margery Alice Cook in Travis County in 1964.

Bob said he thinks Margery Alice is now living in Pennsylvania, possibly to be near her children.

 

Waco Town Crier – November 2020

Here’s the November edition of the Waco Town Crier

Contents include:

  • Recap of 60th Reunion
  • Dedication to those Classmates we’ve lost over the years
  • Information about cold laser treatments
  • From Our Graduates
  • Exploring during he Pandemic
  • Updates
  • November Birthdays
  • Medical Corner
  • Show & Tell Featuring Larry Thomas
  • Pictures
  • Humor

Martha Kay Albright Hofer – September 26, 2020

Martha Kay Hofer (78) of Fort Worth passed away on September 26, 2020 with her family foremost in her thoughts and prayers.

There will be a private memorial at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery where Kay will be with Ken and they are At Peace with God. Kay’s celebration of life service will take place on October 23rd at 10am and can be viewed by using the link located here. Her obituary can be found here.

In lieu of sending flowers or cards, memorials may be made to Meadowbrook-Poly UMC, 3900 Meadowbrook Dr, Fort Worth, Texas 76103. Peace be with you.

Note from Jeanne Harman:

Many sent comments about Kay. She was, indeed, a wonderful, sweet, kind, and intelligent individual. Our class will miss her greatly.

Growing up, Kay lived across the street from Jack Martin. She used to talk about how wonderful Jack’s parents were to her after her father had a heart attack. Mrs. Martin would go over and stay with Kay while her mother was at the hospital. She said the Martins would take her to church with them. Kay said she did not have a three-speed bike so Jack and his brother, Johnny, would sometimes let her ride their bikes. Kay said she used to be fast at running and could sometimes outrun the boys! In adult years, Kay said her root canal dentist had been a student of Jack’s. Small world, isn’t it!

Some Pictures of Kay at Past Reunions

60th Reunion Wrap-Up

From Robert Wilson:

Hello, to everyone.

The WHS Class of 1960 reunion has come and gone.

Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make it a success and it was. To those who donated their time and money, we could not have done it without your support.

All who attended really enjoyed each other’s company.

This was a big one “60” it will never be again.

I am so sorry that many of you could not attend for various reasons, mostly personal health or spouses health. But we have to expect it when we stop and think about our ages.

I am hopefully optimistic about the “65th”.

We had 42 on the Tuesday and 43 on the Wednesday. That is after about 20 had to cancel.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Pictures provided by Linda McKee, Tim Lasseter Latta, Betty Luedeker Gatlin, Bev Murphy Wells and Norma Cissell Smith

Waco Town Crier – October 2020

From the Editor

I want to thank everyone who expressed their appreciation for the history of the Town Crier. It thrills me that so many of you enjoy the Crier. Anytime anyone has an idea or item to be shared, please remit it. The old saying, “Two heads are better than one” is really worthwhile. I thank all of you for your contributions and anxiously wait to hear from those who may still be considering. Please keep up your good work as you help make my job easier.
Jeanne

Click here for the October 2020 edition of The Town Crier

  • Comments Regarding Chinky’s Recap
  • Updates
  • A Neat Idea
  • Medical Corner
  • A Good Test for Your Face Mask
  • Show & Tell Featuring Linda Phelps McKee
  • October Birthdays
  • Pictures
  • Jokes

 

Waco Town Crier – September 2020

A note from Jeanne Harman …

Chinky Johnson is the highlighted graduate this month. Her career involved immunogenetics and HLA antigens. Much of her work was done in collaboration with clinical investigators at the National Institutes of Health. I think everyone will find her recap to be most interesting. I asked Chinky if she had ever met Dr. Fauci, who has emerged as a most popular and informed person during this pandemic. This was Chinky’s reply:

“I don’t think that I ever met Dr. Fauci but I was at some meetings with him. At the time, he was working on AIDS and my field of study was different. At NIH, Dr. Fauci is now head of the Department of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) which is the department that funded my research. However, at the time I was working, he was not the head of NIAID. Tony Fauci is an intelligent, talented and accomplished person. Everyone should listen to him and we would be in a better place than we now are in the pandemic.”

Many graduates have commented on how much they enjoy reading what others have done since graduation. I hope to hear from each one of you with your story–be it long or short. If you want to write it yourself, that is great. If you want to send me the particulars and have me write, that is also acceptable. Just remember: you get to okay the final article before it goes out to our graduates. So….”I’m listening”.

Click here for the September 2020 edition of The Town Crier

    • Important Message from David Dibb (our directory keeper)
    • A Bit of Trivia
    • Remarks on Jim Woodson’s talents
    • From Our Graduates
    • Updaters
    • A Neat Idea
    • September Birthdays
    • Show & Tell Featuring Chinky (Armead) Johnson
    • Final pages of the Jackets Journal of 1957
    • Jokes