Recent Letters from '61 (cont'd)

Bob Breitenstein - Hi. I wish that I could speak with each of you, however what happened to me over the last ten weeks is a bit too emotional. As I told many of you at the reunion, I was going to solve my problem with my bad right knee, soon after the reunion. On August 28th I had total knee replacement surgery and appeared to be recouping fine until they discovered that I had thrown off a blood clot either during or soon after the successful surgery (the knee felt great). They immediately stuck me back in the hospital and started all kinds of IV's. During this time I developed a very low oxygen level and had to have several rounds of oxygen therapy to get my blood oxygen level up to an acceptable level. They then told me that I was anemic and that was the cause of the low oxygen level and so they have treated that for a month now. My right leg was so swollen that the healed stitches started to split, and they finally started me on lasik which is taking the fluid and swelling off my leg. All this time I've not had the ability to take anything but very shallow little half breathes which makes me feel that during any stress that the next breath could be the last. They have continued to run tests and now can tell me that I have a blood clot or fluids in my lungs and that is the reason that I can not inflate my lungs, and they have now even been so kind as to say that it's no longer life threatening. It's real good news when they say we know what's wrong with you and we can fix it! During this ten weeks of being in the hospital, or home in bed, or back to get more tests run and to doctor's appointments, I've managed to lose over 50 pounds, three pants sizes, four inches off my neck and most of my muscles have atrophied to nothing. I look forward to the task of rehab. I've got to go now, I am getting too shook up and I need to stop. I look like an old man compared to the pix you put on the web from the reunion. I just wanted to say how much I would have missed all of you and all my classmates if I had not made it.

Jerry Sims - I hope everyone had as much fun as Beth and I at the (40th) reunion. I was plenty tired after the barbeque on Sunday. It was great seeing everyone again. For those who didn't make it, you really are missing out.

How about that breakfast, wasn't that fun. I think John Arrington and I are going to do this again for all the '61 classmates in Farmington and all who want to come, some time in the future. When we set a date will let everyone know.

July 4, Beth's birthday we saddled up and rode to Crater Lake. Crater Lake is near Molas Pass going to Silverton, Colorado. It is 6 miles from the highway. For the first time in my life I saw a Barbery Sheep in the wild. I think it was the first time my horse had ever seen one too. We almost had a rodeo.

Rita Aten (sister of Lynn Aten) - rbeartrac@amigo.net Lynn Aten passed away this year (2005). Here is Rayford Lynn Aten's senior picture and a more recent one of him. He passed away in Tomball, Texas (North of Houston), on April 11, 2005. Age 62 years and 25 days. Wife at the time, Kathy. He was born in Texas and lived in Farmington, NM from 1952 until 1967. He married Sharron Ann McGee of Farmington and had one child, Vonda Rene. From high school he went to work at Justis Supply (not sure of spelling?). Then moved to Houston, Texas in 1967. I would like to attend your next class reunion; this year? Rita.

Virginia Long-Marlow is my mother. My mother remarried to a wonderful man Jerry Edmitson and was enjoying a wonderful life. To my sadness and great loss to my son Jeffrey my mom passed away on 12/22/06. I am hoping to make a very special scrapbook for my son to have forever. If there are any classmates that have pictures or stories about my mom "Ginni" please contact me at email: sec-tres@sbcglobal.net I would appreciate anything someone may be able to add...more than I can ever express. Sincerely, Lisa Alden

Coach Tommy Campbell passed away May 30, 2007 in Mesa, Arizona. Services were held June 4, 2007 in the Cope Memorial Chapel in Farmington. Final Resting Place Greenlawn Cemetery, Farmington, New Mexico.

Marilyn Wright, wife of Keith Wright writes: "9-6-07. Keith doesn't have an email. We only have our home address and phone number. Keith is in a nursing home. He has been for about 3 years. He is doing fairly well. He loves hearing about all the reunions and things going on. He has always told me what he did and how he loved living in Farmington and going to Farmington High School. He has told me of his friends and all he did when living in Farmington. I have seen Farmington once while on a trip to New Mexico. I enjoyed seeing what I heard Keith talk about. If he was able to come (to a reunion), he would I know. If there is any other information you need about Keith, I'll try to answer if for you. Just let me know. Yours truly, Marilyn Wright, Keith's wife." (Editor's note: If you would like to write or send a card to Keith, contact the webmaster by email and I will provide his mailing address. chargertom@aol.com )

Jeannie Wood-Faverino: I am still living in the Ignacio, CO area. I was forced to retire in August 2006, because of my husband’s rapidly failing health. Since that time all four wheels seems to have fallen off, and I have been so busy taking care of my family that I haven’t had the chance to experience “good” retirement. Maybe this is what it’s all about, I don’t know.

I retired from Human Resources – the Southern Ute Indian Tribe was my last employer. HR was a near perfect fit for me since I enjoy working with people and helping folks succeed. I am one of those nuts who enjoyed working, but I also enjoyed staying at home. I was fortunate enough to have jobs that were interesting to me and also challenging. That has always been the key to success for me. My biggest challenge right now is to stay active mentally and physically. I sold my last show horse in January, so I don’t have that outlet anymore. (I got to go to Ft. Worth last month and watch him compete in the American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Show, though.)

Like many of our classmates I’m beginning to face joint replacement. I’ll start with new knees this fall, but I’m sure that won’t be the end. My body has experienced excessive wear and tear for a long time, and I am getting close to Medicare age!

Well, you have my email address. If it changes, I will pass the changes along to you. Unfortunately, I don’t have anyone else’s address to give you.

Roger Scott: Contrary to rumors, Roger did not fall of the edge of the earth following the '06 reunion; he simply went under cover for awhile. (Reminiscent, we suppose, of those days he spent years ago in AF covert intelligence operations. Roger's destinations since the class convened in July '06 have included, Panama, Mexico, and several stopovers at locations throughout the good 'ole USA. He has recently sold his home in Albuquerque and has yet to locate another residence, so he may be hitting the road again in his motor home, "Joy Toy". Who knows, your driveway could be his next destination? Depending on how you feel about this prospect, you might want to e-mail or call him and let him know your druthers. Or simply don't leave the light on for him.

Hi Guys! Dale and I had a wonderful time at the reunion. One gets so warm and fuzzy and nostalgic.

With that glow, we headed up to Durango and Vallecito Lake just to take a look around. We also wanted to drop in on Don and Kara Kunitz who have a vacation home there. Wouldn't you know, there was a cute little cabin with a For Sale sign on it. It was being sold furnished, right down to the teacups. We could also rent it out...so we bought it! This summer we had a family reunion with all the kids and grandkids. There were 24 of us. The cabin sleeps 12, but you can fit a lot of little kids on the floor in sleeping bags. Dale and I had private quarters in our motorhome. (Yes, Roger...come on down!). We went to Silverton on the Narrow Gauge. It was a real treat to show them around, to go horseback riding and fishing. More generations to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the lake. I am sure we will spend time up there after the next reunion...so plan on coming up to see us! Penni Langston-Neely

Bill Driscoll. (Suffering from recurring Cancer.) Go ahead and pass info along. I just returned from Tulsa last night. I was over for 2 chemo treatments. They sure are getting rough. Not as young as I used to be. I go to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America located at US169 and 81st St. Will try to keep you informed. Bill

Hi Everyone. Just a note to update the Davis family. Sam and I are still together, healthy and well, will be 45 years this June. Can hardly believe it, but also can't believe the years have gone by so fast. I don't feel any different in the heart. I received my medicare card last week and I said that couldn't be me!!!!!!!!!! We are still in Broken Arrow, OK. We have 2 sons, their wives and 5 grandchildren living within 1 mile, and just down the street from us. We are so lucky to be close and really enjoy being a part of their lives. Sam just cut down to 3 days a week, is still a Pharmacist at WalMart in Tulsa, I work 3 days a week, and am still at Flowers by Sally Ann in Broken Arrow. Our oldest Grandson is a Freshman and plays football, so we are still enjoying all the games. Love to travel, golf, fish, and play Texas Holdem!!!!!!!!!!!! Let us hear from you.Would love to stay in touch. Til' next time, Linda Kay (Foster) Davis

P.S. I am really going to make it this time (to the 50th Reunion). It has been too long. I would enjoy seeing everyone. We haven't been back to Farmington in a long time. I still have a couple of cousins there. So hopefully we will still be alive and well then.

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