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2004 - Reunion
Dennis and wife, Kathy

After high school graduation, I started the fall quarter at Yakima Valley Junior College.  Two years of attendance there proved to me that a different educational approach was needed, so I packed up and moved to Tacoma to attend Tech School and start my career in “Data Processing” as it was called in those days.   

I married a Toppenish girl a year later and we settled in Tacoma where I finished school, worked as a programmer for a local insurance company, and we started a family.  Nineteen years later that marriage completely unraveled, but not before producing 3 great sons; Dan, Dave, and Brian.  More about them later.   

My wife, Kathy, and I were married in 1990 and bought a home in Kent.  Just months prior to my youngest son, Brian, graduating from high school in 1998, our daughter, Katie, was born.  Is that love or what?  Now I’m finding out how different it is to raise a little girl than it was the boys.

Kathy and I continue to work in the “Software Engineering” industry.  We are both long term Boeing employees, 32 years for me, 26 years for Kathy.  Retirement is still a couple of years away, but that time is more tolerable now that we work virtually out of our at-home office. 

 The boys are out of the house, through college, and on their own now.  I kept repeating as each boy was maturing “30 is a good age for marriage”; the message seems to have gotten through.  Dan (33) and wife Jonelle live in Seattle; he is a software engineer for Safeco Insurance.  They have a brand new baby boy, born Sept 25^th, our first grandchild. Dave (30) lives in Kent and is a high school history teacher.  Brian (24) lives in Honolulu and is a district manager for Seattle’s Best Coffee.  So now there is just the three of us at home, Katie (6) is in the 1^st grade and just started playing on a soccer team.

 Needless to say, life is still very busy with work and a little one at home.  Summer vacations are reserved for the kids and now grandkids.  We’ve had an annual family week camping at Lincoln Rock State Park near Wenatchee WA for the past 17 years.  Winter vacations in the Southwest US are spent scoping out snow bird locations.  Age 55+ communities are not going to be an option for us as Katie will only be 10 when we embark on that adventure. 

 The picture is a summer of 2003 sunset snapshot of me with my two youngest, Brian and Katie.   

At 30^th George was working as a Nuclear Mechanic at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.

   UPDATE: JUNE 2009

A district office in United Methodist Women continues to keep me busy and "Sully" and I both have responsibilities in our local church that keep us active.  Sons, Sean (35 1/2 and the father of our grandsons) and Kevin (32) both live here in Bellingham, so we see them often.  Grandsons, Brendan (9) and Hadley (7 1/2) have overnighters with us often and we pick them up at school and the Boys and Girls Club periodically, so we get to see some of what they are doing there. 

"Sully" has been retired from the Navy since 1998 and from Western Washington University since 2000, and we enjoy retired life very much.  "Sully" is really good at filling our retired life with interesting things.  This school year, we have been taking care of ten ducks, four sheep, two dogs and two cats for an hour five days a week.  Each animal has a unique name and need.

We find interesting things to get involved in being a part of the Happy Valley Neighborhood Association.

My youngest brother, Tim, and his family live here so we enjoy our visits with them. 

I started drawing Social Security a year ago, so I know I've gotten older!!!

This picture was taken in May 2009.  Left to Right in front row are Hadley and Brendan.
Left to Right in back row are "Sully", Kevin, Me (with gray hair), Sean and Kay (daughter-in-law)

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Following graduation, I received an Associates degree at Yakima Valley College, then I attended Central in Ellensburg for two quarters and then Western Washington University for a BA in Ed with a major in elementary education and a minor in speech pathology and audiology.  While I was attending graduate school at Western, I met my husband, Richard Lee Sullivan (better known as Sully).  He was my teacher for a grad class.  We were married in December of 1971.

   Our first son, Sean Lee, arrived on August 25, 1973.  From September of 1974 until April 25, 1977 when our second son, Kevin Richard, arrived, I worked at Assumption School as a librarian and substitute teacher.  Then I became a stay-at-home mom and a volunteer in the community, our sons’ schools, and our church..  I was also a military spouse for sixteen years as Sully was in the Naval Reserves stationed at NAS Whidbey.   Sean and Kay presented us with two grandsons, Brendan Michael, born on March 8, 2000, and Hadley Edward, born on August 21, 2001. 
  My parents and Sully’s dad are no longer living, but Sully’s mother lives in an assisted living facility close to us.  Although we’ve remained in Bellingham, I’ve spent one week in Tijuana, Mexico at an orphanage in August of 1991, two weeks in El Salvador in March of 1992 visiting a countryside community that our church supported and I spent four days in Cincinnati, Ohio in April of 1994 at the General Assembly of United Methodist Women where I was one of 11, 000 women from the United States and abroad. 

            Besides having frequent visits from the grandchildren, I keep busy facilitating the church library committee, co-chairing the Outreach Team, and being webmistress for the church website.  In United Methodist Women, I am Social Action Coordinator for the local unit and am Co-Secretary of Program Resources for the district, and Sully and I are members of the Puget Sound Walk To Emmaus. 

  Sully and I enjoy walks and bicycling.  From the mid 80’s to the early 90’s we were involved in Tae Kwon Do through the YMCA with Kevin.  I have enjoyed doing research into my mother’s Cherokee roots.  I also have helped Sully become connected to two half sisters and one half brother that he did not know he had until 2001. We became connected through a generation forum online.

    Finally, Sully and I also have supported two girls from the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Our first girl, Gracia, was adopted last fall by a family in Camas, Washington.  We now support an eleven year old girl, Patiente Ekanga, paying for her medical care, school tuition, her books and uniform.  She lives at Jamaa Letu Orphanage that our church’s Annual Conference supports. 

   Forty years for me have gone fast and have been fulfilling and rewarding.

After graduation from high school I attended Washington State University in Pullman and graduated with a degree in political science.  I married and moved to Portland and unfortunately the job market was not particularly kind to political science majors (Nixon was in at that time) so I ended up going into social work for the state.  My husband was in law school so we put off having children until he was established in a practice.  By the time we had our kids I actually really liked working.  I was a social worker carrying cases in a federally funded project that had to do with termination of parental rights in extreme circumstances and spent a considerable amount of time in the court system.  Since our project was new to the system it was akin to a political cause so I was pretty much a happy camper. 

I did eventually have a daughter Meredith and a son Graham.  Unfortunately, my husband and I divorced when the children were pretty young so raising my children and working was pretty much my life for quite a few years.  I changed careers in 1981 and became a community futures trader in a brokerage firm for

about 8 years but ended up returning to social work in the early 1990s, but this time in management and moved from Portland to Klamath Falls.  I still really like my job so I cannot image what I will do in retirement.  I know I will obviously change my mind at some point but I really am moving into the next stage of my life kicking and screaming.

I re-married a few years ago and now have a step-daughter and step-son pretty much the same age as my children.  Our lives continue to revolve around work and kids.  My son Graham  is clinically hyperactive so raising him to adulthood was no small measure.  I didn't want to have him medicated so I used diet to help control his behavior.  He could not tolerate preservatives or artificial color so I ended up making everything from scratch.  I'll bet most of you did not know marshmallows can be made from scratch! I ended up having to make all our bread, soups, mayonnaise, almost everything we ate. Who would have thought that I would have to become a Holly Homemaker.  Other than taking 100 years off my life it all turned out well.  I have great kids who are doing well.  No grandkids yet but I have received promises for the future.  Graham graduated from medical school in Philadelphia this last summer and is married and living in Wisconsin for his internship and residency.  He and his wife plan on returning to southern Oregon, and maybe even Klamath Falls, when he starts his practice. Meredith graduated in the sciences also and subsequently attended OHSU in medical technology and now works in the lab at the hospital in Klamath Falls.  I love having her nearby.  Our time continues to revolve around when and how often the kids can come home for the holidays and summer.  Fortunately for us they return every chance they can. 

I look forward to seeing everyone at the reunion.

At the 30^th Mike reported that he had two children – one was a doctor and the other is a dental assistant.  He was working as a transportation specialist at PACCAR.

No photos submitted for the 40 year Reunion.

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At the 10^th, Gary reported that he received his anthropology degree from Univeristy of  Washington in an enjoyable five years of studies. Joined the Peace Corps to serve a stint in Guatemala for three years.  Gary is believed to be teaching in Tonasket, WA currently.

No photos submitted for the 40 year Reunion.

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At the 10^th, Deloris reported that after high school she graduated in 1968 from Central with a degree in teaching.

No photos submitted for the 40 year Reunion.

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2004 - Reunion

At the 30^th Richard reported that he had two children and he was working as a Juvenile Rehabilitation Counselor in Moses Lake area.  At that time he had lived the past 24 years in Moses Lake, and he spent time fishing and doing carpentry.

 
2004 - Reunion

Sandy and John Schmella 2004

1963 Jr.-Sr. Prom
John Schmella, Theresa Bradley, Janet Burns, Tom Layman
photo provided by Janet Burns

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40 Years?  It's not possible!  It would be so wonderful to see all of you again, but because I am involved in a re-election campaign for the Judge that I work with, I can't leave during the month of October.

Thanks to Clayton and his committee, it's so nice to be able to at least catch up with you in the Memory Book.

After graduation I went to BYU where I graduated in Business & Accounting--got a teaching degree.  Kearns and I got married a year before graduation.  I taught high school while he earned his MBA at University of Utah.  He went with the FBI, which started a passion for his 30-year career in the Bureau.  From Washington, DC, we went to San Antonio, where Brig was born.  That was the year that my dad was killed in an accident at the U&I Sugar mill in Idaho Falls.  We then were transferred to Miami and lived there ten years, where we had three more boys--Matt, Jared, and Joshua. We received a transfer to Las Vegas right before our daughter, Nicole, was born and have lived here ever since and will probably never leave since all of our kids and their families and put down roots here.   

After Nicole started grade school, I went back to teaching at the community college and a business school, which eventually worked into a paralegal career in a criminal defense firm.  I am now the judicial assistant to a state court judge and am enjoying the hectic, fast-fire pace of the day. 

Brig is the advertising account manager for the Las Vegas Convention Visitors Authority, and you probably have seen his ads--What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas.
Matt, a  civil engineer, is Vice President of Land for large home builder in Las Vegas.  He's married to Spring; they have a son, Connor, (almost two and a real pistol) with a daughter on the way in January. 
Jared is Vice President of a commercial plumbing business.  He and Edeane were just married in September. 
Joshua is in mortgage banking.  He and Jamie have a darling little girl--Alaina Nicole. 
Nicole graduated in cellular molecular biology and is hoping to land a job as a pharmaceutical rep in the near future.   

My mom passed away (cancer) eight years ago this month.  It was quite a loss to our entire family because she was so full of life and love.  My brother, David, (1966) lives in Elko, Nevada with his wife, Sue. 

Kearns retired reluctantly from the FBI as is required after 30 years. He now manages our rental properties, golfs a little, and entertains Connor and Alaina as often as possible.  

 I am so sorry to not be able to come and share memories and all the goodtimes with you.  Have lots of fun!  

These pictures were taken at Jared & Edeane's wedding on 9/25/04. The family picture from left to right:
Brig, Nicole, Joan, Connor, Kearns, Edeane, Jared, Spring, Matt, & Phil.

The picture of the three girls--Alaina, Joan, & Nicole.

Paul is temporarily out of the country living in Viet Nam; therefore he will not be attending the reunion.  Paul's wife received a federal teaching grant that has taken them to Viet Nam.  She and Paul are not due to return to the US until August 2005.

No photos submitted for the 40 year Reunion.

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Dale currently lives in Gig Harbor.  At our 10^th reunion, he reported that following graduation, he attended YVC for a year and half, then enlisted in the US Air Force.  His tours of duty included the Far East and Europe. Following the Air Force, Dale completed studies at J.M. Perry Institute an secured a job with Weyerhaeuser as a maintenance electrician.

No photos submitted for the 40 year Reunion.

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John Sholtys was a career fireman in Toppenish Fire Department where he worked his way up to Fire Chief.  John recently retired and currently lives in Zillah.

No photos submitted for the 40 year Reunion.

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Sept 28, 2004

After graduation, I attended my first two years at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma where I was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority.  I then transferred to the University of Washington and then to Seattle University.  I completed my studies at Seattle U and graduated with a degree in social work. 

Following college, I worked in the Seattle area until 1973 when I married Jim Garland and we moved to Pasadena, CA where we lived for 3 years.  While there Jim worked for JPL, and I worked as a social worker for female juvenile delinquents who were wards of the L.A. courts. 

We then moved to Washington, D.C. where we eventually divorced.  In the late 70's and early 80's I worked on Capitol Hill for Senator Richard Stone of Florida.  Following the Senate position, I worked for one of the largest trade associations in D.C.   My experience with that trade association led to my current job as the President/EVP of the Composite Can and Tube Institute (a trade association that represents paperboard manufacturers and suppliers).  I have been at CCTI for 19 years.  Like many people, I may change jobs in the future but have no plans to retire any time soon.  My home is in Falls Church, Virginia.

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2004 - Reunion

Forty years used to sound like a lifetime.  Now I have a whole new perspective on time.  Forty years is just a start.  After talking with a lot of you at the 30 year reunion I came away excited about getting together again.   So many great stories and so many personal successes in our lives.   It was great seeing Mr. Bond there also. 

Here’s a quick recap of the past 40 years.  After graduation I left town to work a summer job in Longview, WA and from there took off to Missoula, Montana to attend the University of Montana.  Had dreams of being a big football star but the reality of two broken noses and a back injury sent me home after that first year.  After a year at YVC I left for the Puget Sound area and have been here ever since.  Went to computer programming school in Tacoma, met Monica (my wife of 37 years) and took a job with Boeing.  

Monica and I both worked for Boeing and have retired in the past couple of years.  I worked there for 32 ears and Monica 21 years.  We have two children Lori and Brian.  Lori and her husband Tom have two daughters, Natalie 7 and Alyssa 4.  Lori followed in my footsteps and is a computer programmer/project manager and Tom is a Financial Analyst both at Boeing. Lori and Tom live in Kent, WA.  Our son Brian is a cabinet maker and finish carpenter.  He is currently not married and has no children.  Brian is living and working in Sacramento, CA.   

Monica and I live near Yelm, WA. on Lawrence Lake (about 50 miles due west of Mount Rainier).  We enjoy boating, fishing, camping, traveling and I like to play golf once in a while but most of all we enjoy the grandkids.  We spend as much time with them as possible.

After graduation my family moved to Yakima. I worked & attended Y.V.C. for awhile. I started dating Candy Radford (class of '65) as her family had also moved & lived around the corner from me. Ten months later we married & then Uncle Sam called me to serve our country. My 3 year Army career took me to Ca., Va., Ga., & Viet Nam where I received a Purple Heart.  After the Army we moved to Lynnwood, WA. I used my G.I. bill & attended Everett C.C. & the University of Washington. I graduated with High Honors & received a B.S. in Nursing. Nursing career included Emergency Room, Critical Care, & Psych.  Needing to be outside I started a Landscape Maintenance business. Moved to Bothell, WA. on 8.2 acres where I have lived for the past 24 years. Nine years ago we built our dream home on the property & did a lot of the work ourselves. Have a Retail Nursery on the front 2 acres of the property for the last seven years.  Married 38 years to Candy. 2 sons Donald III age 37 who is married with twin babies Donald IV & Ellen. Son Steve age 35 who is married with two boys Winston age 9 & Sammy age 7.
*On July 2nd, 2004, Don suffered an Aortic Disection.  On July 3 Candy, his wife, reported Don to be resting comfortably in intensive care at Providence Hospital (Colby Campus) in Everett

Reported Oct. 6^th:  I am doing well after 5 weeks in the hospital this summer following an Aortic Disection (tear in the Aortia) not a heart attack & complications including a severe infection. I will be on heavy blood pressure medication for the rest of my life. I am home now with wife Candy. We are really looking forward to seeing you all at the reunion soon.

Like most everyone, after graduation  I  left the area ....... in fact ,  left the state  to marry,  to  have children and  then to divorce.  After spending time living in Texas, Alabama, Georgia and New Mexico,  I moved back to Yakima,  where I  settled in,  remarried ,  and  went to work for Snokist.  Currently  I  am  employed as the Office Manager for Snokist Growers.  My son and daughter both live on the coast and we have 3 lovely granddaughters, who are growing up to fast.  Between work, grandchildren and collecting antiques, my husband , Marlow,  always seem to keep busy.  Like everyone else my life has been filled with highs and lows which have all contributed to some interesting and  challenging life experiences.