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Charlotte Pate (Poole) (1962)

AMEN, MEL!

Mary DE Lois Finch (Brown) (1960)

Mel Moy,

Do you have the Obit notice for Charles Jackson?  I would like to have a copy to put in my notebook of 1960 classmates who have gone but not forgotten. 

Mel Moy (1960)

To Mary Finch Brown-

In response to your request, I am posting a copy of the obituary published in the Jackson MS newspaper for Dr. Charles Jackson. Perhaps others will find the obit of interest.

“It has been a remarkable journey and I have been blessed many times over.”

Dr. Arthur Charles Jackson, Capt. M.C., USN R (ret.) died March 25, 2021, in Jackson, MS, with his wife of 53 years and his son by his side, after a long battle with scleroderma. Visitation is 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 1, on the front lawn of 3615 Hawthorn Dr., Jackson, MS 39216. Masks and social distancing are required by the family. Due to COVID-19, interment is private but will be live-streamed at 2:00pm at: www.facebook.com/LakewoodMemorial/ . The festivity Charles desired—“lots of music, wine, and even dance”—will be scheduled in some fashion in November.

A urological surgeon and Navy captain from Houston, TX, Charles and his wife Fitzhugh Lee (Jones) settled in Jackson, MS, in 1976 in the house where they had wed in 1967, as it was previously the home of Lee’s parents. Charles was the grandson of European and Mexican immigrants who settled in Houston at the turn of the 20th century. His British grandparents imbued him with Victorian sensibility in table settings, discipline, and personal grooming. His Carl forebears bestowed lifelong values of self-reliance, tenacity, and again, fine grooming.

He was born 8 November 1941 to Arthur Charles and Juanita Marie (Carl) Jackson in Houston, TX. Attending his delivery was Dr. John Zell Gaston, a cousin to Charles’s eventual wife. A cradle Episcopalian, Charles grew up in the rural suburbs of North Houston, attending Houston Public Schools. From childhood he wanted to become a doctor; his working-class parents ushered him toward that lofty goal. The Sputnik launch in 1957 shocked the U.S. into prioritizing science education like the U.S. Navy- and Texas A&M-sponsored program Charles attended in White Sands, NM. Popular and outgoing, Charles was elected cheerleader five times before graduating as class valedictorian from Sam Houston High in 1960.

With scholarships from Schlumberger and the Houston Endowment, Charles matriculated at Rice University. At Rice he earned both a B.S. in biology (1964) and the affections of Fitzhugh Lee Jones, a biology major and cellist from Mississippi. The first in his family to graduate college, Charles promptly departed for a summer in Austria working as a bookkeeper (and beer drinker) at Brauerei Zipf. On 17 June 1967, Charles married Lee at her childhood home in Jackson, MS. Their honeymoon in Europe was eight weeks of shoestring travel in a rented VW Bug, including a foray behind the Iron Curtain. Their first married years in Dallas, TX, yielded daughter #1, Mary Etta; an M.D. from University of Texas Southwestern Medical School; and an ensuing 22-year career in the U.S. Navy.

Completing Urology training as a Navy Surgeon moved them among Boston, MA; Newport, RI; Oakland, CA—where daughter Elizabeth Carl was born; and Orlando, FL. They settled in Lee’s hometown of Jackson, where Charles joined Dr. Julian Wiener and Dr. Roy Kelly at the Urology Clinic; and son John Henry was born. A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Charles was Board Certified in Urology and licensed in five states. He was clinical faculty at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and served briefly as Interim Chief of Urology at the Bethesda National Medical Center. Charles was beloved by patients for his skill and kindness. He retired his practice in 1991.

Charles raised his three children to love Halloween and high art, treat people with equal consideration, respect tradition, defy convention, dress with flair, regard wealth as secondary to character, and never pass up a spectacle. He provided his niece, Jenifer, with invaluable support, and zealously maintained ties with friends from junior high and extended family. A passionate supporter of the arts, Charles served variously as president and board member of: the Jackson Music Association, the Mississippi Opera, the Jackson Ballet, the Caledonian Society, and the English Speaking Union, Jackson chapter. The ESU Shakespeare Competition he facilitated sent local students to New York and London. 

A devout communicant, usher, teacher, and fundraiser for 45 years at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral, Charles followed a family tradition of Freemasonry as a member of Pearl Lodge #23 F.&A.M. He served as a Worshipful Master (2002) and as Deputy in Mississippi to the International Supreme Council (2001–2020). Selected to 33rd degree in 2013, he belonged to both York and Scottish Rites. Charles relished the constructive civic role and the bonds of Freemasonry.

Charles is survived by his wife, Fitzhugh Lee Jackson, his daughter Mary Etta “Marie” Trosclair (Los Angeles, CA); daughter Elizabeth Jackson (Austin, TX); son John Henry Jackson (Maurine “Meemie”) and granddaughter Ava Catherine (New Orleans, LA). Also, of Houston, Charles’s brother Donald Wayne Jackson (Cathy), niece and goddaughter Jenifer Jackson-Schlaich, and grandniece Celeste. Charles’s legacy also carries on with beloved Carl, Husband, and Leslie cousins, and British relatives, the Pollards and Jacksons.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the Arthur Charles Jackson Memorial Trust at Community Foundation for Mississippi (https://formississippi.org/donate/ -or- 119 South President St., 1st floor, Jackson, MS 39201); Pearl Lodge #23 F.&A.M. (PO Box 22984, Jackson, MS 39255); or St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral (http://standrews.ms/giving/ -or- PO Box 1366, Jackson, MS 39215).

Deborah Quinn (Hensel) (1972)

Planning is already underway for the 50-year reunion for the class of 1972. We hope that, by May or June of 2022, we'll all be able to gather in public again without worrying about passing this evil virus around. Keep your fingers crossed. I have made some tentative inquiries about having the event out at the beautiful new Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville Resort on Lake Conroe, but that is not set in stone. Also, I have also asked several of our classmates to participate in a little detective work to make sure we have up-to-date contact information in order to reach out to everyone. As plans progress, we will be posting information here, but if you want to make sure you don't miss any news, you also might check out the Facebook page called Sam Houston High School Class of '72 (facebook.com/groups/70537181076). Or you may feel free to email me with your address and other contact information and I will pass it on to our "class detectives" to include you on the list. My email address is DQH3591@aol.com. If you have friends who are not actively checking this site and are not on Facebook, please encourage them to email me. Go Tigers!

Deb (Quinn) Hensel

1971-72 Aegis Editor 

Mary DE Lois Finch (Brown) (1960)

Thanks Mel.  This is perfect.  He was an impressive person and very much fun to sit and visit with.  I think you are as well.  Hope we will be able to get together again very soon.   

Hope this finds you and your family happy and well.  

My family seems to be growing more and more with the great grandkids coming along fast and furious.  

Sending God's blessing your way.

Mary 

Caren Reynolds (Cates) (1965)

Hello former Sam Houston Houstonettes!

I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. During this past year, we have all had time to reflect on the many memories we experienced as members of the Houstonette sisterhood!  One of my memories was during the Installation of Officers ceremony in 1965, when a poem was read “Flam, Flam, Merrily Tap”. This poem was written by a former Houstonette. I remember that it was very well written and emotional to read. I would love to have a copy of the poem. Is there anyone who remembers the words or know who wrote it? It was definitely not written by a 1965 member and could have been written in the 1950’s. 

I anxiously await a response to this request.  I have asked several classmates who remember hearing the poem but don’t remember the words or author. 

Blessings and good wishes to all the Sam Houston Tigers!!

Bonnie Artale (1971)

#4795 

So excited to hear about the 1972 50Th reunion is being work on Now!!  I hope we are still going to invite other classes cuz so many of the gals I keep in contact with were in the '69 "70 class.  Thanks.

Bonnie

Deborah Quinn (Hensel) (1972)

Bonnie, I would like to promise that we will open the reunion up to other classes before and after '72, but I won't know that until I find out the capacity of the party rooms at the resort and then ascertain how big of a crowd we might draw. We had more than 800 graduates in '72, and while I certainly don't expect that many to RSVP, we might get a pretty big number of attendees once spouses are factored in. Fifty years is a big reunion milestone and I would hope a lot of our classmates would make the effort to come, especially since reunions after that become increasingly unlikely. Once we have a general idea of how many from 1972 will attend, we'll be able to determine whether or not we can accommodate friends from other class years. I certainly hope we can, but I want to make sure that folks from 1972 get first priority. Thanks for your interest, and I'll keep posting information here as we get closer to 2022. 

Steven Shepherd (1970)

Randy Tolman, I did not have boots on the ground. I had a brother-in-law who spent 2 tours outside of Saigon as a Marine. He told me a lot of stories about his tours. He died in 76 in a car accident. He had been having blackout spells and refused to go to the VA in Little Rock. He told me a week before about it and he knew what was happening (he worked in supply and handled Agent Orange). I am active in the American Legion and DAV and pastor a Missionary Baptist Church near Scranton, AR. Thank you and ALL of our fellow veterans for your service!

Steve Shepherd

Kathy Culpepper (Gunderson) (1968)

Randy Tolman (1967)

Steve Sheaperd. Thank you for your comments and for your work. I too am a minister (43 years). I thank God I have not developed any signs (yet) of those horrible diseases caused by agent orange however my sweet wife of 52 years passed away on January 30 from metastatic breast cancer that spread to her brain, The cause of which was determined to be polluted drinking water at camp Lejeune North Carolina. That is just another example of the great injustices done to our servicemen and their families. Don't get me wrong I love America and I would serve her again in a heartbeat but we definitely need to do a better job taking care of our military. God bless you for the work you're doing with DAV and God bless the USA.

Glenda Nunley (Burkhalter) (1967)

Randy, So sorry to hear about your sweet wife. Life is so different after a spouse is gone from our everyday life, especially when one is looking forward to slowing down and spending more time together in retirement.

Randy Tolman (1967)

Thank you Glenda the last three months have been the longest three months of my life

Lawanda Taylor (1967)

Randy - I am so sorry for your loss.  I hope that time will give ease to your heart.  My husband passed almost 4 years ago.  I think of our good times and it helps the days go by.

Kerry Callaway (1966)

Prayers for You Randy Tolman,may God comfort you and bless you as you grieve the loss of your dear wife.

Deborah Carruth (Bridges) (1968)

Remember the Granada Theater?  Thankfully, the icon is still standing but most of the strip center there was completely destroyed by fire this past week.  Only the Granada and a Dollar General at the other end remain standing.  If I remember correctly, back in the day, a Henke & Pillot grocery store and T & L Restaurant were located there.

Jerry Poole (1964)

Mary DE Lois Finch (Brown) (1960)

I am very sorry to hear about Gene..  The Wagner family were great neighbors and great friends. His parents and my parents were fairly close and when we firrst got our TV, they would come over and watch wrestling on Friday nights.  Well our parents watched TV and Gene, Tommy and their sister ( I think her name was Charlene) and I would play board games. My grrandparents lived next door to us and my aunt and I are the same age.  The 5 of us played together almost every day. . I kept in contact with them for a little while after we moved and they were my go to neighbors after I got married and moved back into my parents house.  They moved after the sister graduated and I lost track of them.  

Some really good kids grew up on that block of Turner. Too many have to their eternal home. 

Robert Hinson (1969)

Deborah Bridges, my brother Tom and I spent many Saturdays at the Grenada Theater and my parents would take us to the T&L to eat many times.

Kathy Culpepper (Gunderson) (1968)

Jacquelin Burnaman (Young) (1972)

Deborah Bridges, the Granada is the first theatre I remember going to.  My mom and I would go to the "picture show." Good memories there. And I haven't thought of Henke and Pillot in years. After the movie we would go to Prices hamburger. I'm happy the fire didn't burn down the Granada. So sorry for the loss of the rest of the strip center. 

Kerry Callaway (1966)

#4807 Deborah,you are correct Henke and Pillot,T and L Restaurant,Leonards all occupied that center in the 50's and 60's. Paulls Jewelery Store also was there adjacent to T&L

Caren Reynolds (Cates) (1965)

The Granada Theatre was a favorite Saturday hangout for me and my brother, Coady. It was also a very cheap child care! If I remember correctly, admission was $.20. You could arrive at 10:45 am and leave after 5:00 pm and take in a double feature, serial (complete with cliff hanger) and numerous cartoons!! We attended Coop Elementary, so a short drive!! A very large man ran the theatre and kept all the kids in line. Parents were confident that he had everything under control. 😁

Speaking of Coop Elementary, I am trying to locate class pictures from the 1950’s.  Some of our old pictures were in a house fire. Anyone out there have class pictures: 5th grade, Mrs. Young, 6th grade, Mr Anderson? I also had Ms. Oakes and Ms, Muff?

Blessings to all!!

Robert Hinson (1969)

My brother Tom and I used to spend most of our Saturdays at the Granada or the North Houston theater's. It was a cheep way to spend the day. A few years later I spent my nights at the Shepherd Drive-in. It was a great way to keep out of trouble and to watch free movies and get free concessions like popcorn, drinks and a cheep burger.

Randy Tolman (1967)

Ah the Granada Theater! What wonderful memories I have of that place. My brothers, Wallace and Fred, accompanied me on Saturday mornings as we walked to the Granada for our weekly outing. I know we didn't go every weekend but when we did that's what made it so special. My fondest memory took place when I was 10 years old in the balcony setting with my first girlfriend. We hugged and kissed so much there is no way I could tell you what the movie was that day. But I certainly remember who she was and I'm not telling you that either. I loved the Granada theater.