Tommy Nixon

Ken, Thanks for pointing this out. My memory is not what it used to be, obviously. I hope John is around at the 50th so I can spend a little more time with him reminiscing as well as catch up with his life. I appreciate you pointing this out.

John Church

Ken- Tommy was right the first time. I was in the stands my Sr. year rooting for the team including my LITTLE brother Curtis who was a half foot taller than me (genetics are great aren't they). See you at 50th!

Tommy Nixon

John, I was out working in the yard this afternoon when it also occurred to me that it was your little brother Curtis who played with us in our senior year. It's funny how it now takes a day or two for things to settle in. My brother, David, played with Curtis the following year until he got tired of the turmoil involving Coach Skinner and Snooky Parker and his parents. Skinner didn't last much longer after that bruhala began. I believe you played J V ball at some point? I remember playing some ball with you... maybe Hi-Y? Anyway, thanks for setting the record straight. Hope you are well, John....Tom

Kenneth Alan Whitley

Oops!  The mind is a terrible thing.

Edit:

I guess some thought my comment above odd.  It is  a line from a comedy bit by Bob Nelson.https://youtu.be/BerJdS2VJhA

John Ballantine (Class Of 1967)

To the Class of 1969, I just found this on a Westside page in FaceBook.  So sorry for your lost.

It is with incredible sadness that I share that Susan Lewman Smart has past away. Susan was a Teacher at Duval County Schools, Florida State University Alumni 1973  and a Lee High School Graduate 1969 . 
From Jacksonville, Florida · Lived in Coral Springs, Florida.

 Susan's viewing will be at 7 pm Friday night 12/15 at Quinn-Shalz funeral home off 3rd Street in Jax Beach. 3600 Third St. 
The funeral will be held at Community Presbyterian in Atlantic Beach at 1 pm on Saturday 12/16. Community Presbyterian is 150 Sherry Drive Atlantic Beach.

Susan Smart fulfilled her lifelong dream of passing away in the company of her sons, after weeks of visits with friends and family at her beautiful beach house in Jacksonville, twenty years too soon, on December 8, 2017.
Susan was born in Muncie, Indiana and many of her fondest memories were of her times with her grandparents there when she was young. After moving to Jacksonville with her mother, Jane Wendell, as a child, she attended Florida State University where she picked up her passion for Seminole Football. Which was best expressed by screaming, “Go Noles!” at her children and friends every time Florida State scored a touchdown.
She was an elementary school special education teacher for more than thirty-five years, at times intentionally seeking out the hard jobs at the tough schools where she could make the most difference. She loved teaching because she loved the kids (although she came to hate the bureaucracy of the education system).
There was nothing she wouldn’t do for those she loved. Susan spent her life helping, caring for, and bossing around the few family, many, many friends, and thousands of students who were fortunate enough to share her time. She never gave up on anyone; nor did she lower her expectations. She was a firm believer that there is a right way to do things (her way) and a wrong way (all other ways), and that if you want something done right you do it yourself. To this day, no one, not her family or closest friends, has ever been able to properly wash, dry, and press a load of laundry to her standards. 
Most of us are blessed to have one or two close friends we can call upon when in need. Susan had dozens and continued to make new lifelong friends even in her final months. A single child, her closest friends were not just friends, but family, her sisters. This family surrounded her with love and friendship throughout her adult life.
Susan’s greatest prides were her sons (Ryan and Zach) and grandchildren (Alyssa and Jacob), her home, and her baking. Not necessarily in that order. Her favorite things were time with family and friends, Christmas, and the beach. Exactly in that order.
Through dozens of chemotherapy treatments, tens of thousands of miles traveled to meet with specialists, and two clinical trials she remained a source of joy, a great friend, and the best mother. Even though she lost her battle with cancer, she won the war of life.
Visitation will be from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Friday, Dec. 15, 2017 in Quinn-Shalz Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 16th in Community Presbyterian Church of Atlantic Beach.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to the Donald L. Rowland Fund for Colon Cancer Research at the University of Florida Health Cancer Center (PO Box 103633, Gainesville, FL 32610 or cancer.ufl.edu).
http://www.quinn-shalz.com/notices/Susan-Smart

.http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timesunion/obituary.aspx?n=susan-smart&pid=187487775

Morgan Mac Donell (White)

Hey John. Thank you so much for posting this. 😢

Emily Ann Bryan (Farthing)

FARAH- Anwar Farah, 66, passed away December 9, 2017 in Jacksonville, FL. Arrangements by Corey -Kerlin Funeral Home, 940 Cesery Blvd, Jacksonville, FL. 94-744-8422.

Michael Ferrara

FARAH- Anwar Farah, 66, passed away December 9, 2017 in Jacksonville, FL. Arrangements by Corey -Kerlin Funeral Home, 940 Cesery Blvd, Jacksonville, FL. 94-744

Abe  was one the funniest, easy going people I have ever met . Those "Gut" card games he ran behind the Lee High Shop in the mornings before school were classic. I would have really liked to have seen him again.

Tommy Nixon

Abe

Rest In Peace. Thank you for what you brought into this world.

Tom Nixon

Susie Seashole (Wells)

I hate to hear of Abe's passing! I have such fond memories of him from our high school day! Rest in peace dear one!

Nick Jones

Sad to hear about Abe Farah's passing. He was totally non judgemental about people and their background and for that reason we had a special bond as we were both "foreigners" in the eyes of our classmates. What a great sense of humor and joie de vivre!  I learned quite a few "words" from him in his native language. Lol! I shall miss him greatly!

John Nobles

Sorry to hear about Abe he was a good friend. God Bless him and his Family ! 

Helen Farah

Last night we had to say good bye to my cousin Abe Farah . He lived his life with fun and a smile on his face. He was one a kind, full of life and always joking around. Today we will lay him to rest in heavenly peace.  ❤️

Thank you all for sharing some of your memories of Abe in high school, he truly loved each and every one of you!

Helen Farah

Dorothea Youngblood (Lucas)

Does any one have a picture of the Robert ELee logo? Please email me ASAP

DLucas1111@aol.com

Pat Linning

Saw an interview with 3 of the Lynyrd Skynyrd guys this morning. They are promoing their "farewell" tour.Talked about Lee and Leonard a lot. They showed a yearbook basketball team photo of Leonard from 67 or 68. Standing next to Skinner was Steve Eagerton. Brought back big memories. See you next year.

Susan Victoria Fritts (Burnett)

Holy Cr@p, 50 years?  Sorry to say that I will not be able to attend, as my husband and I plan to be in Switzerland viewing the CERN super-collider while it's done for maintenance.  Once in a lifetime, and my lifetime is getting shorter and shorter!  Sorry to miss our reunion, it's also a once in a lifetime event.  Susan

Hans Tanzler III

Susan, hello and it is so exciting that you have a great trip planned in June.   Carpe Diem!   Everyone, including me, are sorry that you can't make the 50th, but there is still a lot of paper left on the roll.  

As a spontaneous footnote, and by some simplistic self serving math, I rationalize that we have 30% of our adult track left to run.  This irrational conclusion assumes our adult life (post 21) is 46 years now that we are 67.  With life expectancy of say, 87, we have 20 hopefully good ones to run.  20 / 66 (total)  = 30% of total adulthood.  We all should all keep playing offense like you are doing. 

However, I also have a T-Shirt saying:  "Maturity is Overrated".   

Denise Singletary (Donohue)

Susan, That is really awesome! What a fantastic opportunity. You must post pictures!

Tommy Nixon

Greetings all! Just made camping reservations at Kathryn Hanna Park in preparation for the 50th reunion. My wife and I are including the reunion into a counter clockwise tour of the country in our Chalet trailer that begins May 1st. and takes us back to California in mid July. It’ll be the first time Val has attended one of our reunions and June 1st, weirdly enough, is my 68th birthday. So I gotta connect those two dots, right? So when you pull up at the reunion and see a parked Honda Pilot with two kayaks on top with California plates, it’s us on the mid point of our whirlwind tour of the USA. I’m trying to convince my wife to join me in TP’ing Rosenblooms house late one night in Atlantic Beach if he still lives there. Hanna Park ( my old surfing grounds is just a short raid away). I know Taylor Corse will help me. Just kidding Rose! See you all on June 1st...Nixon

Hans Tanzler III

Tommy, wow, that is great news that you and Val are comming.  I really look forward to seeing you guys, and we need to work on getting the two Gary's there too (both have been elusive).  And what a splended way for you and Val to time travel to your 68th b-day.    

You can show her where "access 5" was located inside Hanna Park.  We were < 18 then.   I don't think you can't drive onto the beach through access 5 now.....prior moments in time and space.  I can see you and me in my blue English Ford on the beach on that spring day (post B-Ball season), with the cooler in the back, and the 8 tract on the floor.  While backed up to the dune on the beach, we can put the one big speaker on the roof, and with our friends around, playing  " in a gatta la vida" until the car battery runs down.  Somehow we always made it home.   Just a flash back, and so many more. 

Hans

Taylor Corse

My wife (Juliann) and I will be coming to the 50th.  We are really looking forward to it.  Cheers, Taylor
 

Tommy Nixon

Taylor and Hans; Great to hear Juliann is coming. This will make Val very happy, Taylor. Hans, I’ll never forget those times at “Access 5.” Busch in the bottle and Hav-a-Tampa Jewels with great music and a boat full of dreams. We thought we were so badass and we were in our minds. Now it’s 50 years on. It will be great if we can get Gary and Terry at the reunion. Terry has previously said he would show up. I hope so. I’ve got no idea how you find Bucky. I hear his very successful. I’d love to see any and all of the old team if possible. Maybe there are those who know how to make contact with him. This reunion is an important one I think. I don’t know why but I feel it so. It’ll probably me my last, but who knows. Love to hear who else is planning on coming so it can be built up. Thanks for getting the word out early, Hans.... Tom

Susan Victoria Fritts (Burnett)

😢 You all are making me sad that I won't be there!  So jealous.  

Tommy Nixon

Greetings all;

I just downloaded the hard copy of the 50th Reunion Registration Form. It still indicates that the date is

May 31st instead of June 1st.  I get it but others maybe confused by this discreptency. FYI... see you there!

Nixon

James (Jim) Mackie

Thanks Tommy and look to see you in June. Calling all who may have kept a sports uniform, Jersey, cheerleading outfit or the like so we can display at the reunion. Let me know and we'll make plans to display it and any other memoriabila as well.

Funny quick story, I have been a Certified Athletic Trainer since 1975, working at UF for 16 years and high schools / rehabilation clinics over the years.  When I was injured as a sophmore playing football, Coach Dingman & Coach Altman gave me the opportunity to be around athletics.  A junior manager, Frank Gooding taught me how to tape an ankle and Coach Skinner let me tape the football players.  Thus the journey began and being an athletic trainer is more than just taping ankles, the opportunities and relationships built over the years has been rewarding. Finishing up this spring a book on the history of Athletic Training at the Univ. of Florida.  I look forwad to seeing many of you at the reunion.