Tom Peters

Six years ago we sold our family business that was started in 1959. Brenda retired about 5 years ago. We stick fairly close to home. I had to give up the horses after 2 knee replacements and 2 hip replacements. Now I mostly work around the house, a little gardening, some writing and just enjoying life. I have two books in progress with publishing at present and another I am working on. Mrs Starks would be proud. Brenda and I visit a lot with Rodney Horn and his wife Kay. Rodney has worked on a large model train layout with me and we have had a lot of fun with that. For 36 years I hit the gym most every day but now with the joints I mostly ride my bike and walk and do home exercises. Along with selling the lumberyard we sold all our rentals having gotten out of both at just the right time. I could no longer compete with the giant bigbox stores nor could I put up with the current renter pool and not having a business to conduct that business. Life is good and we actually have a fair number of classmates living in Mcpherson. It is always great to see them.Though , as all know, I was not a social butterfly in high school but I certainly have fond memories of those days. We had a great class. Brenda and I remain in good health and strive to continue that state with every effort.

I still remember putting the alarm clock in the magazine boxes in Ms.Dowhower's library. She and I sort of had a love hate thing but I think she put me in my place when she called me a peasant.Ireally had no comback to that. I also confess to,with Don Olson's help,to subscribing to the Playboy magazine for the teacher's lounge.All in all I thought high school was Ok.My favorite instructor was Mr. Ulrey in speech.He did me more good ,for in the future ,than any of them.Bill Moore was next in line with economics,and of course Phil Lane who I always thought of as more of a friend than just a teacher.I also knew to never cross him cause he just did'nt put up with much nonsense.actually,there were many good teachers some I didn't care for at the time but then I wasn't a very dedicated student either.There were two major news events that were announced during classes that I,like many of you,will never forget.One was the cubin missle crisis being averted and the assasination of JFK.