I just received the following comments from our Classmate, Ralph Norman, regarding the death of his good friend and our fellow classmate, James Spence:

James Spence-(2/27/1944-10/11/2015) James has passed away from complications following triple bypass surgery. During surgery, he was deprived of oxygen and went into a coma. He seemed to be recovering from that, but he contracted a staph infection and pneumonia while in intensive care. He passed away as a result.

Before moving to Richardson for his junior and senior years, James had moved quite often, living in Washington, Florida, Texas and California. He enjoyed the stability of a good community and school system for the three years which he lived in Richardson. Following the 53rd class reunion in June, he spoke fondly of the people with whom he had associated and the good times which he had experienced.

Following high school, James worked as a cashier in a grocery store. In 1963 he joined the Air Force for a twenty-two year career. After retirement from military service, he worked for twenty years as a postal employee in Brownwood, TX James is survived by three daughters-Angela Carr, Alice Guest and Honey Spence-as well as several grandchildren, nephews and nieces.  A memorial service will be held at Abundant Life Church in Brownwood on Wednesday, October 14th at 11 A.M.

John-I'm glad that James and I had a chance to attend the reunion last June. It afforded some quality time to be with my best friend from so long ago as well as to see my classmates. We were able to visit all of our old haunts, laugh about some of our experiences as teenagers, and to see the old high school on Abrams and our "new" high school on Belt Line.

If you knew James, you might want to share a few memories for all of us to enjoy. I am glad I had a chance to visit with him this past June at our reunion.  I did not know James in school, but he seemed to be a genuinely nice guy.

Thanks to Ralph Norman for bringing this to our attention.

John B.

10/12/15