Jerel Smith West

I moved to San Diego, CA in 1969 with my first husband, Mike Royer (class of 1961). We were divorced in 1976.

In 1980, I married James H. West. Wow, where did the years go? Our son is now 33. (I adopted him as a single parent in 1977, Jim adopted him in 1980 after we were married). I have two step-grandchildren that are like my own. Swell kids. Jeff will be graduating in the Spring with his MBA from the University of Arkansas. James, my son is not yet married.

Very sadly, my husband died on August 30, 2010. He has had health problems for the last several years, but was still doing some consulting just a week before he died. We worked together since 1970 and I miss him greatly. He was a CPA.

I have 3 sisters that live in Ohio, Barbara Yahle (class of 1970) lives in the house I grew up in on Little York Road, Betty Thayer (class of 1972) lives in Union, OH and Shirley Snapp (class of 1956) lives in Marysville, OH. My brother, Tom Smith (class of 1953) lives in Huber Heights. He has been my "date" for the last two reunions. My brother, Bob (Robert I. Smith, class of 1964) died in 1971, in an auto accident. Since my parents deaths, Dad (Gerald N. Smith, class of 1932) in 2001, and Mom (Naida I. Corrello Smith attended Butler until 1933) in 2003, I do not get back to Dayton as often as I used to. But now that Jim has died, I may visit more often. I'm just not ready to retire yet. We did a lot of traveling when we were younger. However, I do try to attend my nieces and nephews important events (graduation, marriages, etc.) and of course, our class reunions.

I grew up in the house my parents moved to soon after they were married in 1934 at 2610 Little York Road. The house is still in the family. My mother grew up in the house next door, 2640 Little York Road, that her father built in 1920. The house still stands and my niece lives there now with her family.

I joined Girl Scouts in 2nd grade, Troop #304. Mrs. Stupp (Barbara Stupp's mom) and Mrs. Ross (Irene Ross's mom, they moved away in 4th or 5th grade), then Mrs. Robinson (Janet Robinson's mom) were the troop leaders. I stayed with the Troop until they disbanded in our junior year (I think). Also, I was in the high school marching band, playing the clarinet until my junior year. My family had only one car, so I could not always get to the school in time to catch the bus for away games...so I dropped out my senior year.

Generally, I was quiet. Marilyn Henger and Linda Gealy were my closest friends, although we lost touch many years ago. I was sorry to hear about Marilyn's death. In home room (high school) I sat behind David Sabec and in front of JoLynn Smith (alphabetic order). David's death was so sad. In 1982 or so, I was in Washington DC with my husband and son. We visited the Vietnam Memorial and found David's name. Is was very emotional. I remember my son, who was only 5 or so, became concerned that the Memorial upset me. I did not know David well, but is was just so sad.

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