(12/29) Phil Lee one of our classmates, passed away on 12/28. The funeral will be at 10:00 Monday 12/31 in DeWitt. Click on his name for the obituary and other details.

(12/12) James Thomson one of our classmates, passed away on 12/8. Click on his name for the obituary.

(12/04) Fred McClure one of our classmates, passed away on 11/30. Click on his name for the obituary.

Nothing so far but some of us have been talking about a committee meeting around the holidays to begin discussions on the 40 year reunion coming up in 2003. Send a note to me at jwhite@gwn.org if you would like to be contacted once we set a time and place. (January update: we haven't held the meeting yet but are still accepting expressions of interest if you haven't already let me know you want to be involved)

(10/21) Although John Psychas was not able to make his trip to New York City a relief mission (see earlier news), he and a number of friends went as tourists. Here is his report:
The trip went very well. We stayed at the Radison Hotel at 48th and Lexington. It was a great location. We walked to Grand Central Station, Time Square, Rockefeller Center. Took cabs to the Village, and China town, which is as close to ground zero as we could get. It was about 15 blocks away, there were national guard troops and police at cement barriers keeping people away.
The saddest thing was that every where you went, there were pictures of the missing every where! Little memorials with flowers and candles every where. We visited several fire stations and my nephew Chris got to visit with many of his comrades. Everyone was so grateful that we all came to spend money and support the economy of NY. Many restaurants gave us free deserts or free drinks. The most erie thing that we noticed was that there was so little horn honking from the cars and the traffic moved so much calmer and slower.
We had a good group there.
Mike Illuzzi, Director of the Everhart Museum from Scranton, PA; Steve Crow, Attorney from Atlanta; David Stevenson, Pharmacists from Atlanta; Bob Spano, Conductor from Atlanta; Jim Bradley, UN rep from NY; Jim's Friend, Myatt from NY; Mike Morzinski from NY formerly from Ann Arbor, friend of Nephew Chris; Chris Psychas, my Nephew, and Me.
It was and experience I will never forget. It was so sad. Pictures and flags every where.

(10/1) With regard to the nameplates for the new JHS auditorium seats, I have the order form. Individual chairs (random seating) are $150. Corporate chairs (first three rows) are $300 each. You get up to three lines of 25 characters each. Contact Susie Farr, Jackson Public Schools, 1400 West Monroe St., Jackson MI 49202. Her number is (517) 841-2148.

(9/18) Update to 9/15 note (see below) from John Pyschas: The New York Fire Department has asked that no more volunteers come to New York at this time, because they are overwhelmed. They will let us know when the memorial for the firefighters is going to be held, and we will travel to New York for that. For those of you that have sent money for expenses we thank you and will apply it to the travel expenses for the firefighters that will travel to the memorial for their comrades. I can't thank you enough for your tremendous response in money and your prayers.
From the bottom of my heart I than you all.

(9/17) Linda Stroup Trumbull reports, "I went to JHS on September 14 and took a tour of the new science wing and stayed for the dedication to Mr. Holman. It was really nice. They were handing out a little booklet about the auditorium and the seats. For $150.00 you can pay for a plate with you name to be put on a seat in the auditorium. The money raised will be used to buy new trophy cases as well as create a "Hall of Fame" in the foyer.  This "Hall of Fame" will highlight outstanding past and present students who have received recognition either in academics, athletics or fine arts on a county or statewide level.  The Hall will also provide a forum for past and present staff recognition.  I think it would be nice for our class do to this and sponsor a chair. Corporate Chairs are $300.  These are the first thee rows." Note from John: She is sending me the form so check back here later

(9/15) John Psychas writes:

Dear Family and Friends:
I have been so frustrated wondering what else I could do besides praying, after the great tragedy that has unfolded in New York and Washington. And my one of my prayers has been answered.

My Nephew Chris Psychas a full time Firefighter for the Ypsilanti Township Fire Department and his Union President has asked me to help drive him and several of his firefighting brothers to New York City to give some relief to those firefighters who have been working at ground zero since last Tuesday, September 11th. We will be leaving the Ann Arbor area on Thursday morning September 20 and returning on Monday, September 24.

I have asked my former boss and former owner of the company Mr. Gelman to call his contacts in New York to find us lodging. I have also sent an e-mail to my boss and the President of my company Pall Life Sciences in Ann Arbor, asking for a donation for gas, food and travel expenses. I have also called my friend Jim Bradley who works for the United Nations to help out with lodging. I will be working on getting a Van or two donated tomorrow.

No matter what kind of help we do or do not receive, we WILL be leaving on Thursday morning September 20th and plan to return on Monday, September 24, 2001. I ask for your thoughts and prayers.

John Psychas

(8/12) Dennis and Penny Hatt were welcomed into retirement at the home of Tom and Marlys Peck. A few JHS classmates were on hand along with a number of their mothers. Click here for the group photo.

(8/8) Party, Party, Party! Tom and Marlys Peck are throwing a party to honor Dennis and Penny Hatt who have just retired. It will be held at their home in Jackson beginning at 2:00pm on Sunday, August 12th. All JHS '63 friends are invited. Just bring a side dish. Tom will be cooking hot dogs.
If you are planning to attend, please contact me through this website (jwhite@gwn.org) and I will send you details and pass along your plans to the Pecks.

(8/2) John Psychas thought that meeting at the Ella Sharp museum sounded good (see July news below). Anyone else?

(7/21) The Ella Sharp Museum has opened an exhibit entitled, "Lost Jackson: Remembering the Recent Past." It runs through September 16 in the Emmet Gallery. The exhibit focuses on the buildings and businesses that have disappeared from Jackson's landscape during the past 50 years. Beyond dozens of photographs are plenty of artifacts. For details, check their website at www.ellasharp.org.
"Jackson as We Remember It" is a theme we had in mind for our 40 year reunion in 2003. What does anyone think about holding a committee meeting at the museum some weekend afternoon followed by dinner at an existing restaurant? Send me a note at John White at jwhite@gwn.org.

(6/11) No news but I would appreciate some help tracking down deceased classmates as we begin a push to get ready for the 40 year (can it be that long?!) reunion in 2003. One site I have found is:
http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/vital/ssdi/main.htm
It contains records from Social Security files. If someone is willing to punch in the names of our lost classmates one by one, we will probably find some in there. I can provide the latest list. Contact me at jwhite@gwn.org

(5/13) No news to report but John Psychas is proposing that we hold a "meeting" sometime soon. MaryLou Dodge lives in Traverse City and had offered to use her connections in the hospitality industry to set up a gathering up there later this summer. For the sake of discussion, how about the weekend of August 18/19. Send me your comments at jwhite@gwn.org and I will post them here (our Guest Book capabilities are not working right now and I haven't taken the time to get it fixed).

(4/6) A memorial service was held for Elva Atkinson, mother of our classmate Dona Secker Byrum. Attending the service was Joanne Cornell Spencer (JHS '61), sister of classmate Mary Sue Cornell who passed away last June. Elva was a bridge partner of Rose Cornell, their mother. Joanne said that she would be very interested in hearing your memories of Mary Sue. You may contact her by email at joanneL@chartermi.net
Joanne has also contributed a more detailed obituary than what we had. Click on Mary Sue's name above.

(3/30) The Guest Book feature on this website (accessible through the Contact Us page) has not been working properly for a while. I'll try to figure out what's wrong. 

(2/16) Alvar West, longtime JHS teacher, died on February 15 at age 93. Mr. West was the father and father-in-law to our classmates, Rob West and Mary Paige West. Click on his name for details.

(2/15) Connie Halliday Eteo was recently reunited with the class through this website. She lives in North Carolina and would like to hear from old friends. Contact her by email at ceteo@peedeeworld.net

(1/18) MaryLou Dodge is in Traverse City and has suggested that we hold a planning committee meeting up there this summer. During the season, she works in the hospitality industry and can help arrange accommodations. Sounds like an idea worth considering. I would be glad to collect any thoughts and share them with others in advance of a committee* meeting. Send them to me (John White) at jwhite@gwn.org.

*the membership of the reunion planning committee is open to anyone who would like to participate. Let me know if you want to be notified of upcoming meetings.

(1/15) Photos from the 12/16 party at Libby's have been posted.