Birthday: 2/2/41
Mailing address: P. O. Box 5005, Vacaville, CA 95696-5005
Home Phone: 707-446-2044 Cell Phone: 707-628-7224
Spouse: Mary Jo (Thornblade) Mason City HS Class of 1959
What’s happened since 1959? 2 years junior college at Mason City, then enlisted in Air Force, selected for Aviation Cadets and commissioned in 1962. Married Mary Jo in 1962. Spent the next 11 years flying in and out of Vietnam, the last in country as a Forward Air Controller flying the OV-10 Bronco. Transferred to the AFReserve flying C-5A Galaxy for 12 years, finishing up as a Lieutenant Colonel squadron commander, retiring in 1990 with 30 years total Air Force. Not doing well with bosses looking over my shoulder, I took up truck driving for the next 13 years, finally retiring in 2003. We have 3 sons and 5 grandchildren, 3 boys and (finally) 2 girls.
What’s happening now? I seem to take every pill known to man and think I am recovering from the last of 4 knee surgeries (3 replacements). We are active in our church ( I give an occasional sermon) and Cursillo. We also like to travel, cruises, RVing and time shares.
Attending 50th Reunion? Yes
Kept in touch with? Gary McDonald several years ago, but wasn’t home the last time I stopped by, and talked to Earl “Butch” Nelson several years ago at Travis AFB, CA.
Memories from school days: K-12 at Clear Lake, so many of us grew up together. Miss Crist (4th grade) and her ruler across my knuckles. Summer baseball. Ice boating with Joe Miles. Ice hockey and basketball across the street at Joe’s. Palin’ almost everywhere with Hal Hansen. Gary McDonald’s Nash with the door that swung open on left turns and GorfleGarf Oil for my tuba. Sock hops in the gym and teen dances at the Surf on Wednesday nights.
Favorite (remembered) song from the 50’s: Johnny Mathis’ “Chances Are” #1 in 1957.
