Paying Tribute

Posted By Karla Lofgren Davis, Based on a Suggestion and a Commentary from Paul Schrader, November 6, 2007

Paul Schrader posed this idea to me in an e-mail: “Who in our class has done what to positively enrich others? Maybe we could somehow acknowledge or honor one of our classmates who has made a difference. How could we get that info?”

What a great idea!!! However, I too am stumped when it comes to knowing how to get the information upon which to base such a tribute. So many of us have lived far and wide over the years, and have had limited contact with others – mostly at reunions. Paul's suggestion was this: “What if several people shared a story about what they know currently about one of our class mates, that because of modesty or whatever that person is not likely to volunteer? That might get the ball rolling. What do you think?”

Well, I think that would be truly wonderful and inspiring. He went on to tell about a visit he had with one of our group and what he had learned about her work over the years. He concluded with this: “Her old friends and class mates would also be very proud of what she has become, but they aren’t likely to know any of these things unless they are fortunate enough to have several hours with her alone.”

Fortunately, after this post was established Paul followed through on his suggestion and here is what he wrote about Dr. Judith F. Kennedy:

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Have you ever had a desire to re-connect with a good friend from our high school days and learn about their life over the last 50 years? Well, I did and it was a great experience! Judy Kennedy was one of my good friends in high school, but I hadn’t really thought about her until I noticed her email address in the material we received after our 40th reunion. When I saw her name I remembered how much I liked her and how I would like to find out about her life. Even though I hadn’t seen or talked to her since high school, I decided to take a chance and write her. To my surprise, she answered.

After exchanging a number of emails over several months and becoming reacquainted, Judy eventually moved to Orlando from Seattle. By chance, I planned to be in Orlando for a golf outing and wrote her to see if she would be up for dinner. We spent a wonderful evening together exchanging stories on our lives and experiences. Here’s some of what I found out about Judy that I’d like to share:

•She completed her education after having two daughters and eventually received her doctorate in psychology (a shrink!!!)

•She has a successful business psychology consulting practice that keeps her in Seattle a lot, but she has clients all over the country

•Judy re-married a few years ago and currently lives in Florida

•Her daughters are married, have children, and live in Houston and Philly

•Most importantly, she is the same warm, caring, energetic and fun person that you may remember- and that rare combination of a very successful and good person

We stay in touch and share adventures (living through the earthquake in Seattle, snow storms in Denver and hurricanes in Florida) and will get together again for dinner one of these days somewhere and share more stories. A new/old friend is the best!     Paul Schrader

Karla's addition, January 13, 2008 - I received a beautiful hand painted Christmas card from my dear friend Judy Kennedy. It bore her signature and had a definite Florida flair. I had not known that she was painting, so sent her an e-mail, complimenting her on the piece, and inquiring about her artistic endeavors. Judy replied, "Thanks for the comment about my artwork. I have been doing watercolor for the last year and it is very much a passion of mine. I love doing portraits." I remember that Judy's mother, Nona Kennedy, was an artist. How appropriate that Judy would follow in her mother's footsteps.

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Thank you so much, Paul, for sharing your experience and this information with us. If you know something about one of our number…how he or she has enriched the lives of others… please share a tribute to that person in the form of a comment to this post. Of course, each of us may have a different idea about what it means to “enrich the lives of others”. There are no criteria written here. It is entirely up to you to determine the criteria that qualifies the person for your words of tribute.

[FYI – you don’t have to be a Milby Class of 1960 alum to write here. If you are a spouse, son or daughter, friend, reading this in our blog - feel free to write a comment telling about our classmate whom you admire.]

CLICK HERE to return to the top of the main section after reading comments below, and/or making your own comment.

Comments

[Karla Lofgren Davis]

I want to pay tribute to Ray Prichard and the other members of the reunion committee. The value of connections that I have been able to re-establish with the friends of my youth as a result of their faithfulness through the years is immeasurable. I have no other ties to the Milby community than those that I have made through the Milby 1960 website, contacts from various reunion committee members, and attendance at the reunions. I know that I am not alone in saying that their work has truly enriched my life!!! My heartfelt thanks go out to them! Karla

Check out the slideshow from a gathering of the reunion committee members on the Milby Class of 1960 website (link in right sidebar of this blog). The current reunion committee members are:
Melba Evans Aynesworth
Joe and Fonda (Whitt) Forrester
Linda Hocher Bennett
Doris Lentz Simmons
Guy Mason
Ray Prichard
Joe Pyle
Judee Utgard Schroeder
Donald Williamson
Alma Woodward Wilson

[Gladys M. (Payne) Bohac]

I will second that same feeling Karla. The past reunions have been so much fun and renewing friendship from days gone by. Life is too short to forget our friends and fun times when we were young. Again,I want to say the reunion committe have done an exceptional job planning a very memoriable time.

Gladys Payne Bohac

[Billie T. Young]

More kudos to our hard working Reunion Committee for their wonderful labors of love on our behalf. Also to Karla for "birthing & maintaining" this blog for our benefit. "Thanks, Buffs!!"

I'd also like to brag on my 3 "Knights in Shining Armor" - Charles Crider, John Echoff & Jim Verlander.

Some of you may remember one of my younger brothers, Philip, who graduated from Milby in '62. He & his wife, Sherrill, spent a week with us in the Hill Country for Christmas. (Our other brother, Joseph, Milby class of '73, was here also.) We had a wonderful week with all of our family here. Philip & Sherrill went home to Bay City Christmas eve. The following evening she had a massive heart attack & died 2 days later. All 3 of my "knights" had gone to God in prayer on their behalf, & I am eternally grateful for that! She never regained consciousness, but she knew the Lord, so that's a blessing. God answered a lot of prayers during that time. John & Linn came by their son's house in Bay City. Philip hadn't seen John since we graduated, yet there he was, to come alongside my brother. Then Charles & Dolly were there for him the next day at the cemetery in Houston. Philip also hadn't seen Charles since we graduated. Yet there he was to help him during that final moment of closure.

The actions of "my guys" were John 15:13 walked out in a precious way: "Greater love hath no man that this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Charles...John...Jimmy...THAT'S WHAT YOU DID FOR PHILIP & FOR ME!! You sacrificially gave of your prayers, your time, changed your plans & made yourselves available for someone you hadn't seen in 47 years!! There is no way on earth to repay you & your wives for your expressions of love & kindness toward us, so we're asking God to!! May He bless y'all 100-fold in return in every area of your lives!!

Yes, we have an awesome herd of buffalos in our Milby family, & 3 of them in particular stand heads above the rest in my books!!

[Karla Lofgren Davis]

Billie - what a whirlwind month you have had! Congratulations on the new GREAT grandbaby, and God's blessing on you and your family for the loss of your dear loved one. Isn't it wonderful to lean on longtime friends in moments of crisis - human agents of the Lord, who clearly is our ultimate strength and comfort in times of trouble. Love and good wishes, Karla

[Clyde ( Sonny ) Jones]

After reading Paul's post concerning Judy Kennedy, I simply couldn't resist the temptation to share with you a quick glimpse into the past. Judy was my very first love....she probably doesn't even remember! We both ran around with a large group of kids. Most of the girls were from Meadowbrook, and most of the guys were from Pecan Park. We must have only been 14 or 15 at the time (not even driving). Our first date (her grandmother drove)...we saw the classic "Rock around the Clock" at the Broadway theatre. Man, I was some kinda cool that day. When her grandmother dropped me off, I was standing to close to her car, so when she pulled off, her bumper caught my knee. I'm tryin' to wave at Judy as they drove off, and I am absolutely dyin'.. I mean in tears! She never new the level of pain I went through to impress her.

We were soon going steady, so I gave her a gold initial ring to wear. Within weeks, she flushed it down the comode because I talked to another girl on the phone. I felt rather sure that our days were numbered, and they were. As life is always full of surprises, Judy and I were cheerleading partners at Deady, and she was a dear friend until graduation. All the acolades attributed to her are so well deserved...she was/is an absolute jewel, and I am so happy to hear about her success...wonder if she can afford to replace the ring?

[Glenda Burns Minniece]

Judy Kennedy's art work is beautiful! Can I become a collector? (Is any for sale, Judy?)