I read with much interest the article Jenny Rhodes sent in about her son Matt in the Army. Here's a little something
very few would have reason to know. Matt's father and I were roommates at Lamar University in '68-'69 and I dated Jenny. Gee, I wonder how they
met! It had something to do with an ill-timed nap on my part on the way home from a Texas vs. Arkansas football game. When I woke up and peeked
out of one eye, the relationship that would eventually lead to Matt was under way. Because, I know you can't tell with one tone this is written,
it is with a smile and very fond memories of them both. We remain friends after we all were married and lost touch when they left for Monterey,
Calif. and the language institute that Jenny mentioned in her letter. Jenny and I are still in touch because of your efforts to start this
website and updates. Now, Jenny's take on this story after having the chance to EDIT or REFUTE the story before we published it.
Billy sent me a copy of the text and I have to admit I was thinking, "Oh no!!" when I started reading it. But, like you say, it is funny
and it is the truth. The wording is a little tricky for it seems to possibly imply some lack of ... shall we say propriety in my behavior with
Matt's "father to be" and that was not the case! Ha ha!The truth is that Billy could tell right away we had made a special "connection" in a
friendship kind of way ... And it did blossom into a romance later. Just so you know, Billy was quite the gentleman and danced at the wedding.
We all remained friends for years but went our separate ways shortly after college graduation. I haven't seen Billy since then but we have been
e-mailing for a while.
Published 2/03/07, Written by Linda DeCuir McFadden
I remember when I had to go to our first class day at Thomas Jefferson on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 1965. Boy, was I
scared. But, I had the great fortune to have the most likable, kind, and compassionate homeroom teacher EVER. Mr. Lionel Rowland.
He became my friend, teacher, and
councilor. But, not just to me. He acted this way to all of the homeroom pupils for our three years there.
We had soooo much fun, especially during football season. Wayne "Golden Toe" LaGrappe was our star football player and we flaunted it whenever
possible. We won the hall poster contests EVEERY WEEK. We had poster parties in my garage and had refreshments. Mr. Rowland even commented
that we even had classmates that were very inhibited and not involved in school to show up. Mr. Rowland named us "THE MAFIA"!! Everyone in
school knew that name. We were proud of it! Mr. Rowland took us under his wing and suggested many worthwhile subjects that he felt would help us later in life. In fact, he "made" EVEYONE of us take typing. THANK YOU even if I did make a "C" (one of the many that I would make throughout my high school days)! I would hate to think of me having to do the UPDATES in the "hunt and peck" method. He would also met with us before or after school if we had a problem to talk over with him. I even babysat for his children on several occasions. Two of my homeroom friends served in my wedding, (GAYLE ENDSLEY was my maid of honor and James Miller was an usher). Two of the classmates married, Jean Ann Virden and Wayne LaGrappe. I have always had a special place in my heart for Mr. Rowland. Maybe you can think of someone that was special in your life from elementary to high school. THANK YOU, MR. LIONEL ROWLAND, for being a special part of our lives. I dedicate this story to our three departed classmates, Steve Baker, Eloy Montalvo and Linda Estrada.
MR. ROWLAND"S MAFIA MEMBERS: Stephen D. Baker - 8/24/50 - 1/16/02
Kenneth Bragg - Sheridan, AR
Dianna Caillier - Port Arthur,TX
Richard Cole - The Woodlands,TX
Linda DeCuir - Bridge City,TX
Diana de la Rosa - Ingleside,TX
Gayle Endsley - Austin,TX
Linda Estrada - 2/10/50 - 1/12/98
Linda Gothia - Port Neches,TX
Phyllis Hargrove - Nederland,TX
Alvin Jones - Port Arhtur,TX
Wayne LaGrappe - Sulfur,LA
Donnie DeLee - Sacramento,CA
Dwight Larson - Chriseman,TX
Fred McCarty - Kingwood,TX
Glenn McGee - Duncan, OK
Luke Michon - American Canyon, CA
James Miller - Bridge City,TX
Eloy Montalvo - 1950 - 1998
Sheila Richard - Baton Rouge,LA
Marian Taylor - Beaumont,TX
Jean Ann Virden - Sulphur,LA
David Weldon - Decatur,TX
Linda Olivier - Fulshear,TX (left out on first publication)(I hope that I didn't miss anyone's name. Tell me if I did.)
Published 2/03/07, contributed by Glenn McGee
1. One summer night we (myself, Donald landry and ?) must have gotten bored so we went to the high school. We found these white road blocks and thought it would be cool to put them on top of the gymnasium. So we did! Monday morning there they were. How cool.
2. At Pennington's one night we were messing around and hid Sara Little's keys from her. We forgot about it and later realized we still had her keys. Later, we mailed her keys without a return address. Sara, please forgive us for our youthful stupidity.
councilor. But, not just to me. He acted this way to all of the homeroom pupils for our three years there.
We had soooo much fun, especially during football season. Wayne "Golden Toe" LaGrappe was our star football player and we flaunted it whenever
possible. We won the hall poster contests EVEERY WEEK. We had poster parties in my garage and had refreshments. Mr. Rowland even commented
that we even had classmates that were very inhibited and not involved in school to show up. Mr. Rowland named us "THE MAFIA"!! Everyone in
school knew that name. We were proud of it! Mr. Rowland took us under his wing and suggested many worthwhile subjects that he felt would help us later in life. In fact, he "made" EVEYONE of us take typing. THANK YOU even if I did make a "C" (one of the many that I would make throughout my high school days)! I would hate to think of me having to do the UPDATES in the "hunt and peck" method. He would also met with us before or after school if we had a problem to talk over with him. I even babysat for his children on several occasions. Two of my homeroom friends served in my wedding, (GAYLE ENDSLEY was my maid of honor and James Miller was an usher). Two of the classmates married, Jean Ann Virden and Wayne LaGrappe. I have always had a special place in my heart for Mr. Rowland. Maybe you can think of someone that was special in your life from elementary to high school. THANK YOU, MR. LIONEL ROWLAND, for being a special part of our lives. I dedicate this story to our three departed classmates, Steve Baker, Eloy Montalvo and Linda Estrada.