John Demel

Well done Garth - Thanks!  And thanks to all

Celia Williams (Baron)

Hi Madeline,

Please let me know your luncheon dates.  I'd love to come if I'm in town.  Do you know the Dec. date yet?

Celia

Ray Boyle III

 THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO.

Judy Prantil (Linnell)

A shout out to Garth U R the BEST.

I'm living in an AZ retirement community

with people from all over the country.

Few have an active class website with

easy assess to former classmates.

Go OHS 🎉 Class of '61 🎓party on !

see you all this August.

Ciao'  Judy Prantil Linnell

Richard Orton

I noticed on Lynda's contact that her area code was incorrect.  She's a fun lady and has a great Husband too.

Just a small memory about Kent:  a group of us were running on Washington Blvd getting ready for a Track Meet at Washington Jr High, and I got a little too close to Kent trying to take the lead, and he said "Move over Ort or I'll run over ya"

I think I made the right Choice!

Kent was always friendly to me when I would see at the Base, and he would ask with a big grin on his face

"how's that cute little Sister of your's"?

Kent is one of the greatest hard workers I have ever met!  He will be missed.

Dick Orton

John Nelson

We are looking forward to this very much.

John and Linda Nelson

Lynda Cawley (Goucher)

Richard Streeper

Ron Hill

Sorry to hear of Ron's passing. I always remember him as smiling , good natured  claasmate and good football player. I do not much of Ron's life after Odgen High School but it seems he had a good life. My thoughts go out to his family and wish them the best

Madeline Pappas (Coleman)

Dear Classmates,

      The 60th Class Reunion is now somewhat being planned and just wanted everyone to mark this date, so you can possibly

make plans to attend the 60th.

60th Class Reunion will be held Auguest 28, 2021, remember, 2021,

at: The Timbermine Restuarant in Ogden, Utah

5 PM to 8PM

Every three months you will receive notifications to keep reminding us.

June of 2021, now again, remember 2021, you will be sent your menu choices,

the expense of your meal, and whom you will your check or money order to.

Your payment will be your reservation.

Too excited, even though we are into next year of 2021.

Madeline Pappas Coleman

801972-5622

madeline1943cmhc@outlook.com

Lynda Cawley (Goucher)

Thank you Madeline for making these arrangements.  Stay well and happy.  See you at the next luncheon.  Hugs.  

Betty Ball (Allen)

Mike, you were my first crush, sorry not to have seen you again when my brother passed.  I  look forward to seeing you again, being 16 was fun.  143 Betty Ball Allen

Keith Westbroek

Nothing against Mike Stoddard, but why are you holding a special memorial celebrating of his life when you have never held a special memorial for any other classmate?  If that’s the case we should have a special ceremonial for all of our classmates.  All lives matter!!!!

Brent Clark

Dennis Gladwell

To  Brent and Keith.  Why a celebration ?

Mike, among other OHS grads in our class, gather for a lunch about every 6 weeks give or take. Eddy VanSweden is the informal "chair."  Mike was a regular member of the "group".  Mike was very sick. He had been on dialysis for 4 years, and was a former shadow of himself.  When he suddenly died 4 weeks ago, if you might remember, his obituary was about two inches in length and said almost nothing.  The back story was that his sister had composed the obit without input from Mike's wife- but there was no viewing or funeral. And what obit there was,  certainly did not do justice to the to remarkable life Mike led. 

Thus, without a funeral or a viewing, there was no way to "pay our respects."  Mike was a close friend of mine, and the "luncheon group" felt we should invite his wife to a celebration of Mike's life, and give some of us an opportunity to say good bye to a good friend, and to let her know that many of us old guys cared about him. 

So that is what we did.  About 15 of us attended.  Mike's wife, Carol, came, and a couple of his nieces. It lasted about 50 minutes. You both were welcomed as were the other 100 class-mates who did not show.

Call Eddy and he will put your name on the e-mail that gives us a place and a date for the next lunch. It is so informal that anyone and noone comes each time.

I am preparing a Trust and Will for Carol, Advanced Medical Directives and a Special Power of Attorney.  I trust you will not object to that effort on the basis that I have never provided these legal services for any other class member.    Hope to see you soon.  Dennis Gladwell

Brent Clark

Keith Westbroek

👍 Well said Brent!

Jim Whited

I think it is a shame the announcement of a Celebration fo Life lead to the comments made. It is my understanding any next of kin or friend do this for any classmate. Since I don't live in the area, this website is the only way, other than a call from mutual friend, that I learn of someones passing. Personally I,d like to see more as these announcements.

My thanks to Garth for staying on top of this.

My thanks also goes to Dennis, Richard and the others.Perhaps if you would have been there, you could have mentioned Carolyn, because after the 50 minutes ,we did talk of other classmates that have passed.

Bill Wade

This was discussed prior to the "celebration" of Mike Stoddard. I was concerned about the possible backlash someone might post. I discussed it wth Eddy and he sort of agreed but left it up to the enertia to take over.

Now as for the actual event. It was very low key. We did reminis and talk not only about Mike and his reputation but about many othe people we can still remember, and that part is getting harder and harder. Dennis has certainly aided Carolyn, Mike's wife, and that is extremely helpful and gracious of him to do that for her. I do know there have been others who have graduated with us who could have used the same sort of help if any of the rest of us had had the ability, knowledge, awareness, and gumption to do it.

I don't begrudge whast we did in Mike's honor. He certainly was an icon of our times and in retrospect was the "Fonzie" of our class. I do wonder, however, how many of our other classmates have been or soon will be forgotten simply because they weren't "Fonzie". 

Many of you are aware that I made a prediction a couple of years ago about the time we have left on this earth. The projection is holding pretty much as was then and the Covid-19 virus is certainly going to accelerate my predictions.

About all I can say now is Love each other, be kind to each other, remember what we can and be safe for as long as we can hold on.

Bill Wade

Madeline Pappas (Coleman)

Dear Classmates that were possibly offended by the celebration of MikeStoddard's life:    You should be totally ashamed of yourselves for even posting negative remarks simililar to Black Lives Matter.   Every classmate

was invited to attend that could, and I personally sent out mail to those that do have email, some back South, Arizona, and California. Why Mike Stoddard and never anyone else?    Those that have complained, wouldn't be nice for example Brent Clark stating about Carolyn Corry.   It was I that notified Garth about Carolyn, then,

Garth posted her death.    Why don't you the complainers go ahead and make someone's celebration and we will all attend?    We love and respect all classmates, and try to include everyone for special things.    All you classmates, why don't you get a Luncheon Group and do what you think all classmates would appreciate.

Brent Clark, I for one have invited you to functions, and Keith W. you know I have kept you informed.   It was actually a Luncheon group's idea to help Mike's wife out, and celebrate his life, but they wanted everyone included.    

In ending, we all have Freedom of Speech, so say what you want, but think first, and for heaven sakes, never

degrade a deceased person and their family unless you know the exact circumstances.    I attended the men's lucheon one time and I personally loved what they do, and all their great stories and dedication to one another.  To Dennis Gladwell, you are a 10, and God sent you some how to help Mike and Dave Gray out.   Keep up your great dedication to people that deserve it.

Jackie Downs (Smith)

WELL SAID MADELINE.  LOVE YOU ALL.

Brent Clark

Carla Havas (Baruch)

Being on the "outside", meaning I live on the East Coast and can't make it to class get-togethers, I do read and follow the "61 website. I find it petty that anyone would be upset by honoring a classmate who has passed away. Isn't there enough bad stuff going on in our world right now that any comfort given to ANYONE is welcome. There are fewer and fewer of us left from our OHS graduating class that we should be grateful for any kindness shown to anyone. 'nuff said.

Carla Baruch (Havas)

Keith Westbroek

To all classmates,

I was totally  missunderstood.  I was not against you having a celebration for Mike.  My point was, I feel if you do it for one, you should do it for everyone. 

Keith Westbroek

Madeline Pappas (Coleman)

Keith, I know exactly what you meant with no offense to Mike or his wife.   Why don't you plan celebrations for classmates instead of just few thinking of everyone, RIGHT?   Many live in St. George now, 9 that I personally know of.

Do something yourself personally.    I really understand what you and Brent Clark are trying to saying.   My point is, why even post such a pos, comparing it to almost Black Lives Matter.     It was distasteful and very out of place, especially being and old man of 77 0r 76.   How very unfortunate since you are both very good LDS goer's.

I bet your bishop would not be proud of either of you.   Judy Cartwright Banks, was a former Class Officer,

and you can bet your sweet selves, when the Virus leaves, Judy will get a clebration everyone will remember.

Will you and Brent be attending?   The reason I ask is, not to be a smart butt head, but to prove a point, we do things for many classmates.

Judy Robb Stanley had a stroke, and we made sure she was contacted and flowers sent.   Where were you and Brent to send at least a card?

Gartth posts almost everyone's passing and I have seen neither you, or Brent even send a stamp.    So, in

my febel uneducated mind, I wonder why Mike's celebration set you and Brent off to post such a viral  post that both of you did?

Bill Wade

In retrospect, just after returning to Utah, I was interested in looking up Sam Merrill. I put it off for no good reason but laziness. Then one day i heard from someone that he had died that day and that a celebration of life was being held in his backyard. I don't remember how or who told me but I do remember the  rermorse I felt for not following up and visiting him. 

I am grateful that I had a chance to see his wife and visit with some of our classmates while honoring Sam.

We are all here for such a short time so please don't wait for someone to plan a celebration for your friends. Reach out. Give them a call. Send them a message. Tell them you are thinking of them. Don't wait until you have to say you wish you had.