Classmates
JIM COLBY
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Children: | 3 |
| Occupation: | RETIRED |
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Comment:
AFTER 50 YEARS, I'LL TRY TO BE BRIEF. WENT TO GLENDALE JC FOR TWO YEARS AND THEN OFF TO THE WORK FORCE.B/4 LEAVING L.A./ORANGE COUNTY IN 1975 I COVERED THE WEST COAST CALLING ON AIRCRAFT CONTRACTORS AS A METALLURGICAL SALES ENGINEER. MOVED TO THE NORTH SHORE OF LAKE TAHOE FOR THE NEXT 30 YEARS AS A HEATING CONTRACTOR AND RAISING ONE DAUGHTER AND TWO SONS. THEY STILL LIVE THERE ALONG WITH TWO GRANKIDS. I REMARRIED IN 1993 TO A TEXAS GIRL, 13 YEARS MY JUNIOR. |
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Linda Collins (Linda Galbraith)
Then
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Children: | 6 |
| Occupation: | Tax Examining Technician |
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Comment:
I am a little late for the reunion, but here is what has been going on in my life. After I graduated I went to work for BMDCA as an assistant bookkeeper, silly enough I quit and went to work for Taco Treat in So. Pasadena, where I met Bob Frizzell, a navyman, and we married in March 1961. I went to Japan in October 1961 as a Navy wife, and was there for almost 2 years. Then we came back to Highland Park. We had 4 children, two boys and two girls, one of my sons was born in Japan. Bob and I got a divorce in 1966, and I was a single mom until November 1969, when I married Donald Collins, who I am still married to. Donald was a Postal Carrier in Highland Park and I worked at Cortlands Apparel as a cashier. I also worked for Singer Company as a bookkeeper for two years. In between, I had 2 more children(girls). In 1976 we moved to Augusta, Ky, a town with the population of about 1,500 people, what a transition for me, in fact, that first winter was the year of the big blizzard, and the Ohio river froze over..Brrrrr! That was definately a shock for a California girl. We stayed with my husbands parents until we found our own place. My children attended Augusta School, which went from 1st grade through high school. My oldest daughter was in the same class as George Clooney, and was in several school plays with him. My oldest son played basketball with George and practically lived at his house. He also came to our place on occasion. I bought a small home cooking type restaurant from my mother-in-law, and ran that for a while until we moved to Highland Heights, Kentucky, to be closer to Cincinnati, Ohio where by husband worked at the U. S. Postal service. I went to work for the Internal Revenue Service in December 1985, where I am currently still working. I am hoping to retire by the end of the year, but I have been saying this for the last 2 years. My 6 children and 14 grandchildren are scattered out from Kentucky to Texas and California. Unfortunately, my mobility is very limited, as I have Degenerative Arthritis, and need knee replacements, and being overweight does't help. That is one of the reasons I was unable to attend the reunion. I use a mobility scooter to get around. I sure wish that I could have been there to reunite with my classmates(I was going to say old classmates, but I figure we have enough reminder of that.) I hope everyone had a great time! |
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Lanny Couvillon
Then
Now
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Comment:
Married 43 years to Jackie (Jackie James-S’61 Eagle Rock), 3 sons: Scott, Dan, Randy, grandson Eli and granddaughter Delilah. We have lived in Novato Ca. for 24 years. I attended Pierce after HS, did not do to well and joined the Army Security Agency. Attended school near Boston and stationed for 18 months near Ankara, Turkey. I played several sports (baseball, football, track & badminton). Traveled with All Mediterranean Military teams thru the Middle East & Europe. Badminton was the best as we played National teams in Europe & Scandanavia), transferred to Bad Aibling, Germany, discharged and lived in Jochberg, Austria for 6 months. Afeter returning home I graduated L.A. State. I had job offers from the YMCA & CIA on the same day. Went to work as a Y professional for 32 years. In that time we lived in Los Angeles, Colorado Springs, Long Beach, Longview & Salt Lake City. I completed my career at the Mt. Diablo Y in Contra Costa County, as CEO/President. Retired in 2000 and then worked as a consultant for 8 years to the YMCA’s in Orange County. In 2006 I went to Viet Nam to assist organization and opening of Y’s in that country. I completed 14 marathons in 10 years and in 2007 had a few health issues including total joint replacement for both knees. I enjoy golf, travel, grand children, reading and play racquet ball 4-5 times a week. We are planning a trip to the Galapagos next year. I am currently consulting on a project at Travis AFB to build a new air museum. We have had contact with a few Franklin alumni over the years as a group of us meet every 2-3 years in Orange County to discuss the “old” days and compare health experiences. |
Larry & Joy Cruzan (Lewallen)
Then
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | Retired/Rancher |
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Comment:
Joy’s and my lifestyle has been not unlike a pair of ping pong balls bouncing down a babbling brook, seemingly not knowing from one day to the next what or where we were going. We both have enjoyed many jobs and the several businesses we have started. I sold cars in LA, drove a uniform rental route, and became a district manager for a large uniform rental company in LA. Moved to the high desert, Apple Valley. Started our first business, a uniform rental route. Sold that and went to work for a building materials company. Enjoyed that – so Joy & I eventually built thirty new homes for sale. I became a licensed building contractor. Along with building houses, we started a successful fireplace business in Hesperia. Joy had many jobs too. Was an operations officer at a large savings and loan, but she was best working with me in our home and businesses. Bookkeeping and financial planning are her specialties. We worked well together. During that time, we had our own plane and flew over much of the USA. Joy was the navigator. We only got lost a few times. We owned several running quarter horses (slow one) had a 175 sow hog farm in the desert. Then in 1988, fed up with California, we traded our plane for a John Deere tractor and moved home to Oklahoma. We were going to stay here five years and then move onto something else. We are very happy and tat five years has become twenty plus. Joy drives a pickup truck. Our farm has deer, quail, wild turkey, beaver, rabbits, fish ponds, coyotes and the famous scissor tail flycatcher birds. We raise Black Angus cattle. We still have quarter horses. Our two daughters live close by, as do our two super grandsons and one super granddaughter. Our closest neighbor is about 1/2 mile away and that is great. We live close to the thriving town of Welch, OK. Population 289. Over the years, we have met and became friends with a lot of different people. Sorry to say it is hard to keep up with them. Just like all the great kids that went to Franklin, Luther Burbank, Aldama St and Bushnell Way schools. Like Joy and I say to all – the front gate is always open. Which means come visit for a few days (I mean that whole heartedly). Farmers love company.
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Fred Dahl, Jr
Then
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | Retired |
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Comment:
After Franklin, I traveled to Hawaii, Japan, China and the Philippines, . . . courtesy of the US Navy. I then went to work for an Oldsmobile dealer in the parts department, where I learned inventory control. I worked for several more companies in inventory control and customer relations. Later I studied accounting and business law at Woodbury University. I managed a bowling center and met my wife, Susan, who attended our crosstown rival, Wilson HS. We have two daughters, Sebring, and Lynne. Before retiring, I worked for a company who built, installed & sold coin operated laundries. (Launderlands). Illness caused me to retire, and now, I care for my wife, 8 cats, & 1 dog. I also help out my daughter and son in law. |
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Melissa Dare (Wright)
Then
Now
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Comment:
After high school I began my college career at Pasadena City College. I appreciated the small class sizes and the individual attention we were given by our instructors. The next step in my studies took me to Los Angeles State College (now much grander and part of the California State University system.) I was graduated with a credential to teach in elementary schools. My first teaching job was with the Los Angeles Unified School District and I taught at Apperson Street School in Sunland. One of my major interests at the time was archeology and I spent the first summer out of college digging at a site in Utah through the UCLA Field School. After completing a year and a half of teaching, I was married to my dashing young man who aspired to be an Air Force pilot. He and I were married and he achieved his dream of earning his wings the following year. Life became somewhat more complicated with two young children and multiple moves across the United States and to Puerto Rico. While living in Virginia, I took the opportunity to complete a Masters in Education with an emphasis on reading instruction. That helped with the tutoring I was doing for the Literacy Council in Hampton, Virginia and the volunteering I did in the Newport News Public Schools. Following the Air Force career, we settled in the Northwest and have lived in the same home for over thirty years. While the children grew up, I began teaching full time in the primary grades. Upon reaching over twenty nine years in classrooms, I retired two years ago. Retirement has given us the time to enjoy some travel to France, England, and Ireland. We have had many occasions to return to Los Angeles while visiting family. I am glad to have an opportunity to visit with classmates from so many years ago at our reunion. |
John Davis
Then
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Occupation: | Retired |
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Comment:
After Harvard Law School I worked briefly in general practice and worked as an investment banker. I spent 5 years working for a real estate development company as an attorney and then a developer. I was a solo practicioner as a transactional lawyer, and then was a partner in two large law firms. I retiired 10 years ago. We have no children. I now am a volunteer in the local Legal Aid office, which is very rewarding. I married the love of my life, Christine more than 28 years ago. I am an avid runner and yoga practicioner. Christine and I are devoted to two Dalmations. We love to travel and have hiked all over Europe and South America. Chris is giving a talk in Athens at the time of the reunion, so we are sorry we can't come. |
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Helen Duarte (Gibson)
Then
| Marital status: | Widowed |
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| Children: | 4 |
| Occupation: | Retired LAUSD |
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Comment:
Married Richard Duarte - Franklin S’59. He retired LADWP 7/1998. His health problems escalated after that. 10 years of continued heart, diabetes, kidney dialysis, etc. We had a great family life. I have 4 children and 8 grandchildren. Our lives were busy. Kids went to private school and college. One went to Columbia Univ., 2nd business school, 3rd graphic design and 4th got her masters in psychology. Grandchildren are ages 27 yr to 1 yr. Richard loved taking the grandkids everywhere, especially Disneyland and yearly passports. Richard passed away Jan. 2, 2009 and his mother passed away 1 month later. This September 3 would have been our 50th anniversary.
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David Eccles
Then
Now
| Children: | 4 |
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| Occupation: | Semiretired |
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Comment:
"Times New Roman"">After graduation, I worked with Pat Reed at the L.A. Daily Journal until September when I left for the University of Missouri. In one fell swoop, I was in a small-town, agricultural, southern environment -- much different than L.A. I majored in journalism hoping to become the next Walter Cronkite or Eric Severid, but they wouldn't stand aside. "Times New Roman"">
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Gail Ericson
Then
| Marital status: | Single |
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| Children: | 4 |
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Comment:
After graduation, I attended LACC for two years. Worked for a year for a foundation engineering firm to save money to head north to Humboldt State College. At HSC, I majored in fisheries biology. I was in the US Army Signal Corps. From 1966-68, I served at S.H.A.P.E. in Mons Belgium (NATO Military Headquarters).
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