Departed OHSers

          Date Posted

5 March 2010 WILLIAM DUDLEY ROGERS (Faculty, Phys Ed 1963-1965) (see photo on Faculty photo page)

SAN ANTONIO - William "Dudley" "Coach" Rogers, 74, of Kerrville, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010, in a San Antonio hospital.  He was born on Sept. 13, 1935, in Austin, Texas. He was a teacher, athletic director and coach at Schreiner University and also coached at Boerne Middle School in Boerne, Texas. He also was a coach and athletic director at Harper Independent School District. He was treasurer of Greenwood Forest Golf Club. He attended the First Christian Churches in Center Point and Kerrville.

He married Vivian Baldwin Kuykendall on Aug. 22, 1986, in Kerrville. She survives, along with three daughters, Darcy Presley (Shelby) of Palacios, Texas, Kandy Perkins (Rod) of Bulverde, Texas, and Esther Burgess (Bruce) of Temple, Texas; three sons, Darren Rogers (Sandra) of San Antonio, Texas, David Rogers of Austin, Texas, and R.J. Kuykendall (Janice) of Surrey, Va.; and 11 grandchildren, Brandon Rogers, Kendall Rogers, Carson Rogers, Randall Perkins, Trevor Perkins, Rachel Steinburg, Hailee Steinburg, Steven Burgess, Brooke Burgess, Emily Kuykendall and Trey Kuykendall. 

A memorial service for Mr. Rogers will be at 10 a.m. Monday, March 1, 2010, at Grimes Funeral Chapels with Jonathan Park officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial remembrances to the First Christian Church in Center Point.

The family invites you to send condolences at www.grimesfuneralchapels.com by selecting the "Send Condolences" link. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville. 
4 February 2010 PETER ROMYN ('60)



PETER ROMYN, age 67 of Haymarket, VA died Friday, December 25, 2009, at Prince William Hospital, Manassas, VA. Mr. Romyn served in the U.S. Army and worked for various defense contractors. Survivors include his wife of 44 years Sherry Romyn, his children Jay Romyn and his wife Michelle of Ashburn, VA, Jeff Romyn, of Fairfax, VA, Melissa Romyn of Seattle, WA, his sister Marjorie Martines and her husband Marty of Salt Lake City, UT, his brothers Fred Romyn of Salt Lake City, Allen Romyn of Salt Lake City, and his grandchildren Justin and Nicholas Romyn, both of Ashburn. The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas, VA, where funeral services will take place 10 a.m., Thursday, December 31, 2009. Interment will be private. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of flowers or contributions to Capital Hospice, 10530 Linden Lake Plaza, Suite 200, Manassas, VA 20109 or to the Angels of Mercy Program, PO Box 3310, McLean, VA 22102 in memory of Peter Romyn. Condolences may be sent to: www.piercefh.com

 
25 January 2010 BG (Ret) KENNETH M. GONSETH (father of Jane ('63), Anne ('66) and Stuart ('67)) on 10 January 2010 in  Palmyra, Virginia.  His obituary reads:

Brigadier General Kenneth Mace Gonseth
(March 8, 1918 - January 10, 2010)

Brigadier General Kenneth Mace Gonseth , U.S. Army passed away peacefully at home on January 10, 2010.

Ken, as he liked to be called, was born on March 8, 1918 in Chicago IL to the late Jules Emmable, Sr. and Katherine Mace Gonseth. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1939 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. In 1948 he earned an MBA in Business Administration from Harvard University and was a 1961 Graduate of the National War College .

He married Eleanor May “Lolly” Bevans of Washington D. C. on June 16, 1942. They had four children, Jane, Anne, Stuart and Sally.

June 1939, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant serving in the U.S. Army Air Force assigned to the 6th Bomber Command Canal Zone and the 20th Bomber Command China-Burma-India Theater. As Communications Officer for the 58th Bomber Wing he was involved in the first B-29 mission to strike Japan during WW II. Ken retired from the Army in 1970 having last served as Deputy Commanding General for Operations U.S. Army Electronics Command and finally as Deputy Director for Operations Defense Communications Agency in Washington D.C.

As part of Ken's career, the family lived in Europe, Japan and the Eastern part of the United States . First retiring to the community of Waterford VA , they enjoyed being part of the historic community and starting a small antique shop. In 1984 Ken and Lolly moved to Pinehurst NC . There, they shared mutual enjoyment from golf and friends but, above all loved gathering the extended family on the Outer Banks of North Carolina for summer vacations involving fishing, life on the beach, games and great meals.

Ken is survived by his wife, Eleanor; daughters, Jane, Anne and Sally; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Col. Jules E. Gonseth, Jr.; a son, Stuart; and a grandson, David Hobson.

Above all he was committed to wife, family and country.

A funeral service will be held on Monday March 8, 2010 at 9:00AM in the Ft. Myers Post Chapel in Arlington , Virginia . Interment will follow with military honors in the Arlington National Cemetery . In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to a charity of your choice. 
12 November 2009 BILL MCCLAIN ('64) 

William (Bill) Joseph McClain, 63, of Alpharetta, GA, passed away on November 9, 2009, after a valiant yet futile fight with numerous longtime health issues. Bill was born in Youngstown, Ohio on July 12, 1946. He is survived by his loving wife, Michele, daughter, Shelly and son, Ryan. He is preceded in death by his sister, brother, mother, and father. Coming from a military family, he had the opportunity to live and travel the world. He attended Orleans American High School in Orleans, France and after moving back to the States he attended and graduated from Falls Church High School, Falls Church, VA. He went on to attend and graduate from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, where he also played football for the Mountaineers. Bill and his family lived in the VA/MD/DC area until 1979 when his job took him to Atlanta. Bill had a very successful career with a major food corporation, retiring in 2001. His hobbies included traveling, reading and enjoying his fine cigar collection. Bill was noted for his tremendous sense of humor and his practical jokes. He played Santa for hospitals and schools, and he particularly liked going through his neighborhood giving out gifts each year. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 14th, at Crowell Brothers Peachtree Chapel Funeral Home in Norcross. The family will receive friends Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. From us, your loving family, we thank you for making our lives so wonderful! In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to: National Kidney Foundation , 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016, (800) 622-9010 or Asera Care Hospice, 30 Perimeter Park Dr., Ste 201, Atlanta, GA 30341, in memory of Bill McClain. Online condolences may be expressed at www.crowellbrothers. com. Arrangements by Crowell Brothers Peachtree Chapel Funeral Home, 5051 Peachtree Ind. Blvd., Norcross, GA 30092, (770) 448-5757.

 
5 August 2009 HARVIE BUTLER ('59) from a heart attack on 22 July 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
22 July 2009 WILLIAM "BILL" HARRINGTON ('65) from a brain tumor on April 11, 2009 in Malvern, Arkansas.
16 June 2009 STUART GONSETH ('67) from cancer on June 11, 2009.
21 April 2009 ANNIE DALE, mother of Warren and Opehlia Dale, passed away April 13, 2009 at home in Memphis, Tennessee.  She was 87 years old, and was preceded in death by her husband, Major James A. Dale (USA, Retired) who died January 31, 2009, also of Memphis, Tennessee.  
21 April 2009 VIRGINIA BARNES (faculty, Art) on December 5, 2008 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
21 April 2009 DAVID TWOHY (faculty, English/Social Studies) on February 9, 2002 in Ohio.
6 April 2009 DR. MARVIN L. PERRY (faculty member extraordinaire) on 31 March 2009, in Fayette, Missouri.  Word of his death came from his niece, Monica Perry, who said that he had suffered a stroke in December 2008, and never fully recovered.  Charlie Smith ('59) had also stayed in touch with his situation thru Marvin's sister, Martha, and says that Marvin did not want a funeral service.  Any information on a memorial service or an obituary in the local paper will be posted when it becomes available.  Marvin's niece can be reached at MONICA@MONICAPERRY.COM 

The Fayette Advertiser newspaper, dated: 6 April 2009, ran the following obituary:

Marvin Lee Perry of Fayette died March 31, 2009, at the Fayette Caring Center. He was 83.

Born June 3, 1925, he was the son of Artic L. and Grayce Williams Perry.

He served his nation during World War II in the U.S. Army and dedicated over 40 years of his life as a teacher in the Overseas Teaching Program. He taught in many foreign nations and was fluent in many languages.

Survivors include two sisters, Mary Lou Veirs of Unionville, and Martha Richtmyre of Fayette; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Maynard Perry.

At Mr. Perry’s request no services are scheduled, however, memorial contributions may be made to Howard County Home Health and Hospice, 101 Furr, Fayette, MO 65248.

Arrangements are under the direction of Carr-Yager Funeral Home.

 

28 March 2009 MARGARET HOSPODAR Grant ('69) on March 20, 2009 in Gaithersburg, Maryland.  She is survived by her husband, daughter, three grandchildren, and brother Andy, OHS Class of '60
11 February 2009 DON DEAGLE ('63) on February 3, 2009.  He is survived by two sons and a grandson.
11 February 2009 JAMES D. DALE (Major, USA retired) on January 31, 2009, at his home in Memphis, Tennessee.  He retired from the Army in 1963, and was 89 years old.  He was the father of Warren Dale ('57), and Ann Ophelia Dale ('61)
9 February 2009 DOROTHY "MRS. DE" FAULKNER, mother of Jan DeGarmo '57, Bill DeGarmo '59, and DeDe DeGarmo '67, on January 29, 2009. 
31 December 2008 PATRICK LUCIER (faculty member in 1955) in August 2006.  He is buried at Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside, California.  I never found Patrick, but on 24 Dec 08, I got an email from his daughter, Tamara Lucier Green, who informed me of his death.  She attended French schools while in Orleans, and said she would like to hear from anyone who remembers her father.  Her email is TAMARAGREEN1@MAC.COM 
15 December 2008 JUDSON C. SPENCE, SR, father of Judson "Jud" Jr ('63), Patrick ('64), Lee ('66) and Merrily ('66), on 6 December 2008.  His obituary follows:

Lt. Col. Judson Cauthen Spence Sr., U.S. Army (ABN) (retired), passed away on Saturday, Dec. 6th, 2008 after an extended illness. He was born on March 17, 1921 in Elizabeth City, N.C., son of Dr. and Mrs. John Paul Spence. He was reared in Leesburg. He graduated from The Citadel in May of 1943 and in July he married Mary Virginia Truett. He then began his service in the U.S. Army. His first assignment was to the Panama Canal . After attending the Army Intelligence School at Camp Richie, Md., he was sent to Paris, France and then to the Army Intelligence School in Oberammergau, Germany, as an instructor. His next over-seas tour was back to Paris where he studied French at the Sorbonne prior to becoming an instructor at the Military Academy of West Point. In 1955, he was sent to Saigon , Vietnam , as an advisor to the South Vietnamese Airborne Troops. He also served as senior aide and interpreter to General Samuel Williams, Commanding General of MAAG operations. During this assignment, he was injured in a parachute jump during a classified operation and later received the Vietnamese Medal of Honor from South Vietnamese President Diem. His last military assignment was Orleans , France , where he served as an intelligence officer. Because of his love of teaching, after his retirement from the U.S. Army, he earned his Masters Degree and Ph.D. in modern language education at Florida State University . He returned to Charleston , S.C. , in 1965 to become a professor at The Citadel. However, after being called upon to help found the Baptist College of Charleston (now Charleston Southern University) he left the Citadel temporarily and became the first Dean of Men and chairman of the Department of Foreign Languages at Baptist College. In 1970, he returned to The Citadel where he taught until 1983 and retired as Professor Emeritus. During his years at The Citadel he began a resident program for Citadel cadets, giving them the opportunity to study in France . Dr. Spence is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Truett Spence and their four children: Judson C. Spence Jr. (his wife, Linda); Patrick Truett Spence (his wife, Sue); Edward Lee Spence (his wife, Lauren); and Merrily Spence de Lignieres; also grandchildren, Judson Spence Arce, Jennifer Spence Seamans, Judson Cauthen Spence III, and Matthew Lee Spence; great-grandchildren, Rebecca, Emily, Ben and Shelby. A memorial service will take place at the Citadel Chapel in January, date to be announced. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be sent to The Citadel.  

 

31 October 2008 ANNA L. TOMAN (parent and teacher) on 26 October 2008 in Staunton, Virginia at the age of 87.  Anna was the mother of Rusty Ralston ('65), John Ralston ('66) and Carolyn Toman Murray ('70).  She also taught elementary school in Orleans from 1962 to 1965.
30 October 2008 MARGUERITE ECAULT (French teacher) on 6 July 2008 at her home in Parthenay, France.  She died in her sleep.  She was 81.  
26 May 2008 DECEASED: VIRGINIA ADEN ('58) on April 8, 2008 in Silverton, Oregon.  Her obituary from the Statesman Journal reads as follow:

Virginia "Ginny" Rae Aden
December 4, 1939 - April 8, 2008


SILVERTON - Virginia, "Ginny" Aden of Silverton died at age 68 after a long illness.  Ginny moved to Mt. Angel, Oregon in 1984 from Southern California after early retiring from the University of California, Los Angeles where she had been employed as a university administrator for 20 years.  Soon after arriving in Oregon, she established a pottery studio and for the next 15 years exhibited and sold her ceramic artwork in local galleries and retail shops.  In addition to her pottery business, she was employed for several years as a bookkeeper/cost accountant, professional gardener, and operated a home care business.  In 1999, she returned to administration and was employed by the Salem-Keizer School District until her retirement. 
Always an enthusiastic community volunteer, over the years Ginny worked at the Mt. Angel Food Bank, was hostess at the Wine Garden during Oktoberfest, managed community booths during Homer Davenport Days, and wa! s active in local political campaigns.  Throughout the 1980's, she was a member of the Silverton Art Association, served as its Secretary and Board Member, as well as chairing several committees.  In 1990, she organized a community-wide, non-partisan voter registration drive in Silverton and successfully registered several hundred new voters.  After her retirement, she produced a monthly bulletin for fellow tenants at her senior residence in Silverton, volunteered as a teacher's aide at Eugene Field School, and was a volunteer horticulturist for the Oregon Garden.  She was enthralled by the natural world and the beauty of nature, and was an avid outdoorswoman.  She was also a passionate gardener and her affinity for Nature was reflected in the lush flower and vegetable gardens she nurtured and produced.
Born in San Francisco, California, Ginny was well-traveled throughout her lifetime, living in several states as well as abroad.  She lived in! Japan for nearly a year when she was a young child, then spent the remainder of her childhood in rural North Carolina.  She lived in Orleans, France for a year where she graduated from high school and traveled to Switzerland, England, and Belgium.  She would remember her year in France as one of the happiest and most illuminating times of her youth, and had planned to attend the 50th year reunion of her Orleans High School graduation class to be held in 2008.
After returning from France, she completed two academic years at Coker College, Hartsville, South Carolina, then moved to Washington, D.C. where she worked and completed courses at the American University.  In 1960, she moved to Santa Monica, California, was soon employed at UCLA, married, gave birth to her only child, and after her divorce several years later, became single mom and sole provider of her son until he became an independent, young adult.  In 1970, to give her son a "taste of country! life", Ginny took a leave from UCLA and moved to Ferndale, Washington where she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Sociology from Western Washington University in Bellingham.  Before returning to an administrative position at UCLA, she lived with members of the Hopi Nation in Arizona to assist in an anthropological research project, then traveled again to Europe, living in England for several months with her son.  Ginny treasured the experiences and opportunities gained from her many travels and domiciles, however she often said that by moving to Oregon she had finally found her "home".
Survivors include her loving family: beloved son, Mark Janczak; daughter-in-law, Dania Janczak; grandchildren, Emmett and Annissa Janczak; parents, Marti and Roger Smith, all of Downey, Calif.; brother, Ralph Aden, and sister-in-law, Laura Aden, of Roosevelt, Ariz.; aunt and kindred spirit, Mary Lynn Trautechaud of Albuquerque, N.M.; 4 nephews; 1 grandnephew! ; 2 grandnieces; her loyal and supportive family-of-friends in Oregon; her longtime, devoted friend, Karen Skinner of Canada, and her cherished feline companion, Pia, now relocated to Downey, Calif.
Remembrances may be made to Willamette Valley Hospice, Salem, Oregon.

Copyright 2008 Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon.

 

23 April 2008 TRUDY BARR Fitzpatrick ('65) on 5 June 2006 in Syracuse, New York
23 April 2008 JOYCE BLOOM, mother of Sherra Rayfield '65.  Joyce died from cancer on 27 April 2006 in Wells, Texas
23 April 2008 FRED ST JOHN ('64).  According to Mark Londner ('65), Fred died in a car accident over 20 years ago.
18 April 2008 WILBUR PHILLIPS (Chateauroux '54) on September 18, 2005 in Anniston, Alabama.  Wilbur was a close friend of the OHS Class of '55, since Chateauroux is where they began their high school experience in France, before Orleans was ready to take them on.
19 January 2008 MARK GRUNDLER ('62) on January 11, 2008 in Portsmouth, Ohio.  His brother, Clark, writes:
Dave, I apologize for omitting you on my original notification that Mark died last Friday (Jan.11). The whole obit was published in the "Portsmouth Daily Times" on Sunday, January 13th. It has two glaring inaccuracies : Christopher is in Grinnell, Iowa (not Texas). and my sister's middle name was Kay not Marie. Also, omitted was that Mark was active in the local community theatre. He had done "Man of La Mancha", another show which escapes me and directed a play. The services were fine. I stayed with Amalia my oldest niece at her apartment. Most of the rest of out-of-towners stayed at the Ramada as guests of Bev's son-in-law, the owner -- really nice man. Curtis, my son, came from California and Megan, my daughter, was very frustrated that she couldn't come from China. (She will return to the states in June). They both developed close relationships with Mark and family while Curtis and Megan were at Univ. of South Alabama and Mark and family were in Jackson, Miss.-- close enough for frequent weekend visits. Please use as much of this as you can on the Orleans web site.
 
I am doing OK. It was a shock and I think I was in denial until I saw him "layed out" in the funeral home. He and Bev had planned to get married in the next 3 weeks. They were then going to pack Bev's motor coach and head off across country to visit family and friends. I am sure there were a lot of OHS people on their list. I know they had planned to visit me here in Texas. Bev is a lovely lady and very gracious. Her family came to love Mark and it was nice to see that my nieces genuinely loved Bev too. They will have each other for comfort which the girls really need. Their mother lives in Cincinnati and has her own life.
 
I am going along with plans to move to Fremont, California. I have basically been approved but there are no vacancies at this time -- a waiting game.
 
ILY, Clark        Mark's obituary can be found here.

 

24 December 2007 GAIL SCHERMERHORN Wah (faculty) on November 1, 2007, in Lansing, MIchigan.  She was 76.  An extract from her obituary follows:   A recent photo of she and her late husband can be found on the faculty photo page.

Born on October 5, 1931 in Lansing , MI ; passed away on November 1, 2007 in Lansing , MI , at the age of 76. Mrs. Wah received her BA degree from Bob Jones University and her Master’s degree from MSU.  She taught high school home economics for Covert, Pinconning and Charlotte School Systems in Michigan and taught U.S. Army dependents in Orleans , France.  Following her husband’s retirement and surviving her battle with cancer, she and her husband, taught English in Hefei , China .  Mrs. Wah was preceded in death by her husband, William Wah, Ph.D. on September 26, 2007.  Surviving are her loving children, Sally (Kim Metzger) Wah of Lansing and William David (Martha) Wah of Buchanan, MI; grandchildren, Frank and Paul Madero, William Nicholas and Isabella Wah and Sebastian, Calista and Eva Metzger; brother, Don M. (Barbara) Schermerhorn of Marco Island, FL; and nieces, Carol Senters and Diane Peek. 

 

31 October 2007 CHARLENE CLARK Favreau ('68) on September 23, 2007, in Fayetteville, North Carolina
30 September 2007 Dr William Wah (faculty) on September 26, 2007, in Lansing, Michigan. He was 81 years old.  Dr Wah was married to the former Gail Schermerhorn, another faculty member in Orleans.  The following obituary was provided by their friend and fellow faculty member, Richard Clark:

He will be sorely missed.  Bill surely did not deserve the suffering he went through for the last several years.  Gail was so good with him.

William Wah, Ph.D.


William Wah, Ph.D.
Lansing, MI

Born on June 30, 1926 in Trenton, NJ; passed away on September 26, 2007 in Lansing, MI, at the age of 81. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps. Dr. Wah graduated from the University of Connecticut and Michigan State University, where he received his Master's and Doctorate degrees. He taught in Trenton, NJ, Army dependents in Stuttgart, Germany and Orleans, France and taught in Lansing, mostly at Grand River Elementary. After retirement he taught English in Hefei, China. He also spent time during retirement in Jensen Beach, FL enjoying tennis until being slowed down by Parkinson's Disease in his later years. Dr. Wah is survived by his loving wife, Gail; daughter, Sally (Kim Metzger) Wah of Lansing; son, William David (Martha) Wah of Buchanan; grandchildren, Frank, Paul Madero, William Nicholas and Isabella Wah, and Sebastian, Calista and Eva Metzger; brothers, James, Fred and George Wah; and sisters, May Zung, Margaret Ma and Mary Hing. A Celebration of Dr. Wah's life will be held on Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at 12:00 p.m. at South Church, 5250 Cornerstone Dr., Lansing with the Rev. Don Denyes, Senior Pastor officiating. The family will receive friends at Gorsline-Runciman Funeral Homes, 900 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to English Language Institute/China, 448 E. Foothill Blvd., P.O. Box 265 San Dimas, CA 91774 in honor of Dr. William Wah.
Published in the Lansing State Journal - September 30, 2007

 

20 August 2007 JEROME C. URICH (Faculty) from cancer, on 1 December 1963, in Houston, Texas.  Notice of his death was provided by his son, Mike, who recently stumbled onto the OHS website.
1 June 2007 GEORGE ASHBAUGH ('66) on May 16, 2007 in Biloxi, Mississippi from a heart attack.  George was retired Air Force, and was buried at the veterans cemetery in Biloxi with full military honors.
22 February 2007 DANNY L. SMITH ('62): KILLED IN VIETNAM ON 30 JUNE 1966.  Rumor of Danny's death was recently brought to my attention by Bud Flette, while he was visiting here in Cambridge for a week.  A little Internet research into some of the Vietnam Memorial websites, and a couple emails to some war veterans revealed information and a photo that brought the search for Danny to a sad ending.  You'll find a photo of Danny on the Class of '62 photo page, and what follows is a tribute that was posted to Danny's profile on WWW.THEWALL-USA.COM website:

 

Jim Mc Graw
jmcgraw@daily-journal.com
Friend of the family
1152 N. Briar Ave.
Kankakee, IL 60901 USA
The world should know Danny's story. He and his brother Darrell were Army Brats. Their father, Gerald L. Smith was a career soldier who saw service in WWII, Korea and Viet Nam over a span of more than thirty years service. Danny was on his second enlistment when he was killed. Dad wanted him to go to flight school and become a Warrant Officer. Danny wanted to get a Viet Nam tour out of the way before he went to Flight School. Dad, of course we called him Smitty, (what else) and Danny were in Viet Nam at the same time although they were not assigned together. Younger brother Darrell was in basic training at the time. My wife and I were thrilled at the prospect of seeing Darrell again after not having contact with the family for nearly ten years. He was coming to Fort Eustis, Virginia where I was assigned. Then one morning I read a headline in the newspaper. One I shall never forget. "Soldier escorts GI son's body home from Viet Nam". I didn't take time then to read the story. I found out later that day that the "Soldier" was Smitty and the "Son" was Danny. I know I could never feel the loss that Smitty and his wife felt at the loss of their son but there is still an emptyness when I think of the 12 year old boy I once knew who gave his life in that long ago war. Jim Mc Graw, Major, US Army Retired
Tuesday, November 26, 2002

 

22 February 2007 TOM SULLIVAN (faculty): on 15 February 2007 in Babylon, New York.  Tom taught elementary school in Orleans from 1960-1963.
4 January 2007 DECEASED: "BUNNY" TUDDER, mother of Dale, John and David, on 19 November 2006, in Newport News, Virginia. Mark Jones ('67) notified me of her death, and asked that I share his eulogy of her with you.

Dave,
Below is a tribute to one of our OHS "family". Dave Alperovitz (OHS'68) called me a week before the holidays and told me Mrs Tudder had passed away on the 19th of November. He said he was coming down for her service.  Dave and I last spent time together at the DC reunion. He traveled all the way from New Hampshire to Newport News on the day after Christmas and we attended Mrs. Tudder's service On 27 Dec 06. She and her family meant so much to both of us growing up in Orleans.

Thanks
 Mark
       
        In November 2006 the OHS family lost one of its truly iconic members. Mrs. "Bunny" Tudder, wife of the late LTC Bailey Tudder and the mother of Dale, John and David. Those who were in Olivet in 64-66 will remember "Mother Tudder's Boarding House" as her home was often referred to, because of her openness, hospitality and if need be a place for a kid to remain over night if you missed that last shuttle bus back to the main casern (remember we had no phones!) She was a most gracious hostess and understanding lady who was a shoulder for many a teenager going through those life-ending events such as; what to wear for homecoming, or who to ask to the Sadie Hawkins dance or going steady, (even when dad did not want you  to) and of course the breaking up. She was there at any time day or night with a grand smile, a bright word, and always music.  Besides being a gracious lady, she was a friend to all, forever. At her funeral in Newport News, VA two days after Christmas, it was noted that she had kept in contact with a kindergarten classmate for more than 84 years. It was also noted that had that gathering occurred in Orleans forty years earlier the church would have been packed with teenagers grateful to her for her friendship and for allowing them a place to "hang out". Ms Tudder was one of the most cultured people I had the pleasure to know and she passed those traits to all of her children. Her husband Bailey was the Scoutmaster of the troop in Orleans from 63-66 and had his own positive influence on many young boys. I  am blessed to have been touched by both of these great human beings. In the
1990s I was reacquainted with Bunny in Newport News as she worked one of her great causes, harmony and understand and equal rights for all.  Ms Tudder is predeceased by her husband Bailey (1996) and her younger son David (2005).   And  is survived by her daughter Dale  Scott (OHS'68)  her husband and wonderful  family of Newport News, Virginia. Her multi talented and blessed son John (OHS'69) his wife and great family of Charleston, South Carolina, and a bunch of grand kids and great grand kids. Bunny Tudder was truly one who loved life and those she lived it with.