IRVIN HIGH CLASS OF '67 

IN MEMORIAM


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This very minute, someone is thinking of you, with very special love.

CLASSMATES

Robin Adkins, 2011 Robin "ROB" Neal Adkins, 61, passed away unexpectedly on January 16, 2011. He leaves his life long love and devoted wife, Patricia, two sons Roger and Troy, parents Ray (deceased) and June, brother, Larry (Becky), and numerous nieces and nephews. Rob served his community for 23 years until retirement with the El Paso Police Department, and afterwards through other law enforcement and security entities. His legend and legacy will always be remembered, respected and shared by all who were fortunate enough to have known him. Visitation will be held from 9:00-10:00 am, Friday, January 21, 2011 at Tobin Park United Methodist Church, 9410 Roanoke, with Funeral Service following at 10:00 am. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-West. Please visit our online register book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.   b. 10/29/1949, d. January 16, 2011     Brian David Anderson, 21 1971 Deceased per classmate   b. 10/17/1949, d. 05/1971   Warren Cecil Arnold, 55  2004 Warren at 20th Reunion 1987 Warren attended DeVry Institute after graduation, and became an electrical engineering technician for Motorola in Phoenix, Arizona. With classmate Susie (Thomas) Arnold, they had two children, Edward and Rebecca, and now three grandchildren, Gabriel, Cordelia, and Molly and a fourth on the way.  Warren was married to his second wife, Jenny, for 16 years.  He had restored another '57 Chevy, and continued to enjoy restoring cars.  He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June of 2004, and passed away in July. b. 07/02/1949, d. 07/13/2004     Rodney Lange "Rod" Barto, 58 2007 Rodney L. Barto, Ph.D., passed away on Tuesday, September 25, 2007. He was born January 15, 1949 to Robert and Helen Barto. He moved to El Paso as a young child and graduated from Irvin High school in 1967. He received his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Mathematics and Physics from The University of Texas at El Paso and his Doctorate in Electrical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Barto spent his career in the space industry and worked with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and Jet Propulsion Laboratory on the Galileo, Magellan, and Hubble Space Telescope projects. He also worked on various Intelsat telecommunications satellite projects. Dr. Barto spent the last 10 years consulting on various projects for the space industry. Dr. Barto is survived by his wife of 21 years, Ann Barto; his children, Aaron and Jessica; his brother, Alan, sister, Mary; one grandson, Christopher; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, September 29, 2007 at Sunset Funeral Homes-Northeast. Interment will be private. Services Entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes-Northeast. Please visit on-line register book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net. Source: El Paso Times online September 28, 2007 b. 01/15/1949, d. 09/25/2007   Fred Lynn Becknell, 34 1982 Deceased per wife & classmate   b. 11/14/1948, d. Nov 1982   Peggy Bowen 2011 Deceased per classmate Nancy Elithe (Watts) Lawyer  b. unknown, d. May 2011

Robert Leon Brownlee, 21 1968

Buried at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, TX. b. 11/17/1947, d. 11/20/1968, US Army, SP/4, Res: El Paso, TX, Plot: I 0 383, bur. 12/05/1968 He is honored on Panel 38W, Row 14 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. http://www.vvmf.org/index.cfm?SectionID=110&Wall_Id_No=6339

John H. Butler , 52 2001   Deceased per classmate   b. 01/28/1949, d. 02/04/2001   (Photo Not Yet Available) Willie Cancellare     Per Alumni Research and Classmate - We don't believe he graduated class of '67.    Joseph Anthony Chavez, 54 2003   Per Classmate & Half Brother - Joe did not graduate with the class in May 67. He went on active duty in the Navy. Unfortunately he passed away in April 2003. He was living in Colorado Springs   David "Dave" John Crawley, 29 1978 Buried at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, TX. b. 02/01/1949, d. 06/05/1978, US Navy, AT-3, Res: El Paso, TX, Plot: K 0 1364, bur. 06/09/1978     Frank Thomas "Tommy" Jenkins, 54  2003 In Memory of TJ b. 04/01/1949, d. 08/30/2003 Tom Jenkins has left those that new him with a void that will last the rest of our lives. TJ was a man that always lived to the fullest. We always respected him for his values "full ahead" no matter what was in the way. Tom enjoyed a good party, who doesn't, but it was always "His way or the Highway", boy did he party!His morals were high and had a zeal for the underdog who he always aggressively protected. When Tom made a friend, that friend could expect to be protected with all the ability that he could muster. He on the other hand could explode against his enemies, including those that crossed him with a unquenchable fervor.   TJ had a heart condition that ultimately caused his passing from this life. He had been under a doctor's care. There was medication and advise from the doctor to stop drinking, but TJ's demeanor would dictate the direction of his last days, "TJ lived his life as he wanted no matter the consequences. Tom Lived His Life His Way". Whether one agreed with TJ's lifestyle or not, people always knew where he stood on any given situation. The combination of both, interacting together destined TJ to not live out a long life on this earth. Sadly we miss you TJ, wish we could have seen you at least on more time. With love from all your friends, goodbye!                                                                   John Wofford   David W. Lawyer, 41 1989 Dave passed away in 1989 after a long battle with heart disease. After graduation from Irvin, he served a two-year mission in England for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  My best friend since high school, we married a year after his return.  Eventually, we settled in Denver, Colorado, where Dave worked for several years as a commercial artist.  After 4 children (one set of twins) and 12 years of marriage, we divorced in 1982.  Dave returned to El Paso and continued his art career.  Seven years later, he suffered a massive heart attack just hours before his scheduled heart transplant operation.  After saying goodbye to my (still) long-time friend, Dave was buried in El Paso. — Nancy (Watts) Lawyer b. 12/02/1947, d. 10/12/1989

Rodolfo J. “Rudy” Navarro, 51 2000

Deceased per classmate  b. 01/04/1949, d. 11/27/2000

Linda Sue McDonald   Deceased per two classmates   (Photo Not Yet Available) Thomas C. Northrup Class of 69 Deceased per Alumni Research Thomas is erroneously recorded as class of 67. Thomas' picture is in the sophomore section of the 67 Orbit. (Included here to clarify future inquiries.)   Frank Oseguera     Deceased per classmate. Frank Oseguera was listed on the graduation program as Osequera. We believe Oseguera is the correct spelling and have included the picture from the yearbook of Frank Opequera b. 07/24/1949, d. Jan 1982    Dolores Rios, 51 2001 Deceased per classmate. b. 08/08/1949, d. 02/22/2001   Richard C. Sanders, 21 1970 Deceased per classmate b. 09/21/1949, d. Nov 1970   John Lee Ware, 59 2006 Deceased per classmate   Believe b. 02/06/1947, d. 11/17/2006   Linda K. (Pressler) Whiteside    Deceased per classmate     (Photo Not Yet Available) Maria “Maggie” (Sanchez) Campbell  Deceased 3 years ago (about 2004) per husband per classmate. She was listed as a Junior in the '67 yearbook and we believe she graduated in 1968. She was not listed in the graduation program for 1967.   Mary Jane Strange, 43  1992 Deceased per Alumni Research b. 06/01/1949, d. 07/01/1992   Barbara Ann Valentine, 33  1983 Deceased per Alumni Research b. 07/28/1949, d. Jan 1983   Billy G. Walker, 24  1973 Deceased per Alumni Research b. 02/27/1949, d. Jun 1973   Jan Marie Wheat, 60  2010 Jan was born on September 17, 1949 and passed away on Wednesday, April 21, 2010. Jan was a resident of Texas. http://www.tributes.com/show/Jan-Marie-Wheat-88445146 See Classmate comments  PIC b. 09/17/1949, d. 04/21/2010   Wilfredo Zapanta, 61  2008 WILFREDO ZAPANTA, 61, Visitation: 5-9 pm Wed. Nov. 19, 2008 at Sunset F.H.-Northeast; with7 pm vigil/rosary service. Funeral Mass: 10 am Thurs. Nov. 20, 2008 at Blessed Sacrament. Interment: Ft. Bliss National Cemetery. Survived by son: Kristopher Zapanta; daughter: Sandra Mata; mother: Gertrudis Zapanta; brothers: Cesar, and Orlando Zapanta; sister: Cristita Melander. (Note, Willie's picture is from his Junior year) Published in El Paso Times - November 18 to November 20, 2008 b. 05/15/1947, d. 11/16/2008       FACULTY

 

Frederick  Henry Bonhagen (Physics teacher)

Passed away March 26, 1987

 

Mrs. Lydia Cuilty (Business Agent)

Deceased per teacher b. 02/28/1919, d. 01/23/2006

 

Mr. Miles O. Culver (Band Director)

CULVER, MILES O., 87, Visitation: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sept. 19, 2007 at Mt. Carmel Funeral Home. Funeral Service: 1 p.m. Sept. 19, 2007 at the same funeral home. Interment: Ft. Bliss National Cemetery. Survived by wife Mildred Olmstead, brothers William E., Ray & Richard Olmstead. Source: El Paso Times online September 18, 2007

 

Oneta F. Darby (Counselor & Teacher)

Always there with a helping and guiding hand — Ray Shasteen b. 01/26/1921, d. 01/01/2007

Oneta F. Darby, born January 26, 1921, the beloved daughter of Lois Belle and A. Richard Flanagan, and eldest sister to Ann, Margie, Eugene, and Billy. Oneta died peacefully and much loved on January 7, 2007 in her daughter’s home in Dallas, TX. As a small girl, her nickname was “Skeeter,” and she grew up in Huntsville, TX. Oneta received her B.A. from Sam Houston State Teacher’s College in 1942, and on July 5, 1944 she married the love of her life, Vernon Darby. Their marriage spanned 54 years. The lights of their life together were their son, Ricky and daughter, Debra. They raised their family in El Paso, TX, where from 1959 to 1986 Oneta counseled and corralled hundreds of Irvin High School students with wisdom, wit, and love.

Copied from the funeral home website June 2007

 

 

Mrs. Billie W. Etheridge (English and Debate)

Not Enough Space — Ray Shasteen b. 12/23/1931 d. 04/05/2009

 

Billie Joyce Walker Etheridge. December 23, 1931 - April 5, 2009. Longtime teacher and UTEP professor Billie W. Etheridge passed away on April 5, 2009. Billie was a long-time El Paso resident who is survived by three sisters Margaret, Virginia, and Ruth Ann, two brothers David and Jerry, her son, Charles Larimore Etheridge, Jr. and daughter Catherine Helen Etheridge-Morrel. She treasured her four grandsons: Charles Larimore Etheridge, III, James Parker Etheridge, Jose Benjamin Etheridge and Taylor Dean Jorge Morrel. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Charles Larimore Etheridge. Her legacy lives on through her continual commitment to her students. Billie was a teacher at Irvin High School where she was selected as Teacher of the Year. She moved to the University where she served in the English Department, as debate coach and as Vice President of the Faculty Senate. She was honored for her outstanding teaching with an Excellence in Teaching award in the 1980's. Professor Etheridge served the Texas Speech Communication Association as both Vice President and President and continued to serve on local and state committees to help shape quality education for the students of Texas. She believed that teaching Speech Communication was not A basic, but THE basic to help students of Texas succeed. Forced to retire because of ill health, she remained committed to caring for her family and community until her death. She will long be remembered for her kindness, integrity, intelligence and compassion. She believed that all who worked hard would succeed and each day she lived that belief. Visitation will be Thursday, April 9, 2009 from 6 pm - 8 pm at Hillcrest Funeral Home-Carolina. Funeral Service will be at First Christian Church, 901 Arizona Avenue at 1:00 p.m. Friday April 10. A graveside service will be held for the family at Fort Bliss where she will be buried with her husband. The family asks that in lieu of flowers a contribution to the Billie W. Etheridge Scholarship fund be made in her memory. The scholarship is administered through the University of Texas at El Paso. Directed by HILLCREST FUNERAL HOME 598-3332 1060 Carolina Dr. 598-3332

Published in El Paso Times from April 8 to April 10, 2009

 

Manuel Gonzalez (Drafting & Related Math)

Tough, but sensitive and helpful, although he would always deny it. — Ray Shasteen Deceased per teacher Believe b. 12/27/1926, d. 08/06/1998

 

Dalton Hill (Tennis Coach)

A man who taught boys and girls how to be men and women — Ray Shasteen Inducted into the Texas Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame in 1981 b. 04/25/1909, d. 12/28/1984

     My Dad was born in 1905 in a small Texas town near San Angelo and had three sisters and three brothers. As far as I know the family farmed and more than likely it was an exercise in very hard work. Dad graduated from Iowa Park High School near Wichita Falls and then attended Abilene Christian University where he lettered in four sports and was all-conference in football and is a member of the Football Hall of Fame there. He helped build the dirt tennis courts there and must have always had a love for tennis. After college he worked in the East Texas oil fields digging pipelines by hand in the summers and was an assistant football coach for the University during the school year.

     He took a position in Roby, Texas teaching and coaching where he met Ala Kelly who had just graduated form TWU in Denton and was teaching English. They married and moved to Sweetwater where they both taught and Dad coached.

     There were brief teaching positions in Roscoe and Highland, Texas. My Sister, Dr. Kay Goad of Euless, Texas and I grew up in Sweetwater and Dad's involvement in tennis matured. He had very good players there and along with some other men started the Hiway 80 summer tennis tournament circuit.

     We moved to El Paso, the summer of 60 and we were very happy there. Dad's success and his great players allowed him to enter the El Paso Coaches Hall of Fame and The Texas Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame. He was president of The Texas Tennis Coaches Association for a time.

     Coaches are special in that they give time without complaining and are unselfish in that endeavor.

     Dad was really a football coach who coached tennis. I would like to thank all his players, everyone of them for their hard work under his watch. He expected a lot but he also gave a lot.
 

Van Hill, June 20, 2007

Mrs. Jane Lanelli (Counselor)

Deceased per teacher

 

Mr. William Massello (Trig. & Algebra teacher)

Buried at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, TX. b. 02/24/1907, d. 02/03/1997, A typical hero of his time that never talked about it to my knowledge. I was just provided with the following link about his military background. I have requested permission to place the entire article on our site. — Ray Shasteen http://www.corregidor.org/ca/btty_erie/massello.htm In case the page moves, until I hear from the owner, I have included a copy at this link. Note that there is an interview with him linked off the site and this page.

 

Mr. Douglas McLaurin (Counselor, Boys 8th & 9th)

 

Mr. C. R. Nichols (Assistant Principal)

Deceased per faculty  A very nice person who really cared about kids — Anonymous Irvin faculty

 

Mr. Donald Ponder  (English III, IV teacher)

The reason I am as much of a wordsmith as I am — Ray Shasteen Deceased per classmate

 

Mr. Jack Pytcher  (Chemistry teacher)

Date: November 14, 2006 — Publication: El Paso Times (TX) — Lifelong El Pasoan Jack R. Pytcher died Sunday, November 12. He was 85. Mr. Pytcher was a graduate of Cathedral High School and the Texas College of Mines (now UTEP), and be obtained a master's degree in chemistry from the University of Texas at El Paso. Mr. Pytcher served his country in the Armed Forces in World War II as a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps. Following his military service, Mr. Pytcher returned to El Paso, where he later married Conchita Pangburn, who preceded him... He was a terrific guy…and not a bad chemistry teacher — Kent Byus '67 Grad

 

Mr. Udell Ray Tarpley, Sr. (Biology teacher)

Deceased per classmate

Mrs. Inez Wood (Counselor) Deceased per faculty  A very nice person who really cared about kids — Anonymous Irvin faculty