Myra Savant Says, "Hi."

I was born in Ray in 1944 and can remember most of the elementary school teachers' names.

First grade: Mrs. Smith, second, Miss Holmes, who married and became Mrs. Durenberger. third: Mrs Hubbard, fourth Miss Collins, Fifth, Mrs. Powers, Sixth, Mr Avants, Seventh Mr. Kuykendall and I don't remember 8th grade. Our school nurse was Mrs. Blair I think, and the principal was Mr Case. I seem to remember that the superintendent was Mr. Herbert, but I could definitely be wrong on that.

I have a photo somewhere of our first grade class.

Some Bearcats Have Another Picnic

A bunch o' Bearcats gathered again on March 19, 2011 in Tempe for yet another picnic.  Tess Ozuna '69, who must have been taking notes, had this to say about that:

JUMBO-JET GRACIAS to the following: Damas Salas '71 and family for the music, you all rock! Doug Williams '62 for emceeing cuz you kept us in the "know" all day and generally lent a hand or two when needed ... un abrazo! Leslie Taft Gilchrist '69 for helping me with the "get the hugs here - pay here" table ... couldn't have done it without you. Joanne Hatfield '69 and Linda Hatfield Garcia '68 for getting the flowers for our special mothers and writing out the name tags ... a Godsend. George Dewey '69 for helping set up and your input ... un besito! Kim Dyer Bird '71 for interviewing the moms and creating a DVD for those who want a copy (see more below) and all your great ideas ... we needed your positive energy! Leonor Lopez Osorio '61 for your plucky attitude and strength (helping the guys push the tables to the right spot because we women want things just right ) ... glad to have finally met you in person! Mandy McGee '68 for herding the RHS dancers ... we crown you the "Dance Enforcer" for all future gatherings ... awesome! Chris Dear Hansen '70 for encouraging more folks to join the dancers ... what a smile! ~ Am I forgetting anyone?? ... so many of you were so helpful ... abrazos y besitos! ~ My continual, ongoing appreciation to (my) John (Evancevich) for being the cheerleader and the "behind the scene" worker/support for all these RHS Picnics ... I'd be lost without you ... infinite S.W.A.K.s!

What an honor it was to have seven (7) beautiful RHS Moms at the picnic! Thank you for being in our lives ... for creating those special moments in our hearts: Mrs. Barbara Dyer Lazovich, Mrs. Caroline Giroux, Mrs. Leora Grisby, Mrs. Irma Hatfield, Mrs. Julia McGee, & Mrs. Kitty Van Blitterswijk ... we love you and we look forward to seeing you next year.

And the pictures?  Here they are it is:

L to R:  Joanne Hatfield '69, Linda O'Guin Mitchell '69, Roxana Cluff Garrity '69, Margaret Bobbitt '68.  Background:   Doug Williams '62, (back) Pete Acton '61, ?, Susan Duggins Acton '69.

A Little Reminiscing for the Class of 1960

Came across a Copper Basin News of June 18, 1970. The class of '60 held their 10 year class reunion at the GKI in Kearny in 1970. This year we celebrated, maybe a better word is "reached" our 50th class reunion. What a ride!

Clarine Brandt Haslag Tells Her Story

I lived in Dudleyville with my two sons and taught school in Kearny and Winkelman until my husband got a job with AMARC here in Tucson. He's an accountant where they keep the old airplanes at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

I presently teach 6th grade math (hard-to-believe I know) and social studies at Gridley Middle School in the TUSD school district. I'm hoping to retire in about three years. With the way our economy and state legislature is going, I might have to work longer.

My oldest son, Bill, is coming home from China in August. He's been there for about three years. He was teaching English at the University of Beijing this past year. He plans to get a Masters in Urban Planning. Tom and I visited with him in China two years ago. I've attached a picture of my tour group with the Chinese military group in front of the Forbidden City (Imperial Palace). Can you find me? (In the red jacket) What a place!

My second son, Matt, is a graphic design artist with Betts Printing in Tucson. I am not a grandmother yet and probably won't be in the near future.

My sister Ellen lives in Winters, California near Sacramento. She is a teacher at a Christian school there where she teaches art and social studies. She is married to a nurse-practioner who she met at NAU (I met mine at NAU too! NAU is a great place to find your future spouse!). She has one daughter who is getting a Masters in theology in Eugene, Oregon and is expecting a baby in December.

Lawmen, Ray Arizona

I came across this article while looking over some of my father-in-laws stuff.. A cool story about a battle between anglos and mexicans where a bunch of men died over the theft of one horse... Hope you can enlarge it enough to read it. Just click on the article...

Some Bearcats Scan Their Yearbooks

Alfred Lopez '60 sent some scans from the1960 Ray High yearbook for everyone's enjoyment. That seemed like such a good idea that there's now a project underway to scan more (all?) of the old Ray High yearbooks and put them online. Here are links to the books that are at least partway done:

• 1960
• 1966
• 1970
  

You Can Help!

If you have a scanner and an old yearbook or two, you can help with this project by doing some of the scanning. First, check with Russ at rrrmac@gmail.com for brief instructions and to make sure somebody else isn't already working on the same yearbook that you want to scan. Then just go for it! Send the resulting files to the same email address and we'll do the rest.

Kathy Linsley Farrell Says, "Hi."

Dear all,

I am looking forward to attending the March 20th reunion picnic. I figure that it has been at least 25 or so years since I have seen most of you--except for Charlotte Giroux whom I saw when my father died about that time. Maybe it is age, but have been thinking about those early years a lot lately. Went to boarding school in Tucson from 64-67 before moving to Chicago and graduating in 1969 there. My mother died that year so I think that early life got closed up somehow in memory. Being a high school debater earned me a scholarship and I ended up as a professor of communication and a college administrator at various places but most recently at the University of Iowa for 12 years and now at Saint Louis University. My sisters Judy and Julie (the twins) are both in New Mexico and Patricia the youngest will come with me to the picnic. I look forward to seeing you.

-- Kathy Linsley

PS: I am now married to Julian Long and living in the heart of the city of St. Louis. Anyone driving across the country is welcome to our informal bed and breakfast.

Class of '60 Plans Fiftieth Anniversary Church Service

The class of 1960 will begin their fiftieth anniversary celebration with a church service at the Infant Jesus of Prauge Catholic Church in Kearny on April 11, 2010 at 12:30 PM. Anastacio Rivera will conduct the Mass.

We invite members of the class of 1960 and friends and family from Ray and Sonora to join us for the service and a reception afterward at the Parish Hall.

Class of 1970 Try to Find Themselves

The Class of 1970 is busily searching for classmates to gather at the 2nd Annual RHS Picnic on Saturday, March 20th. In addition, the Class will also meet for a casual evening on Friday, March 19th. For details, contact Susan Hartung Perez at imapita1@cox.net or 480 917-8315. Please know that ALL classes need to RSVP to Tessie Ozuna at 480 962-5105 H or Verizon 602 295-5315 ~ tsozuna@cox.net

Bearcats Plan Second Annual RHS Picnic

Ray High School Alumni are invited to the Second Annual RHS picnic on Saturday, March 20th at the PERA Club in Tempe, Arizona. All those who graduated or attended Ray High, as well as Faculty, Staff, parents and families are welcome. We currently have RSVPs from folks who attended or graduated between 1954-1980.

RSVP requested by March 12th. Cost is based on number of attendees although it is expected to be approximately $10.00 or less ~ the more people, the less the cost. Payment will be taken at the door (cash only). For more details and/or to be added to the RHS Distribution List, please contact Tessie Ozuna '69 at 480 962-5105 H or Verizon 602 295-5315 ~ tsozuna@cox.net.


During this same time, we will also be acknowledging the Class of 1970's 40-year reunion. Contact Susan Hartung Perez at imapita1@cox.net or 480 917-8315 to help locate 1970 Classmates or for information on their Friday, March 19th event.

The PERA Club is at 1 East Continental Drive in Tempe. A map follows. WARNING: The map is accurate, but do not try to rely on the "Get Directions" feature to find your way to the picnic. It will have you approach the site from the west through Papago Park. You will find yourself on the wrong side of the canal and you will have to yell (or swim) to visit with your Bearcat pals. You must come in from the east along Continental Drive.


View Larger Map

Mrs. Ruth Coffey Passes Away

Mrs. Ruth Coffey passed away on October 15, 2009.

She was born in Oak Harbor, Ohio and moved to Santa Rita, New Mexico at an early age. She grew up there and attended New Mexico Western in Silver City. A year at Capitol University near Columbus brought her to an English class with Cecil Coffey where they sat next to each other due to alphabetical seating. Ruth stayed in Columbus and married Cecil "Red" Coffey on August 30, 1942. Red graduated from Capitol and then entered the Coast Guard during World War II. Ruth worked in Columbus during that time. She later graduated from New Mexico Western.

After the war, Red attended New Mexico School of Mines in Socorro. When he graduated they moved to Ray where they raised four children: Michael, Patricia, Jeffrey and Robin. Ruth and Red stayed in this area until 1995. During this period, they were both active in community affairs. Ruth taught high school English at the Ray District Schools for twelve years. Most of those years were during the 1970s.

In 1995 they moved to Tucson to be closer to family and doctors. By this time both of them were beginning to show the effects of health issues. After five years of living in the Tucson Mountain area, they moved to the Fountains, a retirement living complex. Red passed away in December, 2007 just shy of 91 years old. Ruth passed away in October, 2009 four months shy of 89 years old. They are survived by three children and three grandchildren.

A memorial service for Ruth was held at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Tucson on November 21, 2009.

Mrs. Gudrun Kelso Passes Away

Our beloved Kelsito (Mrs. Gudrun Kelso) died at 9:42 AM on October 16, 2009, just twelve days before her 99th birthday. She is now our Angel Loved One and at rest.

This picture was taken on March 16, 2009. She is sitting at her desk in her lovely home in Kearny.

Services were held on October 23 at the Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Kearny. Please click here for a more complete obituary.

Bob Kelahan Tells His Story

Bob, circa 1969

My dad's first job out of college was at the Asarco smelter just outside Salt Lake City that was later sold to Kennecott, so that's where I was born (in a hospital, not the smelter). Asarco transferred him every few years so I grew up in a few different places. That's a plus in that you get to see new places and make new friends, but on the downside it's difficult to make lasting friendships. We moved from Utah first to the Texas gulf coast, then to near Montreal, and then to El Paso. From all that a Texan French Canadian accent, y'all, ay?

Peggy, circa 1980

My dad was transferred to the Hayden smelter and we moved to Kearny in February of '68. So for my first day at RHS I'm wearing an oversized JV baseball letter jacket from my old high school in El Paso. I was certain it would be a perfect chick magnet. They wouldn't know I was nearly the last picked for the team and got to play in only two games. Sadly, I think they soon figured that out when instead of continuing with baseball I tried out for the golf team.

Tim

After graduating I went to Rensselaer, a technical college in upstate New York. Why? - Mostly wanderlust, plus they sent me a really neat looking college catalog. The Navy would be paying for it all, but that committed me to serving four years after college. By my sophomore year it was apparent that my becoming a Navy officer was not in our mutual best interest. I was also getting increasingly concerned about what a chemistry major would do in the Navy - analyze the water outside the ship? You would think I'd have thought all this through before starting down that path, but noooo. Fortunately the policy
allowed me to bail without penalty before starting my junior year. That immediately led to the next problem - how to pay for an expensive college. My parents had moved back to Texas and I had seen enough of New York by then, so the answer was simple - the University of Texas. At the same time my dad and my brother, both engineers, convinced me to switch to chemical engineering. Turned out to be good advice and a good fit for me. My mom's hope for attorney or physician was shot for good.

Dan

I had fond memories of childhood vacations to the St. Louis area to visit grandparents and cousins. So when I had the opportunity to start my career there I jumped at it. That's where I met my wife, Peggy. She was a Montessori kindergarden teacher. I don't recall the attraction - kind of skinny, not very tall, no sports car. Oh, towards her? - Well, she was really cute and her personality was a good contrast with mine (no wisecracks please). Amazingly, she even stayed with me as I went on a never ending search for the ideal job. This led me back to college, then to Chicago briefly, a little longer in eastern Kentucky, and then ten years in Houston. Along the way a few critters joined us. Peggy insisted we name them. So first there was Tim and then Dan while in Kentucky, and then Katie and Jenny while in Houston.

Katie

We had always thought we would someday move back to St. Louis, so when an opportunity eventually came we did just that. We've been back here nearly 20 years now. Monsanto, like many big companies, likes to periodically prune out older workers and my time came in 2005. They want to pay me to leave? Where do I sign?

Jenny

I'm not ready to fully retire yet and Peggy has too many undesirables in my job jar, so I continue to do some projects and consulting in process control and simulation. Lately it's been nearly full time developing training simulators for refineries and chemical plants. It's like developing a flight simulator except instead of getting the student to take off, fly steady, and land, all without crashing, the goal is to start up the plant, make good product, and shut it down, all without it blowing up. Good fun.

Bob

Peggy still teaches part time. All the critters are out of the house now. Fortunately they all live nearby so we get to see them often. Tim is an electrical engineer working in process control. Dan is a restaurant manager. Katie and Jenny are occupational therapists working with special needs children. A side interest with Jenny - she dragged us to Ireland three times to watch her dance with the best. Okay, we did go willingly. She doesn't dance competitively anymore but continues to teach Irish dance part time. And no, she did not get that from me. I can't walk and chew gum at the same time - just ask someone from the golf team…

Peggy

Hobbies: Irish festivals and hiking the national parks (no gum); Favorite sports team: St Louis Cardinals (duh!); Goal: climb Croagh Patrick at age 60; Chance RHS classmate encounter: running into Audrey Burnam on the UT campus (what are the odds of that?).

Kearny memory: The smell of a desert rain. The evening I arrived in Kearny it was after dark and either had just rained or was about to. Our apartment was half way up the hill. Looking down at the lights below I could hear a small group practicing music. The smell in the air was unmistakable and unforgettable. I think you can distinguish that of central Arizona from other desert areas. I am reminded of that smell very vividly whenever passing through central Arizona and a storm is nearby.

Alex and Becky Manriquez Say, "Hi."

Alex '69 and Becky (Foster) '70 Manriquez send their greetings, along with a link to their blog. It has pictures of kids and grandkids and dogs and everything! Check it out here.

Daryl Mallett Wants Your Photos

Hello all,

I am a freelance writer in Arizona and, with co-author Lyn Scott, am working on a book entitled The Copper Corridor, which is a photographic history of the towns along AZ-177 and AZ-77 from Superior to Winkelman.

During my research, I found your website announcing the reunion and would very much like to hear from all of you about your experiences living in the area, your family histories and seeing your photos and possibly including them in our book.

I can be reached at 480/275-0232 or darylmallett (at) aol.com. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Daryl F. Mallett

Kearny Gets History on Day One

There's a pretty interesting article online describing how its founders worked to give Kearny its own historical identity from the very beginning. The article also contains lots of other good stuff about Ray and Sonora and the changes that came when they were displaced by the mine. Check it out here.

Kathy Case Kangas Tells Her Story

I am Kathy Case Kangas. My parents were Randolph and Berniece Case.

My dad first was teacher and principal at Washington Elementary School, Sonora AZ. Then he became principal of Lincoln Elementary School along with Washington Elementary School. And he was also a substitute teacher. I was in one of the classrooms that he substituted for. My dad was Principal of Lincoln Elementary until we left there in 1963. My mother was English and History teacher at Ray High School. She came after Mrs. Crowell was librarian (I think) and took it because nobody else wanted to! She was Jr., Sr. Class sponsor, and also Prom sponsor. In the meantime she was also the drama, play director.

We moved to Seligman AZ 1963-1964, then to Ajo AZ 1964-1980. My mother quit teaching in 1980 and Dad retired 1981.

I graduated from Ajo High School class of 1967. I was held back a year in fourth grade due to illness and would've graduated with the class of 1966. Even though I finished high school in Ajo I wanted to stay with my friends in Kearny and graduate with them!

It was the jobs that brought my parents to Ray. They had attended the University of Arizona and were looking for work. They completed their masters of education in 1957, Tempe Normal School, for education.

Tess asked me about some of my dad's trials as principal. The main thing was discipline as it is today. Dad always tried to be fair in every situation. Don't know if these boys in particular remember this scene: During their 8th grade time a bunch of boys were becoming girl crazy and some rather bullish, always picking on someone. So finally my dad had enough and had them box it out in a real ring. I think with the help of Mr. Murchison and some of the coaches. There were some blows and some bloody noses but after that no more fights! Another trial must have been to him to have me as one of his students! Never thought of that until just now. To me I was always trying to keep out of the way.

I have a complete set of annuals from Ray High School that I would like to be able to scan somehow. Would also like to keep in touch with everybody.

Oaxaca 2009

Had a great time at our Oaxaca 2009 mixer. The Ray High Blog was much discussed as people were excited to hear about it. Facebook was also discussed as a way of keeping up with daily activities (see www.facebook.com/neto.corral). Topics that came up were: Did Mr. Kuykendall ever teach in at Washington Elementary? Russ Cooper, where do Joe Cooper & Bob Cooper connect with you? Whatever happened to Queen Saundra Speers & Princesses Sharon Weeks (Weeksie) and Priscilla Osuna?

Anyone remember the big rumble between Ray & Sonora students that went on for three days? Of course, we agreed we won. Much discussed were secret romances between Ray & Sonora students during our high school years (that was taboo, remember?)


Baldo, Sandy (Owl), Goyo & Sandy's wife.

Neto, Tommie, Sandy, Goyo, Papo, Chuey, Baldo.

Goyo, Papo, Chuey & Baldo

Papo, Monchie & Chin0

Chuey, Papo & Chino (Mystery Pic from a previous blog)

Eddie & Papo

Neto & Goyo

Fifth Annual Oaxaca Mixer!!

Don't know if you youngsters remember any of us old-timers from the old Ray High but a few of us are getting a mixer together for this Thursday night (July 9, 2009) at Oaxaca's in Phoenix (1516 W Van Buren). If you remember nicknames like Papo, Chino, Chuey, Neto, Papemo, El Five, El Rastrillo, La Monchie, Gollo and Curqui, you might want to stop by starting around 6 p.m. No agenda, just eats and drinks and reminiscing..... Guess which three are in the photo taken in the playground of Washington Elementary in Sonora.. Some photos of previous mixers are attached (if I get this right)!

Carol Dierking Burlinson Tells Her Story

I moved from California to Arizona in fifth grade, when my divorced mother died and my dad was given custody. When I transferred from Hayden to Ray in 1965, sophomore year, I missed the first day of school. The next morning, first thing, I blew a pop quiz in Mr. Taft's class. I was mortified. I was a Smart Kid, I didn't flunk tests. Taft told me, "you'll be okay." I was inwardly focused, reserved, quiet, hard to get to know, but he encouraged me. I liked him a lot.

After high school I earned a BA in anthropology and a Master of Library Science from the University of Arizona, married in '74, and in '75 moved to College Station, Texas, for my husband's job at A&M. Two years later we moved to Austin and we've been here ever since. I worked 14 years at university libraries and the Texas State Library; some of these jobs I liked, but others? They were just for the money. Contrary to image, most librarians are people oriented, but me - I was an introvert in a social profession. Then in 1989 I got my dream job in the research library of Radian International, an environmental engineering firm. That was my "bliss" work experience - challenging, absorbing, and most important, I believed in what I was doing. When it ended in a buyout in '99, I began working part time for the school system, subbing in school libraries. It's worthwhile also, but I'm winding it down now.

We never wanted kids. Then, in our thirties, we decided we'd go for it after all. That's how, in 1985, we came to adopt a four-month-old son from Korea, Jake. Do I even need to say he's been the light of our lives? He's 24 now, currently at Ft. Rucker, Alabama, training to be a medevac pilot. When he finishes that, he'll be joining the Texas Department of Public Safety and flying for the Texas National Guard. He says he wants a family of his own someday, but he's too busy right now. So I hope grandkids are in the future. That's what you get for putting off parenthood :)

Over the years my hobbies have been reading (of course!), ballet, voice, and guitar. I once took acting and auditioned for a bit part as a killer in a low budget film noir, but that was the end of my movie career. Nowadays, I've given up ballet and guitar due to injuries, but as an amateur mystery writer, I spend a lot of time thinking up ways to murder people.

I've been a lifelong learner and in addition to writing I read mysteries, fantasy, humor, and nonfiction such as history, religion, politics, and the natural sciences. I do some yoga, a little gardening, birdwatching, collect perfume, and enjoy going out with friends. Unlike me, my husband of 35 years has not slowed down much. His job with the state health department is as demanding as ever, but if we're lucky, we get away for the occasional day or weekend trip. Austin is a unique city for Texas, and while the "Keep Austin Weird" bumper stickers are probably wishful thinking, it's still weird enough for me. I love this town.

Dumbest thing I ever did? Not selling when the Dow was at 14,000. Smartest thing? Hooking up with my two fellas - marrying John and adopting Jake.