Class Notes Witt just before Christmas, and according to the telephone call from Will Allison, Luke got up that morning, went and turned up the thermostat, then went back to bed, and when Stuart went to get him up, he was gone – apparently a heart attack. The services were held in Hollywood Cemetery on the James in Richmond. I was not able to make it due to a strained leg bringing in a 10 foot Christmas tree, but our class was represented by Parker Cross, Will and Christina Allison, Warren Koontz, John Evans, Fluggie Moore, and Ann Goddard. I wrote both Elizabeth and Stuart on behalf of the Class of ’53. This month, Jim Eads lost his wife, Barbara, after a long illness. If you recall, Jim came to our last reunion only for one evening to visit with his roommate Dabney Coleman, as he did not want to leave Barbara for the weekend. There were services in Manakin-Sabot which were attended by Parker Cross and Warren Koontz. I sent Jim a note on behalf of our class. An email from Frank Spencer’s daughter, Sandy Morgan, said that her mother now has fast growing terminal cancer, and she is now placed with Hospice. Right after Christmas, she had a pacemaker installed, and when she recently had to have it checked due to problems, they found the cancer. I hope all had a great Christmas and New Year celebration. I assume you noted that I did not send out Christmas Cards this year. I decided to retire from that task after 28-plus years and just stick to our own personal card with pictures and Christmas letter (130 or so). I did send out a New Year’s email to those on the class email list. As I write, I am also considering retiring from sending out VMI 2016-Issue 2
Class of 1953: At the Beachams’ home with Bill and Judy Noell for the Super Bowl were Jackson, John Gaston ’19, Weston Gloger ’19, Judson, Henry Atwill ’18, Addi Jay, Jack Wilkins ’16 and Mary Jude.
Class of 1953: At a Super Bowl viewing party were, from left, Jack Wilkins ’16, Mary Jude, Henry Atwill ’18 and Judy Noell.
Class of 1953: Bill Noell’s granddaughter, Addie Jay Beacham, trying to take a selfie of the Super Bowl group.
birthday cards ... do we really need reminding from VMI just how old we are these days? As I write these notes, I start my 29th year as your class agent. Hard to believe that I have lasted this long at it, and as my roommate Bill Atwill says, I am a chemistry/physics major, and not an LA, so how come? An email notice has just been sent noting that the April spring ’53 lunch in Richmond will be on the 28th this year at the Commonwealth Club in downtown Richmond. As I send in these notes on the day after Valentine’s Day, the snow is coming down steadily here in Lexington ... right now it is about 5 inches. Just hope we can get on the road tomorrow to go back to Tennessee. I received a nice Christmas card from Rhoda Bigner thanking me for remembering her and the widows with cards over the years. A card from Jim and Marilyn Meek said they are now in a “continuing care” retirement community outside of Washington, D.C., and so are now a lot closer to VMI to visit. Gayle Shorter noted that Jack Trigg was keeping me posted concerning her surprising heart problems. Elizabeth and Wes Gray are still bouncing around the country – California, Cape Cod and Adirondacks on family events, but they are still in Maryland in summer and Florida in winter. Issue to come visit when you happen to travel their way. Bob Cheatham issued a very long and informative Christmas letter this year. He is definitely not slowing down in all of his activities – despite missing Bebe very much – but he does have a lot of family to help keep his spirits up, and his news is too long and detailed to report in these notes. An email from Russ Horne noted that as of Feb. 19, he and Helen have been married for 60 37