Stephen Ray Puckett

Pat Bissonet and I recently had fun tracking down the words to the school song of Oak Forest Elementary, written by the school secretary:

We’re from Oak Forest the best school of all.

We’ve got the pep even though we are small.

We love to sing so the whole world can hear,

our song of praise for the school we love so dear.

From kindergarten on up through each grade,

we’re mighty proud of the record we made.

So here’s to Oak Forest where we learn each day,

to be better boys and girls in every way!

-Hattie Belle Pugh

By the way, here is the one for Stevens:

Roger Felton

There were quite a few of us who went to Cooley Elementary.  Named after the Cooley doctor dynasty, I believe.  The limestone monstrosity was built as a prototype for the Alamo before the floorplan got changed.  Couldn't find the school song but, as Stephen always says when you get stumped, "Before you kick the bucket, be sure to ask Puckett", lol.  But, I think I remember some snippets of the song....

"Hail to Cooley, Hail to Cooley, better every day

If we ever get electricy, to class we'll find our way

It's dark and gloomy, damp and always creaky

Toilets don't flush and the roof is always leaky

Our teachers are great, though sometimes an ogre

But we love the days when they show up sober"

That's all I can recall but, hey, that was over 65 years ago!  

Joyce Barta (Bayersdorfer)

I went to Cooley and don't remember that song. :)

Sandy Spears (Koslosky-Siddall)

I agree with Joyce - and I was in the choir. But then again you guys always remember more than I do. I only enjoyed Cooley for 6th grade.  My brother, Dusty, would have attended for 2 years, so he might remember. My father attended there and they lived across the street, if I remember his stories correctly. Dusty had a teacher that daddy had! 

See you guys on the 17th. :-)

Roger Felton

Oooops!   I can see I should have added a comment that that Cooley song was something I made up even though it fit that "old dungeon" of a school.  Ya'll excuse, just me losing my mind.  I tend to do that soon after a Sept.flood, LOL.

It was sad to hear old Cooley burned down.  Lotsa memories there.

Anita Marbury (Marbury)

Hey out there!

I'm hoping to see you on Thursday at the  October get together.

I flew down from Colorado  to see you.

Where are the Houston an area kids?

I am so sorry to miss you on this trip. 
 

Always, 

Sweetie
 

Donald Hampton-Jones

Hi Sweeetie, Not making the Ram Jam but am trying to get out to gaathering at Suzi (Jones's) Cant spell hubbies name for the get together there.  Hope to see you there.  Give me a call when you have a chance.  Don

Susan (Suzi) Smith (McMillian)

Ah, Don, Suzi Smith McMillian (not Jones, although that would be a compliment, she looks fab). Hope you can make it down to the bayou tomorrow  (again),  The weather looks great.  Anyone else is welcome too,  We love a crowd.  Just message me if anyone else is interested and I will send you details. 

Jeanne Spencer (Adams)

Is anyone in the Houston are interested in a unique part time position working for World Pet Travel?  My husband has been working here with them for a few months and loves it.  It is an international company but the owner lives in Rockwall.  If you would like any further information, please let me know.  -Jeanne Adams 

Dorothy Fowler (Montgomery)

Jeanne Spencer, I have a friend interested in a part time position, Please send me the information on the Pet Travel Company. My e-mail is dfmontgo@hotmail.com.

Stephen Ray Puckett

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.   Here we are that day, surrounded by a couple of dozen relatives and friends.  We are in the mountains of Southwest VA, a few miles south of our house, in a public museum/picnic area maintained by our family.  I'm in the green buffalo plaid jacket, eating a bowl of wonderful pozole, and Lil is to my right in the image in her purple jacket.  It was a might bit cool that day, about 50 F, so we hung up some tarps to block the breezes.  We also had a big campfire on which we roasted oysters and shrimp.  I like the shrimp but never cared much for oysters on the half shell,   Folks brought tons of food so we ate, Visited, ate, etc.  

I was stuffed but contented!

Stephen Ray Puckett

Yuletide Blessings!

Richard Meek

Good morning all. I want to let you all know that we're holding an Estate Sale at my parent's home tomorrow and Saturday from 9:00 - 5:00. There are treasures to behold that youwill want to take home for For Sure!. You might ask why Paige and I don't take them all home. That would have required buying a new house. Which didn't seem the prudent thing to do. So put it on your calendar to go to 1707 Cheshire Lane. tomorrow (to get the best selection) or Saturday and take some of those treasures to yur house. Heck take them all to your house if you want to!

Looking for ward to seeing everyone tomorrow and at our next get together at Cottonwood.I hope your new year is off to a great start!

Jan Barnes (Nimtz)

Jan Barnes Nimtz - Waltrip Class of 1965 has posted on Facebook

 · With a hole in our hearts today Ed Nimtz & I are sharing the sudden loss of our firstborn son, Brian S. Nimtz, age 52 on Monday, January 20th. Obit and service information can be found on the website of Cypress Fairbanks Funeral Home, 9926 Jones Rd. Houston; also included is a video photo presentation of Brian and our family that I would be pleased for you to view.

Ann Robin Trimble (Haney)

Oh Jan, my heart aches for you and Ed and your family. Words are just inadequate. I will pray that our Lord gives you strength to get through the hard days ahead. Wishing I was near so I could hug you...

Hilda Carol Smith (Godell)

Jan Barnes (Nimtz)

Thank you both, Robin & Hilda for your kind words and acknowledgement of the loss of our son.

Stephen Ray Puckett

Good morning, everybody!

Prayers and good wishes to all of you.  It is a unsettled time we live in now but there is promise of a better, brighter future ahead as we heal and cherish what we have.

God bless and take care!

Lindy Clarke (Hall)

Wow, Stephen... is that idyllic!
I couldn't have imagined a place so beautiful!
Where is it?

During this CV-19 situation...
Most of us are probably doing okay, since we're mostly retired.
Back when I was a teenager, or in my 20's or 30's, I think all this 
self-quarantine, and stay-at-home, would have been a LOT tougher.
I would've been climbing the walls, and sooo worried about how
to pay bills.. 

I'm sure it's extra difficult for those that have loved ones in the
medical field. How they find the strength to face that every day.
It's mind-boggling. 

Anyhow, thanks for sharing that lovely photo.... 
 

Ann Robin Trimble (Haney)

Thank you for your positive and encouraging thoughts Steven. These are, indeed, challenging times, but with the love and support of our friends and our God, we will get through and be stronger on the other end of this. God bless you!

Patricia Bissonnet (Bissonnet)

Thank you Steve.  As always you are a bright light and voice of cheer for our class.  

Kirkley Lee Thompson

Safe travels, Ben.

Robert (Ben) Carbo

Jan Barnes (Nimtz)

Our former classmate, Eileen Caudel Key passed away this morning. May she rest in peace.

Dorothy Fowler (Montgomery)

I was very sorry to hear of Eileen Caudel Key's death. I remember her from school and have enjoyed a friendship with her on Facebook. Condolences to her family.