Lindy Clarke (Hall)

I'm so glad Harvey had shared all those photos of travels, and his children, and absolutely adorable grandchildren (I will miss hearing about them).
Harvey was a really nice, unassuming guy... and a credit to our school days...
I'm happy knowing he had such a full life...

Nancy Jo Stockdale (Peters)

Stephen Ray Puckett

Happy Dyngus Day!   This is a holiday on the day after Easter, mainly observed in towns with heavy Polish ancestry.  Basically, it is a chance to party after the somber days of Lent. 

In honor of Easter and Dyngus Day, here is the Kindergarten Easter Program from Oak Forest.  You may recognize many of the names.  I was one of the little bunnies.

Lindy Clarke (Hall)

Wow, Stephen, was that kindergarten program from
your own collection? I am blown away.
When we moved to Houston, I had 5th & 6th Grades there
at Oak Forest, and seeing so many familiar names is
awesome. I didn't know so many kids started there with
kindergarten. The kids from Oak Forest Elementary really
did seem like family. (I suppose other elementaries have
a similar sentiment...)
Thank you so much...

Carolyn Johnson (Blake)

I am impressed you still have things from Kindergarten. I was across town at Roberts Elementary. I didn't get to Oak Forest until the 3rd grade. I do recognize some names.

Carolyn

Patricia Bissonnet (Bissonnet)

Many of you will remember G B Fitzgerald.  He was a mid-termer who "moved up" to graduate in 1964.  In the late 70's he bought an old Polish dance hall at the corner of Studewood and White Oak, and turned it into Fizgerald's, a venue for music of that time.  G B died in a motorcycle accident in 1980, but Fitzgerald's lived on, to become one of the longest running most popular music venues in Houston. (His wife gets credit for continuing the business.) They are tearing down Fitzgeralds this week to make way for urban gentrification.  I always think of G B when I pass by that corner, and will still do so.  

Stephen Ray Puckett

Yes, I too think of him every time I see mention of Fitzgerald's.  I did not really know him.  His wife Sara said, "I've been here 42 years, and I'm tired. You can't stay up at four o' clock in the morning when you're 70."  The farewell party was New Year's Eve, 2018.   On May 8 they started tearing down the historic venue to create a parking lot. 

Info and photos of the venue: https://www.chron.com/life/article/Long-time-Houston-music-venue-set-to-shutter-13444663.php

Tom Britton

G.B. was a great guy. I had the pleasure of working with Sara briefly while I was at Merchants Park Bank as she vowed to keep the club alive. Another piece of our history bites the dust. 

Janelle Marshall (Walter)

I remember the Halloween of1964.My parents were Republicans when it was not cool. We had Goldwater signs in the yard. Trick or treaters knocked down our signs and broke a wind chime my mother had on our front porch. Not much tolerance then.

David Bennett

Great to see your post. I have the fondest memories of your family as members of the Garden Oaks Church of Christ.

David Bennett

Stephen Ray Puckett

Scenes from the past

Susan Carle (Crowley-Wasson)

Doyles and Barbcue Inn still look the same. Enjoy Doyles now as it is closing the end of the year to make way for affordable housing. 

Joanna Hinton (Garrett)

Dorothy Fowler (Montgomery)

Happy Belated Birthday.  We were very lucky to have such wonderful memories of growing up. Things keep changing.

Hilda Carol Smith (Godell)

Linda Marmion (Linder)

Stephen, your pictures provide wonderful memories. Growing up in Garden Oaks was the best!  I feel like I’m turning into my father when I tell my grandkids about going to the Garden Oaks Fun Club on Saturday morning for $.25,  I remember the Barbecue Inn before it was brick. It was a dark green color.  Does anyone have a picture of Plantation Oaks?  It disappeared shortly after elementary school. They had the best French fries ever!

Tom Britton

BBQ Inn before brick...I remember their juke box and the sawdust floors. They still have some of the best Chicken-Fried Steak and fried shrimp around. Not to mention their yummy pies.

Susan (Suzi) Smith (McMillian)

So glad someone else remembers Plantation Oaks (on Shepherd across the street from and just north of St. Matthews UMC).  Just imagining driving into that shell circular driveway between those whitewashed tree trunks  makes my mouth water.  I believe those wonderful French fries were lightly battered (like onion rings), something I have never seen anywhere else.  Yum! 

Jennie Anderson (Dylan)

Leah Favela, one of our classmates, who still celebrates with us, class of ‘65, is asking for prayers and thoughts as she faces surgery for lung cancer on 9/23/2019 at St. Luke’s Hospital.  

Linda Marmion (Linder)

Thank you for letting us know; my prayers will certainly be with her. Please keep us informed. 

Dorothy Fowler (Montgomery)

Praying for Leah’s successful surgery and quit recovery.

Roger Felton

St. Luke's is one of the best so Leah, you are in the best hands on earth.  And with all of your classmates who love you and are praying for you now, you are in the best hands in Heaven, too.  Relax and worry not.

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. :)