William “Bill” Joseph Connery, aged 78, peacefully passed away following a prolonged illness.
He was born in Philadelphia, PA, but later his family relocated to Texas. In 1963, he proudly graduated from Midland High School. Bill’s sense of duty led him to join the army, where he was selected for officer candidate school. After an honorable discharge, he ventured into the world of finance, becoming a successful stockbroker and pursuing various entrepreneurial endeavors.
Written by Bob Ittner
This Thursday June 8 we will be flying to Albuquerque and then motoring to Santa Fe for a couple of days and then on to South Fork Colorado to stay with friends. I am reminded of the fond memories of summer vacations in Colorado.
We would leave the hundred degree heat of Midland to travel to Santa Fe on our way to Lake City Colorado. My father would get everyone up by playing at full blast John Phillips Sousa marches. My mom would pack a picnic lunch and off we would go. We would reach the coolness and charm of Santa Fe in the late afternoon so different from what we left. The next day we would start on our way to Lake City stopping at Alamosa or Del Norte to buy groceries. My father had a grocery list which he kept for all of our trips so he didn’t have to make a new list each time we went. On the way we would stop for lunch but we didn’t eat out once we got there.
We didn’t refer to our father as dad or father or pops we called him Frank, which was his name. He was an excellent cook and took the art seriously. He wanted my mom to rest on the vacation so he did all the cooking.
When we got to South Fork which we will be visiting next week, we turned north to go to Creede. At that point you’re starting to get into the mountains. For years the road from Creede to Lake City was unpaved. We first stayed on the lake in rustic cabins although we didn’t think they were rustic. Frank, who was not an early riser, could get up without an alarm clock to fish the lake in front of our cabin. He was an excellent fly fisherman and might have five or six fish not long after the sun was up. In those days, it wasn’t catch and release, so we would cook any fish that we caught. Near the end of our trip he devised a method using empty milk cartons to freeze the fish so we could take them back to Midland.
We would wade the streams and not see a single person. There were no houses on the stream. Some of the streams we fished might be eight or 10 yards wide. We figured out that if you started late in the afternoon you could get into really good action at feeding time. Wading was very peaceful, the rushing water, trees, the mountains, the blue sky, the solitude. In all the years that we went, we never had a TV nor did anyone else. We listened to the radio which was sporadic in its reception, but one radio station KOMA in Oklahoma City we could get most of the time. Much has changed since then not all of it for the better but I sure do have some great memories.
Fred Shurlock Underwood, CAPT (USN, Ret) passed away on February 19, 2023 of natural causes surrounded by family in Jarrell, TX. He was 89 years old. Born October 8, 1933 in Tulsa, OK the son of Wayne Shurlock Underwood and Erma Holmquist Underwood, he lived most of his childhood in the small towns of Van and Mexia, TX. Graduating from Midland HS, Midland, TX, Fred received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, Twenty Second Company, where he played Soccer during his First Class year, graduating in 1955.
While at the United States Naval Academy, he met the love of his life, Maude, while visiting Philly for the Army Navy Football Game, and they married in 1956. Together they lived the Navy life, traveling and moving frequently. During his 28 years of Naval service Fred’s tour of duties included the USS Heermann (‘55-’57 Newport, RI), USS Mullinnix (’58 Boston, MA), USS Pinnacle (‘59-’60 Charleston, SC), Naval Postgraduate School, receiving a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (‘60-’63 Monterey, CA), USS Luce (‘63-’64 Mayport, FL), Norfolk Naval Shipyard (‘64-’67 Norfolk, VA), ComServPac Staff (‘67-’68 Pearl Harbor, HI), US Naval Ship Repair Facility Guam (‘68-’71 Guam, MI) Defense Management School (’71), NavSec (’72-’76 Hyattsville, MD), NavSea (’75-’80 Arlington, VA), Indian Head Naval Ordnance Station (‘80-’83 Indian Head, MD).
Among his memorable Navy accomplishments was the crossing of the equator on 06 July 1958, when he was initiated into the Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep; the opportunity to be the Captain of the Naval Honor Guard at Prince Rainier’s wedding to Grace Kelly, where he received the Monaco Bronze Medal; passing his Professional Engineering in the Electrical Field Exam in 1969; receiving the Navy Commendation Medal for his work while at Naval Shore Electronics Engineering Activity while on Guam. More importantly, he was in the original design team for the Aegis Nuclear Cruiser while at NavSec and moved on to see the Aegis Cruiser to full development while at NavSea, a rare feat indeed. Lastly, he served as the Base Commander at the Naval Ordnance Station, where he enjoyed the atmosphere and joked “that all is good as long as it was not BOOMING”.
After Fred’s retirement from the Navy, he and Maude moved to Appomattox, VA. They loved the rural location enjoying the land, the animals, the environment and especially the friendly neighbors which were all dear to their hearts. Fred and Maude became involved in local groups and activities, including the Ruritans, the Depot Dramatics and both the Memorial United Methodist Church choir as well as the handbell choir. Feeling a call to service again, Fred became a member of the Appomattox County Electoral Board (‘95-‘13) and spent time making sure that the elections held were fair and free from controversy.
After Maude’s passing, Fred returned to the Lone Star State, choosing to live in the Army Residence Community in San Antonio, a retirement community of retired Officers from all services, allowing him to be close to his children. He enjoyed spending his days helping others via the Computer Club with general Q & A, as well as presentations on how to use computers for everyday conveniences such as shopping and dictation. He also taught classes coaching other residents in writing their memoirs. Continuing his joy of music, Fred joined the chapel choir, and the Seniors of Note performing group, where he was applauded for his comedic song performances.
Fred’s desire was not to be famous, but to be memorable. His goal each day was to make someone smile. His laughter was infectious and his hugs were legendary. He had a genuine interest in people, and enjoyed making new friends. He loved music and his favorite food was ice cream.
Fred is preceded in death by both parents, as well as his wife Maude Moore Underwood and his sister Ruth LeNelle Cittadin. He is survived by his four children, CDR Max Wayne Underwood, (USN, ret) and his wife Jane (San Antonio): Nancy Leigh Honeycutt and her husband Kyle (Raleigh, NC); Tacy Lyn Armstrong and her husband Rob (Georgetown, TX): Rebekah Sue Valenzuela and her husband Joe (Jarrell, TX), seven grandchildren: Don Underwood, Richard Underwood, Kathleen Davis, Kristine Whalen, Joe Valenzuela II, Zoey Armstrong, Amy Armstrong along with 13 Great Grandchildren, his two sisters, Elizabeth Mixon and Louise Nunes, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Fred’s family and friends will be celebrating his life, Saturday March 25 from 11-2pm. For information regarding location please contact the family at fredunderwood33@gmail.com
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the United Services Organization.
Written by Bekki Maier Welch
I thought I would see what I can remember about growing up in Terminal.
I remember in the first grade Jackie Reed, Freda Caudle, and I started school together. Freda and I were in Mrs. Dukes class and Jackie was in Mrs. Harmon’s .
I remember a kid we called Punkin… No not pumpkin! He was one of those kids that was mischievous as for a nicer way to put it. He jabbed me in the arm with a pencil, and I still have the lead in there where it broke off. Now… you get the picture of what kind of kid he was!
Jackie tells the story about when we were at recess and she got mud on my new red tennis shoes. I was so mad at her that I put glue in her seat. Then one day we were playing on the seesaw. Freda and I on one end and Jackie on the other and Jackie jumped off and I landed on my butt. I told the teacher on her(Jackie) and she was punished by having to stand at the chalk board with her nose in a circle that was drawn on it. At least that’s the way she tells it.
For some reason I don’t remember the second grade. Maybe Jackie can remember.
CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READINGby Carole Scrivner Bearden
I was 11 years old, walking home from 5th grade at Jane Long Elementary with some classmates. I wish I could remember who was in our group, but it may have been some nearby neighbors like Sherry Traylor, Jo Beth Barkley or Sue Ann Yeargain. The date was October 24, 1956, a comfortable autumn afternoon, when we heard a huge crash and looked up. Two planes had collided in the air above the Permian Estates.
Suddenly airplane parts and body parts began to fall around us! I dashed home, across Thomason Drive, up Howard Drive, yelling to my sister that their had been an explosion and I was going to look around. No policemen or fire trucks had arrived yet, but groups of children wondered around the 7 block area.
Later we would learn the military jet, containing an instructor and student pilot, were on a training mission from Webb Air Force Base in Big Spring. The Cessna carried a father, mother, infant, and parents of the mother. All 7 passengers died.
Written by: Linda Mills Wofford
When I arrived at Univ. of Texas, fall of 1964, I repeatedly heard the expression “Midland people – you could stir ‘Em with a stick.” Of course at first, I thought this was an insult. But now, I understand it completely and consider it a compliment.
Midland people are brave, strong, outgoing, loyal, adventurous, accomplished, kind, spirited and unique. We all share those qualities. So yes, it is quite a compliment to say ” we are all stirred by the same stick.”
CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READINGSubmitted by Mary Teeple
Shack was a Family Friend…. Like a brother. We always considered Shack and his twin brother, Boots, as 1962 graduates.
Much love, Mary.
Submitted by John McElligott
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Continue readingWritten by Karen Kimball Jones
Well, the funniest thing is I think those who went to Lee think I graduated from Midland and those who graduated from Midland think I graduated from Lee since that was the year Lee opened.
Actually, my junior year, my Dad went to work for Husky Oil and we moved to Denver where I graduated from HS, then went to Oklahoma State and transferred to El Paso my junior year in college. I ended up graduating from UTEP in ‘68.
CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READINGBy Gere Gaige
Arrived pre-school age in Midland first in 1949, with my geologist dad (Magnolia Oil Company in those days, with “Pegasus”, its flying red horse) moving us from Illinois to a red-brick duplex on Nobles Street, not far from Big Spring Avenue, Johnny Henderson’s grocery and the Spudnut shop next door.
Dad ordered an FHA financed house to be built by James Chestnut’s dad a bit further west on Nobles (616) closer to the “A” Street Park. That house backed up to the cemetery (spooky) and its dirt alley was a great place to find horned toads, jump away from rattle snakes and chase blowing tumbleweeds. Started first grade there (North Elementary) and lasted through some of the fourth – with a big interruption of budding friendships in the middle. (Explains why most of you did not know me in those years.)
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