Tribute to Andrea Dewey written by Nugent Brasher posted by Bob Ittner
On Sunday morning in the market mercería, I bought a long, slender, yellow ribbon. Knowing that Representative A. Dewey traveled in a ’57 Chevy coupe, I asked the Señora to mark in hopeful green ink the portent AD57 on the ribbon. Several blocks away in the bird market I searched for the right wings. The vendors had many birds from which to select, but only a single pajarero had a suitable aviator for hire. In a tall cage stood an alablanca, an Elegant Tern, captured from his homeland on the Pacific coast and carried into the sierra for trade. I asked the pajarero to tie the yellow AD57 ribbon to one black leg of the white mensajero. This unusual request excited the ears of those around and some begged from me an explanation. A murmur rose from the gatherers as word spread of what I told. The pajarero opened the top of the cage and grasped the alablanca firmly yet gently, as though lifting not a bird but rather a santo. Then, with a bend of his knees and a rise to his tiptoes, he tossed the alablanca into the air, and in a flurry of loud flaps and a sharp double cry, two strong wide wings hurled the suddenly freed captive toward the distant peaceful ocean. A lingering gasp swished through the crowd as the released adelentado rose, and many crossed themselves, and men touched their hats, everyone watching Andrea’s long yellow ribbon dance in the wind and disappear in the direction of homeward bound.
Andrea was voted the Friendliest at MHS in 1962. Her home was located on Golf Course Rd. and was so conveniently located and so welcoming for people dropping in it was known as the Dewey Youth Center. Andrea was a UT graduate and somewhere along the line owned and operated a restaurant in Crested Butte. She liked to address her friends “Well, Honey, blah blah blah.” She eventually moved to Santa Fe where she lived for many years and operated a doggie day care and boarding operation until the end. Given her generous and loving heart it was discovered that many of her dog companions were not paying customers but animals she rescued. Friends were able to find homes for them after her passing, many going to Colorado. May you Rest In Peace Andrea and thank you for your kind and wonderful spirit. The tribute Nugent made was beautiful and so symbolic of Andrea’s life.
Bobby Garst sent this to me several years before he passed away. Billy Wayne, Bill Wood, Betty Clarkson Conkling and I sat together at Bobby’s memorial service.
I asked Billy Wayne to get up and read this at Bobby’s service. He did a fantastic job – Bobby would have been proud! RIP Bobby.
LHS/MHS CLASS OF 64Yee Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Class Mates, Friends and Friends I didn’t know I had, here is my story, probably short but It’s my story and I am sticking to it! First and foremost! MIDLAND TEXAS ALLOWED ME TO BE FREE. I walked to Sam Houston Elementary School, proudly served on the safety patrol, and later got to ride my Bicycle to school. Gee! No busses. And of course during September for the World Series we were allowed to bring our TV to school to see the game. All American! We played games in the school yard, if we got hurt we got over it! We had reading and writing and “a rat in the house might eat the ice cream” arithmetic. We said the pledge of allegiance and sang God Bless America every morning. We had the opportunity to buy stamps for savings bonds, something to encourage saving and helping America. Thank you Mrs. Clements 6th grade Sam Houston. And thank you Ms. Jones. 6th grade Sam Houston. I really really really did want to be in you class Ms. Jones. You were so neat (pretty) and of course Virginia was in your class. Well back to Freedom! I walked, rode my bicycle and had P.E. in the school yard, but better still, I was allowed to dig a hole under the fence around the Midland High School football field and slip in to watch the big guys play ball. I watched Wahoo McDaniel every day! I helped put up the blocking pads everyday and I even got a ride home (most days) on Wahoo’s Harley. God he scared me too death going (only 60 mph) down Cuthbert to Lanham. Next to Susan and Sharon White’s home. Oh! Oh! Anyone remember Pete the Ice Cream driver? What a fine person he was. He would allow young people to pledge that they would pay for their Ice Cream the next day or so, it was on credit, WE PAID. Where is Pete? Little League Baseball was a tryout situation, not a your on the team deal. We earned it, but not now. Everyone gets a Prize now. I was lucky to get on Spud Levens’ team during the 1958 All Star Baseball season. I have my baseball signed by all of the team players including George Bush. I was honored to be able to get the original 1958 Baseball signed again by George in 2005 in the Oval Office. Lily MaNally arranged the meeting and I adore her for the achievement. Of course it was followed by a presentation of the State Dog Of Texas Certificate naming the “Blue Lacy Game Dog” as the State Dog Of Texas. About Midland, like I said, we learned to be free, to hunt when we were 10 or less, to drive a motor scooter at 12 years old, do my first solo flight at 16. That’s me. We had respect for everyone and still do. Midland was a great place to learn about nature and critters. I would catch Horny Toads, Red Tailed Lizzards, Jack Rabbits, put Black Ants in Red Ant beds and watch em’ fight. We got out of the house! We did things out doorsand our grandkids need to get out of the house and do things out doors. But will that happen? Here is what I wrote while drinking wine. Glad I wrote it and glad I tried to figure out what I wrote. Here we go: What dawns on me — is that our High School days are those where we were ALL close to one another more than we realized. We knew each other and we cared for one another. We all grieved if we lost one of our class mates, (Mike Douglas) first comes to my mind. If anyone remembers, Mike had the Cannon that I would use at the football games. I sort of exploded my mega phone one night with one firing, Wow. Anyway, what a special person he was in our class. There are more, but lets remember William Stall who died in Vietnam. He was in my United States Marine Corp Booth Camp Platoon 322 in San Diego. He is missed. And of course Kim Hammon is gone. And others. Sara Shands attented the Washington D. C. Reunion in honor of her late husband Bill Shands USMC. She is a blessing to us all as was Bill. He has always been my hero. Simper Fi Bill, Simper Fi!!! My Happiest Day in High School (I did not know it at the time) was when Linda Mills asked me to run for cheerleader with her. WOW! Linda Mills! But big problem! My grades were not up to par as far as Trig went. Trig. Trig, Trig. “F” “F” “F” but! I got help. Tutor help and I ended up with a “C” in the class. My Tutor, Linda Mills and my being tested helped me make it in life. My profession requires that I understand surveying and my Tutor and Linda helped me in my life to achieve a “98” (I think it means a 4.0 +) in college in surveying and Trig. I’m not smart, but it is because someone wanted “me” to do something with them that I have been so successful in life.. I am so lucky! Thank you Linda Mills, Candy, John Fisher and Eric God Rest your Soul. And of course, my Class of 64. I’ll go on just because I want to: Trina Niements: Thank you for the drive to my greatest heights, 14.7 feet as I recall. My broken Pole Vaulting Pole given to you was actually a sign of THANKS for your support. I will always Love You. One thing that very few, if anyone, knows. Summer of 1963 I learned to fly a airplane and got my Solo License. Well, I met a girl, Judy Upchurch, in Banff Canada at an AAPL Convention and wanted to impress her by flying into Houston and taking her out to dinner. Well She stood me up and decided to go on a Chisim Trail Cattle Drive. Well! What the heck. But! I almost died. Believe it or not I forgot to top off my gas tank on the plane. I flew to Austin and when I got there I was like zero on fuel. Zero on fuel. So lucky to be alive. So I cherish all of you so much. Remember Chris Sales? He was in Houston when I landed. Thanks Chris. And I do thank all my Class Mates. REMEMBER: Remember Billy Godwin and his group? I guess I personally did not think of it as a Gang. But it could have been. Anyway, I really did like Billy for some reason. Even at San Jacinto. I guess I thought he stood up to a lot of things in life. Not that he was right, but he just stood up. Long hair, They shaved it all off and got expelled. Figure That Now! Fights did happen. Too Bad. Remember the Jack Edens fight? Wish I could have stepped in, but not brave enough to step in. Shame on me. I want to thank everyone in my class at LHS and MHS for helping me to be what I am. You are the core of my soul. I thank you.
My first memories of Doc were in 1959, my Sophomore year at MHS. He had taken the job as the head athletic trainer at MHS. He also taught Social Studies, more on that later. After football season ended he became the trainer for Coach Bob Todd for the basketball program. At this time I had moved to the B team after being a star on the C team under one of the great basketball minds Ralph Schultz who also taught shop. I truly think he knew more about shop than basketball. Some of the outstanding players making the move to the B team were Ron Peavy, Bob Speed, Jody Black and Charles Dishman more on each of them in future chapters. Back to Doc Dodson.Doc ‘s first home as you may know by now was “three trash cans West of the Press Box” . Many hours were spent in that palace as Doc not only served as a trainer, teacher but he really excelled in counseling young athletes in their pursuit of stardom in athletics and our failed love lives. He loved TCU and his Phi Delt brothers back in Fort Worth. His pursuit of being back in Ft. Worth with his Phi Delta brothers almost got me in big trouble. He once gave me his car keys (I was underage to drive at the time) and told me to go to this particular corner where there was a pay phone (remember those?). I was to get this wire coat hanger that was bent a certain way, dial the assigned number and tell the frat brother he would be in that weekend. After dialing the number, drop the coin in the slot, place the coat hanger up the slot and the coin would come back down. Then I was to repeat the process until the cost of the call would allow it go through. I did as directed –but an operator came on and said there seemed to a problem and I was to remain in that location until someone would be there to discuss the problem. NOT ME! I returned to Doc and explained he needed someone with more experience than me! My athletic career did not progress as I expected. Dishman became all-state, Black became gunner-junior after Dishman, and Peavy learned to dribble with both hands. Coach Todd and Doc got together and decided to offer me the assistant trainers job. I would be able to be with my buddies and travel with the team. Not a bad gig.I will be forever grateful to these 2 great men, Doc and Coach Todd. Doc even taught me how to tape and got me an interview with Elmer Brown at TCU. I was provided a scholarship for my first 2 years until I found it interfered with my fraternity life.Doc became such a member of my family that when he was stationed in Fort Polk in 1961 he called my aunt and uncle in Shreveport on Thanksgiving and asked if he could come to Shreveport as he was lonely. He was welcomed with open arms. Doc was a man who meant so much to me and is one of the memories of Midland that I will always cherish.
Doc was born in Ft. Worth, TX in 1936. He was known as Jimmy to friends and family there, Hambone by his TCU family, and “Doc” by his Midland family. He attended Poly High School in Ft.Worth, graduated and became a student trainer at TCU. During those years he took care of some of the greatest athletes: Jim Swink, Bob Lily, Marvin Lasater and Bob Schieffer. Graduating from TCU in 1958, he became the MHS Trainer in1959 and retired in 1990. He married Gayle McMullan in1963 and had two daughters, Kelly and Jamie.Doc received more honors during his career than we can list here. Some that stand out are: The Certificate of Merit presented by President Johnson in 1965 for saving a young girls life In 1972 he was the 1st High School Trainer selected to be the Trainer for the World Olympics in Munich, Germany. Outstanding Trainer in the United States for the years of 1977, 80, and 91SWATA Hall of Fame Charter Member and NATA Hall of Fame Member 1985The above information came from his funeral, which Glenn and I were unable to attend. We were told that the family entered the service to the Midland High Fight Song which was played by the MHS High School Band. Doc was a unique person that touched many lives in Midland and elsewhere. He played a prominent role our lives. We would never have found each other if he had not convinced us both to attend TCU. He had no idea what he was setting in motion—and neither did we. He was in and out of our lives for almost 60 years. We were fortunate to visit with Gayle and Doc when he came to Arlington for a convention in 2018. His body was somewhat frail and he was in a wheelchair, but the sparkle in his eyes and his smile at greeting us never left his face. We had come to say “hello” once more and knew that it would also probably be “good-bye” but those words were never mentioned. Memories, laughter, and hugs were everywhere. It was a great afternoon of visiting and remembering our times together in Midland. Doc did not grow up on Midland Water but he got there as soon as he could, drank the water, and never left.
Midland Fight On ye, Bulldogs, On ye, Bulldogs, Fight right through that lineEver onward, ever forward, We will win or die.Ra-Ra-RaOn ye, Bulldogs, On ye, Bulldogs Fight for VictoryFight Bulldogs, Fight Fight, Fight and Win this game.Yay Purple, Yay Gold, Yay Bulldogs, Go Go GoMidland Fight, Midland Fight, Yay Midland FightMidland Fight, Midland Fight, Yay Midland Fight
Lance Lee McIntyre died in Cañon City, Colorado on January 30, 2020. He was born December 20, 1944, to Ernest Lee and Louise (Stilwell) McIntyre and grew up in central Texas. Lance attended the University of Texas, where he met his wife, Rosemary. They were married on September 14, 1968. Lance later earned a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Western Washington University, then a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Oregon. Lance and Rosemary lived in Austin, TX; Galveston, TX; Bellingham, WA; Coleman, TX; and Ashland, OR before moving to Cañon City in 1985. Together they raised three children. Lance worked as a school psychologist for 28 years. Lance found joy in perceiving beauty, building structures, holding the hands of children, playing soccer, thinking, socializing, loving, working, and listening to music.
Russell “Rusty” Jones Russell “Rusty” Jones, 65, of Midland, passed away Friday, October 8, 2010, at his residence. Memorial services will be held at 2:00pm, Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at First Baptist Church with Rev. Robert Frazier, officiating. Rusty was born July 6, 1945 in Midland to Doris Merritt Jones and E.F. Jones. He was raised in Midland, graduating from Midland High School. He attended Texas Tech University, where he met and married Glynda. He was a farmer and rancher here in Midland. Rusty was a former president of Midland County Livestock Association and the Midland County Farm Bureau. He was on the planning board of Midland Horseshoe Arena. He was a past chairman of the board of Caprock Energy. Rusty also served as minister of music at Valley View Baptist Church and Greenwood Baptist Church. Survivors include daughter, Kelie Jones of Midland; son, Kelin Jones and wife Leslie of Midland; grandsons, Joshua Jones and wife Grace, Jared Jones and Glen Jones, all of Midland; great grandsons, Alex Jones, Ryan Jones and Jack Jones, all of Midland; and brothers, Bill Jones of Midland and David Jones of Chandler, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his wife Glynda Jones on August 5, 1997 and his parents, E.F. and Doris Jones. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, PO Box 92699, Houston, TX 77292-6229 or Texas Hearing & Service Dogs, 4803 Rutherglen, Austin, TX 78749. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com. Published in Midland Reporter-Telegram on Oct. 12, 2010
TO ALL:Sweet Sally (Lindsey) Melzer passed away today, due to a sudden heart attack. She was a 1965 graduate of Midland High School and was married to Steve Melzer, a 1964 graduate of Midland High School as well. Please keep Steve and their two boys and families in your thoughts and prayers. May you all continue to have good health. Stay well, enjoy life, love your family and friends, for we never know. Please pass this on to as many as you know or remember.
Stacy was born August 1,1945, at Fort Riley in Geary, Kansas where her father was still in the service. She moved to Midland in 1948-49. Her uncle, Hal Rachal, acquired Air Park. Her family moved to Midland so Mr. Hoffman could partner and manage that little airport. They offered chartering services, fuel, and maybe maintenance. Her father also sold Cessnas. I met Stacy and Suzi Northcutt in 7th grade at San Jacinto. I think we all sat at the same table in the lunch room. By 9th grade we had a large group of friends that stays in touch today. I remember playing the game Risk at Stacy’s house almost every Saturday. Stacy was a magnet that drew people to her and they stayed as everyone’s friends. After Graduating in 1963, Stacy attended SMU, I was at TCU, and Suzi Northcutt was at Tech. One summer we decided to rent an apartment in South Ft. Worth and attend summer school in Arlington. Stacy had us on a budget ($10 a week each) and set up house rules we followed most of the time. Our budget allowed for breakfast and dinner. Suzi cooked and am not sure what I did-I know it was not cleaning! We never had a disagreement and cemented a friendship that would continue through the years. Once Glenn and I returned to Ft. Worth and Bobby and Stacy were in Dallas, we continued our friendship as couples. She and Bobby had 3 children and later moved to Fairfield, TX where they opened a Western Store. There are no words to explain the shock and sadness that we all felt when Stacy was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was so young and so optimistic that everyone was hopeful. My mother had survived breast cancer so I knew it was possible. We supported her in every way we could from long distances and set up a reunion in Las Colinas to let her be surrounded by our love and hope. Mitt Edwards, Suzi Northcutt, Eva Kelly, Sheila Wilson, and JoAnne Rustamier traveled from out of town. Carol Key, Rozi Gillham, Shell Dougherty, Susie Moore, and I lived in the Metroplex. We all shared an afternoon gathered at a hotel suite. Stacy was in treatment then but was ever optimistic and our hope continued. Stacy continuously fought for remission-even traveling to Mexico when there was no other treatment for her in the states. My daughter and I traveled to Fairfield to spend a day and night with her and her children. Stacy was still in charge of everything : cooking our dinner on an outside grill and reminding me that we should not cook over charcoal. She was still worrying about my sinus headache, as she was still fiercely independent and refused to be “cared for”. It was a visit that I will always cherish. It was the last time I saw her. Stacy lost her battle on Sept. 2, 1987. She had just turned 42.
From bottom left: JoAnne Rustamier, Judy Dawkins, Suzi Northcutt, Dianne Neuman, Suzi Northcutt, Shell Dougherty, Mitt Edwards.Top row: Susie Moore, Stacy HoffmanEva Kelly took the picture.We were celebrating Suzi and Shell’s birthdays.
Part 2 By Suzi Northcutt: Stacy Hoffman Daniels MHS 1963
Stacy began her school years as I did at North Elementary and James Bowie. Then to San Jacinto and Midland High. She attended SMU her freshman year and then transferred to The University of Texas where she graduated in 1967. She met Bobby Daniels there and they married. The year of 1971 found us both in Lubbock, and we spent many happy days together. She was a solid source of support for me that year that my husband spent in Viet Nam. Stacy and Bobby settled in Fairfield, Texas, which was his hometown and opened a western wear store. She had majored in marketing and Bobby had been in sales, so it was a great way for them to blend their expertise to make a living and raise their family that by then included a son and two daughters. Fairfield is a friendly, rural town and on one visit, we took the kids to the local rodeo where my son and daughter along with hers sat on the fence and wrestled baby calves and greased pigs. Of course my son wanted to know why we couldn’t live there. I know she delighted in her years there with her children growing up. Many Christmas cards pictured them all on horseback or outdoors together. She taught herself to cook and loved to share recipes. High school home economics was her introduction to sewing, and she excelled in providing outfits and costumes for all. She couldn’t have been more loved and treasured by her family and friends. She was just lovable and companionable, and her input on any subject or situation was sought after and welcomed. Stacy called in 1977 or ’78 and said she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. This was followed with surgery and the following years were spent undergoing all the other available treatments. Thankfully, we had several years left to get together as families and girlfriends before she passed away in 1987. Having too many precious memories of Stacy to relate, I’ll just share how she became Cleopatra of the back seat of my Morris Minor. Every morning I picked her up to go to school at MHS. But first I picked up Jo Ann Rustamier, who lived nearest. In the beginning, when we got to Stacy’s house, and Jo Ann would have to get out of the front bucket seat for Stacy to enter the back seat, they would argue about who should ride shotgun. That became tiresome, and one day Stacy just came out, got in the back seat, put her legs up in the seat, her books on the floor, her sunshades on, and flinging her arm over the backrest, she lounged like Cleopatra all the way to school. She acted like it was the best seat in the car and she owned it. No more arguing. And it became her permanent seat. Maybe this illustrates one aspect of her essence that enabled her to forever make the best of any situation and somehow emerge a winner. I miss her every day.
Richard William Wood, “Bill” or “Coach,” age seventy-four, of Argyle, Texas passed away May 13, 2021
. The son of a petroleum engineer and a schoolteacher, Bill was born in Smackover, Arkansas and raised in Midland, Texas. Bill was proud to be a Midland High Bulldog, where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track each year of high school, served as student council president and the president of the Texas Association of Student Councils, and graduated with the class of 1964. Bill started his tenure as a quarterback for many years in the 7th grade, where his friend and former President George W. Bush was his back-up quarterback. While he was growing up, Bill always wanted to be a trial lawyer- and he never wanted to be anything else except a Coach. His children, grandchildren, players, and teammates knew that “great efforts are always rewarded,” because Bill would reliably remind them.
Bill attended New Mexico Military Institute, where he played football, basketball and baseball. After graduating from NMMI, Bill became a proud Tarheel when he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1968, joining the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and earning a degree in political science. Bill returned to Texas and graduated from Southern Methodist University School of Law in 1971.
