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Vern Larson (1960)

Thank you Larry for informing us of our dear classmate Bard Martin's recent passing. Bard was respected by all and had absolutely no enemies. I had lost complete contact with Bard ever since our graduation in 1960 and it was pleasing to hear of his life accomplishments. My condolences go out to his wife, Kumiko, and his brother Dirk. 

Under Bard's senior photo in the 1960 Ilex is written:

Bard "Bardahl" Martin

"A wise man is a great wonder"

                          Bard Martin  5-6-1942  -  10-5-2018

                                 R.I.P  Bard

Lenora Monaco (Inks) (1960)

Larry,

Thank you so much for the wonderful "obituary" for Bard. We became such good friends our senior year, and it is so good to hear about the very interesting direction his life took him! 

Lenora Monaco

Joan Richter (Lucchesi) (1960)

Thanks Larry for posting this about Bard and I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. He was such a talented and kind person. I was pleased, but not surprised, to read of all his accomplishments.

Vern Larson (1960)

             Heyyy!!!  Happy Halloween!!!

It's surprising what a little black shoe polish will do for your hair.

Frances Handley (Jones) (1964)

If you would like to show your support for Veterans this November, you can be part of a movement called Green Light A Vet by replacing one of your porchlights with a green light bulb during the month of November...for more information go to:

http://greenlightavet.com    Communities all across the US are showing their support this way..Many of us are veterans or family members of veterans so this is a great way to show our support.  I agree that we should show support every month all year, but it's a honor to do this now too.

Larry Michalak (1960)

I hate to be the bearer of more bad news, but today I received a message from the wife of John Whiteside (Class of 1060) that John died in July.  John’s obituary from the Modesto Bee is below (they also posted a photo).  At WHS, John was a star debater, so it wasn’t surprising that he went on to become a successful lawyer and judge.  John's dad was a mortician and ran a funeral home in Woodland.  Once at Career Day at WHS John’s dad gave an excellent talk about his work and how death it is a natural part of life.

John Whiteside Obituary
August 7, 1942 - July 18, 2018
Judge John Gregory Whiteside passed away unexpectedly in Modesto on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at the age of 75 from cancer-related complications. Born August 7, 1942 in Sacramento, he lived most of his young life in Woodland, where he graduated from Woodland High School in 1960. He attended UC Davis and was a member of Kappa Sigma, Army ROTC, and a trombone player in the Cal Aggie marching band. While there, he met his wife, Carol Gordon, and they both graduated and married in 1964. He attended Hastings College of Law in San Francisco, finishing in 1967. After passing the bar exam, Whiteside went on to active duty in the US Army Judge Advocate General's Corps. He spent a year in Korea and then was the legal officer for Landstuhl Army Hospital in Germany where his first son, Brian, was born.
John finished his active duty commitment in 1972, and continued in the reserves for a number of years. He and Carol relocated to Modesto in 1973 where he began work as a Deputy District Attorney for Stanislaus County. Putting down roots, Carol and John bought their first home and their second son, Derek, was born.
John and Carol lived in Modesto for 44 years and enjoyed rich relationships with friends and community members. John played softball at the SOS, played golf, and was an early leader in the formation of the Modesto Youth Soccer Association where both of his boys played. John entered private legal practice in downtown Modesto in partnership with Carl Ulrich in 1978.
In 1989 John was appointed as a municipal court judge for Stanislaus County by then-governor George Deukmejian. Governor Pete Wilson appointed him to the Superior Court in 1994; he was the Presiding Judge in 1997 and 1998. As Presiding Judge, he worked to authorize the construction of a new court house for the county. At that time he commented "it'll never happen in my lifetime." Judge Whiteside retired in 2011 but served as a judge on assignment and as a mentor to others in his field until his death.
In his free time, John was a voracious reader who enjoyed sharing and talking about books with friends. He was a trivia buff and a sports fan: he was particularly fond of Giants baseball and enjoyed rooting for the 49ers, especially when they were winning. John served on the boards of numerous organizations, including the Modesto Symphony Orchestra and Casa de Modesto, and he was involved in Modesto North Rotary for more than 30 years.
John was well-regarded in professional and interpersonal relationships. He was keen-minded, thoughtful, generous, wise, and gentle-natured. He enjoyed travel and entertaining, and he and Carol often spent time at their second home in Oregon with their sons and families. John's tastes were eclectic: he enjoyed tailored suits, mint chip ice cream, Dungeons and Dragons, Pendleton shirts, foie gras, and sandals with socks. He was a master at the BBQ grill and a shameless fan of his dog, Quincy.
For all of his positive qualities, John was not perfect. While universally praised for his kindness and refusal to show pleasure at the failings of others, he was always very competitive and enjoyed beating his friends and family in Scrabble, making sure they all knew the results.
He is survived by Carol, his wife of 53 years, his sister Kathy, his sons Brian and Derek, and four beloved grandchildren. Plans for a celebration of John's life are pending at this time. Donations in memory of John can be made to the Modesto Symphony Orchestra or the Stanford Cancer Center.  

Vern Larson (1960)

Thank you Larry for informing us of the recent passing of our dear classmate, John Whiteside. Amoung his other talents he was also a musician and played trombone in band and sat in back of the trumpet section where I sat. In looking through my 1960 Ilex there is a caricature of John in the back of the book showing him playing his trombone.

We will all miss his kind ways of dealing with others. He was a big man with a soft heart.

My sincere condolences go out to his wife, Carol and their sons, Brian and Derek. 

Under his senior 1960 year book photo is written:

"I know on which side my bread is buttered"

John Gregory Whiteside  8/7/42 - 7/18/18  

                                  RIP  John

Marilyn Millsap (Thompson) (1961)

I am on the committee for an event taking place at the State Capitol on Sunday, November 11th from 11a.m to 3 p.m..  It is to commemorate  the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.  The general theme is how Sacramentans and the Central Valley responded to and supported the war.  There will be informational posters, costumed docents, WWI era music, refreshments and more.  It is free.  The only entrance to the capitol on weekends is on the south side facing N Street.  Drop in and get a cookie at the "Red Cross canteen."

Carol Dunton (Stone) (1968)

On the lighter side, my husband and I, aka ‘Carol & Guy’, will be playing music at Father Paddys (corner of Main and College) this Thursday Nov 8th from 6 pm to 9 pm.  Come by and hear our version of some great songs from the 50’s and 60’s.  Hope to see you there. 

You may also want to mark your calendars for November 17th, 1-3 pm, at Seka Hills   It will be a fun Saturday afternoon. 😊🎶🍷

Robert Cowing (1965)

Mike Rietzke (1969)

Hey all you class of 1969 class mates!

We will be starting our planning meetings for the 50 year class reunion. If you are interested in helping, please contact Carl Franke, Mike Rietzke or Jack Devine or respond to this email.  We are looking to make this our best class reunion!

Thank You!

Mike Rietzke

Duane Jackson (1965)

Great article on John Whiteside...I've lived down here in Mo-Town since 76 and never knew he was a "Woodland Wolf"...Seems lots of Modesto and area around it, have become home to us"Wolves"......If I remember correctly, his wife was our Mayor for a time......

Joan Richter (Lucchesi) (1960)

The 100 year WW1 Parade has been changed since this printing. The staging will be at College and Lincoln streets and the parade will start on Lincoln at 1st Streets and continue to the rail road station.

Robert Cowing (1965)

Robert Cowing (1965)

Robert Cowing (1965)

JoAnn Kergel (Wirth) (1965)

Please Chico area folks register on the Red Cross safe list so we can check to make sure you are ok.  I have confirmed that two friends have had their homes destroyed but are safe.  Another terrible tragic fire that is far from over.  Paradise is gone.  All the schools, hospital and business core.  The fire has swept down Butte Canyon destroying homes and the historic covered bridges in the area.  East Chico has been evacuated and is at risk.  Stay safe Butte Co.

Charlotte Apodaca (Lucero) (1961)

Regarding the Butte County fires: I can’t even imagine the experience that families are having at this moment; however, please reach out to all of us, and let us know what you need in the way of clothing, furniture, blankets, etc - what is the best way of getting personal items to you.

While I can’t speak for everyone - I would say many of us are here to provide support to you.

🌸🙏🌸

Robert Cowing (1965)

Don Murdoch (1962)

I just talked with classmate Leroy Hooker.  He apparently lost his house as did another classmate, Al Roach. Both lived in Paradise.  More to come when I hear.

Charlotte Apodaca (Lucero) (1961)

Regarding Veterans Day.  Let’s never forget all the women and men who served in the armed forces in the name of freedom and democracy.   

To all military personnel past and present, thank you for your service.  To all the families who’s husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts who died on foreign soil for us - LET US NEVER FORGET 🌸🙏🌸

Darlene Hooker (Kirch-Brown) (1965)

Thank you Don Murdoch for posting about my brother LeRoy Hooker, class of 1962.  He just confirmed with me tonight that his house was definitely one of those lost in the Paradise fire.  Two months ago they had just finished a complete remodel and had their beautiful dream home built on the ridge overlooking the the forest.  So sad but life goes on and with God's strength and help, they will start over We are just thankful that they and other family members are safe. Stuff can be replaced.

Janice Bell (Killian) (1966)

David Stotts (1965)

JoAnn-Just to let you and everyone else-the Chico people should all be okay.  The fire did not get to us.  It was touch and go for awhile as we did have an evacuation order in a small part of Chico on the Southeast tip of town.  We even packed up and moved to a safer part of Chico as we live very close to that area.  We were able to come home the next day.  This has been an unbeleivable few days up here.  The devastion up here is hard to imagine.  We all have friends who have lost everything.  It looks like the necessities have been donated in abundance but if anyone can donate money to the United Way-that would be the best help at this time.  You can find the CampFire on the United Way site.

Theresa Eve (1964)

The news is full of fires in California, all so sad.  Chico, taking  in people from Paradise; so very sad.  Getting donations ready, directly to friends with cash and through  the Red Cross.  Blessings to them all, and to the animals.  Nice to see these thoughts mentioned on the Forum.