1954

Phillips, Wilbur Mangham "Sonny"  Chad Grad - Class of 1954
President of the Class of 1954

Sonny passed away September 18, 2005

"He loved life so much and had, I believe, a very happy one.  Loving wife, Anne"

Sonny was instrumental in finding most of his Chad classmates and sent me many photos of them.  It's his photos that made the 1954 yearbook possible.  jp  See 1954 Yearbook

Gealta, Tom - Class of 1954

1955

John Colgan - Class of 1955

1955

William "Bill" "Sonny" Fannin - Class of 1955

Sonny on the 1953-54 Sabres Basketball Team

WILKES, Sandra Lou  -  (sister of Carla Jan)  1956  Chad Grad  
1938-2007
Spokane, WA

3-20-03 - Sandra's Comments:  I've been living here (Spokane) since 1976. I have a nice apartment downtown and my youngest daughter works just down the street. My other three kids live in Western Washington; the daughter here (Pam) has two little girls and my son, James, just became a father in September, 2002 with his son Ben. I'm retired from Sacred Heart Medical Center.

[jpnote: Chas G.I. Jerry Whitehead sent this photo below from July 1957.]

Jackie Byrd '56 Gannon & Sandy reunited in 2003!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ZIERDT, Sandra Lou (Wilkes)

In Loving Memory

Sandra died June 29th, 2007 after a brief illness. She was born in Belleville, Kansas on June 25, 1938. Her parents were Gertrude Ericson Wilkes Dexheimer Fate and Glenn Wilkes. She graduated from high school in Chateauroux, France and attended college in the Chemistry program at the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!). She married Jerald F. Zierdt of Newport, Washington in 1961 and had four children. Sandra achieved certification as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington, and she worked in the Hematology department in the laboratory of Sacred Heart for 26 years, from 1975 to 2002. While at Sacred Heart she made many friends, and worked towards union representation of the clinical laboratory workers. She was a member of the American Business Women's Association for 19 years, and was serving as president of the Spokane Falls Chapter at her passing. She was also a valued member of the congregation at Salem Lutheran Church, as well as being a member of the Salem Core Team for the Spokane Alliance and serving on the Alliance's Regional Strategy Team. Sandra was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Carla Jan Wilkes Kirkland, and her stepfathers Eugene Dexheimer and Merle Fate. She is survived by her children Gwen Zierdt, Trina (Clay) Rogers, Pam (Dave) Stevens, and James (Sheri) Zierdt, and her grandchildren Sarah, Miriam, Ben, and Anna. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Salem Lutheran Church in Spokane, Washington.

1957

Robert Lamar Edwards - 1957 Chad Grad

1957

Joan Partridge - 1957 Chad Grad

Michael Cooksey - Class of 1958
Passed away August 1981

After graduating from high school and attending one year at the University of Dayton, in Ohio, Mike joined the Army in 1960.  He was stationed at Fort Ord, California, and Korea, (after his experience in Korea he was never the same).  He was discharged from active duty in 1963 and was in the Reserves until 1966.  During this time he attended  Northwestern State College of Louisiana in Natchitoches, there he met and married Gwen Deloach, and they returned to Ohio.  Mike worked for the Chrysler Motor Corp., he and Gwen had a son, Aaron Michael, after 10 years of marriage.  Mike and Gwen divorced in 1980.  Unfortunately, Mike died at age 42 in August of 1981.  On a good note....Mike was an avid reader, loved history, knew a lot about the Bible, was very artistic, loved oil painting, was good at wood carving, played the harmonica, loved music, was smart....and good looking.  When Mike took the entrance exam for University of Dayton, the Dean said that his scores where so high that he could graduate with honors from any school he chose.  I miss him.......[Jane Cooksey Revak '62 - Mike's sister]

Ralph Edwin McCleary - Class of 1958

Carla Jan Wilkes - Class of 1958

Carla Jan Wilkes Kirkland tragically passed away in 1970 of a brain aneurysm from a congenitally weak artery. She left a husband and two children who have in turn produced 6 grandchildren.    Jan was the sister of Sandra Wilkes '56.  (Information from Pam Stevens, niece.)

9/15/01 Comments: Married - girl and boy, 5 grandchildren and retired in 2001 due to ill health. Am constantly checking the web so if you want to write to me feel free to do so.

[jpnote:  Darrell lived upstairs with his mom and dad in the same old chateau as my family and me when we first arrived at Chateauroux in the village of Bouges-le Chateau which  was just a few km's past Brassioux.  I arrived in June 1958 and didn't know any other students.  Darrell was a great dancer.  In the foyer of our house, we used to play Little Richard records and practice.  At the DYA dances, Darrell was quite impressive.  When it was "ladies choice," he was usually the first choice of all the girls.  Darrell emailed frequently with Sandi Land ('60) before his passing.  They shared the same "strange" sense of humor.  Our mutual french friend, Janine Beaufrere, recalls his memory to this day.  He is missed by many of us.]

Ted M. Natt - Class of 1959
1941-1999

A Brother's Tribute
 

Margaret Leah James - Class of 1960
September 1995

Leah and her husband. 

  See Darrell's Page for Photos & Comments from Friends

Tom Alger - Class of 1961
1943-2003
"Un ami  de tous."

Tommy was active in school activities; the Chess Club; Swimming; Sophomore Vice President; Teen Club President; Student Council; and Varsity Football Player.  This tall, redheaded, freckle faced guy was funny, kind and an ever loyal friend.  He left his mark on the water tower at Brassioux and in our hearts.  Tommy was a talented artist as an adult.  He painted the murals and logos on many commercial airline planes from his own original designs.  He had retired to Florida with ailing health several years ago. 

Kevin, Tom's roommate & Tom on the right - photo taken about 1993 on Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.  Tom passed away quietly at the home of a friend in September 2003.  You are missed, Tommy.

Louis "Lou" Barnett - Class of 1961
1943 - 2004
A Tribute to Lou
3-04-07  I miss you, my old friend....jp

1961

9-4-06  I was very sad to see that "Rabbit" Skinner has passed on. My name is John Kohn and I was in Orleans H.S. at the time Rabbit was there [at Chateauroux]. We had some fun times riding our motorcycles together. Sometimes I would ride down there and others he would ride to Orleans. We really never got into much trouble but did some really stupid things at times. I'll always remember Rabbit's BSA. He never seemed big enough to ride it but he was an excellent biker. I have very fond memories of him.

Suzanne Manfull Hillman - Class of 1961
Tucson, AZ

[Suzanne passed away November 14, 2006]

3-16-03 Suzanne's Comments on the Chad Guestbook:  [Richard Hillman '59 and I married in 1959, have two grown children & 5 grand children.  Living in home we built a few years ago in mountains 45 miles from Tucson, after years of moving around the states & Europe with A F Audit Agency, tired of being on the go & returned home. 

Cindy Caldcleugh - Class of 1962

Fred Doine - Class of 1962

Ronnie Jones - Class of 1962 - Passed away 1994

Ronnie's sister, Robbie, wrote:  He was married and had two children.  Ronnie married a German gal and they returned to Germany in 1968.  They raised their family there and Ronnie was very "German" when he passed away.

Nancy Nagle - Class of 1962
Nancy's brother, Joe, indicated she passed away in the 80's

From the 1963 Sabre Yearbook:
"His first name reveals his business."
Baseball 1,2; Soccer 1,2,3,4;
Lettermen's Club 2,3,4, President 4;
Football 3,4, (#21) Co-captain 4;Prom Committee 3
Awarded Senior Superlative - Best Dressed Male

SINCLAIR, Mike - 1963  (Susan's brother) 
@ Chad - 59-62

The following are excerpts from entries Mike's daughter made for his family and friends:

 http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/oledeadeye

 

FRIDAY, MAY 09, 2008 08:33 AM, CDT

Revelation 21:4 “and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” It is with great sadness and peaceful joy that I write to tell you that Dad went home to be with his Lord and Savior early this morning. “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” John 5:24.   The Lord is so good! “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is so good; His mercy endures forever!” Psalm 136:1. Please pray for Mom right now, for the rest of the family, and for the friends who are affected by this as well. I want you to know that Mom and Dad had a sweet conversation a few weeks back. Dad, the man of few words, told Mom he was confident in his life in Christ and that he knew he would be in heaven with Jesus for eternity. His greatest desire is for each of you to know that the Lord loves you too and wants nothing more than for you to accept Jesus as your personal Savior and spend eternity in Heaven. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” John 3:16.   There is now no more pain, or sorrow, or sadness, only happiness, praise and worship as he sits at the feet of the Lord. Those of us left here on earth can grieve with the hope of seeing our father, husband, Opa, and friend again in heaven. May God bless you today, may you feel his love and peace, as we do now. Renatta [Mike's daughter]

Sally Compton - Class of 1964 CHAD Grad
According to her sister, Ginny, Sally passed away in 2005. She had a brain aneurysm.

[jpnote:  During the years of making this website, the Compton sisters were asked about so many times; especially Sally.  She is surely missed by her many friends.] 

Don Parker - Class of 1964

Edward K. Thacker- Class of 1965
(Edd passed away from injuries sustained in an automobile accident - approximately 1974)
Student Council 3,4; President 4,
Class President 1,2,3; Interim
Council 3; Chairman JNHS 1;
NHS 2,3,4; Treasurer 3,4;
Letterman's Club 2,3,4; College
Planning 2; Prom Committee 3;
Track 1,2; Soccer 3,4;
Football 3,4; Basketball 2,3,4;
Student Control 4

"The concept of having, the reality of owning,
These are yours, as you listen to its sounds,
Those dreams are gone, the truth has climaxed,
Its walls like music, its softness abounds.
Before you it lives, so helpless, so small,
Thinking of its hunger; the covering is warm,
Not knowing the remorseful place where it breathes.
And wanting to know, it gazes, reaches out its arm.
You would like to help, but something resists,
For now you realize the folly of your gesture,
Your mind wanders to greener pastures,
You think for it, is there not a place much better."
--Edd Thacker (2-15-63)

Leslie Anderson - Class of 1967

Leslie Anderson Kirkland passed away June 8, 2003 from a brain tumor. She and her family (parents, Sam and Dorothy, brother Bruce '65, and sister Marcia '73) lived in Chateauroux (Brassioux) from 1962 - 1964. Leslie attended 8th and 9th grades,  school years '62-'63 and '63-'64.   After graduating from Bonneville High School in Ogden Utah, she attended Weber State College. She worked at the Defense Depot, Ogden, and later at Hill AFB until her retirement in 2002. She married Jim Kirkland in 1980 and had one daughter, Nicole. To a wonderful sister, mother, wife and friend. How we all love and miss our sweet Leslie. ...Words of Love from sister Marcia

Sherrye Crawford - Class of 1967

Sherrye passed away in October 2004.  Sherrye's brother David sent word of this sad news.

I only learned recently that a good friend and "little kid" whom I had lost contact with had passed away in 1976. He was Herbert Duncan Jr. His dad was a Col. when we lived at Brassioux. He was a year younger than me and was 26 when he died. He had a younger sister, Cynthia.   [4-23-08]  Info from Don Hoover, class of '67

John Harnitchek - Class of 1969 - 8th Grader at Chad
John was one of ten children in the Harnitchek family.  He was in the 8th grade in 1965.  Sadly, sister Vicky told us he had passed away in 1992.

Jim Doster - Little brother of Gwen & Jacky - Jim  passed away in 1991. Jim attented Touvent Elementary Student

"Coach" James R. Elliott - 1921 -2002