Jack Winslow could not be there, but I learned that he and Jim Burnett live within a
few blocks of each other in Sherman, Texas. They had not known they were in the
same town until Jim Kendrick’s funeral last year; although they had both lived
there for several years. I had always wondered if Jim married Nancy Simmons, our
2nd Sigma Chi sweetheart and his date during college. He related to me that when
he went into the service they had broken up. There was one other interesting
thing I learned about Jim. He always wore glasses in college, now he does not. He
had an operation to correct his cataracts and now does not need glasses for
distance.
My other little brother, Dan Huff was there. He lives near Paris. (Not France…
Texas). He and I had some good times when I would go to his house in Beaumont.
He had some gigantic speakers and played music that I enjoyed. I think his
favorite was Bobby Blue Bland. We also went several times to the Big Oaks and
due to the grace of God we made it back OK. Dan was one of our first pledges
after we became Sigma Chis. I learned that Dan had taught school in Port Neches
high school for a couple of years, which I never knew. He had received a NSF
grant to go back to school in Minnesota. He had also taught in college and lived in
Colorado, before retiring in Paris. He is our official photographer and it was a real
delight to get to visit with him again.
The first person I saw when I pulled into the Hampton Inn parking lot was Butch
Hurley and his wife. They live in Tyler, which is 38 miles East of my home town,
Malakoff. He and I always are able to relate, not only as Sigs but our love for
soccer. We both have coached and refereed soccer; which I consider the best
sport.
Immediately after talking to Butch in the parking lot, I heard someone yelling my
name. It was Ardis Harvard, who had just pulled up with his wife, Kay. Ardis and I
see each other every now and then, even though I live about 10 minutes from
Ardis. We traveled together last year for the reunion and always have a great
conversation. Ardis is from The Groves, and was the quarterback for PNG when
they won a state championship. He was an outstanding Consul for the Epsilon Chi
chapter and has always been a close friend. Ardis is a retired CPA.
Speaking of Port Neches; Bill McCoy came to the reunion. He has not changed as
much as some of us and we were soon able to renew our old friendship. He
remembered that I had emailed him several years ago to see if the email address
was “the” Bill McCoy. I had looked him up on the internet and found an email that I
thought might be his and it was. In our reunion conversation I asked him if he still
remembered his Port Neches phone # because I remembered mine. Sure not he
rattled off his old number!! We both are still wondering why??? Sometimes I
cannot remember my current number. Great visit, Bill!!
Another Port Neches person was Richard Briggs, who was a pledge after I had left
Lamar. Richard retired as PNG administrator. Sure glad you were able to be there,
Richard.
Bill Worsham, also a PNG grad, married another PNG grad, Carolyn Mays. Bill
retired from Lamar last year after holding several different jobs. I believe he was
even the faculty advisor for Epsilon Chi at one time. I had known Bill ever since he
was a kid living on the street behind my stepfather’s MacArthur St. home in Port
Neches. Carolyn was friends with my sister Vivien and I always enjoy talking with
her. She told me that Vivien had taught her twirling, which I had forgotten. Carolyn
retired as a counselor in Nederland, after a long career as an educator. It was
great getting to renew friendship with the Worshams.