The Message Forum is an ongoing dialogue among classmates. The goal is to encourage friendly interaction, including interaction among classmates who really didn't know each other. Experience on the site has revealed that certain topics tend to cause friction and hard feelings, especially politics and religion. 

Although politics and religion are not completely off-limits, classmates are asked to be positive in their posts and not to be too repetitive or allow a dialog to degenerate into an argument. 

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Daryl Summers

The church was full for my buddy Artie. Jerry Mayes and I told stories about Artie at David's for about 30 minutes Saturday night along with Mulvahill. I first was in class with him the first year Northrich opened. Art had about 5 brothers and sisters, a big catholic family that lived on the same block with Jerry, Sharon Studville and Lynn Decatur on Vernet. He had transferred along with Jerry from St. Paul our fifth grade. Hines Brothers, and I were from Terrace, Boon and Jean from Packistan. Everyone was from somwhere else that first year. He went to Richardson Jr. High and later to the HighSchool. He was active and sociable with the St. Paul youth group. Billy Walton and Duane Anspon were among that group that count him as  a friend He had about 200 FB friends and posted some funny stuff. His brother Lee contacted me when Artie went into the hospital. Im sorry for those who missed out knowing him. He taught me how to be a good friend.

He would say those people from west side think we are invisiable. He would be LHAO at the post

Jerry May

I did go to the Viewing/Visitation Sunday evening. It was very sad. Mr & Mrs Lavergne were understandably devastated.

I felt like I should have stayed in touch all these years and for whatever reason did not. I am guilty.

However, I did get to visit with his other 5 siblings and also ran into "common" friends whom I've not seen in many years. Those friendships WILL be re-nourished.

Art and I went to one or two years of grade school at St Paul's Catholic School...and then he transferred. We stayed friends while my family lived across the street from them on Vernet. After that, we lost touch until I transferred to RHS my sophomore year. He and I also worked part-time together....and "hung-out" with Robby Wright (brother of Susie Wright Dodson of our class)

 We were really good friends for those years and then lost touch after I was married and the "ex" and I started raising the boys. (don't know if he ever married or had children) and missed those years of friendship. My chance was at the 20th RHS reunion. (in the pictures we are right next to each other) We....I'm sure, exchanged phone numbers and though neither of us called I SHOULD have taken the step.

Anyway....Art we/I will miss you and I'm sorry for not being a better friend~ j

Bob Davidson

I knew Art enough in high school to have been to his house, with Steve Bryant.  I got to know him better in college and came to like him.  The last time I ran into him he was working for Texas Instruments.  I don't remember seeing him since -- so he's still a young guy in my mind, like Steve.  Everytime someone I know dies, it seems like my world gets a little smaller.  

Jim Richmond

I was in Boy Scouts with Art and was with him when we a group of us went to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico in 1967.  I was the leader of the group and I remember I could count on Art to help with most anything I would ask of him with enthusiasm. He never whined about the long hard hikes in those mountains and always would pitch in to help. Larry Bailey was his across the street neighbor and they were fun to be around.

David Cordell

Good to hear that Art's service was well-attended. I went to the viewing for a few minutes on Sunday, directly from the UT Dallas commencement exercise. I am not crazy about open caskets, especially since seeing my son looking so unlike himself in his casket. Although I saw Art's casket out of the corner of my eye, I avoided it.

Art's father seemed to be OK, even boasting that he was in pretty good shape for being almost 92. Art's mother did not look well at all and was on oxygen. Losing a child is decimating, and I'm sure it has taken a lot out of her.

Let's all make a pact never to die. Hmm. Let's see. Then the first to break the pact will have the most people at his funeral. I might need to re-think this.

Sandra Spieker (Ringo)

Art Lavergne is now remembered on the Fallen Eagles page.  I would encourage those of you who were close friends with him to comment on his page. I placed his obituary there and managed to grab the nice photo of him that was posted on the online funeral notice. There is also a link at the very bottom to his profile entry.  He last visited this site on Novemeber 29th of this year.  Here's to you Art!  Rest in peace.

Jerry May

Thank you Holly for those kind words. But Art was one of those people you could befriend very easily.

I'll never forget those summer nights when he and I and one or two of his siblings would sit on the roof of his house and watch the movies at the Arapaho Drive-In (no sound of course unless the wind was carrying that way!) I "The Arapaho Drive-In" brings back many a memory for RHSers!

And Sandra....you are right. That picture is a good one of Art. j

Hull Barbee

David......that dieing part is so true. I'd hate for you to only have a two car funeral. 

Ken Briegel

Here's a thought on how we can honor Art's passing (and perhaps come a bit closer to David's pact). Use this occasion to follow through on that physical exam you've been puttIng off. Get that "unpleasant" procedure that can find a sign of trouble. 

Most of all, listen to your body. If we look back at Art's post on this web site there is a subtle hint of trouble. 

If only one of us benefits from this we've at least evened the score a bit. 

Do this because Art reminded us to. 

David Cordell

Good thought, Ken. The challenge is afoot.

My father would never go to a doctor, but I get a physical and blood work-up every year and see the dermatologist even more frequently. (Damn that basal cell carcinoma!) And I am a member of the Two Colonoscopies Club. (No, not annually. That would be way too much fun. Besides, I already get a prostate exam every year, and that's quite enough of such probing, thank you.)

Cholesterol--I suspect that lots of our classmates are on statins. I take a 20 mg dose daily and it seems to do the trick. Now I need a pill that will take off 10 pounds without requiring any effort on my part..

Steve Keene

We may have to have a pre bucket list list to do all those things. 

I suggest for number one:

1.  Win the Lottery.

Phil Fielder

From some one who thought they were bullet proof and did not think taking high blood presure meds as prescribed I was almost dead wrong. On June 17, 2010 I had a major stroke due to high blood pressure. I have learned the hard way on how you should pay attention to your doctors and your meds. I have completly recovered and think some one was telling me that there is a plan for me and the plan is not complete.I have a whole new outlook on the way I approach my life.

Melody McNeil (Tarrillion)

Bucket Lists??? How about:  Decorate the house for Christmas, plan the meals before adult children and friends arrive, close out clients' yearend accounting records, take the firm's food collections to the food bank, and find time to meditate on the Advent of Christ in my life(not to mention a few hours to sleep and maybe even exercise). I really do love this time of year...and NO I am not being sarcastic.  I really do love it!!

Faye Mallow (Price)

OMG Lance....Love your bucket list.  Wish I could do any of those things.  However, just moved 87 yr old Mom to our home and too busy changing diapers to even think about having fun!

Marsha Brown (Johnson)

Dear Faye, You will NEVER regret doing everything you do for your mom. I know, I did it for my parents and helped my in-laws and I still manage the youngest of my brothers who lives in a care home.  Thank you.

Russ Stovall

Lance what a bucket list.  Mine is nowhere that long.  My number one bucket list is enjoying my four grand kids as often as possible and seeing them grow to be good ,strong, Christian young men.   I pray that we all can find the peace and serenity of finding Christ in our hearts.  

Yes we need to pay more attention to our bodies.  I too get blood work and prostrate exams yearly David.  I have also visited the dermatologist  more than I care to.  Have had to have superficial melanoma removed from my cheek.  Luckly we found it early, all is good.  Also had squamous carcinoma removed from lower leg.  All those baseball games without sunscreen are catching up with me.  Have been lucky in keeping blood pressure managable with diet so far.  

Russ Stovall

I am like you Meldoy this time of year is the best.  I enjoy decorating the outside of the house.  The spirit of Christmas is the greatest.  We love preparing for all the family getting together.  How fun it is with grand kids. Jesus is the reason for the season.  MERRY CHRISTMAS to all.

Melody Ware (Taylor)

BUCKET LIST: Ok Lance, I plan to complete your #10 in about 4 days... we are going to Cabo and I will have a Pina Colada and toast to you. Also plan to Swim with the dolphins while there.. on my bucket list.  I have already checked off a few on my bucket list, like going to Hawaii..and being genuinely happy with my husband of 36 years and proud of my son of 35 years.  What more can a girl ask for.  ...except I wish I could be a fairy for a day and sprinkle Happy dust on those around me who don't think that Life is a Gift to be celebrated at all times... Hope this is not too "sugary".  Happy Holidays to all my RHS Alumni

David Cordell

Tommy, I am going to diagram your sentence to figure our if your "strong, redemptive relationship" is with Mengele, Dachau, or me.

Many of you know, but Tommy and I spent 44 days in Europe between10th and 11th grades. No tour. Just a general itinerary and a Eurail Pass. I have taken many trips since, but none will ever match the impact of that one. 

Terry Granade

This has been interesting to read.  Particularly the part early on about Free Speechand what can and cannot be said to students at an open assembly. Heck, when we went there, T thpoght they were all mandatory, as well as I remember.

Now to the point

     Lance:  Interesting on the Bucket List.  My question when and where did you have that photo taken?  You project the image of Donald Sutherland in Animal House. No slite, just an obervation.

     Tommy:  Your bucket list desire is to steal $5,000,000, and then be declared a hero by the public for finding Dr. Josef Mingele.  You say he was at Dachau, Germany outside Munich 12 miles. 

      Well, Josef Mingele joined the Nazi Party in 1937, the Waffen SS 1938 and was severly wounded on the Russian Front in 1942.  He volunteered to go to Aushwitz, Poland in a supplementery camp.  Heinrich Himmler approved and he was responsible in Auschwitz, Poland for medical experiments, primarily on children and twins.  He became a POW in 1945, but was not recognized.  Using an International Red Cross Pass, used by many top Nazi officials, escaped to South America.  He was actively being hunted.  1979, while living in Brazil he drowned, while having a massive stroke in the ocean.  He was buried under the name Wolfgand Gerhard in Embu, Brazil. 1992, dna from his bones and matching blood samples of his son and wife verified the body was the Infamous Josef Mingele  

     Sorry, you will have to find a new pigeon for your Bucket List.  I for one was never one to find joy in being tagged with the title of THIEF and my children, grandchildren and kin seeing my story of robbery and deciept on CNBC American Greed.

     Best of luck to all, and most of you have not turned into too much of a Loon yet.

Bruce Anderson

David Cordell

Tommy, do you know how our parents actually broached the topic of a Europe trip for us? I had asked mine if I could go on a trip being organized by my English teacher. They declined, but must have knowcked around the idea a bit. Then my grandparents planned to go to Sicily to visit family, and I was going to go with them. But my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer, and they had to cancel. But I don't know how our parents got together to talk about and agree on the ridiculous idea of letting us go unchaperoned for over six weeks during which we had almost no communication with them.

Steve Keene

Tommy With His List in the Bucket:

You may have missed the Monterey Pop Festival, but I do recall seeing you and Norton making a whirlwind (or a Tornado) tour of sitting on the Dock of the Bay with Otis' view, Haight-Asbury with the beaded flower children, Berkeley with the liberals, Monterey, Big Sur, Hollywood and Vine, Mulholland Drive, Universal Studios, surfing Huntington and Seal Beach with the Beach Boy crowd, painting the Painted Desert and admiring the majesty of the Grand Canyon.  That's damn near a bucket list for a lot of folks.

Steve Keene

P.S.

I also have it on good authority that after spending a few days with the flower children you were in a fog from Frisco to LA.

Karlan Fairchild

Bruce,

Sorry that Linda and I missed the party at Karen/David's but how many opporunities do you have to create a cheesecake masterpiece with your daughter?