JMHS Class of 1969
30-Year Reunion
Highlights

The Columbus Day - 1999 weekend suddenly transformed into a buzzing crowd of 100 or so baby boomers and guests, who came to step back 30 years into time. The John Marshall Class of 1969 Reunion was underway. If a face seemed vaguely familiar, all you had to do was glance at the name tag and joyful memories came flooding back. Football games, drama rehearsals, band concerts, Mr. Neff, the Ag barn, and on and on. Cheerleaders, football players, hot rodders, science fair champs, color guard soldiers, precision marching band musicians, D-hall comrades were all there -- living today as school teachers, nurses, attorneys, pilots, photographers, firefighters, contractors, investment counselors, and racetrack owners.  Some lives changed drastically, others very little, but through all of the triumphs, tragedies, successes, and failures of the past 30 years, one could still recognize the smiles, voices, and personalities of former classmates. It was a magical weekend!

The Class of 1969 alumni are still floating on the great vibes of 30-year reunion held from October 8 - 10, 1969 in San Antonio, Texas.  Over 90 alumni and guests attended the various reunion activities.  Classmates got reacquainted on October 8 at the friendly and casual Floore's Country Store restaurant in downtown Helotes at 14464 Old Bandera Road.   On October 9, class members met for coffee at the childhood home of Debbie Klar Johnson at 6639 Country View.  Later that morning, the Class of 1969 toured old haunts at John Marshall High School campus, saw all of the many changes (new facilities and renovations), and even had a chance to sit in the original bleachers for a moment of nostalgia.  For lunch, Kathy Jenkins invited the class to her childhood home at  7011 W. Beverly Mae.  Some members rooted for the current Marshall Rams football team at C. Marvin Gustafson Stadium.  Marshall High demolished Corpus Christi Miller High 52-7.  How many free tickets did George Foreman give away to class friends to attend this thrilling game? 

The class capped off the exciting day with a casual backyard barbecue supper, fun, conversation, music, and memories at Klar's home.   A.C. Gonzalez and Rodger Garcia shared Master of Ceremony honors for the evening entertainment and prize giveaways.  Steve Andrews tuned up a guitar, saved it from being smashed to oblivion, and led in a spirited class rendition of "The Sound of Silence."  Pam Olijar bought kazoos for the former JMHS band members, but they mysteriously opted not to play any tunes.  One band member claimed they were afraid of scaring the neighbors away. 

Unfortunately during the evening, classmate Lynette Debord Pruett slipped and broke her wrist.  The class prayed for no complications from her surgery and a speedy recovery.  Class members also sadly learned Joy Brown Tice lost her home, furniture, and car in Greenville, North Carolina because of the Hurricane Floyd flooding.  The class collected $600 to show their heartfelt concern.

A special moment during the reunion was a visit by Bob Lewis (former JMHS band director) and his wife Les and son Chris.   Surprisingly, Mr. Lewis not only recognized all his former students, but also remembered the instruments the Class of 1969 band members once played.  We also enjoyed the company of a few "moms"... Betty Jo Broussard, Mary Jenkins, and Akiko Cunningham. Class members ended the 3-day activities with a family picnic lunch at Raymond Rimkus Park.