Fred Marston Mayes, Jr.

I lived at 532 Northill for a short time and got to know Jerry. My sympathies and best wishes to his family

Hi, Vicki--Enjoy your special day. Hope to see you at the 55th reunion, whenever it gets scheduled.

Apologies for missing your nativity last month. Enjoy the weather in La; we're in a deep freeze.

Hey, Mark,
Last time I saw you, you looked like you could still play 1st base! Enjoy your birthday.

How about parasailing with your friends? That would be social distancing!

Kathy, Hope your "half a gross" birthday is a blast!

Sharyn, Hope your half a gross birthday was as enjoyable as mine!

Vicki, Not sure I've seen you since my freshman year at OU. I would have dreaded my "half a gross" year birthday in 1966, but I actually enjoyed it last month. I hope you find joy in yours next week!

Cheryl, when I was at Greenville Ave. Elementary, I would have dreaded this birthday. But turning half a gross years old was actually quite enjoyable last month. I wish you joy on your July 31 nativity recognition!

I don't remember precisely when I first met Jamie.  I came to Richardson from Pennsylvania in Nov. 1955 and was assigned to Mrs. Smithwick's 2nd grade class.  But my first memory of Jamie was in 3rd grade.  I had his mother as my 3rd grade teacher, but of course Jamie was assigned to the other 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Fields.  The first time I remember him was coming into our classroom to get lunch money from his mother.

We ran into each other a lot until 6th grade, when I developed a knee condition that doctors at the time treated by eliminating virtually all activity strenuous on the knees, like climbing stairs.  So I went to Terrace. 

Jamie and I reconnected in 8th grade playing interscholastic football.  My favorite play innvolved Jamie.  Because I grew fast, the coach, Dale Lowder, make me a tackle.  But I had some speed, and eventually coach Lowder let me try tight end.  I loved it--I'd catch a pass and have a 60-80 pound advantage on the guy in the secondary.

Teams didn't pass much in those days, but coach Lowder put in a play that I loved--a lot like what the Kansas City Chiefs would use with Ed Podolack several years later.  The play call was either 38 (right) or 39 (left).  The QB, Donnie Russell, would toss the ball to Jamie, our fullback, as if it were an end run.  I would "brush-block" my defender and run downfield 5 yards and break to the sideline.  Every time we ran the play, the defense came up to stop the run and I was wide open.

I got into choir and band in high school, so I didn't see him as much then.  But he always created a friendly atmosphere around him, and I'll remember him that way.

What happened to Jamie?

Hope we can cross paths sometime-- my wife Dorothy and I plan to attend the 55th reunion.

Howard, So long since we've connected! I remember meeting you first in 6th grade, I believe. I had to transfer elementary schools for health reasons. THese are unusual days, but I hope this day is enjoyable for you.