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Mike Floyd

Rex Britton

83, of Richmond, VA passed away peacefully on August 26, 2024.

Husband or Judy Eastman (Britton), Rex was born September 4, 1940 in Parkersburg, WV. From humble beginnings, he loved music at an early age and began playing violin in the 3rd grade.

He graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1958 and was the first in his family to attend college, earning a degree from Eastman School of Music in 1962 and a Masters in applied violin performance from West Virginia University School of Music in 1964.

Rex moved to Richmond in 1964 to work in Richmond public schools as a band and orchestra director. He met flutist Judith Mae Eastman that same year when both played with the Richmond Symphony and they married in 1966.

A lifelong performer, educator and music-lover, Rex played violin in the Richmond Symphony for 37 years, taught Band, Orchestra and Chorus in Henrico County Schools for 24 years and performed in numerous ensembles after retirement. He could play any instrument in any key and taught countless students to play and appreciate music, including his children and grandchildren.

Rex especially loved fishing, traveling, collecting, fixing and making things, and dedicating his time and talents to the church. He thoughtfully served his family by taking care of their needs and took time to turn strangers into friends everywhere he went. His positive attitude, sense of humor and gentle demeanor touched many.

He is survived by wife of 57 years, Judy; children, Melissa Raber (David), Pamela McLellan (Corey) and David Britton (Katherine); 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Preceding Rex in death are sister, Joan McDiffit, infant son, Matthew, and parents, J Rector and Ranah Britton.

A memorial service will be held Friday, September 13 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Giles Presbyterian Church with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Elijah House Academy.

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Thanks, Russell!  I am taking "One Day at a Time!"

i will send a funny photo to Mike from the "1950's Birthday Party" that my kids gave me at my Rehab!

Mike Floyd

Most, if not all, of us are turning 80 this year. Below is a photo from Marilyn Wolfe Ruben's 80th Birthday. Her daughters, Amy on the left and Rachael on the right gave Marilyn a party focusing on the 50s.  Happy Birthday Marilyn!

Allan Forman

Sorry Marilyn to hear about your fall. Unfortunately so common at our age. Speedy recovery and glad your family is involved. 

Linda Fiske (Wehrle)

Wonderful letter Bobby. Looking forward to seeing everyone. 
Linda

Dale Bagby (Waters)

I sincerely appreciated Russell's call last night reminding me of the reunion in October. Unfortunately, Bobby and I will not be attending as we have other plans that weekend. Our family started a tradition in 2012 of celebrating special birthdays every 5 years with a gathering for the six of us at a special location. This is my year to be honored for my 80th. We will be gathering the same weekend since my birthday is Oct. 18th.

I hope those of you who will be attending the reunion will have safe travels to the reunion and will enjoy being together at each event planned. Thanks so much to the committee for the time you have spent planning and arranging this special occasion.  I am guessing this could be one of the last times most of us will still have the health and energy to attend an event like this. Bobby's class is optimistically planning their 85th, and we are hopefully planning to attend.  I hope that will be the case for our class as well.

Mike, I appreciate what you do to keep us all connected through the tjhs1962 website. Russell, thank you for what you do to help other TJ classes plan their reunions. Bobby, I truly enjoyed your thoughts concerning our wonderful years at TJ and the anticipation for a great reunion.  Last but not least, to the Committee, thank you again for your hard work to make this a successful reunion. To those of you who are somewhat "on the fence" about attending the reunion, it is not too late to decide to go.

Enjoy!
Dale

Melvin Katz

Dale:

I appreciate your message and very sorry that you will not be able to attend.

We will miss you

Melvin

William Anderson

Thank you Russell for your call and to all our Classmates, I am sorry I will not be able to attend. 

Every year for almost 20 years my older son Matthew, who just retired from the Army as a Colonel with 30 years of service, and I go to South Dakota in mid-October to pheasant hunt with a group of friends from Williamsburg.  I have to say, having been a bird hunter for many years, it is not about how many birds come to hand but rather the friendships enjoyed in the field followed by an evening of steak with fine wine or some of Scotland's finest.

For Matthew and me it is also special as where we stay is adjacent to the mighty Missouri River; a river that my Grandfather's great Uncle Meriwether Lewis traveled on to the Pacific and back-May 1804 to September 1806.

Enjoy the Reunion and I look forward to the pictures and stories told.

Bill

Carlin Hudgins (Hanzas)

I am so sorry I won't be able to attend the reunion in October!! I had hoped to come with my daughter, but I feel I am not up to all the traveling to get there. Hope you all have a wonderful time. I loved Bobby's note about all the memories of Richmond that we all had!!

Carlin Hudgins Hanzas
(Cokey)

Judith Rose Elizabeth Scott

Dear TJ ‘62 Classmates,
     Some members of our class would love to attend the upcoming reunion, but as sole caregivers for people who cannot be left alone because of mental or physical illness, they cannot.  This is my situation, but I assure those of you who’ll be there that those of us who can’t will be thinking of you and hoping you enjoy a wonderful reunion. 
All the best, Judith Scott
​P.S. If you can find Greg Felden's song  " Incoming" online and listen to it, do.  It's one of my favorites and expresses some thoughts I have about the enduring relationships we've been privileged to enjoy with one another over the years.  

Cathy Morton (Rose)

I am really sad to tell you that I heard from Anne Ferrell Smith Lanier and last Saturday September 22 , Anne fell and broke both her ankles. She was doing her regular morning walk on the pier but the tide did something she was not expecting.She had surgery on one this past Sunday and will be going to a rehabilitation hospital for several weeks and then need a lt of help at home. I so wish I lived near her to help. As expected she will not be able to attend our reunion. Love to my friend.

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Rosh Hashanah (The Jewish New Year) starts next week, but we will be returning home from out-of-town one day earlier, so I want to send my good wishes to all my Jewish Classmates from TJ & other schools where they transferred or moved:  "L'Shanah Tova Tikatevu!" -- "A SAFE, Happy, & Healthy New Year to You," wherever you are!  "L'Shanah Ha-Ba-a Bi'Yerushalayim"  -  "Next Year in Jerusalem" - "Va-Yi-Hi Shalom!" - "Let There Be PEACE!"

William Anderson

For our Jewish Brothers and Sisters:  "Shena toba le'achinu veahyotenu."  HAPPY NEW YEAR and May Israel be blessed.

Bill Anderson 

William Anderson

I apologize for my spelling. It should be Tova.

Richard Laster

Billy,

Toda Raba

Melvin Katz

Billy: Thank you for your very kind message to former Jewish Students. It's a new year, so let us affirm that this year we all will strive for a peace for all peoples on earth.

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Hello Again!  I went for an X-Ray at the Hospital on Thursday, and they said my Pelvis is healed , but they told me it will take 3 more months before I will have the balance & stamina I had before my "Slip & Fall."  So maybe we'll schedule our next trip to Richmond for Springtime!  My attack of Covid is also over!  I saw your photos of the "80th Birthday Party" for Tee Jay's "Class of 1962!"   I hope everybody had a good time!   Have a wonderful Thanksgiving & Holiday Season & we'll plan for another attempt sometime in 2025 !!!

Mike Floyd

Marilyn, I'm glad to hear you are over COVID and healing from your fall.  I felt it was a terrific reunion.  Melvin was a great host at HCC and MC,  Bobby and Frank shared wonderful memories and a blessing.  For one of the first time I got to chat with everyone.  I hope others will share photos.  They can upload them to the '62 Turns 80 photo gallery or send them to me as attachments to an email..

Mike.floyd@ Va. metrocast.net

Anne Ferrell Smith (Lanier)

I just loved seeing the pictures you posted!  Especially with the captions telling us who the people were.  For those of us who couldn't make it, but were there in spirit,  i thank you for that!  We were a lucky class  to have those who have kept us together and I am so thankful for that!

Mike Floyd

Today, I have a special message for the class.  As Frank Louthan pointed out during our reunion farewell breakfast, we are blessed to be part of this group of friends called the Class of 1962. Jon Armstrong, the husband of Brenda Jenkins Armstrong, was operated on for a brain tumor last week.  The doctors feel good about the surgery, but they are waiting for the MRIs and CT scans to verify that all went well as planned.  I ask that you pray for good results and hold Brenda and Jon in your thoughts and prayers.

Please, if you know of a classmate who needs prayers or assistance, use the website to let us know.

Thank you,

Mike Floyd, Webmaster

Thomas Jefferson High School

Class of 1962

Brenda Hollins (Grubbs)

Thank you for all the birthday wishes and for the wonderful get together for all of us who turned 80! 

Russell Flammia

     Hi folks, just thought you'd like to know that the TeeJay football team is 11-0 and is enjoying it's 5th consecutive winning season. I'm not sure who TJ will play in the next round of playoffs. Sports are not just about atheltes and the scores, it's about team work, dedication, commitment, learning to deal with defeat and learning to be modest in success.  GO VIKINGS!

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Hello, Again, Classmates!   Well, I survived my 3 Kidney Stones in June, my "Slip & Fall" & "Rehab"in July-August-September, COVID in October, & in November, I had a Root Canal at a local Dentist's Office here in Yuma,  plus that of an Oral Surgeon!  They tell me next on the list will be the Removal of ONE of my Widom Teeth!  I guess "Growing Old Has Its Drawbacks!" 

"The Secret to my Survival" has been some delicious Homemade Soup made by my Daughter's friend,     who managed the Kitchen at the Elementary School which Sammy attended & where Rachael worked as       a Teacher-Aide. This lady throws a bunch of different Vegetables & Chicken in a pot on the stove and the soup is LOADED with Vitamins! I think, to date, she has probably made 4 BIG pots of Soup for me to enjoy between September & November!   Her recipe is MUCH BETTER than "The Meds"  I was taking!   I think maybe she should market it!

My Granddaughter, Sammy, passed on her Title of "The First Miss Ocean to Ocean" to one of her Colleagues a few weeks ago. "The New Young Lady" to hold that Title is one of Sammy's co-workers at the Yuma TV- Station!   Another Tradition has begun!

It's 50-60 degrees at night here and 70-80 degrees in the afternoon. Winters here don't get colder than 30 degrees, just like they were in Richmond, long ago!

I hope the Thanksgiving Holiday ahead is filled with love and laughter for all my Classmates, and that everyone will be happy & healthy when they sit around the table together!

Thanks for all your good wishes!  I am still working on my "Art Book"  and hope to have AT LEAST the section about Richmond done by December!   Progress has been slow with all these interruptions, but I am "back at work again!"

PS - Our Daughter Amy has a New Job Raising Funds for "The Food Bank of Tucson!"

Mar-                                                    

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

This 4-Day Weekend will be very busy, so I wanted to take the time to say to everybody:  "I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving with your Family & Friends!"   Our Kids will all be here in Yuma, & we ALL need to take       some time to Rest & Revive, because this has been "A Long Year!"   I hope things are going well for ALL        OF YOU! 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

This 4-Day Weekend will be very busy, so I wanted to take the time to say to everybody:  "I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving with your Family & Friends!"   Our Kids will all be here in Yuma, & we ALL need to take       some time to Rest & Revive, because this has been "A Long Year!"   I hope things are going well for ALL OF      YOU!