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Linda Fiske (Wehrle)

Belle , 

Hope all is settling in in your new environment and that you continue to make new friends . Take care and hope you are feeling better. 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Re. the latest post on the Home Page, Jewish people don't leave coins on Tombstones! We leave Rocks!

Russell Flammia

On the 70th Anniversary of D-Day – Virginia Tech Special Collections and University Archives (wordpress.com)

Today 6/6/24 is the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. Jimmie Monteith graduated from TeeJay in 1938 and then went to Va. Tech. He saw combat in N. Africa, Italy, and Normandy. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his bravery on D-Day. Of the millions of Americans who served in WW II only 472  received the Medal of Honor. There are numberous buildings named in his honor. Just Google Jimmie Monteith. There is also a street named after him, Monteith Blvd. which connects to Huguenot Rd. near the Stoney Pt. shopping center.   After you click on the link, click again on the tombstone. If is impressive.    Freedom isn't Free.

Melvin Katz

My dear friend Russell: You are always so very thoughtful in your posts. This is no exception. All of us should take pause knowing that those before us provided, in this victory, the wonderful freedoms we have today. ALL OF OUR CLASS was born at a time of war. Now we in America, even with our disagreements, are able to enjoy the peace forged by those who fought that we might have what we have today. G-D BLESS AMERICA ALWAYS

Russell Flammia

Dear Classmates,

Last school year, because of the generosity of our donors, the Vikings Fund provided 725 meals to students participating in extracurricular activities at a cost of $4,854. Due to the interest from staff and coaches, our goal is to double the number of meals we provide in 2024-25.

The Vikings Meal Program is a pillar of the Vikings Fund’s mission to support Thomas Jefferson High School and its students. The number of meals provided by the program has increased significantly over the last two years as the program’s visibility has increased. These meals make a significant impact due to student need, logistical challenges, and financial constraints.

You are invited to help in our effort by sending a donation to the Tee Jay Vikings Fund, PO Box 11451, Richmond, VA 23230 or you can donate at TeeJayVikingsFund.org. All donations received by the Vikings Fund through August 31, 2024, will be utilized for the Vikings Meal Program unless otherwise requested by the donor. The Vikings Fund is a 501(c)(3) so all donations are tax deductible. You are also invited to honor or dedicate your donation to this effort by sending us a note using the Contact TJVF feature of our webpage.

Please forward this to potential supporters, alumni, friends, and others. Thank you.

Your Tee Jay Vikings Fund Board Member, Russell Flammia

Russell Flammia

   Hi folks, sadly I learned from Randy Tabb, that his sister Louise, TJ 63 passed away on Tue. July 30. An obituary will be in the Sunday paper. She taught ESL at Tee Jay for several years. I always looked forward to having lunch with her every day. She had a wonderful since of humor and was the Cut LeMay recipient for her class in 1963. Rest in peace dear Lady.

Mike Floyd

Sadly I have just learned that Mary (Draney) Murray’s husband Roy passed away this week.  Please keep Mary her family in your prayers.  I will post more information as it becomes available.

Russell Flammia

       Hi folks, sadly I learned about the passing of Jonas 'Butch' Spiegel. As you will read in the obit he was an outstanding but modest athlete who excelled in football baseball, but most notably in track. He was a true gentleman and I will miss him. May you rest in peace Jonas.

Jonas Spiegel Obituary (1939 - 2024) - Lynchburg, VA - The News & Advance (legacy.com)

Russell Flammia

      Judy Eastman's husband, Rex Britton, passed away last week. Please keep Judy in your thoughts and prayers. Rex was the band and orchestra director at Tee Jay for several years which is where I met him. 

J. Britton Obituary (1940 - 2024) - Richmond, VA - Richmond Times-Dispatch (legacy.com)

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Hello, Classmates!   My 2 Daughters, Grand-

daughter, many relatives & friends have just

returned from Chicago, where we Dedicated

a Memorial Stone for my Husband, Joel, at

the Family Plot where he is buried, & he is

resting peacefully there.
 

For the past 6 weeks, I have been recuper-

ating from a "slip & fall" on Bug Spray in

my home, & I am staying at my Daughter's 

house after visiting 2 Rehab Centers for 2

weeks each.  Hopefully, Home Health Care

will help me get back on my feet in time to

attend the 80th Birthday Party for TJ's  Class

of 1962 in October!

We are currently mourning the loss of the 

Hostages in Gaza, some of whom were 

American Citizens who made Aliyah to Israel.

We pray for Peace in the Middle East!

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