James C. Gant: After graduation went to work in Wichita Kansas, I was drafted in to military 1966 United States Marine Corps, went to Viet Nam, station at Chu Lai for a year, came back to the states to be station Naval Air Station, Millington, TN. Went home to Joplin, waiting on job assignment to the Postal Service in Kansas City, Mo work there for 10 years, I sign up into Marine Corp Reserves before my military obligation , from there I had a chance to go back on active duty at 6th Marine Corps District in Atlanta, GA. I am still living in the Atlanta area, in a small town west of Atlanta, called Douglasville, GA, I have retired from the United States Marine Corp with 22 years of service and retired from the Postal Service with 22 years. Now I work part time to give me something to do, I only work 2 days a week, the rest I do what I love to do is Bowling, I bowl 3 night a week. I have 5 grandkids, proud all of them.

 

Linda Dodge: I spent most of my career in underwriting management in the insurance industry, transferring all over the US. I also managed quite a bit of international travel and enjoyed that very much. I am currently living in Nevada, Missouri, where I do some volunteer work and serve on the board of our county historical society. I also write and edit their newsletter. I owned horses for 20 years, but recently gave that up in anticipation of a move to Las Cruces, New Mexico next spring. I am looking forward to exploring the southwest.

 

Jean Even: Started drinking in the 10th grade and didn't stop until 2002 with a spiritual intervention. MSSU, married, a daughter, graduate degree from MU. Divorced after 30 yrs, she finally had enough of living with a drunk. 35yrs. In child welfare and mental health in MO & KS. ( yes, I see the irony - it's very sad! ) a nursing degree, a hiking accident in Arkansas, unsuccessful back surgery, retired, and volunteerism. Instrumental with the inception of Children's Haven in Joplin. In 2012 my daughter asked that I move to St. Louis to be close to her and her husband. I won't be attending the 50th reunion, but I do plan on attending the 75th reunion.

 

Judy Magers Headlee: After HS I attended Missouri Southern and received a BS in Elem. Ed. I married Bob Headlee and we have been married 47 years. We have one son and daughter-in-law, Adam and Jenn, who live in Loveland, CO. I have had 3 careers. I taught school for 15 years, we owned our own business for 5 years and I retired from banking in 2007. I have loved every day of retirement and stay very busy. Bob and I are enjoying a lot of travel especially to CO.

 

Russell Reniker: I graduated Park College (Parkville MO), married, took Carolyn from big KC to Arkansas town of 2,100, starting a 20-year, 6-city, newspaper career as Carol worked in schools. We redirected. In Neosho, I’m self-employed, Carol has 23+ years at Freeman Hospital. We have 2 kids, 1 grandchild, & roots. Blessed with kids very close, friends & church activities, we’re suburbanites with a barn—my city girl even grows spuds! Carol struggles some after a near-death event 8 years back; we’re working thru 3 medical issues… but we are thankful for a good life while growing older… somewhat gracefully.

Carole Willis Wofford: I worked in the office at Tri-State Motor Transit for the better part of 40 years. I've been retired since 2009. I have a daughter, Jill, and a step-daughter, Crissy, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. My husband passed away in 2012. We enjoyed traveling in our RV to different places and also camping once a month with the local Good Sam's Club. I now live in Carl Junction and find myself busier than ever.

 

Vicki White Miltun: After HS graduation I went to Arkansas and then did a Masters at the University of Washington in Seattle as an orchestra teaching specialist. I have been Director of Orchestras for the Mercer Island, Washington Schools for 40 years. (yikes!) And yes I am still teaching! And yes it truly is an island!  I do lots of guest conducting, workshops, adjudicating and violin playing. I am in the WaMusEd Hall of Fame, was National Federation of High Schools 2008 HS Music Teacher of the year and named 2002 “Home Town Hero” by the City of Mercer Island. I live in Seattle with my husband Dr. David Miltun a doctor/lawyer/musician/teacher type who is the love of my life.

 

John Hillhouse: I graduated from the University of Missouri in 1969 with a BS in Accounting. 1970-1972----US Navy Supply officer Vietnam.

Moved to St. Louis to join Price Waterhouse and eventually settled into the Private Company Tax Practice. 1975 married Nancy Stough, MU grad 1969 and a teacher. She is retired. We have two children, Alison, 38, is married with one child, our only grandchild, Charlie, age 2. Alison, Greg, and Charlie live in Brooklyn. Alison works for MTV studying the Millenial generation, and Greg works in the IT area of Major League Baseball. Doug, 37, lives in Washington, DC. He works in Banking. I am still working on my own doing Tax planning and accounting. 

 

Barbara Hurd Queen: I graduated from Pittsburg State University and eventually returned there for my Masters and Ed S. I met my husband, Bob at PSU. We were married 39 years when he was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away 11 days later. I taught English, journalism, and Multimedia classes at Webb City High School for 31 years. I was an adjunct professor in the Education Department at both PSU and MSSU. After 10 years of retirement, I have returned to work. I am working for my son at his Farmers Insurance Agency in Joplin. Bob and I loved to travel. My daughter has taken his place as my travel companion and we are determined to see the world.

 

Ralph Gray: Aloha; I am just an old cowboy trying not fall out of my saddle;

 

Carl Fisher: I married Connie 40 years ago. We have three children, Kathy, Brian, and Scott. We have a small ranch northeast of Tulsa with 1 quarter horse , 3 dogs, 1 cat.
Graduated from Rogers State University. Designation Registered Health Underwriter
Career: Account Executive Blue Cross 1980-1985, Aetna Prime Agent 1985-1990, I own three Personal Lines Agencies and one Corporation 1985-2015. Rogers County Sheriff Deputy at night for excitement. Hobbies: Flying. Golf, Fishing, Hunting and Casinos. I look forward to seeing everyone...50 years REALLY. WOW

 

Mike Johnson: Father of four, Grandfather of eight. Wife, Kay, married 43 years. Retired since 2004 after suffering a stroke. A second stroke in 2011. 86 year old Mother, Lois lives with us. Always busy with grandchildren, sporting events.

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Judy Hamilton Dickey  After many years of working , my husband and I have retired . We sold our home ,down sized and moved into a nice duplex were they take care of everything. My husband has several health issues so we down sized. It's nice not to have to worry about taking care of property. We have four grown kids, nine grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren. They all live with in 250 miles from Joplin. We plan to do some traveling this coming summer if we don't have any more world wide issues.

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Roger Pennel I graduated from MSSU in 1970. U.S. Army, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri (1970-1971). Joplin Police Department (1972-1978). Received M.S. from Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas (1976), and a Ph.D., SHSU (1986). Assumed position of college professor of criminal justice at the University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Missouri in 1978. I retired from the university in 2014. After graduate school, I joined the U.S. Army Reserves (1984). I was activated during the First Gulf War (1990-1991), helping refugees in Southern and Northern Iraq. I was also activated after 9/11, assigned to Protective Service Team #2 providing round-the-clock security for the Deputy Secretary of Defense. I retired from the military in 2007. Deneise Crosswhite Pennel died in a car crash June 2, 1994. Johnnie Pennel died November 14, 2020, from COVID. I married Angela Neighbors, December 20, 2021. She is a retired nurse practitioner. Retirement is good. The Lord has been good to us.

 

​Jim Eade  Since our last gathering i have enjoyed life but have had the usual concerns of getting older.
In 2019 i fell while visiting Arlington National Cemetery, and fulfilled a bucket list entry by being taken to Virginia Hospital Center via Ft Meyers EMS with sirens and air horns going. Spent teo weeks for a multiple fracture of my pelvis. Last summer i had my knee operated on for damaged miniscus. Getting old is fun!!!!
Was season ticket holder for The Bengals but gave that up a year prior to arrival of Joe Burrow, opps my mistake.
I serve on the Board if Directors of My alma mater ,Wittenberg University in Springfield Ohio and on the Board of Education for my Lutheran Church K through 8 school. needless to say the past two years has been a challenge with everything Covid.
Anxious to get back into traveling last year managed to attend all of our away football games traveling all over Ohio, Indiana and Western Pennsylvania. But looking to go longer and further.

 

Peggy Hosp McKAY  Tom and I have been married 57 years. We have 4 children: Tashsa, Jennifer, Amanda and Jacob. Also have 11 Grandchildren and expecting a Great-Grandson in June 2022. Still working at Tri-State Motor Transit Company, for 24 years. Fortunately, working "at home", (4) days a week. Tom is retired. 

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Kay Henry Vandevier  Joe and I continue our focus (during 53 years of marriage) on faith, family, and friends. God has blessed us during career and service opportunities, allowing us to encourage others seeking mercy and salvation in Jesus Christ, our hope in the "now" and in the "not-yet" of eternity. Our son is honors college dean at Baylor. Our daughter directs the human resources division of a major regional bank headquartered in Oklahoma City. We have two grandchildren. Zachary, 16, is a competitive tennis champion, and Amelia, 8, loves reading, receiving "top reader" awards at her school.
Joe has helped me prepare about 100 of my inspirational columns which previously appeared in our daily newspaper, for publication in a book. "The book, Living in the Light: A Journey of Goodness and Mercy," is available from online distributors (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Wal Mart, etc.) and from publisher West Bow Press. More information is available at kayhenrybook.com.

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Mike Tyler 2 kids (Boy & girl), 3 granddaughters, 1 grandson, 2 great granddaughters, 1 great grandson, still involved with scuba and thinking about a vacation from "RETIREMENT"!!! Seems like I'm
one of those who is busier now than before I retired! All days are good... just some are a whole lot better than others!

 

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LouAnn Hart Bryant I retired in late 2010 after having spent my last 30 years in banking. 2024 marked 53 years of marriage to my husband, Larry. We share 3 children. I have 2 daughters & 1 Amazing "bonus son". They have blessed us with 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren . During our retirement we have enjoyed traveling abroad and within the beautiful USA. I still enjoy staying in touch with many of my friends from high school including our class reunion committee and am looking forward to our 60th!
 

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Jack Van Fleet Just retired from working at home business due to my lungs being weaken from COPD. The VA takes care of my health needs, and my oxygen supplies here at my home. Served four years in USAF and had a great tour in 2 years England and 2 years Texas at three air bases all Texas
Married to my wife Bing after 18 years now, I have had a good life serving our God Jehovah and His Son Jesus who his Ransom has given us all hope for a better world soon. I love Crappie fishing and spend too much money on tackle as any fisherman does wanting that new lure that is the best. Hope everyone present can have a wonderful reunion together. 1/24/2025

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