Woodrow sweethearts Dr. John and Shirley Allison Payne, both members of the class of 1965, recently celebrated the wedding of their daughter, Sheila Payne to 1st Lt. James Kigelsky. After the ceremony, the couple was taken by stretch Hummer limo to the Malachite Ballroom at the Hotel Intercontinental, where many Wildcats were waiting. Jennifer Ostler (’93) was an attendant to the bride. Her parents, James “Big O” (’60) and Judy Ostler (PTA and DAR), recently moved from their Lakeshore Drive home to Judy’s hometown of Crockett, Texas. They own the Warfield Bed & Breakfast. I spent many months in Crockett as a landman for Mobil Oil in the ‘80s, and I wish such accommodations were available then. Even if you’re not on an expense account, be sure to visit this charming town.
A footnote for Woodrow history: Shirley Allison trained many of our majorettes, including the award-winning, twirling, triumvirate of Alice Freeman (’77), Kirby Shaw Gomez (’78) and Jana Rains Stillwagon (’78).
Andrew C. Gaupp (’72), associate theater arts professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, has won the Outstanding Professional Theatre Artist Award from the Southwest Theatre Association. He was cited for his “accomplishments as a professional stage director, actor, stage manager and producer in the Southwest since 1976.”
Junie Bond Richardson, inveterate organizer of the class of 1944, called recently to say that Ken Woodfin (’40) is not Woodrow’s only admiral. She pointed out that William McGarrah (’44) also is an Admiral – his address in the alumni directory is listed in the Navy town of Pascagoula, Miss. His brother, James (’45), lives on Lakewood Blvd., one block from where our next potential admiral, Commander Kenyon Hiser (’76), was raised. Junie added that her class has a monthly luncheon. Call her at 214-321-6067.
I often highlight career successes of many of our alumnus, but I recently read of a true life achiever. June Horton Duckworth, also from the class of 1944, died last month. Her obituary read, “proud graduate of Woodrow Wilson High … and the world’s greatest Grandma.”
