Comments on: Class of 1968: a death, a memory http://www.michaelbales.com/2008/05/26/class-of-1968-a-death-a-memory/ what passes as light Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:17:38 +0000 hourly 1 By: Woodburn (Woody) Schofield Jr. http://www.michaelbales.com/2008/05/26/class-of-1968-a-death-a-memory/comment-page-1/#comment-718 Woodburn (Woody) Schofield Jr. Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:05:06 +0000 http://www.michaelbales.com/?p=77#comment-718 My brother Morgan shared this site with me. Jeff was a cousin of mine. I should start by stating over the years my siblings and I were enamored with their family. Morgan and Doris were our favorite Uncle and Aunt and our family would visit Winter Park and Trenton during my dad's summer weeks off through the mid 70's. John and Jeff were already out of the house then and so we got to stay in their old bedrooms. Being from a military family and traveling every few years at the time, we were envious of their charmed life. As you know, all of their family loved to have a good laugh and we were always laughing at the practical jokes. Many nights we got to stay up late and sooner or later Jeff or John would stop by to say hello and tell us the latest news. Doris would often pull out sheet music and play her organ and get my mom to sing along to her favorite Hawaiian music. A few years later when John and Jeff started their business, we always bragged about our cousins in Florida who were making lots of money in the financial market! I was in Winter Park with my dad for Morgan's funeral several years ago and he and I returned on my dad's last visit in April 2006, a month before he passed, visiting relatives in Trenton near the Suwanee River where Morgan, my dad and their family had farmed and raised horses beginning in the 1920's. Jeff's (our) grandparents were pioneers in that area and we still have cousins, aunts and extended family there. We sat down with Jeff that afternoon at (I believe it was the Best Western) motel where John, Jeff and friends used to hang out at the restaurant and bar. The management there placed a plaque outside at John's regular table spot honoring him. Of course, while catching up with Jeff he had plenty of funny acecdotes about how his life in Winter Park was going, past and current female relationships and getting the opinions of some of the other guys he knew sitting nearby. My dad and I thoroughly enjoyed that time reminiscing with Jeff before heading to the airport to catch our flight back home to Arizona. As I mentioned, Morgan and Doris were our favorites and my mom (Luana) and Dad (Scho) were John and Jeff's favorite Aunt and Uncle. Jeff was a good soul, thoughtful and considerate and was always willing to look out for the Schofield family members. He would call my mom every few months to check on her and say hello. I last saw Jeff at the funeral services of our last surviving Uncle (Little Buddy/Harrison) in Trenton ("the River") in March 2008. He was of course leading the conversation and banter at my Aunt's house prior to the church service. Following the service, he had to leave early as he didn't want to drive in the dark because of a cataract issue. I have several other Jeff stories but will close my entry to say we miss Jeff, along with his brother and parents. We have many fond memories of all them living life to the fullest and some of us were lucky enough to be part of their world of family and friends. Best regards, Woody Schofield My brother Morgan shared this site with me. Jeff was a cousin of mine. I should start by stating over the years my siblings and I were enamored with their family. Morgan and Doris were our favorite Uncle and Aunt and our family would visit Winter Park and Trenton during my dad’s summer weeks off through the mid 70’s. John and Jeff were already out of the house then and so we got to stay in their old bedrooms. Being from a military family and traveling every few years at the time, we were envious of their charmed life.

As you know, all of their family loved to have a good laugh and we were always laughing at the practical jokes. Many nights we got to stay up late and sooner or later Jeff or John would stop by to say hello and tell us the latest news. Doris would often pull out sheet music and play her organ and get my mom to sing along to her favorite Hawaiian music. A few years later when John and Jeff started their business, we always bragged about our cousins in Florida who were making lots of money in the financial market!

I was in Winter Park with my dad for Morgan’s funeral several years ago and he and I returned on my dad’s last visit in April 2006, a month before he passed, visiting relatives in Trenton near the Suwanee River where Morgan, my dad and their family had farmed and raised horses beginning in the 1920’s. Jeff’s (our) grandparents were pioneers in that area and we still have cousins, aunts and extended family there. We sat down with Jeff that afternoon at (I believe it was the Best Western) motel where John, Jeff and friends used to hang out at the restaurant and bar. The management there placed a plaque outside at John’s regular table spot honoring him. Of course, while catching up with Jeff he had plenty of funny acecdotes about how his life in Winter Park was going, past and current female relationships and getting the opinions of some of the other guys he knew sitting nearby. My dad and I thoroughly enjoyed that time reminiscing with Jeff before heading to the airport to catch our flight back home to Arizona.

As I mentioned, Morgan and Doris were our favorites and my mom (Luana) and Dad (Scho) were John and Jeff’s favorite Aunt and Uncle. Jeff was a good soul, thoughtful and considerate and was always willing to look out for the Schofield family members. He would call my mom every few months to check on her and say hello.

I last saw Jeff at the funeral services of our last surviving Uncle (Little Buddy/Harrison) in Trenton (“the River”) in March 2008. He was of course leading the conversation and banter at my Aunt’s house prior to the church service. Following the service, he had to leave early as he didn’t want to drive in the dark because of a cataract issue.

I have several other Jeff stories but will close my entry to say we miss Jeff, along with his brother and parents. We have many fond memories of all them living life to the fullest and some of us were lucky enough to be part of their world of family and friends.
Best regards, Woody Schofield

]]> By: Michael http://www.michaelbales.com/2008/05/26/class-of-1968-a-death-a-memory/comment-page-1/#comment-717 Michael Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:28:09 +0000 http://www.michaelbales.com/?p=77#comment-717 Morgan -- I'm pleased you've seen how so many people cared for Jeff. Looking back, I believe our circle of friends was special. We had a wonderful time together and somehow managed not to get into serious trouble. Of course it was simpler time, and even in the late 1960s our small part of the world wasn't yet affected by the turmoil sweeping the country. It's little consolation, but you should know that Jeff's death helped me appreciate anew my high school friends and re-establish not just contact after many years but strong bonds. And I know other friends of Jeff have felt and responded the same way. Thanks for writing. -- Mike Morgan — I’m pleased you’ve seen how so many people cared for Jeff. Looking back, I believe our circle of friends was special. We had a wonderful time together and somehow managed not to get into serious trouble. Of course it was simpler time, and even in the late 1960s our small part of the world wasn’t yet affected by the turmoil sweeping the country. It’s little consolation, but you should know that Jeff’s death helped me appreciate anew my high school friends and re-establish not just contact after many years but strong bonds. And I know other friends of Jeff have felt and responded the same way. Thanks for writing. — Mike

]]> By: Morgan Schofield http://www.michaelbales.com/2008/05/26/class-of-1968-a-death-a-memory/comment-page-1/#comment-716 Morgan Schofield Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:08:13 +0000 http://www.michaelbales.com/?p=77#comment-716 I want to thank all of you who have published something..some memory...some heartfelt feelings about Jeff's passing. He is my cousin- I was named after his father. My dad and my uncle Morgan were great friends and great brothers. The only difference is that I came later in life for my parents and didn't get to know John or Jeff that well. Those two were more like uncles to me. I am going to share this site...I just now found it and I apologize that I hadn't responded quicker. Again, thank you for the stories and sharing your sadness. Morgan Schofield phx, az I want to thank all of you who have published something..some memory…some heartfelt feelings about Jeff’s passing. He is my cousin- I was named after his father. My dad and my uncle Morgan were great friends and great brothers. The only difference is that I came later in life for my parents and didn’t get to know John or Jeff that well. Those two were more like uncles to me. I am going to share this site…I just now found it and I apologize that I hadn’t responded quicker.
Again, thank you for the stories and sharing your sadness.
Morgan Schofield
phx, az

]]> By: Michael http://www.michaelbales.com/2008/05/26/class-of-1968-a-death-a-memory/comment-page-1/#comment-433 Michael Sun, 05 Oct 2008 03:02:45 +0000 http://www.michaelbales.com/?p=77#comment-433 Harriet, One of the nice things about our forty-year reunion was being reminded how some people are exactly as I remember them from high school. Such is the case with Mary, especially as she talked politics. Fiery and passionate are the two words that come to mind. Free of pretense, too. Knowing I have fellow Obama zealots in Florida is a comfort. Maybe I can get the two of you to persuade two of my right-wing relatives over from the other side. All the best. Mike Harriet,

One of the nice things about our forty-year reunion was being reminded how some people are exactly as I remember them from high school. Such is the case with Mary, especially as she talked politics. Fiery and passionate are the two words that come to mind. Free of pretense, too.

Knowing I have fellow Obama zealots in Florida is a comfort. Maybe I can get the two of you to persuade two of my right-wing relatives over from the other side.

All the best.

Mike

]]> By: Harriett McAllaster http://www.michaelbales.com/2008/05/26/class-of-1968-a-death-a-memory/comment-page-1/#comment-425 Harriett McAllaster Sat, 04 Oct 2008 00:25:51 +0000 http://www.michaelbales.com/?p=77#comment-425 Your friend, Mary, is one of the best friends I have ever had in my life, I understand perfectly how your fortieth was so special: You were able to reconnect with her, What an amazing person she is. I have never known anyone who is more giving. She sent me your blog and I am so happy! Thank you, Mike! Go Obama! Harriett Your friend, Mary, is one of the best friends I have ever had in my life, I understand perfectly how your fortieth was so special: You were able to reconnect with her, What an amazing person she is. I have never known anyone who is more giving. She sent me your blog and I am so happy! Thank you, Mike!

Go Obama!

Harriett

]]> By: Jake Rozier http://www.michaelbales.com/2008/05/26/class-of-1968-a-death-a-memory/comment-page-1/#comment-167 Jake Rozier Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:02:16 +0000 http://www.michaelbales.com/?p=77#comment-167 I was very saddened to learn of Jeff's passing. The last time I saw him was at a reunion for WPHS where they were trying for a Guiness World Record. He seemed like he had everything going for him and all I can say is I am stunned. I'm thankful that Mike had a place express our grief and feelings for Jeff I was very saddened to learn of Jeff’s passing. The last time I saw him was at a reunion for WPHS where they were trying for a Guiness World Record. He seemed like he had everything going for him and all I can say is I am stunned. I’m thankful that Mike had a place express our grief and feelings for Jeff

]]> By: admin http://www.michaelbales.com/2008/05/26/class-of-1968-a-death-a-memory/comment-page-1/#comment-94 admin Sun, 08 Jun 2008 20:42:47 +0000 http://www.michaelbales.com/?p=77#comment-94 Dave -- Your comment is much appreciated. I read your remembrance of Jeff on your blog and hope others will do the same. I've added a link to it at the bottom of my post about him. -- Mike Dave — Your comment is much appreciated. I read your remembrance of Jeff on your blog and hope others will do the same. I’ve added a link to it at the bottom of my post about him.
– Mike

]]> By: Dave Knechel http://www.michaelbales.com/2008/05/26/class-of-1968-a-death-a-memory/comment-page-1/#comment-93 Dave Knechel Sun, 08 Jun 2008 18:53:30 +0000 http://www.michaelbales.com/?p=77#comment-93 I wrote a piece about Jeff on my blog, too, titled, "It wasn’t our day to die". What a great guy he was and what a nice tribute you wrote. Because of diabetes, I don't drink nearly as much as I used to. Consequently, I didn't see Jeff much anymore. A friend of mine saw him at Wally's just before he died and he acknowledged his problem with alcohol. Yes, he did look very bad and I think we all knew a while ago what was in store for him due to his problem. Unfortunately, we can only lead a horse to water. I'm glad I found you. I wrote a piece about Jeff on my blog, too, titled, “It wasn’t our day to die”. What a great guy he was and what a nice tribute you wrote. Because of diabetes, I don’t drink nearly as much as I used to. Consequently, I didn’t see Jeff much anymore. A friend of mine saw him at Wally’s just before he died and he acknowledged his problem with alcohol. Yes, he did look very bad and I think we all knew a while ago what was in store for him due to his problem. Unfortunately, we can only lead a horse to water.

I’m glad I found you.

]]> By: High school, then and now | Cracked Window http://www.michaelbales.com/2008/05/26/class-of-1968-a-death-a-memory/comment-page-1/#comment-89 High school, then and now | Cracked Window Fri, 06 Jun 2008 05:22:23 +0000 http://www.michaelbales.com/?p=77#comment-89 [...] for my generation. I’ve been reminiscing about my high school life more than usual since a classmate’s recent death and registering to attend my reunion in [...] [...] for my generation. I’ve been reminiscing about my high school life more than usual since a classmate’s recent death and registering to attend my reunion in [...]

]]> By: Andrea Duncan Kadar http://www.michaelbales.com/2008/05/26/class-of-1968-a-death-a-memory/comment-page-1/#comment-66 Andrea Duncan Kadar Sat, 31 May 2008 17:41:50 +0000 http://www.michaelbales.com/?p=77#comment-66 I am so sorry to hear about Jeff. It is tragic to lose a loved one, or a dear friend, in the prime of their lives. He will be missed when we get together in September. May God bless him and may his family find stength and peace knowing that he had so many high school friends who remember him positively. I am so sorry to hear about Jeff. It is tragic to lose a loved one, or a dear friend, in the prime of their lives.
He will be missed when we get together in September. May God bless him and may his family find stength and peace knowing that he had so many high school friends who remember him positively.

]]>