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Elaine Kurtz (Cockrell)
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Last Updated: |
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June 26, 2009 |
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Residing In: |
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Longview, WA USA |
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Spouse/Partner: |
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Harold (Bud) Cockrell |
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Children: |
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Bud and I have two daughters, Lauren born in 1977, and Erin, born in 1983. Lauren is married and has our first grandson, Rilen, now two years old. She is pregnant with our second grandchild. She teaches ESL in Woodland, WA. Erin is also married and pursuing her doctorate in clinical psychology at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. |
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Comments: |
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I was born in Nyssa, attended Adrian for 1 1/2 years of elementary, and then moved to Nyssa. I finished 8th grade there and left upon my parents' divorce in 1964. I returned each summer to Adrian, where my father's farm was. I always ached to return and felt like I missed out on the close relationships we had there. I haven't seen many Nyssa alums except at Eastern Oregon College, from which I graduated in 1973. I went there, hoping to return home. I tried to get my brother Kelly to come with me. He said he would if Paula Parks came too. (Anyone know of that family's whereabouts?) Peggy Farmer wrote that she'd love to have me come, and since she and her family are hosting a lot of the festivities, I decided I was brave enough to return.
I have been married to my husband Bud for 38 years, this summer. I graduated in education, was a teacher for 21 years, and now in administration for the past 13. I sing in the church choir, play in the bell choir, and read for pleasure. We are thinking of retiring in about three years.... |
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School Story: |
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I remember Dan Martin, social studies teacher, taking David Gallegos by his hair and slamming his head against the wall because he hadn't learned. I remember crying in the hall at my locker because my parents were divorcing, we were moving to Salem for the summer, and I couldn't carry all of my locker contents home. The same Dan Martin sat me on his lap, comforting me and then took me home. Such a different time we lived in.
I remember the October party at ??? where Kelly kissed Paula Parks, and we were soooo excited. When the folks told us it was the last song to dance to, we took turns moving the arm back on the record.
I remember swimming on the swim team, the best in the breaststroke and having to swim so fast to beat Ruth Ann McGinley in the only stroke I could.
I remember the Girl Scout troop that Barbara Tenson's mom ran. I remember their house and the fountain in the back. And I remember Barb, Ann, Barbara whose parents ran the florist shop, and others of us in scouts.
I remember dancing at noon in the halls of the junior high when it would be raining outside. I remember Chipper Burningham running in to tell us that President Kennedy had been shot. I remember bowing our heads for a moment of silence, when I knew a law banned us from doing so, but we were anyway.
I remember so much. I hope you remember me. |
I'm sure we'll all be bragging about our grandchildren! This is Rilen, my two year old. His favorite grandparent is my husband, Bud. It's "Gampa big truck!" and "Gampa tractor!" I'm only good when it comes to comfort and books!
This is my senior picture, although I didn't like it much. I actually graduated from Crater High School in Central Point, OR, near Medford. My mother liked my hair short while I liked my hair long. It was a constant battle!!
I thought that those of you who know all three of us siblings would like to see a picture of Craig, me, and Kelly. I was probably a freshman in college (no idea where I got the San Jose t-shirt as I went to Eastern Oregon College), Kelly would have been a senior and Craig a sophomore. Craig was a great football player. Kelly found his expertise as a golfer.
Okay, so church divided and brought us together. We went to the Methodist Church, and until we were in the 8th grade, we were angels in the annual Christmas pagent. I am in front, left. Connie Jo Holcomb is behind me. Susan Bratton is next to Connie. Sorry I can't remember the one beside me or the one on the right, back row. Brenda McKinney Burningham is in front on the right. In the 8th grade, she got to be Mary. She attended one more Sunday than I did, making me an angel once more!!
I believe this is Mrs. Spitze's 2nd grade class. (Feel free to disagree.) In the front row, left, are Chipper Burningham, don't remember, Lona Shelton, me, ???. 2nd row, left is Stanley Palmer, ??, Barbara Fangen, Ruth Ann McGinley, Seth??, ??. Third row, Craig Robbins, ??, Larry Wilson, ??, Darlene Bashears, ??Valentine, ??, Mrs. Spitze. Great memory, huh?
This is the swim team when I was in the 8th grade. I don't know any of the kids in the front row. Kelly is third from the left. Craig is 6th, Ronny Wilson 7th. Third row is our coach who broke his leg in a motorcycle accident. Patsy McGinley, Ricky Wilson, me, 6th is Ruth Ann McGinley, Kathy McGinley, Nola Watson, and two athletic girls, but I don't remember their names. I hated swimming the mile!!
Mrs. Chadwick's 4th grade class. I am in the center, first row. Susan Hartley is furthest on the right. Barbara Fangen is third from the left. Barbara Tensen is directly behind me in the second row. Bobby Bingham is two to the right of Barbara. In the back row, third student is Floyd ??, Craig Robbins, Seth ??, 8th over is Ida ??, then Ruth Ann McGinley, ??, and Marcia Marez (sp?). I remember liking Floyd and Seth. Seth wasn't too much into girls. He twisted my arm behind my back until I cried. I didn't like him too much after that!
Classmate Comments:
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Patty McGinley Nelson
Wonderful picture Elaine. I love it. Your grandbaby is gorgeous.
Patty McGinley Nelson
Elaine. I have got to get a copy of the picture of the swim team. I love it. By the way I could fill you in on most of the names. Swim team was my life.
I love the pic of you and the boys. I always loved you as neighbors. My son Kelly got his name because I loved the name after hearing your brother's and Kelly LaFay's name.
I always thought you were one of the prettiest girls in Nyssa. Still pretty Elaine!
JOANNE JEFFERIES CURTIS
Hi Elaine, I was in Kelly's class. He was so cute and I think he was the president of the Paula Parks admirers club. When I married my last name became Curtis and when I had my first boy I nmed him Kelly, cuz I thought if Kelly Kurtz turned out so cute- then Kelly Curtis would be cute too.
I'll have to talk to you at the reunion an catch up on where he is. Joanne Jefferies Curtis