Karen died of cancer after I moved home. I knew she had cancer, but I found out about her death when I read her mother's obituary in the Examiner-Enterprise. The obituary said that she was proceeded in death by her daughter, Karen. Karen only went to school in Bartlesville for 2 years (Junior and Senior year). We were in classes together and immediately became friends. She came to Junior Swingers the first year and even dated Johnny's older brother, Butch, for a while. Our senior year she dated a guy (Jerry Smazal) who wouldn't come to Junior Swingers, so she dropped out. At our 30th reunion, Jerry was very upset to learn that Karen had breast cancer as his first wife had died of that, too. His first wife was a long time family friend of mine, Becky Marsh (Sooner '68).
Those of us who remember Johnny can really tell some stories. He was a little "wilder" than most of us, but we still liked him. He really knew how to square dance and was a good dancer. He died in the 70's in an oil field accident. I understand that he had recently come back from Vietnam safe and sound, had settled down and was engaged to be married when he went to help in the oil fields. He was alone at a pump and it malfunctioned and released poisonous gas. He probably didn't even know what was happening....he just went to sleep. Johnny was the first Junior Swinger to die, even though most of us didn't know about it until 1996.
"Jim Jim" as Mr. G. called him was one of the "leaders" of Junior Swingers. I think everyone liked him....and I think we all miss him. He was killed in a plane crash in the early 80's along with his parents, his older sister, Barbara and her husband, a family friend and his girl friend. I was so glad to hear that Fran was not at the airport to see the crash. I can still remember that night when I heard about the crash. I was awake most of the night trying to bring back every memory I could about him....so I wouldn't forget him.
Darrell was one of the first year members of Junior Swingers. I remember his as one of the "little kids". I think he came off and on for a long time. Darrell died shortly after I moved home and the obituary showed him in a military uniform, so I know he was in the service at some time. I don't know the cause of his death.
Tom was another of the "leaders" of Junior Swingers. I think Tom, Jim and I brought the most people to the club....and this leaves only me! I think Tom died earlier in the same year that Jim died. He was another of the "first year" members. He was a good dancer, but was one of the "little kids" to me. Mom remembers how he lifted a lot of girls off the floor when he was swinging with them! He died in a swimming accident. He dove into shallow water and broke his neck.
Lenae moved back home a little after I did and actually sang in the alto section of the choir with me for a while! She also played the violin in the church orchestra. She came home while she was battling hepatitis. Once she started feeling better she found a good job and moved out of town. Not long after she had moved, they found out that she had diabetes and then cancer. She moved home with her mother before she died. Not long before she died she went out to lunch with Mary Lou (Morrison) Addington who she'd been friends with most of her life. She forced Mary Lou to do a blood test. Sure enough...diabetes. Later Mary Lou said that Lenae may have been dying....but she saved her life!
I don't remember Mike, but Stu does. He was shocked to hear of Mike's death because Mike is the person who told him of Jim's death. I've heard 2 different stories of Mike's death, but I want to believe the aneurysm story. He died 2 years before our first reunion in 1996.