Following a column that I had written for The LoJo about recent deaths of some special Logan Countians, Chris McGinnis invited me to join him for a Feedback program on WRUS about people we have lost this year. He also asked me to reflect on my former “Cheapskate Editor’s Christmas Card Lists” of days and years gone by.
In the first year that I returned to the News-Democrat & Leader in 1996 after a five-year stint reporting news and sports on WRUS, I came up with the concept. The premise was that if I had the time and the money to afford the cards and the postage, these would be the people I would send a Christmas Card that year.
The Cheapskate Christmas list ran for 12 years on The N-D&L through 2007, one on a precursor to The LoJo our son Trey and I called Logan and Beyond, and then the next seven years through 2015 on The Logan Journal. Our family decided after 20 years, it had run its course.
A look back at that final list in ’15 contained about 600 names of potential card recipients, which should be about average for the two decades.
In 1996, a first-class stamp cost 32 cents. Multiply that times 600, and my postage bill would have been $193. That doesn’t count the cost of the cards themselves and the wear and tear on the tongue while licking stamps and envelopes. In 2015, 600 stamps costing 49 cents X 600+ $294. This year, stamps are 73 cents and the price for 600 is $438. It’s too scary to do the math on the cost of cards.
Anyway, Chris has stirred up my Cheapskate thoughts again, so I did a little Cheapskate Christmas Editiing again. Here are some names I would include if I were doing the list this year, but not an explanation for all of them anymore.
It seems that most years, there would be some big event in our family’s life that I would lead with. In 2014, it was the wedding of our first-born Clay and Amanda Brawner Turner. The next year, it was the serious lung disease that threatened Trey’s life. No doubt in 1997, I’m sure the featured event was our daughter Lindsay’s major back surgery. In 2002, 2003 and 2005, we suffered through the deaths of a parent/grandparent.
This year, you would have predicted it would have been my retirement from Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College and the sendoff my colleagues gave me, led by Dean Stephanie Hyman and Provost James “Dr. J” McCaslin.
My wife Elaine’s serious illnesses that are now in their fourth month trump that considerably, however. There are far too many medical professionals to try to thank them all, but two who would definitely merit a card are Logan Countian Carrie Coleman Rust, who was wonderful as the head nurse in the CCU when Elaine’s life was hanging in the balance, and Dr. David Bergamini, who has operated on her four times. I said, “You saved her life.” He said, “No, God saved her life. He just used my hands.” A Christmas card is certainly appropriate for this man.
From the names on that Cheapskate Christmas Card List in 2015, I would likely include the following people again this year:
Todd and Dedra Adler, Craig Bailey, Heather Whitsett Blick, Jeannie Leedom Bowles and Clarkie Leedom Milam, Betty Sue Boyles, Dee Dee Brown, Chris McGinnis, Rusty Burchett, Kenny Chapman, Dr. John Cowan, Tobi Dukes and Joyce Wilson, Shirley Grace, Wanda and Dan Grayson, David Guion, Richard and Louise Holloman, Greg Owens, Greg Howard, Roy Morgan and LeeAnn Morgan Harris, Kathy Hathcock, Buddy Matthews, Jean Reynolds, Evelyn Richardson, Brent Summers, Donnie Riley, Jim Riley, Smokey Smotherman, Kathy Thweatt, Dr. Jenny Brown Todd, Dorris Vick, William Washington, Jerry White, Sue Wood, Jessica Adams, Kelcie Richart, Rhonda Barton, Mark Brooks, Donna Hayden, Amy Hurt, Kristie Lee, Dr. James McCaslin. Bob and Bonnie Hooper, Andy and Debbie Hooper, Elaine Turner, Amanda and Clay Turner, Lindsay Turner, Trey Turner
From the 2015 Cheapskate Christmas Card List, these are some recipients who are no longer living
Bobby and Willard Allen, Mary Baker, Bettie Barrett, Geneva Bilbrey, Bob and Donna Birdwhistell, Beverly Garner Bratcher, Dr. George Brown, Dr. Randy Capps, Felts and Margie Clark, Don Darden, Scooter Davis and Marlene Page, Dick Dickerson, Mary Ann Downing, Kathryn Edwards, Malcolm Farner, John Ferris, Chris Fitzhugh, Hazel Fleming, Dr. Barry Goley, Joe Grace, Jean Gragg, Mark Hathcock, John Hendricks, Ima Jean Hite, Billy Hodges, Dorothy Jackson, Dr. Paul Kerr, Punkin Klein, Lana Lawson, Millard Lewis, Glenn McGehee, Bill and Brenda McGinnis, Don and Vivian Neagle, Rita Baldwin Osborne, Virgil and Jo Parrish, Wayne Powell, Marilyn Riley, Sarah Riley, Dr. Rebecca Shadowen, Phyllis Sites, Al Smith, J.C. Stacey, Bill Stokes, Bob Sumner, Jane Sweatt, Al and Sylvia Thacker, Helen White, Dee Willis, Billy and Bobby Wilson, Mary Ruth and Alan Woodward
Others gone from 10 years ago, the 2014 list:
Patricia Baker, Mike Brock, Al Chapman, Gay Davis, Frank and Davy Lee Dockins, Bill Gaines, Carol Head, Phillip Hatchett, Harold Hinton, Johnny Holloway, Marion Humphries, Dr. Pat Kirkpatrick, Ann McIntosh, Laurine and Johnny Mantlo, Doris McMillen, Clyde Nealy, Roberta Northern, Pearl O’Dell, Will Robey, Roy Satazahn, Dorothy Sawyer, Tommy Shoemaker, Ole Gib Sun, Sylvia and Carol Thacker, Neal Webb, Nita Williams, Evelyn Wilson, Betty Lou Williamson Wright
Here are a few I would add this year:
To the families of Helen Todd, Lisa Howlett, Sonny Gloyd, Jean Hankins, Merle Van Vleet, Punkin Klein and David Leach, whom I wrote about in that column which attracted Chris McGinnis’ attention. It can be found at http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=sports1642
To Denise Shoulders for bringing The Wall That Heals here, her leadership of the Genealogical Society, her work with Auburn leaders on Wreaths across America, her volume of stories in the N-D& L, and the recent death of her mom, Christine Goley
To Denise’s boss and co-worker at the print newspaper. Chris Cooper, who has lost her dad, Earl Jones, and her husband, Bo Cooper, in a short time period. And to Chris and Bo’s daughter, Meagan Cooper Allen, who not only lost those two but her husband’s grandfather, my first cousin Bobby Allen. I’d add Bobby’s widow, Chris Allen, his son Bob Allen and the rest of that family.
To Polly Steenbergen and Carl Seidler, who have expanded the scope of the Logan County Chamber of Commerce in many ways. It’s a lot more than just the Tobacco & Heritage Festival, ribbon cutting and annual dinner organization.
To Russellville Mayor Mark Stratton, members of the city council and Facilities Director Kenny Gregory for the beautiful Christmas decorations in the park and their role in cooperating with the Chamber in making the first Russellville Christmas Parade a success.
To LEAD Executive Director Brooke Waldrop and her board for turning the West Industrial Park, which had sat looking lonely for a long, long time, into a hub of activity filled with promise.
To Auburn Councilwoman Rhonda Sullivan and those who serve with her in the super-active Auburn Tourism operation. Something fun and positive seems to be happening every weekend in Auburn.
To Davonna Page & Teresa Hendrix, who decided this year not to seek another term on the local school boards after many years of dedicated service
To Phillip West & Col, Taylor Chasteen, for justifiably being named grand marshals of the August Emancipation Parade and the Auburn Christmas Parade, respectively
To NKU Associate Professor Dr. Jitana Benton-Lee, a 1995 graduate of Russellville High School, who received a prestigious appointment by Sigma Global Initiatives to the post of Sigma liaison to the United Nations.
To the inaugural class of Russellville High School Alumni, the above-mentioned Dr. Benton-Lee, Dr. Peter Luckett, Major Gen. Jerry Humble, Major Gen. Richard Davis, Dr. Keith Carver, Justice William G. Fuqua, George Hardy, Harreld Kirkpatrick, W.P. Sosh and Granville Taylor
To Tammy Oberhauen-Rastoder, a graduate of RHS who has written a hugely popular novel, The Evolution of The Gospelettes
To Heather Whitsett Blick, Kelly Phillips & Tim Bollenbecker, great photographers who graciously share their work for publication on The LoJo
To Dan Costellow, Rex Booth & Josh Matthews, local men who are now first-time superintendents of schools
To RHS alumnus Herb McKinney, who was honored for having been Bowling Green’s first black firefighter
To Clarence Gamble Jr., an RHS graduate who was promoted to Louisville Fire Department Lt. Col.
To our neighbor and friend Ann Mosier, who helps us in countless ways
To Beverly Blackwell York, Jamie Dezarn, J.D. Shaw & Erica Baugh Palmer, who have fought gallantly and without public complaint against recurring major illnesses for a long time
To my former co-worker Sharon Milam Ray and her extended family in the much-too-young death of her beloved grandson, Ethan Neal
To retired educator Regina Brooks, who lost her husband, former butcher Carl Brooks, in January, and then their daughter, Heather Brooks, who had worked at Walmart for 25 years—over half of her life—died unexpectedly in August.
To Chris McGinnis and WRUS for countless good deeds, especially Stuff the Bus and Bro. Joe’s Family Christmas. The lineup of Lucas Celsor, Myla Porter and Chris is as good as or better than any other community radio stations in Kentucky.
Both of Chris’ parents, Bill and Brenda McGinnis died this year. Their children also include Heather and Brendan McGinnis. It was a rough year for old radio guys from WRUS, which was saved twice from oblivion by Bill. Also passing away this year have been the beloved Don Neagle, Mack Mallory and Hilton Ashby. (Chris and I have computed that I am the oldest WRUS “radio guy” still living. Elizabeth Devasier is a gal who remains middle aged in our eyes.)
To a pair of Bills, Dr. Bill Webb and Justice William G, Fuqua, who have looked death in the eye and told it to go elsewhere. Their contributions to life in the Land of Logan are immeasurable.
To retired educator Sharon Dockins, who is recovering from major surgery following an automobile collision
To Officer Matt Davis and his son, Mason Davis, who have gone through unimaginable pain and agony in the past couple of years, and to their family
To Jim Riley in the deaths of both his wife Sarah and his brother, former Commonwealth Attorney Jesse L. Riley Jr., and to the children and grandchildren of those two families
To Duane Allen, lead singer of the legendary Oak Ridge Boys, whose wife Norah Lee Allen died this year. She may hold the record for most appearances on The Grand Ole Opry as a backup singer for countless artists. She was buried in the Stuart Chapel Cemetery in Logan County. Duane also lost ORB fellow singer Joe Bonsall not long after Norah Lee’s death
To those whose long-time locally owned businesses have closed or are closing this year. They include the Suhling/Carlson families of Piggly Wiggly, Sherrie Freeman of The Shoppe on the Square, and Pat Taylor of Shaker Realty & Auction, Pat wrote a touching tribute to her late father, John Turner, who opened Shaker Realty & Farm Management in 1975 while managing the Shaker Farm at South Union where his family lived nearby.
Auburn has experienced the loss of many people who have died in this or recent years. Here are some of them:
To Lewisburg Bank President Edna Hughes and her husband, Auburn Mayor Mike Hughes, on the recent deaths of a well-known Auburn parent each, Eloise Hadden and Byrnes Alvin Hughes
To the Auburn families of Harold Tate Hanks, Currie Barrow, Howard ‘Pig’ Hall, Shirley Ashby, Dr. Dewey Wood. Carrol Browning, Bill Gaines, John and Mary Turner, Ralph and Claudia Jordan, Grover and Mary Corum, Jimmy Burgher, Alvin ‘Tootsie’ Stevenson, Pat Hatterman, Janie Carpenter Whitley, Barry Perkins and Paul Coles
Other notable deaths this year:
Makayka Johnson, Ralph Wright, Russell Owen Burchett, Jim Wilkerson, Jo Parrish, Melinda Porter, Ronnie Croslin, Gerry Switzer, Sue Page, Marie Goodman, Lee Province, Will Robey, Martha Jo Dawson, Ronnie Davenport, Tom Noe, Ruth Smotherman, Beth Celsor Scott, Billy Goley, Buddy Meade, Carey Appling, Deveria Delaney, Susan Pulley, J.C. Key, Sherry Grise, Jolene Adler
Bill Head, Carlene Suhling, Sandy Hayes, Glenda Boisseau-Massey, Henryetta Bouldin, Carl Brooks, Jerry Taylor, Scott VanSickle, Jesse Blythe, Dr. Pat Kirkpatrick, Darrell Hartley, Richard Brooks, Charles ‘Buddy’ Smith, Jesse Wooldridge, Katherine Powell, Stanley Slaton, Boyd Hammond, Debbie Mullen, Nola Joines, Robert ‘Burgher’ Gaines, Marilyn Arnett, Gwen Black Harden, Kenny Gilliam, Jane Dowden Randolph, Lora Thrasher Murphy