Our Classmates
WELCOME BEHS Classmates of 1961
This page is for your bio. Please sign in and leave a bio about your life since graduation. We know there's been a lot of grains of sand pass through the ole hourglass since then, but we'd all like to know a bit about you and your family. Who knows it might just break the ice for conversation at our upcoming reunion. Also leave a picture or two if you like, that in itself, if not for any other reason, could be cause for recognition at the reunion...
Robert (Bob) Seegmiller
Then
Now
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Children: | 8 |
| Occupation: | Professor |
| Comment: Dear Class of ’61, Barbara and I recently moved from Provo to the Lake Mountain subdivision in Saratoga Springs, just west of Utah Lake. The view of both mountains and lake is much prettier on this side, and we can always be found with a smile on our face for we are now empty-nesters! Our children are scattered from the state of Washington to Texas, and most recently to Georgia, which provides a great excuse to travel and visit the grandkids. I am still teaching and conducting research at BYU in the Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology. We have kept busy over the past 34 years working with outstanding students and faculty and attending scientific meetings throughout the world. Looking back we are amazed at how fast the years have gone by. Barbara and I both have fond memories of the years we spent at Box Elder High, and are looking forward to seeing you in celebration of the 45th anniversary of our graduation. | |
Jim Seely
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Children: | 3 |
| Occupation: | Engineer |
| Comment: Although I won't be able to make it to the reunion, my thoughts will be with all of you. I am still working at Hill AFB in the Engineering Home Office. I do recruiting for new engineers and work salary issues. I have been here 38 years with no end in sight. Since I was 43 when I got married, I still have a 12 year old daughter at Home. My oldest boy (Jimmy) is on a mission in Washington DC, and my second son just graduated from Morgan High School and just started at USU. My wife Ellie, runs a private school in Ogden (Horizon School). She has about 85 students (up to 12 years old) and this is her 25th year. We moved to Mountain Green seven years ago and love the people and the area. Sorry I missed the reunion, if I'm still alive in five years, I'll try to make the next one. Jim Seely | |
Darrell Stokes
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Children: | 4 |
| Occupation: | Retired |
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Comment:
Joined the navy in 1962 - 1965 (ET2) |
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Jay C. Stuart
| Children: | 6 |
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| Occupation: | Retired |
Julie Sulunga (Yates)
| Children: | 3 |
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| Occupation: | retired |
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Comment:
I married my dark prince from halfway around the world, 39 years ago. We got married in the Salt Lake Temple and have three wonderful and exotic children who keep us young and vivacious at heart. We have just left the Paradise of the Hawaiian Islands to relocate to the foothills of my college alma mater, Weber State University. The big move was a result of me retiring from teaching after 40 years of teaching in the classroom. I have served as president of Kappa Kappa Iota Soroity, a national teachers organization. I have also served on the board of the ARC, an organization for mentally challenged citizens. My husband and I have remained active in the LDS church for many years. He now serves as an ordinance worker and I have served in numerous callings. I am looking forward to renewing friendships and reflecting upon the good times of our days at Box Elder High School. Warmest Aloha, Suellen Yates Sulunga |
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Brent Thorne
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Children: | 3 |
| Occupation: | Superintendent of Schools |
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Comment:
I am still in the workforce, still married (39 years) to a very patient and understanding women. We enjoy our 7 grandkids with twins on the way, along with 5 grand dogs. We have lived in Richfield, Utah for the last 14 years, prior to that we lived in Sanpete County for 18 years (we also lived in Bountiful, Morgan, & Brigham City for a few years. I have finished 38 years in public education (20 years as a superintendent). It was my way of getting even with teachers (just kidding). My passion is woodturning (too old for any other kind), ATV riding, occasional golfing, reading and doing what my wife tells me. My wife Janis and I plan on being to the reunion and look forward to seeing all of you. I'll be the bald good lucking fellow hanging out at the snack bar. |
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Juty Valentine
| Marital status: | Single |
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| Children: | 3 |
| Occupation: | Retired |
| Comment: Hi, I have two sons and one daughter. Each of them has three children so I have nine grandchildren. Sara, my daughter, is expecting a baby in December. That will make ten; lucky me. I loved school-then and now. New ideas are my excitement. Because of that I have loved to travel. I have been lots of places, but the most unusual was probably Ethiopia. The most fun was Innsbruck, Austria where I went in 2000 as an exchange student from USU. See you at the party | |
Stephen Ward
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Children: | 2 |
| Occupation: | Business |
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Comment:
I have fond memories of BEHS and look forward to seeing everyone. Since leaving collage I spent many exciting years in the U.S. Army, flying both fixed wing and helicopters. I have flown over 300 combat missions in Viet Nam. The Army, with its typical wisdom, gave me a Bronze Star for destroying an aircraft by taking a hit from an anti-aircraft shell over Laos. One would think you should get rewarded for bring it back in one good piece. I am currently the CEO of Global Agricultural Solutions, Inc., a company that is in the business of producing jet fuel, diesel fuel and polymers from crop oils. (Mr. Westenskow would be proud the FFA training has paid off). The foundation of our company is humanitarian work and since the crop of choice is Jatropha, that grows in the tropics, it is an opportunity to employ thousands of people that need help the most. I have been to Africa three times setting up the foundation of the work. As we become older, and sometimes wiser, thoughts turn to helping others. It tugs at the heart string to see the little kids that need a better opportunity in life. We are trying to help in our small way.
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George (Jr.) Watanabe
| Marital status: | Married |
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| Children: | 4 |
| Occupation: | Marketing / Consulting |
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Comment:
Feel sooooo fortunate to have had the 'Happy Days' experiences we enjoyed together. I see and hear about others experiences, even my kids, and think how lucky we all were to be a part of each others lives at BEHS in the 60's. I'm not sure if I have actually repented of all my activities then because they were so much fun. I'm not sure if I don't do those things because of old age or refinement and a great wife who tries to keep me in tow. Our family has been in North Salt Lake for about 30 years. I live near Paul Morrell who still has more hair (on his head) than 5-10 of the rest of us put together. I got married at 32. I think a few of you were grand parents by then, so don't have many grandkids yet, and still am working to be nearly as rich as most of you are. Have had a great life, and am expecting even better ahead. |
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Judy Weindorf (Byington)
| Children: | 8 |
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| Occupation: | Mother, Therapist |
| Comment: I've seemed to live my life backwards, but it appears to be turning out OK anyway. Maybe. After high school I obtained a bachelors at Utah State majoring in both journalism and social work. A masters in Social Work from the University of Utah eventually placed me as Head of Family Counseling Center and a supervisor at Alberta Mental Health. The financial security didn't last long and I married wrong in the process, but the 23 year challenge gave me five wonderful children. One of my two girls suffered major medical problems resulting in a double transplant. Her health deteriorated at the same time as my marriage. The next fifteen years without an income taught me humbleness, patience and persistence. Meanwhile my children put themselves through college and missions, found wonderful mates and gave me six grandchildren. I used my writing and mental health background, plus the learned persistence to author some books which are finally reaching publication. At age 62 I finally found my eternal companion who actually been around since childhood, I just didn't know that. I called him after his wife died and things went up from there. That added three more children and six more grandchildren to the group. My sweet Kandra, age 27, passed away last June. It is an honor to have her as a daughter. She taught me a lot about suffering without complaint and acceptance of others without judgment. My other children taught me that love is all that really matters in this world. I'm looking forward to the reunion and renewing friendships. In the whirlwinds of life it has been comforting to look back at our class and the joys disappointments we have shared together through the years. I sorrow for those who have passed on, but anxiously await my turn. Life is short, with devine purpose. | |