Announcements
Mark your calendars! The July meeting will be on the 31st.
News:
July 11: Jane Chappell is retiring and we are invited to her reception:
July 11th from 2:30 - 4:30
Building. C17 Lonestar Conf. Room
Contact Sandy Jobert at 214-471-2549 to RSVP
Visitor Badge will be provided
>July 4: Ken Kornstett, an ex E-Teamer, just published his 12th book. This one is Bonnie's story "Our brush with the C word (cancer)." It is about the discovery, operation, and recovery.(of Bonnie). She is doing great now. Ken's Author page on Amazon is at: https://www.amazon.com/Kenneth-Kornstett/e/B01BN1YPEG
July 1: The Richardson Community Band (RCB) has its concert at Breckinridge Park starting around 8 pm on Thursday, July 4th, followed by fireworks. A few thousand people tend to show up for this event, so traffic and parking can be quite a challenge.
The Plano Community Band puts on its patriotic concert on Wednesday, July 3rd starting at 7 pm at Haggard Park in downtown Plano.
For both concerts, people bring their own chairs or blankets to sit on. It will probably be a good idea to bring bug repellant as well since I have noticed mosquitoes are becoming active, and West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes in several areas of Dallas.
Both concerts will be really good, so I hope people come out to enjoy the patriotic music.
E-SYSTEMS/RAYTHEON RETIREES LUNCH GROUP
By Eileen Wahlstrom
June 26, 2019
PRESENT: 45
FIRST TIME: Kim and Joe Quirk, Sam Wilson
LONG TIME: 0
Guests: Joan Swim with the RISD AVID program, Pam Cox (Joe), Anne Lowe (Rick), Marilyn Parsons (Terry), Peggy Wilson (Jim)
SICKNESS:
Stan Baker: is back in hospital . Heart Hospital in Plano Took him over yesterday having lot of sob fluid on left lung they are suppose take it out today and also sack of fluid around heart . Prayers this is simple and he is home shortly.
Jan Bunch (Carrol Bunch’s wife): Fell and hit her face. Had stitches removed last week. She has a mass on her pancreas extending into her lower abdomen...appt with surgeon on 5/6 to discuss surgery! Doctor wants to do an EUS (endoscopic exam of the pancreas) procedure to better asses what’s going on.
Carolyn Gambrell: Bobby’s wife fell and broke her hip while on a trip to Joplin, Missouri. She has been back home for about a month and is slowly healing well thanks to Doctor Bobby.
Raye Ann Farris: Major surgery on her neck yesterday. She is in severe pain post-op. Has chronic pain from her back and previous back surgeries.
Kathy Chesnut: B cell non Hodgkin's lymphoma
Valerie Cox: From Scott Robinson: I visited Valerie one day of each of the last two weeks. Valerie gets up and can walk. She seems in very good spirits and looks forward to getting home. She did mention that her memory was not good. I was friends with Dan Cox and I mentioned a few things and she had no issue knowing what I was talking about.
Deaths
Danny Hoyt Layman
June 17, 2019
Lung mass, adrenal mass, colon mass, internal bleed, spontaneous bleed Into the muscles in the leg...
Memorial service for Danny Layman were held on Friday, June 21, 2019 at Summit Heights Fellowship, Hawkins,TX. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to East Texas Hospice Care in Tyler, TX or to St. Judes!!!
Charlene Gast
January. 24, 1938 - June 16, 2019
Charlene Rock Gast, 81 years old, of Caddo Mills, Texas, passed away June 16, 2019, after another difficult battle with pneumonia. She was born January 24, 1938, in Samson, Alabama to Charlie and Annie Rock. Services for Charlene are scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday, June 21, 2019, at County Line Baptist Church, Point, with Bro. Wayne Darty officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Bartley’s Funeral Home, Lone Oak.
Charlene graduated from Samson High School in 1956, where she was an honor student, captain of the varsity cheerleading squad and senior homecoming queen. After high school she moved to Auburndale, FL, where she married Wesley Thompson and started a family with their two children, Lyndon and Terri. After their parting of ways, Charlene met and married the true love of her life, Robert (Bob) Gast in 1965. They spent the majority of their years in Loveland, Ohio where she worked at Procter and Gamble and enjoyed block parties, camping and time spent with all of her friends in Pheasant Hills. She was a member at Mason Baptist Church in Mason, Ohio and served faithfully teaching Sunday school, worked with the youth group every Wednesday night and volunteered every year on mission trips. She was an annual volunteer at the Billy Graham Evangelism Conference in Cincinnati and served the elderly who were homebound and in nursing homes. They moved to Richardson, Texas in 1984, to be closer to their children and first grandchild, Shawn. She worked as an Executive Assistant at E-Systems until 1992 when she began her successful career as a real estate agent until she retired in 2008 and relocated to Caddo Mills, TX to live closer to her daughter and her most beloved “angel”, Mackenzie, who was the highlight and total joy of Charlene’s life. She had a love for travel only exceeded by her love for her family. The highlight of each day was talking and laughing on the phone with her brother and best friend, Dovel. She relished any opportunity to speak with or see her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who lovingly called her “G.G.” Her last day was spent with her son-in law Alan, whom she adored, her dear brother Dovel and sister-in-law Judy, her nephew Jason and his wife Nancy standing at her bedside. She passed away peacefully with both hands held by the two people who loved her the most, her daughter and her husband and soulmate of 54 years, both who will miss her more with each passing day until reunited again with our Lord and Savior in Heaven.
Charlene is survived by her beloved husband, Robert Gast of Caddo Mills; son, Lyndon and Dawn Pemberton of Lucas, TX; daughter, Terri and Alan Schonfeld of Lone Oak, TX; brother, Dovel and Judy Rock of Tuscaloosa, AL; ten grandchildren, Shawn and Tina Mansour of Batavia, OH; Bryan and Lindsey Piccola of Frisco, TX; Mackenzie Mansour of Lone Oak, TX, Austin Schonfeld of Round Rock, TX, Chloe Schonfeld of Fletcher, NC; Wesley and Sas Thompson of Fort Collins, CO; Moriah Thompson and Brock Spratlen of Houston, TX; Colten and Michelle Thompson of Houston, TX, Alison and Shawn Ashmore of Dallas, TX; Andrea and Russell Johnson of Oceanside, CA; three nephews, Stacy, Warren and Jason Rock; nine great-grandchildren, Alexia, Alanna and Shawn Carter Mansour; Finley, Aria and Shiloh Thompson; Dorothy Russell; Bailey and Emory Piccola.
To plant a memorial tree in honor of Charlene Gast (Rock), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.Heartfelt Sympathies Store
Cassie Allen
January 1961 - May 18, 2019
Passed away from complications due to COPD.
With heavy hearts, at the age of 58, we announce the death of Margaret Allen (Sherman, Texas), who passed away on May 18, 2019. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. She was loved and cherished by many people including : her son Greyson; her parents, Chuck Niemann and Sandy Niemann of Denison, Texas; her siblings, Linda Parsons of Houston, Texas, Debra Hickey of Sherman, Barbara Wuebber (Scott) of Belgrade and Chuck Niemann, Jr. (Pat) of Denison; her nieces, Grace Parsons of Norman Oklahoma, Dawn Rennels and April Tocci of Sherman; her nephews, Aiden Tocci, Cody, Connor Niemann of Sherman, Christopher and Brian Wuebber of Belgrade.
Obituary: Click here
Doris Parker Pettigrew
May 1923 - April 2019
PETTIGREW, Doris Laverne Wesson Parker Doris Laverne Pettigrew, of Austin, Texas passed away on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019 at the age of 95. Doris, aka Mama, began her journey through life on May 7, 1923 in Bardwell, Texas as the youngest daughter of Zula and James Wesson. She, along with her siblings, Claude and Dorothy, lived on a farm and, in Mama's words "enjoyed a comfortable life". Her father owned one of the first tractors in the area and they had tenants to help work the land and help their mother. James Wesson died in 1929 and the Wesson family moved to Boyce, Texas to live with Zula's widowed mother as the Great Depression of the 1930's settled in.
As Mama wrote later in a college assignment, "growing up in the Depression, none of us went beyond high school. But we inherited from our father commitment, discipline and the drive to succeed." And succeed she did. After graduating high school in Waxahachie, she attended Metropolitan Business School in Dallas in 1945 and night classes at El Centro Community College in 1968. In 1946 Doris joined TEMCO, an aircraft manufacturing company that eventually became E-Systems. She began her career as a stenographer, then secretary and with a succession of promotions to estimator, senior cost analyst and contract administrator followed. While working for E-Systems, Doris was given the opportunity to attend Southern Methodist University in Dallas culminating in the award of a Master's Degree in Business Administration in 1981. After 42 years with E-Systems, she retired in 1988.
In 1946, Doris married Joseph Seth Parker in Dallas and, to that union, daughters Cynthia Sue and Darla Jo, joined the Parker family. After 50 years together, Joe passed away in 1996. Mama always stayed close to the E-Systems family and eventually began dating her former colleague, Virgil Pettigrew. After several years of courting, Doris and Virgil were married in Gun Barrel City, Texas in 2005. They enjoyed dining out and dancing, gardening and travel adventures with the extended Pettigrew family. Unfortunately, two years later, Virgil succumbed to cancer in 2007.
Mama remained in Dallas for some time and finally moved to the Austin area in 2008 near her daughter, Darla. While living in Austin in Brookdale at Gaines Ranch, she made many friends and acquaintances and enjoyed the many and varied activities that were offered. Between tai chi, watercolor painting, pottery, crafting and dancing, Doris maintained an active and busy schedule. But her real passion was shopping!
Her brother, Claude Wesson, and sister, Dorothy Wesson Munn and Virgil's son, Hal, predeceased Doris. She is survived by daughter, Cindy and son in law Martin Polluconi, grandson, Brandon, daughter Darla Buckner, and former son in law Roy Buckner, whom Doris loved so dearly, as her own son. Roy was always by her side, at the ready, to help with any and everything she needed. Also survived by dearly loved members of the Pettigrew family, Virgil's children, Karla, Mary, Hal's wife, Peggy and Barry Austin. Special thanks are accorded to the many fine folks at Brookdale at Gaines Ranch who went out of their way to keep Mama happy and comfortable in her golden years. For those wishing to do so, donations to the charity of your choice in Doris' name would be very much appreciated. Doris herself was very active in supporting Alzheimer causes.
Obituary: Click here
Carl Gentine
July 1943 - June 2019
Lt. Col. Carl William Gentine, U.S. Army (Ret.) entered his heavenly home on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at home surrounded by his loving family.
Lt. Col. Gentine was born in Ft. Monmouth, NJ to CWO Paul William and Helen Gentine on July 25, 1943. Being in the military as a child, he moved every three or four years, finishing his senior year of high school in Tustin, CA. Upon graduation from high school, it seemed only likely that he continued with the military life he had enjoyed throughout the year. Carl graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1965, and almost immediately was assigned to Vietnam where he served two tours. After 20 years of service to his beloved country, he retired from the Army. He later went on to work for E-Systems and Raytheon.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Kerri D. Gentine.
Lt. Col. Gentine is survived by his wife and soulmate, Suzi; daughter, Kristin Gentine and husband Jonathon Roberts; daughter, Stephanie Oxford; son, Thad Oxford and wife Jessica; two brothers, Paul and wife Muriel, and Marc and wife Sue. He was blessed with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And last, but never least, his fur babies: Landry, Prince, and Blossom.
The Honor Guard from Ft. Hood, Texas will serve as pallbearers. Memorials may be given to The Southwest Parkinson’s Society, 3610 22nd St, Suite 30 Lubbock, Texas 79410.
The family of Lt. Col. Gentine would also like to thank Hendrick Hospice nurses and aides for their kindness and compassion.
Visitation was from 6 PM until 8 PM on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Funeral Services were 11:30 AM on Wednesday, July 3 at River of Life Church, 539 US-83, Abilene, with Dr. David Ray officiating. Interment followed at 1 PM at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene.
Obituary: Click here
Announcements
Jane Chappell is retiring
July 11th from 2:30 - 4:30
Building. C17 Lonestar Conf. Room
Contact Sandy Jobert at 214-471-2549 to RSVP
Visitor Badge will be provided
Joan Swim, District Director with RISD AVID, presented an invitation to the retirees to join in volunteering with the program. She spoke about the benefits the program provided to students who may need a little support and encouragement with their education. Joe Quirk told us about his involvement and experiences with the students. “Very rewarding,” Joe emphasized.
If you want to know more or are ready to help, contact Joan Swim at 469-593-0695 or email her at joan.swim@risd.org
Raytheon to merge with United Technologies
New name will be Raytheon Technologies Corporation
Commentary: I am planning on trying to contact Earl Munns or another in the know person who might have been around when the E-Systems annuity/pension benefit was created. Hopes are that there is a document outlining the E-Systems annuity and any information about it’s creation and long term protection from mergers, take overs, etc.
Article about current employees’ pensions: https://realmoney.thestreet.com/investing/stocks/pension-problems-come-with-raytheon-united-technologies-deal-14986357?fbclid=IwAR03FmE_MHUdlMrH84sXNEfGyOWZ3Gvq9olvYts9Gth4PztJMBtwQPE5WSs
Article about merger: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/raytheon-and-united-technologies-aerospace-businesses-to-combine-in-merger-of-equals-300864268.html?linkId=68771824&fbclid=IwAR3-gvWE9gtLGYbWiZNhJhfX-IwkrFg7KievgAY-FF22Xasad_jKK51OrDA
Historical Marker Update:
Jim Gray told me he has made a connection that could open doors for our marker. Stay tuned for more info!
I have name tags for the following people. One line tags are $4.00 and two line tags are $5.00. If anyone needs a name tag, please send your name (as you would like it on the name tag) to me,
emmawahlstrom@aol.com or text it to me at 469-475-4884. A second line is optional if you want to include your service dates.
Mark your calendars! The July meeting will be on the 31st.
I’m still collecting eye glasses for donation to the Lion’s Club. Thank you all who have donated.
Eileen Wahlstrom
Note: We are an independent group of Garland E-Systems/Raytheon retirees and not affiliated with the Raytheon Corporation in any way.
ESY Ray