John was born one September 8 in Bell County. Right after graduation, he
went to work for a rock crusher, then joined the U.S. Navy in 1961. He  
served on a carrier, the USS Bonhomme Richard, until 1965. His service took
him to the Philippines; Guam; several cities in Japan, including Yokohama,
Yokosuka, and Sasebo; and Hawaii. It so happened that a champion bowler  
named Sylvia from British Columbia had won a trip to Hawaii. They were
married in 1965. Ask him about where he was during the Tonkin Gulf Incident.

After leaving the navy, John worked for various cities' water treatment and
distribution systems. He's now employed by Gatesville's city water
department, where he works 12-to-14-hour days, keeping water pure and
flowing. When the telephone rings, he thinks, "Uh, oh. What broke?"

He and Sylvia have two children and four grandkids. Their son, Chris, lives
in Grapevine, Texas, and works for the water system there---a chip off the
old block. Chris has a daughter and a son. Their daughter, Derinda, has
red-headed twin girls, 8 years old, who live nearby and visit frequently. They
really keep John and Sylvia hopping!

Most of John's travel since the navy has been on camping trips with his son
when he was a Scout. One memorable trip with Chris was to Philmont Scout
Ranch near Cimarron, New Mexico.

John says he doesn't have time anymore for hobbies he used to enjoy, such
as antique cars and rattlesnake hunting. He'd like to fish if his schedule
allowed.

He's still working, but already doing some research for a retirement move
someday. Las Vegas, New Mexico, looks good. Housing is reasonably priced
and the climate is refreshing. It's on the sheltered side of the Rockies, with
lots of trout and bass fishing within reach. Not to mention that there's no
sales tax in New Mexico!
John E's Page
Jan's note: September 2, 2007, was my lucky day! I reached John by phone
and had a great time catching up on his last 47 years:
Philmont Scout Ranch provides an unforgettable adventure along its
hundreds of miles of rugged, rocky trails. Lowest elevation is 6,500 ft.
Program features combine the best of the Old West—horseback riding,
burro packing, gold panning, chuckwagon dinners, and interpretive
history—with exciting challenges for today—rock climbing, burro
racing, mountain biking, and rifle shooting—in an unbeatable recipe for
fast-moving outdoor fun.

Philmont was given to the Boy Scouts in 1938 by a wealthy man named
Waite Phillips, and has been a Scout mecca since 1939.
The Tooth of Time (9003 ft.), a
granite monolith protruding 500 ft.
up from the ridge.
Red dot shows
location of the
200-square-mile ranch.
Have you hiked and
explored at Philmont Scout
Ranch? Share experiences
with John at The 50th
Reunion.
Mount Baldy (12,441 ft.), on ranch's
northwest boundary.
Sept. 28, 2008, from Jan:
Polly has notified us that John passed away yesterday at 5 p.m. No details
were given. I had called John on Sept. 7, the day before his birthday, and
had a brief chat with him. He told me that he'd retired, and that, no, they
hadn't gotten to move to New Mexico. If he was ill, he didn't let on. It is so
sad to lose John.