Wanda Kay, born 1951 in Corpus Christi, TX.
Don, born 1954 in Agana, Guam
4 grandchildren - More…3 married, 1 single yet
3 great granddaughters and expecting another great grandchild soon (hopefully a boy)
Retired from Social Security Administration in Baton Rouge, LA after 22 years as a Claims Representative. I worked a total of 30 years at various military bases and civilian jobs before retiring.
Different places I have lived
Anderson, IN
South Pasadena, CA
China Lake, CA
Corpus Christi, TX
Anaheim, CA
Oxnard, CA
Port Hueneme, CA
El Centro, CA
Baton Rouge, LA
Prairieville, LA
Agana, Guam
Yokosuka, Japan
Family history living in South Pasadena
I moved to South Pasadena in 1945 from Anderson, IN. After graduation from high school in 1947 I went to work at the U.S. Naval Ordnance Test Station in China Lake, CA where I met my future husband, Paul. After he completed a 2 year stint in Adak, Alaska, we married on October 6, 1949 in Elyria, Ohio, where my parents were then living. I had some very dear friends from my South Pasadena High School days that I kept up with until their death. I am still in touch with some once in awhile, especially at Christmas. I really did not live there long enough to get deeply rooted, but enjoyed the few years that I was there. I have no family left in California anywhere now.
Other SPHS graduates I keep in touch with are:
Joyce White Hirst and her husband Enos. ('47)
Only at Christmas, although they have been here at my house for a visit with their motor home many years ago. Sorry to say, but 3 others that I kept in touch with over many years have passed away.
Milestones & Epiphanies
My husband was a Navy Seabee for 20 years. In 1967 he retired and we stayed in Baton Rouge, LA where he had been a Navy Recruiter for 2 years.
After all the traveling we were glad to be able to settle someplace while the children finished high school. Paul, my husband, then attended Louisiana State University and became a teacher in Baton Rouge and retired in 1991 from the Baton Rouge School System.
We were saddened by losing our daughter at the age of 54 to Renal Cell Carcinoma in 2006. A year after that my husband started his 2 year fight with cancer. He lost a kidney, ureter, bladder and urethra. He has been in remission since April 2009. But he is doing well and playing golf again like before and we thank God for each day that we have together.
Pastimes & Hobbies
We have always loved to travel so that is our favorite pastime. We have been to Australia twice for a month each time. We had a foreign exchange student from Australia many years ago and her family have been quite close to our family. We have been to Alaska twice, pulling our fifth wheel trailer for a couple of months and also taking the inland waterway cruise for our 50th wedding anniversary. We pulled our trailer to Nova Scotia which was a wonderful experience. Think we have pretty much covered the U.S. over the years, also.
Favorite Music, Songs, Bands
Music from the 40's and 50's. We have an XM radio in the car and listen to all kinds when we travel. My husband is from San Antonio, TX and is very partial to the old time country music.
We watch the Turner Classic Movie channel on TV mostly. You can sure tell about our age.
One last comment...
Considering our age group, we have had a really great life in our time in the Navy and have made many friends which we keep in touch with all over the U.S. and foreign countries.
Paul and I have been very active with the Navy Seabee Veterans of America in the past. He has held the position of National Commander of that organization and I have also been the National President of the NSVA Auxiliary twice.
