Classmates

Hello, Classmates! We've been here for 10 years now... We would love to have you update your profiles to include any changes during this time. For those of you just joining us, please include answers to the following questions:

1. What would you like to tell us about your life over the past 60 years? High points, unusual experiences, travel, career(s), jail time, family, passions, regrets, etc.?

2. What are your plans for the next years of your lives?

Select the "Add Your Profile" button below. Fill in the info (NOTE: PLEASE TYPE YOUR COMMENTS DIRECTLY INTO THE COMMENTS BOX. DO NOT CUT AND PASTE FROM ANOTHER WORD PROCESSING PROGRAM) and please upload your favorite "Now" photo. We will upload your "Then" photo from the yearbook for you when we receive your information.

We're looking forward to hearing from all of you!
 

Mike Travis

Then Then
Marital status: Married
Children: 3
Occupation: more or less permanently unemployed
Comment:

Bob Watson

Then Then
Comment:
My life over the past 50 years---I have visited Mexico and Central America working with doctors and dentists; traveled to Israel, China. Other things-- CPA, securities license and army.   



Plans for the next 50 years---continue volunteering. 

gordon white

Then Then
Marital status: Married
Children: 4
Occupation: retired field engineer,part time farmer
Comment:

Life after OHS: 

I spent 2 years at Laney Campus, receiving an "AA" degree in "Electronics Technology" and continued to take night classes at Cal State Hayward. In 1961 I went to work for IBM as a "Customer Engineer" maintaining main frame computer systems. While in college, I joined the USAF reserves and was activated in 1964  for 1 year, during which time IBM kept my job for me. 



(I married Judy in 1970 and we divorced in 1972.) In 1970, we moved to Boise, Idaho still maintaining IBM systems. We  bought 40 acres near Boise  -  and raised alfalfa hay and herford cows.

     

In my spare time, I enjoyed backpacking, fishing, and skiing in the beautiful mountains of Idaho.

  

In the spring of 1978 while skiing at Grand Targee in eastern Idaho I met Ginny, a math teacher in the Boise school dist. on spring break. Ginny was  a blessing from God. We were married in 1982 on the farm. Between the two of us we have 2 daughters, 2 sons, and 9 grandkids.They live in Boise, Coeur d' Alene, ID, and Scottsdale, AZ. We enjoy every visit we have with them.

    

In 2002, we traded our farm in Boise for 120 acres of timber and hay ground in N. Central Idaho (Orofino). Ginny and I both retired from our jobs when we moved North, Ginny keeps busy with Rotary, POE, and playing bridge. I am enjoying working in the woods and in my  shop. I am involved with county search and rescue, and our volunteer fire dept. We both enjoy Bible studies. We have been truly blessed. 

Nancy Wilson (Steen)

Then Then
Comment: 1. Occupation: Domestic Engineer searching for the Fountain of Youth. Married 47 years to Lorin Wilson (OHS '58). Proud grandparents of 5 - ranging in age from 2-1/2 - 16. The girls are bookends.



Lorin graduated from San Jose State with an Aeronautical Maintenance Engineering degree June 1963. The next day we began a 7-year vagabond-lifestyle with the U.S. Navy.  Lorin received Navigator and Pilot wings, and made 3 tours to WESPAC.  



Our daughter was born in Hawaii.  At 7 mos. old, she and I joined 7 other moms and 12 children, and boarded a Marine ship, sailed to Yokosuka, Japan, and by train, traveled to Iwakuni on the island of Honshu. We lived "on the economy" for six months before returning to Oahu. Two weeks later, Lorin joined us and we headed to Pensacola, FL. Our son was born 3 years later in San Diego, CA.  



By 1970 we had moved 11 times. Given 48 hours notice, I became quite proficient at packing household goods in preparation for the next move! (Four decades later, I move slower!)



Desiring to watch his children grow up, my husband returned to civilian life.  We moved to Olympia, WA. where he pursued a 6-month training program with Continental Can Co. The economy fell flat and the job vanished. He retained his Navy Reserve status and learned the F.B.I. was hiring.  He applied, was hired, and trained in D.C. and Quantico, VA.  



Six years later we dropped anchor in Clayton, CA. Both children graduated from Contra Costa Christian H.S. in Walnut Creek. Our daughter attended Westmont College in Santa Barbara - changed major - and received a Fine Arts Degree from College of Arts and Crafts in Berkeley. Her family now resides in Seattle.



The same week she married, our son headed to Fort Worth, TX. Four years later, he received an undergraduate degree in Finance, and two years later a Masters in Management from TCU. He and his family live in Houston where he is employed at NASA.  



Lorin retired from the FBI after 20 years of service in late 1990. We've enjoyed the D/FW Metroplex, but wouldn't rate the weather favorably. You can't beat California's  weather! After 19 yrs. it's still difficult to acclimate to these hot humid summers. Our compensation is A/C, friendly Texans and we love our church family. We also enjoy a plethora of affordable family-oriented activities. Oh yes!  



My husband retired for the third time January 2008. He was a Disability Income Consultant for Northwestern Mutual Life for 10-1/2 years, covering 5 states. I occasionally accompanied him on these road trips. Our travels have taken us to several corners of the USA; as well as Japan, Canada, Mexico and Spain. It's been a rich experience, shared with friends all over the country. We've seen many fascinating cultures and traditions, as well as many breath taking creations of God's spectacular handiwork. The rewards of our nomadic life-style are immeasurable.      



2.  Our packed suitcases are always on standby in anticipation of the next adventure!  Branson, MO? 

Marilyn Wolff (Goldstone)

Then Then
Marital status: Widowed
Children: 2
Occupation: Retired
Comment:  I graduated from SF State with BA and an Elementary Education Credential.  I taught second grade in Oakland.  I married in April of 1965 to a wonderful man in the cattle business. (I still have a working ranch in Manteca.) David and I were married for 36 years, until cancer took him in 2001 . I have 2 children, a son Steven, and a daughter, Natalie. They both reside in Santa Barbara.Steve has sucessfull business in the central valley and Natalie is a marketing rep. Neither are married, but I keep hoping.Four years ago I meet a wonderful man, Peter.  We have been traveling the world together. In fact, we are leaving Oct.13 2009 for 51/2 weeks in Europe and Asia. Life  has been good and Iam looking forward to new vistas.

Winston Wood

Then Then
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: Retired Importer

Joyce Yokomizo

Then Then
Now Now
Children: 1
Occupation: Interior Designer
Comment: After high school, thinking I might want to be either an architect or a social worker, I entered UC Berkeley. In my junior year, I decided that Interior Design seemed more what I preferred to do. Naively thinking that all college campuses were similar, I transferred to San Jose State University, sight unseen, where much to my surprise and my mother's horror, I had enrolled in an urban college. Had I stayed at Cal, I would have had to earn a degree in Home Economics, which is what they considered interior design to fall under at the time. At San Jose, I received my BA in Interior Design.



I got my first job because my employer held an amulet over my unopened resume and it started to swing wildly. This should have been my first clue. After 6 months, I left and was hired by Western Contract Furnishers and was exposed to commercial interiors, which I found I enjoyed designing. After 8 years, a marriage, a baby, and a divorce, I found myself working in San Francisco at one of the "hot, new" architectural firms, Environmental Planning & Research. I was thrilled to be working in the City on several prestigious projects. Then after about 4 years, Western made me an offer I couldn't refuse and I was back in San Jose managing their design department and working with startups like Apple Computer and Genentech. It was the growing up of Silicon Valley.



In the early 80's, I learned that EPR in San Francisco had been purchased by CRS Sirrine and they were now working on international projects. I also learned that they were seeking a new Design Director. Amazingly, I was rehired and was able to work in Paris and Singapore! Unfortunately, our office closed in 1986, and tired of working for big firms, I started my own little one. Fortunately, several of our clients continued to work with me so it was a nice way to begin my business. So here I am, still doing interiors and loving it!



My baby grew into a wonderful daughter and mother. I have 2 grandchildren and they all live in Hawaii. It's a great place to visit, though I wish they were closer by. My goal is to stay healthy so I can keep learning new things, meeting new people, and doing what I'm doing. Life is good!



UPDATE: July 30, 2014

Still working! My daughter remarried and her husband came with 3 more children, so now I have 5 grandkids. More reason to visit Honolulu! Have made several trips to Japan for work, spent a month at a villa in Porto Ercole, Italy, and looking forward (I think) to my first cruise next year on the Allure from Barcelona around the Mediterranean. Can't imagine being on a big boat with 5,999 other people, however. Life is still good!



UPDATE: September 2, 2019

Still working! But trying to ease out of it. I was told I should know what I want to do if I retire. Haven't figured that out yet...

Karen Young (Stevens)

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: Retired
Comment:
I lived and raised my children in the wonderful city of Santa Rosa. My husband commuted to Marin and San Francisco as a Mortgage Broker and was in the Air Force reserve, as a Major. I worked part time to help with our health insurance.



Our number one thing was to be there for the children. The first 12 years of their life I was a [lucky] stay at home Mom. PTA President, Boy Scout leader etc. was a special gift I wanted to give them. I also loved Women’s [Sonoma/Napa/Marin] League tennis, my wonderful Bridge group, my garden and kitchen. My daughter Wendy lives in San Diego with her husband and little boy Ryan. My son Chris lives in Redding with his wife, son William and daughter Alyssa.

 

My husband passed away in 1999 and in October of 2001 I met my Kenny. We were both single and our daughters told us to try online dating. We did and we’re now married. We lived 500 miles apart. He lived in Newport Beach and I in Santa Rosa. We commute dated for 2 years and then I rented my house and moved to Newport Beach. We’ve been married for five years and hope to celebrate our 25th anniversary at ages 88 and 89.



My husband loves his work. He’s still working full time as an Architect/Contractor. I’m there for him. My hobbies have changed a bit. I have a garden at our senior center, take classes, and love my Pilates. My most recent class was a Brain Fitness Computer Lab. Ten weeks, three hours a day, four days a week. It was pretty intense. I also volunteer at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. It puts diversity in my life.

 

Ken and I love boating and tropical places. We go to Maui every year. We went to New Zealand for our honeymoon and would love to go to a cooking and wine appreciation school in Tuscany.

 

The next 50 years I want to laugh a lot, enjoy my family, and be blessed with good health.

 

See you on the 26th, Karen Stevens Young

Larainne Youngsten

Then Then
Now Now
Comment: My immediate years after Oakland High, I continued music studies at San Francisco State University (Bachelors Degree) and the Juilliard School in New York (Masters Degree). Living in New York was exhilarating and fun, even if at times challenging weather-wise.



After special studies in Piano Accompanying at USC, I remained in Los Angeles teaching and becoming a professional accompanist.  



The last 20 years I have taught as a full-time faculty member in music at Pasadena City College and enjoyed many years giving concerts with singers and instrumentalists in the southern CA area.  



From 1978 - 1982, I worked every summer in Graz, Austria at the American Institute of Musical Studies as an accompanist.  



I am looking forward to retiring from Pasadena City College in June 2010. My marriage to second husband, Ray Madden, in 1997 has brought companionship and much happiness. We met in Yellowstone National Park and share a love of nature. Though we do not have grandchildren, we are so looking forward to travels to Ireland and Italy and especially to North Carolina where Ray's family lives. We contemplate leaving LA for a quieter place, but have not decided where. Many good friends in this area make it difficult to leave.   

Janice Zimmerman (Landl)

Then Then
Marital status: Married
Comment: Attended and graduated with a BA from University of the Pacific.  Married in 1977 to Steve Zimmerman.  Settled in Alameda.  Retired after 27 years with Pacific Bell.  Then worked through a temporary agency for three years.  Became a buyer/planner for a medical device firm in Oakland.  Held that job for 14 years.  Then came the big layoff.  After that had temporary part time jobs.  Had a knee replacement in February.  Currently working as an Accounting Assistant for a biotech firm in Alameda.