Ted Mastin

Colleyville, TX

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It’s hard to believe that five years have passed since we last gathered as the Class of ’58.  As I read the bios, I am astonished with what my classmates have done with their lives, and the impact they have made on others. It is truly outstanding! 

There are a few things new with my life since I last wrote a biography for the 40^th reunion. Since that time I have relocated to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, remarried, and my children and my wife’s two sons have done great things with their lives. 

My oldest daughter, Lisa, is now a mother of four and living in Oregon. Dian is still in Albuquerque.  Sheri and her husband, Mark, are the parents of two boys and still live in Albuquerque.  Christine is in Minneapolis, MN, with her husband, Tim, and four children. George is in San Diego going to school and enjoying life on the beach (as he tells it). 

My wife’s two sons have greatly different careers. Chris, the oldest, is a Master Sergeant in the Air Force and within five years of retirement, while Brice, the youngest, is a medical equipment salesman in the Dallas area. 

Dee and I recently returned from a trip to Alaska, where we spent a week with Chris and his daughter, Ashley, and son, Grant. Dee thought Alaska was beautiful and is ready to move out of the Metroplex. 

Between the seven children, we have 12 grandchildren and do not get to see them as often as we would like due to the distances between us. This too shall change! 

In 1997 I retired from the Department of Defense, and in 1994 I retired from the Army Reserve as a LTC with more than 30 years of combined enlisted and commissioned service. I am currently working for the State of Texas and will retire from State service February 1, 2006 … count that as 30 months!  At that time, I shall return to my golf game and working around the house. I figure that’s good for about six months, and then I will probably start working again. 

I have been a Lay Minister in the Episcopal Church since 1972 and currently assist at St. Stephens’ in Hurst. TX.  I have been a vestry member at several other churches and help in as many ways as I can as an “oar puller”. I also use my training to conduct Masonic funeral services for the families of deceased brothers. 

In 2001, the members of Hurst Masonic Lodge # 1387 elected me to serve as the Lodge Master for the 2001-2002 Masonic Year.  This past July I was appointed as Chaplain for Chalk Mountain Lodge, # 894 that is about 80 miles southwest of Fort Worth and known as  “the Lodge that wouldn’t die”. 

I have had reasonably good health considering the fact that I was diagnosed with MS in the fall of ’97. Thanks to the then recent approval of several medical products, it has remained in a relapsed state, and I look forward to each day without additional flare-ups of the disease and its associated problems.  Needless to say, I haven’t been on the links in this heat, and I am looking forward to play on Saturday afternoon. 

My mother is still living in Pampa, and I try to get up as often as I can. I have fond memories of Pampa and wish that my children could be so lucky to have those same experiences. We cannot go back, but we must learn from the past. 

I must say that having the “then and now” pictures on each bio will prove extremely valuable with face identification next month. 

2008 Update.  Hello all.  Just completed the reading of biography updates for the class and noted that the passage of time has also been marked by the passage of classmates. Their presence at the reunion will be sorely missed.

I am still working with the State, no longer with the Texas Workforce Commission, but now with the Texas Veterans Commission as a Veteran’s Assistance Counselor in Fort Worth. My first service with the TVC was as a Local Veterans Employment Representative in Weatherford for two years, and a move back to the VA Outpatient Center in Fort Worth at the end of August 2007. Finally, after 30+ years I get to put my education as a Counselor to use again! Then, in February 08 I had a chance to move to the office three miles from my house as a Veterans Employment Rep. I took it!

Dee received her BSBA from the University of Colorado September 2007 and was busy to apply her knowledge in the business world when diagnosed with lung CA, Still getting treatments.

We are still in Colleyville. I did not retire in 2006 as planned, but I am now seeing it happen within twenty-four months. All seven of the children and their families are well; Lisa and her family are in Oakland, OR, Dian is teaching in Albuquerque and living with her mom., Sheri’s two boys are involved in all sports, and her husband Mark is a VP with a corporation in Albuquerque. Christy and her family are still in Minneapolis, and George is a partner in a “Head Hunter” firm in charge of their Portland office.

Dee’s oldest, Chris retired from the Air Force in June 2007, and Brice who married three years ago, is still with the medical equipment organization here in the mid-cities. Chris is now a police officer with the Weatherford PD.

Grandchildren; Katherine (Lisa’s oldest) is a Sea Bee with the Navy. Laura (also Lisa’s) is a college student in Oregon. Ashley, Chris’ daughter will be a HS Junior by the time you read this, while Dian’s two and Christy’s four are still growing and in schooll

Still busy with the Church. I lead the 7:45 service 2-3 times per month. Masonic growth is still happening as I served at the Secretary of Hurst Lodge for two years, and when elected as Master of Chalk Mountain in 2007, I “passed the secretary’s torch” to another member. Passed the Chalk Mountain post in July, and I also head up a five man Hurst Lodge Memorial Team for Masonic Grave side services. The lodge gets a call for our team about once a month, and I also do services for Masonic Lodges in the Glen Rose area where Chalk Mountain Lodge # 894 is Located.

The MS is still present, but remains under control thanks to prayer, God’s help, and a strong belief in his healing touch. As I get older I seem to find something new hurts every day!

I lost mother June 20, 2006. We had moved her down here to be closer, but the effects of age, illness and giving her all to friends and neighbors for so many years had taken the toll on her mind and body.

Haven’t had the time to play any golf, still so much to do, and so little time. I ride the “Harley ” as a break from the day’s pressure and to bring some sanity to my life. Riding in the cold, (no snow thank you) and occasional rain shower is a piece of cake! The Harley is an Ultra Classic, and an “old man’s road bike”, but still fun to ride.

Have made some trips to Pampa to check on things. Still a lot to do to get the house in shape to sell/lease/move to, but there is no rush on that. We have considered moving back to Pampa, and that has not been ruled out as a possibility. The big factor in the decision is the course of my MS and Dee’s CA.

Looking forward to seeing each and everyone at the reunion, I will be late getting in Friday as I have TVC training that week, but out at noon. Another quick trip up 287 will follow.

Mike, you and your lovely wife are doing a great job with the web site! See you in September.

Ted