Happy 50th Anniversary

Tomorrow we will be visiting Mom.

She wants all of us kids and grandkids to be there tomorrow because if Dad were still alive,

it would be their

50th Wedding Anniversary.

That amazes me.

Although he didn't quite make it, he did make it to 48 years,

married to the same wonderful woman,

my mom.

She had changed over the years and he had changed with her.

She'd grown and so did he.

She became independent even before she would need those skills that would help her survive taking care of my dad and herself.

I am SO proud of my mom.

She's a woman I totally aspire to be-

and let me tell you,

it is difficult.

In a world where the older generation seems "left behind", she has kept up.

She has an email and loves her IPAD.

She drives to watch ALL of her grandchildren's games, as well as to Corona to keep a watchful eye on those two rascals, the twins.

She still has an opinion and is a wise and wonderful woman.

She is still learning and does not hesitate to add her "2 cents" when necessary.

She still cooks, cleans, & reads, renovates.

Mom,

Happy 50th Anniversary.

I love you

and know

Dad loved you...

until his very last breath.

I hope I can become half the

wonderful, loving, powerful

woman

YOU ARE!

Cheyenne Mountain High School Memorial Page

Cheyenne Mountain High School Memorial Page for:
Written by my dad's friend from Colorado-

Gene Kawamoto - Class of 1950

Created by: Robert Rusty Lomax
Memorial Message:
Gene was born in California of Japanese ancestry on 21 January 1933. Immediately following the declaration of war against Japan, Gene and his family were placed in the California "Merced Assembly Center". Shortly thereafter they were moved to the "Granada Relocation Center", known as "Camp Amache", near Granada. Colorado. Upon the termination of WWII in August of 1945, persons of Japanese heritage were released back into the general population and the Kawamoto family moved to Colorado Springs where Gene's father was employed as a Chef at the Broadmoor Hotel. There Gene and his two sisters, Agnes and Arlyne, enrolled in Cheyenne H.S. in the fall of 1945. Gene, a bright student, became interested in ice skating and hockey and by the fall semester of 1948 Gene had become an accomplished ice skater and hockey player. He was selected as the hockey team "Captain" and played at the "Center" position on the team's first line. By the end of the 1948-49 hockey season Cheyenne won the Colorado Springs Hockey League and Gene was named "most valuable player" for Cheyenne, and was voted "All League Center" by the other League players. Following his graduation in 1950, Gene, short in stature at 5'5", enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps He served in combat status during the Korean War. Following his release from active duty Gene returned to Colorado Springs at a strapping height of six feet and 220 pounds. The Marines had fed and conditioned him well. Gene later moved to California and was employed as a Field Service Technician by Bank of America. As time passed he married and fathered three children. He also progressed to the position of Manager, Field Services, Southern California Division, for Bank of America. Gene passed away at age 77, on 9 February 2010. He was still a Marine! He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Kiko, a son Gregg, daughters Janet Hertogh and Joan Adams, and sisters Agnes Hirotsu(1950) and Arlyne Kawamoto (1952). A lifelong friend and brother Marine. May he rest in peace.(see also "Memories - Sporting Events - Hockey")

Memorial Messages from CMHS alumni:

Relive alumni memories from CMHS Sporting Events

Posted by:	Robert Rusty Lomax
Class:	1950
Memory:
Students should not lose track of the origins of ice hockey at Cheyenne. The tradition goes back more than half a century. The initial team was formed in 1948-49, but it did not participate in any league competetion. In 1949-50, I was privileged to participate in the first league sport permitted at Cheyenne H.S. in 25 years - ice hockey. In the mid 1920's the Principal, Dr. Lloyd Shaw, eliminated league sports for "they glorified athletes and sports teams". Elimination of sports adulation would permit the students "to concentrate on academic excellence". Through the efforts of teacher and hockey Coach Jack Chamney (a former Colorado College hockey standout), a league was founded and he persuaded Dr. Shaw to permit us to participate. Cheyenne won the League in the last game against Fountain Valley Boys School. Following completetion of League competetion a post season game was scheduled pitting the Cheyenne squad against a team made up of the other teams "all stars". Cheyenne won with a score of 5-1. Scoring for Cheyenne: First period, Don Parsons; Second period, Rusty Lomax; Third period, Jack Wilbur and, Team Captain, Gene Kawamoto, two goals. Following the game there was a League awards ceremony. Five of Cheyenne's six starters were awarded "All League Team" status, selected by the League players themselves. The goaltender: Bob Jones; at defense: Rusty Lomax; the forward wingmen: Don Parsons and Jack Wilbur; at center: team Captain Gene Kawamoto, was also named "most valuable player" for Cheyenne. The other "All League Team" defenseman was Jerry Hanes,(former Cheyenne student) who represented Palmer H.S., and was an outstanding skater and stick handler. He won out over Paul Floyd, the other Cheyenne first team defenseman. Other Cheyenne team players were Bill Simmons, Ned O'Brien, Bill Collins, Merle Huddleston, Bob Catlett, John Baratelli, and John Gwillim. Following League competetion the team also traveled to New Mexico to compete with the Albuquerque high schools "All Stars". Cheyenne won the fitrst game by a score of 11-0 and the second game by 12-1. The Cheyenne hockey team members received their school "Letter" but were not permitted to wear it until the final two weeks of school. No adulation permitted. Due to the continued efforts of Jack Chamney, who replaced Dr. Shaw as Principal in 1951, ice hockey remained a sport in league competetion. Upon Jack's elevation to school Principal, league competetion was forever insured. Academic standards and excellence were not diminished by the addition of sports league competetion to the Cheyenne itenerary. (see also "In Memoriam" for Gene Kawamoto. Other team members who are known to have passed are: Don Parsons, John Cesario and Bob Catlett. Jack Chamney, the Coach and later Principal, has also passed.)

Dad's Memorial

Dad's Memorial on Saturday

Saturday, we all got together for a Memorial for my dad, "Moe".

It has almost been a year since Dad passed away, and it sure went by fast.

Mom wanted to meet at the gravesite so we did, Gregg, Joan & Family, Me and Family, Aunty Mimi, Dee, Glenn, Kimi, Brianna, Aunty Ar (Dad's little sis), Aunty Aggie (Dad's Big sis) and Uncle Gary, and Scottie.

Mom had me open in prayer and by God's grace,

I didn't cry, half-way through like my normal self.

I did, however, ask God (before I began to pray) to turn off the water, and HE did.

I prayed a very thankful, grateful prayer to God for allowing this fantastic man to be a part of all of our lives and because he had asked Jesus into his heart,

I believe I will see him again.

We all shared stories about Dad-

how generous he was,

what a great, BIG laugh he had,

how he protected his little sis,

how much he loved to eat,

how much he loved his kids &

grandkids,

how much he did to help friends,

how he loved people,

how they loved him,

how he loved life!

It was GREAT!

I hope when I die, friends and family would same about me...

Makes one think....

what do you want people to say about YOU when you die?

LIVE and LOVE today like it was the last year, month or week of your life.

Would you do things differently if it were?

WHAT would you do differently?

At Bible Study today, we prayed for a woman having brain surgery-

it was sudden,

what if it were you or me?

It could be...

You just never know.

Therefore we do not lose heart!

Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is UNSEEN.

For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is ETERNAL.

2 Corinthians 4:16-17

Dad's Memorial on Saturday

Saturday, we all got together for a Memorial for my dad, "Moe".

It has almost been a year since Dad passed away, and it sure went by fast.

Mom wanted to meet at the gravesite so we did, Gregg, Joan & Family, Me and Family, Dee, Glenn, Kimi, Brianna, Aunty Ar (Dad's little sis), Aunty Aggie (Dad's Big sis) and Uncle Gary, and Scottie.

Mom had me open in prayer and by God's grace, I didn't cry, half-way through like my normal self.

I did, however, ask God (before I began to pray) to turn off the water, and HE did.

I prayed a very thankful, grateful prayer to God for allowing this fantastic man to be a part of all of our lives and because he had asked Jesus into his heart,

I believe I will see him again.

We all shared stories about Dad-

how generous he was

what a great, big laugh he had

how he protected his little sis

how much he loved to eat

how much he loved his kids &

grandkids

how much he did to help friends,

how he loved people

how he loved life!

It was great!

I hope when I die, friends and family would same about me...

Makes you think....

what do you want people to say about YOU when you die?

Live and LOVE today like it was the last year, month or week of your life.

Would you do things differently if it were?

WHAT would you do differently?

At Bible Study today, we prayed for a woman having brain surgery-

it was sudden,

what if it were you or me?

It could be...

You just never know.

Therefore we do not lose heart!

Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is UNSEEN.

For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is ETERNAL.

2 Corinthians 4:16-17

Dad...missing YOU

Today I am sad.I miss my dad. I often think of him and miss him horribly. I miss all things Daddy. His Hugs, his smile, his loud voice and laugh, his presence, but I miss his encouragement the most. He was MY cheerleader...my support...he always had "my back". I could always depend on him. It's been almost 9 months.... I'm very grateful that I do have the memories of him in my head but mostly in my heart. God, you are my heavenly Father. I used to get hugs from you through my earthly Father... among other things. You used my earthly father to show me YOUR love..your unconditional love.... like nothing else. Thank you Lord, for giving me such an amazing man... there will never be another "MOE" but there are definitely parts of "MOE" that are still here.... I have his loud laugh and JOY, Gregg has your leadership and Joan has your strength... actually, we all have your strength...and stubborness. :-) Kiana has your caring heart, Luke has your love for all things military, Logan has your playfulness. I miss you. I miss everything about you...but mostly your hugs.

Memories of Moe-Mosquitoes

Last night my daughter Kiana freaked out when she saw a "Daddy Long Legs" flying around the family room- not so oddly enough, when I was little, they freaked me out, as well. I wasn't afraid of the typical snakes or spiders, but I was afraid of mosquitoes, knowing that they stuck their proboscis through your skin and literally sucked blood out of you!

Many times when I was young, would I be awakened in the middle of the night to a buzzing in my ears......unfortunately, they liked my blood so I was the one who would always get bit! I swear they would track me down, flying around or over Gregg and Joan and find the one with the sweet blood- ME! I always believed it was all the candy I ate (and still do).

When I would be awakened by the incessant buzzing in my ears, I would sit straight up in my bed and immediately run (in the dark) down the hallway to my mom and dad's room, where I would wake up my snoring father..."Daddy, there's a mosquito in my room", which he knew meant that I would not go to sleep until he killed it. I could either sleep with mom and him or he could sleep in peace by killing the little insect. He had to do this many, many times for me.

He would turn my light on, kill it and all would be fine in my world.......

miss you Dad.

Embracing the Hurt~ Feb 23, 2010

"How are you doing?" is what most people ask me knowing that Dad has been gone for about 2 weeks, 13 days to be exact. Of course, my response is, "OK, hanging in there". WHERE? Hanging in there, you know where, it's NO WHERE. Actually, I am swinging from here to there, but don't even want to go into detail- most people ask to be polite.

Swinging from "everything is ok, or going to be ok" to "wow, he is actually gone, my Daddy is gone". My Marine friend told me once that Marine's have a saying when things suck, you ....."Embrace the Suck". I call this embracing the Hurt, because yes, it does suck, but it hurts way more than I thought it would.

The Hurt is a dull pain, low energy and feeling like you have the flu without the runny nose and diarrhea....and it just comes and goes...hurt, no hurt, I don't know when to expect it, but it's there more than it isn't. It also likes to join it's friend, cry and no cry which alternate during the day. And most of us have had broken hearts, but this is deeper...unless of course your spouse or boyfriend passed away.. then you know what I mean.

Every day is a new day and as I continue to receive emails about how others have passed, I do find comfort in knowing a few things-

Dad died the way he wanted, with his children holding his hands and his wife and sisters at his bedside, and yes, he was at home.

Dad also died very peacefully and more importantly- painlessly.

I've heard of other stories where there was no peace and there was pain....that for sure would not give me peace!

Dad believed in God and had accepted Jesus into his heart. This gives me a peace that surpasses all understanding- and a hope that yes, someday I WILL see my Daddy again! I am rest assured in my Hurt, that Dad is pain free in the company of the Big Man upstairs- that he is waiting patiently for Mom and the rest of us to get there so he can welcome us with his Big Moe Hugs!

Love you- Dad