Jim
Cullum
Jan and fellow classmates,
I wrote my bio and sent it, but God only knows where
it went. I will try again.
After leaving high school, I joined the Air Force
with two of my friends, Allen Yarbrough, and Herb Perguson. We joined on the "buddy system" but after boot camp we got
separated, and haven't seen each other since.
So much for "buddy systems."
While in the Air Force, I met Carolyn Gray, and in
June 1964, we were married, as we are today,
almost 37 years later. She is my best friend,
and still laughs at my same old jokes. We have
two sons. Kevin, born in 1967, has two
daughters. Emily 3, and Katie Jane 1. Kevin
and his wife Tracie live in Canton, Mich. Kev works for Ford Motor Credit, and is Regional
Marketing Mgr.
My second son, Chris, was born in 1970, and
has a son, Nicholas. He and his wife, Michelle, live here in Grandview, MO. Chris is kitchen and bath designer for K.C.
Millwork in Lenexa, KS.
On March 11965, after getting discharged from the Air
Force, I started with Dean Machinery Co. in
Kansas City as a Caterpillar service mechanic.
I am still with Dean and am currently Engine Service Mgr.
As you have probably surmised, we don't move around a lot. We still live in the house we built 30 years ago. We do have a summer lake
house, in the Ozarks of Missouri, where we
boat, fish and swim. As a hobby, I joined the Grandview, MO Police Dept. Reserve force, where I am currently
Sergeant. (after 27 years, go figure). My
wife, Carolyn, works as a payment accountant with Yellow Freight Systems home office, in Overland Park, KS, where she has been for
20 years.
We are looking forward to Oct., when we can meet and
renew friendships with former classmates. I
noticed that a lot of the class are suffering
from various health problems. I myself have a bad heart, diabetes, and sundry other problems. I wonder if it could be the
Valley. Seems strange.
I will be seeing all of you in Oct. Don't back out!
Jim Cullum