Class of 1971

RICHARD MICHAEL DONLEY

He was a good friend to all and wanted to be a neurosurgeon.  He died the year after graduation, in a car accident.  Smart, funny and I was madly in love with him...secretly, of course.  And I was not the only one.  I often wonder what the world missed because of his death.                                        Submitted by Robby Watson Gorman '71

I remember Richard Donley as one of the nicest people I have ever known.  I've always thought of his untimely death in an automobile accident as a great irony.  Richard had won an award for being the best driver in an OPHS driving contest during his senior year.  That has struck me all these years and helps me to remember that life is short and our destiny is uncertain.  In remembrance of Richard , and others gone before me, I try to make every day count.                                         Submitted by John Lanham '71

JOSEPH LITTLES

DALE WALKER

Dale died suddenly in Key Largo on June 26, 1998 while attending a scouting activity.  Dale was an Eagle Scout and had continued to work with Troop 25 of Orange Park First United Methodist Church.  At the time of his death, he was employeed working with the mentally handicapped in Green Cove Springs.  Dale was an integral part of the "Spirit of "71".  I know... I got called to the principal's office once because of my friendship with him and David Frazier, who was one of Dale's best friends and co-founder of "Water Brothers".  The principal wanted me to tell him who had put the giant taped "71" on top of the Raider Dome.  He was sure I knew, which of course, I did.  Dale was a fascinating guy, we had a lot in common as Navy brats, and I never hear Eli's Coming, by Three Dog Night, without thinking of him.  He was always there for his friends and carted many of us around after school in his Peugot. (You younger grads cannot imagine what Orange Park was like in the early 70's, before the Mall).  I have missed him over the years.  He left behind his wife, Emily, and their 2 sons, Jason and Christopher.                           Submitted by Robby Watson Gorman '71

GARY EDENFIELD

SANDRA JO LINEBERRY

JAMES THOMAS LEWIS

PATRICK JOSEPH O'BRIEN

Coke-bottle glasses, clumsy, easy bait for taunting -- you made an ideal target. We could all live without you, so made ourselves kings and queens at your expense.  And you -- you were easily forgotten, expendable. Not until twenty years later, when we had lived long enough to acquire compassion, did we receive the blunt, jagged news that you took your own life. Now you are human to us -- we see you as we see ourselves, shudder at the agony you endured when abused, locked in closets, while we, we in our ignorance participated with our jeers. In some inexplicable state of grace, we find it is never too late to love through compassion. You occupy immortal space, and are a part of the light within; for you have revealed to us the nature of redemption.                          Submitted by Jacquelyn Bowen Aly '71

A TRIBUTE TO PATRICK O'BRIEN I never got to know you as I thought I should.  You were different from the rest of us...withdrawn, quiet, insecure.  I always tried to say hi to you in the hallways, but you always look at the floor.  You never seemed to have any friends.  I occasionally would sit next to you in the lunchroom, and try to have a conversation, but we had little to say to each other.  I saw the people stare at you, and sometimes laugh.  I hurt when I saw the bullies tease you, steal your lunch, and knock you down, but I turned away, for fear of being associated with a 'nerd", or for being bullied myself. I always wondered what became of you, what your disability was...but I never took the time to find out.  I always had something more pressing in my life...college, girls, partying. getting married, raising a family.  I doubt you ever married, and raised a family Patrick.  Forgive me for turning away from you in high school.  I hope you have a better life where you are now.                Your friend who never was,            Michael McCulley

ROYCE MUSGROVE

Passed away from complications of diabetes                   Submitted by Joan Dunnagan

ELAINE STAFFORD

Was killed when hit by a semi-truck on a highway in Texas, while standing by her broken down car.                        Submitted by Joan Dunnagan

JOEL THOMAS COLSON

Dale Walker was a wonderful Dad to his boys.  He was a good friend to me.  I could stop by anytime and he would have good advice for me and he was always very smart.  I miss him a lot!  He was my best buddy!                                                                                                                                                                          Submitted by Vonnie Mills Tallant

Sandi (a/k/a "Jeff") was my very dear and special friend.  We shared many many laughs together beginning in the 6th grade at Arlington  Heights Elementary School.  In fact, we were members of the first graduating 6th grade class of this new school!  She was tall in the 6th grade and I was as tall as I would ever be!  We then attended Arlington Jr. High where we left our mark - especially in Home Ec and PE.  We couldn't sew or run.  However, we did create a beautiful model of the

U.S. Capitol for our Civics class.  Terry Parker High School was our next stop, and then we received the news that both families would be moving to Orange Park - we were bummed!  On the 1st day of 11th grade, we met in the lunch room and cried - we felt so out of place.  But, by the end of September, we felt much at home at our new school.  Yes, many memories were made from Mr. Qualls' class, Mrs. Hanson's typing class (it's time for finger gymnastics), football games, club meetings, parties, trips t0 the beach where she tanned and I burned, and of course, the painting of "Mutt & Jeff" on the football stadium.  Sandi was also the Mardi Gras Queen during our Senior Year.  Upon graduation, Sandi worked for WAPE, was the "Miss Leggs" representative for the newly invented Leggs Pantyhose, and worked for the Personnel Support Detachment at NAS and other bases around the country.  She married Navy Commander Steve Burtchell on 12/27/78 on the island of Mallorca.  They lived in California, Hawaii and Tampa (where she earned her AA degree from Hillsborough Community College).  She and Steve moved back to Jacksonville where she died of breast cancer on 6/14/90.  She was diagnosed in 1988 at the Dana Farber Institue in Boston.  Sandi holds a special place in my heart and I miss her still.  She was a lady of grace and style, a lady with a big heart and a big faith.  We will meet again!!  Love you, Sandi ("Jeff")                                                         From, Debbie Guy Atlee ("Mutt")