JMHS Class of 1973

Louis Philip "Phil" Cox, III

2010-11-05T11:40:00.006-04:00

The James Monroe High School Class of 1973 wish to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of our classmate, Louis Philip "Phil" Cox, III.

Phil passed away on November 3, 2010. He will be remembered at a memorial service on November 20, 2010, 4:00 PM at The First Presbyterian Church, 810 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, VA.

In keeping with family tradition, his ashes will be scattered by the family on the Rappahannock River.

11/06/10 UPDATE

Official Obituary >> Louis Philp Cox, III

Jeffrey Lynn Lopomo

2010-10-26T13:02:00.004-04:00

Jeffrey L. Lopomo, 55, of Falmouth died Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, at his home.

Survivors include his wife, Jill Lopomo; four children, Rebecca Motley, Nicole Lopomo, Jason Lopomo, and Jenna Lopomo; his brother, Nick Lopomo; two sisters, Sherry Baker and Bonnie Lopomo; and five grandchildren, Blake and Olivia Motley, Jacob Frantz, Landon Frantz, and Alex Frantz.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas and Cleora "Sis" Lopomo.

Lopomo was a 1973 graduate of James Monroe High School.

A funeral service will be held at noon Thursday, Oct. 28, at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg Chapel. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Attn: Trudy Clifton, 113 Tallpines Drive, Locust Grove, Va. 22508.

Online guest book is available at Covenant Funeral Service.

— Full Story

Raymond E. Johnson Jr.

2010-03-20T13:48:00.003-04:00

Raymond Elmore Johnson Jr., 54, of King George County departed this life Saturday, March 13, 2010. He was born to Raymond E. Johnson Sr., of Fredericksburg and Catherine L. Green of New Orleans, La.

He is survived by his wife, Mae Greer Johnson; one daughter, Carley A. Johnson; and one son, Chandler A. Johnson, both of King George. He also leaves behind his parents; three brothers: Larry D. (and Lucile), Edward N. (and Elizabeth) and Marc T.; two sisters, Edith C. (and Donald) and Patricia L. Johnson. He is also survived by eight sisters-in-law, four brothers-in-law, two aunts, one uncle, a host of cousins, nieces and nephews: one goddaughter, one godsister, one godbrother and very special friends.

Mr. Johnson was a 1973 graduate from James Monroe High School.

A viewing will be held 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 21, at A.L. Bennett and Son Funeral Home, 200 Butternut Drive, Fredericksburg, where the funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 22. Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery, King George.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made for Carley and Chandler Johnson at NSWC Federal Credit Union, Box 519, Dahlgren, Va. 22448.

Online condolences may be expressed at albennettandsonfuneralhome.com.

Frances L. Armstrong

2010-01-27T10:51:00.005-05:00

Frances L. Armstrong, 93, of Fredericksburg passed away Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, at Mary Washington Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, W. Sidney Armstrong, who passed away in 2005.

She was locally educated at Fredericksburg High School and Fredericksburg State Teachers College. She went on to further her education at the University of Virginia and George Washington University. She was a former principal of Maury School and a teacher for 45 years.

"Many of my students have made me very proud. They have become teachers, principals, dentists, lawyers, college professors, church bishops, city council members, and even a Fredericksburg city manager," she once said.

She was a former member of the Fredericksburg Education Association, Virginia Education Association and the National Education Association. She was a past president and vice president of the Fredericksburg Woman's Club, and a member of the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Friends of the Orchestra at Mary Washington College, James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library, Mary Washington College National Alum Association, Fredericksburg Firemen's Auxiliary, Business and Professional Woman's Club, and the Presidents Book Club at Mary Washington College.

She was honored with the Mary Washington College Service Award, (DAR) Outstanding American History award, (VFW) Woman of the Year, the Civil War Round Table award, a life membership pin for the Woman's Society at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, quarter of the year award for 1999 at Mary Washington College, James Monroe High School monogram and the Monroe Echo dedication in 1953 and 1981 at James Monroe High School.

In 2006, she was given the Woman of Distinction Lifetime Achievement award by the Girl Scouts Commonwealth Council of Virginia. In her honor, a concert by Richard Miller was performed at the Mary Washington College Homecoming in 1999, and she has been featured in the Mary Washington publication MWC Today.

At Walker-Grant Middle School, her name is honored in the Armstrong Field. During World War II, she rolled bandages, and in the summers was in charge of a playground. She acted as a hostess to the USO and chaperoned after game parties at the Methodist church for several years.

She was a sponsor of the James Monroe High School cheerleaders and a head sponsor of their junior class for many years. She crowned the prince and king at James Monroe High School and always considered it an honor.

A funeral will be held at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church with burial to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Online condolences may be offered at mullinsthompsonfuneralhomes.com

— Full FLS Obituary

Ronald Jordan

2009-12-28T04:31:00.003-05:00

Ronald Jordan, 72, of Spotsylvania County died Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, at his residence.

Ronald Jordan was a native of Henderson, N.C. He attended elementary and high school at Henderson Institute. Always having an interest in music and drama, Ronald was an outstanding performer in the Henderson Institute band and won several awards for his work in drama.

Ronald was always active in the church, where he once served as the Sunday school superintendent at his home church, Spring Street Baptist Church, while still in high school.

Ronald would graduate as one of the most-popular students in one of the largest graduating classes from Henderson Institute at the time.

After graduation, Ronald would be the first in his family to attend college, pursuing his interest in music.

In 1955, he began his college career and a lifelong affinity for Virginia State College in Petersburg. He was voted "king," signifying the outstanding male freshman during orientation week in 1955. His popularity did not diminish for the remainder of his time at Virginia State College. Again, he would excel in his musical endeavors, as well as the theater where he won several awards.

After 10 years of service to the Essex County public schools, he would move his talents further north to the city of Fredericksburg in the fall of 1971, where he became the band director at James Monroe High School. From 1971 to 1991, the JMHS band was known for its ability to perform, winning awards that would take it to Temple University in the early '70s to Atlanta, Ga. and the Peach Bowl in the early '80s.

The band was renowned for its showmanship during this period, and Ronald's reputation in the community centered around the band's award-winning performances.

— Full Obituary

Condolences to Bill Saunders and family

2009-10-25T00:10:00.004-04:00

The Class of 1973 wishes to express their sincere condolences to Bill Saunders and family on the death of his son, Corey Blake Saunders, who died Friday, October 23, 2009.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, October 26 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 27 at Salem Fields Community Church with the Rev. Buddy Marston. Interment will follow in Wilderness Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Salem Fields Community Church, 11120 Gordon Road, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22407.

— Obituary and Online Condolence Book

Lloyd L. Gibson

2009-08-15T19:49:00.005-04:00

It is with much sorrow to report the death of Coach Lloyd Gibson.

Lloyd Leckie Gibson Jr., 77, of Fredericksburg passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009. He was born July 26, 1932, in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Gibson graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, Montgomery Junior College and Lynchburg College. He served as a corpsman in the U.S. Navy.

Lloyd was a longtime member of The Presbyterian Church in Fredericksburg. He was a member of the Fredericksburg Host Lions Club where he was a past president.

Lloyd's true love was his career. He taught and coached at Caroline High School from 1958 to 1969. He coached baseball, basketball and football. He started the track program and won three consecutive state titles. While at Caroline he coached the football team to district championships in 1964, 1965 and 1967.

In 1969, Lloyd moved to Fredericksburg to coach at James Monroe High School. While at James Monroe, he coached track, football and basketball. In 1972, his basketball team went 25-0 to win the state title. It has been said that this '72 Jackets team was the area's best ever. Coach Gibson was also athletic director at James Monroe from 1970 to 1992. After his retirement he remained a loyal supporter of the James Monroe athletic program. He also was an avid golfer.

Lloyd is survived by his wife, Dottie Gibson; his children, Michael Gibson and his wife, Michelle, of Spotsylvania County, and Stephanie Swanson and her husband, Tom, of Belpre, Ohio; one grandson, Ryan Swanson of Belpre; two stepdaughters, Tracy Barragan of Spotsylvania and Kimberly Riley and her husband, Brett, of Clearwater, Fla.; and two stepgrandsons, Mickey and Jackson Riley of Florida. Lloyd was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Becky Gibson.

Family visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at the funeral home. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens immediately following the service. The Rev. Allen H. Fisher Jr. will preside over the service, along with the Rev. Patrick Dennis.

Pallbearers will be Paul Neal, Mike McGee, Richard Garnett, James Carneal, Marion Timberlake, Joseph Lanford, Carlton Musselman and Robert Hornbuckle.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Fredericksburg Presbyterian Church, 810 Princess Anne St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401.

Online guest book at Covenant Funeral service.

Pre-planning survey

2009-07-31T17:36:00.003-04:00

In an effort to get off on the right foot, a new Pre-planning Reunion Survey has been posted to the website.

This survey will update your personal information plus give the Reunion Team a starting point from the responses you give.

Please go to our website and fill it out today!

Facebook Group

2009-06-13T13:48:00.001-04:00

We now have a Facebook Group. Go to: www.facebook.com

If you are not signed in before you click this link, you might need to come back to this page for the link.

JMHS Class of 2009

2009-06-11T13:59:00.000-04:00

The 2009 JMHS Graduation Ceremony will be held indoors on June 12th at James Monroe High School at 7 pm.

Welcome

2009-06-06T12:59:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the JMHS Class of 1973 Blog. Just in time to plan for our 40th Reunion.