Thom. . . a dear friend from Aptos School. He lived in Seacliff and we rode the bus together often. He was everyone's friend and never had an unkind word. He and I went on Ch. 11's Record Hop and won the Twist Contest. The twist had just come out and no one else on the set knew how to do it so during a commercial we showed the other "panicked" junior high kids how to do it. We won because we Twisted all the way down to the floor and back up again. We didn't show them that part ! Oh, such fun memories.
Aptos School, Class of '61 had a 25 year reunion at the school and then at Rio Beach, followed by the die-hards' invasion of the boardwalk where we rode the roller coaster. Thom got us all kicked off for the night because he tried to stand up at the top. Idiot ! But so fun.
The following year he brought his partner, Joel, out from D.C. and they took Lloyd and I and our daughters out to a fancy dinner. They gave our girls who were about 10 and 12 "dating" advice and to never settle for less than a stretch limo ! Needless to say, our daughters thought they were the greatest. Still miss you, Thom, and think of you often.
Oh Thom, I sure wish you were still with us for next year's get-together. I don't think there's any words that one can say that's a big enough "thank you " for serving our country. I'm so proud of you finding a partner and sharing yourself with love. I'm sure going to miss seeing you.
With everyone talking about the fun we all had in high school I found myself thinking about the many dances that were held. Be it an after game dance, homecoming, or Sadie Hawkins they were always well attended and a lot of fun. One thing that stands out in my memory were the inevitable "stroll line" dances that would always happen. And leading the way was Thom Higgins and Mark Mielke. I don't think either of them ever stopped dancing. I am sure Thom is leading the way for another stroll line in heaven and making the place rock.
Thom was another Aptos kid I grew up with. Thom and I were also dates on the TV show Record Hop that Karen talked about. That was the most amazing thing I had done up until that point in my life. I was in teen heaven. I don't remember much about the dance, but I do remember returning wearing Thom's ring around a chain on my neck that he had given me. That ring was still around my neck when my father greeted us at the front door after the dance. I wanted to take it off, but I didn't want to take it off in from of Thom...and I was sure I didn't want my father to know that Thom and I were 'going steady'! I had to return the ring to Thom the next school day...after all according to my father....going steady was only a few steps away from marriage and we certainly were not ready for that at 13 or 14. I could always count on Thom for a dance...if he wasn't dancing with someone else! R.I.P. dancing Thom.
Harold Aguilar
Happy Veteran's Day 2013....thank you for your service. You are a true hero and will be missed at the 50th Reunion. Harold Aguilar
Karen Kelley (Lund)
Thom. . . a dear friend from Aptos School. He lived in Seacliff and we rode the bus together often. He was everyone's friend and never had an unkind word. He and I went on Ch. 11's Record Hop and won the Twist Contest. The twist had just come out and no one else on the set knew how to do it so during a commercial we showed the other "panicked" junior high kids how to do it. We won because we Twisted all the way down to the floor and back up again. We didn't show them that part ! Oh, such fun memories.
Aptos School, Class of '61 had a 25 year reunion at the school and then at Rio Beach, followed by the die-hards' invasion of the boardwalk where we rode the roller coaster. Thom got us all kicked off for the night because he tried to stand up at the top. Idiot ! But so fun.
The following year he brought his partner, Joel, out from D.C. and they took Lloyd and I and our daughters out to a fancy dinner. They gave our girls who were about 10 and 12 "dating" advice and to never settle for less than a stretch limo ! Needless to say, our daughters thought they were the greatest. Still miss you, Thom, and think of you often.
Jan Proctor (Weiser)
Oh Thom, I sure wish you were still with us for next year's get-together. I don't think there's any words that one can say that's a big enough "thank you " for serving our country. I'm so proud of you finding a partner and sharing yourself with love. I'm sure going to miss seeing you.
Harold Aguilar
With everyone talking about the fun we all had in high school I found myself thinking about the many dances that were held. Be it an after game dance, homecoming, or Sadie Hawkins they were always well attended and a lot of fun. One thing that stands out in my memory were the inevitable "stroll line" dances that would always happen. And leading the way was Thom Higgins and Mark Mielke. I don't think either of them ever stopped dancing. I am sure Thom is leading the way for another stroll line in heaven and making the place rock.
Patricia Lawrence
Thom was another Aptos kid I grew up with. Thom and I were also dates on the TV show Record Hop that Karen talked about. That was the most amazing thing I had done up until that point in my life. I was in teen heaven. I don't remember much about the dance, but I do remember returning wearing Thom's ring around a chain on my neck that he had given me. That ring was still around my neck when my father greeted us at the front door after the dance. I wanted to take it off, but I didn't want to take it off in from of Thom...and I was sure I didn't want my father to know that Thom and I were 'going steady'! I had to return the ring to Thom the next school day...after all according to my father....going steady was only a few steps away from marriage and we certainly were not ready for that at 13 or 14. I could always count on Thom for a dance...if he wasn't dancing with someone else! R.I.P. dancing Thom.