Bio, 2014: Karen Bilyeu Thomas
Two weeks after graduation, John Thomas and I married and moved to Oklahoma City. Using the skills Mary Taylor and Jeanetta Loper taught me, I worked in a downtown law office. Later I took a position with the State Department of Education.
In 1966, John was offered a job with Stillwater Savings & Loan (where he stayed for 30 years) so we moved back to Stillwater. I first worked in OSU’s Athletic Department for Hank Iba. Later I took a position with the Oklahoma Department of Vo-Tech where I worked for 32 years. My last position was Administrative Assistant to the State Director (Dr. Francis Tuttle/Dr. Roy Peters). After a brief retirement, in 2000 we moved to Missouri City TX to help with our first grandchild. I went to work at Rice University in Houston as Assistant Program Director and Admin Assistant to the Dean of the School of Continuing Studies. Then came my second retirement--this one has lasted.
In 1968, our daughter Johnna was born. She has two daughters and lives near us. Our son, Michael, was born in 1973 and has 4 children in Perry. Both graduated from SHS and Johnna went on to graduate from OSU (go Pokes). Our furry child is Ziggy, a four-year-old Shih Tzu. All of our six grandchildren are beautiful, intelligent, loving, etc. etc.
Everyone has to get a hobby after retirement. Mine is working with stained and fused glass and I really enjoy it. We travel everywhere in our fifth-wheel rv and have met some very “interesting” folks in our travels!
It’s been a great 50 years and I am looking forward to the next 50!
©2009 Stillwater High School Class of 1964